BusinessWeek Mindanao (February 22-23, 2023)

P15.00 Volume XIV, No. 109 Wed-Thu | February 22-23, 2023 www.businessweekmindanao.com CREDIBLE RELIABLE IN-DEPTH MINDANAO

Market Indicators FOREX PHISIX AS OF 6:00 PM FEB 21, 2023 (TUE) 6,800.96 56.84 points 0.07 cents

X X

Teenage pregnancy

CURBING teenage pregnancies will remain one of the priorities this year of the local government unit (LGU), Cagayan de Oro city mayor Rolando Uy said Monday.

During a visit to Bayanga village, Mayor Uy said bringing awareness and education in the communities is part of the city government's advocacy in helping teenagers avoid being parents at an early age.

"There is a greater concern about teenage pregnancy when it comes not only to matters of the family but for the local government and the society in general," he said.

Climate resiliency

DAVAO City – The Davao del Norte provincial government has secured PHP58.5 million in funding from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the implementation of its resiliency program this year.

The cash-for-work in climate change adaptation and mitigation initiative aims to provide opportunities for impoverished and vulnerable families affected by natural disasters by offering 10 days of work.

“By implementing this program, we are providing additional income for our fellow Dabaonons and contributing to the preservation of our environment and protection of the community,” Governor Edwin Jubahib said in a statement Monday.

Human trafficking

ZAMBOANGA City – Authorities have rescued over the weekend eight victims of human trafficking in Tawi-Tawi province, a top police official said Monday.

Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said the victims were rescued around 8 p.m. Saturday at the port of Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi.

Verceles said the victims, all of legal age, are from the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte with three; two each from this city and Zamboanga del Sur; and one from Zamboanga

HE Philippine government is asking Japan to set the next general review of its free trade agreement (FTA) as the country has offensive interests in agriculture.

DAVAO CITY – Traces of highly toxic agricultural pesticides were found in the dust and urine samples collected from residents living near the vast pineapple plantations in Baguio District here, a

SAVING LIVES. Members of the 501st Ready Reserve Battalion, together with the troops from the 1501st Community Defense Center of the 15th Regional Community Defense Group, Reserve Command of the Philippine Army, conduct rescue operation in Sitio Malalag, Barangay Libertad, Butuan City on Saturday (Feb. 18, 2023). Heavy rains caused by the trough of a low-pressure area flooded at least 38 villages in Butuan City as well as other areas in the Caraga Region. (Courtesy of 1501st Community Defense Center)

Toxic pesticides found in residents living near Davao City pineapple plantationsCDO’s medical firms having difficulty disposing toxic waste

study conducted by South Korea’s Wonjin Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health showed.

Speaking during the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, Lemuel Lloyd Manalo, program coordinator for Interfacing

Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), Inc., said the study was conducted last year to find out what kinds of contaminants are affecting the residents there.

Based on the study, the highest concentration of pesticides, particularly pyrethroid and organophosphorus, were detected in the dust samples and metabolites in the urine samples of residents living within a 20- to 30-meter radius from the pineapple farms.

VARIOUS medical establishments in Cagayan de Oro city, including the Philippine Dental Association, are having difficulty disposing their hazardous waste, Councilor Roger Abaday said in his special report during the regular session of the city council here on Monday, Feb. 20.

“Galisod sila og labay

sa ilang mga waste nila. Dili lang dental, kun dili hasta ang mga hospital; government and private hospitals,” said Abaday, chairman of the committee on environment. He said medical establishments here, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and City

ERC, DSWD urged to accelerate clean-up of power subsidy list

PINEAPPLE PICKING. Workers unload fresh pineapples from the farm of the Davao Agricultural Ventures Corporation (Davco) in Calinan, Davao City.

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. Alsons Dev is the real estate

MiindaNews File Photo

“Our advocacy still continues to fight for their rights for clean air and livability of these places. Our farmers living in rural districts deserve to have rights for clean air. They

By MYRNA M. VELASCO Contributor

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are being urged to accelerate the clean-up of the list of electric consumers

entitled to the government’s “lifeline subsidy rate” to help tame the country’s rising inflation rate.

Senate Committee on Energy Vice Chairman Sherwin T. Gatchalian raised this matter with the two

BANANA/PAGE 7

T

CDO launches AI training for out-of-school youths

ABOUT 15 out-of-school youths (OSYs) of Cagayan de Oro City will undergo a six-month course on artificial intelligence (AI) that will ensure their immediate employment, Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy said on Monday.

‘There’s no school or university in Cagayan de Oro City that’s offering this course. So this is (a golden opportunity for you) and you are already given uniforms, meals and allowance so you won’t have any excuses not to attend classes. That’s why I’m telling both the scholars and their parents not to waste this opportunity,’ Mayor Klarex said in Visayan to those attending the flag-raising program in

Barangay Bayanga. The pioneer batch of beneficiaries taking up the AI course are undergoing training In a facility near one of the city’s malls, Mayor Klarex said. The facility is provided by Thor Turrecha, a Kagayanon developer hailing from Barangay Canitoan who worked in various IT companies abroad and is lending his expertise to the program that will be expanded in the upcoming City Community College project, Mayor Klarex said.

The development and use of AI, often associated with machine learning, is a fast growing field that’s projected to automate manual labor and low skill office jobs in

the country and the world in the next few years. AI use was especially pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when customer interaction was restricted online to minimize human contact.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said in 2021 that AI will become the next BPO industry that is projected to add $92 billion in revenue and employment in the country’s economy in 2030.

In his message Turrecha said the six-month AI training course offered by City Hall is a first for the country’s public schools since AI entails four years of study and covers

DENR's P500-K 'trash trap' projects in 2 CDO villages operational

By ERCEL MAANDIG Reporter

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Northern Mindanao (DENR-10) made operational the "trash trap" projects to reduce floating garbage in two barangays here on Friday.

DENR-10 Executive Director Henry Adornado identified the villages of Lapasan and Puntod as the two pilot areas for the project in the region amounting to P500,000.

An additional P100,000 of the fund was also turned over to the caretakers of the projects in the two villages, he said.

Adornado said the projects will be monitored by the DENR, while the management will be spearheaded by the barangays.

Installed in creeks and waterways, the trash traps target to reduce floating garbage in the city, leading to lesser incidents of urban flooding.

Forester Mercidita Barbarona, DENR10 assistant chief for the conservation and development division, said the trash trap is an innovation for the city through the introduction of Adornado who patterned the successful project in Quezon province.

Meanwhile, Armen Cuenca, the chief of the city environment and natural resources office (Clenro), committed to implementing the project in the city’s 80 villages with appropriate funding.

Cuenca said the city government has already allocated funds for the trash trap this year for a citywide implementation.

In the pilot villages, the Clenro office affirmed that it will buy the trash coming from the traps through its "Trash to Cash" program.

It also announced that the city government has constructed a recycling facility to densify the plastics trash. (PNA)

ERRATUM

In connection with the publication of DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, that BONIFACIO Y. BERDON published February 20, 2023, the correct name should be BONIFACIO Y. BERDON, not as published.

OUR APOLOGY

BWM Feb. 22, 2023

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

Notice hereby given that this EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS, made and executed in the City of Cagayan de Oro by and between the following: MYRNA C. MANDAC (widow), DAN JAYVEE C. MANDAC (single), all of legal age, Filipino citizens except for RAYMOND NICHOLAS C. MANDAC who is a British citizen, and residents of Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law do hereby depose and state that they are the sole and only surviving heirs of the late RENATO B. MANDAC, who died on April 14, 2021 in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City. The deceased died intestate, without will or testament, and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity. That deceased left among others a parcel of land situated in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-60266 (Tax Declaration No. G-283992) containing an area of Eight Hundred TwentyOne (821) square meters, together with residential building covered by Tax Declaration No. G-283919. The above-described parcel land is free from all liens and encumbrances, his heirs, successors or assigns hereby adjudicate including all improvements found thereon, share and share alike in the manner provided and mandated by the laws of Succession, filed by the heirs of RENATO B. MANDAC, as per Doc. No.179; Page No.35; Book No.93; Series of 2022 under the Notary Registry of ATTY. QUINTILIANITO S. BABARIN, JR.

BWM

Feb. 8, 15 & 22, 2023

PIONEER BATCH. Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy (clad in white polo shirt) poses with the pioneer batch of 15 outof-school youths that will undergo a six-month training course on artificial intelligence (AI) sponsored by City Hall./Photo sourced from Mayor Klarex Uy’s Facebook page.

Small biz can secure financing from banks via CSF coop

SMALL businesses now have greater chances to securing funding from banks once they become part of a cooperative accredited by the Credit Surety Fund (CSF).

Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) senior cooperative development specialist and head of CSF Section of CDA National Capital Region (NCR) Sergio Herrero Jr. cited the importance of CSF cooperative during the Laging Handa public briefing on Monday.

Herrero said CSF cooperative was created by virtue of Republic Act (RA) 10744 to aid micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), small cooperatives and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) secure financing through a surety cover to be provided by pooled

funds from the banks, local government units (LGUs) and large and wellmanaged cooperatives.

He said CDA is now conducting a series of events to educate LGUs and other stakeholders on how the CDA will accredit cooperatives per locality that will help small businesses in their respective areas.

Herrero said this measure will help small businesses recover from the impact of the pandemic since it will allow them to have cover for the loans that they will secure from the banks for capital.

“Ang ibig sabihin, parang kolateral ito sa bangko para mapahiram po sila kaagad ng kaagarang puhunan na kakailanganin nila. Pero kailangan muna siyang pumasa sa qualification,” he added.

Under the law, Herrero said a small business can secure up to 10 times the amount it has shared in the cooperative.

But if it is not able to secure an endorsement, the CSF will provide up to five times cover so that a bank will extend a loan to a small business, he said.

Aside from securing a sure financing, Herrero said a cooperative accredited by the CDA for the CSF will have tax exemption, which will then benefit its members.

He said there are two qualifications that cooperatives must have to become part of CSF cooperative –well capitalized and wellmanaged.

Herrero said cooperatives must have certificate of compliance.

(PNA)

BSP may continue rate hikes amid stubborn inflation

THE PHILIPPINE central bank may continue hiking interest rates to a peak of 6.5% in the first half as inflationary pressures persist, analysts said.

“At Fitch Solutions, we now think that interest rates in the Philippines will peak at 6.5%, upwardly revised from our previous forecast of 6%,” Fitch Solutions Country Risk & Industry Research said in a report on Monday.

Last week, the Monetary Board raised the key interest rate by 50 basis points (bps) to a near 16-year high of 6%. The rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were also increased to 5.5% and 6.5% respectively.

“The latest decisions were mainly driven by concerns over persistently high inflation, and we think that the BSP’s tightening cycle will continue into the first half to tame inflationary pressures,” Fitch Solutions said.

In a note, Nomura Global Markets Research

Chief ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

Economist Euben Paracuelles and analyst Rangga Cipta said they now expect the BSP to deliver two 25-bp hikes at its March and May meetings, to bring the terminal rate to 6.5%.

Nomura also pushed back the timing of BSP rate cuts to the first quarter of 2024, from fourth quarter of 2023 previously.

“This implies, in our view, that BSP will look to ensure inflation has become further entrenched within its 2-4% target, and so it will take longer to unwind some of its policy rate hikes. We therefore now

revise our policy rate forecast to 6.50% by end-2023 (from 5.50%) and to 5.50% by end2024 (from 4.50%), which implies we now expect only 100 bps of total rate cuts (from 150 bps),” Nomura said.

The BSP’s latest rate hike came after inflation quickened to a 14-year high of 8.7% in January, from 8.1% in December. It marked the 10th straight month inflation was above the BSP’s 2-4% target range.

In a separate note, MUFG Global Markets Research said it expects the BSP to hike to “at least” 6.5% in 2023 “with some chance of more rate hikes in the coming months.”

“The central bank sent out a ‘higher for longer’ message due to runaway inflation, seeing broad pressures and upside risks to upwardly adjusted forecasts,” it added.

Due to the unexpectedly high January print, the BSP revised its full-year inflation outlook to 6.1% in 2023 from 4.5% previously; and 3.1% in 2024, from 2.8% previously.

Fitch Solutions also revised its average inflation forecast to 6.5% this year, from 5.4% previously, as price pressures are taking longer to peak.

“Looking ahead, secondround effects from utilities price hikes will remain a key source of upside price pressure. Additionally, food inflation could rise even further still. The impact of food supply disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions may have yet to run its cost,” Fitch Solutions said.

“(We)

the BSP upper target celling of 4% throughout 2023.”

According to Nomura, inflation may decline in the coming months and may only average 5.6% this year, below the BSP’s 6.1% forecast.

“This is premised on our view that the same monthon-month pickup in headline inflation in January is unlikely to be exceeded or even repeated, given that this has exceeded the month-on-month increases since the start of the Russia/ Ukraine conflict,” Nomura said.

Month on month, inflation climbed to 1.7% in January from 0.3% in December. Stripping out seasonality factors, month-on-month inflation rose by 1%.

However, Nomura warned that “if inflation momentum accelerates, it could mean more sizeable rate hikes by BSP.”

Once the key rate hits 6.5% in the first half, Fitch Solutions said the BSP will likely keep interest rates on hold throughout the rest of the year due to an eventual stabilization of global monetary conditions and a shift to supporting the economy.

“An eventual stabilization of global monetary conditions will set the stage for BSP to leave rates on hold… We think that the US Fed is likely near the end of its tightening cycle… This will help reduce the need for the BSP to lean towards aggressive rate hikes to defend the peso going forward,” it said.

The think tank said the BSP will eventually shift to supporting the economy, as

FINANCING. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can secure financing from banks through the Credit Surety Fund (CSF) cooperative. CSF pools funds from cooperatives and LGUs to allow small business owners secure funding from banks. (PNA file photo)

GCash Overseas beta launch gets green light from BSP

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) has approved the use of e-wallet GCash abroad with international SIM cards, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

G-Xchange, Inc., which offers GCash and is a subsidiary of Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. (Mynt), said the approval of the beta launch of GCash Overseas will make it the first and only e-wallet in the Philippines to have this capability.

This will allow Filipinos in Japan, Australia, and Italy to sign up for GCash without the need to use a Philippine SIM card.

“Under the beta launch, only the first 1,000 users from Japan, Australia, and Italy can access GCash with an international SIM card. Once they’re fully verified, Filipinos overseas regardless of their SIM card can begin signing up for GCash and support their families back home by sending money for free (GCash-to-GCash), paying for bills on time, and instantly buying them

load credits with just a few taps on the app,” the company said.

“We continue to make a difference in Filipinos’ lives by making financial services easier and more accessible to our now 76 million-strong registered users. With around 10 million Filipinos living abroad, we want them to also be able to take advantage of GCash services even as they use international SIMs. As more people put their trust in GCash, we strive to remove more barriers and create a better experience for all,” Martha Sazon, GCash president and chief executive officer, was quoted as saying.

The beta mode launched on Thursday will run for a limited time, with the full rollout expected later this year.

GCash has been working to expand its services worldwide, through its partnership with global payments platform Alipay+.

The e-wallet can now be used to pay at select

merchants in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy, among others.

GCash ended 2022 with 76 million registered users, 5.8 million merchants and social sellers, and 855 GLife merchant partners, it said earlier this month. It has also disbursed over P57 billion in loans since its launch across two million unique borrowers.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) sees financial technology platforms helping it reach its goal to have 50% of retail transactions done online and bring 70% of Filipino adults into the banking system by the end of this year.

The share of digital payments in the total volume of retail transactions jumped to 30.3% in 2021 from 20.1% a year earlier, latest BSP data showed. The value of payments done online stood at 44.1% of 2021’s total retail transactions, higher than the 26.8% share in 2020.

now think that inflation will remain above

The BusinessWeek Mindanao is published by BusinessWeek Mindanao Corporation every Monday to Friday with office address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Company Registration No. CS201531633 with BIR Certificate of Registration No. 2RC0000831068, TIN No. 463-826-272-000 – VAT. Reg., and with Business Permit No. 2020-04015. Tel. Nos.: (088)856-3344, (088) 810-100, 0923-4320687, 0917-7121424

Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com

E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com

BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO CORPORATION Publisher

DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO

ALLAN MARIO MEDIANTE Vice President for Corporate Affairs

RUFINO T. MAGBANUA

Vice President for Business Development

NECART HALASAN Vice President for Operations

JOE FELICILDA Vice President for Administration

ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, P h D Vice President for Finance 09061854079, 09267904299

DANNYCAROSE SUDARIA-HALASAN Marketing Manager 09360462356

MIKE BAÑOS Vice President for Digital

NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

MIKE BAÑOS

Motoring Editor

CRIS DIAZ

Contributing

Editors

ATTY. ANTONIO S. SORIANO 2f, ICS Building Tel.No.: 881-0176 Tiano cor. Montalvan sts. Legal Counsel

ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI

Cell No: 09352379999

Juni Law Office Cruz Taal St., CDO Legal Counsel

CHRIS PANGANIBAN Regional Editor - Caraga

JOEL ESCOL Feature Editor

richard s. lagunda Justin Clyde Benedict D. Domingo Layout Artist

Advertising IRENE DOMINGO-BANTOL

MANILA OFFICE: 9th Floor, Unit 918, CityLand Herrera VA Rufino Cor. Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City

CECILIA FRESNIDO-HONRADE - New Marketing Manager

DAVAO BUREAU

Door 223, Doña Segunda Bldg., CM Recto Ave., Davao City

Telephone #: (082) 298-8815

NORMA PACHECO, 0919-097-9024

ILIGAN- ALONA SUDARIA, 0916-292-1931

OSCAR LEDESMA Bureau Chief, Bukidnon Contact No.: 0905-692-5925

Member:

Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Happiness: Mood or Mode? (Part 1)

Think a minute… The extremely wealthy David Geffen was asked if now that he is a billionaire is he happy?

He laughed and answered:

“Anyone who believes money makes you happy does not have money.” Rich people around the world will tell you that just having heaps of money itself cannot make you happy. In fact, it often brings you more worries, problems and stress.

It’s a fact of life: “Happiness is not in things, it’s in us.”

The realities of life are basically the same for happy and unhappy people. Truly happy people do not have a magic button to get them out of problems and pain. They just use everything that happens to make themselves and their life better, stronger and more satisfying.

“The happiest people are those who have no particular reason for being happy other than they have simply chosen to be.” They do not wait for events or other people to make them happy. Happiness is not your mood, it’s your mode of operating every day. Your way of life. Your way of thinking, loving, and giving to others. It’s your way of working, playing, laughing, and enjoying each moment of life that you are

opinion

Xavier University Creates Knowledge Society

The Jesuit-Run University Must Not Be Sold

As an alumnus of Xavier University, I am strongly opposing the sale of the university’s 6.3 hectares of the downtown main campus and the 14 hectares of the developed Manresa campus. Never shall the cultural image of the university and its legacy in creating knowledge society not only in the Philippines but in South East Asia be sacrificed to an image of commercialism. In my sorties around Asia to meet well-known leaders of the cooperative movements in different countries, they would always mention that they were graduates of SEARSOLIN and would recall their golden memories of learnings that catapulted them to become cooperative leaders, not only nationally but more so, internationally. They would even mention the highly respected founder of SEARSOLIN, Fr. William Masterson as well as other amazing professors like Dr. Anselmo Mercado and Ms. Raquel Polestico as they would recall the amazing knowledge that had somehow contributed to their becoming effective cooperative leaders. I just don’t know what to tell them now when we will meet again. Will I tell them that the University has been sold and there was an unceremonious digging up of the burial ground in Manresa where our Jesuit professors, mentors including Fr. Masterson were laid to rest? Such speaks of lack of respect to no less than the well-loved founder of SEARSOLIN.

As can be attested by the university’s hundreds of thousands of graduates not only locally but also internationally, Xavier has

created knowledge society. This should be well acknowledged in the light of the statement that globalization creates a knowledge society because of so-called technological advancement which is nothing but a myth. Without Xavier, we will not be living in a knowledge society if we don’t have the basic choices that allow us to lead a human life, a life of dignity, allow us to know the horrible “faces” of social injustice in the life of the workers, farmers, Indigenous Peoples, fisherfolk and the common “tao” in a country that declares in the Fundamental Law (Art. II. Sec 10) that, “The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.”

Indeed, through the years of building a knowledge society through education and capability-building, Xavier has been an instrument for social transformation for people, planet, prosperity and peace. Those in the margins have been drawn into the mainstream of development process through education. Indeed, the University has been an instrument of social change which has been so elusive all these years despite 14 years of Martial Law and two people-powered revolutions. The systems and structures breeding poverty, inequity and social injustices are still as formidable as ever. But the conscientization through education provided by the university has become the path towards the awakening process to somehow rectify social wrongs following the amazing life of service to the communities showcased by the XU graduates.

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

given. In computer language, what is your life’s “operating system?” How do you process and choose to respond to people and experiences that come in to your life each day?

Do you see all the possibilities and purposes for your life? Do you daily focus on the good or the bad?

To have happiness, you must have the “attitude of gratitude.”

A recent study showed that people who write down three good things in their life and why they are good, every day for just one week, are happier and healthier for 6 months to a year! Just by daily counting your blessings one-by-one.

Victor Frankl survived Auschwitz, the horrifying Nazi

The Jesuit-run university must continue on building a knowledge society through education especially during these most turbulent times when poverty continues to plague communities and families; where climate change threatens humanity, now in the precipice of its 6th extinction; conflicts are raging; and inequalities are deepening.

The Concerned Parents, Teachers, Alumni & Communities (COPTAC) chaired by Dr. Anselmo Mercado, PhD, are expressing their firm collective stand against the sale of Xavier University Campus as such will cause the destruction of the mini-forest in Manresa that will cause the extinction and to the destruction of the species’ habitat. As stated in the COPTAC Paper, “An earlier study made by visiting Jesuit scholastic from Malaysia indicated 40 species of birds identified in the Manresa area. The community of Balulang situated at the foot of Manresa ridge has expressed their objection to the proposed development in Manreasa because of the uncontrolled flooding already experienced by them during heavy rains.” Xavier University is for sustainable development. One of the most important messages of the field of sustainable development is that humanity has become a serious threat to its own future well-being and perhaps to its own survival as the result of unprecedented human-caused harm to the natural environment.

Xavier, if you are for sustainable development, then please cancel the contract of

sale with Cebu Landmasters. Please remember that Mother Earth (GAIA) is now very sick and now seriously trembling (earthquake). Don’t you know that in Turkey and Syria recently, some 42,000 people, mostly children, were killed due to earthquake?

The university has already produced hundreds of thousands of graduates who have been molded to serve the “least of our brethren” in the spirit of love and service. It is therefore imperative for Xavier to continue its noble undertaking in building a knowledge society in the spirit of “Satyagraha” (love force) in liberating the people from the quagmire of poverty, gross inequity, climate change and violent extremism. In creating a knowledge society, to quote Rabindranath Tagore’s poem, communities will loom, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world is not broken down by narrow domestic walls. In that heaven of freedom, my Father, Let my people awake!” Let us now come together to express our love to a university that has molded us to be “men and women for others!” All for God’s greater glory!

The mark of Christian perfection

“IF one strikes thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other: and if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him. And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other two.” (Mt 5,39-41)

Scary words, no doubt. They surely run counter to what we may consider as common sense. But that is what Christ told his disciples and is also telling us now and always. To top it all, he also said: “Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you.” (Mt 5,44) Oh no! We mostly likely would react.

But Christ was also quick to reassure his disciples, and us, that if we manage—with God’s grace, of course—to follow by this divine advice, we would truly be the children of God “who makes his sun to rise upon the good and bad, and rains upon the just and the unjust.”

(Mt 5,45)

And he concluded

this particular episode by telling his disciples: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,” (Mt 5,48) somehow telling us that abiding by this teaching is the mark of Christian perfection.

This is obviously a very intriguing part of our Christian faith. Not only should we love our enemies, as Christ taught us, but we also need to drown evil with an abundance of good. This was specifically articulated by St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans where he said:

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you

will heap burning coals on his head.” (Rom 12,17-20) We have to try our best to erase whatever disbelief, doubt or skepticism we can have as we consider this teaching, since most likely, our first and spontaneous reaction to it would precisely be those conditions. We can ask, even if done only interiorly, “Is Christ really serious about this? Can this thing that Christ and St. Paul are telling us, possible, doable?”

When these reactions come to us, it is time to remind ourselves that we just have to follow our faith that definitely contains a lot of mysteries and things supernatural that we are not expected to understand fully. Like Our Lady and all the saints, we should just believe and do what we are told because it is Christ who said so, and because it is the Church that teaches us so.

That’s what faith is all about. By believing first, then we can start to understand things that are hard to explain in

human terms. We should not waste time trying to understand everything at once or at the beginning. Let’s be game enough to go through some kind of adventure that, no matter how the outcome would be, we know that God is in control of everything.

In the meantime, guided by our faith, let’s begin to develop the appropriate attitudes, practices, habits and virtues. We have to learn the intricacies of charity, like being patient, magnanimous, compassionate and understanding, merciful, always friendly with everyone even if not everyone is friendly with us. We should be willing to suffer for the others and to bear their burdens.

ORLAN R. RAVANERA

KIM’S DREAM

PBBM bats for ‘innovative, sustainable’ manufacturing sector

THE Marcos administration is making the manufacturing sector innovative and sustainable in an effort to entice more foreign investors and make the Philippines a prime investment destination, a Trade official said on Saturday.

During the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Lanie Dormiendo, director for the International Investments Promotion Service of the Board of Investments (BOI), said manufacturing is one of the priority sectors that the administration intends to develop.

“We are really aggressively promoting innovative and sustainable manufacturing and services,” Dormiendo said, noting that the government is putting a premium on

“high-value” manufacturing activities such as electric vehicle (EV) assembly, battery manufacturing and mineral processing.

“We want to attract foreign investors to do a higher value activity to do mineral processing, and then attract battery manufacturers and eventually the EV assemblers and EV manufacturers,” she added.

Dormiendo said the country has “a lot of minerals” that can be processed to form part of batteries, not only for EVs but also for battery energy storage systems.

She also said the government wants to capitalize on the country’s available resources instead of exporting them to China and Japan as raw

minerals.

In terms of sustainable infrastructure and services, the Marcos administration is “actively” promoting renewable energy (RE), Dormiendo said.

She noted that late last year, the Department of Energy amended the implementing rules and regulation of Republic Act 9513, otherwise known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, to allow 100-percent foreign equity for a lot of RE sources including wind, solar and tidal.

She said the government also allows 100-percent foreign equity for geothermal and biomass, a move that encouraged more foreign and local investors to venture into RE.

“In fact, for the BOI-

approved projects last year, RE projects accounted for a huge portion of our investment approvals,” she said. “For this year, we already registered more than P400 billion worth of investments and a large chunk of these investment approvals are also into renewable energy.”

Just six weeks into 2023, the total investment projects approved by the BOI already reached P414.3 billion, a 142.9-percent increase compared to the P170.5 billion recorded in the same period last year, according to data released on Saturday.

The RE or power sector remains dominant with P398.7 billion in approvals to date, up by 138 percent from P167.9 billion registered last year.

Manufacturing is also on

Hospitality, retail to drive PH property sector in 2023

REAL estate services firm

Santos Knight Frank (SKF) is optimistic about the outlook for the Philippine property sector this year, driven by the hospitality and retail sectors.

In a virtual briefing Thursday, SKF chairman and chief executive officer Rick Santos said retails and hotels are the fastest-recovering property sectors in the country amid the easing of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) restrictions and the increased mobility.

“Brick-and-mortar retail and hotels were some of the most severely affected real estate sectors during the pandemic. Now that travel and mobility restrictions have been lifted, we are seeing the resurgence and ‘unfreezing’ not just of market activity but also

development and expansion of players in these sectors,” he said.

Santos said the hospitality property sector will continue to recover this year with the return of international flights and China’s relaxing of its Covid-19 policy.

“So we’re seeing revenge travel,” he added.

The Department of Tourism aims to lure 4.8 million international visitors this year, with Chinese tourists among the agency’s priorities.

In 2019, there were more than 1.78 million arrivals here from China. These Chinese tourists spent more than $2.3 billion in the Philippines for their vacation here.

Last year, the Philippines received over 2.65 million

School Nurses Play Vital Role in Developing Children’s Health Literacy

By CARRYL MAE T. CARBONILLA

THE role of school nurses often has the reputation of being a treater of injuries for rambunctious kids. But they have a more profound impact.

Nurses in educational settings contribute to kids’ physical, personal, and social growth. One of the most important ways this is evident is in how school nurses influence the development of students’ health literacy.

Health literacy isn’t just about understanding information on wellness matters. Instead, it is discovering information, acting on it, and advocating for oneself to improve quality of life. Therefore, it is vital to encourage these abilities in children from an early

age, as it impacts how they navigate wellness issues throughout their school years and into their life beyond the classroom.

Let’s take a closer look at school nurses and their vital role in developing children’s health literacy.

Among the key components of health literacy is the ability to gain and use information about medical and wellness matters. This allows patients, no matter their age, to make informed decisions about their lives and care. School nurses have a significant impact in helping children develop in this area by providing general health knowledge and offering the most relevant guidance to help them thrive.

tourists, still far from the preCovid tourist arrival of more than 8.26 million.

To supply accommodation to the potential international visitors this year, Santos said there will be 2,692 new hotel rooms that will be launched in Metro Manila alone between 2023 and 2024.

He said the return of the face-to-face events will also bolster the sector this year.

This can be seen in the inflation data, wherein restaurants and accommodation services sector is one of the top contributors

to inflation in January 2023, he added.

Moreover, Santos said the policy of the Marcos administration not to implement any lockdowns amid the pandemic and to continue the opening up of the economy boosted the confidence in the retail industry.

SKF senior director for occupier services Morgan McGilvray said occupancy rate of retail spaces in Metro Manila at end 2022 reached 93 percent, which is nearing the pre-pandemic level of 96

Republic of the Philippines AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO Province of Lanao Del Sur MUNICIPALITY OF MASIU

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR Date February 06, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

Petition No. CCE- 2023-01 RA 10172

In compliance with the section 5 of R.A. 10172 a notice is hereby served to the public that JUHAIRA PANDA-AG MANGONDAYA has filed with this office a petition to the clerical error in the entry of the child DAY GENDER SEX from Male TO FEMALE in the certificate of live birth of JUHAIRA PANDA-AG MANGONDAYA who was born on JULY 23 1999 and whose parents are MONALANGCAP T. PANDAAG AND MANGONDAYA P. PANGANDAMAN.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than February 27, 2023.

BWM: Feb 15 & 22, 2023

(SGD) AMRON D. MACABANGKIT Municipal Civil Registrar

the upswing with P12.3 billion in approvals, which is higher by 13,982 percent than the mere P87 million in the same time frame in 2022.

Addressing investors’ concerns

Meanwhile, Vichael Angelo

Roaring, officer-in-charge of the Department of Trade and Industry-Foreign Trade Service Corps, said the agency would act on the concerns of the investors.

President Ferdinand R.

P344-B investment leads in the pipeline: BOI

TRADE Secretary Alfredo

Pascual said Saturday the Board of Investments (BOI) has investment leads of P344 billion, which would allow the agency to hit its target before the year ends.

“So far, the agency has potential investment leads of around P344 billion that will still be processed, and more likely than never, we may have 80 to 90 percent of the target even before the middle of the year,” Pascual, who also chairs the BOI, said in a statement.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is targeting to return to the P1 trillion level in investment approvals in 2023.

From January to Feb. 9 alone, the BOI approved PP414.3 billion worth of projects, which is 142.9 percent higher than the P170.5 billion investment approvals in the same period last year.

Pascual added that some of these investment leads are offshoots of the foreign trips of President Ferdinand R.

Marcos Jr.

“The increase in investments proves that the government’s promotional visit abroad, led by no less than the President himself, are working as a growing number of investors from around the globe – from Southeast Asia, the US, Belgium, China, and most recently Japan – have shown strong interest in putting in more investments into the country,” he said.

The trade chief noted that approved investments in less than two months of 2023 surged to P163 billion, from P249 million in the same period in 2022.

“BOI-approved foreign capital for barely the first months of 2023 has already reached 56 percent of the total figure for all IPAs (investment promotion agencies) last year. So, this year looks very promising with heightened prospects and through our collective efforts, we are on course to surpass the 2022 figure way ahead of time,” Pascual said. (PNA)

DICT sticks to SIM card registration deadline

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it will not extend the deadline for the mandatory registration of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards.

“We are not yet looking at the possibility of an extension. We are still sticking with the April 26 deadline and all hands are on deck to ensure the registration of as many users as possible,” DICT Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Foreign Relations

Anna Mae Y. Lamentillo said in a media briefing on Monday.

Ella Blanca Lopez, the commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), said the agency is confident of meeting the deadline.

“We are hoping that SIM subscribers will register by April 26 though as of now only 19.71% are registered. But we still have time,” Ms. Lopez said.

or the SIM Registration Act is said to combat worsening text scams and fraud in the country.

Ms. Lopez said four months before the implementation of the law, the NTC had been receiving complaints through its hotline for text scams.

“We reviewed the complaints that we received and there are 51,874 complaints or roughly 1,500 per day,” she said.

She said since the start of the SIM card registration, the complaints were down to 8,700.

Meanwhile, Ms. Lopez said that the NTC is now addressing the concerns over the slow progress in the registration of SIM cards.

“Yes, we have received the letter from Infrawatch,” Ms. Lopez said, referring to the public policy think-tank. “We are internally discussing how to address the matter.”

person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than 15 days. (SGD) JOCELYN

Data from the DICT show that there are about 168.98 million subscribers nationwide. The SIM card registration process started on Dec. 27, 2022 Republic Act No. 11934

In a letter to the NTC dated Feb. 7, Infrawatch PH expressed concern over the slow pace of registration, warning that if the current pace continues, the number of registered subscribers would only be at around 69.52% of the total subscribers.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO FEATURE

CREDIBLE RELIABLE IN-DEPTH

Editor: GILBERT Y. CHAO

PLN and Mitsubishi Power Host Seminar Discussing Power Plant Solutions for Indonesia’s Energy Transition

Singapore, February 21, 2023 – PT. PLN (Persero) subsidiaries

PT. PLN Indonesia Power (PLN IP) and PT. PLN Nusantara Power (PLN NP), and Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), jointly kicked off the O&M (Operations and Maintenance) Collaboration Seminar in Jakarta today. Set to take place from 21 to 22 February 2023, the annual seminar aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and discussions on stateof-the-art gas turbine and decarbonization technologies that support Indonesia’s energy transition.

Themed the “New Role of Thermal Power Plants in Energy Transition”, the seminar features panel discussions and presentations about the latest developments in power generation technologies that can play a part in decarbonizing Indonesia’s energy sector, such as CO2 capture, ammonia and hydrogen cofiring, as well as power plant equipment improvements.

The Seminar, now in its 15th year, was first initiated in 2009 by Mitsubishi Power to facilitate knowledge sharing and understand local customer needs. Over 150 officials, technicians and engineers from PLN IP, PLN NP,

Mitsubishi Power as well as guests from Indonesia’s Institut Teknologi Bandung attended the seminar this year.

In his opening speech, Edwin Nugraha Putra, President Director, PT. PLN Indonesia Power, said: “PLN Indonesia Power is pleased to be the host of this year’s O&M Collaboration Seminar. We believe that the theme ‘New Role of Thermal Power Plants in Energy Transition’ is very relevant to the current global effort to create a better environment. We hope that the discussion during this two-day seminar can support PT. PLN (Persero) as a group to achieve our mission, which is to become a leading electricity company in Southeast Asia and the Number One Customers’ Choice for Energy Solutions.”

Ruly Firmansyah, President Director PT PLN Nusantara Power, added: “PLN NP is one of the largest subholding power generation companies in Southeast Asia committed to developing innovation to accelerate decarbonization and realistic energy transition in Indonesia. Experienced in cofiring, PLN NP has 22 power plants that successfully work with cofiring, and we hope to work together with other companies to support decarbonization.”

Ken Kawai, Advisory Fellow and former Head

of Energy Transition and Power Headquarters, MHI, said: “The power sector is one of the most essential industries for realizing Net Zero targets globally, and the decarbonization of thermal power generation is a necessary consideration for a realistic energy transition in Indonesia, Japan and other countries in the world. We are pleased to support partnerships between the Indonesian and Japanese governments that work to improve our environment.

We are excited to deepen our collaboration with PLN Indonesia Power and PLN Nusantara Power to create a more sustainable energy future.”

Kazuki Ishikura, President Director of PT. Mitsubishi Power Indonesia and Senior Vice President of Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific, said: “As the most populous country in Southeast Asia, the impact of Indonesia’s sustainable growth and energy transition is exceptionally important

to the region. We should explore various paths to decarbonization, such as enhancing existing power plants and leveraging fuels of the future, like hydrogen and ammonia. This Seminar allows for much needed knowledge sharing, so that we can partner, learn and implement solutions that support today’s energy needs and ensure sustainability for the future.”

PLN NP, PLN IP and Mitsubishi Power are committed to helping

Indonesia meet its net zero climate goals through collaborative partnerships that leverage the individual strengths of each organization. In an MoU signed recently between Mitsubishi Power and PLN IP, both companies agreed to jointly explore adapting less carbon intensive fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen and biomass in power plants owned by PLN IP. Additionally, PLN NP engaged Mitsubishi Power to upgrade the third POWER/PAGE 7

(From left to right) Mr. Kazuki Ishikura (Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific), Mr. Ken Kawai (MHI), Mr. Edwin Nugraha Putra (PLN IP), Mr. Iwan Utama (PT. PLN (Persero)), Mr. Rachmad Handoko (PLN IP) and Dr. Firman Bagja Juangsa (Institut Teknologi Bandung) at the O&M Collaboration Seminar

WED-THU

Banana...

from page 1

summer in Japan under the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA).

Angara-Mathay said Philippine bananas are losing market share in Japan to bananas from Ecuador and Peru, as bananas from these countries have zero tariff in Japan.

"At one point, we are at the high 90s (percent) share of our bananas. Right now, I think we're on the 70s. The landed cost coming from Ecuador is high but we are losing share, and this is something we need to look into," she said partly in Filipino.

DTI Assistant Secretary Glenn Peñaranda added that the market share of the Philippines for all imported bananas to Japan was at 76 percent or about 844 million tons.

"We want to maintain this number or at least increase it with our policy shift," Peñaranda said.

Both trade officials said amending the tariffs for tropical fruits can be done through the general review of PJEPA.

"You know we have a dominant position. To say, I think our bananas really taste better. And then, our proximity to Japan. It gives us an advantage," Peñaranda said. (PNA)

Pineapple...

from page 1

are affected by nearby agricultural plantations,” he said.

The study found presence of other chemicals such as diazinon, malathion and chlorpyrifos, and traces of parathion, a banned pesticide in the Philippines.

These were detected in both dust and urine samples.

Manalo said higher concentrations of those chemicals were found in the samples taken from residents within the 20- to 30-meter radius compared with samples taken from individuals residing within the 500-meter and one-kilometer radius.

He noted the scope of their study was limited only to the immediate environs of the pineapple plantation operated by the Davao Agricultural Ventures Corporation (DAVCO) and other nearby pineapple farms owned by growers supplying their produce to Sumifru Philippines Corporation.

MindaNews tried but failed to get comments from those companies as of press time.

Manalo said the toxins from agricultural monocrop plantations pose health risks not only to the farmers but also to their families, particularly children.

He stressed that environmental advocates are alarmed by the result of the study considering that these monocrop plantations, particularly export pineapples, are situated close to the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed, the city’s next source of drinking water.

Dr. Won Kim, Wonjin Institute director for research, said the contaminants might have been drifted by wind from the plantations to the households.

“Maybe, the farmers are directly exposed to pesticides but their children or spouses are not involved in the spraying. But the level of pesticides in their urine, we confirmed, is high,” he said.

He said the source could either be indoor environmental contamination from agricultural pesticides or consumption of contaminated food.

Won noted that exposure to chlorpyrifos, for instance, can cause headache, diarrhea and Parkinson’s disease.

He said the chemical could also impair cognitive functions among children.

He said four non-government organizations in Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines have been tapped to participate in the study.

Through the study, the group processed 700 samples and detected 125 pesticides, 66 of which are classified as “highly hazardous” that could cause diseases, including cancer.

with the support of the Korea Financial Industry Foundation, a press statement said.

It said the IDIS is one of the participating organizations in the campaign and collected urine and dust samples from agricultural communities in the vicinity of the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed.

Medical...

from page 1

Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), would go to Davao or Cebu just to dispose of their waste.

The councilor wants to address the concern as he also received a report that there are hospitals that throw their waste in the sanitary landfill in Barangay Pagalungan in this city.

This act was a clear violation of city ordinance 13715-2019 that deals with the proper handling, storage, collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes.

Services that would help the medical establishments were emphasized during the special report of Abaday as they are paying taxes and contributing revenues to this city.

Engr. Armen Cuenca, CLENRO head, said the disposal of hazardous wastes, under the law, is the primary responsibility of the medical establishments and the city government just provides assistance.

In 2019, the city government started the foundation of the hazardous waste facility in the sanitary landfill in Barangay Pagalungan and it was finished in late 2020.

The facility has yet to obtain the necessary permit from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENRRegion 10 to operate, but the CLENRO asked for an exemption due to the problems encountered in the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) here.

Cuenca said the facility only accepts hazardous waste from NMMC – a government hospital that is under the management of the Department of Health (DOH).

“We cannot cater to other hospitals except NMMC. Even the city hospital (city governmentowned JR Borja General Hospital). We requested if we could include the city hospital but they did not allow us,” Cuenca said in the vernacular.

The city government is currently waiting to finish the wastewater treatment facilities that are under the supervision of the City Engineer’s Office being built in the sanitary landfill in Barangay Pagalungan.

The facility is the only lacking requirement before the city government can obtain the permit from EMB-DENR 10.

Cuenca said once they get the permit and the hazardous waste facility is ready, they can start accepting waste from all hospitals in Cagayan de Oro.

There was no timeline provided by the City Engineer’s Office to CLENRO on when the wastewater treatment facilities will be finished but the CLENRO is continuously doing follow ups.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), electricity was among the commodities which precipitated the record-high inflation rate of 8.7 percent in January this year.

According to ERC Chairperson Monalisa C. Dimalanta, the regulatory body has been working group with its counterpart agency on this, and “we are waiting for the list of 4Ps from DSWD because that will be our starting point.”

Under Republic Act 11552 or the Extended Lifeline Subsidy Act, the list of beneficiaries shall be based on the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the government.

The 4P list is under the tutelage of the DWSD, while the PSA has been updating “poverty threshold” on a per province and per district level across local governments.

The validation of qualified customer-beneficiaries shall also be done with the help of the servicing distribution utilities (DUs), such as that of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and other private DUs as well as electric cooperatives.

Apart from condominium occupants, the other group of end-users that must be purged from the current list are those residing in posh villages and gated communities.

The law stretching the lifeline rate subsidy until 2050 specifically stipulated that “in order to provide assistance to electricity consumers, especially those living below the poverty line, and to achieve a more equitable distribution of the lifeline subsidy, a socialized pricing mechanism called a ‘lifeline rate’ for qualified marginalized endusers shall be set by the ERC.”

The determination of the subsidy rates to be extended to the qualified marginalized end-users had been vested as an authority to be exercised by the ERC, being the regulator of the restructured power industry.

As provided in the law, “the level of consumption, subsidy and rate shall be determined by the ERC after due notice and hearing.”

On establishing the database of Filipino consumers that may be eligible to avail of the extended lifeline rate discounts, the law decreed that the ERC “shall primarily use data from the PSA in the determination of the level of consumption.”

In the initial implementation of lifeline rate subsidy under Section 73 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), the tariff discounts ranged from 25 to 75-percent depending on the magnitude of power usage of the marginalized end-user or poor household customer, and the consumption range considered is zero to 100 kilowatt-hours.

Youths...

from page 2

expensive equipment.

provide jobs for our Kagay-anons,’ Raagas said. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)

BPS...

from page 3

sees gross domestic product (GDP) growing by 5.9% this year, slower than the 7.6% in 2022.

Fitch Solutions’ 5.9% Philippine GDP projection is slightly below the government’s 6-7% full-year target.

Meanwhile, Nomura sees the Philippine economy growing by 5.5% in 2023, before expanding by 6.3% in 2024.

“We believe GDP growth is likely to moderate, given export growth is slowing amid the global downturn, while domestic demand is also looking less resilient than last year, in our view, given price pressures remain high, which ultimately hurts household purchasing power and therefore consumer spending,” Nomura said.

Mood...

from page 4

death camp where his pregnant wife was murdered. He said: “Nazis can take everything from me, including my life. But they can never take away my choice to be happy.”

Won’t you make that lifechanging choice to be a happy person today and every day of your life? Ask the Giver of life and happiness to take charge of your heart and way of living? Only God the Son can guarantee your lasting satisfaction and peace that no one can take away from you. Just think a minute…

PBBM...

The study was conducted

Abaday’s special report was referred to his committee on environment as well as to the committee on health chaired by Councilor Maria Lourdes Gaane for the possible conduct of committee meetings together with the owners of the medical establishments in this city for further discussions. agencies “because this is one way to help cushion the inflationary impact triggered by rising electricity rates.”

“Our commitment is to see to it that these youths will be immediately hired. There’s no point in training them if they cannot secure immediate employment. This is just the start because by June we will train an additional 50 and by next year when the City College is completed we can train hundreds more not only on AI but 3D design. We will diversify into other technology-related careers,” Turrecha said in Visayan to the crowd in attendance.

Job generation for Kagayanons and building an investmentfriendly climate are among the cornerstones of the Klarex administration’s RISE development agenda.

from page 1

The lawmaker specified that in the current list of lifeliners or those who are entitled to cost subsidy on consumption below 100-kilowatt hours (kWhs), “there are still a lot of condominium residents, so the list has to be cleaned up.”

Based on the report of the

Speaking in behalf of Mayor Klarex during Monday morning’s flag-raising program, City Administrator Roy Hilario Raagas said a BPO company called Qualcomm signified its intention to set up shop in the city by June.

“Qualcomm has offices in the cities of Cebu and Dumaguete. They visited City Hall because they saw the city’s economic potential and the wide market in this part of the country. They also saw the substantial number of graduates that they can employ which is why we’re working to attract more investors like them to

remains a top destination for ITBPM investments.

“We expect more leasing activity this year as a result of greater outsourcing requirements from developed economies, the availability of quality office space and companies adjusting their work setups. While we will continue to see some downsizing of footprints for Philippine headquarter companies, we still expect to see an overall net positive take up in 2023 driven mainly by the BPO sector,” he added. (PNA)

Power...

from page 6

Globe...

from page 8

assisted registration in 30 strategically selected branches and provided assisted registration during the Sinulog festival in Cebu and the Dinagyang festival in Iloilo.

Bukidnon, Bud’z Café has also made an advocacy of promoting local products from Bukidnon like the cow’s milk we use in our coffee and frappes, and local fruits such as strawberry from Dahilayan, pineapple from Montegelo, mint and herbs from Aloma’s, with more to come in cooperation with the Manolo Fortich Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” he added. Besides its new branch at the 5th Floor of SM CDO Downtown Premier, Bud’z Café is also looking to inaugurate its bigger main store with a larger parking space at Villa Violeta, Bgy. Damilag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon by the end of February. block of the Muara Karang Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Power Plant, delivering the most efficient power plant in Indonesia to minimize emissions while meeting the rapidly growing energy demand in West Java. The project was conferred Gold for “Gas Engine Combined Cycle Power Project of the Year” at the Asian Power Awards 2022.

For more information and latest updates on the O&M Collaboration Seminar, follow Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific’s LinkedIn page.

Budz...

from page 8

enterprise became a convergence of the three partners’ interests: Edward’s passion for coffee, Sarah Jane’s affection for mocktails, and Emman’s zeal for breads and baking.

Thus their initial menu featured traditional and contemporary coffee variants, mocktails by Sarah Jane and croissants and pizza by Emman.

Globe is committed to make SIM registration simple and convenient, and it has implemented various measures to ensure that everyone can meet the April 26 deadline. Aside from the registration booths, Globe Prepaid and TM customers can also conveniently register via the GlobeOne app or by visiting new. globe.com.ph/simreg.

For Globe Postpaid and Platinum customers, meanwhile, completing SIM registration takes just one step. As soon as the customer receives the call to register SMS, simply text SIMREG to 8080 to confirm that details earlier submitted to Globe during the postpaid plan application are updated.

The SIM Registration Act requires the registration of all SIMs as a major measure against the proliferation of criminal activity, including smishing and other mobile phone and online scams that have spread due to the anonymity of unregistered SIMs.

Marcos Jr. previously gave an instruction to carry out an “all-of-government” approach in addressing the challenges besetting the business sector.

“Malinaw po ang instruction ng Presidente. He wants an allof-government approach in addressing the 'pain points,’ ‘yung ano ba ‘yung challenges ng mga namumuhunan sa Pilipinas,” Roaring said.

The government aims to make the Philippines more attractive as a source of investments and as a trading partner in the region, according to Roaring.

In his recent trip to Japan, Marcos assured foreign investors of “continued and smooth” operations in the Philippines. (PNA)

from page 5 Drive...

from page 5

percent.

A total of 4.5 million square meters (sqm) of retail areas were occupied in 2022, he said.

Meanwhile, McGilvray said the outlook for the office property sector remains rosy this year, with information technology and business process management (ITBPM) industry driving demand in office space.

He said the high inflation in the United States and other parts of the world is a “welcome development” for the Philippine IT-BPM industry, as US firms are looking into cost-cutting strategies, which will involve putting up back offices outside the US.

McGilvray said the Philippines

“We didn’t expect the enthusiastic response to our products during the BanogBanog Festival but it encouraged us to spread our wings further and diversify our menu,” Edward noted.

Thus, they are now focused on promoting their single origin Typica Arabica variety, which was first introduced to the lowlands of Benguet Province by the Spaniards as early as 1875.

Typica coffee is a global icon amongst existing coffee varieties and gave rise to many sub-varieties like Pacamara, Criollo, Arabigo, Kona, and the famous Jamaica Blue Mountain. Originating in the coffee forests of southwestern Ethiopia before spreading to Yemen, India, and beyond, it has come to spawn one of the most culturally and genetically important groups of arabica coffee in the world.

Typica is a particularly tough type to cultivate due to its high susceptibility to pests and diseases, thus Typica beans are usually marketed as a premium coffee for a more expensive price. Despite this, Typica remains an immensely popular variety among coffee growers thanks to its clean, complex, and generally high-quality cup profile.

The Typica variety being championed by Bud’z Café is generically branded as Bukidnon Coffee and grows at 1,400-1,700 meters above sea level (MASL) in the foothills of Mt. Kitanglad, usually processed by hand and sun-dried on raised beds.

“Our customers love its clean and fruit taste which has made it an easy favorite for coffee lovers, and we are currently polishing the process for a DIY (Do-ItYourself) pour-over version to make it more customer-friendly and educational,” Edward said.

“Besides promoting singleorigin Typica Arabica from

Globe urges all Filipino mobile users to register their SIMs and support the campaign to beat spam and scam text messages and cybercrime. For more information on the SIM registration process and how to register, visit https:// www.globe.com.ph/help/simregistration-act.html.

ERRATUM

In connection with the publication of DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, that late Bienvenido Pagligaran published February 1, 8 & 15, 2023, the correct name should be VERONICA PAUG VDA. DE PAGLIGARAN, not as published.

OURAPOLOGY

BWM Feb. 22, 2023

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS

Notice is hereby given that the late RODRIGO NERI BERNALES who died on May 1, 1983 at Cagayan de Oro City; That the above-stated deceased died intestate, without leaving any Last Will or Testament and without leaving any debts or accounts whatsoever; That the deceased left parcel of land which is more particularly described as follows: Transfer Certificate of Title No.T-33929 Lot No.: 737-A-2-B, Psd-10-002268 Location: Poblacion, Cagayan de Oro City Area: One Hundred Forty-Five (145) sq.m. is the subject of EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS. We, JOCELYN BERNALES VALENCIA, EDGARDO NERI BERNALES, EVANGELINE BERNALES LOZADA and ACE LAWRENCE BERNALES VIBARES, all of legal age, Filipino, Single/Married, and a resident of Cagayan de Oro City do hereby declare as follows: That the above-named parties are the legitimate and the compulsory heirs of the deceased RODRIGO NERI BERNALES. As per Doc No.169; Page No. 34; Book No. 2; Series of 2023. Under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JASPER P. ALON.

Wed-Thu | February 22-23, 2023

Bud’z Café brings Bukidnon Pride to SM CDO Downtown Premier

By Tito Mike

An innovative café is bringing the best of Bukidnon’s produce to Cagayan de Oro with the recent blessing of its first outlet at the 5th floor of SM CDO Downtown Premier.

“When we joined the 2nd Banog-Banog Festival of Manolo Fortich we found that most of the people who were flocking to our stall and telling us how they liked our coffee, pizza and mocktails were from Cagayan de Oro so this gave us an idea to open a branch in Cagayan de Oro to better serve them from there,” said Edward E. Asok, who together with his wife Sarah Jane, and brother Emman form the driving force behind

Bud’z Café.

The 2nd Banog Aerial, Arts, Music & Food Festival so named because it is Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon’s premier festival that pays homage to the Philippine Eagle was held on April 29-May 1, 2022 at the Provincial Economic Zone (formerly BRCI).

Bud’z Café, originally named after the couple’s youngest daughter, first opened in October 2020 at PCH1 Entrance in Barangay Damilag but will soon open in a much better and larger location to better serve its growing clientele.

Originally conceived at the height of the global pandemic when business for their digital marketing company slackened,

Be part of history and join Globe's National SIM Registration Week

Over 500 Assistance Desks rolling out nationwide, GlobeOne app now open for prepaid SIM registration

Globe, the Philippines’ leader in mobile, on Monday launched the first ever National SIM Registration Week (NSRW), rolling out assistance desks in over 500 locations across the country from February 20, 2023 onwards to make it easier for customers to

register their SIM cards.

Globe Consumer Mobile Business Head

Darius Delgado and Channel Management Group Head Cleo Santos spearheaded the launch together with National Telecommunications Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez, Department

of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo, and Makati Mayor Abigail Binay at a Globe facility in Makati City.

The initiative is part of Globe’s goal to reach out to customers, especially senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, users of basic phones and those with no internet access to get them compliant with the SIM Registration Act before the April 26, 2023 deadline.

"The National SIM Registration Week is a momentous initiative that will bring together Filipinos across the country to register their SIMs and move us closer to our goal of reducing spam and scam text messages, which is the intent of the SIM Registration Act. It's a historic moment for Globe as we endeavor to get closer

to our customers through online channels and on-site booths. We encourage our customers to be part of this activity. Together let’s keep the online space safe and secure," said Delgado.

Customers who complete SIM registration during National SIM Registration Week and those who register online are entitled to join an exclusive Globe raffle and win tickets to the highlyanticipated annual outdoor music and arts festival Wanderland and the Arctic Monkeys concert in March. The promo, open to all successful SIM registrants, is open until February 28, 2023.

In partnership with the Makati City local government unit, Globe is also offering Makatizens assisted registration services at the Makati City Hall open parking area from February 20 to 24,

2023.

Globe is undertaking multiple initiatives to reach its customers for SIM registration. With roughly 86.7 million SIMs under its network and only three months left to register, the Globe Group has tapped its affiliates, subsidiaries, and the full support of the

#OneAyalaGroup to drive registrations.

Since January, Globe has deployed assisted registration hubs across 90 remote areas in support of government-led SIM registration assistance. It also partnered with Puregold in holding

Bong Quiblat, Kag. Suzette Magtajas Daba, Edward Asok and his mom, & Lovelle See, SM CDO Downtown Premier Mall Manager cut the ribbon during Bud’z Cafe’s blessing February 18.