CDOTIMES January 4-10, 2021

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CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly DE ORO

Volume 7 | No. 75 | Cagayan de Oro City | January 4-10, 2021

Oro Chamber COVID-19 Response, Turnover of surgical masks for the frontliners to Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental Province on 18 May 2020.

Turnover of Leadership Award to 2020 Pres. Robertino E. Pizarro by 2020 Board Chairman Ruben A. Vegafria.

Oro Chamber 2020-2021

Looking Back, Looking Forward

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By MIKE BAĂ‘OS

HE month of January is named after Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions in Roman mythology, who presided over passages, doors, gates and endings, as well as in transitional periods such as from war to peace. He was usually depicted as having two faces looking at opposite ways, one towards the past and the other towards the future.

For the following feature on Oro Chamber, we will similarly look at the year that was with 2020 president Robertino E. Pizarro,

and look forward with 2021 President Ruben A. Vegafria.

First, a look at the year just past as reported by immediate past

president Pizarro during the virtual Oro Chamber General Membership Meeting held on 14 December 2020.

Oro Chamber At A Glance Oro Chamber only attained 43% of target revenue for 2020, although this was mostly balanced by reduced operating expenses due to the cancellation of most in-person events, resulting in net savings of P317,000 for period ending November 2020.

Despite the debilitating effects of the pandemic, the chamber

ended the period with a net worth of P21.8million, 21% increase in revenues and 16% decrease on expenses.

Although membership collection targeted for 2020 was not realized with a 65% attainment due also the decreased membership, with actual collections at 54%.

Membership increased slightly from 2019 with the induction of eight new members, bringing total membership to 362 member companies .

On Advocacy and Policy Formulation Oro Chamber worked

closely with Cagayan de Oro LGU on granting deadline extensions and waiving of penalties on Business and Real Property Taxes. Thus the City LGU extended the deadline for the 3rd quarter RPT and the 4th quarter Business Taxes.

Oro Chamber also supported the agreement between the Anti Red Tape Authority (or ARTA) and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to provide a regional desk to receive complaints from the Business Sector against violations

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of Republic Act No. 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Delivery Act of 2018).

On Partnerships The OROBEST Innovation Program continued on its second year, thanks to the Department of Science and Technology, USAID-STRIDE, and the Department of Trade and Industry for their continued support.

Oro Chamber also forged partnerships to encourage investments in Region X through the CHAMBER/PAGE 7

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Water is coming to Natumolan, Tagoloan

January 4-10, 2021

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ARANGAY Natumolan in the Municipality of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental will be enjoying potable water piped straight to their households in a year or so.

Natumolan is the 5th largest barangay of Tagoloan with a total area of 622 hectares and also its fifth most populated with a population of 7,674 (2010 Census). Among the key commercial establishments located in its area is the Mindanao Distribution Center of Fast Services Corporation.

“JE Hydro and BioEnergy Corporation will be constructing a 5-Million Liter Daily (MLD) Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and distribution system to service Natumolan and its adjacent barangays,” said Joel A. Baldelovar, Director for Business Development of JE Hydro, in a radio Excavation and pipelaying for the Natumolan, Tagoloan Level 3 water supply project interview with Magnum Radyo’s Manny Agustero has started. photo supplied

The

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CAGAYAN TIMES/Sudaria Group of Companies Publisher MIKE BAÑOS Editor-in-Chief PINKY DOMINGO Marketing Manager 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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last December 31st, 2020. JE Hydro is the fast emerging Water Company in the Philippines, with strong adherence in the advocacy that Access to Safe Drinking Water is a Fundamental Human Right.

Baldelovar apologized for the inconvenience the excavation and pipelaying works which have already started, while construction of the WTP will be starting this week.

Construction of all works has been covered by a barangay ordinance and permits, and is expected to be completed in the next 10-12 months.

“Water will cost residents less than 3 centavos per liter of potable water piped in to their residences compared to the P25 per liter of bottled water.

1,000 liters or one cubic meter of potable water will only cost them P25,” he added.

Baldelovar said the Level III water system will deliver potable water straight to residences

from the water treatment plant.

The Natumolan WTP will source raw surface water from the nearby Tagoloan River, which once treated can be used for drinking, bathing, cooking and other personal uses.

With its design capacity of 5MLD, JE Hydro Natumolan WTP can also service adjacent barangays which are not yet being served by the Tagoloan Water District (TWD).

“We are capable of also servicing nearby barangays like, part of Poblacion and Baluarte,” Baldelovar said. “The Barangay Council can simply contact us to signify their interest and we will immediately send our engineering team to survey their area to further explore the feasibility of distributing potable water to their area.”

Baldelovar clarified JE Hydro does not seek to compete with the TWD, and Cagayan de Oro City WATER/PAGE 6

HOTTEST YEAR ON RECORD In addition to the pandemic, there is another topic that we often lose sight of: the climate change. Well, you can already guess: 2020 ties 2016 as the hottest year on record.

A warm winter and autumn have made the previous year the hottest ever recorded, the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service has found. The Arctic continues to warm more quickly than the planet as a whole.

The last decade was the hottest on record globally.

Average global temperatures in 2020 stood at 1.25 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) higher than pre-industrial levels, according to the service. The years from 2014 to 2020 were the hottest on record with both 2020 and 2016 hitting the record for the single hottest year.

Scientists urged governments and corporations to drastically slash their emissions in order to have any chance of achieving the 2015

Paris Agreement and to avoid a catastrophic climate change crisis.

“The extraordinary climate events of 2020 and the data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service show us that we have no time to lose,” said Matthias Petschke, Director for Space in the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm.

The biggest jump was seen in the Arctic Ocean and the north of Siberia, where temperatures soared to an unprecedented six degrees above the former average. The report also revealed that carbon dioxide emissions continued to rise, reaching a new high of 431 parts per million by the end of the year.

Yes, nature always strikes back. The figures are particularly alarming because, unlike in 2016, they were reached without the help of the El Nino weather event which added up to two tenths of a degree to the record four years ago,

according to NASA and the UK’s Met Office.

The increase in temperature has brought with it other extreme climate events such as droughts, heatwaves and floods.

We have seen enough of the latter in the Philippines. The new year also brought us many storms and floods, especially in Mindanao.

In 2020, the world was also hit by a record number of hurricanes in the Atlantic, to the extent that the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ran out of letters to name them. The 2020 record came despite global lockdowns which led to a dramatic 7% drop in emissions.

“Since CO2 accumulates in the atmosphere like water in a bathtub, if we turn down the tap by 7%, the CO2 level just rises a bit more slowly,” Stefan Rahmstorf, head of Earth system analysis at the German Potsdam Institute

HAVE MY SAY

KLAUS DORING

for Climate Impact Research, told AFP. “We need to shut off the tap to get a stable climate again.”

Even if every country were to stick to their pledges from the Paris Agreement, global temperatures would still reach an increase of 3 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. A really sad outlook into the future for all of us and the following generations. +++ Email: doringklaus@gmail. com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin or visit my www.germanexpatinthephilippines. blogspot.com or www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

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Misor kicks off 2021 Kuyamis Festival

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HE provincial government of Misamis Oriental officially commences the virtual activities of the 8th Kuyamis Festival and 91st Founding Anniversary of the province. During the flag raising rites, Governor Bambi Emano graces the

ceremonial unveiling of this year’s festival.

One of the highlights of this year’s festivity is the 8th Kuyamis Photo and Handicraft Exhibit at Centrio Ayala Mall Event Center. Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Misamis Oriental made all the handicrafts with earnestness and

passion highlighting the coconut-product as the main design.

Kuyamis Festival is staged every year as a Founding Anniversary of Misamis Oriental.

Kuyamis is derived from the coconut, locally called “Kuyamis” which is plentiful all throughout the borders of Misamis

Oriental.

This time, precautionary measures are highly observed in all activities.

“We will continue with the 8th Kuyamis Festival, but we will also observe all the basic safety protocols to have a successful celebration” Gov.

Bambi exudes.

With optimism and high hopes, Governor Bambi Emano believes that the conduct of the 8th Kuyamis Festival would still be successful despite these tough times.

Misamis Oriental Provincial Information Office

Bean Park Cafe and its take on the local cafe culture

By MARK FRANCISCO

CAFES and milk tea shops are sprouting all over the city. But nothing beats where almost every ingredient on the menu is homemade. This is where Bean Park Cafe comes in.

According to owner Sittie Aina Munder-Gandamra, every component that makes up every drink in their menu is made from scratch. The

spreads and sauces used in their sandwiches are homemade. And this is what has made Bean Park Cafe click to their patrons from the start despite the existence of their neighboring competitors in Divisoria, this city.

Aina - then a junior law student at Xavier University, together with

her husband, Camid, also a law student in the same school - has long dreamed to open a coffee shop of their own. Making caffeinated drinks started as a hobby when they needed something to get through long nights when their first child was born. Later on, brewing coffee at home became a necessity to survive law school but their love for coffee

and cafés grew when they started traveling in their days-off in school.

What influenced them most was the sprawling local café scene that dotted Hongdae, Seoul’s well-known student hub and university belt. In Cagayan de Oro then, there were only a handful of local cafes you could go to, each one catering to a specific market. Of course, there is Starbucks

and Coffee Bean, the famous coffee shops that even the owners frequent.

But in Divisoria, also known as the heart of the City, and the place most accessible to students, they thought that only a few of the hodgepodge of many local establishments there catered to “coffee breaks.”

So when a spot in Divisoria finally opened up, they knew it would be

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the perfect place to open up a coffee shop. Being students themselves, they knew what they wanted in a café: a spot where you can come in and not feel intimidated about the prices, your choice of drink, or how long you want to stay. The catch was since ingredients are homemade, they could control both the price and quality of the food and drinks. This is what kept customers coming back. Asked what sets them apart from the other establishments, she answers that their goal is to be the place you could go to for a good cup of coffee you could pair with a comforting plate of food, and a clean and noise-free ambiance that is conducive not only to the university-goers but also to people who want to enjoy the company of their friends or those who find solace in being alone.

When they started, their target market was CAFE/PAGE 7

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Cebu Pacific welcomes second ATR freighter

January 4-10, 2021

Share. Protect. Earn.

Everyone wins with financial inclusion via FWD’s Affiliate Program

FWD Insurance is excited to announce the launch of a digital ecosystem that rewards everyone for doing good by way of sharing financial life skills and helping bridge the protection gap in the country.

The groundbreaking FWD Affiliate Program is a first in the market.

Everyone can be an affiliate by simply downloading the mobile app and completing the registration process for free.

Through the app, our financial advisors can spread financial knowledge and awareness in a trustbased environment to help others upskill their financial management and start future proofing with investments and life insurance. At a time when Filipinos are stretching their budgets, now they can get expert financial self-help, and even be an ambassador helping others increase their financial IQ by sharing inspiring posts with rewards.

Technology that enables this Affiliate app could not have come at a better time. The current global pandemic has made people think more about life and health issues, while economic uncertainty has triggered increasing interest in financial management and planning.

Recent statements made by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas exposed the average Filipino’s vulnerability: only 48% have savings to lean on during hard times, while household out-of-pocket expenses for health financing rose to a staggering P379.7B in 2019, as reported by the latest Philippine Statistics Authority numbers.

According to FWD Insurance President and CEO Li Hao Zhuang, the Affiliate Program is a win-win platform for everyone involved.

The app offers shareable financial knowledge, tools and solutions while also creating PROGRAM/PAGE 7

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Adds to its growing fleet of dedicated cargo

EADING Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) recently took delivery of its second ATR cargo freighter, further strengthening its cargo operations to and from domestic airports with short runways. At present, only a third of the airports in the Philippines can accommodate jet aircraft, while the rest can only be served by turboprops.

The ATR 72-500 aircraft with tail number RP-C7253 was converted at the Sabena Technics DNR S.A.S. facility in Dinard, France. CEB’s first freighter that arrived in August 2019 was likewise converted at the same

facility. Both ATR freighters, operated by CEB’s subsidiary Cebgo, are equipped with a Large Cargo Door, allowing for capacity to be as much as eight (8) tons of palletized cargo.

Apart from its two ATR freighters, CEB has also recently modified one of its A330 aircraft into an all-cargo configuration, removing seats so that cargo can be carried in the main deck.

“We saw this pandemic as an opportunity to recalibrate our business and optimize operations to address the needs of our customers. There is a growing demand for cargo to and from the Philippines and our fleet of dedicated cargo

aircraft allows us to address this while doing so in a more efficient manner,” says Alex Reyes, President and CEO of Cebgo.

CEB has ensured transport of essential goods is not hampered, especially during this time. The carrier continues to anticipate its cargo business to continue flourishing, and its investment in these dedicated cargo aircraft supports its commitment to continue providing affordable and accessible air travel services for everyJuan.

More information on CEB cargo may be found here: https://www.cebupacificair.com/ cargo

DOST rallies behind ORAS PINAS, the new Filipino Time To synchronize all timepieces across the country’s more than 7,100 islands, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) unveiled the new “ORAS PINAS” in compliance to the Philippine Standard Time (PST).

Previously dubbed as “Juan Time”, the ORAS PINAS campaign aims to promote the PST nationwide and ‘sync’ timepieces with the PST, the new Filipino Time.

Every year, the DOST leads in the observance of the National Time Consciousness Week (NTCW) pursuant to Republic Act No. 10535 or The Philippine Standard Time (PST) Act of 2013.

The NTCW is being observed during the first week of January of every year to promote the value of time and the need to respect the time of others, so that the people may realize the imperative of synchronizing the official time.

With the theme “Synchronizing Filipino Time with ORAS PINAS”, the

NTCW 2021 further aims to introduce ORAS PINAS as the new brand of the PST with the tagline, “One Nation, One Time: Pilipinas ON TIME”.

Through the new brand, the campaign hopes to institutionalize the new Filipino culture of being always on time and having only one time as a nation.

The PST is set by the DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country’s official timekeeper since 1978 as mandated by Section 6 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 8.

DOST-PAGASA sets the timing system that consists of a rubidium atomic clock, a Global Positioning System receiver, a time interval counter, a distribution amplifier, and a computer. So, to synch your timepieces, just visit the DOSTPAGASA website (http://bagong. pagasa.dost.gov.ph/) and get the new Filipino Time!

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Smart leads Opensignal report in Northern Mindanao, professionals get boost from faster technology A s businesses closed down and jobs were lost amid global lockdowns, innovations and faster technology have enabled some enterprises to shift their focus in order to survive. With the use of mobile technology underpinning efforts of businesses to stay afloat, PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), has continued to improve on customer experience, as attested by thirdparty mobile analytics company, Opensignal.

In its most recent report[1], Opensignal shared that in Northern Mindanao, Smart leads in performance in terms of Video Experience, Download Speed Experience and Upload Speed Experience. Smart also received its inaugural 4G Coverage Experience award in

the Philippines, which is based on how mobile subscribers experience 4G coverage on an operator’s network.

For videographer and drone pilot Mark Quitoriano, business took a downturn when contract after contract got cancelled. Good thing he was able to shift focus to providing online streaming during events. “With Smart, download and upload speeds are consistent. This is what I need to do livestreaming – reliable upload speeds,” Quitoriano shared.

According to Opensignal’s analysis [2], Smart users in Mindanao observed download speeds that increased by more than 50% and improved latency scores or less delays by 28.3% (the biggest improvement among all the regions surveyed). Over the last quarter of

2018 up to the third quarter of 2020, 4G availability also rose by 34.5% in the region, ahead of competition.

“What I love about the Smart LTE network is that I can work anytime, anywhere,” said Lenz Libres, an online content editor for an Australian e-magazine. Lenz considers a good internet connection essential for high productivity and performance. “My Smart Bro Pocket Wifi helped me a lot with this,” she shared.

With a reliable connection, she can submit her articles on time and meet her other deadlines managing the e-magazine.

“Internet connectivity has become essential, especially in these days when conferences, meetings, and classes are done virtually,” said teacher Marvilyn Chiva of the Department of Education. Marvilyn is glad that with Smart’s mobile network, she can also enjoy many things aside from her profession and studies.

Mario G. Tamayo, Senior Vice President for Network Planning and Engineering for PLDT-Smart, highlighted the importance of PLDT group’s sustained network investments in delivering the best

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January 4-10, 2021

customer experience across the country.

“With COVID-19 and the ‘new norm’, connectivity has also allowed many people to continue working and studying from the safety of their homes,” Tamayo said.

“As we continue to monitor our progress through the lens of thirdparty independent companies like Opensignal, which have acknowledged the consistent performance of PLDT and Smart's networks for the past several quarters, we know that our work does not stop with their recognition. There are still opportunities to improve and connect more

DANICA SUDARIA

Filipinos nationwide, as we aim to bring the Philippines to the level of the best in the region," Tamayo added.

PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, the most extensive in the country, is now at more than 422,000 kilometers. This fiber infrastructure supports Smart’s mobile networks, which cover 96% of the population and are present in 95% of cities and municipalities.

These network investments form a large part of the PLDT Group’s sustained capital expenditures on their networks, which totaled some Php260 billion from 2015 to 2019. For 2020, with the network rollout regaining momentum following the easing of lockdown restrictions, PLDT has leveled up its target capital expenditures back up to about Php70 billion or more.

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

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RESORTS, HOTEL & RESTAURANTS DIRECTORIES

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

During Communications Secretary Martin Andanar's show, Clanelmie Bahade, SK Federation President of Villanueva, said that for 2021, they have a program called "Tulong Edukasyon sa Kabataan" in which virtual activities will be crafted to divert the youth's attention from doing outdoor activities such as basketball among others. She reminded that COVID is still here and that we should remain vigilant. She calls on the youth to have discipline amid this pandemic and to pray. (JMORucat)

Water... from page 2

Water District (COWD) which are already serving the Poblacion and Barangay Casinglot, also in Tagoloan respectively.

As of August 2020, COWD already has over 103,577 service connections. Its service area is spread over the city and the adjacent municipalities of Opol, Misamis Oriental in the west side and Casinglot, Tagoloan in the east.

Casinglot is Tagoloan’s 4th largest barangay with a total area of 680 has. and also 4th most populated (as of 2010 Census) with 8,588.

COWD rate as approved by LWUA is P21.84 for first 10 cu.m. or minimum P218.40 per month, + commodity charge of P20.55 for additional cu.m. consumed beyond 10 cu.m., from 11-20 cu.m., P31.85 (21-30 cu.m.), P33.65 (31-40 cu.m.) and P36 (41-up cu.m.).

“For private utilities like JE Hydro, water rates are approved by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB),” Baldelovar said. “Our approved rate for Natumolan is P25 x actual volume of water consumed (e.g., 5 cu.m. x P25 = P125.)

“This is more affordable for smaller households like what we have in Natumolan so they don’t have to pay a minimum rate that is more expensive than the actual volume of water they consume.”

Indahag Update In a related development, Baldelovar said JE Hydro is merely awaiting approval of city council plenary to approve the project so an excavation permit can be issued and digging

and pipelaying can start.

Construction of the WTP and distribution system is expected to be completed in the next 10-12 months.

The city council committee on public utilities chaired by Councilor Teodulfo E. Lao, Jr. favorably endorsed the Indahag project to the plenary of the local legislative body for further consideration during its consultation held on 17 December 2020.

JE Hydro has proposed the construction of a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) with a capacity to deliver 10 million liters daily (MLD) of clean and safe potable water at no cost to Barangay Indahag.

Baldelovar said once the City Council plenary approves the project, pipelaying can immediately start and the project can start operating before the end of 2021.

“We are concurrently applying for a Certificate of Public Convenience from the NWRB to distribute water in Bgy Indahag and the 10MLD will be sufficient to supply 10,000 households in Bgy Indahag, which will catalyze the development of its economy,” he added.

Besides a 24/7 supply of clean and safe potable water, the JE Hydro project also projects its distribution rate at P35 per cubic meter (cu.m.) compared to the P8085 per cu.m. Indahag residents now pay for water delivered by truck to the barangay.

Baldelovar said this can be reckoned at 3.5 centavos per liter or P7 per drum vs. the P18 per drum (at 5 drums of 200 liters each which is equivalent to one cu.m. of water) or a 60% reduction

DSWD releases additional Php10K grant to LAA families thru Starpay app WITH its continuing efforts to uplift the lives of the affected families in Marawi, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) started releasing additional Php10,000 worth of Livelihood Settlement Grant (LSG) to 28,204 families from the less affected area (LAA) of the city.

DSWD partnered with Starpay Corporation as a financial service provider through its smartphone application.

“Registration was already facilitated by Starpay Corporation and log-in details were distributed to the families through their nominated mobile numbers,” said DSWD Region X Director Mariflor Dollaga-Libang.

Starting December of their water expenses per drum.

He explained the water rate for Indahag would be more expensive compared to Natumolan since its WTP is double in size (10MLD vs 5MLD) and the additional cost of the pipeline which would bring in surface water

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28, 2020, 5,000 families were notified daily about the assistance.

Libang further said that initial concerns using the digital application is the unavailability of smartphones and blocked accounts.

With this, DSWD 10 also requested assistance from the city government of Marawi and Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Field Office to intake the details of the families having similar concerns.

The agency shall then request manual beneficiary reference numbers for these families.

The beneficiary should download the Starpay application and upgrade its user level. To upgrade one's account, details such as DSWD/PAGE 7 from Bubunawan River in Bgy Pualas, Baungon, Bukidnon with water rights secured from NWRB for 10MLD. It would also have higher operating costs since it requires more electricity to pump the raw water from Baungon and up the higher elevation to Bgy. Indahag.

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Chamber... from page 1

Balik Probinsya , Bagong Pag-asa and Build, Build, Build programs.

“It is high-time to encourage more foreign direct investments (FDIs) to come to Mindanao, particularly Region 10. The best way to make this invitation powerful is for government to improve incentives for FDIs, like what they are doing now in Vietnam,” Pizarro stressed. “This will pave the way for more economic activities, sustainable livelihood opportunities for all.

On Meetings and Conferences Oro Chamber conducted 10 Board Meetings, 4 virtual General Membership Meetings, 2 virtual conferences (MinBizCon and Philippine Business Conference), various webinars, forums and meetings; hosted five good business forums to continue our education information to our members with regards to the economy and investment, security and development, taxes, and water utilities.

On COVID 19 Response When the local government ordered temporary business closures during the start of the spread of COVID, Oro Chamber made a rapid assessment of its members. We also participated in various COVID-19 response programs and projects with our local government, through our Regional Economy task group with NEDA. Oro Chamber also supported and endorsed member companies to avail of the P3-CARES Program. However, our member-companies are still awaiting response from the Small Business Corporation on the status of their loan applications 5 months later.

2020 Summary Oro Chamber managed to continue advocating to support for our business community despite the pandemic. We continued forging partnerships, educating our members of the new regulations that affects business continuity, survival and future investments.

We are here together with the government and other agencies and institutions to continue finding ways to bounce back from what we have lost in this time of crisis.

We need to support each other and support our government programs.

In this way, we heal and

recover as one.

Looking Forward for 2021 In his acceptance speech as the 25th president of the Oro Chamber, 2021 President Ruben A. Vegafria started with a call for the younger business leaders to step up to the challenge of leading the business community in the next decades.

Vegafria first served as Oro Chamber President in 2005, was re-elected in 2006 and is now serving his third term at the helm of the Oro Chamber as its President and Chief Executive Officer.

“We proudly held the distinction as the country’s First Hall of Fame Awardee by PCCI, and yet, here we are, facing a rather disturbing reality where “failure of election” in an annual election is becoming a regular spectacle,” Vegafria said. “ Is it because the chamber’s milestones and achievements are simply too difficult to emulate or even proximate that no one dares to cast their luck in? Is it because of meetings and workloads dominantly playing 24/7 in the president’s life, where less is left for business and family?”

“They may rightly be so, but should we, in conscience, allow this issue to spoil the positive public image and noble legacy nurtured and built all through the years by our leaders before us?

Why is this happening to Oro Chamber despite its outstanding successes?,” he stressed.

Call for Young Business Leaders Vegafria said this deplorable situation was the reason why he called on young business leaders to join and get involved in the chamber.

“That is the reason why I proposed and insisted that we amend our by-laws to limit the term of trustees to 3-years with no re-election, because there is no chance for anyone to win against a re-electionist trustee.

And, I am glad that the amendments were ratified by the general membership earlier today.”

The 3-time Oro Chamber Chief Executive said business leaders must have 3 basic elements to become effective in leading a chamber: 1) A willing heart to learn, a willing heart to serve and a willing heart to sacrifice. 2) A clear understanding of your mandate and

an unmistakable knowledge of the purposes and objectives of the chamber. As the influential voice of business in northern Mindanao, it is important that such voice be heard better, bigger and bolder. 3) And not the least, a strong and unselfish commitment to promote, defend and protect the welfare and interests of the member-companies; an abiding commitment to keep the organization pro-active and vibrant to the best of our abilities.

“Leadership in the chamber is certainly not one of ease and comfort.

Our 365 day’s journey will, undoubtedly, be met with roadblocks of envy, criticism, even arrogance and illwill. But once we have done our work and accomplished our goals of helping businesses and help improve the local economy, we know it is well worth it.”

Oro Chamber Standing Committees During the chamber’s planning session held earlier, Vegafria had proposed organizational adjustments in the composition of the Oro Chamber Standing Committees as a step towards developing and training future leaders.

“The Monthly Good Business Forum will be revived and new projects such as website activation, ARTA and MSME Help Desks, along with meaningful advocacies, sectoral meetings and trainings will be in place under the new normal.

We will focus more attention to membership development, recruitment and retention and will do the extra mile to improve our collection efficiency, including improvements in revenue generation.

Not the least, flagship projects from the previous administration such as the OROBEST Innovation Program, will be sustained.”

In his closing remarks to close the program, Jaime Rafael U. Paguio, Chairman of the Board, outlined the immediate contributions the Oro Chamber could do to help the city and region get back on its feet.

“As a business organization, our contribution will be how we can help restart the economy, how we can help our brothers survive the pandemic, and still in an optimistic and positive view, how we can make business thrive and even move forward during this very adverse conditions. We will live

His guidance and His mantle of protection so we may be able to continue our task. And we graciously thank those who gave their generous time, and serve during the 2020 term— of President Robert Pizarro and Chairman Ruben Vegafria, and the community is ever grateful for all the programs done during this successful term.”

Cafe... from page 3

mainly students, hence the affordable price point and the location.

But as they continued operations despite the pandemic and opened up deliveries, their market grew. There were also those who are under the WFH category and consider the area conducive to working, yuppies in between office breaks, couples going on a date, families, and young ones tagging their parents along. Even the delivery riders would once in a while sit down and order a drink of their own.

Besides the usual Americanos, Lattes and Cappuccinos that are staples in every café, each offering on their menu is unique in its kind. Their bestsellers are Caramel Sweet Cream and Salted Cream Cappuccino.

From the signature coffee variants, there’s also Hongdae Cream Coffee, Mocha Glazed Espresso and Brown Sugar Macchiato. Their quirky take on the latte are the Earl Grey latte and the Black Vanilla latte.

For the milk variants, there's Malay Milk, Cha Yen, Black Sesame Milk, and Matcha milk. Their Spicy Tuna Fettuccine is the only pasta in the menu- a family recipe and a dish that the owner has been selling from home and upon request since 2014. The latest offering is the Seoul Street Toast- inspired by the sandwiches sold in the alleys in Seoul and the sandwich that has kept their counter the busiest. So much so that because of the volume of orders they get of this sandwich, they had to renovate and re-do the layout of their kitchen.

The couple’s favorite midnight snack are also bestsellers: the Grilled Egg and Cheese and on rainy days: the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup.

For curbside pick-ups, customers may call 088-8824041. Deliveries may be booked through the Grab and Maxim app. Other information may be found on their social media pages: @ beanparkcafe.

Program...

January 4-10, 2021

from page 4

employment, with an aim to start a virtuous cycle that directly empowers people and enhances protection inclusion.

“We want to reduce the digital divide and address the protection gap in the country,” Li Hao notes. “Through FWD’s Affiliate app, we democratize financial education and protection and make it rewarding for everyone.”

“It allows our customers to be rewarded for doing good, and we believe that is especially valuable in this time of need.” For more information regarding FWD Insurance’s products, customers can connect with their FWD Insurance advisor or via FWD’s 24/7 Live Chat (https://fwd.com.ph).”

DSWD... from page 6

name, selfie, birthdate, permanent and present address, and valid ID are needed. Acceptable IDs include passport, driver's license, PWD ID, Barangay ID, TIN ID, SSS, Philhealth, among others. After taking a selfie, at least one ID should be chosen and uploaded with details.

A message will then be sent once the account is upgraded.

To claim the assistance, the beneficiaries can cash out their wallet balance through MLhuillier pay out or Security Bank or Chinabank ATM cardless withdrawal.

From April 2019, DSWD distributed of Transitory Family Support Package of Php53,000 and additional Php14,400 to 17,905 displaced families or Marawi IDPs from the 24 most affected area (MAA); distribution of LSG worth Php20,000 to 17,905 displaced families IDPs from MAA and Php10,000 for 28,266 displaced families IDPs from LAA as well as the distribution of Pabaon Package and 30 kilograms of rice. (LELA/ PIA ICIC)

Landing...

from page 8 AE-46, a lighthouse and buoy tender, but has since been retired.

BRP Badjao, originally FS-408, also a Coast Guardmanned Army vessel, was commissioned at Stockton, CA on 13 February 1945, with LTJG F. Roebuck, USCG, as commanding officer. She was assigned to and operated to the Southwest Pacific and Western Pacific areas, including Zamboanga, San Fernando, Tacloban, etc. On 9 November 1945, LT Roebuck was relieved by Captain Carl

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7

C. Elliott, WTDTC. It was subsequently acquired by the Philippines from the Japanese Navy where it served as the minesweeper tender JDS Nasami (MST471) until stricken off in 1996.

A sister ship of BRP Mangyan, it served both the PN as the AS-59, and the PCG as the AE-59 but sank off Ilocos Norte during a typhoon.

As confirmed by Naval Historian PCG Commander Mark R. Condeno, BRP Badjao AE-59 foundered off Bangui, Ilocos Sur during Typhoon Luding on September 2, 1995. However, thanks to a successful rescue operation, all of its crew and one civilian passenger were safely recovered.

BRP Limasawa was the former FS-396 (US Army), another Coast Guard manned Amy FS commissioned at Decatur, Alabama on 18 January 1945. Her first commanding officer was LTJG E. H. Bowler, USCGR, who was succeeded on 29 October 1945, by LT R. H. Johnson, USCGR. She was assigned, to and operated in the Southwest Pacific and Western Pacific areas. She departed Manila 28 January 1946 for duty in the Marshall Islands, having been transferred from Coast Guard AF WESPAC to Administration Commander, Coast Guard Activities SWPA, Philippine Sea Frontier on18 January 1946.

She was later transferred to the US Coast Guard as the USCG Nettle WAK-129, and subsequently acquired through sale 31 August 1978 by the Philippines where she served with the PN as the TK-69, before entering PCG service as the AE-79 and used for logistics support for USCG LORAN transmitting stations with her one 5-ton derrick.

She has since been retired from PCG service.

Not the least, BRP Mangyan, originally commissioned on 1 July 1944 as the US Army’s FS-524, was also a Coast Guardmanned Army vessel with LTJG K. B. Kell, USCGR, as commanding officer. She was assigned to and operated in the Southwest Pacific and Western Pacific areas. She was decommissioned on 11 October 1945.

Later turned over to the United States Navy, she was later transferred to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Miho (MST-472) on 31 March 1955, converted to minesweeper tender, and used in minesweeping missions and limited transport services until 1974.

The Philippine government acquired the ship through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) from the United States government. She underwent extensive repairs at the Maebata Shipbuilding Inc. in Sasebo, Japan in 1978, until she was finally turned over to the Philippine Navy.

On 27 March 1979, she was commissioned as BRP Mangyan (AS71) named after the Mangyan peoples, an ethnic minority on Mindoro island. She has since been stricken in 1996.

All four were former US Army Design 381 F&S vessels.

The first three were employed as tenders for buoys and lighthouses.

Metro

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

CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO

January 4-10, 2021

Two of the three FS ships of the Macajalar Bay Landing Force with Barrio Agusan in the background 10 May 1945. (USGC)

Page 8

The three FS Ships of Convoy B departing Ormoc, Leyte on 08 May 1945 (USCG)

Two of the three FS Ships of the Macajalar Bay Landing Force approaching Brown Beach on 10 May 1945. (USCG)

Return to the Philippines

Freight & Supply Ships at the 1945 Macajalar Bay Landing W

By MIKE BAÑOS

HILE doing further research on “FS ships” for an article I previously posted online and was updating with new in information (The Macajalar Bay Landing and the Liberation of Mindanao), I came across a very interesting post “ The PassengerCargo ex-“FS” Ships of the Philippines” posted on August 13, 2016 by The Philippine Ship Spotters’ Society (PSSS).

According to the data contained in this post, it seems the three FS vessels (later joined by four more a day later) which were part of the US Army augmentation force Company B Convoy landing logistics and supplies for the 108th Regimental Combat Team of the 40th Sunshine Division at “Brown Beach” at Tin-ao, Barrio Agusan, Cagayan, Misamis Oriental on 10 March 1945, later became part of the Philippines’ merchant marine after World War II. According to the PSSS story, the former FS (Freight and Supply) ships of the US military dominated the Philippine shipping industry right after World War II, with some still being used until the mid-1990s.

The first three “Design 381” Freight & Supply

(FS) vessels of the Army Transportation Corps manned by Coast Guard crews which arrived from Ormoc, Leyte on Q Day were the FS-270 (LTJG O.T. Fretz, Jr.), FS-275 (Lt. H.L. Sutcliffe, USCGR) and FS-390 (Lt. G.E. Oliver, USCGR).

With data from the PSSS article which were compiled by Messrs. Gorio Belen, Jun Marquez, Angelo Blasutta and Mike Baylon, we managed to trace the fate of at least two of the three FS vessels.

FS-270 skippered by LTJG O.T. Fretz, Jr. was later bought by Sulpicio Lines and christened the MV Don Enrique (1) but was wrecked in 1982.

FS-275 under Lt. H.L. Sutcliffe, USCGR had a most colorful history. After its

BRP Cape Boejador sister ship of BRP Limasawa ex US Army Freighter posted June 11, 2017

service with the USS Army as FS-275, it was acquired by the US Navy in March 1947 and commissioned on 5 July, with Lieutenant (junior grade) H. E. Toponce, in command.

According to this entry from military.wikia.org, USS Estero (AG-134/AKL-5) was a Camano-class cargo ship in the United States Navy. She was named after Estero, an island off the coast of Florida.

For her initial Pacific Ocean Operations, she was employed in logistics support of the administration of the United Nations Trust Territories, calling throughout the Marshalls, Carolines, and Marianas.

On 31 March 1949 she was reclassified AKL-5.

At the outbreak of the Korean War she was fitted out for emergency ammunition carrying service, participating thereafter in the Inchon invasion in September 1950. Early in 1951 she was converted to carry refrigerated cargo, and in September resumed cargo duty bearing supplies to warships until the end of hostilities. Estero earned seven battle stars in the Korean War. From 25 August to 2 September 1954 she made five trips in support of "Operation Passage to Freedom", the evacuation of refugees from North Vietnam. Subsequently she performed her logistics services for the fleet in the western Pacific, with only brief interludes as in May through July 1957 when she transported an Air Force team which was surveying the habitability of prospective stations in the Sulu Sea. During the 1956 operation her crew also performed reconnaissance of strategic access features which earned the ship a Letter of Commendation from the Chief of Naval Operations.

Formosan Crisis operations.

A ship of the Philippine Navy, BRP Mangyan (AS-71). (NavalForcesWest Phil Navy)

During the Formosan crisis of 1957-58, she rendered important support with emergency lifting of ammunition from Japan to Taiwan. Estero shuttled supplies among Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong.

On 22 January 1960 Estero was decommissioned.

Her name was stricken from the Navy List on 1 February 1960.

From thereon, she returned to the Philippines and started a new life as the MV President Quirino of the newly-formed Philippine President Lines (PPL) shipping company which acquired her in in 1961.

When PPL transferred their local operations (they were more of an oceangoing company) to Philippine Pioneer Lines, the ship was renamed MV Pioneer Tacloban as she was plying the Manila-Tacloban route.

She was later sold to N&S Lines which again renamed her as the MV Odeon. Still later, she was again resold to Lorenzo Shipping where she was christened MV Don Jolly.

As to the fate of the third FS vessel that participated in the Macajalar Bay

Landing on 10 May 1945, FS-390 skippered by Lt. G.E. Oliver, USCGR, we are still determining if indeed it is the MV Bais 1 of Aboitiz Shipping Lines/PSNC/ Cebu-Bohol Ferry Company which is listed by the PSSS as FS-3190 that was wrecked in 1978.

Upon consulting the online resource World War II Coast Guard-Manned U.S. Army Freight and Supply Ship Histories list, the ship count stops at FS-550 thus, we can only surmise that the FS-3190 vessel listed therein had a typo error, and could either be FS-319 or FS-390.

We have posted an inquiry to the Philippine Ship Spotters Society Facebook Page and will update you as soon as we get their reply.

Not the least, the PSSS article lists no less than 15 Philippine shipping firms that used a total of 78 FS Ships at one time or the other. Of course, many of those were the same vessels which were sold and in some instances, resold and resold again. Still, when you consider 78 is 14% of the 550 FS Ships listed by the US Army and Coast Guard, that’s

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still a significant proportion of the entire FS Fleet.

FS Ships in the PN & PCG It wasn’t only the Philippine Merchant Marine which used World War II era FS vessels, but the Philippine Navy (PN) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as well.

Thanks to a tip from Naval Historian PCG Commander Mark R. Condeno, we consulted the online resource which lists four former ex-FS ships which served the PN and PCG at one time or another.

Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding, BRP Cape Bojeador served with the US Army as the FS-203. The Coast Guard-manned Army vessel was commissioned at New Orleans on 17 October 1944, with LTJG F. S. Shine, USCG, as first commanding officer. She was assigned to and operated in the Southwest Pacific area including Hollandia, and decommissioned 31 October l945. She was paid off in 1988 but put back in service in 1991 after a major overhaul.

She served with both the PN as TK-46 and the PCG as

LANDING/PAGE 7