BusinessWeek Mindanao (October 10-11, 2022)

Briefly

Safeguarding journalists

SAFEGUARDING journalists

was among the key topics Manila and the European Union (EU) discussed in a meeting on human rights this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs Affairs (DFA) said Friday night.

"Both sides underlined the importance of a strong independent media environment, including by strengthening prosecution for crimes against journalists," the two parties' joint statement read.

The statement was made following the second EUPhilippines sub-committee meeting on good governance, rule of law, and human rights in Manila on Thursday.

Konsulta providers

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp.-Region 10 (PhilHealth-10) is targeting to increase the number of PhilHealth-accredited Konsulta providers in Northern Mindanao as part of the full implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) system and policies in 2024.

Delio Aseron II, PhilHealth-10 regional vice president, said they are targeting to accredit a total of 64 Konsulta providers at the end of this year and 128 Konsulta providers at the end of 2023.

“We will do that because if we have many Konsulta providers, our members can choose the nearby facilities or which they think that has a better service,” Aseron said in his opening remarks during the Social Health Insurance Education Series (SHInES) on Friday, Oct. 7.

Printable national IDs

FOR those who are still waiting for their national identification cards, the Philippine Statistics Authority Region 10 (PSA-10) has started releasing the printable electronic Philippine Identification (ePhilID) in Northern Mindanao.

In a PSA public advisory on October 5, the said development will make the registrants PhilSys-registered and enjoy better access to more financial and social protection services pursuant to Republic Act No. 11055 (Philippine Identification System Act of 2018).

Jose Tuason Jr., the PSA-10 Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) focal person, said in a phone interview on Friday, Oct. 7, that the people can get their printable ePhilIDs by setting an online appointment through this link (https://trn-verifier.philsys. gov.ph) using their transaction slip that had been given by the PSA during the step 2 of PhilSys registration.

SSS offers condonation of penalty for new loans

The Social Security System (SSS) launched on October 4, 2022 a new penalty condonation program that aims to aid its members in paying their past-due loans.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Regino urged members with unpaid short-term member loans to take advantage of the Consolidation of Past Due Short-Term Member Loans with Condonation of Penalty.

Members qualified to avail of the program are those with outstanding Salary Loans including Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), Calamity, Emergency Loan, and Restructured Loan.

“We continuously offer loan penalty condonation programs to help our members settle their loan balances without penalties and regain their good standing with the SSS,” Regino said.

Under the program, SSS shall combine the principal and interest

Public hearing over conversion of XU campus into township reset

By FROILAN GALLARDO MindaNews

THE public hearing for the proposed conversion of the Xavier University SEARSOLIN campus into a mixed-use Manresa Town was adjourned Friday afternoon following complaints from those opposing the project that the venue of the hearing was too small and they were not given enough time to study the proponent’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Lawyer Abbas Lao, Chief of the Legal Unit of the

Department of Environment of Natural Resources” Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) adjourned the meeting and re-scheduled it for Monday, October 17.

Cebu Landmasters, Inc., the property developer, is presenting its EIS to pave the way for the issuance of an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) from the DENR, a requirement before it could proceed with the project.

The company has acquired 14.3 hectares out of the 25-hectare Xavier University (XU) SEARSOLIN campus

in uptown Cagayan de Oro, which it intends to develop as a university town that aims to complement the adjacent XU Masterson Campus of the Future.

According to the developer, Manresa Town is “complete with retail, offices, and, most importantly, student and teacher friendly residential offerings creating a secure, vibrant and dynamic development with strong synergies that will benefit both XU and Uptown CDO.”

The developer claims

DOT to put up service centers in Bukidnon, Davao del Norte

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) on Friday began the construction of Tourist Service Centers and Rest Areas (TSCRAs) in the provinces of Bukidnon and Davao del Norte. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid led the ceremonies. The TSCRAs will soon rise in

Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon and Samal City, Davao del Norte. Manolo Fortich Mayor Rogelio Quiño said his town is considered the "gateway" of Bukidnon and such infrastructure would promote the townspeople’s livelihood. "We have an average of 6,000 tourists coming into our province monthly," he said. A memorandum of agreement

PROTECTIVE SHADE. Anytime of the day runners and other fitness enthusiasts can be found around the capitol complex in Malaybalay City due to trees that shield them from the sun’s heat. Photo taken Friday by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO/MindaNews

The

Xavier

photo

ZAMPEX 2022 showcases MSMEs finest products

ZAMBOANGA City – Mayor John Dalipe underscored Friday the significance of the ongoing Zamboanga Peninsula Exposition (ZAMPEX 2022) here in showcasing the “best of the best products” of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in

the region. “Through this, the MSMEs are given the platform to make contact with potential buyers and suppliers to strengthen their existing partners, distributors, and suppliers,” Dalipe said in a statement. Organized by the Department of

Trade and Industry (DTI), the October 6-9 ZAMPEX 2022 aims to facilitate the promotion of locally-made products of MSMEs in the Zamboanga

Peninsula. Grace Aduca, the city’s DTI director, said this year’s exposition features the investments and tourism potentials of the region. “The products,

both food and non-food, for this year’s ZAMPEX are competitive since the quality and packaging were improved through a series of training we conducted,”

Aduca said. Anchored on the theme “Rediscover, Rise, and Reap”, this year’s ZAMPEX forms part of the October 1-31 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. (PNA)

P210-M smuggled cigarettes seized off Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA City –

Authorities scored the biggest catch so far after intercepting two vessels loaded with some P210 million worth of smuggled cigarettes off this city, officials said Thursday. Lt. Col. Reynald Ariño, 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force “Seaborne” Company, said the shipment of smuggled cigarettes was intercepted and seized

around 5 p.m. Wednesday in the vicinity of Tumalutap, one of the eight island villages of this city. Ariño said a team of police and Bureau of Customs (BOC) operatives were on seaborne patrol when they spotted the two wooden-hulled vessels named M/V Nurkaisa and M/V Phoenix loaded with smuggled cigarettes. The dozen people aboard the two vessels failed to present any

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was also signed by the DOT, Tieza, and Bukidnon officials to strengthen tourism projects. The PHP7 million TSCRA to be erected In Samal City will be the first in Southern Mindanao, and one of the 10 pioneering tourist rest areas in Mindanao. "We intend to put this kind of project all over the country because tourism will help the country in the recovery of our economy," Frasco said. She said tourism is one of the major economic pillars after the pandemic. "Samal is one of the key destinations

documents of the cigarette shipment that came from Jolo, Sulu, and bound for Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay province, he added. Mayor

John Dalipe said the vessels were loaded with an estimated 6,000 master cases of assorted cigarettes. “I call on the security sector to intensify its operations against smuggling.

I’ll see to it that those involved will be dealt with

in the country. We will open the tourism in Mindanao as a manifestation of our seriousness to fully open Mindanao to tourism," Frasco said. She added that TSCRAs are intended to provide an enhanced tourism experience for tourists coming to the island. Tourist pit stops will have an information kiosk, a pasalubong center, restrooms, and a resting area for visitors. "We see to it that it is a convenient place for tourists to rest, access to vital information, and world-class bathrooms," Frasco said. Lapid noted that the project is targeted for completion in December this year. "This will provide seamless

accordingly,” Dalipe said in a statement. The confiscation of the P210 million worth of smuggled cigarettes was the second shipment seized by authorities here this month. On Oct. 3, some PHP1.9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were also apprehended near Sta. Cruz Island of this city. The shipment came from Jolo, Sulu, and was bound for Cotabato City. (PNA)

travel in tourism destinations here," he added. Samal Mayor Al David Uy said the location of the TSCRA is strategic as it is near a public market, police station, and terminal. "You can find everything here, it is a one-stop shop for tourists," he said, adding that the project would be “very important” as the Samal-Davao connector bridge has already been greenlighted. With a length of 3.9 km., the P23-billion connector bridge is expected to become a vital link for the cities of Davao and Samal through reduced transport costs and a faster flow of people, goods, and resources. (PNA)

Human-centered approach to education technology

By MERCY B. ARSENAL Master Teacher I Tangub City National High School Tangub City Division

NEW roles are emerging for those who can translate how the engineering and design of new technologies and applications affects our political, economic, social and cultural worlds. Education in this field and notions of digital literacy must expand to reflect

this need. A new humancentered approach toward technology can and must start with what we learn in our schools.

I therefore now argue for two major interventions: change technology education to tie it more closely to political, economic, cultural

and humanist thinking and second, opening up what we mean by design and digital literacy and how we teach this.

In elementary schools, it will be important to teach the building blocks of digital literacy from basic computing concepts to how platforms are built. Schools will need to expand and revise their supplemental curricula if they wish to educate students for a digital future that is inclusive, sustainable and collaborative. Education is supposed to prepare us to be holistic – i.e. creative, reflective, deliberative humans with social, ethical and creative needs. That’s why it’s unrealistic to think of science or technology as a given.

Banking & finance

Fitch Solutions revises budget gap forecasts for PH

FITCH Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research has revised upwards its budget deficit forecasts for the Philippines for this and next year after noting higher fiscal spending and improvement in revenue collections. In a report dated Oct. 6 released on Friday, the credit intelligence firm now sees higher share for the government’s budget gap this year, accounting for around 7.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) from 7.5 percent previously. It, however, revised down its 2023 budget deficit forecast

to 6 percent of GDP from 6.1 percent. “Despite an increase in fiscal spending, we still believe that the Philippines remains on track for gradual fiscal consolidation over the coming years due to strong revenue growth,” it said. Its 2022 budget gap forecast is the same as the government’s target while the 2023 projection is lower than the government’s 6.1 percent target. It expects revenues to grow by 10 percent year-on-year next year “on the back of extensive tax reforms and a robust economic backdrop.” “The

array of tax reforms under the comprehensive tax reform program has helped boost revenue growth considerably since its inception, and we will likely see the continued impact of it moving forward,” the report said. It also expects additional fiscal reforms “given the increase in fiscal spending.” “This is further substantiated by President (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.) in his SONA (State of the Nation Address), highlighting that ‘tax administration reforms will be in place to increase revenue collection’,” it added. The report said

the government’s fiscal consolidation plan “is positive for debt sustainability.” The current administration intends to bring down the share of budget deficit to GDP ratio, which surged to 8.4 percent of GDP, to 3 percent of total domestic output by 2023. The rise in the budget deficit was due to higher spending and lower revenues, both of which was due mainly to the impact of the virusinduced pandemic. Also, Fitch Solutions forecasts debtto-GDP to rise to 61.1 percent next year before declining in the succeeding years. (PNA)

PH sells $2B multi-tranche global bonds

THE government again tapped the international market through the issuance of $2 billion-worth of multitranche fixed rate global bonds, including a 25-year environmental, social and governance (ESG) bond, its third so far this year.

In a statement on Thursday, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said the first global bond issuance under the second Marcos administration include a five-year, 10.5-year, and 25year debt paper.

It said the five-year tenor fetched a coupon of 5.170 percent, 120 basis points higher than the same tenor of the US Treasury.

Also, the 10.5-year’s

coupon rate stood at 5.609 percent, 185 basis points higher than the US Treasury with the same tenor.

BTr said these rates are “35 bps tighter than an initial pricing guidance of US Treasury plus 155 and 220 bps area, respectively.”

Coupon of the 25-year debt paper stood at 5.950 percent, 45 bps tighter than the pricing guidance of 6.550 percent, it said. BTr said the paper was priced at 6.100 percent.

The latest debt issuance is the third for the country this year following the US$2.25 billion three-tranche bond offering last March and the four-tranche yendenominated Samurai bond

worth 70.1 billion Japanese yen in April.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the first debt issuance under the current administration “demonstrates investors' confidence in the new government and the administration’s six-year plan of economic transformation to a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous economy.”

“The eight-point agenda of the new administration will improve real GDP (gross domestic product) growth, improve government finances, protect purchasing power, mitigate socioeconomic scarring and create more quality jobs,” he said.

Relatively, Finance

Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven cited the strong demand for debt issuance.

“The repeated successes of all international bond issuances by the Republic reflects the strong following from the global investor community for the Philippines and is a testament to the Republic’s robust credit profile and sound government finances,” he said.

Also, National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said the latest bond sale “is an indication of the Philippines’ readiness to brave choppy waters in pursuit of excellent results.”

“Just as we were able to deftly capture a good execution window amid a

WB identifies PH sectors for global value chain expansion

THE World Bank Group has identified three clusters of sectors where the Philippines could expand its participation in global value chains (GVCs) post-pandemic.

The World Bank launched in Makati City on Thursday its report “A New Dawn for Global Value Chain Participation in the Philippines”, providing policy recommendations for the country to attract more investments that would help boost the country’s participation in international trade through sectors where it has the advantage.

“The Philippines has an opportunity to diversify into three GVC clusters that are being restructured by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the report said.

These industry clusters identified by the World Bank are the industrial, manufacturing, and transportation (IMT) sector; the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sector; and the health and life sciences (HLS) sector.

The report noted that the Philippines is already

globally positioned in the IMT sector with its strong semiconductor, automotive, and aerospace industries.

Being one of the global leaders in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, the Philippines can further expand its GVC participation in the TMT sector.

The HLS, on the other hand, is an emerging sector for the country, the World Bank said.

“The HLS sector could take advantage of the return of health care workers during the Covid-19 crisis and emerging telehealth and telemedicine activities to complement the traditional BPO sector,” it added.

For the country to harness the benefits of expanding its GVC participation in these clusters, constraints related to trade, foreign direct investments (FDIs), and skills along with other bottlenecks in access to financing, high cost of energy, speed of Internet services, and red tape should be addressed.

“Policies are needed to reverse the Philippines’ missed opportunities and

JOE

MIKE

ATTY.

SORIANO

Arrest Those Killing the Bay, Not the Hungry Fisherfolk

KIM'S DREAM

rake the municipal waters with all kinds of fish and when their vessels were so full of fish and overweight, they would just threw fish back to the sea. As we went around to patrol the bay, we could see dead fishes and we knew then of the abuses committed by these powerful commercial fishing boats.

ORLAN R. RAVANERA

It was early dawn on October 6 when I received a call from Task Force Macajalar allies in Alo, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental and was told that three poor fisherfolk who are TFM members namely, Bernardo Besin, Jejun Saguing and Jeckel Sabaon were arrested by a fishery warden named Expedito Quilab for catching “maranay” as fishing “maranay” is prohibited by Fishery Laws. Thus, a case has been filed against them after being brought to the headquarter of the Maritime Police under the command of the amazing Lt.Col. Mario Cristino Lucero, the Chief of Regional Maritime Unit 10.

On several occasions, we were able to arrest those com mercial fishing boats and turned them over to the authorities and to our surprise, were just release the following day without even a case filed against the violators. Thus, we in Task Force Macajalar, as deputized fishery wardens, were the ones who filed cases against these culprits/destroyers of the bay.

ATTY.

DAVAO MARKETING OFFICE

Raging Bull

Think a minute...The worst shooting massacre in America’s history took place on the campus of Virginia Tech University. A student named Cho Seung-Hui went on a shooting spree killing 32 people before committing suicide.

Cho was a South Korean who moved to America at age eight. As a child he was quiet and well-behaved. In school Cho was excellent at math and most of his other subjects. He was well liked by his teachers who told the other students that Cho was a good example to follow. He was seen as a smart boy and even quite popular with the girls.

Sadly, this all changed for Cho in middle school and high school where almost every day he was teased and tormented for being shy and speaking English differently. This constant shaming of Cho by the other students became so painful that finally he refused to speak at all around other people. Every day he was either alone or bullied by other kids.

Finally, Cho’s parents took him to a youth club hoping this might help him. Unfortunately, kids made fun of him there too. Furthermore, the adult leader of the group noticed that Cho might be developing some mental problems, so he encouraged Cho’s parents to take him to a

THINK A MINUTE

After having been in formed of the arrest of the three young fisherfolk, I could not help but revisit the golden memories I had then with the parents of these arrested guys who in 1990s were always with me in conducting nightly seaborne patrol around the bay to stop 100-tonner commercial fish ing boats owned by powerful politicians then. Why must we do that? Well, don’t you know that during those years, it was the height of the grandeur of the bay oozing with fishery and marine resources. We had to arrest those big commercial fishing vessels as they would

Indeed, the Bureau of Fish eries and Aquatic Resources and the Maritime Police must be appreciated for enforcing fishery laws but not just against those who are catching fish to feed their hungry families. The coastal communities are now the poorest of the poor and are living in extreme poverty as of the 13 major bays in the coun try, 10 are already biologically dead. Isn’t it that those who have less in life, should have more in law? Why were we in Task Force Macajalar were so passionate in stopping ecologi cal degradations, taking direct actions to stop massive illegal logging, hydraulic and open-pit mining, industrial pollution and the entry of commercial fishing boats in municipal waters? Let me go back to history.

No less than Dr. Kent Car penter, the President of the United Nations, Food and Agri culture Organization IUN-FAO) had described the Philippine Archipelago before as “the center of the center of marine life on earth.” Wow, so amazing! The fisherfolk in Macajalar Bay

who were active members of Task Force Macajalar were narrating to me how rich the bay was as fishes would literally jump into their “bancas” in the “50s. Just like the other ecosystems – be forest, agricultural lands ooz ing with natural wealth – our fishery and marine resources can also be described as part of the “lost eden!” Why? Well, every one knows that the Philippine Archipelago has just become a dumping ground of toxic garbage from other countries especially from China, Australia, Japan and Korea. We have a very weak Marine Force then that had no capacity to guard fully our vast archipelago as glaringly shown by what’s happening in the West Philippine sea now as Chinese vessels are fishing our sea without let-up just what the Japanese trawlers were doing during the martial law years.

Having founded the Task Force Macajalar in the 90’s to protect the bay and the forest ecosystem, may I now share the silent killers of the bay as well as the other bays in the country. The onset of the rains that is battering Mindanao saw dead fishes floating in the bay particularly near the mouths of the rivers. The culprit are the toxic chemicals coming from the surrounding vast plantations that are heavily using pesticides, herbicides and chemical ferti lizers. Based on my research, of the 8 chemicals being used in these plantations, 7 are al ready banned in other countries particularly in Puerto Rico. In fact, some of these plantations operating in Mindanao were not allowed to enter Puerto Rico “for causing cancer” especially to the agricultural workers, the reason why they opted to enter our country especially Mind anao where some two hundred thousand hectares, choicest of

lands, have been transformed into massive plantations. I was so shocked to know that these massive vast plantations are using chemicals that as if they are dumping to our water tables some two thousand dump trucks of toxic chemicals every day. That‘s the reason why many of new born babies are deformed or why many Mindanawons are dying of cancer. When I visited these countries where these plantations are barred to enter, they asked why we allowed them? Well, the conclusion is that the Philippines is a “nation of coward people.”

These non-biodegradable petroleum-based agricultural inputs are washed from the soil into the rivers and into the bays. Pity the fish but pity more Macajalar Bay. Every time I see Macajalar Bay, I remember the lines of the beautiful poem which begins with “Rage, rage, rage against the dying of the light …” Deep inside I feel the pain and the anger not because of the “dying of the light” but in the impending death of an ecosystem, the natural world of Macajalar Bay whose beauty is both awesome and humbling.

The grandeur that is Macajalar Bay from Sulawan Point in Laguindingan to Punta Gorda in Balingasag, speaks well for itself. But the same grandeur is now fast disappearing as it undergoes progressive state of impairment and with it, the marginalization of the coastal populace.

In the opening lines of the poem, ‘Charge of the Light Brigade,”there are cannons at the left of them, cannons at the right of them, cannons facing them”. Such is also true in Macajalar Bay, not cannons but vast plantations. Every day, these plantations are applying

Well Roared Lion - Keep On Smiling!

I have been writing col umns for several papers from all over the world since the early 1980s. Sometimes, while writ ing, I am indeed not in a good mood. I rewrite and rewrite - and then the moment comes, I am asking myself: "Do the readers of this publica tion really like to read my columns?"

Maybe, you are also angry right now, while reading this. You are angry, even for others it's a beautiful day. Are you angry? It's okay. We are all battling against one of the most power ful emotions known to man - anger!

Now, later, tomorrow...!

It's a feeling of being against something or someone.

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

doctor. But sadly, they did not do it. Cho’s aunt in Korea became increasingly concerned as she heard his parents frequently talk about his older sister but almost never mention Cho.

After years of being bullied and abused by other students, Cho became like a wounded, raging bull wanting to destroy everyone in his path. It’s a simple, tragic fact of life: “Hurt people, hurt people.” In other words, people who are hurting inside usually react by hurting other people around them. In fact, most of our anger in one way or another is caused by some type of pain.

Maybe you are still angry because of the ways you’ve been hurt or humiliated in your life.

It may have happened years ago, but your emotional pain has not completely stopped. But the great

Anyway, I will try my best. It's actually a sweet day today, so cool, so calm, so bright, it's like the bridal of earth and heaven. The gran deur of God flames out like shining from shook foil. I feel like the waves make towards the pebbled shore, but, I feel that our minutes hasten to their end.

Why?

I observed again a multi national couple somewhere in my sur roundings, fighting each other. Gosh. Stupid peo ple have an uncanny way of hitting the right nail on the head with the wrong hammer!

Anger. A day rarely goes by without us feel ing angry. Or, maybe seldom a day goes by without feeling anger... .

Anger is the main part of our daily life. That's why it's really important to talk about this phenomenon. What is anger, what does it do and how does it affect our lives? Where does it come from and how can we learn to handle it in a constructive in stead of destructive way? Only, if the roots of our anger are exposed and explained, can we de fuse its explosive and dangerous potentials.

As I said earlier, anger is one of the most basic emotions. Everyone can get angry. You and me?

Many people in my surroundings and I hate the barking of my neighbour's dogs. Noth ing happened. Barangay, City Hall - it seems this neighbour has all the power in the world to let his dogs keep on bark ing, whatever the rea sons are. As I said in one of my earlier columns: I pity the dogs, because this neighbour seems not to understand how to treat these dogs, as they should be treated. And, a neighbourhood in a calm and friendly atmosphere doesn't exist for him.

Anger is a hostile emotion that sets people against one another, or even themselves. By its nature, anger involves opposition, hostility, hatred and dislike. It happened between Fili pinos, and between Fili pinos and foreigners as well living here in the

Philippines for good.

Anger, however, is simpler to define than to identity. Emotions of antagonism can take a wide variety of faces. Expressions of anger range from the overt, in-your-face brand of open hospitality to the cold indifference of a silent individual.

At times, anger can be felt like an inner fire... .

Millions of defence, not a damned penny for tribute, as Charles Pinkney stated... . Anger between people: the one side remains cold as ice while the opposite plays meek as a lamb.Sige, burn the midnight oil! And what was the result

P4 price hike for diesel seen this week: DOE

THE Department of Energy (DOE) is expecting a new round of oil price hike this week after five consecutive weeks of rollbacks in prices of diesel and kerosene.

During the Laging Handa public briefing Friday, DOE director Rino Abad estimated that there will be an increase of less than P1 on gasoline prices, around P4 hike on diesel prices, and more than P2 increment on kerosene prices this week.

This, as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) announced to slash oil production by 2 million barrels per day, its biggest cut since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Mukhang ang epekto po nitong desisyon ng OPEC ay tanggalin po iyong nakikinitang oversupply na iyan na nagku-cause ng tuluytuloy na rollback sa

Sports Activities in Schools and Their Importance

by: George Ian C. Cabilan Teacher I/ Teacher In-Charge, Bigaan Elementary School

Dumingag 1 District-Division of Zamboanga del Sur

Pupils can participate in a variety of sports activities at their schools. These include athletic meets, Physical Education (PE) games, and similar activities in which students participate in ball games, swimming, chess, athletics, board games, and other activities. Pupils improve their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being as a result of these activities.

Sports activities, in general, help students improve their physical fitness. They help to achieve coordination, balance, and flexibility by strengthening the bones and improving the muscles. Sports also improve stamina and concentration, as well as aid in the treatment of depression and anxiety.

Sports activities require not only physical exertion of energy, but also the use of mental faculties. To be successful in sports, one must be able to analyze a situation, devise a good game plan, and strategize. All of this necessitates a sound mind in order to make quick and accurate decisions.

Students' participation in sports improves their emotional well-being. They learn to accept defeat while also celebrating success. Accepting losses is a great opportunity to savor the sweetness that comes with success.

The social well-being of the students is enhanced. They learn to interact with their teammates and even their opponents. Their interpersonal intelligence will grow. Similarly, as they learn to examine, reflect, and adjust in order to conform with others, their intrapersonal skills improve.

Sports activities offered at school are an excellent way for students to develop their personalities. Knowing oneself, learning to conform, and even understanding what it takes to be a good sportsperson are just a few of the many goals that the Department of Education wishes to instill in its students. Nonetheless, all of this helps to ensure that every Filipino learner achieves exceptional physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

Improving IT efficiency

By GAY B. PUNDAY, Teacher III Labo Central School Division of Ozamiz City

IT is an integral part of the business and is fast reaching utility status. Increasingly lower costs for sourcing infrastructure have made it possible to run more applications than ever before which has mistakenly made some IT processes such as capacity management seem obsolete. But is it actually efficient to stick to a strategy focused on additional provisioning?

The key IT management drivers now revolve around quality of service and cost control. The main focuses for IT are improving the business work force productivity through quality of service and improving IT efficiency by maintaining service quality while reducing costs.

There are a few reasons

to focus on consolidation of physical hosts but one of the most compelling is to reduce the burden on IT staff. Server sprawl has often resulted in a wide variety of hardware, each suited to a particular type of application. That means multiple kinds of operating systems, interfaces and administration requirements which require more time and resources to manage. And they likely are not all used to full capacity.

Another factor is power and cooling savings. More and more, organizations such as DepEd are slimming their energy budgets and trying to decrease usave overall. But eventually adding more serves that use a lot of power and generate a lot of heat doesn’t achieve that goal.

kadahilanan na … ang reason naman ng pronouncement nila ay i-stabilize po ang price,” Abad said.

He said current price of crude oil in the world market is around $90 per

barrel, lower than the $125 per barrel last June.

“Ayaw na po nila siguro na bumaba pa sa mga around 90. So ang target po talaga diyan, ang tinitingnan po ng mga analysts ay dapat …

mukhang ang plano ay paakyatin po ng 100 to 110 per barrel,” he added.

As of writing, Brent crude is trading at $94.85 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate at $88.87 a barrel.

With the price adjustments last Tuesday, net increase in prices of gasoline since the start of 2022 stood at P24.40 per liter, P35.95 per liter for diesel, and P29.30 per liter for kerosene. (PNA)

PBBM, biz leaders discuss power, ease of doing business

FILIPINO Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCII) vice president Cecilio Pedro said Wednesday their group’s two-hour dialogue with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has centered on issues of power and ease of doing business in the country.

During the Pandesal Forum in Quezon City, Pedro said the Filipino and Chinese business leaders’ meeting with Marcos last Sept. 30

solidified the business group’s support to the initiatives of the government to usher the economy into the new normal.

“My impression is the President is serious in helping the business sector to continue their business in the Philippines. He wants more expansion from the business sector, especially from the local investors first,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

Pedro said Marcos believes that boosting the confidence of local businesses in expanding in the country will help in attracting foreign investors to put up their operations here.

“Confidence of the local businessmen will enhance investments from foreign companies… He (Marcos) wants the local businessmen to show first the interest since the pandemic is about to end as we move to the new

normal, and the new normal entails investments from the business sector,” he added.

Pedro said Marcos told their group that resolving the power situation in the country is a priority of his administration.

Earlier, the administration expressed that it aims to expand and harness indigenous energy resources to achieve the long-term goal of energy security, affordable power rates, and accessible

SMC studies legal options after rate hike denial

SMC Global Power Corp. said it would explore other legal remedies to continue supplying power after the decision of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to deny its rate hike petition.

In a press release on

Wednesday, the power arm of listed conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) said it would ensure that the energy supply to Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will not be disrupted.

“We regret the ERC’s denial of our joint petition

with Meralco for temporary relief on our 2019 power supply agreements (PSAs),” the company said.

On Monday, the ERC released its order denying the joint temporary rate hike sought by Meralco and SMC for the losses incurred by the

Reading Intervention Strategies for Struggling Readers

Some kids struggle to learn to read because of a disability. Others enroll in school without having had the necessary literacy experiences to become readers. Some kids have trouble reading because their reading teaching has been subpar or insufficient. But many kids' reading problems can be avoided when these and other risk factors are discovered early.

In a typical classroom, skilled readers spend more time reading texts, while struggling readers spend more time working on worksheets and receiving skill instruction and less time reading texts.

According to research, reading

By: ALLAN HORIDA GUIBONE Teacher I Bugo Central School

more often is the best strategy to assist struggling students in improving. We must make sure that every student in our classrooms spends a significant amount of time reading. Additionally, it's critical to give kids a variety of reading options so they can develop a connection to books they find engaging. The decision is a significant motivating factor. To persuade students to desire to read at all, motivation is essential.

As kids get older, we believe they are reading well if they are decoding text properly. Reading comprehension becomes more about focus and linguistic

understanding as someone learns to decode. Around the third grade, teachers may start to notice some pupils who can decipher material quickly but do not comprehend. This kind of struggling reader is less obvious than those who have trouble decoding, thus they frequently go unnoticed until they start failing statemandated comprehension tests. Even then, their problems might not be discovered for a while, leaving middle school and high school children who appear to be reading yet comprehend little they have read.

Happy Teacher, Happy Classroom, Happy Student

By: ELIZABETH ACERON – CLAM Teacher I West City Central School

During the school day, we instructors have the most impact on our kids. Teachers have long understood that effect on the world rather than financial accomplishment determines one's success in life. But happiness is a key component of success. A sense of purpose and happiness go hand in hand.

It is common knowledge that when a place is joyful and comfortable, so are the people who inhabit it. The same holds true for a classroom and the pupils that attend it. Many children find going to school to be a daunting experience, especially on their first day or when they are entering a

class in the middle of the term. To make them feel as though they already know someone, introduce yourself before they arrive at the school. Being a familiar face might provide someone the reassurance they need because they will likely feel loved and accepted. Additionally, it's a fantastic method for you to establish a connection with your students.

Don't lose sight of the fact that education encompasses more than simple Math, English, and science. Your students are going to recall the entire event. In fact, developing relationships with classmates and finding ways to express themselves are probably among

their favorite aspects of school.

Children like playing and talking to one another. By granting them independence, you'll be able to acquire their respect by demonstrating your confidence in them. Starting to use humor is a terrific method to create a joyful and engaging learning atmosphere. Whatever teaching strategy you use, must never become repetitive. Use every chance you get to make your students laugh to do this.

Who doesn't want a good laugh, after all? Why not set aside some time on a Friday afternoon to raise spirits, increase morale, and create a positive environment.

latter’s two power plants.

SMC had sought the increase, citing a “change in circumstance” when surging fuel costs breached the price range contemplated during the execution of the PSAs with Meralco.

In a separate release on Tuesday, Meralco said that it would comply with the ERC order and exert all available options to prevent the termination of its PSAs with SMC.

In August, SMC said that its units South Premiere Power Corp. and San Miguel Energy Corp., administrators of the Ilijan and Sual power plants, respectively, had issued notices of PSA termination to Meralco. It said the termination is effective starting Oct. 4 if the temporary relief is not given.

After the ERC ruling, SMC Global Power said the temporary relief would have allowed it to preserve the last remaining fixed-rate PSAs of Meralco that are keeping power rates in Metro Manila low, compared with other parts of the Philippines, amid the volatility of global fuel prices.

“We will never withhold

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late VICTOR C. COLITA who died on October 18, 2021 at Polymedic Plaza Hospital Cagayan de Oro City, said deceased died intestate, without any Last Will or Testament and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity; the deceased at the time of his death left a savings account in amounting to PHP 291,957.31 at BANCO DE ORO-Osmeña Branch, Cagayan de Oro

Name of

under the

#428; PAGE #86; BOOK #12; Series of 2022 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. RUFELIZ ANN S. ABBU-DAILO.

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF THE LATE VICTOR C. COLITA

Bulacan: A hub for entrepreneurs looking to expand

Provinces north of Metro Manila are catching up to the south in terms of economic growth and infrastructure development.

Bulacan in particular, once even considered too-remote a residential venue, is poised to hold its own global business district soon.

Coming soon is an Ayala Land masterplanned estates in Plaridel Bulacan. The estate as usual with their record such as Nuvali and Makati are more than just places to work and live. They create them to assist the community in reaching their full potential.

To stimulate local economic growth, each estate combines highquality residences with commercial properties.

Accessibility

Crossroads by Ayala Land can also be accessed via the Skyway 3 towards NLEX. Exit will be via Balagtas.

Travel Distance from Quezon City, San Fernando & Cabanatuan

TO QC: 34km – 40 min (Crossroads to Vertis)

TO SF: 37 km – 45 min (Crossroads to SF) TO CABANATUAN : 128km – 2 ½ hours

This future estate will also be a 30 minute drive from the future Bulacan International airport in Bulakan, Bulacan.

The rise of shophouses aka small commercial lots

Shophouses have seen renewed interest and demand over the last decade, particularly in neighboring Southeast Asian economies.

Shophouses, which are two or three-story buildings with a store on the ground floor and a residence on the upper floors. They usually range from 300sqm to 1,000 sqm that will cater to local and micro entrepeneurs. Competitor scan This year, Megaworld

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region OFFICICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT Cagayan de Oro City

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND

EJF FILE No.: 2022-1216 ( otherwise known as Pag-IBIG Fund), Mortgagee, -versus- For: FILOMENA AMOR S. FELICIANO EXTRA-JUDICIAL Mortgagor. FORECLOSURE OF REAL X------------------------------------------------/ ESTATE MORTGAGE SHERIFF’S NOTICE OF SALE

Upon Extra-Judicial Petition for Sale under Act 3135 as amended, filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (otherwise known as Pag-IBIG Fund), Mortgagee, with principal office at The Petron Mega Plaza Building, No. 358 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, against FILOMENA AMOR S. FELICIANO, Mortgagor, with postal address/es at #39 Sta. Cruz 1, Brgy. Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City and Lot 15 & 16, Block 10, Forest View Homes Subdivision, Brgy. Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of July 15, 2022, amounted to ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE PESOS and 93/100 (P1, 281, 581. 93) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and other charges, the undersigned Sheriff will sell at public auction on October 21, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Regional Trial Court, Office of the Clerk of Court, Hall of Justice, Goldridge Building, Masterson Avenue, cor.

launched their township development called Northwin Global City in Marilao Bulacan at 80k per sqm.

Within less than a year of launch, the township is 90% sold with only a few lots left at 120k per sqm. That's 50% gains in less than a year.

Indeed, entrepeneurs based in Bulacan or seasoned real estate investors outside Metro Manila are positioning themselves in emerging

commercial districts outside Metro Manila.

What's nice about this new township is the size is just appropriate (not too big or small) and ideal for first time commercial lot buyers or clients who would like to diversify their real estate portfolio. Price range starting at 24.9M for a 332 sqm lot.

With this in mind, I would like to invite you to be one of the first investors or if you have referrals in mind

for our Commercial and ShopHouses Lot in this newest township in Plaridel Bulacan by Ayala Land Estates.

Take advantage of our LAUNCHING PRICE & DISCOUNTS plus be the first to choose the most prime lot/s. We are now accepting Letters of Intent.

For any questions, please feel free to reply to this email or contact me at +639175998085 and i'd be happy to assist you.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL

10th Judicial Region

Cagayan de Oro City

OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT SHERIFF AMENDED SHERIFF’S NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF File No. 2022-1192

UPON EXTRA-JUDICIAL PETITION FOR SALE under Act 3135, filed by BDO UNIBANK, INC., as Mortgagee/s, against Spouse D ANILO S. LANADO and LENILIA R. LANADO, as mortgagor/s, of (1) Lot 30, Block 7, La Mirande Crest, Gran Europa, Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City and (2) Purok 5, Barangay Manila Group, Wao, Lanao del Sur, the indebtedness of mortgagors, per statement account, as of June 30, 2022, the subject obligation is in the amount of ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SEVEN and 66/100 (1,880,807.66) the undersigned Sheriff or his duly authorized deputy will SELL at Public Auction Sale on November 15, 2022, within the hours of 10:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon, at the main entrance door 1, of the Hall of Justice, Uptown Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, to the HIGHEST BIDDER, for CASH or Manager’s Check and in Philippine Currency described mortgage Real Property below, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE No. 137-2019006163

A certain Land (Lot 30, Block 7, subdivision plan no. PCS-10-004641, portion of cons/sub of Lots 21242-A, B, C, E, xxx, located in Lumbia, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, with an area of 111 sq. mts. more or less.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated date, time and place.

Prospective buyers/bidders are further informed that if the said scheduled date of public auction will be declared holiday, then the sale will be conducted on the next working day.

Further, buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves the condition and registration of the herein-above described and encumbrance thereon, if any there be. DONE this 30th day of September, 2022, in the City of Cagayan de Oro.

(SGD) ENRIQUE M. TALAG JR. Sheriff IV

Cagayan

chemicals at every stage: applying Nematicide during land prepara tion, Phosphoric Acid (fungicide), Actara (insecticide) and Duiron and Promacil (herbicide) during pre-planting. Immediately after planting, they apply Duiron and Ametryne. Tons and tons of chemi cal fertilizers are applied as basal then bombarding the growing crops with foliar fertilizer at 1,500 kgs. per hectare. There are about 48,000 hectares of plantations surrounding Macajalar Bay, multiply these by 1,500 kgs. you imagine 100 trucks dumping chemicals every day in Macajalar Bay as ultimately, these chemicals find their way into the bay and of course, into our water table as these toxic chemicals are non-biodegradable.These toxic chemicals are ingested by fish that cause their sudden death, and if the fish survive with carcinogenic elements in them, these are biomagnified that find their way into our bodies when we eat fish. Are you still wondering why many are dying of cancer in Cagayan de Oro? Indeed, these poisonous chemicals poison sea life and even entered food chains.

Worse, we strongly suspect that the water table may have al ready been contaminated by these toxic chemicals. In fact, no less than the former Regional Execu tive Director of the DENR, my best friend, Dr. Raoul Geollegue suspected that our drinking water have been contaminated already. If that be so, then, we can aptly say, “drink now, die later.” Following the precautionary principle, we in Task Force Macajalar have been clamoring that our water table be examined as the Cagay-anons may be drinking or bathing or using water for cooking which are already contaminated with these toxic chemicals. But until now, such plea falls on deaf ears. One day, the people of Cagayan de Oro will wake-up and only then that such horrible reality be promptly checked or face the collective anger of the deceived people.

As if these chemicals are not yet enough to kill the bay, there are other death blows such as industrial pollution as the bay is treated by surrounding industries as their waste pit. The bay is also a victim of soil erosion and siltation. What men do in the uplands affects the life in the sea. Because trees were logged by the powerful loggers which left hundred thousands of hectares denuded, soil has been eroding and washing in the silted rivers and into the bay. The eroded soil or silts has harmed sea life, coral reefs and cause fish and other organisms to die.

Our fisherfolk and their families have been painfully witnessing the fading away of the bay’s fishery and aquatic resources. They are

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late PASTOR SID B. JADUCANA , who died on February 6, 2019, that the deceased died intestate, without will or testament, and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity, at the time of his death he left certain real property with TCT-T91207, situated in the Barangay of Carmen, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, and has been subject of an DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT, filed by the heirs of PASTOR SID B. JADUCANA, per DOC#264; PAGE#53; BOOK#CLXIII; Series of 2022 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JORGE B. MAGDAONG, JR

vehemently condemning the mas sive ecological degradation as such deprives them of their legitimate livelihood. Let us not sacrifice the Bay to the altar of greed and profit.

Indeed, as has been said, “only when you have cut the last tree, only when you have dried the last river, only when you have caught the last fish, only then will you realize that you cannot eat your money.” We must now be one and stand to protect Macajalar Bay, and all the bays in the Philippines as the coastal communities are now hungry and becoming the poorest of the poor.

BFAR and Maritime Police, the hungry poor fisherfolk are not the ones killing the bay. The loggers, the miners, the surrounding factories that are treating the bay as their “waste pit” and the hundreds of thousand of hectares of massive plantations using chemicals which are already banned in other coun tries. Don’t zero-in on arresting the poor fisherfolk as everyday their malnourished children are crying out of hunger. Unlike those pow erful culprits who are sacrificing the bay for greed and profit, these poor fisherfolk are catching fish to feed their hungry children. Yes, it is now the season of the”Maranay” also known as “Bolinao”. It has always been difficult for them to catch fish with the demise of the bay. Thus, they are happy to catch fish and what comes to mind is to catch the fish for their hungry children and are puzzled no end when you arrest them. Ah, prohibited? How about those killing the bay? Where are they? In their mansions?

Lion...

from page 4

at the end? A shadow of doubt remains after each fight getting its origin out of anger.

The silent withdrawal and lack of understanding and innumerable shortcomings of one or both partners are often an indication that one is angrily punishing the other for not doing things his or her way.

We are all selfish! Yes, me too! That's why we see the cause of anger as something outside of ourselves. Life is unfair! Life is hard!

+++ Email me: doringklaus@gmail. com or follow me on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter or visit one on of my websites www.germanex patinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.germaninthephilippines. tropicalpenpals.com.

Bull...

from page 4

news is if you will ask Jesus to come in to your heart and take control of your life, He can start healing your wounds. He will also give you the strength to forgive those people who hurt you. It is then that you can finally be free to move forward and start fully experiencing God’s beautiful plan for your life. Just think a minute…

Discuss...

from page 5

clean energy for Filipinos.

For the part of the business sector, Pedro said the FFCCII told Marcos the need to further improve doing business in the country.

Pedro said the business group recommended to the Chief Executive that the country should have a onestop shop for all the requirements and processes in starting a business in the country.

“In order for the investors to set up here, we need to eliminate red tape,” he added.

Pedro said the Philippines should look into the best practices

of neighboring countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and China wherein there is a one-stop shop for investors that will help them in setting up their business in the country.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority offers such service. However, the business should be export-oriented and should be located within an economic zone.

Earlier, Marcos thanked the Filipino-Chinese business group for heeding the call to work with his administration in accelerating the country’s recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

“We are pleased they have eagerly responded to our call for a whole-ofnation approach to addressing this immense and arduous task,” Marcos said. (PNA)

Denial...

from page 5

our available power capacity to the detriment of the country and the consumers,” SMC Global Power added.

ERC Chairperson Monalisa C. Dimalanta said on Tuesday that the regulator denied the temporary increase because both Meralco and SMC had not exhausted all available options before filing a rate increase petition.

Ms. Dimalanta added that SMC only submitted an unaudited financial statement to support its claim that its two power plants suffered losses, which the company placed at P15 billion.

She said SMC should follow what is in the PSAs, which set 60 days before it can terminate the supply deal after the receipt of the ERC decision.

“They should follow the contract because the contract itself is the one that set the period, it’s a fixed price financial contract,” she added.

SMC earlier said that the losses, of which it was trying to recover P5 billion through the rate increase, were caused by a “change in circumstance,” including supply disruptions triggered by a coal export ban, Russia’s war on Ukraine, and value chain issues triggered by the pandemic.

Had the ERC approved the petition for temporary relief, SMC said electricity prices in Luzon would go up by only 30 centavos per kilowatt-hour over a period of six months. It previously warned that a denial of the petition might result in a 30% increase in electricity prices.

Value...

from page 3

strengthen its position in key GVCs. Decisive policy action to ensure that investment is channeled into priority sustainable development sectors has never been so critical,” the World Bank report added.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the three clusters identified in the World Bank study are part of the priority industries of the agency.

“Supporting the country’s enhanced participation in reconfigured GVCs is a long-term pursuit that entails addressing structural, systemic, and sectorspecific constraints to growth,” Pascual said.

He added that legislation is also in place to help attract FDIs.

These laws passed by Congress in recent years include the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law and the amendments to the Public Service Act, the Foreign Investment Act, and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act.

“As the country enters the postpandemic future, implementing an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient industrial policy is imperative to build a more competitive economy. By relying on science, technology, and innovation (STI) and essential digital technologies, industries will be better positioned to face competition in both domestic and export markets and pave the way for industrial transformation,” the trade chief said. (PNA)

Bonds...

from page 3

daunting volatile market environment to attain our financing objectives at favorable cost, we too shall rise above the present difficulties through our eight-point economic blueprint toward differentiating ourselves as the prime destination of choice among quality-conscious investors,” she said.

Proceeds of the shorter-dated debt papers will be used for budgetary support while that of the 25-year will be utilized to “finance or refinance assets under the Republic’s Sustainable Finance Framework,” the statement said.

The government tapped Standard Chartered Bank and UBS as joint sustainability structuring banks for the transaction while BofA Securities, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, SMBC, Standard Chartered Bank, and UBS were tapped as joint bookrunners, it added. (PNA

Loans...

from page 1

Teachers’ relatedness

By JANICE B. TULBA Teacher III Tangub City National High School Tangub City Division

THE satisfaction of teachers’ need for relatedness is an important precondition for teachers’ well-being. Receiving social support plays an important role in satisfying the need for relatedness.

Teaching is frequently being associated with the experience of relatively high stress levels and reduced well-being among teachers. The receipt of social support is an important job resource that can be beneficial for teachers’ well-being and thus their functioning.

According to the selfdetermination theory, individuals experience well-being and optimal functioning when their needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness are satisfied. Previous research shows that

social support primarily contributes to the satisfaction of the need for relatedness. Thus, strengthening the receipt of social support among teachers may result in tight-knit school teams that can support teachers’ well-being and functioning and thereby contribute to educational quality. Therefore, it is important to examine how the receipt of social support in schools can be strengthened. The individual and proactive role of teachers in receiving social support by searching for it is underexposed in this question. The exchange of social support is an essential aspect of social interactions which involves the qualitative aspect of helping behavior between two persons.

of a member’s past-due shortterm member loans into one consolidated loan while all unpaid penalties shall be consolidated and condoned upon full payment of the consolidated loan.

Interested members must meet the following requirements to qualify for the program: have a past-due short-term member loan at the time of their application; have not been granted any final benefit such as permanent total disability or retirement; have not been disqualified due to fraud committed against the SSS; and have an active My.SSS account. Regino said members may pay their consolidated loan through a one-time payment within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving the approval notice or they may also opt to pay through installment.

For the installment scheme, members must pay a down payment equivalent to at least 10% of the consolidated loan within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving the approval notice. Meanwhile, they can pay the remaining balance for up to 60 months, depending on the amount.

He said that if the member fails to meet the payment terms based on the consolidated loan agreement, SSS will deduct the outstanding balance of the consolidated loan from the shortterm benefits (sickness, maternity, or partial disability benefit claims) and final benefits (permanent total disability, death, retirement), as authorized by the Social Security Commission (SSC).

The SSS chief added that the outstanding balance of the consolidated loan can also be deducted from the death benefit of the members’ beneficiaries or deduct it from the actual final benefit claims.

“We want to collect the pastdue loans from our members. However, we also recognize that the pandemic has greatly affected the livelihood of many of them. At this point, they might already be able to pay their loan obligations. Hence, we designed this consolidated program to help them settle their loan obligations by condoning the penalties and offering flexible payment terms,” Regino concluded.

Members may submit their application for the consolidated

Republic of the Philippines ) City of Cagayan de Oro ) S.S.

loan program online through their My.SSS account.

Reset...

from page 1 Manresa Town is “futureready and sustainable” and is designed with generous open spaces, green areas, wide roads, dedicated bike lanes, and is surrounded by 28 hectares of protected forest area.

Cebu Landmasters is also the project manager for the development of the 21-hectare XU Masterson Campus of the Future.

Members of the Concerned Parents, Teachers, Alumni and Communities Against the Sale of the Xavier Campus (COPTAC) opposed the venue of the public hearing — a local uptown restaurant in Upper Carmen that can only hold at lease 50 persons.

COPTAC members also complained that Cebu Landmasters, Inc. did not give them time to study the EIS.

“We need more time to review the EIS because many of us cannot understand the technical jargon,” Ed Montalvan, a COPTAC member said.

Lao agreed and directed property developer Cebu Landmasters, Inc. to provide copies of the EIS to the COPTAC members.

He also chose as venue of the public hearing on October 17 the covered basketball court inside the Xavier University’s SEARSOLIN (Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute) campus.

“I agree with the observation of the COPTAC members that the restaurant venue cannot be called a public hearing because of its limited capacity,” Lao said.

Cebu Landmasters apologized for the venue saying they did not anticipate that the public hearing would attract many people.

Cagayan de Oro Councilor Roger Abaday, chair of the Committee on Environment said the City Council has approved the application of Cebu Landmasters subject to the issuance of an ECC from the DENR.

AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION

I, Alegria Tagaan-Tanner, of legal age, Filipino, widow and a resident of 24 A Gemini St., Villa Ernesto, Phase 1, Gusa, Cagayan de Oro city, declare under oath that:

1. I am the only legitimate heir being the wife of the late Andreas Hendrik

who

2. At the time

3. Upon his

001-064211-132 in the sum of EURS 5,494.13; (c) 001-064211-195 in the sum of CHF 11,413.88; and (d) 001-064211-196 in the sum of USD 11,086.95; as well as an SUV with the following particulars: Engine No. -4JJ1SE5414, Chassis No.- PABTFR85DJ2004877, Make- Isuzu, Series 180 D-MAX 4x2 L, Model 2018, Plate No. KAB

HSBC

The

the certificate of registration

“B”

made integral part of this Affidavit.

4. Pursuant to Rule 74, Sec. 1 of the Rules of Court, I hereby adjudicate unto myself the above-described properties by means of this Affidavit and hereby files the same with the Register of Deeds of Cagayan de Oro City with the request that the said adjudication be made effective without judicial proceeding as prescribed by the aforementioned provision of the Rules of Court.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,

(SGD)

Earlier today, the BMAP (Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines) Board paid a courtesy call with BSP Gov Felipe Medalla and DG Chuchi Fonacier, led by our President Mai Sangalang (Stanchart). Also present were Ann Reyes-Ducanes (Chinabank), Em Valdes (RCBC), Tanya Deakin (Security Bank), Yayu Javier (Avanza), Judith Songlingco (PBB), and yours truly. Too bad we missed Owen Cammayo (BPI), Janette Young Abad Santos (Robinsons Bank), Hannah Hocson Lopez (BDO) and Estela Saulo (Metrobank)