BusinessWeek Mindanao (September 30, 2020)

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Wednesday|September 30, 2020

DAVAO City – Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson Emmanuel Piñol clarified Thursday that the agency is not Mindanao’s version of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), noting that it does not only act as a planning entity but oversees development programs as well.

Piñol made the clarification after Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri told MinDA officials during the Senate hearing on the agency’s P172 million budget for 2021 on Tuesday that its function is mainly to oversee major infrastructure programs in the region--like what NEDA does.

The Mindanao Development Authority Act of 2010 says the agency was created to “promote, coordinate and facilitate the active and extensive participation of all sectors to affect the socioeconomic development of Mindanao."

P15.00

Philhealth-10 sets probe over anomalous claims Thank you for trusting us!

P

H I L I PPI N E He a lt h In su r an c e Corporation in Region 10 (PhilHealth-10) has denied the alleged conspiracies in the processing of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) related cases, even as it vowed to investigate the accusations of profiteering.

THE US Agency for International Development (USAID) said it signed a P10.5 billion, five-year bilateral assistance agreement with the Department of Finance to support projects promoting inclusive economic growth.

USAID said in a statement the aid will also support projects to improve the business environment and digital-economy and innovation initiatives boosting small businesses.

It said the recently-signed agreement is one of the four new development assistance agreements the USAID is planning to launch this year for the Philippines. The proposed agreements have a combined value of P32.7 billion over five years.

MinDA not NEDA

We strive for Excellence!

Philippine Press Institute Civic Journalism Community Press awardee for the following: 2013 Best in Business and Economic Reporting 2014 Best in Environmental Reporting 2017 Best in Business and Economic Reporting 2018 Best in Business and Economic Reporting

Merlyn Ybañez, PhilHealth-10 information officer, said the agency is aware of social media posts on the alleged irregularity

and that they had received c o m p l a i nt s t h a t s o m e accredited testing centers do not deduct bills through CLAIMS/PAGE 7

Group calls for stricter rules vs illegal LPG refillers

By MARK FRANCISCO, Reporter

SECRET BEACH. Tourists enjoy the tranquil waters in Doot, now referred to as “Secret Beach” at the boundary of Barangay Union in Dapa and Barangay Malinao in General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. The place offers a tour of the mangroves. mindanews photo by roel n . catoto

THE death of a 19 year old man and injuries suffered by another person believed to have engaged in illegal refilling of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) has prompted an

environmental watchdog to call on authorities to put a check and eventually stop the very hazardous business practice.

ILLEGAL/PAGE 7

46th Phil. Business Conference

Oro, MisOr national finalists as Most Business Friendly LGUs

By MIKE BAÑOS, Editor-at-Large

The local government units of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental have been chosen finalists for the 2020 Most Business-Friendly Local

Government Unit Awards of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Cagayan de Oro is a finalist FINALISTS/PAGE 7

Experts say 300-year-old Toog tree is alive and well

By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN, Contributing Editor

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur--- Expert arborists who thoroughly assessed the health status of the

t ow e r i n g 3 0 0 - y e a r- o l d heritage Philippine Rosewood ( Petersianthus quadrialatus) TREE/PAGE 7

VIEW FROM ATOP. A tree climber working on top of the crown of the 54-meter iconic Toog tree cleans the hole decays before he applied polyurethane foam to limit the oxygen, temperature and moisture inside, as initial part of the tree healing process. photo courtesy of forester raul bunao

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2

Local NorMin film festival to stream online for free

T

HE Liceo de Cagayan University (LDCU) here announced on Monday that its Northern Mindanao Film Festival (NMFF) will be streamed online, a first in this city's local film tradition.

The NMFF, which will run from September 30 to October 3, will feature works of filmmakers in the region.

“Filmmakers prevail despite the pandemic,” said LDCU Vice President for External and Cultural Affairs Hobart P. Savior.

Savior was notable for organizing the defunct Cinemagis Digital Short Film Festival by the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts that he previously headed. He is also the current festival director of the NMFF.

As a rebranding of Cinemagis, organizers said the NMFF continues “to recognize the filmmaking potentials of Northern Mindanao by filmmakers who make waves in national and international film festivals, film laboratory development programs and grants”.

Virtual festival Events that will take place online include the festival launch, film screening, forum and discussions, and related activities.

The festival categorizes films according to their themes, forms, and previous selection to other film festivals conducted in Mindanao.

The Tanglaw category will screen the full-length films on the opening and closing dates. Respectively,

these are Vic Acedillo’s "Kamunggai", and Sheron Dayoc’s, "Halaw".

The Lantaw category will feature 26 winning films from the previous Cinemagis festival. The NMFF Extra, on the other hand, has eight films which have all been entries to other film festivals held in Mindanao.

A forum known as Sine Talakayan will invite filmmakers from Cagayan de Oro City such as Joe Bacus, Julienne Ilagan, and Ben Padero to talk about their creative process amidst the ongoing pandemic that had halted many film productions and postponed film releases.

The NMFF Facebook page will stream the forums live at 9:30 AM on October 2 and 3.

Promising venture

According to organizers, the upcoming NMFF promises exciting new opportunities for filmmakers in the region by showcasing films that advocate for and reflect the prevalent issues in the region and giving them a platform to deliver their messages.

“The festival [will] redefine the Northern Mindanao filmmaking landscapes and engagements through stakeholders’ participation,” Savior said.

One of the festival’s aspirations, he said, is for filmmakers and artists to establish partnerships with the local government units in the region and organize a film council that will come up with film development programs ONLINE/PAGE 7

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WEDNESDAY|SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Butuan holds training on online teaching

BUTUAN City – To help teachers improve their knowledge and skills in online teaching, the City Library here will hold two sets of training for teachers from Sept. 28 Oct. 2.

City Information Officer Michiko M. De Jesus told the Philippine News Agency Monday that participants from public and private schools are expected to join the two batches of training at the City Library Training Room.

The training is free of charge.

“This will help our teachers cope with their online classes as a new method of teaching in the midst of the pandemic we are facing now,” De Jesus said, adding that last year, at least 25 teachers attended a similar training.

With the teaching methods adopting the new normal, she said they are expecting more teachers to enroll in the training that delves into online teaching toolkits and hands-on exercises on Google Meet, Zoom, and other digital meeting platforms.

“The teachers can meet their students and have classes through these platforms. With the training we offer, they can familiarize themselves with these programs and make their teachings effective amidst the Covid-19 pandemic,” de Jesus said.

As of Sunday (Sept.

27), this city has a total of 679 Covid-19 cases with 355 recoveries, 297 active cases, and 27 recorded deaths, according to the Department of Health.

(PNA)

NorMin now has 39 PhilHealth accredited isolation units CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--To provide coverage for all Filipinos for health services in identified Community Isolation Units (CIUs) for coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, PhilHealth has now accredited 39 CIUs in the region.

PhilHealth-10 Public Affairs Office Head Merlyn Ybañez shared

PhilHealth-10 Public Affairs Office Head Merlyn Ybañez shares that of the 39 PhilHealth accredited isolation units, Cagayan de Oro has 19, Gingoog (1), Bukidnon (8), Misamis Occidental (2), Lanao del Norte (8), and Camiguin (1), during the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, September 29. (VPSB/PIA10)

that of the said number, Cagayan de Oro has 19, Gingoog (1), Bukidnon (8), Misamis Occidental (2), Lanao del Norte (8), and Camiguin (1), during the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, September 29.

“The PhilHealth package shall cover all

inputs and activities within the entire episode of care at the CIU including payment for staff and professional fees, medicine, diagnostics, transport, and other operational cost,” Ybañez said.

To avail of the benefit, the beneficiary must meet

the clinical and/or social criteria as stated in the applicable issuance of the Department of Health (DOH).

The corresponding reimbursement rate is at maximum of P22,449 per claim.

For private health care ISOLATION/PAGE 7

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

3

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WEDNESDAY|SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

OPINION:

Retail and commercial spaces redefined E IGHT months into this new normal people start asking themselves what will happen next.

Especially tenants in the retail sector are clueless if they will be able to get back to a sustainable business climate or not. Meanwhile hoards of businesses are closing their doors indefinitely and a scary number of tenantlandlord litigations are currently under way.

Is this finally the spark for retail and other entrepreneurs to rethink their business models? It seems so. Restaurants have been forced to shrink their operations and to focus mainly on home delivery. Some service providers have been partially able to adapt to online service delivery and so did schools for example,

while others like those requiring physical contact have not been as lucky. Shops, stores and outlets in the malls have had definitely had a harder hit than the neighbourhood's ones as the limitation of influx of customers and the restrictions on personal movement have incentived people to stay nearby their residences rather than going places. And at the same time we have been able to observe that people have changed their view on many things and about old habits. Families have had the opportunity to grow closer, the wasting of money and time in ludicrous after-hour activities has dramatically decreased and as a consequence our homes and its immediate surroundings have become the new

micro-cosmos for most of us. The positive consequence for that was certainly a renewed focus on the self, the environment around us and our life as a whole. Many people have in fact taken this opportunity to change something in their life, to relocate to a more convenient location, buy new plants and flowers for the house or start a series of new hobbies and rediscover lost traits like cooking, baking, handicrafts, gardening, reading, yoga, meditation and other soul enriching things. While Netflix and teleserie marathons have become socially acceptable among the younger generation gaming and social media has become the 'new normal' every-day addiction.

Home entertainment in general has seen

a dramatic booming streak over the past months to the happiness of the service providers.

The awareness of “my space” and “my comfort” has therefore gained new momentum and has seen a raise in the search for liveable spaces not only in Uptown CdO but I am sure also in other cities in the Philippines the same phenomenon can be observed. The reason is probably not so difficult to understand. #Comfort, #Green Environment #Connectivity, #Abundance of liveable outdoor spaces, #Convenience for shopping. #Entertainment Facilities. So the same is happening with office spaces whereas the comfort of having an office near home and in a liveable environment

LORENS ZILLER

Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines

has certainly become a new goal for officebased companies.

Working out of the office has also changed as internal spaces have had to be re-defined for the safety of employees.

New requirements have forced to decrowd working spaces and find alternative locations. That's is maybe the best opportunity to grab the moment to move to a new location for many companies. Personally I would move to Uptown CdO into Primavera City's new commercial spaces which I was able to cover with a vlog a few months back.

The building is the only posh, modern, green commercial and office space available in town. Probably at the moment the most prestigious address for any company or organisation that wants to re-define its idea of working in a liveable green building and healthy environment.

With the possibility of designing your own working space to your specific needs this is probably a great opportunity to show corporate forward thinking with the wellbeing of the employees in the mind.

4

Opinion

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

BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO CORPORATION Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO ALLAN MARIO MEDIANTE Vice President for Corporate Affairs RUFINO T. MAGBANUA Vice President for Business Development VICENTE C. DELA VICTORIA Vice President for Operations JOE FELICILDA Vice President for Administration JOHN AARON M. DEL BANDO Vice President for Events and Promotions JOE PALABAO Vice President for Marketing ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, PhD Vice President for Finance MIKE BAÑOS Vice President for Digital

NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

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Regional Editor - Caraga

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Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Like father, like son (Pt. 2) Think a minute...A man was driving his car with his son when he was stopped by a policeman and given a ticket for speeding. The father was angry all the way home, talking about how he was going to get his friend at the police department to “fix” it so he would not have to pay. Then, he was going to get revenge by making trouble for the policeman who gave him the ticket!

Later, the father realized what a bad example he had been to his son, so he told his son he had said things in anger that he should not have. He then took his son with him to court, admitted he was guilty, and paid the penalty. Your kids will walk as you walk, not as you talk.

They follow your ways of living much more than your words about living.

On a Saturday night, a car went off the road killing the young man driving and seriously injuring his 1 7 - ye ar- ol d g i r l f r i e n d .

When the girl’s parents got to the hospital, they learned that their daughter and her boyfriend had been drinking. The father left the

THINK A MINUTE

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WEDNESDAY|SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

So near, yet so far

FIRST, the good news.

A new Covid-19 treatment called ICAM is now being developed in the US and is seen to achieve measurable results with a near-perfect success rate of 96 percent.

The bad news? That treatment is still a year away.

That is on April 2021 yet though the earliest trials started late last month.

On top of other treatments being developed, the ICAM has the potential to knock off the virus— literally.

ICAM is an acronym for the types of medications: Immunosupport such as Vitamin C and Zinc; Corticosteroids to

c o nt r o l i n f l a m m at i o n ; Anticoagulants to prevent blood clots, and Macrolides to help fight infection.

ICAM requires no need for mechanical ventilation.

With ICAM, the patient is likely to survive regardless of age and regardless of past medical history.

ICAM works as a strategy for super defense for the body.

Somehow, It does not kill the coronavirus, but it does not need to.

It will just knock off the virus to deep slumber with a little chance of waking up again to wreak havoc in a global scale.

In this ICAM application, coronavirus is self-limiting, self-destructing.

After all, the virus has a very short life cycle.

What kills people are the consequences of coronavirus in multiple ways.

So near yet so far indeed.

It will take 18 to 24 months to make, test, and assess the efficacy of ICAM. So the waiting period for at least one year is literally a nightmare.

Meantime, the use of indigenous, herbal remedies at home will work wonders for us.

And of course the health protocols will always be

UNRUFFLED

RUFFY MAGBANUA there to keep us safe and away from contracting the virus.

Weak mask, keep the distance and stay home. (ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo. com)

'There's a battle outside and it is ragin!'

“Come senators, congressmen/ Please heed the call/Don’t stand in the doorway/Don’t block up the hall/For he that gets hurt/ Will be he who has stalled/ There’s a battle outside/And it is ragin’/It’ll soon shake your windows/And rattle your walls/For the times they are a changin’.”

These are some lines from the song, “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” popularized

by Bob Dylan, an American folk singer, who together with anti-war activists spearheaded a movement to stop USA’s imperialistic engagement in Vietnam in the 60’s. Who would believe that after 70 years, the song would still be very relevant, this time however, it is one to remind our legislators to take heed the call of the people to rectify social wrongs through responsive legislations Yes, there is a battle out there and it is ragin’. In the global context, the battle is against COVID-19 which is sort of a wake-up call for humanity to debunk so much materialism and consumerism

that has sacrificed mother earth and the people to the altar of greed and profit.

Based on an Oxfam Study, humanity has become so enamored in the profit motive that has captured the mindset of all governments, all universities, all institutions and all religious groups. We are now in the cataclysmic stage of our existence and have to pause for a while to reflect on these realities.

In the Philippine context, that battle is not only against the pandemic but more on a war against dehumanizing poverty that is perpetuated by the culture of corruption and greed that no less than our beloved President has condemned to the highest degree, reinforced by the apathetic attitude of the people who are rendered powerless all these years.

That battle is now raging in the countryside against the corn farmers who are now painfully experiencing so much hunger and poverty as the price of corn has gone down to all time low. Imagine, how could it be that during

harvest time of corn, there is now the massive entry of cheap corn substitutes that has put the price of corn to all time low of P9 per kilogram.

How can the Filipino corn farmers cope up with that when they are producing corn at the tune of P11 per kilogram.

No less than the National President of PhilMaize, Roger Navarro put such truism in clear categorical term, to qoute: “Corn farming in the country is challenged in so many fronts, but the greatest among them is the un-calibrated, uncontrolled importation of feed wheat and other corn substitute like DDGS (Distiller Dried Gr ai ns ) , c a ss av a ch ip s and pellets. The problem aggravates when all imports will arrive into the country and coincides with our local corn harvest. We submit in resignation that corn substitute importation has been going on ever since we signed with WTO, while corn was left out, restricted to export even when we are in

KIM'S DREAM

ORLAN R. RAVANERA the spirit of free and fair trade.

This importation caused displacement of millions of corn farmers nationwide, destructing their livelihood, induced scarcity instead of abundance and prosperity.

Transforming the lives of the farmers as commodities, denied and refused to share equitably with the bounty of their harvest in order for them to create a meaningful livelihoods and well-being.”

That “battle” went on before when our country opened up to rice tarrification as cheap rice was imported to the detriment of millions of our rice farmers. How can our BATTLE/PAGE 7

Need for daily strategizing

JHAN TIAFAU HURST hospital extremely angry saying, “Wait till I find the person that sold my daughter that whiskey!” When he returned home he saw a note on his liquor cabinet from his daughter: “Dear Dad, I took your whiskey tonight.

Hope you don’t mind?”

There’s nothing more important in your life than teaching your child by your right example. A young boy was asked on a questionnaire if he was a Christian and he answered: “I’m not a Christian because my father is not a Christian, and I’m the same thing as him.” Dad, you have the awesome honor and responsibility to show your son how to live the way HURST/PAGE 7

OUR life in this world will always be in some state of war. That's because there will always be things to conquer and things to defend for as long as we live. That's how things are. And we should just be ready to deal with this kind of life-long condition.

That is why we have to realize that we need to make daily strategies, ever keeping and sharpening our focus as well as making ourselves strong and as much as possible invincible to all those things that can take us off-track.

We j u s t c a n n o t b e complacent and cavalier about this condition. Yes, we should be willing to complicate our life, since complications will always be unavoidable even if we are not serious about our life’s real goals.

The first thing to consider is the clarity of the objectives we should be after. In this, there are different and varying levels. But we should know exactly what our ultimate goal to reach is, irrespective of

the changing conditions and circumstances. This ultimate goal should be the one to give the proper ranking and direction of the different secondary goals we have.

In this regard, we should have no doubt that our ultimate goal is to be what God wants us to be, that is, for us to be his image and likeness, his adopted children, meant to share in his very life for all eternity. The other name for this goal is the quest for sanctity. Thus, we need to understand that everything in our life is meant to train and test us whether we want to be what God wants us to be.

To come up with the appropriate strategy to deal with this condition of our life, we should have, first of all, some structure or system that can guide us irrespective of the changing circumstances of our daily life. This structure or system should be made up of some practices of piety that would keep our spiritual

and supernatural bearing intact as we cruise the seas and oceans of our life.

These practices of piety should be the basic ones like a time for prayer, recourse to the sacraments especially the holy eucharist and confession, some devotions like the praying of the holy rosary, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and other practices like regular examinations of conscience, presence of God all throughout the day making use of human devices, etc., Everyday, we have to tweak this system to adapt it to the peculiar conditions of the day. In this regard, it is also good to consider our concrete physical, emotional and mental conditions, so we would somehow know what to do when their strong and weak points would impact on the different events of the day. Not all days are the same. There are what we call ‘good’ days and ‘bad’ days.

Definitely, we have to plan things well, monitoring the

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA different developments of the day and assessing our reactions to them from time to time. We should see how things are meeting the goals, especially the ultimate one, that we have set for the day.

This, definitely, will require a certain discipline from us. At the beginning, we might feel ourselves awkward and having some difficulties.

But if we persevere, time will come when the skill and art of daily strategizing would come to us like an instinct!

Email: roycimagala@ gmail.com

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WEDNESDAY|SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

5

Lifestyle

Woong Korean Dishes CDO, the only authentic choice

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By MARK FRANCISCO

HE explosion of Korean culture in the Philippines and even as far as the United States has never been this pronounced as in the past decade or so. K-dramas and K-pop dances have raided our day-to-day lives. Insert Korean food into the scene.

Korean cuisine is distinctively hot and fermented. There are lots of local restaurants here that offer Korean dishes

If interested, contact:

in their menu but who else has the authority to churn out Korean food but someone who marries a South Korean herself ?

Cagayan de Oroborn Zerline May Suan married Seoul-based restaurateur Mun Young-gwan in 2011 and inherited from him the love of cooking Korean food.

In 2016, the couple moved here in Cagayan de Oro and Mayline (as

DANICA SUDARIA

she is fondly called) would continue cooking for her family.

But when the pandemic came, Mayline decided to share her Korean culinary experience by opening Woong Korean Dishes CDO. Although many of their vegetable ingredients are sourced locally, Mayline is proud to say that the dishes they serve are authentically Korean in taste.

Word of mouth and

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

social media spread and Korean afficionados here in CDO have taken to order not just cooked items from Woong Korean Dishes but raw ingredients and condiments such as kimchi and packed spicy noodles.

But Woong Korean Dishes CDO's bestseller is their samgyeupsal set at only P1,299 which already includes pan and grill, nine Korean side dishes, meat bulgogi flavor and meat yeongyam flavor with a

choice of add-on soju for a minimal amount.

Of course, Woong Korean Dishes CDO still sells yeong yeomgui, haemul bokkeum, komak mulchim, Korean lotteria burger, kimbap, tteokbokki, Korean fried chicken, jajangmyeon, gamjatang, dakdoritang,

bulgogiyeongyam and many more.

Woong Korean Dishes CDO can be reached through their Facebook page and is accepting orders daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Woong Korean Dishes CDO - your only authentic choice.

6

Tree... from page 1

or locally called “Toog” tree in Barangay Alegria here have find it alive and well.

Dr. Armando Palijon, a veteran arborist and former professor of University of the Philippines Los Banos College of Forestry, told members of the Agusan del Sur Environment and Sustainable Development Council (ASESDC) in a meeting that the Toog tree is very much alive and still structurally stable that can even resist the effects of natural calamities.

Pa lij on issue d t hes e f indings as concluding part of their series of third party scientific assessment (TPSA) of the iconic Toog tree, known to be the tallest and the oldest in the country, requested by the local Save Toog Tree Please (STOP) movement with the support of the Society of Filipino Foresters, Inc. (SFFI) and Phi lippine Nat ive Tre e Enthusiasts (PNTE).

L o c a l of f i c i a ls have decided to cut down the tree supposedly set last August 8-9 after the Department of Environment and Natural R e s o u r c e s ap p r o v e d a cutting permit but the STOP movement, in a last ditch effort to save the 54-meter Toog, asked Mayor Solomon Rufila for a dialogue at the EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late CACO ALI and EDDY MINGOL, who died intestate without a will on September 09, 2011 and December 06, 2007, respectively at Dagumbaan, Talakag, Bukidnon, That the deceased at the time of his death left a certain parcel of land situated in the Municipality of Talakag, bukidnon, more particularly described as follows with transfer Certificate of title No. T-18345, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FOUR THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED SIXTYTWO (134,662) Square Meters more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, filed by the heirs of CACO ALI and EDDY MINGOL, per DOC #269; PAGE #54; BOOK #11; Series of 2020, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ISIDRO Q. LICO. BWM: Sept. 30, Oct. 7 & 14, 2020

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late MERCY DOMINICE NAMOCATCAT, died intestate without will and testament leaving a certain parcel of land located in Brgy. Danatag, Baungon, Bukidnon on September 4, 2007 at Cagayan de Oro City, at the time of her death left a parcel of land with ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. AO-11282, situated in the Barangay of Danatag, Municipality of Baungon, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of EIGHTEEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED NINETY FIVE (18,695) square meters, more or less and that the deceased died intestate without leaving no debts to any person or entity the following property to wit, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of MERCY DOMINICE NAMOCATCAT, in favor of MERIAM NAMOCATCAT OLAMIT, per DOC #369; PAGE #75; BOOK #XXXIV; Series of 2019, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. CARLO ANTONIO BLALMIRANTE. BWM: Sept. 30, Oct. 7 & 14, 2020

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WEDNESDAY|SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Sangguniang Bayan session hall on August 10.

Rufila and the town council members during the dialogue have agreed to pursue the cutting only on the upper portion of the branch of the tree and let the lower part continue to stand as memorabilia.

The c utt ing was s et after the DENR Ecosystems R e s e arch D e vel opme nt Bureau recommended for the cutting down of the giant tree as the findings on biomechanics Structural Analysis showed that it has a hazard rating of 5.4 with only 0.6 difference to the highest 6 rating.

This prompted Engineer Mau ro B r av o Jr. , l e a d convenor of STOP movement, to seek support from SFFI and PNTE if only to stop the emerging tree cutting activity.

Responding to the call, Forester Tom Valdez, SFFI president, sent a letter to Rufila to held in abeyance the tree cutting activity as they will mount a thorough TPSA on August 20 by a ground assessment team (GAT) composed of local forester Raul Bunao, SFFI vice president Jose Kanapi Jr. based in Davao , Bravo a n d f or m e r mu n i c ip a l environment and natural re s ou rc e s of f i c e r R e ne Navarro.

The w GAT followed the instructions via Zoom meeting from Palijon and another expert arborist June Micosa.

Another assessment at the Toog was conducted on August 29 with Micosa, Professor Ronniel Manalo of UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources and Valdez assisted by Kanapi, Bravo, Navarro and Bunao where they dug 1.5 meter EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late ESPERLITO MANGUBAT AGUITON, died intestate in Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, leaving a certain residential building with Tax Declaration No. G-368118, situated at #283 Everlasting Street, Zone 5, Ilaya, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, filed by the heirs of ESPERLITO MANGUBAT AGUITON, per DOC #325; PAGE #65; BOOK #216; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI. BWM: Sept. 30, Oct. 7 & 14, 2020

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late LOURDES GOMEZ FIGURA, who died on February 4, 2019 in Cagayan de Oro City, that the deceased died intestate, without will or testament, and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity; that the deceased left among others a parcel of land with TCT No. T-190538 situated in the Barrio of Macasandig, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of FIFTY (50) Square Meters more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT, filed by the heirs of LOURDES GOMEZ FIGURA, per DOC #342; PAGE #80; BOOK #91; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. QUINTILIANITO S. BABARIN, JR. BWM: Sept. 30, Oct. 7 & 14, 2020

deep backfill to check on the condition of the lateral roots and found it alive and healthy.

Palijon who came in September 25 to personally present their TPSA findings said validation show that all of the buttresses are alive and healthy and can sufficiently provide support to the above ground part of the Toog tree.

“Lateral roots that were seen during radial trenching are similarly alive and healthy,” Palijon noted.

He and the TPSA team spent a full day in September 26 to supervise the pruning of a dead branch at the crown where they took specimen samples for further study, filling of the decays on its crown and buttress with polyurethane foam and preparing the guy cables for the three guy lines.

The team has instructed their local counterparts proper method of disinfecting the big decay on its buttress with fungicide and pesticide b e f ore s e a l i n g it w it h polyurethane foam to limit the oxygen, temperature and moisture inside.

The local GAT led by Bravo will undertake the installation of the extra strong triangular guy cables from the branch to the 25 ton concrete anchor in October 25 to allay fears from the residents living near the Toog tree that it would not fall down.

Rufila has asked Valdez in SFFI’s behalf to work out on the cancellation of the DENR cutting permit to ensure there would be legal infirmities in the future of which the latter agreed to do it.

T h e m ay o r a s s u r e d the TPSA team that since the tree can still be saved the local government will allocate more funds for next year budget for the proper maintenance and care of the Toog tree.

Increase the budget for 4Ps so more children can go to school and have access to education

CONDITIONAL cash transfer programs provide cash grants to eligible families for the education and health of their children enrolled in the program. In the Philippines, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is the flagship program of the government with the main goal of “promoting human capital among poor families, especially children, to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.”

The conditionalities will encourage discipline among qualified families that would result in the improvement of children’s health, nutrition, education and other aspects of their overall wellbeing. Attendance of at least 85% of school days and as well as regular visits to the barangay or municipal health care facilities for regular check-ups are some of the requirements that must be complied.

The 4Ps seeks to support the poorest households, covering about 20% of the country’s population.[1] Such program is effective in ensuring the health and nutrition of beneficiary children and encourages school enrollment.

Continuously funding such programs also tremendously helps[2] families deal with socioeconomic impacts such as job losses and increased poverty[3] due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of June 2020, the

Teachers Cycling in to Work By: JENNIFER A. TALAMPAS

Beginners and experienced bikers are welcome. All genres of bike are welcome.

There are public school teachers who chose pedal power to go to work.

According to them, biking to work is a great way to help the environment. To get some carefree exercise, and save money all at the same time.

We see more and more groups of individuals who are into cycling. Other than the fun and fitness benefits, it is now the hottest trend. Bikes are hot. The pandemic made road biking boom. These teachers have already formed a group .For them, the bicycle is no longer just a tool for sport;it is resp onsible for the emergence of a new lifestyle trend.

Miss Joan Tabilin, a grade 6 teacher of Lumbia Central School, would pedal

at least 5 miles going back and forth to work( more or less 30 minutes). It really is possible to commute by bicycle without showing up at work drenched, she said. She maintains a consistently low effort for any uphills.Of course, no ride is perfectly flat.And the killer is , humidity.

Often, she brought with her clothes which she can change when she gets to school.

T h e re are p o s it ive outcomes of regular cycling . For these teachers, cycling improves their mental wellbeing. It decreases stress level,increases muscle strength and flexibility to prepare them for the opening of classes this October 5, 2020. They need a wonderful workout that boosts their circulation and keeps them active to start the day with a sense of accomplishment.

4Ps has served 4.3 million poor households with 7.8 children. This program has shown positive and encouraging results in contributing to children beneficiaries’ health and education. It is alarming though that there has been a remarkable decrease in coverage among 4Ps children beneficiaries from as high as 10.2 million children in November 2015 to its lowest of 7.8 million in 2020.[4] The 2020 budget for 4Ps still maintained the maximum enrollment of three (3) children per household based on EO 16 series of 2008. However, this limit was lifted in Republic Act 11310, otherwise known as 4Ps Act of 2019. Thus, we call on Congress to uphold its commitment in the law and increase the budget allocation for 4Ps from its current allocation of P108

billion to P113 billion so that an additional 1,023,874 children can be covered by the program.

According to UNICEF’s policy brief titled, “Making the 4Ps inclusive for all children of currently enrolled households,” lifting the three-child limit makes sense because access to social protection is every child’s right.

Parents shouldn’t have to choose who among their children should go to school or should receive the necessary medical and nutrition interventions.

Congress can make the 4Ps more inclusive and expansive by increasing the budget for the cash transfer program so that more children can go to school, get regular health check-ups, and receive vaccines.

“We understand that the country needs more BUDGET/PAGE 7

Stocks dip; peso closes nearly unchanged vs. USD

By JOANN VILLANUEVA, PNA

MANILA – The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed in negative territory Tuesday, but the peso managed to end the day sideways against the US dollar despite investors’ waitand-see stance on the US’ new fiscal stimulus, among others.

The main stock index went down by 0.34 percent, or 19.79 points, to 5,841.60 points.

All Shares followed with a decline of 0.28 percent, or 9.88 points, to 3,521.10 points.

Half of the sectoral gauges also ended the day with losses, led by the Holding Firms, 0.96 percent.

Services slipped by 0.50 percent and Property by

0.41 percent.

Financials rose by 0.69 percent, Mining and Oil by 0.43 percent, and Industrial by 0.40 percent.

Volume totaled 1.45 billion shares amounting to PHP5.67 billion.

Decliners led advancers at 109 to 88, while 52 shares were unchanged.

“Shares closed weaker on low volume once again with investors getting ready for the quarter end window dressing tomorrow, while others remained on the sidelines for a new deal on US fiscal stimulus and several corporate deals being struck,” said Luis Limlingan, Regina Capital Development Corporation head of sales.

PESO/PAGE 7

7

Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

WEDNESDAY|SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Hurst... from page 4

his Maker created him to live. But you cannot show him Jesus’ way if you are not living that way yourself.

Today, you can ask Him to forgive you for living your own, wrong way, and to take full charge of your heart and character. Then you can start showing your son God’s way every day, both with your words and your ways. Just think a minute…

Battle... from page 4

rice farmers compete with the outpourings of massive rice importation sold at only P10 per kilogram when rice in the Philippines is produced at P13 per kilogram? The culprit is that our farming is tied-up to conventional agriculture, heavily dependent on the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides while other countries have shifted to organic farming or sustainable agriculture.

T h r o u g h COOPERATIVISM, there is now the dawning of a new day as the people are now undergoing a process of what is called “conscientization,” an awakening process where the people have finally realized that social change cannot be had out of the “kindness” of the powersthat-be but only through their collective power, meaningful participation and continuing vigilance.

If social change cannot be had through legislation, then let us be reminded of a social warning that says, “when a few oligarchs will have much too much and the many who are poor have much too little, then, we might face circumstances horrible even to contemplate.”

Yes, “it will soon shake your windows and rattle your walls, for the times they are a-changin.” Believe me, social change is now hovering over the land towards a socially-equitable and ecologically sustainable kind of development where money will be used not to make more money but to enhance the well being of the people.

Claims... from page 1

PhilHealth packages.

"There’s no conspiracy.

We are going to investigate the hospital if there is (a case of) 'upcasing.' We have very strict monitoring of claims here in Region 10," Ybañez said.

"Upcasing," she said, is a prohibited practice in which a patient is given a fake diagnosis to get a higher PhilHealth claim.

Ybañez said all claims submitted by hospitals related to Covid-19 are separated as these will undergo manual review and process.

In Northern Mindanao, she said there are three PhilHealth-accredited testing centers for Covid-19: Maria Reyna Hospital, Polymedic Plaza, both private hospitals; and the state-run Northern Mindanao Medical Center

(NMMC).

All hospitals are based in the city.

Ybañez said any medical entity can conduct Covid-19 testing as long as they are certified by the Department of Health. However, these testing centers cannot claim health insurance packages if they are not accredited by PhilHealth.

The issue stems from several Facebook posts alleging that some hospitals are engaged in "profiteering" through PhilHealth reimbursements by declaring patients to be "suspected" of Covid-19--even when the illness was not Covid-related.

Dr. Eugenio Francisco Isteban, the municipal health officer of Don Victoriano Rural Health Unit in Misamis Occidental, denied the existence of the practice in a Facebook post recently.

Isteban said PhilHealth claims are done in the hospital and that test results through R e v e r s e - Tr a n s c r i p t i o n Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) are not tampered with or faked just to claim for PhilHealth reimbursements.

"Also, Philhealth will only reimburse if Covid-19 claims are proven and tested

by RT-PCR. You can’t fake the test. So unless there's positive RT-PCR result, doctors or hospitals can't claim Philhealth shares from Covid," he said.

Dr. Bernard Julius Rocha, NMMC liaison officer, said two circulars from PhilHealth set the guidelines of claiming and reimbursing insurance packages.

Un d e r P h i l He a l t h ' s Circular No. 2020-0009 on "Benefit packages for inpatient care of probable and confirmed Covid-19 developing severe illness/ outcomes," patients who are within the category of probable, suspected, and confirmed Covid-19 positive, will get a range of insurance p a c k a g e r a n g i n g f rom PHP43,997 to PHP786,334 if they were admitted in accredited hospitals. (PNA)

Illegal... from page 1

The law strictly prohibits the refilling for retail and other purposes of LPG, the leading fuel for home cooking outside licensed and regulated LPG plants Records at the Puerto Police Station revealed that Orlie Abellanosa and Nino Tapik, 25 of purok 1, Barangay Balubal were brought to Sabal Hospital in Puerto for burns after an LPG in their workplace exploded.

Abellanosa later died from his injuries om Sept. 21.

The two worked in a store selling various brands of LPG cylinders.

Pinoy Aksyon for Governance and the Environment (Pinoy Aksyon) made an investigation and found out that the flash fire was most probably caused by decanting or refilling smaller LPG tanks from bigger tanks.

It was learned that prices of 50kg LPG tanks is cheaper, by kilograms, compared smaller cylinders. Some retailers

resort to decanting from the bigger cylinders to smaller ones like the 11-kilo and other smaller cylinders to have more profit. This is prohibited by Sec. 25 of RA 8479 or the Deregulation of Downstream Oil Industry Law. "Without the necessary fire safety systems, LPG leaks during the process of decanting. It accumulates in the air and may eventually cause flash fires when it comes into contact with heat, even tiny sparks, as what may have happened in Brgy Balubal last Sept. 19," said BenCy Ellorin, chairperson of Pinoy Aksyon.

In a statement, Pinoy Aksyon urged the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Dept. of Energy to look into the matter and eventually put a stop to the illegal and deadline business practice.

The group has partnered with DOE in the campaign for fire safety in the energy and fuel industry.

Finalists... from page 1

in the Highly Urbanized Cities categor y while Misamis Oriental in the 1st Class Provinces, respectively.

Winners will b e announced on October 8, 2020 during the virtual 46th Philippine Business Conference.

“The PCCI is spearheading this year, during the period of extreme challenges brought about by COVID-19 p an d e m i c an d v ar i ou s disruptions, the search for local government units that have been successful in restoring and increasing the business operations in their area thru significant and sustained innovative actions,” said Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio, PCCI Area Vice President for Mindanao.

“In line with the 46th Philippine Business Conference's (PBC) theme which is anchored on innovation, this year's LGU awards initiative aims to highlight LGU success stories and best practices that go beyond ordinary to address the overwhelming negative impacts of the current pandemic to the business community,” she added.

T he P C C I has b e e n conducting the search for the Most Business Friendly LGUs for the last 18 years to recognize outstanding efforts and commendable practices of LGUs in the

country to promote trade and investments, employment, transparency, accountability and efficiency in delivering business services.

The selection is based on f ive cr iter ia: t rade, investments, and tourism promotions; public-private sector partnership; micro, small and medium enterprises [ M S M E ] d e v e l o p m e nt ; quality management system, innovations, and human resources development; and inter-local government relations.

The award has 3 categories and each has two (2) levels: City Level 1 – for highly u rb an ize d / ind e p e nd e nt component 1st to 3rd class cities; and Level 2 for 4th to 6th class cities.

The Provincial Category is similarly divided into Level 1 for 1st to 3rd class provinces; and Level 2 for 4th to 6th class provinces; as is the Municipal Category: Level 1 for 1st to 3rd class municipalities and Level 2 for 4 t h to 6 t h cl a ss municipalities.

LGUs which are repeat winners in their respective categories include Muntinlupa City in City Level 1 (2017, 2018) and Calaca, Batangas for Municipality Level 1 (2017, 2018).

Special citations will be awarded to LGUs that have demonstrated exemplary programs or initiatives in any of the areas of the award criteria: Quality Customer Service, Public-Private Sector Partnership, Investment Promotion, MSME (Micro Small Medium Enterprises) D e vel opme nt ) , Q u a l it y Management Systems and Innovation.

Interviews for component cities and municipalities are still ongoing as of press time.

The virtual 46th Philippine Business Conference and Expo will be conducted on October 7-8, 2020. carries the theme innovation@ph that seeks to provide a roadmap for businesses to effectively navigate uncharted territories and to chart a more sustainable and secure future for themselves and for the country.

It will scrutinize into the country’s innovation ecosystem and deep dive into how exec utives in government and across i n d u s t r i e s a re l e a d i n g d i g i t a l t r a n s f o r m at i o n across different aspects of government and business operations.

Online... from page 2

and grants for aspiring filmmakers.

T h i s y e a r ’s N M F F will feature the works of filmmakers from Cagayan de Oro City, Ozamiz City, Iligan City, Zamboanga City, Davao City, Camiguin, and Agusan del Norte.

“Films and filmmakers help shape, hammer, and challenge our society,” Savior said. “They entertain and help us reflect and think boldly about our community”.

The NMFF is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines through its Cultural Exchange Department. (PNA)

Isolation... from page 2

facilities, reimbursement shall be utilized at their discretion, provided that this shall also be used to cover the cost of delivering the services.

"Claims shall be paid to the CIU through the facility who filed for the claim," Ybañez added.

As for the testing laboratories, Ybañez said there are two PhilHealth accredited COVID-19 testing laboratories in the region, which include the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) and Polymedic Medical Plaza.

Lanao del Norte has already submitted for accreditation with a minimal fee for non-DOH classified individuals.

PhilHealth b enef it packages for testing include services on screening/clinical a ss e ss me nt , d i ag no st i c w o r k u p, a s i n d i c at e d , specimen collection, specimen transport, conduct of RT-PCR testing (including the test kit), and analysis and

Budget... from page 6

resources now to ramp up its intervention to stop the spread of COVID-19 but this must not be at the expense of other programs for children.

Now more than ever, they need assistance from the government so they may stay healthy, active and educated so they may develop and sustain their natural defense against physical and mental disabilities,” says PLCPD Executive Director Rom Dongeto.

Peso... from page 6

European Central Bank (ECB) president Christine Lagarde said the central bank “is still ready to deploy more monetary stimulus to aid the recovery, if needed.”

Meanwhile, the loca l currency ended t he day little changed against the greenback at 48.5 from the previous day’s 48.51 close.

It opened the day flat at 48.45 and traded between 48.5 and 48.44.

Average level for the day stood at 48.465.

Vo l u m e t o t a l e d t o USD536.21 million, higher than day-ago’s USD490.35 million. (PNA)

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.

MISSING BONGGO Pls contact Ms Veni

09151961483

reporting of results.

As of September 29, the region has 2,731 confirmed cases of COVID-19 of which 1,566 have recovered, 71 expired, and 1,094 are recovering. (RTP/PIA10)

BWM: September 16, 23 & 30, 2020

BusinessWeek MINDANAO CREDIBLE

www.businessweekmindanao.com

FEATURE

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IN-DEPTH

Wednesday|September 30, 2020

8

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. supports Mindanao's growth with additional investments Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI)’s investment outlook is not dampened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid a nationwide economic slowdown, the beverage company remains bullish and is on track with expansion projects in Mindanao, whose further development the Company is intent on supporting.

At the 29th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon), held virtually recently, CEO and President Gareth McGeown shared that CCBPI has invested an additional $22 million (PHP1.065 billion) for Q4 of 2020 alone— bringing up the total 2020 investment in the country to over $95M (approx.

PHP4.7B). A significant amount of this has been allocated to increase operational capacity in Mindanao by 30%. With much of the spending allotted for infrastructure, CCBPI will have three new manufacturing lines in the region, providing new job opportunities for more Mindanaoans.

“Mindanao has been a growth engine for us for the last few years.

We have seen

Gareth McGeown, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. President and CEO, assures that CCBPI will continue to participate in Mindanao’s growth journey as they add new lines in Zamboanga, Davao del Sur, and Misamis Oriental—increasing the total manufacturing capacity by 30% and creating new jobs for Mindanaoans. This is part of CCBPI’s additional investment in the country worth $22 million or Php 1.1 billion.

that our growth rates in the region have continued to expand double-digit over the last two to three years, and we have a firm belief that such growth will continue,” said McGeown.

CCBPI’s Mindanao footprint includes four manufacturing plants, specifically in Misamis Oriental, Zamboanga, Davao City, and Davao del Sur; nine distribution centers; and 3,200 partners.

McGeown also noted that consumers in Mindanao are more open to new products compared to those in Metro Manila, another reason why the territory plays a critical role as a

launchpad for new portfolio brands and variants.

The uniqueness of consumption behavior in Mindanao makes it critical to CCBPI’s growth strategy.

“More than the consumers’ taste and preferences, the region’s growth rate gives us a reason to believe that great days are ahead for Mindanao,” added McGeown.

Over 500 delegates comprising top businessmen, key industry players, government executives, and members of the diplomatic corps joined the twoday MinBizCon, which became an avenue to discuss economic concerns and opportunities

in the region. The annual event was hosted by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and convened by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce.

Purpose beyond profit Aside from the additional lines being built in Mindanao, which will pave the way for more jobs, CCBPI on September 4 launched Balik Pinas, a program that provides business opportunities for OFWs returning to the country.

This is aligned with CCBPI’s thrust to help more individuals and communities get back on their feet and thrive in the new normal.

“No business can

run independently of the communities they operate in.

One of the reasons why Coca-Cola has been successful for so long is that we are an integral part of all communities we operate in,” the CEO noted.

According to McGeown, CCBPI’s Purpose in Action commitment is to protect its employees, jobs, as well as support its customers and communities during the pandemic.

The company also provided its employees with comprehensive medical coverage and ensured job security so they can continue supporting their families.

McGeown further assured that CCBPI remains staunch

in fulfilling its commitments to the country and sustainability.

PETValue—the pioneering PHP1 billion, state-ofthe-art, food-grade recycling facility— will soon rise in General Trias, Cavite and is set to be operational

by Q4 of 2021.

This is CCBPI’s joint venture with Indorama Ventures, a global leader in recycling and green technologies.

With 108 years of bringing refreshing moments to Filipinos and as the first home of CocaCola in Asia, CCBPI continues to grow its market through bullish investments and initiatives to support its communities in the Philippines.