BusinessWeek Mindanao (December 19-20, 2022)

Border patrol

DAVAO City – The Philippine Border Committee (PHBC) and Indonesian Border Committee (IDBC) are eyeing for more sea patrols in the south next year to boost border control. The move forms part of the 12-point agenda being proposed by both governments, according to Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander, and Rear Admiral Dr. TSNB Hutabarat MMS, commander of the Indonesian Navy's 2nd Fleet Command and IDBC chairperson, in a joint statement Friday. This came about as the PHBC and IDBC concluded on Dec. 14 the Coordinated Patrol PhilippinesIndonesia (CORPAT PHIL-INDO) activity here.

Anti-red tape

THE Cagayan de Oro city government has launched the Cagayan de Oro Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CDO-Cart) to curb the prevalence of "fixers" in city government-related transactions. In an interview on Wednesday, John Asuncion, local economic development and investment promotions officer, said the 10-member CDO-Cart is led by Mayor Rolando Uy as chairman. "We will let people know of that committee. So they will know that such committee exists," Asuncion said, who is also designated as CDO-Cart vice chairman.

Dev’t plan

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday approved the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 which aims to bolster deep economic and social transformation in order to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction.

"I'm happy to announce that today, at the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) board meeting, we approved the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028 and this sets out the framework of the development plan for the Philippines and we have included all of the priority areas," President Marcos said in his message.

Marcos called on government agencies to employ a whole-of-nation approach in the implementation of the PDP 2023-2028 and steer toward the "same direction."

WESM-Mindanao sets operation on Dec. 26

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV MindaNews

DAVAO City – The commercial operation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in Mindanao is slated to start on December 26, a Department of Energy (DOE) official revealed Friday.

Engr. Erick George D. Uy, science research specialist II at DOE-Mindanao, told the Kapihan sa Philippine information Agency-Davao on Friday that at least 69 entities are registered so far to take part in the spot market.

The WESM allows distribution utilities (DUs), electric cooperatives and power generators to

participate in the scheme.

He said 15 power companies would participate in the spot market.

With this mechanism in place, Uy said that electric cooperatives and distribution utilities could get their power supply directly from the spot market, which “could prevent outages since they could tap

SEC vows to run after unregistered online loan apps

CDO govt seeks enhanced climate change action plan

THE CAGAYAN de Oro city government has moved to enhance the Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) for integration into the city’s climate disaster risk management. During the 11th-year commemoration of Severe Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) on Friday, Mayor Rolando Uy reaffirmed the commitment of the city government to make the area resilient to natural disasters, especially with the onset of climate change impacts. "We should not forget

the pain and destruction Sendong brought us. We need to continue and strive on how our people safe from disasters," he said. Uy said building a resilient city is a "very difficult challenge" as it

Challenges remain in repro health education: Group

DAVAO City — Former Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Alcantara Dominguez has joined the 60-year-old Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) as its new director who will oversee the business strategy and operations of the premier property developer and real estate pioneer in Davao City.

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday vowed to run after unregistered online lending or loan applications to protect unwary clients. In a media forum, SEC Cagayan de Oro Extension Office supervising officer Jesher Radaza said

even online lending or loan applications should acquire permits to operate, such as a secondary license to collect and loan money. "If they have a secondary license, our next step is to call their attention, and ask them to

A NON-government organization in Cagayan de Oro has expressed renewed interest in working to educate the youth about the Reproductive Health (RH) Law, as the city government vowed to address teenage pregnancies through

Alsons Dev is the real estate

the Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health (AYSRH) program. In a statement Friday, Roots of Health executive director Amina Evangelista-Swanepoel noted that 10 years since the passage of Republic Act (RA)

10354, or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, teenage pregnancy remains a national concern of their organization. "Pre-test and post-test activities during our

SPOT MARKET. The Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in Mindanao is set to start operation on December 26 this year where power cooperatives and distributors can directly buy their source of energy to prevent outages.

REMEMBERING SENDONG. A woman lights a candle at the Sendong Memorial Wall in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. The wall contains a list of the dead and the missing due when typhoon Sendong struck this city on December 16, 2011.

MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

DA-13, MSMEs open ‘Kadiwa ng Pasko’

BUTUAN City – Some 15 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are joining the 15-day “Kadiwa ng Pasko” activity that formally opened on Friday at the city hall ground here. In a statement Friday, the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA13) said the activity aims to support farmers and local fishermen in the region, especially during the Yuletide season. Most of the participating MSMEs are farmers’ cooperatives from the different towns

in the region. “After its formal opening at the City Hall in Butuan, the activity will continue to run in the respective areas of the MSMEs until the end of the month,” the DA-13 said. In an interview on Friday, Nilo Calipayan, the chairperson of KM7 Farmers Producers Cooperative, thanked the DA-13 for the support they received through the conduct of the “Kadiwa ng Pasko”. “This will give us additional income as we open several markets, not only here at the City Hall of Butuan

but also in other areas in the city and nearby towns,” Calipayan said. He said the participating cooperatives and farmers’ groups are offering affordable farm products to the consumers. “Our consumers can visit the “Kadiwa ng Pasko” and avail of lower prices of vegetables, fruits, and other agriculture products they need during the celebration of Christmas,” Calipayan said, noting that the prices of farm products at the “Kadiwa” are lower by P10 compared to the regular market prices. (PNA)

Zambo Sur trader nabbed in anti-smuggling entrapment

ZAMBOANGA City –Authorities have arrested a trader and seized about P228,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes in an entrapment operation in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, a top police official said Thursday. Col. Diomarie Albarico, Zamboanga del Sur police director, said Jun Minguito Esin, 23, was arrested in Barangay Maloloy-on, Molave

town at about 4:50 p.m. Wednesday. Albarico said the operation, launched by the local police and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs (BOC), is part of the expanded campaign against smuggled cigarettes in Zamboanga del Sur. Esin yielded assorted brands of

smuggled cigarettes worth P228,000, and P100 marked money, he said. Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr., BOC-Zamboanga district collector, said earlier they have coordinated with other government agencies to target stores selling smuggled cigarettes. The move aims to deny cigarette smugglers the market where they could dispose of their products, Barte said. (PNA)

Piñol claims vindication after cyber libel case victory

DAVAO City – Former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Thursday the recent court decision that convicted a Baguio City-based journalist of cyber libel over a malicious online post against him in 2017 is not only a legal victory and vindication but also an important lesson on responsible journalism. “The purveyors of fake news who slander and shame people to the point of dishonoring them and destroying their lives must not be allowed to seek refuge behind a mantle called press freedom when called to account for the transgression they have committed,” he said in a public post. In a Dec. 13 ruling, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 93 sentenced

Frank Cimatu to imprisonment of six months and one day to five years, five months and 11 days in his conviction. Cimatu was also ordered him to pay Piñol P300,000 in moral damages. In 2017, Cimatu posted on his Facebook wall that Piñol, who was then the Agriculture Secretary, amassed P21 million in six months following the bird flu outbreak in Central Luzon. "Agri Sec got rich by 21 M in 6 months. Bird Flu pa more," Cimatu said on Facebook. Piñol argued the post "was not only malicious but also outright erroneous because the P21 million increase in my assets was indicated in my tax returns before I assumed as Secretary of Agriculture, which was among

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the five-year financial records I was required to submit before my confirmation by the Commission on Appointment." He said the amount in his net worth did not represent money but the value of "biological assets" he has accumulated over the years in his farm. “A little exercise of due diligence and prudence would have helped in educating them that my ‘biological assets’ actually referred to Clonal Materials in my Farm Nursery and the Breeding Materials of Manok Pinoy, the free-range chicken breed which I developed,” Piñol said. He also noted that he was the only Cabinet Secretary under the Duterte administration who volunteered to be subjected to a lifestyle check and was cleared by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission. (PNA)

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late SPOUSES TERESITA G. SAMBAAN & VENUSTICO P. SAMBAAN, who died on 21 September 2013 and 10 February 2021 at NMMC, Cagayan de Oro City and Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City respectively, they left a parcel of land with TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 118634, situated in the Barangay of Canitoan, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY FIVE (255) square meters more or less; and has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL

SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE. That for and in consideration of the sum of PESOS: THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND (PHP300, 000.00) ONLY, Philippine Currency, receipt of which in full is hereby acknowledged by the abovenamed HEIRS/VENDORS from the VENDEES, to their full content and satisfaction, we the HEIRS/VENDORS, hereby SELL, CEDE, TRANSFER and CONVEY unto the VENDEE, her assigns and successors-in-interests, the above-described parcel of land including all the improvements existing thereon; filed by the heirs of SPOUSES TERESITA G. SAMBAAN & VENUSTICO P. SAMBAAN. As per Doc No. 306; Page No. 62; Book No. LXII; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. GEORGINA P. SUMICAD-HUERBANA.

Remittances seen to grow amid higher inflation

THE impact of the elevated inflation rate, along with improved diplomatic relations between the Philippines and host countries, are expected to further lift remittance growth, an economist said.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday showed a 3.5 percent year-on-year increase in cash inflows from overseas Filipino workers

(OFWs) last October to $2.911 billion, up from yearago’s 2.4 percent expansion.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort said the latest remittance monthly inflows is the highest in three months or since last July.

“The continued growth in OFW remittances may be attributed to the relatively higher prices/inflation that

may have required the sending of more remittances to cope up with higher prices of goods and services for OFWs and their families/dependents in the Philippines,” he said.

The domestic rate of price increases last October posted its highest since November 2002 when it accelerated to 8 percent year-on-year from the previous month’s 7.7 percent, primarily due to the impact of

higher prices of commodities in the international market.

Seasonally, remittance inflows are higher during the last quarter of the year in time for the Christmas holiday.

Ricafort attributed the continued jumps in remittances to reopening of more economies where OFWs are working, with

DBP earns 5.35B in first 9 mos

STATE-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has posted a net income of PHP5.35 billion in the first nine months of 2022, showing significant growth of 177 percent from the P1.93 billion recorded during the same period last year as the Bank intensified its lending activities to key sectors of the country.

DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel G. Herbosa said the increase in the Bank’s net income was driven mainly by the growth in its total loans to borrowers

as well as the continued rise in net interest income.

“DBP’s resurgent performance this year attests to its stability as a government financial institution and reflects the optimism in the country’s economic prospects as we emerge from a downturn exacerbated by the pandemic,” Herbosa said in a news release Friday.

DBP is the 8th largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy –infrastructure and logistics;

micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); the environment; and social services and community development.

Herbosa said the DBP’s total loans to borrowers from January to September 2022 reached P504.8 billion, reflecting a 15 percent growth from the P439.30 billion recorded last year, on the back of accelerated lending boosted by the full reopening of the economy.

He said P270 billion or 53.49 percent of total loans were allocated for the

infrastructure and logistics sector, with the bulk of the projects situated in the National Capital Region, Central Visayas, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas and Davao.

“DBP’s support for social infrastructure and community development projects totaled P103.71 billion, representing 20.5 percent of its total loan portfolio,” Herbosa said.

“The Bank also provided P54.35 billion in loans for environment-related projects, P48.24 billion for

Public-private partnership in sovereign wealth fund pushed

GO Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, also Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) jobs group lead, said the government may partner with the big names in the business community to manage the proposed Maharlika Wealth Fund, a sovereign wealth fund.

During the Laging Handa public briefing Tuesday, Concepcion said he is “not totally against the Fund”, which can be done through a publicprivate partnership (PPP).

“I believe if President Marcos believes in publicprivate partnerships, this is one way to do it. I believe all the directors of that fund have to come from the private sector who are well-respected and have a great track record of performance –that’s to me, the most important thing,” he said.

He added this would address the level of trust of different sectors that have doubts about the proposed Maharlika Wealth Fund that will be led by the Chief Executive.

On Monday, 12 business

groups and think tanks aired their opposition to the proposed sovereign wealth fund.

“We register our serious concerns and reservations against the proposed MWF (Maharlika Wealth Fund) on the principles of fiscal prudence, additionality, solvency of social pension funds, contingent liabilities, monetary independence of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), government in the economy and transparency,” the groups said in a statement.

These business groups and think tanks include the Foundation for Economic Freedom, Competitive Currency Forum, Filipina CEO Circle, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Institute of Corporate Directors, Integrity Initiative, Inc., Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Movement for Good Governance, Philippine Women’s Economic Network, UP School of Economics

Recognizing Royalty

Think a minute… Successful country singer Lonzo Green was visiting his relatives. His teenage nephew, Jim, and all his friends gathered in Jim’s house to meet his famous uncle. But there was one quiet 15-year-old boy whom Jim’s parents would not allow to come inside their house. Simply because this kid was poor, they treated him as an inferior, lowerclass person, even calling him “white trash.”

When Jim told Uncle Lonzo that this boy outside had a guitar but did not know how to tune it, Lonzo gladly offered to show the boy how. Since he was not allowed inside the house, they arranged to meet outside by the street.

It was obvious to Lonzo that this teenage boy was embarrassed and felt out of place in this upper class neighborhood. The boy’s guitar was old, cheap, and hung around his neck with just a piece of string. After Lonzo showed the shy teenager how to tune his guitar, he offered to teach him some songs. The boy was so surprised and happy

that Lonzo would spend two whole hours playing and singing with him, he actually started feeling confident in his own ability to play and sing.

Lonzo never met that boy again, at least not face to face. For that same boy who was not allowed to come inside the house, became the King of Rock n’ Roll: Elvis Presley.

There is a similar true story about another king who was not allowed to come inside people’s homes and hearts. In fact, He is the King of all kings. Yet even though He is the Maker of the universe, He chose 2,000 years ago to humiliate Himself by becoming a human being born into a poor, working-

More water very soon for Metro Manila opinion

December 6 was a very memorable day for Oscar Ileto Violago (Oca to classmates and friends, OIV to business associates.) After 29 trying years, Oca’s vision for a new and abundant water source for Metro Manila finally became a reality.

The day marked the inauguration of the Tayabasan weir, the first phase of Wawa bulk water supply project which is being implemented by WawaJVCo – a joint venture of Violago and business tycoon Enrique Razon.

It was a long and tortuous journey for Oca.

“When I applied for the water rights in 1993, nobody believed me. Through those years I found and encountered so many obstacles and opposition. People would say that it was not a good project, that it was a dirty river and that the project was not needed because we would have an oversupply of water in 2010. Some also said that if ever I succeeded, the supply would only be good for 50 MLD.

“Today, we proved all of them wrong as we inaugurate the project and deliver the first 80 MLD of raw water supply to our people. Once we finish our high dam, another 500MLD to 750MLD will be delivered to serve our Metro Manila water consumers.”

At a recent get-together with former classmates, Ernie Fajardo recalled Oca’s 29-year travail in applying for water rights. At one point, Ernie good-naturedly suggested to Oca – known among classmates as a devotee to a dozen saints – to include San Fernando among his intercessors.

Asked why San Fernando, Ernie recalled the lyrics of a popular folk song which ran as follows: “Okaka okaka, San Fernandong Wawa.” I could not verify if San Fernando did the trick for Oca.

The Tayabasan weir is a 25-meter roller-compacted concrete structure designed to deliver 80 million liters per day (MLD).

It comprises three parts: the weir, where water is impounded; the pumping station, which brings the bulk water to the water treatment plant; and the buried water pipeline, where the bulk water passes to get to the water treatment plant.

Oca was once described by former President Fidel V. Ramos as the Father of the Casecnan $680M Casecnan Irrigation and Power Multipurpose Project at Pantabangan dam which serves three purposes –irrigation, flood control and power generation.

The project involved the construction of a

26.27-kilometer, 6.50 meter diameter transbasin tunnel traversing Caraballo Mountains with a capacity of 80 m3/s capable of diverting at least 800 million m3 of water/year to the Pantabangan Reservoir.

It also involves the construction of two (2) diversion weirs in Casecnan and Taan Rivers in Nueva Vizcaya including 80.46-kilometer access roads that connect to local municipal and provincial road networks. Two (2) generator sets were also installed generating a combined power of 150 MW and a 230kV Switchyard wherein the National Power Corporation’s (NPC) transmission lines were connected. The power produced in the plant is supplied to the Luzon Grid.

BPI’s green banks Bank of the Philippine Islands has set a new milestone in the country’s sustainable banking operations as BPI Iloilo Solis and BPI Loyola Katipunan became the first two bank branches in the Philippines to earn the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency (EDGE) certification of the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The certifications were issued by the Philippine Green Building Initiative (PGBI). The resource efficient

designs of the two buildings are expected to result in substantial reductions in energy consumption (22-25 percent), water consumption (23-31 percent) and materials-based energy (76-84 percent).

Since 2017, BPI has long guided real estate project owners to comply with IFC EDGE standards in line with the Ayala group’s longstanding commitment to embed sustainability in the conduct of business.

Maria Cristina “Ginbee” L. Go, BPI EVP and Head of Consumer Banking, projects that “next year, we have 25 branches planned for reconstruction to achieve EDGE certification. This forms part of our vision to lead in sustainable business practices in the Philippine banking industry and build a better Philippines – one family, one community at a time.”

MY THOUGHTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS

“Christmas is all about love, family and children. It doesn't matter what we eat or what presents we get as long as the holidays are spent with loved ones.” What is this? “The best gift that one could wish for underneath the Christmas tree, is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”

The true meaning of Christmas is a phrase that began to appear in the mid19th century when a shift toward a more secular culture resulted in a national backlash. Christians began to see the secularization of the celebration day of the birth of Christ as the shift toward Santa Claus and gift exchanging replaced the celebration of the advent of Christ and giving to the poor and needy without expectation of receiving anything in return. The poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (1822) helped popularize the tradition of exchanging gifts, and seasonal Christmas shopping began to assume economic importance. Harriet Beecher Stowe criticizes the commercialization in her story "Christmas; or, the Good Fairy". And well, I agree with him. An early expression of this sentiment using the phrase of "the true meaning" is found in The American Magazine, vol. 28 (1889): "to give up one's very self – to think only of others – how to bring the greatest happiness to others – that is the true meaning of Christmas."

The phrase is especially associated with Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843), in which an old miser named Ebeneezer Scrooge is taught the true meaning of

Christmas by three ghostly visitors who review his past and foretell his future.

The topic was taken up by satirists such as Stan Freberg and Tom Lehrer during the 1950s and eventually by the influential TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas, first aired in 1965 and repeated every year since. In the special, Charlie Brown becomes stressed by the preparations and social expectations of holiday rather than becoming excited, much to his confusion. His best friend Linus van Pelt eventually clarifies the actual meaning of the holiday through reciting the Annunciation to the Shepherds near the end of the program. Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957) also illustrates the topic, and was very influential in the form of an animated TV special produced in 1966. The phrase and the associated moral became used as a trope in numerous Christmas films since the 1960s.

The phrase found its way into the 2003 Urbi et Orbi address of Pope John Paul II, "The crib and the tree: precious symbols, which hand down in time the true meaning of Christmas!"

Christmas is a celebration, a time for giving and not simply a day we exchange gifts. The spirit of Christmas is in the 'togetherness', it's in the thought to which you put into thinking about others, it's a selfless time, where we forgive, take stock of what's important and become 'better' versions of ourselves.

Christmas is not about the Savior's infancy; it is about His deity. The humble birth of Jesus Christ was never intended to

conceal the reality that God was being born into the world.

But the modern world's version of Christmas does just that. And consequently for the greater part of humanity, Christmas has no legitimate meaning at all.

I don't suppose anyone can ever fathom what it means for God to be born in a manger. How does one explain the Almighty stooping to become a tiny infant? Our minds cannot begin to understand what was involved in God's becoming man.

Nor can anyone explain how God could become a baby. Yet He did. Without forsaking His divine nature or diminishing His deity, He was born into our world as a tiny infant.

He was fully human, with all the needs and emotions that are common to us all. Yet He was also fully God--all wise and all powerful.

For nearly 2,000 years, debate has been raging about who Jesus really is. Cults and skeptics have offered various explanations. They'll say He is one of many gods, a created being, a high angel, a good teacher, a prophet, and so on. The common thread of all such theories is that they make Jesus less than God. But the biblical evidence is overwhelming that this child in the manger was the incarnation of God.

One passage in particular, written by the apostle Paul, captures the essence of Jesus' divine nature and underscores the truths that make Christmas truly wonderful.

In the busyness and chaos of presents, tinsel and trees, it can sometimes be tricky to take a moment to appreciate what the true meaning of Christmas

is. Of course Christmas will mean different things to different people. For some, it is a break or holiday, for others Christmas has deep religious significance and there is of course, no right or wrong. For some Christmas means togetherness, for others loneliness.

While the giving of gifts is a beautiful tradition, due to the increased commercialisation and focus on gift-giving over recent decades, Christmas in many cases, has been reduced to getting what you want, or the expense of the gift. In addition to gift-giving, Christmas can be a wonderful occasion to connect to the “true spirit” of Christmas. It can be about communion, togetherness, forgiveness, a new start and the magic of remembering what is really important:

Christmas is celebrated by billions of people all over the world as a religious and cultural ceremony. In the Christian religion, the true meaning of Christmas is to remember the birth of Christ. It is also a reminder that our true nature is one of peace and harmony and to practice goodwill to all men, not only at Christmas but throughout

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THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is rolling out Kadiwa ng Pasko (KnP) stores in four regions nationwide that offer more affordable noche buena products in time for the holiday season.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), KnP stores are open until Dec. 16 at Parañaque City Hall and Makati City Hall grounds.

On Friday, KnP stores will open at Barangay Almanza

covered court in Las Piñas City; Barangay Nangka, Marikina City; Taguig City; new Caloocan City Hall South; and Pasay Sports Complex (Derham Park).

On Saturday, citizens near Disiplina Village in Bignay, Valenzuela City and Verdant covered court in Barangay Pamplona 3, Las Piñas City can avail of the cheaper noche buena items in KnP stores.

The KnP will also offer affordable goods at Armed

Forces of the Philippines along Bonny Serrano Avenue corner EDSA, Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Dec. 20.

Outside Metro Manila, KnP will still be rolled out in Cabarroguis, Quirino in Region 2 on Dec. 16, 23 and 30 as well as at South Cotabato gym and Cultural Center in Barangay Poblacion, Koronadal City, South Cotabato from Dec. 1 to 23 and Pigcawayan,

PH to lure RE technology, investments from Europe

DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said the country targets to attract investments from Europe for technology transfer and development of the renewable energy sector here.

In a virtual press briefing Friday, Rodolfo said European companies have recognized the Philippine government’s initiatives to shift to cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy.

“They are very happy with the statement of the President (on) sustainability as a core objective for the Philippines. They are also happy not just because of the statements but because of the actual moves that are already undertaken by the administration,” said Rodolfo, who is also the managing head of the Board of Investments (BOI).

Among the policy initiatives of the Marcos administration to promote cleaner sources of energy

include the amending of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Renewable Energy Act that allows 100 percent foreign ownership for renewable energy projects as well as the executive orders on offshore wind projects and the modification of tariffs on imported electric vehicles (EV) and EV parts and components.

Rodolfo added that with these policies of the

Cotabato City from Dec. 15 to 18 for the KnP in Region 12.

The DTI also brought the KnP store in Region 4-A at the Bacoor, Cavite, which will be closed Thursday.

"These rolling stores will help many consumers buy basic necessities like food products at lower prices,” DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual

said in a statement. “By shopping at the Kadiwa ng Pasko Centers, you are also supporting our local farmers, fishermen, manufacturers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).”

Under his administration, President Ferdinand R. Marcos revived the Kadiwa program of his father and former President Ferdinand

E. Marcos which aims to bring directly food supply from farm to market and improve access to affordable food, especially to the lowincome families.

The new Kadiwa program aims to alleviate the high prices of goods as inflation hits 8 percent in November, the highest since November 2008. (PNA)

Unilever eyes PH as global hub for sustainability: DTI

WITH the fresh commitment of Unilever to invest P4.7 billion in the Philippines during the visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Brussels, the multinational consumer goods manufacturer aims to make the country its global hub for sustainability.

In a virtual press briefing Friday, Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) Assistant Secretary Glenn Peñaranda said one of the core plans of Unilever Philippines is to make its operations here a global hub for sustainability.

“Mr. Ben Yap also shared that it (sustainability) will also be at the core of their plans for the Philippines. His aspirations is to make Unilever Philippines as global hub for sustainability,” Peñaranda said.

He added that the new investments will also

enhance the country’s competitiveness locally and regionally in the manufacturing of fastmoving consumer goods as Unilever automates and digitizes its operations.

“We expressed to President Marcos our long-term commitment to sustainable and responsible growth in the country, and we are optimistic that our new P4.7-billion investment in a future-fit personal care factory in Cavite will contribute to the Philippine manufacturing sector’s competitiveness as we employ highly advanced technologies, with the potential to qualify the facility for the World Economic Forum’s Advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution Lighthouse,” Unilever Philippines chairman Benjie Yap said.

Board of Investments

(BOI) director Eries Cagatan emphasized that the P4.7-billion expansion project of Unilever that will use fourth industrial revolution technology will not only automate and digitize the local operations of the company, but it will also increase its capacity of producing personal care products like skin care, hair care and deodorant by 15 percent.

She added that Unilever will add 130 employees with the expansion.

The new plant in General Trias, Cavite will be inaugurated by first quarter next year.

Cagatan said Unilever has been investing in sustainability in its Philippine operations.

Its three facilities here are fully sourcing power from geothermal plants, while its office operation in Bonifacio Global City sources from solar power. (PNA)

That the late ERLINDA C. ROBANTE, who died on May 14, 2019 at Cagayan de Oro City, and the late LUCIO ROBANTE who died on August 10, 1989 at San Fernando City, La Union without any will. That ERLINDA C. ROBANTE, at the time of her death, left five (5) parcels of land with: 1.) TCT No. 1372017004721 with an area of 2,774 sq.m. more or less located at Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, Philippines, 2.) TCT NO. 137-2017004720 with an area of 2,774 sq. m. more or less situated at Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, Philippines, 3.) TCT NO. 137-2017004722 with an area of 2,774 sq.m. more or less situated at Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, Philippines, 4.) TCT NO. 137-2017004724 with an area of 2,773 sq. m. more or less, situated at Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, Philippines, 5.) TCT NO. 137-2017004723 with an area of 2,774 sq.m. more or less situated at Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, Philippines. And has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE THE LATE SPOUSES LUCIO ROBANTE AND ERLINDA C. ROBANTE, filed by the heirs SPOUSES LUCIO ROBANTE AND ERLINDA C. ROBANTE. As Per Doc No. 313; Page No. 64; Book No. 13; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. OWEN S. MARCIAL.

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE SPOUSES LUCIO ROBANTE AND ERLINDA C. ROBANTE

In Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, there’s more for every family to pass around the dinner table this Christmas.

Ozamiznons are enjoying triple the gifts in the distribution of the Oaminal family’s “Pamaskong Handog,” where Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Sr., Misamis Occidental 2nd District Representative Ando, and Ozamiz City Mayor Indy prepared separate Christmas tributes for their constituents.

The gift-giving has been an annual “tradition” for the family, Oaminal Sr. shared, when they open their home every Christmas season to caroling Misamisnons.

Now, however, instead of just opening the family home, the tradition has been expanded to accommodate all residents of Misamis Occidental, with a kickoff event held at the City Gym in Lam-an, Ozamiz City on December 8, 2022. The elder Oaminal and his sons, along with other local officials, were present at the event which saw hundreds of Misamisnons in attendance.

“It has been a family tradition for us to find fellow Ozamiznons and Misamisnons in our

doorstep during this season every year, and even more of them would arrive just before Noche Buena,” Oaminal Sr. recalled. “As a family we always made sure that they feel welcome, and we want to extend that spirit of homeliness and

giving to the entire province of Misamis Occidental.”

Rep. Ando, meanwhile, is making good on his campaign promise to make sure every Misamisnon family in his district gets their “Pamaskong Handog.”

“It’s a privilege to be

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING & REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. 10, Apovel, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City BENJAMIN R. GO, CASE NO. Applicant. R10-EV-TH-2022-12-2213 (2017-10-334)

NOTICE OF HEARING

APPLICANT(s)/ PETITIONER(s) request/s authority to the Extend the Validity of the Certificate of Public Convenience to operate TH FREIGHT SERVICE on the route: WITHIN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY AND FROM SAID PLACE TO ANY POINT IN THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO ACCESSIBLE TO MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC and vice versa with the use of ONE (1) unit/s.

This application/petition shall be considered by this Board on January 11, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at this Board on which date Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall formally submit his/her/its evidence.

trusted by the Misamisnons in my district, and I’m intent on returning their appreciation for my service,” said Rep. Ando.

In Ozamiz City, his successor Mayor Indy is now entrusted with keeping the gift-giving tradition alive.

“It’s another chance for me and for my family to develop a more personal connection with the Ozamiznons we’ve long been serving,” Mayor Indy shared.

“With Papa and Ando, we’re hoping we can bring to the people three times

the love and happiness this Christmas,” he added.

Oaminal Sr.’s provincewide distribution has pamasko allocations for over 180,000 families, while Rep. Oaminal’s district will distribute to 100,000 families, and Mayor Oaminal Jr.’s allocation in Ozamiz City will see more goods given to 40,000 families.

Apart from the distribution of Pamaskong Handog noche buena and media noche packs at the kick-off event. Pocket distribution events have also been held at different municipalities in the province. “We want every Misamisnon to not have to worry about where and how they will get their noche buena and media noche feast,” said Oaminal Sr. “Easing them of this burden will give them the opportunity to enjoy the festivities of this blessed holiday with their families.

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE OF HEARING

APPLICANT(s)/ PETITIONER(s) request/s authority to the Extend

The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s)

publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao.

Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/its written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/its oral testimony(s).

WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 16th day of December 2022 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao.

Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/its written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/its oral testimony(s).

WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 16th day of December 2022 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao.

Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/its written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/its oral testimony(s).

WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 16th day of December 2022 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. ATTY. MOHAMAD FAHDEL S. PIMPING

The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao.

Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/its written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/its oral testimony(s).

WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 16th day of December 2022 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of local circulation.

Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/its written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/its oral testimony(s).

WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 16th day of December 2022 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

ATTY. MOHAMAD FAHDEL S. PIMPING HEARING OFFICER

prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of local circulation.

Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/its written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/its oral testimony(s).

WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO, Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 16th day of December 2022 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

Mayor Henry “Indy” Oaminal, Jr. (2nd from left), Misamis Occidental 2nd District Rep. Sancho Fernando “Ando” Oaminal (center), and Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal Sr. distribute the first batch of Pamaskong Handog 2022 packs at the kick off event in Ozamiz City.

tap into the ready supply to fill in their deficiencies.”

At present, he said electric cooperatives and DUs are sourcing their supply from power plants through bilateral agreements. Under the current arrangement, he said cooperatives and distribution utilities don’t have alternative supply sources.

“This is the concept of WESM. That’s why some cooperatives are experiencing curtailment… due to lack of supply. Once WESM comes in, cooperatives and DUs can get their supply from the spot market,” he said.

According to the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation, the “WESM is a centralized venue for buyers and sellers to trade electricity as a commodity where prices are determined based on actual use (demand) and availability (supply).”

The spot market, created pursuant to Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001, started in June 2006 in Luzon and in the Visayas four years thereafter.

Uy said that there are at least 16 electric cooperatives in the island that signed up with WESM.

Distribution utilities such the Davao Light and Power Company, Cotabato Light and Power Company, Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company, and Iligan Light and Power, Inc. will also participate in the spot market, he added.

According to DOE, the establishment of WESM is needed to address “the influx of generation capacity in the Mindanao Grid, necessitating a mechanism “for efficient scheduling, dispatch and settlement of energy transactions.”

Uy said Mindanao has a total installed capacity of 4,527 megawatts as of October 31.

“This entails that we won’t be having problems with regard to supply. Our local interruptions are isolated cases within the jurisdiction of electric cooperatives and private distribution utilities,” he said.

possible, especially if it has little information or track record available. Under Republic Act (RA) 9474 or the Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007, loan firms must operate within the area stated in the certificate of authority. "There are online lending companies operating outside their jurisdiction as stated in RA 9474, and we are looking into this angle in charging these companies," Radaza said. (PNA)

forests outside its boundaries. He said the city government's LCCAP will also be aligned with climate change protocols, even as he vowed to "cooperate and contribute to the commitments of the Philippine government to international agreements on climate change." “As a city that is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, we need to do more for the safety of Kagay-anons (residents) and contribute more to national efforts at climate change adaptation and mitigation,” he said. Remembering the tragedy brought by Sendong here, Uy said the lives lost in the storm can only be honored if the local government maintains a clear-cut plan with the help of different sectors in the community. In mid-December of 2011, Sendong poured heavy rains for two days in the city's vast watersheds, which stretches up to the slopes of Mount Kitanglad and Kalatungan in Bukidnon province. The flash floods left at least 674 people dead and displaced some 230,000 residents, and damaging over PHP2 billion in properties. (PNA)

comprehensive sexuality education in public and private schools. Meanwhile, Mayor Rolando Uy said the local government recognizes the importance of implementing social development programs related to AYSRH. "Working together with the whole bureaucracy will enable us to address soonest the problem of increasing teen pregnancy," he said. Data from the City Health Office (CHO) showed that the city recorded 30 childbirths from mothers aged 10 to 14 years old last year. There were also 1,070 childbirths labored by mothers aged 15 to 19-years-old. The same CHO data, however, tallied a 40 percent decrease in teenage pregnancies in 2021 with 1,782 childbirths, as compared to 2019 which had 2,945. (PNA)

Alumni Association and Women’s Business Council Philippines, Inc.

In the same public briefing, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said countries that started a sovereign wealth fund are those with economies that are “very dependent” on natural resources like minerals and oil.

Since these are exhaustible resources, these countries invested their sovereign wealth fund so the next generation will benefit from these investments.

Edillon also echoed that the government should ensure that the proposed sovereign wealth fund will be managed well.

peaceful and loving day, can turn into a hotbed of emotions. Ideally, any tensions can be worked through and possibly bring people closer together.

Forewarned is forearmed, so to avoid those tensions at the Christmas table see How to Get Along During the Holiday Season.

Christmas can be a time to reflect upon your learnings and look at ways to do things differently going forward. It can be a time to be proud of all that you have done and to make a commitment to do more of the things that are working for you and that you love to do. Life is to be enjoyed.

Royalty...

the complaints filed against them (lending apps)," he said. Radaza said SEC has observed some online loan apps doing "unfair debt collection practices," in which app operators breach the information of the clients and contact the latter's network of acquaintances and relatives of the outstanding debts to be collected. "We can impose administrative penalties against these (online) lending firms," he said. Radaza said if the apps or firms do not have the SEC secondary license, then their operation is illegal. "We can coordinate with law enforcement agencies to investigate them and build a case against them," he said. Radaza urged the public to minimize in engaging online loan providers if

sexuality education sessions for high school students in Palawan reveal continued low levels of knowledge among young people about sexual and reproductive health," EvangelistaSwanepoel said. Based on the sex education sessions conducted by the group, she said at least 70 percent of the students believed that "jumping up and down" after sex is an effective way to avoid pregnancy; around 80 percent believed that withdrawal is an effective method of pregnancy prevention. "We also found out that many young people’s first sexual encounter was not planned and that many girls entered sexual relationships earlier than they wanted because of pressure or force from their partners," she said. Swanepoel said the idea that sexual relationships should be built on the consent and willingness of both parties is new to many young people, adding that the old idea of male conquest often goes along with a refusal to use condoms or other forms of contraception. The Roots of Health also called for more public investments in RH programs at the national and local levels and better integration of age-appropriate

workers regaining jobs lost during the early days of the pandemic.

He said the country is the world’s top supplier of nurses, accounting for about 20 percent globally, and the biggest supplier of seafarers at around 20 to 25 percent.

“Aging population in some developed countries also structurally increased the demand for OFWs in recent years, especially amid tighter labor markets in some host/ developed countries due to better economic recovery prospects,” he added.

Ricafort said remittances to the Philippines have consistently been the fourth largest in the world after India, China and Mexico, at around $35 billion annually.

This, he said, is “a sign of resilience despite the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.”

“Improved foreign/ diplomatic relations especially with host countries for OFWs around the world would help sustain the growth in OFW remittances,” he added. (PNA)

“We need to make sure that we really get those competent people with integrity because this is a big deal… we will trust them with our money, so we need those who we can trust,” she said in mixed English and Filipino. (PNA)

class family. Most people did not even recognize Him. In fact, not only was He rejected by His own people then, but by most of us today.

everlasting separation from Him and His true family of followers who chose to wholeheartedly love and live for Him. Just think a minute…

government, European companies have “tremendous interest in energy projects in the Philippines”.

“So, we look at Europe as source of technology and investments for renewable energy, in particular, of course solar and offshore wind projects,” he said.

He mentioned that for offshore wind projects, there are plans with investments of $2 billion per project and with capacity of 1.2 gigawatts.

There are also floating solar projects with the same scale of investments, the trade official added.

the agriculture sector, P30.30 billion for MSME sector and about P74.46 billion for projects in finance and insurance, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, accommodation and food services,” he added.

DBP Executive Vice President for Operations Fe Susan Prado said the Bank’s net income before provisions stood at P10.62 billion which was largely weighed down by provisions for credit losses at P4.25 billion and income taxes at P1.02 billion.

She said DBP’s strong financial performance in the past quarter has enabled it to exceed its recalibrated 2022 net income target of P3.85 billion and solidify its position as one of the top performing banks in the country today.

“Beyond the numbers, DBP’s financial standing mirrors the general trend for the Philippine economy in general, which is breaking the odds and have performed considerably well despite the challenges and adversities,” Prado said. (PNA)

entire year. Christmas signifies to many that we are all connected, and even if we are not physically with someone, we are not alone. We are in fact, all part of one big family, the family of humanity, with all its imperfections and great beauty.

Christmas often inspires us to be charitable, wanting to reach out and be involved with the community, lending a helping hand wherever we can. In Sydney Australia, a few weeks before Christmas, it is impossible to volunteer at any charity to help with Christmas lunch, as all places are oversubscribed with volunteers. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this Christmas spirit flowed onto the rest of the year too?

When it comes to giving gifts, it is wonderful to make someone else happy while giving you the added benefit of being happy, as you share their joy. Another way to give, is to give people your full attention by being fully “there” or present for them. You listen to them with compassion and empathy while seeing the best in them. The gift of love and support is one of the most generous gifts you can give.

The true meaning of Christmas can be the gathering together with the people you love. This could be your immediate family, extended family, friends or with complete strangers.

The true meaning of Christmas can extend to your global family. It can be inviting someone who is lonely, an elderly neighbour, someone who is homeless or a refugee over for lunch or Christmas dinner. Sharing love and joy and connecting with our fellow human beings no matter who they are, is what the true spirit of Christmas is all about.

Underlying family tensions can be brought to the surface at Christmas when people are overtired and stressed from Christmas preparations. Alcohol thrown into the mix often does not help. What is meant to be a glorious,

Remember, Jesus never said He was only a good man, teacher, or prophet. He absolutely claimed that He is God Himself. God the Son Who came to save us, and will also come again to judge the entire world for all of our wrong, sinful living. So either Jesus is a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord of everyone, whom He clearly proved to be. No other religious leader in history claimed to be God, except Jesus.

He desperately wants to forgive us for all our wrongs, so He can give us His full and everlasting life. He has done everything He possibly can, to the point of sacrificing His own life for our sins, to make the way for us to come home to Him. But it is our choice!

Will you recognize your King today? Won’t you ask Him to forgive you and take full charge of every area of your life? Until you do, you can never have His true, full life of love, satisfaction, and peace of mind He created you to have now and forever. Remember, Jesus Himself said: If you refuse to recognize Him daily as your personal Lord now, by free choice, you will be forced to later after it’s too late, and will suffer

BOI director Eries Cagatan said Belgian hydropower firm Turbulent has big interest in the Philippine market with the available flowing bodies of water here that can be converted to power.

“(T)hey have pilot (project) in Mati, Davao Oriental, (and Turbulent) is a manufacturer of mini ecological hydropower turbine, which will not need dams but flowing bodies of water with minimal height difference and it can generate from 15 kilowatts to 70 kW per turbine. This can generate up to multiple megawatts in a network of turbines,” she added.

She added that Turbulent’s technology can be quickly installed and implemented and also eco-friendly that will not intrude on the ecology in the bodies of water.

Cagatan said this will also address power challenges in small islands that are not connected to the grid. President Marcos had a recent trip in Brussels for the European Union-Asean Summit and was also able to bag investments from European firms such as Unilever and OCEA. (PNA)

Love of teaching

By GILJUN T. PENULIAR Principal I

TEACHING is really rewarding. It’s satisfying to see children progress both academically and nonacademically as rounded people and future citizens. You might not realise it but you are the children’s role model. They have different backgrounds – and some don’t have the role model they need at home – but for that time in their lives you are the one they look to for help and guidance.

I became interested in teaching through helping my dad with sports coaching. The children who came to the athletics club in the morning tended to struggle at school. We got feedback that, since starting doing sport, these children were

going on to be more engaged at school in the afternoon and were making more progress than before. I’m now planning my major project for my final year on how exercising in the morning affects children’s attainment.

You learn quickly that children don’t fit into stereotypes – the sporty one, quiet one, high achiever etc. It doesn’t end up like that. They all have different backgrounds and you get to see the children grow in all sorts of ways. You can support them with their home life and relationships with peers as well as their academic work – you just have to find a way in with each individual.

CREDIBLE RELIABLE IN-DEPTH

P289M infra projects slated for BARMM

P289-million worth of infrastructure projects are set to grace the provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) region after recently getting the green light for construction, assured through Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s Support to Local Moral Governance (SLMG) program.

Public markets, barangay halls, a public terminal, and a legislative building among other plans comprised the memoranda of agreement (MOA) signed with Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo and 18 local government units in the

region.

Two-storey barangay halls will be constructed at some villages in the towns of Balindong, Marantao, Pagayawan, Calanogas, Malabang, Kapai, and Tamparan in Lanao del Sur; Parang and Buldon in Maguindanao del Norte; and in Cotabato City.

"Our hope is that the projects will improve governance in the LGUs and benefit our constituents," said Minister Sinarimbo.

Furthermore, six public markets will also rise at the towns of Albraka, Hadji Muhammad Ajul, and Lamitan City in Basilan; Sitangkai in Tawi-Tawi; Kapatagan in Lanao del Sur; and Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao del Norte.

Also part of the infra projects is a public terminal in Malabang, Lanao del Sur and a legislative building in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte.

The respective LGUs will implement the projects while the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will monitor their progress.

In a statement, Chief Minister Ebrahim stressed the importance of infrastructure projects

for the region in particular: "BARMM is focused on laying down solid foundations all over the region, foundations that we can use to further strengthen the delivery of even the most basic services to the people."

Present as well during the MOA signing was Pagayawan Mayor Khalida Sanguila who said, “We have been longing to have a barangay hall for a long time, even if is it’s just one, it’s a big thing for us, how much more if we have five barangay halls? Thank you so much to the Bangsamoro Government.”

According to Minister Sinarimbo, MILG is currently implementing the construction of 250 barangays halls across the region, with another 100 next year. He said the goal is to complete 600 village halls by 2025 which the BARMM government promised to the LGUs of the region.