BusinessWeek Mindanao (November 11-12, 2022)

P335.81-M budget

OK’d for BARMM

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of P335.81 million as Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) share in taxes.

Pangandaman said on Thursday, Nov. 10, said that BARMM gets P335.81 million share from the taxes and other fees collected within the autonomous region.

“The release of funds means more development projects to be implemented for the people and government of BARMM. This is important in their exercise of their right to self-governance,” Pangandaman said in a statement.

Undeground cable

DAVAO City –The Davao Light and Power Co. Inc. (DLPC) is now targeting another major thoroughfare in the city to be wire-free through its underground cabling system. This came after the near completion of the electrical works for underground cabling activities on San Pedro Street, where civil works on the first part of the R. Magsaysay area are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2023. “After that, the electrical works will commence and are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2024,” Leo Remulta, the DLPC project head, said in a statement Monday.

Climate change, digital gap woes

tTHE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must find immediate solutions to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and address the digital divide among Southeast Asian youth, Sultan Kudarat Governor Pax Ali Mangudadatu said Thursday.

Mangudadatu made the call, when he was introduced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the ASEAN Leaders' interface with representatives of youth leaders from the region.

In a speech delivered at the Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Mangudadatu cited the devastating effects of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng which struck the Philippines in October.

NorMin posts higher inflation rate in Oct.

THE inflation rate in Northern Mindanao Region stands at 7.2 percent, the regional Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-10) office reported Thursday. In a media forum, Apple Sweet Cempron, PSA-10 statistical analyst, said the rate was based on their latest computation as of last month. The recent inflation rate is higher than the September rate which was recorded at 7.0 percent, she said.

In October last year, the region only posted a 3.8 percent inflation rate. Cempron said the increase in the inflation rate means that the purchasing power of a peso in 2018 is now reduced to 0.85

Cacao Congress set in Davao City

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV MindaNews

DAVAO City – The National Cacao Congress 2022 will be staged at the SMX Convention Center Davao from November 24 to 25, highlighting the growing chocolate industry of the Philippines.

Dante Muyco, co-chair of the National Cacao Congress, told Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday that the event seeks to strengthen the position of the country, particularly Davao as the national cacao capital, in the global chocolate map.

He added that the event would be a good venue to discuss with the industry’s

DAVAO City — Former Sarangani Governor Miguel

OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADERS & ENTREPRENUERS. Awardees to this year’s Mindanao Business Leaders & Entrepreneur Awards together with BusinessWeek Mindanao and Mindanao Daily publisher/CEO Mr. Dante M. Sudaria (left) and wife Dr. Rose Mary D. Sudaria, Ph.D, and members of the Board of Jurors following the awarding rites held Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Ayala Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.

Photo by Gerry L. Gorit

LUMAD MUSICIANS. Lumad musicians perform using ethnic and modern instruments during the Aldaw ta Kitanglad celebration in Brgy. Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on Tuesday (Nov. 8. The event serves to highlight the importance of Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park to conservation. MindaNews

photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

DAR turns over P2.6-M processing plant to Camiguin farmers

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned over a P2.6-million processing plant in one of the agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) in Camiguin province. In a statement Wednesday, DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III said the new facility is expected to increase the

productivity output and income of abaca fiber farmers under the Nagpakabana Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NMPC). “We want to add value to the raw materials of the farmers by processing them to other products in addition to the traditional ones, thus increasing farmers’ production and incomes,”

Estrella said. Amihilda Sangcopan, DAR Undersecretary for Mindanao Affairs, said the abaca fiber, originally used for making ropes and twine, has evolved its usefulness as it now comes with a variety of by-products, including the production of handicrafts. The processing facility is under DAR’s

Production of cost-efficient feeds for fish culture pushed

BUTUAN City – The Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources -13

signed an agreement for the production of cultured bangus and tilapia fish varieties using locally formulated feeds. In an interview Wednesday,

DA-13 information office chief Emmylou Presilda said the undertaking coursed through the Philippine Rural

Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (ConVerge) and funded by

the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). DAR – Northern Mindanao Director Zoraida

Macadindang said ConVerge was implemented in 2015 as a poverty-alleviation

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Kagawaran ng Pananahanang Pantao at Pagpapaunlad ng kalunsuran Regional office 10

2/F Gateway Tower 2, Limketkai Center, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City

NOTICE OF FILING OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that Dr. Greco B. Gregorio has filed with this Office a sworn registration statement for the sale of memorial plots within Forest Lane Memorial Park with 193 Family Garden lots; 352 Family Estates Lots; and 5,058 Lawn Lots located at Brgy. Bayabason, Maramag, Bukidnon specifically identified/describe in Psd-10-085198 ; and covered by land title No. AT-4308 ; that the registration statement and all papers attached thereto are available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon and upon proper application and upon payment of the proper fee.

Any person with valid objection to the registration of the project may file his objection in writing with the Deparment of Human Settlements and Urban Development Region 10, 2/F Gateway Tower 2, Limketkai Center, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, contact no. 09663000195 not later than two (2) weeks form the last date of publication.

Cagayan de Oro City this __19__ day of October 2022.

(SGD) DR. ARIEL B. ABRAGAN Regional Director

ADDENDUM TO THE EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF ATTY. ROMEO B. SANCHEZ

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late ATTY. ROMEO B. SANCHEZ , who died on October 12, 2020 in Butuan City, during his lifetime he left some properties with TCT NO. 157-2022003112 , located in Brgy. Babag, Butuan City, containing an area of 29,942 sqm., TCT No. 157-2021003565 , located in Brgy. Bading, Butuan City, containing an area of 1,500 sqm., T.D No. 20-050002-00837, located in Brgy. Babag, Butuan City, containing an area of 23, 113 sqm., as well as his conjugal share, consisting of one half (1/2) portion of the following property under the name of his wife, Marie Emilie Sanchez, which is more particularly described as follows: T.D. No. 20-05-0002-0089 , located in Brgy. Babag, Butuan City, containing an area of 27,245 sqm., and has been the subject of ADDENDUM TO THE EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF ATTY. ROMEO B. SANCHEZ, filed by the heirs of ATTY. ROMEO B. SANCHEZ, per DOC#103; PAGE#23; BOOK#709; Series of 2022 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JESUS MARIA JAMES L. BRINGAS.

BWM: NOV 11, 18 & 25, 2022

finance

Fitch Solutions eyes growth in PH household spending in 2023

New fiscal measures vs. rise in debt needed: economist

NEW fiscal reform measures are needed to help address the rise in government liabilities, the recent of which are mostly due to pandemic-related financing, an economist said.

On Thursday, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) reported the rise in the national government’s outstanding debt to recordhigh PHP13.517 trillion as of September 2022.

In a report, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort attributed the jump in government debt partly to the issuance of around P118 billion worth of United States dollar-denominated bonds and the impact of weakening of the local currency against the greenback.

Ricafort said with the rise in government debt since 2020 due mainly to the pandemic, the current government “may still need to further intensify tax revenue collections based on existing tax laws, come up with new taxes/tax reform measures, increase tax rates, among others, to further boost structural sources of government revenues.”

He said new taxes such as those for digital transactions “are based on principles of fairness.”

“New taxes and higher tax rates need to be fair, equitable, and progressive, especially targeted to those that can afford them or those from the higher income brackets or at least

prevent adding burden to the poor, most vulnerable sectors, and/or those hit hard by the pandemic,” he added.

Aside from new measures that are targeted to increase government revenues, Ricafort said the administration also needs to “adopt more disciplined spending through fiscal reform measures such as right-sizing the government, anti-corruption/anti-leakage/ anti-wastage measures” to help lessen the government’s budget gap and address its liabilities.

He said the intensified tax collections from existing tax laws may not be enough and would inevitably require new tax/fiscal reform measures to curb additional borrowings by the government.

“Thus, tax reform and other fiscal reform measures, alongside faster economic growth, for the coming months/ years would help ease the national government’s debt-toGDP (gross domestic product) ratio to below the international threshold of 60 percent in the coming years and would help maintain/support the country’s relatively favorable credit ratings of 1-3 notched above the minimum investment grade rating,” he said.

The share of the government’s debt to total output of the country is around 62.1 percent as of end-June this year, already lower after hitting a 17-year high of 63.5 percent in the previous quarter. (PNA)

Parent's Role in Promoting Reading Habits among Children

Lorelyn E. Borja Master Teacher I

The number of "frustrated" readers is not only the concern of the government but also of the parents as the problem starts at home.

"Frustrated" readers refer to learners who can read words but do not have the desire and the ability to comprehend.

Basically the problem starts at home.The frustration on the reading of the learners is linked to their use of gadgets.

Citing multiple studies from Harvard medical school, children aged one to two years old exposed to gadgets have low reading capacity.

The brain (of children) who use gadgets are conditioned to moving pictures, especially from zero to two years of age. The moment they open a book, it will be increasingly harder to teach children how to read.

Parents should be the ones to protect the children up to seven years old as their optimal stage for learning.

The parents can help their children refrain from gadget use, although some of the parents complain that their children would not behave without the aid of these electronic gadgets.

I cannot emphasize how big a problem this is and this is the problem that can also be solved not only by teachers but by parents.

The data is meant to aid the frustrated readers, parent and teachers should come up with a common goal to implement interventions that will surely help listen the frustration level of readers.

Parents no matter how busy should find time for their children to read in order to be efficient and skilled readers. Consistent reading develops the skills among the children.

Parents play an effective role in inculcating reading habits among their children because they are the first and main strength to boost and stimulate learning.

HOUSEHOLD spending in the Philippines is expected to get a boost from the projected rise in real income in 2023, a report by Fitch Solutions Country Risk & Industry Research said.

In a report dated Nov. 8, a copy of which was sent to journalists on Wednesday, Fitch Solutions said it reduced its 2022 growth forecast for real household spending in the Philippines from 7.6 percent year-on-year to 5.5 percent.

However, it projects that

household incomes will outperform inflation next year.

“(This) will ensure real income growth and greater potential for consumer spending,” it added.

The report said consumer spending in the country remains positive, partly because some workers have regained their jobs following a hit when the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020.

It expects the unemployment rate to remain low at around

7 percent of the labor force in 2023 from the peak of 14.5 percent in 2020 when lockdowns were imposed because of the pandemic.

“We expect the level of unemployment to remain low, averaging around 7 percent of the labor workforce over the period 2023-2026,” it said.

Fitch Solutions projects the unemployment rate in the country to be around 8 percent for this year and 6.7 percent both in 2023 and in

2024.

Philippine Statistics Authority data show that the unemployment rate in September 2022 declined further to 5 percent from month-ago’s 5.3 percent and 8.9 percent in the same month last year.

Although employment is expected to improve in the coming months, which will fuel consumer spending, the

BSP looking to tighten measures vs terrorist, proliferation financing

THE Central Bank is looking to amend provisions on targeted financial sanctions (TFS) in an effort to enhance measures addressing terrorist financing (TF) and proliferation financing (PF).

The proposed circular of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) would amend part nine of the Manual of Regulations for Banks and for Non-Bank Financial Institutions.

“TFS implementation related to terrorism, TF, proliferation, and PF is rulebased as full application of the TFS is required,” the BSP said in the proposed guidelines.

“It requires both asset freezing and prohibitions to prevent funds or other assets from being made available, directly, or indirectly, for the benefit of designated persons. The full implementation of TFS requirements include, among others, detecting and preventing the non-

implementation, potential breach, or evasion of TFS,” it added.

Under the proposed rules, financial institutions are required to freeze without delay any property or funds related to terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

This includes blocking assets owned or controlled by a designated person from being transacted, converted, concealed, moved, or disposed.

Banks would be required to adopt risk-based measures to reinforce and complement the rule-based full implementation of the TFS requirements without delay.

Financial institutions are also expected to properly adopt and maintain the sanctions database.

“Covered persons shall adopt mechanisms to ensure that the sanctions database is accurate, complete and up-

Marxism and Capitalism its balance in Education

Jesien N. Dadios Instructional Manager Alternative Learning System Naawan District

The function of Marxism in the society is to balance if possible Capitalism in the society, it aims to eliminate the social classes in the society. Marxism makes gender equality as a practice in the society. Marxist feminism is important in the society because it will make people understand the causes of women’s oppression in the society. Marxist feminism makes women valued in the society and participate in political, economic and socio activities in the society.

As a woman and as a member of the society, I am for moderate Marxism and capitalism. I put my preference in the middle because there could be balance between Marxism and capitalism. Marxism values fairness while capitalism values individual performance equitable to the effort of a person or group of persons. I want to stay in the middle of this two social theories which affect education, so there will be balance. It is impossible to fully implement

Marxism because it will deprive those who worked hard than those who are not motivated.

According to experience, some students work hard in the classroom to obtain high ratings and demonstrate their skills, while some of their peers want to have equal opportunities because they want to support one another in achieving the same or comparable grades. Marxism advocates for a society free of social classes, but this is not always possible because some pupils will depend on the labor of others. It will not encourage other students to perform better just to maintain equity between economic groups, it is still fair to go in the middle.

Marxism, which aims to eradicate social classes in the classroom, can also be seen as achieving gender equality for women and men, ending gender stereotypes, gender classification, and gender preferences in both society and the classroom.

to-date. All new designations shall be included in the sanctions database and screened against existing customer base without delay to adhere with the freezing and reporting requirements under applicable laws and regulations,” the central bank said.

The BSP said banks have the option to include in their sanctions database other persons or groups that have been designated by other jurisdictions including Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury and the European Union.

As part of the customer due diligence process, banks should also conduct sanctions screening procedures for customers and their transactions.

“The screening should be conducted upon (i) establishment of relationship or opening of an account, or at the latest prior to the first

transaction, regardless of the customer risk profile, (ii) periodically over the course of the relationship, especially whenever new designations or updates are issued, and (iii) whenever there are updates to the client’s information,” the BSP said.

This is also to determine potential target matches in accordance with the procedures of the AntiMoney Laundering Council (AMLC).

“For name match, covered persons should have hierarchy of actions and references to disambiguate or resolve name match,” the BSP said.

“This includes inquiring or requesting additional information and identification documents from the customer or other reliable parties/relevant government agencies, such as the AMLC, to verify whether the name match is a potential target match or target match,” it said.

Reflecting on the Learning Recovery and Continuity Plans (LRCP)

Jessica C. Hornejas, HT l Taguanao Integrated School, Misamis Occidental

After the 2-year pandemic, schools worldwide are challenged with the learning losses brought about by COVID-19. Now that the system is back to normal, specifically in-person classes, the issue is how to recover from the learning loss.

Regional Office X has approved reducing the number of minutes allotted per learning area to provide time for remediation in reading, writing, and least mastered skills in all learning areas.

As a school head, it is a tough job to design the class program and ensure that all interventions will achieve the desired outcome. Moreover, the four focuses which should be given the utmost attention as directed by DepEd are learning remediation and intervention, professional development,

health, safety, and wellness.

While the school designs learning interventions for all learners to be able to read and master a competency, teachers must also be trained to deliver appropriate instructions to diverse learners. This falls under professional development for the teachers to cope with the demands of the time in school to recover the learning losses.

In addition, the learning environment must be ensured to be a safe place for learners through observing healthy protocols. Teachers and learners are vaccinated to support health and wellness as much as possible.

The school must have been doing some small steps for our LRCP, but it is assumed that the small steps will lead us to significant results. (jch)

Think a minute… Winston Churchill was 65-years-old when he first became England’s Prime Minister. It was May of 1940 and England’s military was not prepared for war. So when Hitler’s massive German army began attacking the British Isles, almost all of the military experts expected Germany to quickly and easily conquer England.

But these experts could not imagine that in only seven months, Winston Churchill would help change the history of both England and the entire Western World. During those months, when the families of Great Britain gathered in their homes to listen to their leader over the radio, their feelings of fear and hopelessness were replaced with great confidence and courage. Why? Churchill knew just how to inspire the English people to believe in themselves and in their just cause of defending freedom by stopping the spread of evil tyranny. In fact, defeating Germany’s powerful army became “England’s finest hour.”

It has been said: “People who feel good about themselves do their best.” Whether it is at work on the job or at home with their family. So if you want people to change, you must help them believe in themselves so they will want to change and become their best. But when we criticize or shame our children, our wife or husband, or people we work with, we only hurt them and tear down their

self-confidence. So why should we expect them to be better when we have made them feel and believe they cannot do it?

We all do our best when we feel good about ourselves. A successful businessman says: “Instead of catching people doing something wrong to criticize and punish them, try to catch people doing something right and praise them for it. Then they will want to keep doing that right thing and always do their best.”

This is why Jesus teaches us to love others as ourselves. Make others feel good about themselves the way you want to feel good about yourself. Won’t you ask God the Son to forgive you for the wrong ways you have lived and treated others? Then ask Him to start changing your heart, so you can become your best, and help bring out the best in others. Just think a minute…

LGUs and 'One Town, One Product' strategy opinion

GLIMPSES & GAZES

the promotion of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.

Mrs. Arroyo, an economist who has been vice president, senator, Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary, and DTI undersecretary before succeeding President Joseph Estrada in Malacañang, implemented the program in 2004 to improve the country's economy after the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis.

E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

extended rest days to spend with their families.

2007 as Republic Act 9492.

SEVERINO C. SAMONTE

There is a bright prospect that after 18 years, an economic-boosting program launched through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) by the administration of then President Gloria MacapagalArroyo (2001-2010) to provide much-needed stimulus to the economic growth of towns, cities, provinces and regions of the country is on the way to being institutionalized by the present 19th Congress.

This can be gleaned from recent developments in both the Senate and the House of Representatives with regard to the "One Town, One Product" (OTOP) Philippines strategy which was conceived to be a vital cog in

I happened to be the executive editor of the Presidential News Desk (PND) in Malacañang when the OTOP program was begun by the PGMA administration in 2004. It came on the heels of another program designed to boost domestic tourism in the different regions of the country. We were instructed by then Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye to give the implementation of the program maximum coverage.

Earlier, PGMA put in place through an executive order another flagship strategy called "Holiday Economics" under which the observance of certain holidays in the country's calendar were moved to other dates, either in the same or the following week, to provide Filipino workers with

For instance, in the event that a holiday falls on a Wednesday, its observance is moved to Monday of that week to give workers three straight holidays from Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Another way is to move the holiday to Friday, thus giving the people the opportunity to enjoy three days off from Friday until Sunday. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it will be observed on the following Monday.

In any case, the Office of the President has to issue an official proclamation on the resetting of such holidays.

The primary reason for the holiday economics is that the extra holidays would be spent by well-off families in other places away from home, giving the residents of the places they visit an opportunity to have a bigger share of the amount the visitors spend.

The strategy was hailed by local government officials for spotlighting the tourist attractions of their localities, prompting the 13th Congress under Senate President Manuel B. Villar Jr. and House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia Jr. to institutionalize it on July 24,

Roused to Anger?

Anger. A day rarely goes by without us feeling angry. It is not necessary to cite examples. Sometimes, it's just a minor reason like we hate the fly at the wall. Sometimes anger has important reasons.

Anger seems to become the main part of our daily life. That's why it is really important to talk (again?) about this phenomenon. As I said, anger is one of the most basic emotions. Everyone can really get angry. If someone told you, he won't get angry, better don't believe him.

Anger is a terrible feeling of being against something or someone. It can be my neighbor, because he is still (!) burning poisonous plastic and rubber garbage. Many of us get angry observing some politicians during those days worldwide.

Anger is a hostile emotion that sets people against one and another, or even against themselves. By its nature, anger involves opposition, hostility, hatred and dislike. Anger, however, is simpler to define than to identify. Emotions of antagonism can take a wider variety of faces. Expressions of anger range from the overt, in-your-face brand of open hostility to the cold indifference of a silent individual.

Anger at the workplace is becoming very common nowadays.

One of my good friends works as a stewardess. Imagine yourself 35,000 feet up, pushing a trolley down a narrow aisle surrounded by restless passengers. A toddler is blocking your path, his parents not immediately visible. A passenger is irritated that he can no longer pay cash for an in-flight meal, another is demanding to be allowed past to use the toilet. And your job is to meet all of their needs with the same show of friendly willingness. For a cabin crew member, this is when emotional labor kicks in at work.

A term first coined by sociologist Arlie Hochschild, it’s the work we do to regulate our emotions to create “a publicly visible facial and bodily display within the workplace”.

At times, anger can be felt

like an inner fire. It hits you in the gut. You see red and feel hot and maybe sweaty. Your stomach gives you problems, our blood pressure rises, and breathing rate increases. Not only neighbors or politicians are the reason for anger. The silent withdrawal and lack of understanding and innumerable shortcomings of a partner or in the family are often an indication that one is angrily punishing the other for not doing things his or her way.

Back to the workplace: unhelpful attitudes such as ‘I’m not good enough’ may lead to thinking patterns in the workplace such as ‘No-one else is working as hard as I seem to be’ or ‘I must do a perfect job’, and can initiate and maintain high levels of workplace anxiety.

When research into emotional labor first began, it focused on the service industry with the underlying presumption that the more client or customer interaction you had, the more emotional labor was needed.

However, more recently psychologists have expanded their focus to other professions and found burnout can relate more closely to how employees manage their emotions during interactions, rather than the volume of interactions themselves. Perhaps just only today you turned to a colleague to convey interest in what they said, or had to work hard not to rise to criticism. It may have been that biting your lip rather than expressing feeling hurt was particularly demanding of your inner resource.

But in some cases maintaining the façade can become too much, and the toll is cumulative.

In another friend's last position, the “customer was king”. She was working in a shopping mall. Many times, she got a tirade of abuse from several customers. “When I explained what happened to my senior, I was told I must have said or done something to warrant this response… I was then told I should go and apologize.” Yes, that's how it is!

As I stated earlier: Minor things could become the start of anger. Over the years, handling

the stress caused by suppressing one's emotions became much harder. Small things seemed huge, we easily dreaded going to work and anxiety escalated.

Across the globe, employees in many professions are expected to embrace a work culture that requires the outward display of particular emotions – these can include ambition, aggression and a hunger for success.

The way we handle emotional labor can be categorized in two ways – surface acting and deep acting.

A few years ago, the New York Times wrote a “lengthy piece about the “Amazon Way”, describing very specific and exacting behaviour the retail company required of its employees and the effects, both positive and negative, that this had on some of them. While some appeared to thrive in the environment, others struggled with constant pressure to show the correct corporate face.

“How we cope with high levels of emotional labour likely has its origins in childhood experience, which shapes the attitudes we develop about ourselves, others and the world,” says clinical and occupational psychologist Lucy Leonard.

“Unhelpful attitudes such as ‘I’m not good enough’ may lead to thinking patterns in the workplace such as ‘No-one else is working as hard as I seem to be’ or ‘I must do a perfect job”, and can initiate and maintain high levels of workplace anxiety,” says Leonard.

Workers are often expected to provide good service to people expressing anger or anxiety –and may have to do this while feeling frustrated, worried or offended themselves.

Take the example of a particularly tough phone call. If you are surface acting you respond to the caller by altering your outward expression, saying the appropriate things, listening while keeping your actual feelings entirely intact. With deep acting you make a deliberate effort to change your real feelings to tap in to what the person is saying – you may not agree with the manner of it

However, after PGMA left Malacañang on June 30, 2010, President Benigno S. Aquino III modified the law, saying, "There are important holidays whose celebration should not be moved to other dates so the people would not forget their significance."

Meanwhile, the DTI has continued implementing the OTOP strategy even after PGMA's term on June 30, 2010 and she has since been replaced by Presidents Aquino (2010-2016), Rodrigo R., Duterte (2016-2022) and now Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (20222028).

There have been significant developments in the present 19th Congress and the previous one with regard to the institutionalization of the OTOP program.

In the Senate, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go recently filed a bill seeking to make the DTI's “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) program an official part of the country's economic system, saying that it will help boost recovery and promote innovation among micro, small and medium enterprises.

The senator stressed that it

STRATEGY/PAGE 7

but appreciate the aim.

Both could be thought of as just being polite but the latter approach – trying to emotionally connect with another person’s point of view – is associated with a lower risk of burnout. Good thing: many offices over the last decade have created recreational or rest spaces in a bid to mitigate employee stress.

When things get tough, you might be very lucky talking to colleagues to unload. “It’s the saying it out loud that allows me to test and validate my own reaction. I can then go back to the person concerned,” one of my former officemates in Germany explained many years ago.

Those who report regularly having to display emotions at work that conflict with their own feelings are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion

Remaining true to your feelings appears to be key –numerous studies show those who report regularly having to display emotions at work that conflict with their own feelings are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion.

Of course, everybody needs to be professional at work and handling difficult clients and colleagues is often just part of the job. But what’s clear is that putting yourself in their shoes and trying to understand their position is ultimately of greater benefit to your own well-being than voicing sentiments that, deep down, you don’t believe.

Where it is possible, workers should be truly empathetic, be aware of the impact the interaction is having on them and try to communicate in an authentic way. Easy to say, yes, I know. But let's give it a try!

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Gov't vows to sustain gains in labor market

THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) welcomed the improvements in the country's labor market, as the unemployment rate settled at 5 percent in September, the lowest since the onset of the pandemic.

"The recent survey results show the gains of the full reopening of our economy. The government will leverage on this momentum by strengthening policy interventions and investing in innovation and technology systems geared toward generating higher quality

employment that provides adequate income for Filipino workers and their families," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement Tuesday.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the unemployment rate in September 2022 fell from 5.3 percent in August.

PSA Undersecretary Dennis Mapa also noted that the September 2022 unemployment rate is the lowest since the number of jobless Filipinos peaked at 17.6 percent in April 2020, the height of the pandemic.

Amid the challenges brought by a faster inflation rate, Balisacan said the government is prioritizing interventions that would ensure food security, as well as targeted subsidies, such as fuel and crops, "to help protect the purchasing power of Filipinos and reduce the incidence of invisible underemployment among low-income households."

The NEDA chief likewise emphasized the need to continue emergency employment programs and other forms of aid to immediately assist those

who were badly affected by calamities.

"As we are expecting La Niña and near to abovenormal rainfall conditions in the coming months, we need to boost our disaster resilience and climate adaptation measures," he said.

Balisacan added that the timely passage of the 2023 national budget would allow the administration to be on track in implementing its programs next year, especially the job-generating LABOR/PAGE 7

Jollibee earns P2B, terminates Dunkin’ Donuts deal in China

JOLLIBEE Foods Corp. (JFC) recorded P2.14 billion in attributable net income for the third quarter, up by 36.3% from P1.57 billion a year ago, after booking record sales, revenues, and operating income.

In a press release on Wednesday, the company said three-month systemwide sales, which come from company-owned or franchised stores, rose by 51.3% to P77.75 billion from P51.39 billion a year ago.

JFC’s local system-wide sales grew by 54.2%, while its international business rose by 47.5%.

Global same-store sales were up by 30.9%, while expansions and the acquisition of Milksha

contributed 13.8%.

Local same-store sales grew by 48.5%, which the company attributed to an increase in customer visits versus last year.

International same-store sales rose by 8.5% led by SuperFoods, which surged by 177.1%, and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which grew by 16%.

JFC registered higher same-store growth in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and North America, while recording a 4.6% decline in China.

“All regions registered double-digit sales growth driven by strong same-store sales and store network growth,” JFC President and Chief Executive Officer

Gangs in schools

By GILJUN T. PENULIAR Principal I

Gangs, unchecked and unidentified in a school setting, often engage in threat and intimidation; physical and cyber bullying; fighting; recruiting; and criminal activities such as the introduction and use of weapons, assault, sex trafficking, vandalism, and illegal drug sales.

Gang affiliation is not something that students leave behind when they come to school.

Gang members do not leave their behaviors, attitudes, and conflicts outside the school environment. Gangs, unchecked and unidentified in a school setting, often engage in threat and intimidation; physical and cyber bullying; fighting; recruiting; and criminal activities such as the introduction and use of weapons, assault, sex trafficking, vandalism, and illegal drug sales. The absence of a well-developed, strategic, collaborative, and effective school safety plan can lead to violence and other unsafe and disruptive activities within a school setting.

It is not solely the responsibility of schools to create

and maintain a safe learning environment, free from the disruption gangs can cause, for students, faculty, and staff. To develop a comprehensive plan that identifies effective, evidencebased strategies to address gang issues in the school environment requires the involvement of law enforcement, school administrators and staff, and other key sectors of the community.

The best strategies are proactive rather than simply reactive. An effective response begins with the coordination of prevention, intervention, and suppression efforts guided by appropriate information sharing protocols.

This establishes shared responsibility for tackling gangrelated problems in schools.

Gang prevention is based on early identification of occurrences and trends within the school and community and the provision of evidence-based services and activities designed to discourage a youth’s decision to join a gang.

Ernesto Tanmantiong said.

“We continue to see a strengthening of our sales globally and are confident that we can deliver according to our full-year outlook,” he added.

In another disclosure, JFC announced that its subsidiary terminated its master franchise agreement (MFA) for Dunkin’ Donuts which covers mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

It said the parties to the agreement — Jollibee Worldwide Pte, Ltd., Jasmine Asset Holdingss, Ltd., Golden Cup Pte. Ltd., and Dunkin’ Donuts Franchising LLC — disclosed that the operations of Beijing Golden Cup Corp. of seven Dunkin’ restaurants were terminated.

On Jan. 5, 2015, Golden

Cup and Dunkin’ Donuts entered the MFA.

“JFC will focus on building its business in China through its larger businesses there,” the company said.

At present, JFC has 486 stores in China: 418 Yonghe King stores, 55 Hong Zhuang Yuan stores, and 13 Tim Ho Wan stores.

The company’s Jollibee brand is also present in Hong Kong and Macau, with 21 and three stores, respectively.

Meanwhile, Dunkin’ plans to “continue expanding its footprint across China and the broader region through franchising.”

JFC, which claims to be one of Asia’s largest restaurant companies, has 6,351 stores worldwide: 3,238 in the Philippines and 3,113 internationally.

Puregold income rises 13% to P6.5B

LISTED retail firm Puregold Price Club, Inc. recorded a 13% increase in consolidated net income to P6.5 billion for the three quarters to September as customer traffic boosted business activities.

In its disclosure to the stock exchange on Wednesday, the company said its thirdquarter net income jumped 30% versus last year. It did not give comparative quarterly figures.

Puregold said its performance “[highlighted] a dramatic recovery catalyzed by the easing of mobility restrictions and the return of business and consumer confidence after years of grappling with COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).”

For the nine-month period, revenues rose by 11% to P127.6 billion as total traffic in the company’s stores grew by 12% INCOME/PAGE 7

JOB OPENINGS!

POWERCHINA B7 PHILIPPINESCORPORATION

Purok

5

persons– COMMISSIONING SUPERVISOR

-Must know how to speak Mandarin -Commissioning plan draw up.

-Commissioning method statement submissions and corrections. -Commissioning work allocate and site commission arrangement.

-Commissioning equipment inspection and material preparation.

5 persons– GENERAL MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

-Must know how to speak Mandarin

-Supervise the equipment coming to site

-Check and maintain the equipments.

-Make a daily report regarding equipment monitoring.

-Make a checklist on when the equipment needs to test base on Philippine Code.

5 persons– BOILER SUPERVISOR

Must know how to speak Mandarin

-Must know how to interpret Chinese technical drawings

-Ensure safety by monitoring safety equipment, identifying potential issues and taking appropriate steps to suspend operations and repair the problem -Supervise team of assistant operators and mechanics by delegating repair, maintenance and monitoring tasks, scheduling jobs, providing appropriate instruction and giving constructive feedback on performance.

Management Method: its importance in Education

Jesien N. Dadios

Instructional Manager Alternative Learning System Naawan District

Family resource management helps each member grow and develop. It involves resource generation, use, and decisionmaking. House wife or head of household produces, consumes, and coordinates family resources. This management method maximizes family members' health, happiness, and societal usefulness. The manager or homemaker coordinates social, cultural, economic, and technological aspects to improve the family's existence and progress.

Political, social, economic, technological, and other changes are happening in the country, and families must live with an unbalanced economy and social life. Human wants and aspirations change as R&D progresses and new technologies arise. This process improves man's awareness and control

of natural and technological contexts. Families must constantly make decisions to meet modern needs. Thus, family management emerges. Management combines simple philosophy and techniques. Understanding the complexity and method of any home activity is crucial. Let's discuss family budgeting. Budgeting permits one to plan out important expenses in advance. Uncertainty about the budget's philosophical basis makes it impractical and problematic. Unconsciously or purposely, a family's spending reflects its life philosophy. If a family prioritizes day-to-day living in light of shifting trends, it may spend more on day-to-day living rather than saving for the future. Philosophical families may be ready to forego certain current desires to save for the future. These households may not

need cash for immediate needs. Families must communicate their philosophy to channel crucial resources toward productive aims. To successfully use resources, you must grasp their values. Philosophy and values drive managerial approaches.

Management is important at home, in public or private institutions, and in business. All members of the unit must work together to achieve the organization's goal. Management is needed in any organization where members must work together to attain a goal. Every institution, including the family, needs management. Each family manages resources to achieve goals. Some families use resources better than others, meaning they understand management better.

All families everywhere need to grasp and use the art and science of management.

per Doc#039; PAGE #009; BOOK# I; Series of 2022 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. RHINO V. PEREZ

BWM: NOV 11, 18 & 25, 2022

Kagay-an Festival 1st Oro Lechoneros Encuentro Champion for Orders, Contact Yoyong:

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Editor: GILBERT Y. CHAO

Pinoy-made mobile lab to detect ASF, Avian flu now in Bukidnon

MARAMAG, Bukidnon, (PIA)—A

Pinoy-made Mobile Laboratory Unit (MLU) to detect ASF, Avian, and other zoonotic flu viruses is now in Bukidnon as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) program officially launched and turned over the MLU to Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Maramag, Bukidnon, October 28.

The MLU is equipped with state-of-the-art animal health diagnostic technologies designed and created by a local veterinary research and diagnostics company known as BioAssets Corporation.

"The mobile biocontainment laboratory, the first of its kind

in the country, will initially serve hog and poultry breeders in Bukidnon, and the MLU can serve an estimated 5-10 farms per day that require diagnostic tests for livestock," said Dr. Homer D. Pantua, President and Co-founder of BioAssets Corp. and project leader of the Building Research and Innovation Development Goals for Engineering SUCs (BRIDGES).

Pantua, who also heads the Balik Scientist and BIST projects, explained that the test is equivalent to pooling and testing 150-250 samples in one location; thus, the establishment of the said mobile laboratory will support rapid response to potential outbreaks

Pag-IBIG Calamity Loanready for members affected by Typhoon Paeng

Top executives of Pag-IBIG Fund announced on Friday (04 November) that the agency has allocated P5 billion in calamity loan funds to help members affected by Typhoon Paeng.

“We are ready to help our members affected by Typhoon Paeng with our Calamity Loan program. We have initially identified a total of 344,000 affected members in Regions IV-A (CALABARZON), V (Bicol Region), VI (Western Visayas), the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other areas where a state of a calamity has been declared by the local government unit, who are eligible to borrow under the program. That is why we have set aside P5 billion in calamity loan funds to help them recover from the damages

caused by the typhoon. This is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to provide Filipinos in affected areas with immediate relief and all the necessary assistance,” said Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and Chairperson of the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees.

Under the Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan, eligible members may borrow up to 80% of their total Pag-IBIG Savings, which consist of their monthly contributions, the counterpart employer’s contributions, and accumulated dividends earned. And in consideration of the plight of the members, the loan is offered at a rate of 5.95%

per annum which is the lowest rate in the market. The loan is payable over a

period of up to three years, with a grace period of three months so that initial payment is due only on the fourth month after the loan is released. Qualified borrowers may apply for the calamity loan within 90 days from the date when an area has been declared under a state of calamity.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief

Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta, meanwhile, stated that the agency has already released P2.03 billion in calamity loans to help 149,773 members in calamity-hit areas as of September this year. She also added that PagIBIG branches are now in coordination with local government units who have declared a state of calamity in their respective areas for the deployment of the agency’s mobile branch, the Lingkod Pag-IBIG On-Wheels, to receive applications for calamity loans from members as well as insurance claims from current PagIBIG Housing Loan borrowers whose properties have been damaged due to the typhoon.

“When calamities strike, we at Pag-IBIG understand that our members in affected areas need immediate financial

assistance. For this reason, we make sure that all our services and benefits remain accessible to our members. Even while our offices and personnel in calamity-hit areas have also been affected by the typhoon, our branches remain open and are ready to receive loan applications and housing loan insurance claims. We have also deployed our Lingkod Pag-IBIG on Wheels to initially

go around typhoon-stricken areas in Cavite, Aklan, Capiz, Cotabato and Maguindanao to further bring our services closer to our members who are most in need. And, for members who have internet access, the Virtual Pag-IBIG is ready to accept their calamity loan applications online. During these trying times, our members can count on Lingkod Pag-IBIG,” said Acosta. (END)

MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY

Regional Office X 2/F SEJOLIM Bldg., Gemilina St., Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. No. (088) 856-9105 / Telefax No. (088) 856-8410 / Email: mro10@marina.gov.ph

Notice

The

Parties opposed to the grant of the petition may file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date of hearing, furnishing a copy of the same to the Petitioner.

The Petitioner is directed to file a Formal Offer of Exhibits (FOE) within five (5) days after the hearing.

WITNESS, the Administrator, ATTY. HERNANI N. FABIA , this 10th day of November 2022 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

By Authority of the MARINA Administrator (Pursuant to A.O. No. 20-21 dated 19 August 2021)

(SGD) ENGR. CECILIO T. ENRIQUEZ Officer-In-Charge (S.O. No. 176 dated 04 Nov. 2022)

A Pinoy-made Mobile Laboratory Unit (MLU) to detect African Swine Fever (ASF) and Avian Influenza is now in Bukidnon. The BioAssets Corporation launches and turns over the MLU to Central Mindanao University in Maramag, Bukidnon—in collaboration with the DOST—under the department's S4C-BIST Program. (BGE/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

ALBERT E. GUTIB Regional Directo

Rate... from page 1

cents as of October this year. "The Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the region in October 2022 is P118.2, or you may need P118.20 to purchase the same set of goods and services worth P100 in 2018," she said. CPI is an indicator of the change in the average retail prices of a fixed basket of goods and services commonly purchased by households relative to a base year, which PSA-10 referred to in the year 2018. Janeth Aves, PSA-10 officer-in-charge, said the inflation rates - in simple terms - are indicators of how fast the prices of basic commodities change in the national and regional economy. "Most of the factors in the increase of the inflation rate are the increase of food commodity prices," she said. (PNA)

Cacao... from page 1

domestic and foreign development partners on how the local stakeholders, particularly farmers, can further improve the industry.

Muyco said that plant nutrition expert Bruce Pearse, of Soil Mates based in West Australia, would discuss “Regenerative Agriculture: Concepts and Best Practices, and its Implication to Cacao Production” with emphasis on the measures that can be taken to bring nutrition back to the soil.

The congress is organized by the Philippine Cacao Industry Association, Inc. (PCIA) in partnership with Philippine Cacao Industry Council, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Interior and Local Government.

In a briefer released by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Davao, the country envisions having a globally competitive and sustainable Philippine cacao and chocolate industry “built on a strong Philippine Brand of quality cacao.”

It also targets to produce 50,000 metric tons of quality fermented beans by 2026 to meet the demand of the export and domestic markets.

Out of the 15,000 metric tons of annual cacao production in the Philippines, Muyco said the region’s share accounts for at least 12,000 MT.

Charita Puentespina, founder of Puentespina Farms and Malagos Chocolates who is also a trustee of PCIA, added that around 1,800 stakeholders from all over the Philippines will be joining the congress where successful chocolate processors and their products will be showcased.

“We hope that being the host, we should go and see what we really have and what the industry has done to help our processors and our young farmers who have done very well in cacao growing and chocolate making,” she said.

She added that there will be discussions on the best practices, including the problem of climate change.

Puentespina added that they noticed a change of fruiting pattern of their cacao trees while the strong rains in the city could potentially affect the yield at their farms in Davao.

Delia Ayano, assistant regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Davao, said the theme of this year’s congress is “Cacao is Gold,” which suggests “profitable” opportunities for those who are engaged in the business of cacao growing and processing.

She said that among the objectives of the congress include ascertaining the global and local supply and market conditions of cacao, assessing cacao suitability in different geographic locations, and coming up with upscaling strategies on the ways forward to address cacao industry and suitability and sustainability.

Under Republic Act 11547 of 2021, the entire Davao Region has been declared as the cacao capital and Davao City as the chocolate capital of the country.

The law recognizes the “importance of cacao as a driver of rural development not only because of its singular potential as a raw material that can increase the country’s export earnings tremendously, and put the name of the country in the map for producing the finest chocolate beans, but for having provided livelihood to many small farmers in the countryside.”

Farmers... from page 2

program for farmers who are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the region. “They (national government and the IFAD) gave us until December 2022 for the completion (of the projects); it was extended because of the (Covid-19) pandemic,” she said in a separate statement. Macadindang said the program is funded by IFAD for PHP2.3 billion, which also includes the ARBs in Regions 9 and 11. The DAR also turned over farm machines worth P995,000 to the NMPC and to the Bonbon Sagay Upland Farmers Association (BSUFA) consisting of four mobile spindle machines, 15 abaca stripping knives, two decorticating machines, and two soil augers for the processing of abaca fiber. The farm machines are provided under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project. The program aims to boost farmers’ household income by modernizing their farming by providing new equipment. Meanwhile, both NMPC and BSUFA also signed a marketing agreement with DAR and Camiguin General Hospital (CGH), which will allow the two ARBOs to supply agricultural products for the food requirements of patients in the hospital. Estrella said the program is being implemented under DAR’s Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP), a government-led initiative aimed at mitigating hunger, providing food security, and reducing poverty in the country NMPC chairperson Monico Lagubis said the agreement will generate additional income for the cooperative and its members. Lolito Yamba, the BSUFA chairperson, also said CGH is assured of quality farm produce with their association as its suppliers. (PNA)

Income... from page 5

driven by increased mobility and the recovery of consumer confidence.

The company also posted positive same-store sales growth (SSSG) across its businesses.

Puregold had a 2.4% SSSG, while S&R Warehouse Clubs had a 9.5% SSSG.

Gross profit for the period grew by 11.5% to P24 billion while operating expenses increased by

7.9% to P15.9 billion.

Year to date, the company added 15 new Puregold stores, bringing the group’s total network to 513 stores nationwide.

To date, Puregold has 443 Puregold stores, 22 S&R membership shopping warehouses, and 48 S&R New York Style quick service restaurants.

upgrade the skills of workers.

“Skills training and skills upgrading thru Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are strategies and interventions that we do to help address underemployment,” said Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma in a message to reporters.

Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship of the 18th Congress was adopted in the bill, he said.

While the DTI will serve as the lead agency of the program, an OTOP Management Committee will be created to be designated by the DTI secretary which shall have the main responsibility of directing the implementation of the proposed law.

workers and familes,” stated VillaReal, adding: “ Congratulations, in behalf of my boss Bobby de Ocampo, chairman of Veterans Bank, it is an honor and privilege to highlight the success of this annual event.”

The Regional Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Mr. Ruben Vegafria who is himself an honoree of the event, was requested to deliver a keynote speech.

Development Project (PRDP) will assist fisherfolk groups in the region, particularly on the high cost of feeds for fish culture production. On Tuesday, DA-13 Director Ricardo Oñate Jr. and BFAR-13 Director Nilo Selim Katada led the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the initiative.

“There is a need to tap the local resources available in the region to produce cost-efficient feeds for fish culture projects and ventures in the region,” Presilda said. Under the agreement, production of cost-efficient formulations of feeds from raw materials available in the region will be mass-produced and made available to the different fisherfolk groups who are into fish culture ventures. “The technology in the production of the cost-efficient formulation of feeds will also be transferred to the local fisherfolk groups,” Presilda said. Among the identified raw materials available in the region include soybean, rice bran, duckweed and fish meal. The project will specifically cover the nine-month cycle of fish culture production from fry nursing until fingerlings and post-fingerlings up to growout production. The project will be funded by the PRDP while the BFAR-13 will serve as its implementing agency. The project will be implemented by December this year at the BFAR13 Masao Technology Outreach Station in Butuan City. (PNA)

Fish... from page 2 Eyes... from page 3

The labor chief's remarks came after the PSA also reported that the country's underemployment rate stands at 15.4 percent or equivalent to 7.33 million Filipinos, higher than August's 14.7 percent.

"Effective job facilitation and accurate and reliable labor market information are part of DOLE initiatives that can likewise be of help," he added. (PNA)

The Department of Tourism, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Ports Authority, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board, and other similar agencies are also tasked to support the construction and allocation of spaces for the establishment of OTOP Philippines hubs.

In the House of Representatives, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) has reported that House Bill 9350 seeking to institutionalize the "One Town, One Product" (OTOP) Philippines program to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development has hurdled final reading approval.

and improve disease surveillance, allowing farmers and veterinarians to craft mitigation strategies, preventive and control measures as needed.

Bukidnon province has the highest production of 137.28 thousand metric tons of live weight in 2021, according to statistics. In its 22 municipalities, there are currently 16,007 backyard hog raisers and 71 commercial hog raisers. A total of 251 poultry farms were also recorded to be operating in the province in December 2021.

“With a significant number of hog and poultry raisers in Bukidnon, the first-ever MLU must be made available in the area to support disease diagnostics,” Pantua said.

In his speech, CMU President Dr. Jesus Antonio Derije lauded the BioAssets Corporation and DOST for working together to support the university's College of Veterinary Medicine in fulfilling its commitment to bring innovative tools to resource-limited areas.

"It mandates the DTI to provide a package of assistance for MSMEs to help them develop innovative and more complex products with significant improvement in the areas of quality, product development, design, packaging, compliance with standards, marketability, production capability, and brand development," PNA reporter Filane Cervantes wrote, quoting Magsasaka Party-list Rep. Argel Joseph Cabatbat, the author of the bill.

Cabatbat noted that since its implementation in 2004, the OTOP program has proven its ability to aid and develop the MSMEs capability to generate jobs, increase domestic sales and exports, and equip the business skills of entrepreneurs while showcasing Filipino culture, tradition and creativity.

“ It is a rare privilege and honor and a humbling experience to give my message to this event tonight. I find it rewarding because I was once invited as member of the board of judges of this project 12 years ago. With tonight’s MDN 9th MBLEA, I am happy that the same trust and confidence to Mr. Sudaria is in place. Thank you for your tenacity and true grit in pursuing the industry even when reports indicated that 1,800 news papers have closed down during the pandemic, and yet MDN is here to stay “My friends Media is important in the industries. Magpasalamat kita sa media for what they have done. Quoting an MDN column, he added: It is only in sharing that what you have will reap a very good fruit. Running their business amid health crisis MDN group will always stay. In behalf of PCCI, the largest business organization today, we are thankful for events like this. Leadership thru collaboration is how to feel and recognize achievements like what MDN is doing today,” Vagafria concluded.

The awardees who received the Outstanding Leader plaque/ citation in various categories were : Anakciano, Inc. (for Agriculture and Agro Industry),represented by Aisa Zulita; and Kenram Palmoil represented by Jessie Mongcal; For the Hotel & Restaurant category: Seda Hotel CDO, represented by Ms. Carol Valdez; Waterfront Insular Hotel of Davao City, represented by Ali Banting, Julius Vinuya and Paolo Rosello;

For the LGU Govt Business Enterprise category: BUGEMCO (Bukidnon Govt Employees Cooperative, represented by Richel Okit, CPA chairman; Ramygen Padua, and Kerwin Vortudazo.

report expects inflation to remain elevated and hamper people’s spending capacity.

Fitch Solutions forecasts inflation to average at 5.6 percent this year, above the government’s 2-4 percent target band.

As of end-October this year, the rate of price increases in the country averaged at 5.4 percent.

The October 2022 print rose to its highest since December 2018 at 7.7 percent from month-ago’s 6.9 percent due to acceleration of food prices, among others. (PNA)

Detect... from page 6 Labor... from page 5

infrastructure projects. He added that the new economic blueprint would help the country create highquality jobs for Filipinos in the near and medium term.

"With the Philippine Development Plan 20232028 nearing its completion, we aim to strategize for a more efficient labor market by improving the quality of education, providing opportunities for life-long learning, skills development, and options to obtain microcredentials, enhancing job facilitation programs, and strengthening linkages among industry, business, and training institutions," Balisacan said.

More skills training initiatives

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the government continues to provide trainings and other initiatives that will help

“The partnership between CMU and BioAssets Corporation, as well as the establishment of the mobile lab under the Science for Change (S4C) program are essential components in the development of a national disease surveillance program led by Dr. Homer Pantua. Such program will benefit both farmers and the general public by establishing preventive and control measures for potential zoonotic diseases.

Meanwhile, DOST-Bukidnon Provincial Director Ritchie Mae L. Guno said that the department’s S4C-BIST Program provides financial assistance to Filipino private companies for the acquisition of strategic and relevant technologies to conduct research and development studies. The funds, which may be used to purchase high-tech equipment or to secure technology licensing and/ or patent rights, will be refunded to DOST with no interest. (DOSTBukidnon/PIA-10/Bukidnon

Strategy... from page 4

is the duty of the government to “provide protection and recognize the profound and undeniable contributions of MSMEs in nation building, continuing national economic growth, and the realization of our economic objectives.”

Go’s measure also seeks to assist and capacitate MSMEs in developing new, innovative and more complex products and services through significant improvement in the areas of quality, product development, design, packaging, standards compliance, marketability, production capability, brand development, sustainability, and securing licenses, product registration and other market authorization, among others.

The report of the Senate

The institutionalization of the program is expected to be easier and faster in the present Congress as House Speaker Martin Romualdez has said that under the revised House rules and policies, bills passed on third and final reading by the chamber no longer need to be refiled.

Awards... from page 8

the crisis. They did so with flying colors… Thus we welcome and honor the Outstanding Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs of Mindanao (in this 9th episode of this annual event )” stated project chairman and MDN President & CEO Dante Sudaria, in his opening remarks of the event.

The awards gives honor to various Mindanao business leaders and entrepreneurs, serving as catalyst for their continued and concerted effort to seek greater heights and strive for success in the noble mission of propelling Mindanao and its people towards full economic growth and sustainable development. “When we conceptualized this project 12 years ago, it was not only for us to start building our Corporate Social Responsibility image, but to help Mindanaoan business leaders and entrepreneurs promote their business and professional reputation and branding,” added MDN editor in chief and awards executive director Allan Mediante.

In his co-presentor’s message, Veterans Bank 1st Vice President Mike Villa Real, congratulated the MDNN for sustaining the awards project through the years, and lauded the efforts of Mindanao Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs for helping sustain the island’s economy amid the Covid 19 pandemic.

“ The backbone of the Philippine economy are resilient business leaders and entrepreneurs . Those who succeed even amid the pandemic must be recognized and honored. If you are an entrepreneur you are trained to spot risks. If entrepreneurs do not persist due to the destructive health risks, we will not overcome the challenges for the betterment of our economy and sustainable .livelihood. We congratulate the awardees tonight for taking the lead in providing for your employees,

For the Social Entrepreneur awards: One Closet Butuan represented by Ma. Isabela Blanca, Myrna Blanca, and Rachelle Morta ; and HCML Logistics represented by Deo Anthony Alcudia; For the Micro Entrepreneur category : Timyas Litson represented by Ms. Aiza Lipit; Fatzo’s Lechon represented by Kayce James Eduria, Leo Eduria and MaanEduria; and D Last Bites.

For the Tourism and Resorts category: Amaya View represented by Mrs. Erlinda Unabia; Ultrawinds represented by Ms. Jane Angeles; Joan Maandig and Sandy Tagapulot. For Mega Entrepreneur category,awardees were Anflocor Corp; Paglas Corp., and DMI Inc. John Himan

The Outstanding Business Organzation Leaders were PCCI Governor Ruben Vegafria, and China Bank Area Head for Mindanao Ms. Agnes Adviento Awardees for Realty Development were Coral Estates and Ecoverde Homes.

The judges were also conferred plaques of appreciation by Chairman Dante Sudaria and co-presenter Veterans Bank 1st Vice President, Miguel Villa-Real . They were: Soroptimist International CDO president Atty. Rhodelyn Mae Roa; Cagayan de Oro City information officer Ivy Guantero; PhilHealth 10 information officer Merlyn Ybañez; Soroptimist International CDO vice president Dyan Stephanie Noble; Soroptimist International past president Teresita Brioso; former JCI Kagayhaan Gold president Paul Andro Subere; BusinessWeek Mindanao vice president for business development Ruffy Magbanua.

The 9th Mindanao Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs Awards is presented by Mindanao Daily; Veterans Bank; and Ayala Corp.; with event Major sponsors and partners Ayala Mall Centrio, CEPALCO , Dessert Boss, Primavera City, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10.

Cited also for their various support were Minor Sponsors: FDC; PhilHealth Region 10; Teascape; Apple Tree Resort and Hotel; Department of Tourism 10; Mordeno Law Office; PepsCola; Del Monte Philippines; San Miguel Beer Corp; Lilpat Lechon; Yoyong Lechon; Dynasty Court Hotel; L1lpat Lechon; Mordeno Law Office and Steag.

CREDIBLE RELIABLE IN-DEPTH

9th Mindanao Business Leaders and Entrepreneur Awardees lauded

By MDN Reportorial Team

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -

A total of 22 companies and individuals were honored and lauded during the Recognition Ceremony for the 9th Mindanao Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs Awards that was held November 8 at Ayala Mall Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City.

“The pandemic forced business organizations to take extraordinary measures in real time… Things changed drastically and dramatically, leaving no industry across the world unaffected. Despite this reality, the business leaders and entrepreneurs of our island persisted and continued to struggle so that its dependents workers and families would survive

LEADERS/PAGE 7