Metro CDOTIMES (December 20-26, 2021)

Metro

CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly DE ORO

Volume 9 | No. 20 | Cagayan de Oro City | December 20-26, 2021

Cagayan de Oro remains PH’s 7 Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City in 2021 th

C

By MIKE BAÑOS

AGAYAN de Oro has retained its 7th Place Rank in the Philippines’ Most Competitive Highly Urbanized Cities ranking in 2021.

Besides its Top 7 ranking, Cagayan de Oro was also tagged as the 6th Most Improved Highly Urbanized City in the recently concluded virtual awarding rites of the 9th Regional Competitiveness Summit of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) conducted on 14 December 2021 by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) together with the Ayala Corporation and Globe

Telecom.

The CMCI is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development.

Cities and municipalities are ranked through a set of indicators such as

Raymundo G. Talimio, Jr.

Efren T. Uy

Uy, Talimio, elected new Oro Chamber Board Chairman, President for 2022

By MIKE BAÑOS

FULL STORY ON PAGE 5

economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the CMCI allows LGUs to assess their relative level of competitiveness and derive insights for local policymaking and planning.

"The CMCI Program has also continued to be instrumental in providing data for investors and local chief executives from which they draw meaningful insights and strategic imperative," Lopez said.

Lopez said the pillar of innovation was introduced this year and will be included as the fifth pillar in the scoring and ranking beginning

next year.

"Now more than ever, we realize the importance of innovation. They have played a crucial role in keeping societies functional in times of quarantines or lockdowns. The same technologies would be needed as we restart the economy and prepare for the post crisis future," he said.

Lopez disclosed 109 LGUs participated in this year’s CMCI from last year’s 36 LGUs. Cagayan de Oro City bested other highly urbanized cities Metro Manila cities such as Pasay and Valenzuela, and Cebu in the Visayas, and was the second most competitive highly urbanized city in

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424

Mindanao after Davao, which slid to No. 4 from No. 2 last year.

Davao City was displaced in the top three most competitive cities during this year’s CMCI after data from Quezon City local government unit (LGU) were captured for CMCI 2021.

No data from Quezon City were captured in the previous year’s index.

The city ranked No. 2 in the Resiliency Pillar, No. 7 in the Infrastructure Pillar, where it faced off with highly urbanized cities of Metro Manila such as Pasay, Quezon City, Manila, Pasig and Muntinlupa, and Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo in the Visayas and Davao in Mindanao.

“We ranked high in the Resiliency Pillar because we successfully achieved all the target points in this pillar,” said Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno.

“In each of the four pillars, there are points that the LGU has to meet for it to be on top. Very difficult to be on top in every point for a pillar.”

“In our case, we invested heavily in our resiliency programs, from equipment and tools, manpower and competencies, systems and modalities, team management, vehicles and others,” he added.

“After the Sendong calamity, our slogan has always been: “Never again to Sendong!”

URBANIZED/PAGE 7

2

Metro

CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

Aboitiz paves the way for a more sustainable future through the circular economy December 20-26, 2021

THE Aboitiz Group is paving the way for a more sustainable future as it champions the building of a circular economy, starting with its own business units and the communities they are located in.

The Group showcased its various #OneAboitiz Sustainability programs and highlighted its best practices in waste management and reduction during a recentlyconcluded forum hosted

by Livable Cities Challenge Philippines in partnership with Globe Telecom.

The forum, entitled “Circular Economy: Take, Make, Use, Repeat” tackled the question of sustainable consumption and production systems, and how the private sector can contribute to

building a “circular economy.”

Ana Margarita “Ginggay” Hontiveros, Vice President for Reputation Management of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) joined a panel of speakers composed of other senior business leaders and subject matter experts on sustainability and resiliency.

The Aboitiz Group has always been a pioneer and a staunch supporter of sustainability efforts. The Group actively commits to helping the country achieve the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and serves as a member of the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP), a local entity of the UN Global Compact in the Philippines.

Moreover, Sabin M. Aboitiz, the Aboitiz Group

Pilmico turns rice husk waste such as this into alternative bunker fuel.

Metro

CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

DANTE SUDARIA Publisher MIKE BAÑOS Editor-in-Chief SUSAN P. DENNIS GEAN T. CESAR RANDY FAMACION MAI MAI SISON ANNIE GORRA RAGO WENDY RAMOS-GARCIA Contributing Editors CLIFFORD SANTILLAN Layout Artist PINKY DOMINGO Marketing

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), is the representative of the Philippines in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council, which leads regional discussions and policy recommendations on climate leadership, food security, and digital transformation.

During her presentation, Hontiveros emphasized the importance of how sustainability is integrated into the Aboitiz Group.

“We are committed to a mindset that views sustainability not as a cost of doing business, but as a way of doing good business.

Sustainability is very much an integral part of our business strategy and culture. It is very much a part of who we are as individuals, and who we are and what we aspire to achieve together as an organisation, in partnership with our many stakeholders and communities,” she said.

Hontiveros highlighted the best practices of some Aboitiz business units under the “Wealth Out of Waste” (WOW) program. The program encourages a more circular flow of materials within the Group, functioning on the premise that more than 90% of waste from company

operations may be totally recyclable or reusable.

For example, food unit Pilmico’s Rice Husk Project uses biomass boilers to turn rice husk waste into alternative bunker fuel, cutting dependence on traditional bunker fuel by more than 60%.

But it doesn’t end there— the waste ash produced from this process is incorporated into cement aggregates used for improvements in the different Pilmico facilities.

This concrete mix from waste ash reduces actual cement usage by 20% or more.

The Group’s affiliate Republic Cement, through its Ecoloop program, partners with LGUs and other companies in co-processing plastic waste as an alternative fuel in its cement production.

By doing so, Republic Cement has helped reduce the amount of plastic in landfills and waterways. They have also started to use data science and artificial intelligence to reduce emissions while improving product quality— showing that contributing to environmental sustainability while solving customercentric problems is totally possible.

In closing, Hontiveros underscored how essential

The Livable Cities Lab Forum was moderated by Suiee Suarez, Vice President for Reputation Management of AboitizPower, where Ana Margarita “Ginggay” Hontiveros, Vice President for Reputation Management of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV), presented the #OneAboitiz Sustainability Program of the Group.

it is for the private sector to take a proactive role in sustainability, starting with their own business practices.

“The most important decision businesses can make now is building a circular economy and using resources more efficiently. Our role towards a sustainable future is

AboitizPower oil-fired plant helps restore power in Cebu AboitizPower distribution unit, Visayan Electric, is ramping up its efforts to restore power and aid in the recovery of the affected communities in Cebu. With power transmission lines and substation assets severely damaged, transporting electricity from generators to distribution utilities and communities continues to be a challenge.

In response to the affected communities’ need for immediate power restoration, AboitizPower deployed a team to energize its oil-fired power

plant, operated and managed by its subsidiary, Cebu Private Power Corporation (CPPC).

CPPC is a power plant located in the heart of Cebu City, embedded within the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) franchise area, and has the unique capability to deliver power directly to VECO circuits and its customers.

Four CPPC power generator units started delivering 18 MW of power supply directly to VECO on Sunday morning, providing much needed electricity

starting with priority areas like hospitals, government facilities, and the Metro Cebu Water District pumping stations. CPPC expects more of its power generator units to operate in the next 24 hours, aiming to double power output to 36 MW. During the CPPC power plant energization activities, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said, “We are extremely grateful to AboitizPower and its business units Visayan Electric Company and CPPC for the swift response to provide the much needed

KHRISTHA RIVA FELICILDA Advertising ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI Legal Counsel

The Metro CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES newspaper is published weekly at Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa Street, Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City.

It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 with Certificate No. 01801884, and with Business Registration Plane No. 17211 with Business License Certificate 2014-00691. TIN No. 311-982-549-000 Tele/Fax #: (088) 856-3344 Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CagayandeOroTIMES email us at thecagayandeorotimes@gmail.com Member: Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber)

facebook.com/CagayandeOroTIMES

about doing more, and doing better, by using less resources as often as we can. Aboitiz’s sustainability journey is one that we commit to everyday, because the goal is much bigger than the company: the goal is to build resilience and sustainability for the future— our shared future.”

Cebu Private Power Corporation (CPPC) is a power plant located in the heart of Cebu City, embedded within the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) franchise area, and has the unique capability to deliver power directly to VECO circuits and its customers.

power to our communities.

This is very crucial to Cebu’s recovery from the impacts of the typhoon.”

“We’re also hoping that National Grid Corporation’s transmission lines and substations can be fixed and operate at the required capacity as soon as possible, so that the power supply to VECO, our key infrastructure facilities, and the people of Cebu can return to normal,” Rama added, “We are really fortunate to have the power generation capability of CPPC right here in downtown Cebu City, to help us out in this difficult time.”

“The initial power output from CPPC is very limited and will be sent to hospitals like CCMC, Vicente Sotto, Chong Hua, and Perpetual Succor, as well as to MCWD so that water supply can be restored, and to the Cebu Provincial Capitol. Until NGCP restores power transmission services, the electricity supply situation in Cebu city will likely remain inadequate. We ask for the public’s continued patience and understanding as we are doing our best to deliver electricity to our customers as soon as it is available,” VECO Chief Operating Officer Raul Lucero said.

AboitizPower continues to mobilize its field teams to accelerate power restoration and relief operations activities in affected areas. Teams from its other distribution units like Davao Light and Power, Subic Enerzone, and Cotabato Light were deployed to assist in the power restoration efforts in Cebu.

Metro

ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | EVENTS | TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE

CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO

December 20-26, 2021

Page 3

How they did it:

Parasat keeps CDO, Misor and Bukidnon towns connected in Odette aftermath

W

By MIKE BAÑOS

HEN people in most cities in Mindanao woke up in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette on Friday, 17 December 2021, they found they had neither mobile nor internet services in their gadgets and computers.

This posed a major problem not only for LGUs and disaster response agencies unable to contact their personnel in the field, but perhaps even more to residents stressed out from their all-night vigil of the super typhoon as it wreaked destruction in its wake.

Telecommunication and internet providers said they were working to restore services in the hard-hit areas, but gave no assurances as to when they can go back online.

Globe Telecom said it had “started restoration efforts in areas where it is safe to do so.”

Smart deployed emergency communication gear in Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Bohol and Southern Leyte, while Dito Telecommunity said its services were also affected in Visayas and Mindanao.

Fiber internet provider Converge ICT Solutions said its network operations in Iloilo, Capiz, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao were down as of Friday afternoon. Its business centers in Mandaue City, Roxas City, Iloilo City and Cagayan de Oro City were temporarily closed, the company reported.

But many lucky residents of Cagayan de Oro, and some towns in nearby Misamis Oriental and

Bukidnon, however, found they could still use their internet linked to the pioneer cable television company in this capital city of Northern Mindanao.

So how did a relatively small player in the telecoms industry keep its services humming when all the major telcos and internet service providers left most of Mindanao and the Visayas in the dark?

How they did it “Parasat’s cable and internet services are still up in most areas. Good we have at least four providers; with two down, we are still in business,” said Engr. Elpidio M. Paras, founder and CEO of the multiple service operator (MSO) which maintains cable and internet companies in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental towns from Balingasag in the east coast to Libertad in the west, the Bukidnon town of Manolo Fortich, and the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia.

“Now we know that disaster can still strike us even if the last major event was a decade ago; the important thing is we are prepared and equipped for these challenges,” Paras noted.

When Odette struck Cagayan de Oro on Thursday, 16 December 2021, Parasat had four companies providing internet for a total of five circuits. Thus, even when the two major domestic and one of its foreign suppliers went down due to multiple fiber cuts in their networks brought by Typhoon Odette, Parasat still retained three circuits; one from its remaining domestic supplier and two from its

remaining foreign supplier.

“We were lucky not all of the circuits were down so we had two circuits that became congested and somewhat slowed our service last Friday (Dec 17) because only about 40% of our capacity was left.

We’re oversubscribed, so we’re only using about half of the capacity we contracted for and that’s a major expense,” he explained.

Due in a large part to the redundancy provided by these remaining circuits, Parasat subscribers in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental municipalities from Tagoloan to Jasaan in the east, and from Opol to Libertad to the west, as well as in Manolo Fortich, Malaybalay and Valencia, where able to communicate with their loved ones and other associates through their Para Fiber internet through the long hours cellphone and internet services of the major telcos were down.

“95 percent of the subscribers in these areas retained internet services during the post-Odette aftermath,” Paras noted.

Kudos from subscribers “After the storm, it’s like we’re still at it, because we have no water, no cellphone signal, and electricity is off-and-on,” wrote Gina Cuerdo-Amador of Manolo Fortich on her FB timeline. “Good thing our internet (Parasat) is not dependent on those utilities.

“I had to use the Parasat internet of Rey and Linda Trinidad just outside the gate since their

ground area was flooded,” said Eduardo Pelaez, president of the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA). “The internet connection allowed me to host a scheduled Zoom meeting yesterday afternoon! Thank you Parasat for being there when all my providers: Smart - Globe - PLDT Home Fibre conked out the whole day.”

“Welcome back, ICT. Pero kudos to Parasat for their resilience in sustaining connectivity when everything was down. What a legend!” quipped Jonathan Arvin Adolfo, former executive director of the Cagayan de Oro ICT Business Council.

“Thank you Parasat,” wrote subscriber Faye Enteria. “Ikaw ra gyud nang pabilin pinakakusgan.

Down tanan after the Typhoon Odette aftermath .We appreciate your good ,efficient internet connection.”

Building it better However, Paras said they are not resting on their laurels but continuing to upgrade their system to make it even better.

“We were lucky in the sense that we did not expect this major event to happen, but we already had redundancy in mind because we were apprehensive that if one of the major telcos went down, we should really have a back-up, that’s why we have the other providers.”

Parasat already has redundancy loops in its fiber network in Cagayan de Oro

Globe Wifi is out of service.

Also PLDT. No card purchases at SM. BDO closed.

Fortunately PARASAT has service. Found connection at the Varias residence in Macasandig.

Thanks Elpidio M. Paras ! (photo courtesy of Pat Isaac III)

In Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, Parasat internet remained the sole means of commounications in the Typhoon Odette aftermath. (photo Converge ICT Solutions)

Parasat vehicle and crew negotiates a flooded portion of Cagayan de Oro City during the height of Typhoon Odette on December 16, 2021.

although the fiber cables to the east and west coasts of Misamis Oriental are still point-to-point.

With its Japanese partner, it has already built a fiber loop that extends to Caraga Region, Surigao, going to Davao(for the eastern part of the loop, and goes back to Cagayan when it reaches Davao via Buda (the Bukidnon-Davao Road).

“This loop is already live. If we have a fiber cut in Surigao, they will still be live provided there are no further cuts along the way. Because the signals will pass through Davao, and onwards to Agusan Sur, and Surigao Sur and Norte, but obviously the infra in Surigao is now really down,” Paras detailed.

Another advantage Parasat has over other internet service providers is that it has teams that can immediately restore as long as the weather is not really bad and the roads are not blocked.

The National Broadband Dream Over the long term, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) national broadband infrastructure system remains a plan with little budget.

“We have to convince our lawmakers and the incoming

administration to fast track that national broadband deployment because it’s going to be a major backbone that the government will control, and that will redound to much cheaper internet and broadband,” Paras noted.

“With more circuits, the more resilient our system can be in coping with calamities like Typhoon Odette. It’s important we have multiple redundancy, thus it’s very important for us that the government has an infrastructure it would subsidize and help bring down the costs of bringing internet and broadband to unserved and underserved areas,” he added.

Paras cited the DICT’s Free WiFi program, although beset with some issues, has better deployments in the regions because it caters to the local players who know the local situation on the ground better, and whom they can monitor.

So far, Parasat already has rolled out Free Wi-Fi to Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon to underserved areas like Cabanglasan, San Fernando, Damulog, and Kadingilan (Bukidnon), and satellite campuses of state universities and colleges through its two contracts with DICT.

Most of Mindanao had no communications in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette due to extensive infra damage to communications infrastructure.

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424

4

Metro

CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

December 20-26, 2021

Tallest 3D printed Rizal monument to rise in DOST

By JOY M. LAZCANO, DOST-STII, S&T Media Service

THE tallest 3D printed monument of Dr. Jose P. Rizal will soon rise and be unveiled at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) complex in Bicutan, Taguig to celebrate Rizal Day. To commemorate Rizal’s 125th year of martyrdom on 30 December 2021, the DOST will lead the unveiling of the 12.5 feet tall 3D printed statue, a fitting memorial to the works and accomplishments of Rizal, not only as our national hero but also as a scientist.

The design is inspired by studies and works of scientists, historians

and artists of the DOSTNational Research Council of the Philippines (DOSTNRCP), depicting the national hero as a medical scientist, an engineer/ surveyor, an agriculturist, and a naturalistenvironmentalist.

The monument dubbed as “Dr. Jose P. Rizal, The Filipino Scientist,” was 3D printed at the stateof-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Center of the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) using Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA), a material known for its

high mechanical properties that can withstand impact and high temperature, UV, and has chemical resistant quality.

The structure is further reinforced using steel structure inside the monument that is designed to withstand winds of 330 kph and a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

This work of art and science is designed by Professor Jose Manuel Sicat, with Rizal the Filipino Scientist as the embodiment of innovation and positive change thus bringing science closer to the people.

“We are paying tribute to the many works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal especially in

The making of the tallest 3D printed Rizal monument in full swing. (DOST-STII Facebook page)

AMCEN, DOST

the field of science,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña. “We believe that this project is a good inspiration for our youth of today to maximize their capabilities and capacity to learn, like Dr. Rizal, there is no circumstance that could stop us from learning.”

The project also showcases the capabilities of the local engineers in creating a massive, complex structure using additive manufacturing technology.

Although not always highlighted in various academic discussions, Rizal had, in fact, inclinations on natural science, engineering, medical science, and agriculture.

During his incarceration at Fort Santiago and in his exile in Dapitan, he engaged himself in the study of nature. His studies

focused on a number of species of various classes such as insects, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, snakes, shells, and plants.

The specimens he found were then sent to the Dresden Museum of Ethnology for further identification.

Rizal is credited with the discovery of Draco rizali- a small lizard, known as a flying dragon- where he sent the specimens to Europe, believing that he had with him new species of reptiles.

Aside from this, he also collected other specimens of insects and animal species that were eventually named after him. Among them was Apogonia rizali – a rare kind of beetle that has five horns and Rhacophorus rizali – a frog species.

He also made a mark in engineering with his

knowledge in creating a waterworks system to supply the community with potable water. On the other hand, his medical practice as an ophthalmologist benefitted the people as he gave free medical consultations to the community. Incidentally, Rizal’s first patient was his mother who then had failing eyesight.

The Rizal the Filipino Scientist project is a collaborative undertaking of the DOST and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in cooperation with DOSTNRCP, DOST-MIRDC, and the DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the quintessential hero of his time and up to this day.

Young filmmakers explore science mysteries amid pandemic in 5th Indie-Siyensya From the mundane mysteries such as sleep and solar power to social issues such as vaccine hesitancy to environmentally-sustainable fishing traditions, everyday science comes to life with the able explorations of young documentary filmmakers of the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute’s (DOST-SEI’s) 5th Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition.

Over five dozen entries from schools and individuals all across the Philippines, from Abra to Maguindanao, joined the contest.

Their entries consisted of short documentaries relevant to the theme “The Scientist in Me,” aimed at explaining the science behind everyday things.

DOST-SEI specifically chose this theme in response to the need for public safety in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a way to encourage the youth to see science as an

essential part of their everyday lives.

“Science is so much more than just a set of facts: it is a way of life, a way of seeing the world,” said DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo. “This innate ability to see the world anew is a philosophy of hope that is much needed, especially in these times. It is for this reason that we chose the theme, ‘The Scientist in Me.’” Despite the constraints of the pandemic and the limitations, all the entries were done well noteworthy of praise, but in any contest there has to be winners.

For the “Youth Category” for high school, tertiary school, and out-of-school youth aged 13-20, the winners were: 1. “Snooze,” a documentary on the science of sleep, by Micah Paulina C. Limlengco of Philippine Science High School - Southern Mindanao Campus 2. “Agam- Agham,” a Filipino-language

Screen capture from the film “Sinag,” which looked at the science behind solar power, featuring Richelle Joan Gareza Enriquez of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (NCR).

investigation of vaccine hesitancy, by Mary Antonette G. Agapito, Malena Riz C. Ballon, Juliana Krishna W. Guevarra, Val Allen U. Eltagonde, and Divine Mae R. Manadong of Rizal National Science High School (Region 4A) 3. “Marvels of Science: Non-Newtonian Fluid,” an exploration of the strange properties of a homemade material, by De La Salle University Integrated School - Manila (NCR) For the “Open Category” for college students, teachers, and S&T professionals, the winners were: 1. “Sinag,” a look at the surprising science of solar power, by Richelle Joan Gareza Enriquez of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (NCR) 2. “Super Sci Yan,” an exploration of alternative energy sources, by Kenneth Peterson F. Leviste of Arkos Digital (NCR) 3. “Yankaw,” an investigative documentary of

a sustainable traditional Filipino fishing practice,

by Khristine L. Sandoval of NU Sports Academy (Laguna, Region 4A) The films were judged based on scientific content, idea execution, and filmmaking technique. The winners in each category were given trophies and cash prizes worth P100,000 for the Best Film, P50,000 pesos for the second prize, and P30,000 for the third prize.

In addition, both “Marvels of Science: NonNewtonian Fluid” and “Yankaw” also received the Viewer’s Choice Award, amounting to an additional P20,000 each.

Indeed, this initiative of DOST-SEI brings out the best in the Filipino where they get to show that science and art or art and science can be mixed and complement each other to create beautiful masterpieces. The winning entries may be viewed for free at the following link: https:// bit.ly/5thIndieWinners.

Screen capture from the Best Film in the Youth Category entitled “Snooze,” a documentary on the science of sleep, created by Micah Paulina C. Limlengco of Philippine Science High School - Southern Mindanao Campus.

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424

Metro

ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | EVENTS | TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE

CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO

December 20-26, 2021

Page 5

Uy, Talimio, elected new Oro Chamber Board Chairman, President for 2022

F

By MIKE BAÑOS

ORMER Oro Chamber President Efren T. Uy has been elected the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., better known as the Oro Chamber, while former committee chairman Raymundo G. Talimio Jr. has been elected as the new President.

Both were unanimously elected during last October 12, 2021 through electronic voting with the Comelec chaired by Past President Arsenio L. Sebastian III. Uy will take chairmanship of the Board of Trustees from Jaime Rafael U. Paguio, while Talimio will take over the helm of the presidency from 3-time President Ruben A. Vegafria.

Uy previously served as Oro Chamber President in 2015, and is also a previous president of the Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (MOFCCCII). He is the owner of the New Universal Hardware, Inc. Talimio was the chairman of the Permanent Standing Committee on Taxation & Government Regulations Committee in 2021, and is the Head of the Finance and Accounting Division of Syntactics, Inc., and previously Managing Partner at TCT & ASSOCIATES, CPAs. Also elected were Arthur B. Quiblat (VP- Agribusiness Sector), Floriano R. Hilot (VP-Business Support Organization Sector), Robertino E. Pizarro (VP-Manufacturing & Industry Sector), Emiliano Duran (VP-Services Sector), Dennis T. Mackun (VP-Trade & Commerce Sector), Helen Grace P. Uy (Corporate Secretary), Pio D. Baconga (Treasurer), Collen B. Tarcelo (Auditor), Jolly B. Gallamaso (TrusteeAgriculture & Agribusiness Sector), Helen C. Escobar (Trustee-Agriculture & Agribusiness Sector), Peleberto D. Acut (Trustee-Manufacturing & Industry Sector), Avalyn A. Cahulogan (Trustee-Services Sector) and Bernadette May D. Flores (TrusteeTrade & Commerce Sector).

According to outgoing president Ruben A. Vegafria, the officers were all elected by the incoming board. But some elected trustees or VPs opted to give up, the remaining members of the board, if still constituting a quorum, appointed his/her replacement either from the

Raymundo G. Talimio, Jr.

Ruben A. Vegafria

ff: a) a candidate which garnered the second highest number of votes during the last sectoral election, or b) any member who possesses the qualification as prescribed in the by-laws provided that the trustee to be appointed shall come from the sector which the said vacancy occurs (Art. V, Sec. 8 of the amended by-laws).

The new leadership has so far appointed the chairman for nine of its 14 permanent standing committees for 2022. Among those who already accepted their appointments are threetime Oro Chamber President Ruben A. Vegafria (Membership Development), Pio D. Baconga (Finance & Investment), Emiliano Duran (Law & Order and Public Safety), Bernadette May D. Flores (Orobest Programs), Avalyn A. Cahulogan (Chamber & Media Relations), Rene Michael D. Baños (Public Utilities and Infrastructure), Lope L. Bato, Jr. (Taxation & Government Regulations), Clifford Jose

Efren T. Uy

Jaime Rafael U. Paguio

G. Roa (Business Development), and Helene C. Escobar (Special Projects).

The new officers for 2022 will be inducted into office during the Oro Chamber 4th Quarter General Membership Meeting which has been moved to the January 2022 in deference to the inclement weather.

Arturo M. Milan, Area Vice President for Mindanao of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has been invited as the Inducting Officer and Keynote Speaker, while Oro Chamber Past President and PCCI-10 Past Regional Governor Aldrico T. Mañus has likewise been invited as the charging officer.

Outgoing President Ruben A. Vegafria will deliver his 2021 Annual Report and will present awards to the outgoing members of the Board, institutional partners and distinguished Loyalty awards to members who supported the Chamber movement for the past 30 years.

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424

6

Metro

CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

Tzu Chi Foundation, industry leaders collaborate for strategic response to Odette victims December 20-26, 2021

Beyond donations, with preparations for future calamities

Tzu Chi Foundation, Digital Pilipinas, and industry leaders discuss a strategic response to Typhoon Odette victims – and for future calamities.

A

WEEK shy from Christmas, the devastation wrought by super typhoon Odette has leveled large parts of the central and southern Philippines, placing six regions under a state of calamity: Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

However, the lack of communications within the affected regions and the unpassable roads between the various towns have made the urgent distribution of assistance an enormous challenge. This prompted a call from and for business and NGO leaders to collaborate to get the communities back on their feet, as well as to form strategic responses for future calamities.

Bro. Henry Yunez, Country CEO of the humanitarian organization Buddhist Compassion Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines, welcomed the “chance to connect to these groups.”

Referring to the faith on which their group was founded, he added that they welcome volunteers and resources from all sectors because “there is no religion involved in what we are doing.”

Since the clearing of the weather which has allowed volunteers and rescue missions to enter the affected regions, Tzu Chi has visited nine municipalities in Bohol and 15 in Southern Leyte.

They have sent gallons of water and medicines to these provinces,

while looking for more generators that can help in pumping. There are plans to distribute rice to around 20,000 families soon after December 26.

Technology and transparency When the Philippines was struck by 2013’s Yolanda, one the strongest typhoons in history, Tzu Chi’s response to the relief operations was considered to be one of the most impactful by civil society and government.

Beyond the collection and transportation of relief goods for the Odette victims, help is also needed for “heavy equipment and the construction side of things,” said Amor Maclang, Digital Pilipinas Convenor. A more “participative and transparent” collaboration of partners can tap fastrising technology like fintech, e-commerce, and logistics to “move money faster” to the recipients who need them the most.

Digital Pilipinas, a movement which addresses business and social challenges through technological adoption, has helped the Tzu Chi Foundation previously “even before Odette, to tech up their organization,” said Maclang. “Most importantly, we can leverage technology to show transparency of where the money is going.”

Tzu Chi Foundation Philippine and Digital Pilipinas’ recent meeting, “Typhoon Odette Relief Briefing and Response Planning,” was attended

by industry leaders from the real estate, logistics, construction, financial services, payments, and retail spaces. It encouraged ‘Bayanihan’ and a wholeof-nation, whole-ofsociety approach towards addressing the situation in the Odette-struck areas.

Cherrie Rose Ang, Admin Senior Officer of Tzu Chi’s Admin and Volunteer Affairs Department, acknowledged that the “meeting is not just for awareness, but for support, cooperation, and unity.”

Days after Odette made nine landfalls across Visayas and Mindanao, Filipinos found themselves staying in temporary shelters or evacuation centers. Ang described the situation their volunteers reported: “Children are going out to the streets to beg for help. People are desperate to salvage whatever items they can get from their ruined houses.”

Various businesses represented in the webinar are already helping out in the relief efforts.

Gladys Pascual, Etiqa Head of Strategy and Transformation, said that their program EtiqaCares is supporting the rehabilitation programs. Kim Lato, Founder of Kimstore, is opening their platform to collaborate with the Tzu Chi Foundation to launch a fundraiser.

Meanwhile, Coins.PH CEO Nauman Mustafa shared that “instead of buying Christmas gifts for

efforts for tree planting to better encourage Filipinos to take part in the rehabilitation of the environment. With the Lina organization’s expertise in disaster preparedness, they are looking to onboard more people who can become better equipped when the next disaster strikes.

Marco Santos, representing the Mapua University and the Yuchengco group, said that the country can prepare the future architects, engineers, and other professionals with the knowledge to create resilient structures against calamities.

He described it as “producing people who are ready for the job. We produce good engineers.

Our first patent is called Project Usher and it enables us to monitor buildings during an earthquake.”

Technology will also be vital not only for the operations in response to Typhoon Odette but for the future.

“We can align all our groups to make technology and our systems relevant,” Georgia Martelino, Philanthropist Lead of Microsoft Philippines, said. “Let us pool our resources and label it as a Tzu Chi platform so people can access it for free. We can start with digital literacy.”

Leveraging on its

our partners, we will be donating instead.”

Even those struck

by Typhoon Odette themselves are organizing relief operations. Roy Miclat, President of 1 Cooperative Insurance System of the Philippines, said that his team is serving “in the remote areas, even though hundreds of our members have been affected by Odette.”

Long-term solutions Meanwhile, in response to concerns about restoring communications and internet connectivity, Yoly Crisostomo, Globe SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer, said that the telecom giant is “doing what we can to make sure all the provinces struck by Odette become online and connected again.”

She also pointed out that the increasing threats against climate change will only spur more and stronger typhoons especially for vulnerable countries like the Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines.

“The challenge of our time is what are we going to do to become better the next time we are faced with the same situation,” Crisostomo noted.

Miclat agreed that forward-looking activities “should not focus on one-time activities, like donation drives.”

One solution is the collaboration between Coins.ph’s Mustafa and Donna May Lina, Director and Executive Board of the OneLGC Lina Group of Companies.

Both companies will be tokenizing the Digital Pilipinas

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424

worldwide network of volunteers and employees, Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines is aiding in the rehabilitation, recovery, economic, and educational resumption of the areas affected by Typhoon Odette. They involve the communities themselves in various operations, which is also a way to provide them temporary sources of income.

“With love in our hearts, there is nothing we cannot overcome. We can come together and build again,” Anton Lim, OIC of Tzu Chi Zamboanga Liaison Office, said.

Maclang affirmed that the collaboration will continue because it not just “about Odette but about humanity.” There are plans for Tzu Chi, Digital Pilipinas, and the other companies to hold more meetings with more action plans as the situation develops.

The Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines is open for donations which can be sent through the following: Account name: Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines; BDO Account number: 011978001800; Metrobank Account number: 163-316307190-9. Send soft copy of deposit slips at donations@tzuchi.org.ph or through Viber/Line/ WeChat: +639672110940.

Metro

CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

December 20-26, 2021

Urbanized...

its people. In order for localities to be from page 1 able to do this, it must be resilient in In a bow to its its infrastructure, lofty ranking, the governance, social city recently survived and environmental Typhoon Odette, systems,” it added. the most destructive The resiliency tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines in 2021 ranking is based on the following: Organization with zero casualties, and Coordination: and negligible damage Land Use Plan, Disaster compared to other Risk Reduction Plan, cities and provinces which were hit with the Annual Disaster Drill, and Early Warning full force of the highly System; Resiliency destructive weather Financing: Budget for disturbance.

DRRMP; Resiliency Cagayan de Oro Reports: Local Risk has also recorded the Assessments; Resiliency lowest incidence of Infrastructure: covid-infections to Emergency date among highly urbanized cities ranked Infrastructure and Utilities; and, in this year’s CMCI. Resilience of System: According to the CMCI, “resiliency is the Employed Population, and Sanitary System. capacity of a locality The Cagayan de Oro to facilitate businesses and industries to create Chamber of Commerce jobs, raise productivity, and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro and increase the Chamber), believes incomes of citizens it has contributed over time despite the substantially to the shocks and stresses it Resiliency of System encounters.” for the Employed “This implies Population with that the role of local its Orobest Bridge governments is Program. critical in ensuring “At the onset of the a competitive pandemic, Orochamber environment to make launched the Orobest businesses sustain Bridge Program which their profits, create helped facilitated in jobs, and increase actualizing priorities the productivity of

for MSMEs and startups to navigate their businesses to be resilient, relevant and recover during the covid-19 setting,” said Oro Chamber President Ruben A. Vegafria.

“In fact, Orobest Innovation Program was cited in the World Intellectual Property Organization, INSEAD and Cornell University, as one of the factors contributing to the rise of the Philippine ranking in the Global Innovation Index from 100th as early as 2014 to 50th in 2020,” Vegafria stressed.

Furthermore, Cagayan de Oro was also cited in July 2021 by StartupBlink, a global start-up ecosystem map and research center, indicating its rank at 493, jumping 87 spots since 2020 in the latest global startup ecosystem rankings.

“This report also ranks the city at #3 in the Philippines and # 14th in South East Asia. Interestingly, 9 out of the 17 startups were enlisted in the Orobest Bridge Program,” Vegafria noted.

“These 2 great scorecards are a

source of pride and testament on how Oro Chamber played a collaborative and vital role in strengthening the governmentindustry-academe (GIA) partnership, and in effect, helping put Cagayan de Oro in the competitive spotlight,” he added.

Meanwhile, Camiguin province

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10TH Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF

SHERIFFS NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE EJF File Number 2021-1015 UPON EXTRA-JUDICIAL PETITION FOR SALE under Act 3135 as amended, filed by PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK with principal office and place of business at PS BANK Center, 777 Paseo de Roxas cor. Sedeño Street, Makati City (mortgagee), against SPS. REY G. GANTUANGCO and GERALDINE A. GANTUANGCO (mortgagors), with address at Blk. 27, Lot 11, Morning Mist Village, Pueblo de Oro Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of October 6, 2021, amounted to ONE MILLION TWELVE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHT PESOS & 19/100 (Php 1,012,208.19), Philippine Currency, Plus accruing interest, penalty and other charges of extra-judicial foreclosure and sale, the undersigned Sheriff or his deputies will sell at public auction on January 6, 2022 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter, at RTC Branch 19, Hall of Justice, Goldridge Bldg., Mastersons Avenue corner P.N. Roa Avenue, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidder, for CASH and in Philippine Currency, the real property described herein-below, with all its improvements found thereon, viz: “CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 137-2015000242” (Registered in the name of Sps. Rey G. Gantuangco & Geraldin A. Gantuangco)

CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 137-2019009328

Lot : Lot No. 6, Block 29

Plan No. : PCS-10-004587

Portion of : Block 27, PSD-10-040101; Block 26, PSD-10-042128; Lot 7-A-1, PSD-10-062039

Location : Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao

Area : One Hundred Twenty (120) Square Meter More or Less Prospective buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves the title herein-above described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated date, time and place.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date for whatever reason, the same will proceed on February 18, 2022, without further notice, posting and publication.

Cagayan de Oro City, December 9, 2021

FOR THE EX-OFFCIO PROVINCIAL SHERIFF BY:

(SGD) ALAN M. BANAAG

Sheriff IV

are Cainta, Rizal; Baliwag, Bulacan; and San Mateo, Rizal. For Class 3 and 4, Panglao, Bohol; Mambajao, Camiguin; and Baler, Aurora; while for Class 5 and 6, the topnotchers were Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte; General Luna, Surigao del Norte; and Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10TH Judicial Region BRANCH 19 Cagayan de Oro City

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE File No. EJF-2021-1030 Upon Extra Judicial Petition for Sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act No. 4118. Filed

by PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, a thrift bank, with principal office and place of business at PSBankCenter, 777 Paseo de Roxas corner Sedeño Street, Makati City, against ANDREA AURORA B. ENTERIA, of legal age, with given address at Unit 1 Anthurium Townhouse Loyola Heights, Varsity Hills Subdivision, Quezon City, and collateral address at Blk. 29, Lot 6, Westwood Village, Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of November 5, 2021 amounts to ONE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN PESOS and 13/100 ( P 1,485,657.13) Philippine Currency, plus accruing interest, penalty and other charges thereon from the said date up to date of foreclosure sale, publication, other foreclosure expenses, attorney’s fees and such other additional sums as are due from the Borrowers/Mortgagors under the Mortgage Deed, the undersigned Sheriff will SELL at Public Auction on February 14, 2022 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at RTC Branch 40, 2nd Flr., Goldridge Bldg., Masterson Ave. cor. P.N. Roa Ave., Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, to the Highest Bidder, For CASH and in Philippine Currency, the real property mortgaged together with all improvements thereon. To wit:

ranked as the top 3 most competitive province in the CMCI 2021, with Rizal and Davao del Norte as the top 2.

Naga City topped the ranking among component cities, followed by Antipolo and Tagum.

For Class 1 and 2 municipalities, the top three winners

7

FIFTH FLOOR, UNIT 507, PRIMAVERA TOWER 1 UNIT AREA: 30.00 BUILDING USE: RESIDENTIAL UNIT TYPE: 1-BEDROOM

Located at PRIMAVERA RESIDENCES TOWER 1, BLOCK 1 LOT 3 PUEBLO BUSINESS PARK UPPER CARMEN, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY Prospective Buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves the Title of the property above-mentioned and all encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

In the event that said auction sale on January 6, 2022 will declared holiday or nonworking day, the same will continue on the next working day without need for further notice, publication and posting.

Cagayan de Oro City, November 24, 2021.

FOR THE EX-OFFCIO PROVINCIAL SHERIFF

(SGD) RAUL L. SALCEDA

Sheriff IV

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424

8

The

CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

December 20-26, 2021

Congratulations to the Nominees and Awardees of the 3rd Mindanao Governance and Leadership Awards

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424