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CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly DE ORO
Volume 7 | No. 74 | Cagayan de Oro City | Dec. 28 - Jan. 3, 2021
NGCP continues annual Christmas outreach, relief ops despite pandemic
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ESPITE the COVID-19 pandemic, NGCP continued on with its annual gift-giving tradition to its partner communities through its Christmasaya project, alongside relief operations for areas affected by the recent typhoons. Instead of the usual Christmas party with games, prizes, and entertainment, NGCP turned over Christmas packages to barangays from NGCP’s host communities, which were then distributed to the most indigent families in the area. A total of 7,100 Christmas packages were distributed to around 33 barangays from NGCP’s host communities nationwide. The Christmas packages
contain rice, noche buena items, coffee, and canned goods. “Christmas is all about sharing. Times may have changed under the new normal, but this will not stop NGCP from giving back to its host communities. We hope this will give the most indigent families more reasons to celebrate the holidays,” said NGCP. Besides the Christmas gift-giving, NGCP also continues with its relief NGCP turned over gift packs with groceries and noche buena items to around 33 barangays who are part of its CONTINUES/PAGE 7 host communities.
Scintillas Fraternitas Legis XU holds Christmas outreach By MARK FRANCISCO
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HE mother chapter of Scintillas Fraternitas Legis in Xavier University under chancellor Jasper Alon held a Christmas outreach last Saturday at St. Joseph Golden Home and Gugma sa Kabataan here in Cagayan de Oro City. The group of 40 male law students from Xavier
University proceeded first at 8:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Golden Home where they handed out gift packs to 13 beneficiaries there who are all abandoned elderly. Each gift pack contains a blanket, a pillow and a pair of slippers. After that, the group proceeded to Gugma sa
Kabataan where they handed out 34 gift backs to the abandoned children and adolescents who are residing there. The gift packs contain school supplies, food and toys. Alon said the main thrust of Scintillas Fraternitas Legis is to help law freshmen in their OUTREACH/PAGE 7
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Healthcare blessings in Uptown CdO Dec. 28 - Jan. 3, 2021
Some of the main factors when making important decisions like the place of an investment or the location to live and to raise your children are based on certain fears and necessities we humans have. One of the leading drivers is for decision making is certainly the psychological necessity to be part of a community, to be near your family, to feel membership to a group, a trait especially important in a catholic society like in the Philippines. The other most important factor is the feeling of safety and the preservation of life. We all desire to live in a secure and protected environment far from potential threats. That’s why many choose to live in a condominium where security is
monitored with CCTV cameras and armed guards at the entrance. As important as the just mentioned feeling of security is the one of perceived personal safety, health and well being especially important when we are growing older. The vicinity to a healthcare facility for example gives us an added layer of perceived safety and security. We probably have all had the thought about “what if something happens” and analysed how far it would take to the nearest hospital. That thought sprouts also when families discuss the options for childbirth and where this new creature should see the light. The vicinity of the hospital and family become most often the crucial
The
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
CAGAYAN TIMES/Sudaria Group of Companies Publisher PINKY DOMINGO Marketing Manager MIKE BAÑOS MARK FRANCISCO JOE PALABAO CHENG ORDOÑEZ Board of Editors KLAUS DORING Contributor CLIFFORD SANTILLAN Layout Artist KHRISTHA RIVA FELICILDA Advertising ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI Legal Counsel
The 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. 311-982-549000 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)
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decision factor for many decisions we make. When discussing about the many benefits and advantages of living in Uptown Cagayan de Oro we always mention the beauty of the landscape, the amazing views, the lush tropical vegetation, the cooler climate, the golf course, the various indoor and outdoor dining facilities, the malls and shopping areas, the easy access to all parts of the city, the wide roads, the conveniently located multi-purpose buildings and condominiums, the various subdivisions but we rarely talk about the vicinity and availability of hospital facilities. People in Uptown CdO have somehow come to terms with the fact that hospitals are located a little
further in downtown and this fact is now fortunately going to change very soon when the new St. Francis Doctors Hospital and Medical Center will finally open its doors in 2021. This 8-storey private healthcare facility finally fills in a strategic void in Uptown CdO and will give its residents the needed sense of personal safety and care they have been longing for. This new medical facility will be located just on Masterson Avenue just in front of the main gate of Xavier Estates and less than 5 minutes from SM City and Primavera Residences and Primavera City in Uptown CdO. Strategically located in the poshest part of town it will cater to all residents of Cagayan de Oro as well as to
LORENS ZILLER
Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines
patients from the surrounding areas of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte. In fact many provincial businessmen, politicians and VIPs have their second family homes in Uptown CdO where most often their kids go to school and their parents and grand parents visit
from time to time. These very often have a need to stay in the city especially when there are certain medical conditions that require frequent doctors and hospital visits. So blessed be the presence of this upcoming hospital for the peace of mind of our residents.
ALL GOOD INTENTIONS We could spend all year living healthier, more productive lives, so why do we only decide to make the change at the start of EVERY year? Why do we all make (and break) New Year resolutions? Many of us will start 2021 with resolutions too - despite or because of the pandemic: to get fit, learn a new skill, eat differently. If we really want to do these things, why did we wait until an arbitrary date which marks nothing more important than a timekeeping convention? British psychologist Tom Stafford asked this. And not only him. The answer tells us something important about the psychology of motivation, and about what popular theories of self-control miss out. At bedtime you might want to get up early and go for a run, but when your alarm goes off you find you actually want a lie-in. When exam day comes around you might want to be the kind of person who spent the afternoons studying, but on each of those
afternoons you instead wanted to hang out with your friends on social networking. You could see these contradictions as failures of our selfcontrol: impulses for temporary pleasures manage to somehow override our longerterm interests. One fashionable theory of self-control, proposed by Roy Baumeister at Florida State University, is the ‘ego-depletion’ account. This theory states that self-control is like a muscle. This means you can exhaust it in the short-term – meaning that every temptation you resist makes it more likely that you’ll yield to the next temptation, even if it is a temptation to do something entirely different. A corollary of the ‘like a muscle’ theory is that in the long term, you can strengthen your willpower with practice. So, for example, Baumeister found that people who were assigned two weeks of trying to keep their back straight whenever possible showed improved
willpower when asked back into the lab. But, and more importantly, that theory doesn’t give an explanation why we wait for New Year’s Day to begin exerting our self-control. If your willpower is a muscle, you should start building it up as soon as possible, rather than wait for an arbitrary date. Another explanation may answer these questions, although it isn’t as fashionable as ego-depletion. George Ainslie’s book ‘Breakdown of Will’ puts forward a theory of self and self-control which uses game theory to explain why we have trouble with our impulses, and why our attempts to control them take the form they do. The virgin page of a new calendar marks a clean break between the old and new you - a psychological boundary that may help you keep your resolutions. And, so to speak with Tom Stafford again, Ainslie gives us an answer to why our resolutions start always on 1st of January. The
HAVE MY SAY
KLAUS DORING
date is completely arbitrary, but it provides a clean line between our old and new selves. The practical upshot of the theory is that if you make a resolution, you should formulate it so that at every point in time it is absolutely clear whether you are sticking to it or not. The clear lines are arbitrary, but they help the truce between our competing interests hold. Good luck for your 2021 resolutions! But the most important thing for all of us is to stay healthy. +++ Email: doringklaus@ gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter or visit www. germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot. com.
ENVIRONMENT
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Oceana calls for sardines management plan in closed fishing season
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RAVING for sardines or tuyo because of the past days’ feast of meat dishes? Would you know how important sardines is in our fisheries stocks? Oceana supports the closed fishing season in the Visayan Sea for sardines and other selected fish and for sardines in the Zamboanga Peninsula, as the group also calls for complementary measures to ensure food and livelihood security for municipal fisherfolk and commercial fish workers during the period. “The declaration of closed fishing season by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources this year takes a more significant turn because the National Sardines Management Plan was signed and up
for implementation. Secondly, we have the rules on vessel monitoring measures also ready for implementation that will help in effectively enforcing the closed season,” said Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana Vice President. The international ocean conservation group said the strong enforcement of the closed season can be complemented by the participatory process that the Sardines Management Plan provides. Ramos said this is an opportunity to engage fisherfolk, civil society groups, local governments, and other stakeholders in crafting the Fisheries Management Plan of sardines as an important element of managing the impact of the closed fishing season.
“With the spatial and temporal closure in the portion of the Visayan Sea, it is imperative for Fisheries Management Area 11 and pertinent Fisheries Management Areasthrough the Management Body and put in place a monitoring and evaluation mechanism that will look into the biological condition of the fisheries resources, and socioeconomic impact of this harvest control measure. This science-based intervention of policies and plans that are developed through the participatory mechanism of the Fisheries Management Area will be most helpful,” explained Ramos. According to Oceana, sardines is an important fisheries resource especially in this time of pandemic
management of sardine fisheries is one of the goals of the National Sardine Management Plan. Part of the plan is to determine the impact of the close season and support the provision of job opportunities during the close season. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of the pandemic, climate change and fisheries management.the, our fisherolk bear the heavier burden than any other sections of our and calamities when population. Ironically, it is one of the items they are our food commonly given out to producers that suffer the the affected families in most from hunger, barely relief and emergency able to give their children response packs. However, their basic necessities of our sardines municipal shelter and education,” fisherfolk are also among Ramos said. the poorest of agriculture Based on the Fisheries sector that are most in Administrative Order need of this support. no. 167-3, issued in In the recently 2013, portions of the released third quarter Visayan Sea are closed report of the Philippine for catching, selling, Statistics Authority, and buying of sardines fisheries registered a and herrings (tamban/ 1.9 percent increase in tabagak/ tambanoutput. It contributed tuloy/ balantiong) 15.8 percent to the total and mackerels (hasaagricultural production. hasa/ gumaa/ bulao/ Bali sardinella or tamban alumahan). Meanwhile, posted a 31.5 percent the Zamboanga growth and among Peninsula’s closed fishing the two other fisheries season is for sardines species that posted higher only. production growths. Species not permitted The others being bigeye for catching, selling, tuna with 39.9 percent and buying only include increment, and blue crab sardines and herrings at 25.5 percent. (tamban/tabagak/ “The sustainable tamban-tuloy/balantiong)
and mackerels (hasahasa/ gumaa/ bulao/ alumahan). BFAR VIA DA-6 The closed season in the Visayan Sea started on November 15 and will end on February 15, 2021. The Zamboanga Peninsula closed season for sardines will be on December 1, 2020 to March 1, 2021. According to Ramos, banning commercial fishing in municipal waters is considered one of the harvest control measures that the FMA should enforce. “The use of technology like Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite can be used to detect violations during the close season. The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) recently issued the rules for vessel monitoring mechanisms. The installation of tracking device in the commercial fishing vessels will highly improve the enforcement efforts,” Ramos added. Oceana is an international advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans. Since 2014, Oceana has been working closely with national and local government agencies and stakeholders to restore the abundance of Philippine fisheries and marine resources.
Wildlife conservation must continue even with pandemic: Cimatu
ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the sighting of a nesting sea turtle in Zambales province is a testimony that the preservation of wildlife in the country must continue even amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. “Even if we are faced with a difficult situation brought about by the threats of the disease, we must continue to strive to protect and preserve our endangered pawikan (turtle),” Cimatu said in a news release on Tuesday. He added that the sighting “proves that our efforts are not in vain”. Cimatu said this incident was “enough to motivate the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to carry on with its task of protecting the environment during
these uncertain times”. The DENR’s Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Olongapo City has received a report that sea turtle laying eggs were spotted at Aplaya Caarusipan Beach Resort in San Antonio town on Nov. 28. The CENRO immediately sent a team to conduct monitoring and inspection at the site. Upon inspection, the team identified the sea turtle as an olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) classified as an endangered species under DENR Administrative Order 2019-09 or the Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories. Olongapo City’s CENR Officer Roger
Encarnacion said the nesting site, which is just in front of the beach resort, was “safe from possible destruction from tide.” “Thankfully, we do not need to relocate the
nest to a safer place. But as a precautionary measure, we placed multiple fences made from nets to protect the eggs from possible predators,” Encarnacion said.
Encarnacion said the team will regularly monitor the turtle eggs to protect them from poachers and illegal wildlife traders. The CENRO will also conduct weekly
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information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign such as seminars for the concerned local government unit staff and resort employees. (PR)
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FEATURE TOUGH YEAR FOR TOURISM: Metro
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
Dec. 28 - Jan. 3, 2021
Exploring ways to restart, recover T
By JOYCE ANN L. ROCAMORA, PNA
HE year 2020 is unlike any other for the country’s travel industry, which by yearend, often produce record-breaking figures on revenues and arrivals. In January, the year started with Taal’s eruption, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. At that time, it was the industry’s biggest challenge as it affected hundreds of flights and compelled numerous tourism establishments in Calabarzon to suspend operations. But the worst came the following weeks as the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) reached the Philippines and locally-transmitted cases surfaced. On March 16, air travel was brought to a screeching halt where people had no choice but to stay home as the government placed Luzon under lockdown. Michelle Taylan, president of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), said the crisis forced all of its members to temporarily close or scale down operations. “Our member travel agencies have been forced to pivot to other businesses to tide them over. Airlines have suffered heavy losses. Hotels were used as quarantine facilities. Tourism was at a standstill,” she said in an email to the Philippine News Agency.
Amid the uncertainties this year, Taylan said the PTAA looks forward to 2021 with “a lot of optimism”. “We will still stage our annual Travel Tour Expo and International Travel Trade Expo. They will be springboards as we assist in the revival of Philippine tourism,” she shared. “We will also hold talks with other stakeholders in the tourism industry and will come out with a united front in our pursuit to further open tourism in the country,” she added. From January to November 2020, the country’s tourism receipts fell by 81 percent to PHP81.05 billion, a significant drop from PHP437.9 billion in the same period in 2019. International arrivals also dropped by 82.4 percent to 1.3 million compared to the 7.4 million recorded from January to November in 2019. But while the coronavirus pandemic has grounded most tourism activities, the sector continues to explore ways to restart and offset the crisis’s impact on tourism. The Department of Tourism (DOT) continued to engage with relevant agencies to craft health and safety protocols that could be used when travel gradually starts. Since April, it has successfully organized
Philippines’ world-famous Boracay beach (File photo)
a handful of online learning courses that aim to help local tourism players become more competitive, with new knowledge, technological advances, and ways to innovate and be able to cater to a new breed of travelers. To adapt to the travel trends due to the pandemic, the Tourism Promotions Board also developed a strategic marketing program for the medium and longterm. “The toughest challenge was the fact that we could not promote tourism destinations the way we used to simply because they were closed to tourists. Or that we could not even promote at all. This compelled us to creatively explore ways to keep the connection with our tourists, while at the same time, gradually assist our local government units (LGUs)
and our stakeholders prepare for the new normal in travel,” TPB chief Anthonette Velasco said. ‘Domestic tourism’ Uncertain when the foreign market will come back, the DOT banked on domestic tourism to slowly revive the sector and capitalized on the low-hanging fruit within its borders -- the local travelers. The DOT believed that by tapping into these short-haul markets through targeted marketing, the country can “bypass some of the considerable challenges” it faced following the pandemic. It looked at introducing travel corridors or the socalled “travel bubble” to allow the reopening of Philippine destinations with zero coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases to foreign tourists from infection-free
nations. By the second half of 2020, the DOT initiated talks with Australia, which at that time has touted a low to zero case count. While this vision did not push through, a similar concept was applied domestically and piloted in El Nido, Palawan connecting resorts in the island to tourists from Metro Manila. In June, the Philippines gradually reopened the world-class Boracay Island, initially to visitors within Aklan province, and eventually to other regions provided the traveler has been tested negative for Covid-19. By the latter part of the year, several domestic destinations followed suit and started accepting visitors but with strict health and border control protocols, some with a test-before-travel requirement. Among
these are Bohol, Batangas, Ilocos Region, Baguio, Siargao, and Palawan. Last October, Bohol also hosted the hybrid Philippine Travel Exchange 2020, the first physical MICE event since the pandemic started. MICE stands for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, an emerging niche market in the tourism industry before the health crisis. Joel Pascual, president of the Philippine Association of Conventions, Exhibition Organizers & Suppliers Inc. (PACEOS), said 2020 was a “really terrible year” for all MICE stakeholders as all its planned events had to be postponed or canceled. For most of the year, PACEOS lobbied for MICE to be separated from “mass gatherings” as the industry works in a controlled environment where there is clear accountability and where safety protocols are more effectively implemented. “Towards the end of the year, some events have been approved on a national level but are still subject to the approval of the LGUs but there are still some confusions on implementation of such guidelines,” he said. Pascual said no events equates to zero revenue, which meant that MICE companies were merely trying to survive, trying to keep staff employed through the pandemic. As the new year nears, Pascual hopes for more RECOVER/PAGE 7
The Cagayan de Oro chapter of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines led by chapter president Engr. Ferdie Bernasor (leftmost) lights up 18 households in Barangay 18 as part of its Balik Liwanag outreach together with the Office of the City Building Official. Receiving the symbolic lighting on behalf of the beneficiaries is city administrator Teddy Sabuga-a (rightmost). photo by mark francisco The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424
Feature
Cebu Pacific to launch direct Manila-Surigao flight
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
Dec. 28 - Jan. 3, 2021
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Motorists can now avail of reloading of Easytrip and Autosweep RFIDs at participating Phoenix stations in Luzon.
Seats on sale for as low as PHP 499
THE Philippines’ leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), expands its domestic footprint with the commencement of direct flights between Manila and Surigao every Saturday, beginning January 16, 2021. The ManilaSurigao route will be operated by wholly owned subsidiary Cebgo using its fleet of ATR aircraft. To mark the launch of this new route, seats on CEB’s Manila-Surigao flights will be sold for as low as PHP499 base fare from today until January 31, 2021. Travel period is from January 16 to April 30, 2021. The Cebgo flight from Manila departs at 9:55AM, and arrives in Surigao at 12:15PM; while its return flight leaves the Surigao Airport at 12:35PM and arrives in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 2:55PM. “We are very pleased to launch this
direct flight between Manila and Surigao as we believe this will contribute to the recovery of the travel and tourism industry. There is pent up demand for travel and this direct connection will allow both residents and tourists alike to fly to and from Surigao conveniently starting next year, be it for leisure or business purposes,” said Candice Iyog, CEB Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience. Apart from this new route, CEB also announces the resumption of its direct Cebu-Surigao route every Tuesday, beginning January 12, 2021. Seats on this flight are also on sale for as low as PHP 299 one-way base fare. The Province of Surigao del Norte requires arriving tourists to present a negative RT-PCR (swab) test result taken at least 48 hours LAUNCH/PAGE 7
Phoenix outlets now offer RFID reloading
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N TIME for the holiday season, and in line with the government’s rally for cashless payment due to the pandemic, the Phoenix group now offers reloading of radio-frequency identification (RFID). Starting December 29, initial roll-out of the RFID reloading service allows motorists with Easytrip and Autosweep RFID stickers to reload their accounts at 23 participating Phoenix stations through Posible, a digital microfinancial service provider installed at these sites, and will be made available in more outlets. “Our efforts to consolidate
our products to offer a one-stopshop format have also enabled us to expand our services easier, and make these offerings available to our customers faster. Hence, with the implementation of RFID transactions in expressways, Phoenix has now added RFID reloading to its list of services powered by Posible. Through this, we hope to provide a safer and more convenient reloading option to our motorists who can now skip the long lines and delayed load crediting in other reloading stations,” Phoenix Petroleum President Henry Albert Fadullon said. For the full list of participating stations, visit
If interested, contact:
DANICA SUDARIA
http://bit.ly/RFIDPhoenix. Streamers and signages will also be posted at participating outlets. Since the onset of the pandemic, Phoenix has shifted the way it offers its products and services to adapt to the changes in the community, and ensure the safety of clients and personnel. Aside from offering delivery of its fuels, lubricants, LPG, and convenience store food and non-food items, Phoenix also launched contactless payment through Alipay, GCash, GrabPay, and WeChat Pay at its stations, and has added bills payment and other microfinancial services in its on-site offerings.
dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356
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Year in review: Go’s people-centered legislative accomplishments Dec. 28 - Jan. 3, 2021
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ESPITE the Covid-19 pandemic and other crises faced by the country this year, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to deliver on his promise to serve Filipinos through his legislative work in the Senate, and through his initiatives to help those in need wherever they are inside and outside the Philippines. “Ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat para maiahon ang ating mga kababayan mula sa hirap na ating dinaranas. Magtiwala po tayo dahil kapakanan ninyo ang inuuna naming (The government is doing its best to help our countrymen get out of the hardships they are experiencing. Trust us that we will prioritize your welfare),” Go said. “Ako naman po, patuloy lang ang aking serbisyo sa bawat Pilipino. Wala na akong hihingin pang iba, ibinigay na po ng Diyos sa akin ang pagkakataon na manilbihan sa bayan. Kaya ibabalik ko sa inyo ang serbisyo na dapat niyong makuha mula sa gobyernong palaging nagmamalasakit sa inyo (I will continue serving every Filipino. I could not ask for more, God gave a chance to serve the nation. So, I will give the services you deserve to get from the government that cares for you),” he added. As Go explained, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the government and the people to adapt to new ways in accomplishing things. But on top of these, numerous Filipinos have been adversely affected also by various calamities that hit the country this year. “Marahil sinusubok ng taong ito ang ating pananampalataya at katatagan (Perhaps this year tests our faith and resilience). Now, more than ever, unity and cooperation are necessary for us to overcome these challenges. Kaya patuloy lang po dapat tayong magtulungan at magbayanihan (We should continue helping each other),” Go said. Throughout the year, Go and his team continues to provide aid to Filipinos in crisis situations on top of
and in support of what government agencies have been providing. “As I have said numerous times, I will not limit myself to serving as a Senator only. Bilang public servant, magseserbisyo po ako sa inyo kahit saan man kayo sa mundo para tugunan ang inyong mga suliranin, pakinggan ang inyong mga hinaing, at mag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati (As public servant, I will continue to serve you wherever you are to help solve your problems, listen to your needs, and give you inspiration),” Go reiterated. “Kahit anumang problema ang inyong hinaharap — nasunugan, tinamaan ng lindol, apektado ng pagputok ng bulkan, nabahaan, lahat ng klaseng krisis — handa akong tumulong at maserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya (Whatever problems we face – fire, earthquakes, volcano eruption, floods, all kind of crises, I’m ready to serve you as long as I can),” he added. Legislative works On the legislative side, Go highlighted the results of his continuing work which included improving the quality of and access to healthcare services, and addressing the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn. He authored or sponsored nine out of 14 Senate bills which were passed into law in the present 18th Congress. One of his biggest legislative accomplishments is the passage of Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the ‘Malasakit Centers Act’ that he authored in the Senate. The law directs the mandatory establishment of a Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop for medical assistance, in the Philippine General Hospital in Manila City and every hospital managed and administered by the Department of Health throughout the country. Go also principally authored and pushed for the passage of RA 11462 which postpones the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from May 2020 to December 2022. The postponement gave
PEOPLE-CENTERED SERVICE. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go talks to a woman in one of his people-centered accomplishments in 2020. Go called for unity as he promised to push more measures that will help more people get out of poverty next year. (Contributed photo)
village officials more time to finish their programs and projects while saving valuable public funds. Another priority measure he filed was RA 11466 or the ‘Salary Standardization Law 5’ which raises the salaries of all government employees, including public nurses and teachers, for 2020 to 2023. Following the emergency declaration in the wake of the pandemic, Go coauthored and cosponsored RA 11469 or the ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One Act’. This allowed the Executive Department to respond to the threat of Covid-19 with greater flexibility, effectiveness, resources and haste. To ensure it can undertake all necessary actions, Go helped see to the passage of RA 11494 or the ‘Bayanihan to Recover as One Act’ as one of the Senate bicameral conferees on the measure. The law gives government the response fund needed so it can carry out stimulus packages and recovery plans for struggling sectors, such as micro, small, and medium enterprises, tourism, transport and agriculture sectors, in order to help them cope with the impacts of the pandemic. As the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go sponsored the passage of 11 bills
which increased the bed capacity or upgraded the services of the following local hospitals: Bicol Medical Center in Naga City; Bicol Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Pamplona, Camarines Sur; the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City; Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City; Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center in Las Piñas City; Malita District Hospital in Malita, Davao Occidental; Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City; Siargao District Hospital in Dapa, Surigao del Norte; Maria L. Eleazar District Hospital in Tagkawayan, Quezon; Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City, Cebu; and Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City. Go also authored RA 11470 or the ‘National Academy of Sports (NAS) Act’, seeking the establishment of the NAS in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. The academy shall offer the student-athletes a quality education with an integrated special curriculum on sports. He also co-authored RA 11476 which institutionalized Good Manners and Right Conduct and Values Education as core subjects in the K-12 curriculum in both public and private schools to improve the delivery of education in the years ahead. In addition, Go
co-authored or cosponsored six other bills which were passed by both houses of Congress. These are Senate Bill No. 1318 or the ‘Organic Agriculture Act’ which promotes the practice of organic farming; SBN 1365 or the ‘Alternative Learning System Act’ which addresses the basic learning needs of outof-school youth, adults and children in special extreme cases; and the SBN 1520 or ‘Doktor Para sa Bayan Act’ which institutionalizes a medical scholarship program for deserving and qualified medical students. He also co-authored or co-sponsored SBN 1844 that gives the President the authority to expedite the processing and issuance of national and local licenses, permits, and certifications; SBN 1807 designating the month of October as ‘National Cooperative Month’; and SBN 1396 expediting the delivery of benefits to coconut farmers through the creation of a trust
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fund. On top of these, Go continues to push for bills that would streamline functions and enhance the capabilities of government to respond to the needs of Filipinos especially amid the changing times. Go filed SBN 1738 institutionalizing the transition of the government to e-governance, SBN 1949 establishing the Department of Overseas Filipinos, and SBN 205 establishing the Department of Disaster Resilience, among others. “Sa pagpasok ng bagong taon, magkaisa po tayo para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa at para maibigay sa bawat Pilipino ang mas komportableng buhay tulad ng naipangako ng ating mahal na Pangulo (As we enter new year, let’s unite for the good of our country and so that we can give to every Filipino a comfortable life as promised by our President),” Go said. (PR)
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
Outreach... from page 1
academics but in this time of pandemic, they have shifted their priorities for the mainstream community. "We make sure that from time to time, we extend something to the community no matter how small. In this way, we continue to ignite the flames within us, to remind ourselves to be socially concerned individuals and be assets to the community," he said. Alon is expressing his gratitude to the alumni of Scintillas Fraternitas Legis who have come to help. Founded in 1974, Scintillas Fraternitas Legis maintains five chapters in Mindanao.
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assistance to provinces in the Bicol Region, Southern Tagalog, Cagayan, Isabela, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur affected by the recent typhoons Rolly, Ulysses, and Vicky. Grocery items amounting to over PhP 37 million and t-shirts were turned over to the provincial governments for distribution to communities heavily affected by the weather disturbances. NGCP is a Filipinoled, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy, Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr.
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consultation between the government and the private sector while the pandemic is still a pervading issue. “Our biggest hope is that we can build the confidence of government that the professional MICE sector is more than capable of adhering to safety protocols,” he said. ‘Chinese retirees’ Aside from the pandemic, the DOT this year also focused on introducing reforms at the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) following a public backlash on its current policy that allows foreigners as young as 35 years old to retire in the Philippines. Senators questioned if the PRA, an attached agency of the DOT, can ensure that young Chinese retirees are not working nor engaged
in the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). Based on PRA data, some 26,969 Chinese nationals have been allowed to retire in the Philippines, topping the list as of December 2019, followed by 13,912 Koreans; 5,951 Indians; 4,801 Taiwanese; and 3,950 Japanese. There are a total of 14,987 active retirees or those who continue to keep the retirement visa as their status of stay in the Philippines with ages ranging from 34 to 49 years old. Of this number, more than 50 percent, or 8,130 of whom are Chinese nationals from mainland China, followed by the Koreans at 2,257 and Indians at 1,891. Despite this calamitous year for the tourism industry, the Philippines carried on and has even bagged accolades that recognized the timeless beauty of its destinations. The Philippines’ dive spots and the old walled city of Intramuros were hailed as this year’s World’s Leading Dive Destination and World’s Leading Tourist Attraction, respectively, by the 2020 World Travel Awards (WTA). This is the Philippines’ second time to win the world title for dive, besting eight different popular dive hubs, such as the Azores Islands, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Galapagos Islands, Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Maldives, and Mexico. Meanwhile, it was Intramuros’s first time to win the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction, beating 15 different attractions, such as the Acropolis of Greece, Burj Khalifa of Dubai, the Grand Canyon National Park of the US, Mount Kilimanjaro of Tanzania, and Taj Mahal of India. Albeit virtually, the Philippines remained on the world’s radar. ‘Recovery’ Earlier, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said international travel might not happen soon amid the existing travel restrictions of other countries, especially now that a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 is spreading fast in the United Kingdom. “Our (focus) is still domestic tourism. Domestic tourism is 10.8 percent in the 12.7 percent contribution of
the tourism industry to the country’s GDP that’s why we will strengthen this,” she told reporters on Dec. 28. Physical distancing and health protocols had been the most associated words to the “new normal”. And in the years beyond, this is likely to stay as safety becomes the traveler’s paramount concern. Puyat is optimistic that DOT’s partnerships with public hospitals, such as the Philippine General Hospital and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, would help transcend the prohibitive barrier of testing requirements for travelers. “Working hand in hand not only with our tourism stakeholders and LGU, but also with government health facilities ensures that success of safety protocols will strengthen our collective efforts to gradually and safely reopen domestic tourism,” she said. Basing on previous major viral epidemics, experts earlier said the average recovery time for visitor numbers to a destination was 19 months. The worldwide economic impact of H1N1 was estimated at up to USD55 billion, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). A similar economic crisis affected China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Canada after the 2003 SARS outbreak impacted the global travel and tourism sector by around USD30 billion and USD50 billion. But for a global health crisis that has lasted for almost a year now, how can the industry today regain its momentum and recover? For the WTTC, governments must coordinate to provide certainty for travelers with regards to travel restrictions and policies. In a December 21 statement, Gloria Guevara, WTTC President, and CEO, said: “If a comprehensive and quick turnaround testing regime were in place at airports across the country to test all travelers before they depart, it would ensure only those infected with Covid-19 are isolated and are prevented from traveling. There would be no need for countries to introduce damaging and counterproductive wholesale bans on UK travelers.” (PNA)
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before departure, a confirmed hotel booking for at least 15 days in a DOT-accredited facility, a printed copy of Surigao del Norte’s Provincial Health e-FORM, and a valid identification card. To date, Cebu Pacific operates flights to and from 30 domestic and five (5) international destinations. CEB has been rated 7/7 stars by airlineratings.com for its COVID-19 compliance as it continues to implement a multilayered approach to safety, in accordance with global aviation standards. These include contactless procedures, thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols for all aircraft and facilities, mandatory wearing of masks and face shields for both passengers and crew, as well as Antigen testing for CEB frontliners before duty. On top of these, our aircraft are also equipped with hospital-grade HEPA filters with 99.99% efficacy, keeping viruses at bay. For a list of travel requirements, testing options, flexibility options and frequently asked questions, passengers are encouraged to visit https://bit.ly/ CEBFlightReminders.
Dec. 28 - Jan. 3, 2021
RESORTS, HOTEL & RESTAURANTS DIRECTORIES
A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:
Metro
CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly DE ORO
ALGEN’S DIVE RESORT (088) 3872015
PRYCE PLAZA HOTEL 8583131 Fax: 726687
APPLE TREE RESORT & HOTEL 735411 / 754525 Fax: 754497 0917-7144040 / 0923-3269366 / 0939-9076948
PRAWN HOUSE (088) 3095992 Fax: 8519219 RIDGE VIEW CHALET 8588946 / 8587946 Fax: 8588946
BAHAY BAKASYUNAN SA CAMIGUIN (088) 3871057 / 3870131 Fax: 3870278 BASAMANGGAS RESORT 08822-760564 Fax: 760565 CAGAYAN RIVERVIEW INN 8584245 / 729039 Fax: 8584245 CASA CRYSTALLA 8561704 / 722465 Fax: 722480 CASA ISABELLA (088) 8564065 CASA AZUCENA 8563402 / 09236593973 CHALI BEACH RESORT 732840 / 8552108 Fax: 8555941 CHANANTHON BED & BREAKFAST 8568189 / 3093095 COUNTRY VILLAGE HOTEL 8583004-06 Fax: 8583006 D’BUDGETEL 8564200/726643 Fax: 8564300 DAHILAYAN FOREST PARK 8568562 to 63 DE LUXE HOTEL 8572144 / 724548 Fax: 724563 DISCOVERY HOTEL 727814 / 8563896 Fax: 8563897 DUKA BAY RESORT (088) 3312290 Fax: 725265 DYNASTY COURT HOTEL 8574802 Fax: 857900 GRAND CITY HOTEL 8571900 / 728469 Fax: 723718
Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING & REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No.10, Apovel, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City BUGO TAXI OPERATORS AND DRIVERS INCORPORATED Rep. by : ARNOLD P. CUBERO CASE NO. R10-EV-CC-TX 2020-12-3673 (2018-10-3585)
NOTICE OF HEARING APPLICANT(s)/ PETITIONER(s) request/s authority to Extend the Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate AIRCON TAXI SERVICE on route: CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY TO ANY POINT IN REGION X and vice versa with the use of FORTY (40) unit/s. This ap pli c ation /petition shall be considered by this Board on January 05, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at this board on which date Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall formally submit his/her/their evidence. The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of local circulation. Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/their written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/ her/their oral testimony(s). WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 14th day of December 2020 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. (Sgd.) ATTY. MOHAMAD FAHDEL S. PIMPING HEARING OFFICER
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SEDA CENTRIO HOTEL 3238888 / 0917-577-5910 SOUTHWINDS HOTEL 724803 / 8562036 Fax: 8562036 STARGATE DREAM VACATION RESORT 8515003 / 8509999 THE VIP HOTEL 726080 / 8562505 Fax: 726441 RED PLANET 8800888/8801306 TRAVELERS POD 8518988 UPTOWN CONDOTEL 8511800 VILLA PARAISO APARTELLE 3870419 Fax: 3870429 HONORARY MEMBERS: DEPT. OF TOURISM 723696/726394 / 8564048 Fax: 723696 RESTAURANTS: BIGBY’S CAFÉ 72-1071/857-5511/8575836 Fax: 711843 CAFÉ LAGUNA 8582999 Fax: 8567001 DM VILLARUY RESTAURANT 733790 GOLDEN AJIRANG I 856-5271 Fax: 727876 GRAND CAPRICE RESTAURANT 72-6955/856-2302 Fax: 72-4986
HOTEL CONCHITA 8563856 / 727355 Fax: 8563857
KAGAY-ANON RESTAURANT 728958 / 8563688 Fax: 8563843 / 729003
HOTEL KORESCO 8589749-50 Fax: 8589748
LA ILONGGA RESTAURANT 72-6183 / 857-3652 Fax: 72-4605
HOTEL SOGO 8520383 KINGSTON LODGE 8585696 Fax: 8585696
MISSY BON BON 8566852 / 09228606442 Fax: 8566852
MAPAWA NATURES PARK 8584402 Fax: 725265 MALLBERRY SUITES 8541999 / 7249999 Fax: 8544999 MAXANDREA HOTEL 8572244/729943 Fax: 724090 MIAMI INN 8581901 to 02 Fax: 725279/728486 N HOTEL (088) 8801924 PARAS BEACH RESORT 8568563 Fax: 8568563 PHILTOWN HOTEL 726295 / 8564402 Fax: 723104
CDOT: Dec 28, 2020
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SLERS HAM & CAFÉ 8551438 THAI ME UP 738424/3108424 Fax: 738424 BARKADAHAN GRILL 8551234 LA TEGOLA CUCINA ITALIANA 8585959 LIMKETKAI LUXE HOTEL 8800000 DEAR MANOK 8564914 / 8573413 LIMKETKAI LUXE HOTEL Landline: (088) 880-0000, Mobile: 0917-312-4563 Email: info@limketkailuxe.com
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The
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
Dec. 28 - Jan. 3, 2021
The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424