BusinessWeek Mindanao (December 13-14, 2021)

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Briefly Population protection COTABATO City – Healthcare providers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are now working double-time in their vaccination campaign in the region’s component areas to achieve their desired population protection.

Dr. Bashary Latiph, BARMM health minister, said Monday that the recently conducted “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” in the BARMM was considered successful although the region failed to reach the target clients of 940,000.

To date, the region has inoculated more than 680,000 out of its 2.9 million eligible target population.

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NEA restrains electric cooperatives’ activities T www.businessweekmindanao.com

AS OF 6:00 PM DECEMBER 11, 2021 (SATURDAY)

Mon-Tue|December 13-14, 2021

By MYRNA M. VELASCO, Contributor

HE National Electrification Administration (NEA) is rigidly restraining the participation of electric cooperatives (ECs) to events or activities that are beyond their mandate, which is to provide electricity to consumers.

This was contained in a memorandum issued on Nov. 22 this year was signed

by Emmanuel P. Juaneza, the newly designated administrator of the NEA, the government agenc y supervising the ECs. Based on the memo, any violations shall be sanctioned accordingly.

The NEA had apprised the power utilities that if

Climate change protocol THE Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP) adopted a climate change protocol put forward by the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) organization, while harmonizing its standards for managing mine tailings with global norms.

“This development was approved by the TSM community of interest (CoI) advisory panel following the recommendation of CoMP’s technical working group (TWG) that was tasked to align TSM with the global industry standard on tailings management,” CoMP said in a statement Tuesday.

The CoMP said TSM is a globally recognized sustainability program established in 2004 by the Mining Association of Canada that guides mining companies in managing key environmental and social risks. The global industry standard was issued in 2020 to operators of tailings facilities, aiding them in achieving zero harm to communities and the environment.

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they or their officers will join activities or undertakings “not relevant to the functions of the EC and/or which do not redound to the advancement of the EC or its officers, employees and other personnel,” these shall be “construed to be conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the EC and its memberconsumer-owners.”

For failing to comply with that mandate of the electrification agency, it noted that apprehended ECs shall be subject to NEA administrative investigations and disciplinary actions.

The NEA memorandum stipulated that if the activities will be considered necessary, incidental or appropriate and RESTRAINS/PAGE 11

UK backs BARMM health programs

Jobless rate down THE country’s unemployment rate fell to 7.4 percent in October from 8.9 percent in September as restrictions eased in most areas across the country, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Tuesday.

The unemployment rate for October is the third-lowest for this year, only behind July data at 6.9 percent and March data at 7.1 percent.

In a joint statement, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, and Budget and Management officer-in-charge Tina Rose Marie Canda said the unemployment numbers proved that the country is on track for “strong and early recovery.”

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CHRISTMAS LIGHT. A worker installs decorative lights on a giant Christmas tree in Lanang, Davao City.

CDO monitoring traveler from South Africa who recovered from Covid-19 THE CAGAYAN de Oro city government on Thursday said it is in close coordination with national government authorities in monitoring a passenger who came to Manila from South Africa and arrived in the city early this month.

Dr. Teodoro Yu Jr., city health officer, said Thursday during an online briefer the passenger was one of the eight travelers who came from South Africa where the Omicron variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 was first reported.

He said the passenger arrived in Manila on November 20, and tested positive for Covid-19 the next day, November 21. Experts are still determining what variant hit the passenger.

When the passenger was declared "clinically recovered"

on December 1, he traveled to the city on the same day.

The passenger was tested in the city on December 6, and turned out negative the next day.

"It was here in Cagayan de Oro City where the passenger underwent repeat swab testing after arriving in the city from Manila. We are coordinating with the Philippine Genome Center for any developments on the case," Yu said.

Mayor Oscar Moreno said the passenger was reported in the national news media as being "unaccounted for" after arriving in Manila from South Africa.

"What happened was last Sunday evening (December 5), Dr. Yu received a call from the Department of Health (DOH-10) regional TRAVELER/PAGE 11

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COTABATO City – The United Ki ngd om ( U K ) gove r n me nt has reiterated its support to the Bangsamoro government in its fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and to its other programs in the region.

In her Tuesday meeting with Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) leaders and other development partners here, British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils said collaboration and partnership could get things done on the ground.

"Only through these types of partnerships can we make things happen. We have partnerships of trust, genuine understanding, and two-way learning that we can get things done and make sure sustainable. We are proud to have supported the work you have done," Beaufils said.

New ship now servicing Cebu-Nasipit route for Agusan passengers

By ROEL CATOTO, MindaNews

NASIPIT, Agusan del Norte – A shipping company has made its maiden voyage on Wednes day evening (December 8) from Cebu to Nasipit Port in Agusan del

Norte and will return to its port of origin Thursday night, adding a new sea transport service in the Caraga Region.

“After a long wait due to the pandemic, we have finally

made our first route here and we are happy to serve the people in … Caraga and Misamis Oriental,” Shane Arante, Starlite Ferries general manager, told reporters here Thursday during a press SHIP/PAGE 11

MAIDEN VOYAGE. MV Starlite Saturn of Starlite Ferries at the Nasipit port in Agusan del Norte Thursday morning after its maiden voyage from Cebu. mindanews photo by roel n . catoto

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BARMM welcomes P408-M new investments

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OTABATO City – The Bangsamoro Board of Investments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BBOI-BARMM) on Friday announced the registration approval of two new investments in the region worth P408 million.

In a statement, Ishak Mastura, BBOI-BARMM chair, identified the new investments as the 2,000-hectare industrial corn plantation of the Lanao del Sur Corn Development Corp.

(LDSCDC), and the Halal certification project of the Prime Certification and Inspection Asia Pacific, Inc. or PRIME Certification.

“With the peace and

order situation immensely improving, and political stability gaining ground in the region, it is the best time to invest in the BARMM,” Mastura, a lawyer, said.

Regarding the LDSCDC investment, he said the corn plantation would rise in Wao and Amai Manabiling towns in Lanao del Sur. As for PRIME’s Halal certification project, Mastura said the undertaking caters to Muslims who demand that the products they consume are Sharia (Islamic law) compliant or “halal” (permissible).

He said the global halal market stands at USD7 trillion.

The halal industry, he said, includes many sectors, among them

cosmetics, chemicals and cleaning products, agricultural products, food, energy, tourism, and finance.

“As global trade develops and the number of manufacturers entering the market increases, the demand for certificates that inform consumers if the product is halal is also increasing, especially here in Asia with the bulk of Muslims living in the continent,” Mastura said.

He pointed out that Halal certification activities, including market research, also attract the attention of Western standards and certification bodies due to the size of the market.

“The BARMM is fortunate to have the PRIME Certification, one of the leading global Halal

certification players, that has located its regional operations here,” Mastura added.

PRIME – Asia Pacific is a subsidiary of PRIME LLC in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and the only recognized Halal certification body in the Philippines of the Emirates Authority for Standards and Metrology.

PRIME is accredited by the Emirates International Accreditation Center and its National Accreditation Board for Certification.

“This project in BARMM is worth P49 million. A total of 13 people will be employed in the PRIME offices in Cotabato City at the start,” Mastura said.

Early this year, PRIME was recognized by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) as the first and only Philippinebased halal certification body to give certification for food exports bound for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

This came about after the Saudi government came up with a regulation stipulating that meat, poultry, and their derivative products can only be exported to the KSA if they have halal certificates, issued by

a body accredited and approved by the SFDA, which regulates food, drug, and medicines, both imported and domestic, for the conservative Muslim country.

Saudi Arabia is the biggest and richest halal market in the Middle East with a population of 35 million people.

The investment project of PRIME in the BARMM envisions a laboratory and testing facilities and a training center for halal auditors, who will be fielded or employed in the enterprises.

With PRIME based in Cotabato City, manpower for halal auditors that will be hired by companies seeking halal certification from PRIME will be recruited from the Muslim-majority region since halal auditors are required to be Muslims.

“We see this is a potential game-changer for the halal industry in the BARMM because investors in other areas of Mindanao, such as the Davao region and the Northern Mindanao region, will be getting their halal certification from PRIME based in Cotabato City if they want to export their products to the Middle East,” said Mary

Jane Alvero, the group’s chief executive officer.

Alvero said PRIME is also committed to supporting and collaborating on the Halal program of the BARMM, which has its Halal board under the Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Tourism.

Mastura said the registered investment projects would enjoy fiscal incentives, such as income tax holidays and reduced duties and tariffs for the importation of capital equipment, dispensed by the BBOI-BARMM under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE law.

He noted that fiscal incentives for halal industry investments could only be availed of in the BBOI-BARMM because investments in the halal industry are not registrable under the national BOI so it is strategic for PRIME to locate its Mindanao base of operations in the BARMM. The BARMM comprises the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi; the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi; and 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato (PNA)

292 farmers get solar dryers in Agusan Sur BUTUAN City – A total of 292 farmers from two barangays in the town of Sta. Josefa in Agusan del Sur recently received three newly-completed solar dryers through the Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (Project ConVERGE) of the

Department of Agrarian Reform in Caraga (DAR13).

The solar dryers were formally turned over to the farmers through their organizations on Thursday.

“Around 140 of the recipients are agrarian reform beneficiaries or ARBs in the area while 152 are small household

farmers who will also benefit from the project,” Regional Director Leomides Villareal of DAR-13 told the Philippine News Agency Friday.

He pointed out that the solar dryers will further equip the rice farmers in Sta. Josefa with the appropriate farm implements that will help them improve their productivity.

The three solar dryers have a total cost of PHP2.28 million, each with a capacity of 100 bags of rice for drying.

The projects were constructed on Feb. 17, 2021, and were completed last June 17, 2021.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Jamil Amatonding of DAR Agusan del Sur, in a separate interview, said the solar dryers will allow the ARBs to charge higher for their farm produce.

“Usually, the traders can dictate the prices of palay if they own the dryers. But with these projects now owned by the farmers, they can now market their well-dried and good quality farm products at higher prices,” Amatonding said.

The recipients of the projects included the ARBs from Sitio Dao in Barangay Angas, the ARBs in Barangay Angas DRYERS/PAGE 11

CorporateWorld 3 SoKor firms told AirAsia restores 30% of to position biz in PH ahead of PH-Korea FTA pre-pandemic capacity Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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COMPANIES from South Korea are urged to explore investment opportunities in the Philippines as Manila and Seoul are expected to implement their free trade agreement (FTA) early next year.

In a virtual investment forum of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) with Korean firms Tuesday, Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Seoul commercial counselor Jose Ma. Dinsay said his office has received inquiries from Korean firms on

investment opportunities in the Philippines as the Philippines-Korea FTA will enter into force in 2022.

“As early as now, we would like to encourage the Korean companies to explore opportunities in the Philippines, so by the time that the FTA will be effective, they will immediately benefit from all the features that the FTA can offer,” Dinsay said.

He added Korean firms may look into investing in POSITION/PAGE 10

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HILIPPINES AirAsia, Inc. said it has restored 30% of its pre-pandemic capacity, as it increased local flights to meet the stronger demand amid the holiday season.

In a statement on Friday, the low-cost carrier said it doubled and tripled frequencies for most of its domestic destinations, and resumed flights to Hong Kong and Singapore.

“We are banking on ‘revenge travel’ for a very strong 2022 recovery. People now have the confidence to plan for their future trips as reflected in the forward

bookings from 31-120 days,” Philippines AirAsia Spokesperson Steve F. Dailisan said.

All of its flying crew is vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), while its company-wide vaccination rate stands at 99.34%. The company also said employees who are eligible for a booster shot have signed up for one at their respective local government units.

AirAsia has flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa, Cagayan, Iloilo, Caticlan, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Cebu, Davao, Zamboanga, and General Santos.

It also offers flights from Manila to Singapore once a week and to Hong Kong once every two weeks.

To commemorate AirAsia’s 20th anniversary, the company is holding a P20 base fare promo for those booking flights between Dec. 6 to 20. The travel period is up to Sept.

30, 2022.

The promo covers flights from Manila to Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Kalibo, General Santos, Zamboanga, and Bacolod.

Philippines AirAsia said it also has a 20% off promo for hotel stays that runs until Dec. 20.

Cebu Landmasters launches P1.2-B corporate tower CEBU Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) has launched its P1.2billion commercial tower Latitude Corporate Center in Cebu Business Park, it said on Thursday.

In a disclosure to the exchange, the listed Visayas-Mindanao property developer said the tower is the first project of BL CBP Ventures, Inc., its joint venture with Borromeo Brothers Estate, Inc. Latitude Corporate Center aims to attract local and multinational firms as its tenants. This includes banks,

technology service providers, real estate, companies from food and retail industries, and IT-BPO firms.

“Our economy is now reopening and we see a future turnover for office spaces, especially from the IT-BPO sectors,” said Jose R. Soberano III, chairman and chief executive officer of CLI. “As we expand our office footprint, we also foresee our industry players slowly transition business operations back to normalcy in the coming months as we anticipate post-pandemic

recovery,” Mr. Soberano said.

The company said it engaged Leechiu Property Consultants as its leasing agent.

Latitude Corporate Center stands 24 floors high.

The first two floors will host the retail component of the development. Its eighth to 12th floors, meanwhile, are dedicated to business process outsourcing (BPO) offices and the 14th to 16th floors will be for executive offices.

It will offer 83 units with 35,000 square meters

(sq.m.) of gross floor area.

It will also lease spaces from 51 sq.m. up to 2,000 sq.m., which is said to be “ideal” for small and medium-sized enterprises as well as largescale businesses.

The building will also have its own parking area with 247 slots.

Latitude Corporate Center features LED lighting, operable windows for natural ventilation, a rainwater collection system, provision for fresh air via “stub-outs,” and material recovery facility.

It will also have its own plaza with a tree sanctuary, a “live wall” at its main lobbies, 60% glass ration, and 20% vegetated green spaces.

The development has been awarded a four-star accreditation under the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) rating.

“Its schematic building design follows a unique ‘stacked building blocks’ form to mirror a minimal, elegant and timeless façade,” CLI said. It was designed by Philippine architectural firm

AIDEA Philippines, Inc. Latitude Corporate Center brought the company’s gross leasable area (GLA) to 29,000 sq.m. from 14,000 sq.m. The company also said it has over 47,000 sq.m. of office and retail GLA under construction.

CLI’s long-term strategy is to build up its a GLA to 200,000 sq.m. The property developer said it aims to have its of office, retail, and its hospitality portfolios contribute 10% of its topline in the next three to five years.

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Opinion

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Golden rule of business Think a minute . . . This is the true story of a boy named Jim who started working on farms at the young age of eight. By the time he was age 20 Jim was training as a store manager, and within a year was a successful salesman.

Then in 1901 he married a young woman named Berta.

After a couple of more years Jim was put in charge of a brand-new store. He put a big sign on the front that read, Golden Rule.

Jim worke d hard to manage his store from early morning until late at night.

He and Berta lived in a small room above the store that was an unfinished attic.

Their dining table was just a box turned upside down and shoe cases for chairs. But their Golden Rule store was on its way. Jim’s wise, hard work paid off. After twelve years he had 71 stores. Three years later he had 177 stores; and eleven years later Jim owned a chain of more than 1,000 stores across America!

Maybe you have heard this true story of the J.C. Penney stores and the young man, James Cash Penney, who built it all from nothing.

THINK A MINUTE

suffer the consequences —spend our lonesome at the hospital, or go down to our graves forever.

We l e a r n e d t o b e more he a lt h cons cious, to wash our hands, to wear facemasks and to practice social distancing.

Simple life discipline was the only way to beat the pandemic in the absence of a dedicated vaccine.

Indeed this global health crisis had painted a dramatic change in our lives —a norm widely known today as the ‘new normal’.

And as we go through t h e r e m a i n i n g d ay s o f 2021, the numbers of going positive keep on dwindling

by the minute, sending a favorable message to all and sundry that Covid 19 pandemic has waned, and soon it will be gone with the wind.

Truly, this pandemic is world reset. It has changed our lifestyles—no matter w h at y ou r p o l it i c s , n o matter what your religion, no matter what your status in life.

Yo u m ay b e r i c h , o r poor, we were all in this together.

Wi t h v a c c i n e s n o w produced en masse, Covid 19 may soon vanish into thin air, yet its sting will forever be with us — engraved virtually in the four corners of the globe.

But you probably have not heard of the terrible suffering and disappointments he had to overcome to accomplish it.

Back in 1910, Jim lost the most important partner and person in his life when his wife Berta died. Then came the famous stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression in America. By 1931, J.C. Penney was in the hospital from a physical and nervous breakdown.

When he woke the next morning, he heard music and followed the sound to the small chapel in the hospital.

There Jim met God who began to heal his broken heart and restore his purpose RULE/PAGE 11

RUFFY MAGBANUA Perhaps t he g re atest lesson that Covid 19 can teach humanity is that we are all in this together.

Meantime, wear your masks where ever you go.

Wearing of masks are now the signature fashion of m a n k i n d . ( r u f f y 4 4 _ ph2000@yahoo.com)

Home Sapiens now 'Spiritus Luminous'

KIM'S DREAM

ORLAN R. RAVANERA It has been said that the most flawed of all of God’s creation is that species called homo sapiens, the only species that killed its own kind some 150 to 200 million human beings in the 20th century alone out of two world wars including the socalled “cleansing” of Hitler (called holocaust), Stalinism and Pol Pot and the nonstop conflict and protracted war. But not only that! The earth now is facing its 6th extinction as we are now one minute before midnight.

While the 5th extinction was caused by asteroids hitting the earth which happened

some 33 million years ago, the contemporaneous cataclysmic earth scenario is called Anthropocene or “humanmade.” The continuing massacre of all life forms, our mega-diversity, of billions of flora and fauna that were created billions of years before the homo sapiens came into being is the greatest sin we have committed against our Creator. The destruction of life on earth is that diabolic act that is unforgivable because it diminishes the sanctity of life and our alienation from the very essence of life, the spirt that gives meaning to life itself.

It has been said that man has been made in the image and likeness of God; the truth is, the essence of God has been reduced by man to his own image, amidst the morale collapse and religious apathy where the egoic mind is in control.

The internal essence of the sublime has been sacrificed to the mundane, losing the “spirit” for the external as

humanity is deeply buried now in so much materialism and consumerism. In fact, the ugliest scenario on earth is the highly urbanized center because such is just manmade or artificial. Nature that is the reflection of the Creator has been replaced by diabolic artificiality. Indeed, what would profit a man if he gains the whole world (the external) but suffers the loss of his soul (the internal essence of life). There is no beauty in the cities because all of these are artificial; what is beautiful is the natural – the beauty of the flowers, the magic in the pupa becoming butterfly, the musical sound of a f lowing river, the singing of the birds – all are expressions of that universal collective Consciousness before becoming forms.

Partake of that awakening C onsciousness and you connect with the Source of all Life, the Unmanifested, the Unseen, the Eternal. That is the Power of Now! Wake-up all who are

Finally, OneBPI

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

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Wake-up victims of fallacies of life

Juni Law Office Cruz Taal St., CDO Legal Counsel

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WITH the waning of Covid-19 to a very encouraging degree, life starts to normalize, sending positive signal that soon this pandemic will be a thing of the past.

For ov e r t w o y e a r s , the damage in our lives brought about by the st ing of C ov id-19 was excruciating, a nightmare like no other.

In fact, we are forced to re-think the way we work, and the way we live.

We l e a r n e d a n e w discipline never imagined to r u l e m an k i n d i n an instant.

We fol lowe d st r ic t ly the IATF-induced health protocols to the letter, or

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Life lessons from pandemic

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Its official. By January 2, 2022, the strategic union of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and BPI Family Savings Bank (BFSB) will be in effect.

Officials of the two entities are unanimous in saying that “this merger has the best interest of our customers and employees. Our shareholders will also benefit. This merger is timed to provide us with the platform to help lead the economic recovery that is sure to come.”

M s . Ma r i a C r i s t i n a “Ginbee” Go, president of BFSB, shared her thoughts on the merger.

“As 2021 comes to a close, BPI Family Savings Bank (BFSB) rounds up its 36-year history of leadership in the thrift bank industry stronger than ever, more than ready to capture the opportunities offered by a more digital

world.

“BFSB emerges from the pandemic exceeding expectations as Housing and Auto Loan portfolios registered better than industry growth in outstanding loans and asset quality.

“The merger with parent bank, BPI, will reinforce the BPI Group’s Consumer Bank business as it forges on its digital transformation journey.

“Under OneBPI, the bank pursues its vision of offering clients superior customer experience through the combined power of the BPI Group’s extensive physical network and leading digital capabilities.”

On July 1, 1985, the then Central Bank of the Philippines authorized BPI Family Savings Bank (BFSB) to operate as a thrift bank,

following the acquisition

by BPI of Family Bank and Trust Company, then the largest and most profitable consumer finance company.

BFSB has since become the largest thrift bank in the country in terms of assets, deposits and loans.

Remembering our gallant WWII fighter pilots Exactly 80 years ago (December 7, 1941), the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, destroying 8 battle ships, 188 aircraft, killing 2,403 and wounding 1,178 Americans.

In coordinated attacks, approximately eight hours after Pearl Harbor, Japanese planes also bombed American facilities in the Philippines, Guam and Wake Island as well as British facilities in Malaya, Singapore and Hong

victims of the fallacies of life! We are being bombarded by garbage of knowledge spawned by a materialistic, consumerist and diabolic lifestyle that sacrif ices Mother Earth to the altar of greed, fame, power and profit. We are all living in oneness with all creation and everything is inter-connected in consciousness, be it one manifested in a flower or in a distant star. Each one, be human, animal, plant, rock or planet has its reason for being and when one becomes “spiritus luminous,” only then will that being be conscious of this truism. Buried in the darkness and mud of the “ego”, that may sound too weird and alien.

Meanwhile, let us learn from the wisdom of our Indigenous Peoples. Yes, only when you have cut the last tree polluted the last river and caught the last fist that you will realize that you cannot eat your money. Let us reflect that we have not inherited SAPIENS/PAGE 11

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE Kong.

Japan declared war on the US and the British Empire later that day but the formal notice was not delivered until the following day.

Just like in Pearl Harbor, the first day of the Japanese attack in the Philippines caught American and Filipino troops in Clark and Iba by surprise. The attackers managed to destroy one ONEBPI/PAGE 11

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Banking&Finance

BSP remains vigilant amid global supply chain challenges

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ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said the central bank continues to be on the lookout for developments in the global supply chain as it may impact the county’s inflation.

In his press conference Thursday, Diokno said current disruptions in the global supply chain are mainly driven by the weaker capacity of producers to meet demand because of labor shortages and limited mobility brought about by the pandemic.

He added those businesses that heavily rely on global supply

BSP lowers BOP surplus outlook for 2021, 2022 THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects a lower balance of payments (BOP) surplus for 2021 and next year amid current developments in the global and local markets.

“The latest BOP assessment for 2021 factors in pockets of optimism amid encouraging economic outturns in recent months on the one hand, and the continued high uncertainty from pandemic-related challenges on the other hand,” BSP Department of Economic Research managing director Zeno Ronald Abenoja said in a virtual press briefing on Friday.

The latest BOP surplus projection of the BSP for this year is at USD1.6 billion from a surplus outlook of USD4.1 billion announced in September.

The new BOP surplus projection is equivalent to 0.4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“The narrower BOP surplus reflects the projected reversal of the current account into a deficit in 2021 of USD4 billion, -1 percent of GDP, from a surplus of USD3.5 billion or 0.9 percent of GDP in the previous projection arising from the foreseen further widening of the trade-in-goods deficit,” Abenoja said.

Meanwhile, while the outlook for merchandise exports remains rosy with a growth projection of 16 percent from the previous forecast of 14 percent, imports are expected to accelerate faster to 30 percent from the previous projection of 20 percent, he added.

Abenoja said exports, remittances, business SURPLUS/PAGE 10

chains for production inputs are experiencing delays in delivery, diminishing supply of raw materials, and higher input prices.

Global supply chain issues also include backlogs in shipping ports, power shortages, and reimposition of lockdowns.

The central bank chief added that the emergence of the Omicron variant may further prolong the supply chain disruptions as some governments are closing their borders to mitigate the spread of the new strain of the virus.

“Amid a challenging global economic environment, the BSP shall continue to be

vigilant in monitoring the potential inflationary risks that may arise from supply shortages while providing the appropriate policy support to help ensure a sustainable path to

economic recovery,” Diokno said.

The BSP added that as the country remains in the early stage of recovery, impacts of the global supply chain disruptions to domestic

prices “appears limited as indicated by the path of underlying inflation”.

In November, inflation rate fell for third consecutive months at 4.2 percent.

Despite the inflation

rate last month exceeded the government target of 2 to 4 percent, the BSP remains optimistic that average inflation will fall within the government’s target as supply-side issues diminish. (PNA)

No rediscount borrowings in November BANKS did not touch the rediscount facility of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in November amid ample liquidity and relatively slow lending growth.

“For the period Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, total availments of banks against their rediscount loans remain unchanged at P6.12 million for loans under the

peso rediscount facility,” the central bank said in a statement on Friday.

There were also no availments under the Exporters’ Dollar and Yen Rediscount Facility (EDYRF).

The BSP’s rediscount facility gives banks access to additional money supply by posting their collectibles from clients as

collateral.

In turn, banks may use the cash — denominated in peso, dollar or yen — to extend more loans to their corporate or retail clients and service unexpected withdrawals.

In 2021, lenders have so far only tapped the central bank’s rediscount facility in June, July, and September.

Lenders did not borrow from the rediscount facility in November as they have ample liquidity and lending growth remains muted, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

“Banks also have other options for funding such BORROWINGS/PAGE 10

BusinessWeek MINDANAO CREDIBLE

Editor: GILBERT Y. CHAO

RELIABLE

FEATURE

IN-DEPTH

Mon-Tue|December 13-14, 2021

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NCIP turned over Project Epanaw's three (3) Coffee Table Books (CTBS) to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., USA The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) through its representative, Commissioner for Central Mindanao, Bo-i Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las, in its thrust to promote the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) of the Philippines, turned over one set of Project Epanaw’s Three (3) Coffee Table Books (CTBs) to the Philippine Ambassador to the United States of America (USA), His Excellency Jose Manuel "Babe" del Gallego Romualdez last December 3, 2021 at the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C., USA located at Bataan Street corner 1600 Massachusetts Avenue, New Washington (NW), USA. Commissioner Las, who was warmly welcomed at the conference room together with Grand Lodge of New York Jurisdiction, Samuel Tomale, proudly shared to Ambassador Romualdez, along with Deputy Chief of Mission, Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr. and Third Secretary Mark Dominic E. Lim, the purpose of her visit which was primarily to turn over the 3 CTBs. These CTBs, a labor of love of undertaking of

the NCIP, were produced during the pandemic by NCIP personnel from Central, Regional, and Field Offices and the ICCs/IPs which was launched last March 14, 2021, one year after the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the Philippines.

She further explained that the project was a brainchild of the NCIP Chairperson, Secretary Allen Capuyan. Project Epanaw seeks to pay tribute and memorialize the identities and rituals of the Indigenous Peoples as well as to highlight the importance of protecting their Ancestral Domains. The first CTB, “Pagkilala” (Recognize), showcases the profiles of the ICCs/IPs. The second CTB, “Paggalang” (Respect), features festivals and rituals that the ICCs/IPs practice in relation to important events such as birth and death, agricultural cycle, and the sacred and profane. While the third CTB, “Pagtaguyod” (Promote), contains tourism destinations, protected areas, critical infrastructures, and natural resources in Ancestral Domains.

The NCIP has partnered with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) of the Department of

Tourism (DOT) for the research and publication of Project Epanaw which had already been distributed widely all over the Philippines particularly to NCIP employees, Indigenous Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs), National Government Agencies (NGAs), and other stakeholders.

Ambassador Romualdez, during the meeting, expressed his gratitude to the NCIP for receiving a set of the CTBs which will surely be put on view at the Embassy and further hopes for more engagement and partnership in assisting the consulate in its thrust to promote awareness on Philippine culture to the world. He also mentioned that he has already partnered with the Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines through the Fernbank Museum’s “Reflection of Culture” exhibition in partnership with the Filipino Community in Atlanta, Georgia, USA through Galing Foundation, Inc. (GFI).

Commissioner Las, prior to being a Commissioner of the NCIP in her private capacity, loaned their group’s Matrimonial traditional attire to the museum for three (3) years starting 2019-2022.

The Ambassador also supported the project “Of Threads and Beads,” of

said community during the 2020 Independence Day virtual celebration last year. He likewise congratulated the NCIP, Secretary Allen Capuyan, and all those responsible behind the great work which would be very useful to the Embassy and the other consulates in the United States and will surely help the 4.5 million American Filipinos understand the Indigenous Peoples, their culture, and their Ancestral Domains.

Both committed to expand their support for each other’s mandates to promote the Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines, being the first peoples of the country, worthy of recognition as the foundation of Philippine culture.

Several projects geared towards promoting the Indigenous Peoples of the

country were discussed and possible partnerships with other agencies like the DOT and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) be strengthened to carry out policies on enhancement of positive image of Philippine ICCs/IPs to the international community.

The NCIP is the primary agency of the Philippine government mandated to formulate and implement policies, plans, and programs to recognize, respect, promote, and protect the rights and wellbeing of the ICCs/IPs. It aims to empower and capacitate the Indigenous Peoples by introducing them and their thirtysix (36) Specific Rights under the four (4) Bundles of Rights to the international community through the Project Epanaw’s 3 CTBs.

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Distinct taste of Cacao de Oro S

By MARK FRANCISCO

IKWATE is a distinctly Filipinized version of hot chocolate which is brewed out of tableya, the direct homemade by-product of cacao.

In the past three decades or so, tableya used to be packed in cellophanes and vended around the neighborhood in sarisari stores.

With the advent of modern packaging, tableya in the Philippines is now considered an OTOP product targeted as something to be patronized by tourists.

There are many

tableya brands such as these whose round ground cookie-sized raw cacao paste are placed in ziplock bags.

But what makes Cacao de Oro distinctive is its taste once it drips into hot chocolate form or sikwate.

Entrepreneur Rachelle Maagad humbly pursuing her grandmother's cacao legacy as she says that Cacao de Oro is made from the highest quality of beans supporting and partnering with small scale cacao farmers around Mindanao.

“Aside from that, it’s the way we roast the

cacao that makes the sikwate delicious, and the type of beans we are using . There is a science to it - the temperature, the way the cacao is grown…everything,” Rachelle said.

The tableya packed in 125g bags are exclusively available at Khloe’s Store along Tiano St. In front of the Public Attorney’s Office in Cagayan de Oro City.They also serve Sikwate-Hot Chocolate for those who wants to taste it first. They are optimistic that when the right time comes their product will be FDA approved so it will be available in the market and for the tourist it will be one of the must have

pasalubong when your in CDO. They are open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. where you can enjoy other delights to go with the sikwate such as "Special 3 layered suman"(malagkit, muron, cassava) toasts (cheezy egg, strawberry jam, mango pineapple, nutella, peanut butter, tuna omelette, beef omelette), all-day breakfast Sikwate is also available in foodpanda as well. Just key in Khloe’s Store-Tiano and make your order.You may also use Maxim delivery services.

Enjoy the health benefits of tableya with Cacao de Oro!

Diego Loyzaga, Barbie Imperial star in Dulo screen.

Aside from Barbie and Diego’s first movie teamup, another thing to look forward to in DULO is the official soundtrack by The Juans, “Anghel” and “Dulo”. The lyrics and the music of the song makes every scene more moving and heartbreaking.

Ride with Dex and Bianca until the end of their journey and find out if it’s too late for their love to be saved. Watch DULO on December 10, streaming online on VIVAMAX Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore,

T

HEY fell in love too early. They committed too early. Will their romance end too early too?

Real-life couple VIVA hunk Diego Loyzaga and rising actress Barbie Imperial star in the latest romance film of Actor/ Director Fifth Solomon, titled DULO. Dex (Diego Loyzaga) and Bianca (Barbie Imperial), both in their early 20s, met on a dating app, had sex and eventually lived in together. Everything in their relationship seems fast-paced, and now after one year of marriage, the two are on the brink of breaking up.

Hoping to rekindle their relationship, they decided

to go on a road trip. It seems like a good idea as they slowly reminisce their happy memories together. But along with the happy memories, old issues and problems also resurfaced. Will their road trip save their relationship or will it get the best of them and just decide to break up?

Barbie Imperial has a lot of firsts in this movie.

DULO is her first movie with VIVA Films, and this is her first movie project with boyfriend Diego Loyzaga. Barbie is very excited with her first movie with Diego, that she instantly posted the movie teaser on her Instagram account. This made a lot if DiegsBie fans even more excited to see them together on

Japan, South Korea, Macao, Vietnam, Brunei, Maldives, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and Europe. Vivamax will also be available in USA and Canada starting November 19.

For local subscriptions, you can subscribe using the VIVAMAX app and for P149, you can watchall-you-can for 1 month, and you can pay using your Debit or Credit card, GCash, or PayPal account that’s linked on your Google, Apple and Huawei App Gallery account.

You can also subscribe

Gil Macaibay III together with fellow members of the Oro Fashion Designers Guild showcase their latest collection at the second level of Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City. photo by mark francisco

online at www.vivamax. net, select a plan and you can pay through PayMaya, Debit or Credit card, GCash, GrabPay or at any ECPAY partner outlets near you.

You can also add to cart VIVAMAX on your next online shopping at Shopee, Lazada, PayMaya and ComWorks Clickstore.

You can also pay your VIVAMAX subscription plans at any Authorized outlets near you: Load Central, Comworks and Load Manna.

You can also call your local Cable Operators to subscribe to VIVAMAX:

Aklan Cable Television Co., Inc. Cebu Cable HD, Cable Link, Cotabato Cable Television Network Corp., Concepcion Pay TV Network Inc., Sky Cable, Fiber, BCTVI, Paradise Cable Television Nework, Inc., Wesfardell Connect and Zenergy Cable TV Network Inc. Get the best viewing quality as VIVAMAX is now compatible with TV casting.

More affordable, more ways to subscribe, more time to watch-all-you-can so #SubscribeToTheMax now to the best Pinoy Movie Streaming App, VIVAMAX!

9

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MON-TUE|DECEMBER 13-14, 2021

Cebuanos: Solid support for Lacson-Sotto tandem

P

residential and vice-presidential running mates Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto arrived in Cebu on Friday and were greeted with a warm welcome by their supporters, as well as several local government officials.

Contrary to reports that all 44 Mayors of Cebu are for presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos, a lot of Mayors and other LGU officials actually went to NagaCity to express their support for the LacsonSotto tandem.

These include Mayor Samsam Gullas of Talisay City, Mayor Nice Apura of Carcar, Mayor

Allan Sesaldo of Argao, and at least 10 other Mayors, along with a number of councilors and barangay leaders.

Cebu is very important for both Lacson and Sotto - not just because it’s a voterich province, but mostly because of their personal ties to the province.

Sotto traces his roots in Cebu where his father and grandfather both became prominent political figures. In fact, the provincial government hospital Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City was named in honor of his late grandfather.

Lacson, meanwhile, was hailed as an adopted

son of the province via Cebu City Council Resolution passed in 1991. He served as commander of the Cebu Metropolitan District Command (Metrodiscom) from 1989 to 1992 during the administration of former President Corazon Aquino.

Both senators will be counting on the assistance of their political allies in the province, including Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, and other local government officials of Cebu to muster grassroots level of support for their respective electoral bids.

Garcia leads ‘One

Cebu,' the dominant political party in the province, which has been allied to the ruling PDP-Laban since 2017.

‘One Cebu’ is expected to shift political alliances this season as cracks between and among PDP-Laban party members continue.

The Lacson-Sotto tandem already had a previous meeting with Garcia, who continues to receive political personalities and parties currently participating in the 2022 national elections, but has

ONLINE LEARNING AS GOOD AS FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING

By MS. GLORIA SAYSON Teacher, Ozamiz City National High School Ozamiz City School Division Ozamiz City

AS THEY said “Thru this new teaching approach to pupils and student is as good as face to face learning considering with this viral pandemic as a new tool to learn. It is safe, secure and away from Covid 19 for our children to be infected by the deadly virus, yes as a new tool everybody including our teachers are now motivated to learn more, to write, to research for lessons, and learn the new tool for learning thru the internet connectivity, both the children and their parents or guardian will learn too, and away from this deadly virus” But first we have to know more why the Department of Education choose this kind of education amidst the crisis, effort and money particularly to these parents and guardians in the far and or rural areas wherein internet connectivity is a problem but still insist in this kind of teaching, but as we face this truth, online learning can enhance student interest on the internet not for roblox, ML, or cyberporno rather they will learn the real need why internet is now the trend not only in education, entertainment, but in economy and social media be it fake or reality, information technology has change Lives WHAT IS ONLINE LEARNING? In a DepED Article as this writer Quote “With the global pandemic putting everyone’s health and lives on the line, the Department of Education (DepED) was faced with the dilemma of upholding its role in delivering quality education for every Filipino

while protecting them from the current deadly virus. By Making Adjustments, DepED Would Help Students, Teachers and Parents Even Better As a response, the Department of Education launched the DepED Commons. According to DepEd’s, it is an online platform for public school teachers to support distance learning modalities. It was designed as a direct solution to give access to online review materials and Open Educational Resources (OERs) during class suspensions and other similar circumstances.

Indeed, this initiative is a practical solution for continued learning in a time where face-to-face learning is nearly impossible because of community quarantines and social distancing policies. Though there’s no doubt the Department of Education (DepED) has all the good intentions in implementing this initiative, we should also plow a bit deeper about the implications of this web-based learning.

Since DepED Commons bridges teachers and students through online, it requires both parties to have the necessary equipment to take advantage of this new learning scheme.

Teachers and students should have either a laptop, desktop computer, tablet PC, or a tablet to utilize DepEd’s platform. And most importantly, both parties must have a stable internet connection. And with these requirements, the question of

affordability comes into the scene.”

With the article, learners both parents and pupils/students realizes not the good intention of the department beause of the pandemic that becomes a problem not only of their daily going to their school rooms but the expense required having these gadgets including the connectivity on the internet thru the world wide web.

Learners both the government and parents of these children should consider the economic situation however because of no other choice for the past two years of the viral disease that hampers most of everything, DepED decided to make more efforts to a have a continued education to all Filipino children thru new learning process as good as face to face like the online learning or thru modules Then if you ask if this kind mode of learning is it as good as the best ever mode since time a memorial face to face learning teacher and pupil is still the best to be educated, not because they are responsible as second mother or father, facing them teaches not only learning materials but emotion plays a great role to learn Again is it as good as face to face?, A big yes ,however , the problem of the expensive internet connectivity, then this government must think twice for the Filipino children to be successful in their education , if the government has introduce free basic education then it is also as good as to have a free internet to them. (gloria. sayson@deped.gov.ph)

not made any official endorsement yet.

While an endorsement from Garcia would be welcome, the reformoriented partners said they are willing to work even much harder to get their messages of good governance and anticorruption efforts down to the grassroots.

The real power, Lacson says, rely on the individual voters.

Still, the standard bearer of Partido Reporma clarified that it doesn’t mean they don’t need the endorsement of Governor Gwen.

Senate President Tito Sotto, meanwhile, stressed that when elected in 2022, the Lacson-Sotto tandem has a lot of great plans for Cebu. He said there are over 40 local government officials whose constituents

would benefit from their Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE), adding that the potential development plans that would be supported by their proposal are not confined to urban areas.

Lacson and Sotto are seeking the top two national leadership positions in the 2022 elections. Lacson is running for president under Partido Reporma in tandem with Sotto, who is backed by the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

Joining Lacson and Sotto during their Cebu visit are Partido Reporma senatorial candidates Dr. Minguita Padilla, Monsour del Rosario and retired General Guillermo Eleazar, as well as party president and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

Monitoring and evaluation

By REDEEMER D. DENAPO Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator Tangub City Division

MONITORING and evaluation (M&E) in the Department of Education (DepEd) has undergone major enhancements since 2011. Previously limited to data collection a n d v a l i d at i o n , M & E now supports decisionmaking and is a critical source of inputs to prepare school improvement plans, division education development plans, and regional basic education plans. The frequency of program implementation reviews by the central office, and quarterly reviews like the monitoring, evaluation, and plan adjustment (MEPA) process at schools, schools division offices ( SD Os ) , and re g i on a l of f ices has incre as e d.

Currently, these reviews ser ve as a mechanism for providing real-time response to address operational bottlenecks in DepEd.

T h e re q u i s it e s f or implementing a systemic M&E function are already in place. Foremost is the kindergarten to grade 12 (K to 12) M&E framework, a learner-centered framework supporting implementation of the government’s K to 12 Basic Education Program (K to 12 Program). It details the scope of M&E for DepEd, which serves as a road map in the preparation of education plans and the operationalization of the M&E function.

The K to 12 M&E framework has evolved into the Basic Education M&E Framework. Necessary organizational structures are also in place such as dedicated M&E units in the central and regional offices, SDOs performing M&E functions, and the process for supporting the continuous improvement of these diverse information system.

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Alert... from page 12

He adds that the alertness that both government and t h e m e d i c a l , s c i e nt i f i c sectors show toward Omicron must continue.

Should they fail in their oversight, Miranda warns, “we better be ready for a more virulent and deadly variant.

This highly adaptive SARSCoV-2 virus is unlikely to be eradicated. One thing is for certain, this highly adaptive SARS-CoV-2 virus is unlikely to be eradicated.

Mass vaccination is our tool to afford community protection from lifethreatening sickness." Enrique equally stresses that “while current vaccines may be less effective versus the new variants, vaccination is still the best form of protection from s e vere symptoms---and the only form of protection that we have. As the saying goes, none of us are safe until all of us are safe.”

First line of defense Some members of the medical community believe t h at y o u n g e r c h i l d r e n should also be inoculated to protect them from COVID-19.

D r. B e n ny At i e n z a , President of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), says that "while it’s welcome news that minors have been included in the vaccination campaigns, we are yet to see them being rolled out to ages 5 to 11.

I am hoping that the Food and Drug Administration ( F DA ) w i l l e v e nt u a l l y allow the same Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) mechanism for the said demographic. This will be also important in achieving herd immunity."

T h e Fam i ly Va c c i n e and Specialty Clinics Inc. ( F VS C ) w h i ch E n r i qu e heads, has pioneered the vaccination of children, cover ing more t han 20 provinces through 40 clinics and subsidizing about 50,000 patient visits per year.

O m i c r o n’s ap p a r e nt absence in the archipelago also leaves time for p r e p a r a t i o n . To d a t e , according to Dr. Cynthia Saloma, Philippine Genome Center Executive Director, “we h ave n ot d e t e c t e d Omicron in t he 18,000 (positive samples) we have sequenced."

Department of Health

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(DOH) Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire says that there have been no sudden COVID-19 spikes in various locations, which is one strong indicator of the presence of the Omicron variant.

As of December 2, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that 23 countries have reported Omicron cases. While those numbers are expected to increase, the Philippines is not on the list.

Enrique points out o n e a d v a nt a g e i n t h i s development: "The Philippines has been spared from the early entr y of Omicron. This gives us a time zone arbitrage where we can watch the d e ve l opm e nt s i n ot h e r countries and learn from their responses."

Vaccine race Experts also continue to recommend health protocols, along with vaccines, as the first line of defense, regardless of how the variant develops.

D r. E r i c Ta y a g , Director of the National Epidemiolog y Center in the Department of Health (DOH), says, "We already k n ow t h e d r i l l : s o c i a l distancing; when we don't feel well, don't go out; have yourself tested; if we have symptoms, go in isolation.

No matter the COVID-19 variant, all these things should be second nature by now."

The role of the government will be key in preventing or retarding the entry of the Omicron variant in the Philippines.

The public and pr ivate sectors also need to continue working together to bring in more vaccines and push for fuller inoculation coverage across the country in order to achieve and maintain a high level of herd immunity.

Recognizing that there seems to be an 'arms race' to develop a new response to the new Omicron variant among the pharmaceutical companies, Enrique expresses confidence "in the speed of innovation driven by technology. Our ability to innovate through tech will certainly match or outpace that of the virus over the medium term. The world's collective vaccine and pharma industry will generate multiple solutions and t re at ments against COVID19 which will ensure we conquer this pandemic."

Position... from page 3

manufacturing of vehicle parts and semiconductors, food processing and food pro du c t i on , re n e w ab l e energy, smart cities, real estate, software and game development, and tourism.

“In fact, we are working with one company right now for a possible establishment of (a) food-related facility in the country somewhere in Mindanao,” he said.

Just last month, Trade Secretar y Ramon Lopez and his Korean counterpart Minister Ye o Han-Ko o concluded talks on the Philippines-Korea FTA. Both parties target to sign the deal before February 2022.

PEZA deputy director general Tereso Panga has encouraged Korean investors eyeing to establish their businesses in the Philippines to l o c ate ins id e PE Z A economic zones to enjoy full ownership of their operation.

Panga also cited the incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises ( C R E AT E ) L a w w h e n investing in PEZA and other investment promotion agencies in the country.

Under the CREATE Law, companies can enjoy an income tax holiday (ITH) of four to seven years and special corporate income tax or enhanced deductions for five years. (PNA)

Borrowings... from page 5

as the interbank market and the capital markets,” he added.

Outstanding loans by big banks rose 3.5% year on year to P9.268 trillion in October, based on latest BSP data. Production loans rose 4.9%, while retail borrowings dropped by 7.2%.

In the same month, liquidity growth slowed to 8.2% from 8.3% in September.

Meanwhile, for December, the applicable rate for peso rediscount loans will be 2.5%, regardless of maturity.

R ates of dollar- and yen-denominated loans, regardless of maturity, are at 2.17325% and 1.91533%.

Surplus... from page 5

process outsourcing (BPO) r e v e nu e s , a n d f o r e i g n investments continue to support the BOP. “The financial account is projected to post net inflows a m o u nt i n g t o U S D 4 . 5

billion from the previously projected outflow of USD460 million. This is supported by the foreseen sustained inflow of foreign direct investments (FDIs) of USD8 billion in 2021, as well as government borrowings to fund the continuing fight against the pandemic and the economic recovery program alongside moderating investments by residents in foreign financial assets,” he added.

For 2022, Ab enoj a said the countr y would continue to post a surplus but projections would be lower.

“For 2022, the overall

BOP position is projected to remain in surplus but at a more modest level of USD700 million (0.2 percent of GDP) from USD1.7 billion (0.4 percent of GDP) in the previous forecast,” he added.

Abenoja said the narrower BOP surplus next year is mainly driven by a higher current account deficit.

Foreign direct investment, on t h e ot h e r h a n d , i s expected to be higher at USD8.5 billion, while foreign portfolio investments will remain at USD5.7 billion.

“For 2022, the continued growth in advanced economies bodes well

for Philippine trade and investments. This could also lend support to robust BPO revenues and overseas Filipinos (OF) remittances as businesses are likely to outsource or hire more overseas workers to fill in their manpower needs. The wider global distribution and administration of vaccines coupled with anticipated improvements in immunity and available C ovid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) treatments by next year are also likely to help revitalize international travel and tourism-related services,” he added. (PNA)

Iligan economy registers 1.4% growth in 2020

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) - Lanao del Norte Chief Statistical Specialist Osler Mejares presents the growth of Iligan City's economy in 2020 which is now up by 1.4%. (Angelo D. Dologmandin/PIA-Lanao del Norte)

By CLAIRE GIGJE

ILIGAN CITY--The city's economy registered another growth in 2020 following its record in 2019.

This, after Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) - Lanao del Norte Chief Statistical Specialist Osler Mejares reported during the Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) dissemination forum Thursday, December 9, that it hiked up by 1.4% in 2020, beating its growth record of 0.5% in 2019.

As per the compiled Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the services sector was noted to have the biggest share in the overall economy of the city with a three-year average share of 50.4%, followed by the industry, and agriculture, forestry and fishing (AFF) with 47.7% and 1.9% average shares respectively.

The services sector had a rapid increase in 2019 among the three major industries as it climbed up by 6.4% but went down by 5.1% the next year. On the other hand, the industry sector tallied a contraction by 5.6% in 2019 but increased by 8.6 % in 2020, and only agriculture, forestry and fishing (AFF) consistently grew for two consecutive years, going up by

3.2% in 2019 and 6.2% in 2020.

Mejares said the enlisted fastest growing industry in 2019 included professional and business services which was up by 17.6%, wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles by 14.1%, and financial and insurance activities by 11.5%.

In the following year, more industries logged growth in economic performance, such as the public administration and defense and compulsory social activities which went EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late SEVERINO OMAC ECHEM JR., died intestate on November 14, 2018 in Cagayan de Oro City, the deceased at the time of his death left behind his petition differential with the Philippine National Police; That to the best knowledge and information of the parties hereto, the deceased left no debts; and has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, filed by the heirs of SEVERINO OMAC ECHEM JR., per DOC #107; PAGE #22; BOOK #216; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EMMANUEL A. GAABUCAYAN.

up by 17.1%, manufacturing by 15.4%, financial and insurance activities by 10.8%, AFF by 6.2%, information and communication by 2.8%, and electricity, steam, water and waste management by 2.2 percent.

Meanwhile, accommodation and food service activities was down by 34.9%, transportation and storage by 21.7%, and mining and quarrying by 21.6%.

In general, the city aided Northern Mindanao’s economy with a 0.10% increase in 2020 as the region’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) contracted by 5.2% in the same year. Now, the city ranked fifth among the provinces and highly urbanized cities in the region in terms of share to the regional economy. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Norte) EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late MARK IAN M. APAL, died intestate in the place of Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Capitol Compound, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Philippines, leaving a Condominium Unit covered

by Condominium Certificate of Title No. 107-2016003879, (LA GUARDIA FLATS 2) THIRD FLOOR, STUDIO TYPE, UNIT NO. 309, containing an area of TWENTY TWO (22.00) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION, filed by the heirs of MARK IAN M. APAL, per DOC #121; PAGE #25; BOOK #XXXVI; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. DEXTER BAQUIANO PRECIOSO. BWM: December 6, 13 & 20, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED PERSONS WITH WAIVER KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late TESSIE CULANGGO LUMAHANG, who died intestate on the 12th, day of June, 2010, in Zone 1, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City; that the deceased at the time of his death left parcel of land with TCT No. T-81637 situated at Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of 100 sq. m. and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTELEMNT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS, filed by the heirs of TESSIE CULANGGO LUMAHANG, per DOC #03; PAGE #1; BOOK #125; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. BUENAVENTURA E. SAGRADO.

That the late MARISSA CATOSTOS ERNACIO, died on August 17, 2021 at Cagayan de Oro Polymedic General Hospital, A. Velez Street, Cagayan de Oro City, died intestate leaving a DEPOSITS at the following banks, to wit: A) AT BANCO DE ORO (BDO), Lim ketkai, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City under BANK ACCOUNT # SA-4895 0403 6754 4273; B) AT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES ISLAND (BPI), Lim Ketkai, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City under BANK ACCOUNT # SA-536347-0043 885362; That the HEIRS-WAIVOR/WAIVEE herein, being her surviving SON & HUSBAND, are the only forced of the said decedent; and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED PERSONS WITH WAIVER, filed by the heirs of MARISSA CATOSTOS ERNACIO, per DOC #343; PAGE #69; BOOK #38; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ROWELL B. VALLEDOR.

BWM: Nov 29, Dec 6 & 13, 2021

BWM: Nov 29, Dec 6 & 13, 2021

BWM: Dec 13, 20 & 27, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

11

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MON-TUE|DECEMBER 13-14, 2021

Rule... from page 4

for living. Jim had lost 40 million dollars! But that day he discovered wealth greater than any amount of money. So at the age of 56, with his new-found purpose and passion, he started his life again.

Jim traveled everywhere speaking about the power and principles of Jesus Christ, including The Golden Rule. In fact, Jim rebuilt his company even bigger! No matter what disappointments you have had in the past, you can start all over again today. But this time you can live your Maker’s way.

Remember, His way is the only way you can have real prosperity and peace that can never be taken away from you. Just think a minute.

Sapiens... from page 4

the natural resources from our parents but we owe these to our children. That at the rate that we have exploited God’s vanishing creation, we have in fact robbed the future generations of their inheritance, guilty of violating the 8th Commandment which is Thou Shall Not Steal!

For those who are amassing so much at the expense of the poor and the environment in a land where vested interest and corruption reign supreme, please be mindful that when Darwin theorized that in the selection of species on the “survival of the fittest,” the word “fittest,” means not the “most aggressive” or the “strongest.” By “fittest,” it means the “most caring” and the “most loving.”

As election is fast approaching, we must now awaken and conscienticize the Filipino people and advocate for a paradigm shift during these most challenging times of Climate Change and gross social inequity when the global system is collapsing as the “earth’s tipping point” has already been reached because of unsustainability in ecology, unsustainability in economy and unsustainability in politics when corruption is at its height. Let us advance a new kind of politics that is both empowering and liberating by debunking contemporaneous politics that is following a businessmanaged electoral system which is only successful in disempowering the people so that they can continue their massive raking through corruption.

Let notice be served to one and all that the truest kind of politics is one that puts power where it rightfully belongs that is, with the people and to remain with them even after elections. Indeed, the people united can never be defeated, be it by cartel or by scheming politicians who, like vultures, are feeding upon the flesh of the poor. May the corrupt politicians’ tribe and their cabal of vested interest diminish to give way to the genuine meaning of politics that is subservient not to the interest of big businesses but

for, of, and by the people.

WAKE-UP! Human’s collective insanity brought about by the egoic mind is now over. The awakening process has now begun. You are not anymore a HOMO SAPIENS BUT SPIRITUS LUMINOUS for a new earth and a new heaven.

OneBPI... from page 4

half of the Philippine Army Air Corps on the ground.

Casualties during the initial attack totalled 80 killed and 150 wounded.

Over the next few days, the Japanese bombed various military bases: Nichols Field, Camp Stotsenberg, Camp John Hay in Baguio, Zablan Field in Camp Murphy, Fort McKinley (now Fort Bonifacio), and the US Navy Yard in Cavite.

In the following days, Philippine Army Air Corps fighter pilots engaged the Japanese in two major dog fights. Captain Jesus Villamor led the defenders over Zablan Field (present day Fort Aguinaldo) on December 10, with Lieutenants Godofredo Juliano, Geronimo Aclan, Alb er to Aranzas o, and Jose Gozar; and another on D e c e m b e r 1 2 ov e r Batangas with Lieutenants Juliano, Aclan, Cesar Basa, Manuel Conde, and Antonio Mondigo.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Filipinos downed 6 Japanese planes, two of which were shot down

by Villamor himself. Now you know, after whom Villamor Air Base is named.

During the Dec 12 encounter, Lt. Cesar Basa was returning to base from an earlier separate mission. With his gas tank half empty, Basa decided to join his comrades in fending off the Japanese.

Unfortunately, his plane was shot full of holes. Basa managed to land his plane safely, but was killed by a low-flying Japanese plane which strafed his grounded aircraft. Basa became the first Filipino fighter-pilot casualty of WWII. In recognition of his heroism, Lt. Basa was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. An air field in Floridablanca, Pampanga has also been renamed in his honor.

C apt . Vi l l am or an d Lt. Gozar were personally awarded by Gen. Douglas MacArthur the Distinguished Ser vice Cross for their valorous defense of the airspace over Luzon. Lt. G o z a r ' s w i n g m at e , Lt .

Godofredo Juliano, on the other hand received the Gold Cross.

The massive destruction of PAAC air fields eventually le d to t heir delib erate dismantling. The PAAC was ordered to destroy its remaining planes and join the movement of troops to Bataan.

Villamor continued his war against the Japanese as an intelligence officer. Having escaped the fall of Bataan, Villamor received orders to return to the Philippines.

Promoted to major, Villamor served as a commander in the Allied Intelligence Bureau.

Years later, President Ramon Magsaysay conferred on Villamor the Medal of Valor for his war-time exploits.

Flashback UAAP Season 80 There were many memorable moments in the UAAP Season 80 (2017-18) men’s basketball championship but for me, one of the most unforgettable occurred outside the court.

Immediately, after the final buzzer which saw the Ateneo Blue Eagles snatch that year’s crown from the defending champion, The La Salle Green Archers, the De La Salle building along Taft Avenue was bathed in bright blue lights, Ateneo’s colors.

And it stayed so overnight.

For a while, passersby thought there must have been a mistake.

But no, it was really intended by the De La Salle Green Archers as an accolade to a very worthy opponent.

What a magnificent gesture of sportsmanship! Sana ganito rin ang ating pulitika.

Note: You may wish to share the foregoing via Facebook, Twitter or Viber.

Restrains... from page 1

in line with the ECs’ functions and provision of service, then they must first furnish NEA the required information so the government-run electrification agency can be guided on the conduct of such endeavors.

To ensure ECs do not engage in activities outside of their mandate, NEA requires ECs to list “all of its activities to be conducted or to be participated in – including t ho s e t hat are a l re a dy calendared or commenced prior to the effectivity of the memorandum.”

The roll of activities that may be allowed, under the guidelines, could include: seminars, training and other

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similar or related activities; out-of-town trips – “whether for purposes of educational, professional and/or technical development.”

The electrification agency further noted that “all activities to be conducted or to be participated in by the EC shall be for the purpose of developing, advancing or enhancing the EC and/or its officers and employees’ welfare and proficiency.”

NEA similarly stated that “the ECs’ facilities, equipment and resources, including the services of its officers, employees and other personnel shall be used exclusively for the EC operations and activities.”

The ECs were further instructed “to refrain from allowing (their) facilities, equipment and resources from being used in any way that are not relevant to the purpose for which the EC was organized.”

Ship...

from page 1 briefing aboard MV Starlite Saturn.

MV Starlite Saturn is the shipping company’s second vessel servicing Mindanao.

Its first vessel, MV Stella Maris, has been plying the Cebu-Surigao route since 2019.

Starlite Ferries is one of the subsidiaries of Chelsea Logistics.

“This new route aims to provide passengers and shipp ers an alternative option to travel and conduct business in the bustling town of Nasipit. As the major seaport in Agusan del Norte, the Nasipit Port’s strategic location ensures the unhampered movement of essential goods, services, and passengers,” Arante said.

He revealed that the fiveyear-old passenger ship was built by Kegoya Dock Co., Ltd. Of Japan and specifically designed for the Philippine waters.

M V St arl ite S atu r n , Arante revealed, has a gross tonnage (GRT) of 2,700 and a carrying capacity of 340 passengers, 26 units of rolling cargoes, including private vehicles, jeeps, buses, and six- and 10- wheeler trucks.

Its accommodation types range from recliners, tourist, and economy.

Starlite Ferries now plies the Cebu-Nasipit route on Mond ays, We dnes d ays,

Fridays, Saturdays with the MV Starlite Saturn at 8 p.m.

The vessel’s return trips will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 6 p.m.; MV Starlite Pioneer will help out to fill the gap on Saturdays. “[MV Starlite Saturn] is part of the Chelsea Group’s vessel modernization program, providing safer, m o r e c o nv e n i e nt , a n d more comfortable sea transportation services to our passengers,” Arante added.

Chelsea Logistics president and chief executive of f i c e r C h r y s s D a mu y emphasized the Group’s commitment to provide the channel for economic activities to thrive such as transportation and tourism.

“Our eyes are fixed on improving the supply chain while protecting the wellbeing of passengers and seafarers. That’s why as of today, Starlite land-based and sea-based employees are 96% fully vaccinated, while the whole Chelsea Group is at 90%,” he pointed out.

With the decreasing rate of new COVID-19 cases and the increasing number of vaccinated Filipinos, he said the Chelsea Group has been seeing significant improvements in its passage and cargo services.

Mildred Padilla, manager of Philippine Ports Authority-Nasipit, welcomed this development, saying this will open up more opportunities especially in the northern part of Mindanao, particularly in Caraga.

“Our dear farmers will have now an option to transport their harvests to Cebu and Visayas region using this new shipping line company,” she said.

Padilla said that before Starlite Ferries’ entry, only Cokaliong Shipping Lines was plying the NasipitCebu-Nasipit route. Now, she noted, the ferry trip to Cebu has become daily.

Nasipit Mayor Enrico Corvera, who graced the official launching, said more opportunities will come along with the entry of MV Starlite Saturn. “ We h a v e b a n a n a s , milk fish, rice and other agricultural products.

Our farmers will be happy because this is way cheaper to transport their yield,” he added. (Roel N. Catoto / MindaNews)

Traveler... from page 1

office advising him of this development. In less than four hours, the CHO contacted this person and had him tested the following day," he said.

Yu said he was told by both the DOH-10 and city hall’s Health Emergency Management (HEMS) team about the arrival from Manila.

"Upon confirmation of his address, we immediately checked his household for any symptoms and secured his plane ticket and boarding pass and traced his whereabouts through our Higala (online) application," he said. (PNA)

Dryers... from page 2

proper and the ARDs from Barangay Sayon, all in Sta. Josefa town.

Reached by phone on Friday, Diego Dela Cruz, the chair of Sayon Organic Farmers Association, thanked the government and the DAR for the solar dryer they had received.

“This project has given us high morale to continue with our farming ventures.

We need not pay for the drying services of the palay buyers and traders. We can now look for markets that will buy our products at higher prices,” Dela Cruz said.

He added that for years, the government, through the DAR, has always provided support to the farmers in the area.

“Last year, a farm-tomarket road was completed that linked us directly to the market centers. The project was also facilitated by the DAR with the support of our local government unit in Sta. Josefa,” Dela Cruz said.

The formal turnover of the solar dryers on Thursday was also witnessed by Mayor Symond Caguit and other top officials in Sta. Josefa town.

(PNA)

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Mon-Tue|December 13-14, 2021

Vaccine industry on alert, ready to respond to Omicron Possible COVID-19 Vaccine changes, medical innovation key to counter new variant

THE vaccine industry is alert and ready to respond to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 should it enter the country. Along with the Philippine medical community, it reiterates that the public can still receive ample protection from it through current and future anti-variant countermeasures like rapid changes in the COVID-19 vaccines, a faster vaccination campaign, and the strict observance of health protocols like social distancing.

Enrique Gonzalez, Founder, and Chairman of IP-Biotech (IPB), says that the vaccine providers will be exercising agility to continually respond to the Omicron variant as it evolves. He assures the public that "the world's

vaccine industry is ready to respond with specific Omicron booster shots by making changes to the existing vaccines if the need arises. The production infrastructure is in place, and ramping up for next generations can be a rapid process."

IPB is the leading vaccine service provider and the local Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) holder of Coronavac's SINOVAC COVID-19 vaccine which has provided 50% of all COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines in 2021.

Omicron anxieties Omicron has struck fear in a global population that is eager and anxious to go back to normal due to its speed of transmission, the large

number of mutations it triggers, and the aura of deadly mystery surrounding it.

Enrique gives the overview: “The best of nature, adaptation, has been put in our worst enemy, the virus. The level of mutation in Omicron, which right now exhibits an unprecedented number of mutations, shows a trend in terms of the evolutionary path of COVID-19 virus."

Dr. Noel Miranda, IP Biotech’s Science Adviser, also confirms the need for vaccine providers to continually study and counter-check Omicron because "it's unexpected emergence warns the world that the occurrence of a worst-case mutation should be an ongoing

concern."

A study by South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says that Omicron may be more infectious compared to the Delta variant; about 30 of its more than 50

mutations are on the spike protein. Omicron takes only 20 days to hit 90% of the genome-sequenced samples, compared to approximately 100 days for Delta.

Miranda points out that the extent and nature

of SARS-CoV-2 viral mutations also impact the relative efficacies of the different vaccine platforms.

On one hand, gathering data seems to confirm that the protein-based vaccines, with their specific immune-enhancing adjuvants, might carry advantages that keep cellular and humoral immune responses relatively intact to hold Omicron at bay.

On the other hand, he cautions that "Omicron is expected to render existing vaccines less effective, but, hopefully, not totally ineffective, especially in continuing to offer protection against hospitalization and death from COVID-19. “ ALERT/PAGE 10