BusinessWeek Mindanao (October 22-23, 2021)

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Volume XII, No. 57

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Briefly Role of infra PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday emphasized the vital role of infrastructure development in the full reopening of the Philippine economy amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a speech delivered in Lucena, Quezon, Duterte said pursuing more infrastructure projects in the countryside would lead to inclusive growth.

He added that greater productivity and progress can be achieved through improved mobility, including efficient access to goods and services.

No "no jab, no job policy" THE chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Labor and Employment on Thursday thumbed down the policy of making coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination a mandatory condition for work being implemented by some businesses.

1PACMAN Party-list Rep. Enrico Pineda said the “no jab, no job” policy requiring a person to be vaccinated so that he or she may be able to make a living is "not right".

“Although I am in favor of vaccination so that we can attain herd immunity, I don’t believe that it should be forced upon our people. Restricting access to a livelihood on the basis of one’s choice not to be vaccinated is violative of their basic right to choose, their right to free will.

My body, my decision," Pineda said.

Regulating the LPG THE chairperson of the House Committee on Energy on Thursday said the newly signed LPG Industry Regulation Act would be beneficial to millions of Filipino households as it promotes every consumer's right to safe and non-defective LPG cylinders.

In a statement, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel MacapagalArroyo said Republic Act 11592 establishes an LPG Cylinder Improvement Program to ensure that unsafe cylinders will be immediately removed and replaced with new and non-defective ones to avoid LPG-related explosions and fires significantly.

Arroyo said the new law also defines the best conduct and practices for the domestic industry players and institutionalizes the cylinder exchange and swapping program to allow consumers to purchase any LPG cylinder brand of their choice.

IN-DEPTH

Govt to retire coal plants in Mindanao Fri-Sat|October 22-23, 2021

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By MYRNA M. VELASCO, Contributor

HE Depar tment of Finance (DOF) wants to stop burning coal in Mindanao, in line with the government’s program aimed at promoting sustainable investments.

During the launching of the Philippine Sustainable F i n an c e R o a d m ap an d Gu i d i ng Pr i n c ipl e s on We d n e s d a y, O c t . 2 0 , Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said the government will retire all coal-fired power plants in

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Mindanao.

Dominguez said the government is exploring a financing mechanism that will fund the rehabilitation and increase the generating capacity of the Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex in Lanao del Norte.

DA-10 urges ASF-hit hog raisers to insure with PCIC THE Department of Agriculture (DA) 10 (Northern Mindanao) on Wednesday encouraged raisers and farmers to get their hogs insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

In an interview, DA-10 Director Carlene Collado pointed out that should hog raisers get affected again by African swine fever (ASF), the indemnification pay would be higher.

"In case (their hogs) getting hit (again)

by ASF, each hog (culled) will be paid P10,000. For now, only P5,000 (per hog) of assistance is given by the DA," he said.

Collado said P10,000 is only the minimum, as it can go as much as P34,000 based on PCIC's classification.

The PCIC is a government-owned and controlled corporation mandated to implement the government’s agricultural insurance program.

Apart from hog raisers, other farmers planting crops or growing livestock can INSURE/PAGE 7

“As we improve our renewable energy resource, we will retire coal-fired plants in the region,” said Dominguez, who is also the chairman of the Climate Change Commission.

This plan for Mindanao to RETIRE/PAGE 7

CHRISTMAS LANTERNS FOR SALE. Christmas lantern stalls are popping up in different parts of the Davao-Bukidnon highway in Davao City amid uncertain times. The mood in parts of the city reflects the extent of celebration, with fewer lights outside homes and structures unlike pre-pandemic times.

But this vendor is getting inquiries from passing motorists for his products priced from P1,500 to P5,000. mindanews photo by yas d . ocampo

BARMM inks new Online sexual abuse against children on pact with UK, UNICEF to the rise as pandemic alters learning system into the sex trade or victims of boost Covid-19 response human trafficking, revealed.

By JOAN MAE SOCO-BANTAYAN, MindaNews

COTABATO City – To boost its campaign against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the Bangsamoro Autonomous

Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), through its Ministry of Health (MOH), has entered into a new RESPONSE/PAGE 6

DAVAO City — Young g irls f rom p o or urb an communities have become vulnerable to online sexual abuse and exploitation with

the shift in school setup from face-to-face to online classes, Talikala, Inc., a nongovernment organization here helping women forced

What is more worrisome is that in a number of cases, the victims’ family members have been involved in the online ABUSE/PAGE 6

CDO to close biggest, ‘formaldehyde-reeking’ public cemetery

By FROILAN GALLARDO, MindaNews

OVERCROWDED CEMETERY. The overcrowded Bolonsiri public cemetery in Cagayan de Oro City is scheduled to be teared down to make way for a new one. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

THE CAGAYAN de Oro city government is closing its biggest, 39-year-old public cemetery, which was found to be “reeking with formaldehyde,” one of the chemicals used in embalming cadavers.

Engr. Armen Cuenca, chief of the Cagayan de Oro Local Environment and Natura l Res ources Office (CLENRO), said the

19.2-hectare Bolonsiri public cemetery will be closed.

According to him, “nothing can be done” with the nine hectares of the public cemetery as they are “overcrowded.”

“We are hoping that the natural filtration on t h e g r o u n d p r e v e nt e d the formaldehyde from damaging the water table in CLOSE/PAGE 6

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FRI-SAT|OCTOBER 22-23, 2021

LDS guv hopeful for faster Marawi rehab

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ARAWI City Following the visit of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte here Saturday, October 16, to lead the unveiling of the Grand Mosque and the commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the city’s liberation, Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. conveyed his hope that the rehabilitation here be more fast-tracked.

“We are very hopeful that your presence at ground zero

will speed up the remaining programs and resolve the other infrastructure inadequacies so that displaced families who are still from the temporary shelter will be able to return to their normal lives,” said the provincial governor to the country’s Chief Executive.

Adiong also called on the passage of the Marawi Compensation bill as this is seen to be essential to also speed up internally displaced persons’

(IDPs’) recovery and for them to start anew in their respective homes in the most affected area (MAA).

He formally thanked the President for his presence in this year’s Kapananadem or remembering the liberation of the five-month firefight four years ago and for personally checking on the progress of the rehabilitation in the city’s battleground which is set to be fully completed in 2022

according to plans and targets and as carried out by the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) and its implementing agencies.

Adiong further delivered his appreciation to Duterte for one of the notable legacies which is the land reform program wherein portions of military reservation here are said to be legally distributed to former occupants, especially those impacted by the siege.

With the visible support

from the national government, he conveyed his optimism to have once again the city with its former glory.

“Mariing inaangat naming makitang manumbalik ang sigla ng Marawi na nagpapatunay na tayo ay nakabangon na sa dagok ng nakaraan sa ating nakagawiang kabuhayan, lalo na dito sa ground zero na siyang nakagawiang sentro ng pamilihan,” he expressed. (CRG/ PIA-Lanao del Sur)

DA-10 SAAD gives farm inputs to Bukidnon IP tribe to promote peace, dev't

In line with the IP month celebration nationwide, DA-10 SAAD provides farm inputs to MINTIGMAMATA, an IP association of barangay Iglusad, San Fernando, Bukidnon. (DA-10)

In celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) Month, the Department of Agriculture - 10 (DA10) through the Special Area for Agricultural Development Program (DA-SAAD) turned over more than P120,000 worth of farm inputs to

BALINGASAG, MISAMIS ORIENTAL National Highway Balingasag, Barangay 4, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental Mobile Number/s: 0933-823-3161, 0933-823-3304 Tel. Number: 333-5161 CAGAYAN DE ORO P&J Lim Building, Tiano Kalambagohan St., Barangay 14, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel No. (08822) 727-829 / 231-6629 Telefax No. (088) 856-1947 Mobile No. 0933-823-3303 / 0943-708-7065 CAGAYAN DE ORO WAREHOUSE Warehouse 7, Bonbon Road, Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Mobile No. 0917-825-4149 / 0943-708-7065 CARMEN, CAGAYAN DE ORO Vamenta Blvd., fronting CEPALCO, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 233-2011 Mobile No. 0933-823-3159 CORRALES, CDO Corrales Ave., Barangay 29, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 231-2055

the Minole Tigwahanon Manobo Matigsalug Tribe Association (MINTIGMAMATA) on October 14, 2021.

MINTIGMAMATA, an IP association of barangay Iglusad, San Fernando, Bukidnon, represented by their president, Datu Martin P. Daguloan,

DIVISORIA, CDO A. Velez St., Barangay 9, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 856-1947 Mobile No. 0917-841-4000 / 0933-823-3164 GINGOOG CITY G/F Wyne Militante Bldg., Lugod St., Barangay 22, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental Telefax No. (088) 861-0104 Mobile No. 0933-823-3168 LAPASAN, CDO National Highway (FICCO Bldg.), Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 231-6739 Mobile No. 0933-823-3160 PUERTO, CDO Purok 6, Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Tel. No. (088) 859-0574 Mobile No. 0943-708-7537 CAMIGUIN B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Telefax No. (088) 387-0491 Mobile No. 0943-708-7539

received 120 bags of organic fertilizer (P76,680) and 300 packets of vegetable seeds (P43,500) at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Said provision is

also in support of the department’s thrust to increase productivity and reduce poverty among the marginalized sectors in agriculture and fishery.

The effort is in pursuit of the country’s peace agenda, considering that barangay Ilusad of said FARM/PAGE 7

MSSD-BARMM spends P68-M for medical aid to indigents COTABATO City – The Ministry of Social Services and Development in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao has released more than PHP68 million in medical aid to indigents across the region, a top MSSDBARMM official reported Thursday.

Lawyer Raissa Jajurie, MSSD-BARMM minister, said the total aid of P68,894,606, which included the P19,967,870 funds released for indigent patients at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center here, covered a full year starting October 2020.

She said the assistance was carried out through the ministry’s Bangsamoro Critical Assistance for Indigents in Response to Emergency Situations or B-CARES Program.

“The B-CARES Program has so far served 1,507 patients at the CRMC and more than half of them were residents of Cotabato City,” Jajurie said in a statement Thursday.

She noted that the program covered the indigent patients’ hospitalization expenses, cost of medicines, and other medical treatments or procedures such as laboratory fees, dialysis, chemotherapy, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and antiretroviral therapy.

“We have a social worker stationed at CRMC Malasakit Center whom relatives of indigent patients can seek aid from,” Jajurie said.

Aside from CRMC, patients can also seek hospitalization from MSSD's other partner hospitals across the region under the B-CARES program.

Jajurie mentioned them as the Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital, AID/PAGE 7

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FRI-SAT|OCTOBER 22-23, 2021

Building confidence and trust in the Philippines’ COVID-19 vaccine roll-out W HILE vaccination is a vital tool in helping the Philippines end the COVID-19 pandemic, actually understanding people’s concerns is crucial to promote higher vaccination rates through more effective public health communication. After all, it’s the act of vaccination rather than the vaccines themselves which reduces disease spread and severity.

To help the Government connect with the community during the national COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, researchers should explore which attitudes drive or hinder vaccination by conducting interviews in 3 high risk groups: healthcare workers, older adults and adults with comorbidities.

This will help develop insights and strategies to build public trust and encourage people to feel confident taking a COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccination, not

vaccines that save lives.

So actually having those vaccines to give to people and building people’s confidence to accept those vaccines is the key that makes disease prevention work.

One piece of the puzzle By sitting down with everyone from clinicians and nurses together with administrator and senior within these high risk groups, the researchers will gain valuable insights into areas such as how the pandemic has impacted people’s lives, which factors influence whether or not individuals will take a COVID-19 vaccine, and whether there is any further information that people would like to know to boost their confidence in the vaccines.

It’s going to be one piece of the puzzle but it’s a piece of the puzzle that will hopefully allow us to be ahead of the game in ensuring that we deliver the best possible information to people to afford them the protection

The true value of education MARK A.PALAD Master Teacher II Yumbing NHS, Camiguin

It is clear that not everyone has a positive response to the route the Department of Education (DepEd) chose to continue the schooling of hundreds of thousands of Filipino students. And while a great many students choose to whine and wail about how difficult or how much they dislike their modes of learning, there are a few that, despite the glaringly blatant disadvantages, strive just to achieve their dreams.

In a reality where all needs are met and life is comfortable, often the response to something outside of our comfort zones would be to avoid and/or ignore it. That is not the case for the unfortunate few who need to scrape the bottom of the barrel just to barely make daily ends meet.

While it can be argued that this is reason for students who are in greener pastures should focus more on their studies, it is also a crystal clear reflection on how DepEd threw their ideal of an “inclusive” education right out the window at the first sign of disaster.

Credits to DepEd where tis due—for not completely giving up on educating their students—but they need to be called out for seemingly forsaking an important and possibly game-changing tenet.

With their promised inclusive education, any and all willing students from all corner of the Philippines

would be given the chance to make something for themselves through a proper education. And now, two years of coping with the drastic changes brought by COVID, and still no sign of revival.

Stor ies of chi ldren study ing under st re et lamps, seeking help from the unlikeliest of people; these sob stories have been popping up on social media left, right, and center—a testament to the shortcomings of the Department. Perhaps, more than telling the students to value education more, the people that should be told this are the people pulling the strings behind DepEd and the societal leaders in all.

In a l l honest y, t he Department of Education alone could not even begin to complete this behemoth of a task. At the very least, this venture will take a societal approach to completion; involving not only one government sector, but several organizations and stakeholders.

“It takes a village to educate a child”. In that sense, it takes a nation to nurture a generation.

With hand in hand, the entire society must make a move to nudge the future generations forward; the generations that could redefine everything we thought we knew. That is the true value of education.

and ultimately enable us to have enough populationlevel immunity to end the pandemic.

As the Philippines learns more about the pandemic and the SARSCoV-2 virus itself, these

types of interviews allow us to pinpoint public attitudes towards vaccination and truly

connect with people during these difficult times.

CONFIDENCE/PAGE 7

Ayala’s HR chief bares secrets to being one of the ‘World’s Best Employer’ MANILA – Ayala Corporation’s Managing Director JP Orbeta bares how company’s human resources units address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and fulfill their commitment as responsible employers at the panel discussion “The New People People” hosted by The Economist.

Ayala Corporation is one of the three Philippine corporations that made it to Forbes’ 2021 list of the World's Best Employers. This recognition follows Ayala's merit of excellence award from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and another gold from Gawad Pandayon by PANA, the country's biggest advertiser group.

Speaking alongside HR leaders from another ‘best employer’ Standard Chartered and tech startup Zilingo, Orbeta said Ayala has always had a people-first perspective in addressing the COVID-19, prioritizing the health and well-being of employees across the group.

“There was never a question about making sure that we continue to pay our employees despite them not physically coming to work. The true north for leaders is ‘What is the right thing to do here?’” Orbeta said.

Beginning March of last year, Ayala empowered its personnel to work efficiently and effectively under a remote setting and in the workplace which it calls ‘Work Where Effective’ weeks before government announced the nationwide lockdown.

Ayala also rolled out a groupwide COVID

response package, covering all employees, business partners, customers, and the broader population. As of October 2021, Ayala Group has allocated over P19.5 billion for this response package.

• Groupwide emergency financial response package for direct and indirect employees’ salary continuance, leave conversions, and loan deferments; • A quarantine facility for employees called Ayala Group Employee Care Center; • A dedicated healthcare hotline and teleconsultation service, including an in-house bot called Assistant during Crises and Emergencies (ACE) for daily health and risk assessments to monitor employees and household members; • Work-from-home arrangement and online resources for re-tooling and upskilling, as well as shuttle services for essential workers who needed to be physically present at work; • A re-entry plan that included redesigning the

workplace and providing tools and protective equipment; • Administration of one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for employees and their registered dependents and business partners; over 500,000 doses have been administered to date; and • An all-in-one healthcare app called HealthNow, which offers teleconsultation, online medicine ordering and delivery, and clinic and diagnostic testing booking.

According to Orbeta, Ayala also prioritized employees of vendor partners given their crucial role to the value chain. From 60,000 direct employees, Ayala Group extended its service to its 120,000 indirect employees.

Inspired by the group’s caring gesture, Ayala employees gave back to vulnerable communities by raising over P149 million through an internal program called Project Pananagutan, which benefitted staff under no-work, no-pay arrangement, public hospitals, and vulnerable

families in Metro Manila and Cavite. Some employees also donated to Project Ugnayan, a private sector consortiumled response to feed the hungry, which raised P1.7 billion and distributed grocery vouchers to over 2.8 million families or 14 million individuals in Greater Manila Area during the first months of the lockdown in 2020.

For Ayala, the overall well-being of the people within and outside its companies is at the center of its operations. At the core of Ayala’s pride is its HR departments organized to manifest the company’s commitment to its primary asset – its people.

“When they know that your company will put the people above everything else, it sends a huge message across that this is a place that really takes care of its people,” Orbeta noted.

John Philip S. Orbeta has been recently appointed as Chief Administrative Officer and Chief HR Officer of AC Energy. He served as Chief Human Resources Officer of Ayala Corporation for 16 years.

Distance learning boosts demand for tablets in Philippines

By BELINDA DONGGON PRIOLO Teacher III Butadon Elementary School Butadon, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte

THE need for a more affordable and portable device to equip students in online learning helped boost the sales of tablets in the Philippines.

The Philippine tablet market almost doubled in 2021Q2 compared to last year, growing by 97.9% year-on-year (YoY) and 15.7% QoQ in 2021Q2.

Tablet shipments continued to be driven by the education sector due to large tenders from several local government units (LGUs) to provide tablets for public school students in

preparation for the school year.

The surge in shipments during the second half of 2020 as shown in the chart is due to the huge tenders from the bigger LGUs when the 2020-2021 school year began in September of last year.

Tablets remain the device of choice among LGUs because it is a cheaper alternative over laptops and desktops as well as the ability of educational platforms, apps, and productivity tools to run on tablets. Some LGUs with

access to internet connections have switched from self-learning modules or printed learning modality to an online/blended learning approach, as it is more cost-effective in comparison to the printout of modules. It also reduces the burden on both parents and teachers who would otherwise need to personally deliver and/or pick up the modules. However, there have also been some schools that have gone the other way around due to connectivity issues.

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Challenge (Part 2) T h i n k a m i nu t e . . .” No t ever ything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” We are facing the most challenging time in human history. Our world population has exploded to 7.8 billion people! With far more people on the planet, we are running out of clean air and clean water. We have new extreme weather p atte r ns an d probl e ms humankind has never faced before. We are trying to survive more killer tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, droughts, and other natural disasters than any generation in history.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has already killed more than 32 million people—and there is still no cure in sight. In Africa, entire towns have only children left living in them because all the fathers and mothers are dead from AIDS. The United Nations reports that we are now facing the worst world hunger and famine in history. Every three seconds a child dies from hunger or lack of clean water. Deadly

THINK A MINUTE

FRI-SAT|OCTOBER 22-23, 2021

Dark shades of PH politics

UPTOWN, Cagayan de Oro — Despite the still rampaging threat of Covid-19, the dark shades of PH politics are spreading wildly on the digital platform.

Indeed it will be a lot of fun on the campaign trail amid the turbulent pandemic.

That said, PH politics has taken us to an exciting free ride this early as we get nearer to next year’s national election.

Contrary to the thinking of political doomsayers, it’s not Isko, Ping, Bato, Leny, nor Pacman who will land in Malacanang.

Sans the presence of Sara, it will likely be Bongbong.

With that, the Marcoses will be back in Malacanang and will reign supreme in the next six years, and even beyond.

On one side, presidentiable

Manny Pacquaio, now under fire from his own turf, has nothing to brag about of the kind of governance once elected into office.

The desire to become president is but a product of his nightmares in the ring, latest of which was the defeat to a Cuban fighter.

He has the same hollowed mindset with VP Leny. A weakling in governance to say it upfront.

With that, the opposition is having sleepless nights where and what party will they affiliate and eventually campaign against the well-oiled Bongbong and company.

Be that as it may, we need to get back to our toes and exigently address hunger, poverty and all the economic dislocations that Covid-19 pandemic has taken its deadly toll on us.

These inter woven challenges brought about by the pandemic must be the number one in the list of priorities of the next administration.

And it must be responded with a sense of urgency because at stake here is the overall health and economic pulse of the nation.

However, there is still possibility of a surge of the pandemic midway through the holidays and onwards to the campaign period early next year.

Covid-19 has turned our way of life completely upside down — from the economic side of it to the adjustment disorder we are now facing on a global scale.

In fact, an unprecedented level of anxiety has been spreading like wildfire for almost two years now with no exemption in sight — rich

diseases and viruses can spread around the world very quickly. Add to all this our many conflicts, violence, and global terror, and our future is truly scary! We supposedly live in history’s m o s t “a d v a n c e d ” a n d “enlightened” generation, wit h our know le dge of science and technolog y exploding faster than ever. It’s said that human knowledge doubles every 12 hours! Yet, mankind still cannot solve our own most basic problems. “The human race has improved everything except the human race.”

All this bad news and our human condition can CHALLENGE/PAGE 7

RUFFY MAGBANUA or poor, the healthy and the weak, young and old alike are all easy victims of the pandemic.

Now that Doc Willy Ong has thrown his hat for the second highest post of the land, he might have the solution of ending the pandemic following their campaign slogan ‘Bilis, Kilos’ with presidential partner Isko Moreno.

Meantime, it seems the POLITICS/PAGE 7

Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Extreme Poverty KIM'S DREAM

ORLAN R. RAVANERA Not everyone knows that one simple act of kindness can go a long way in making life better to those who are living in extreme poverty. Perhaps, not even that generous leader has been informed how he is well appreciated by those whom he had somehow helped, humble as he is – thus, this sharing of some stories may now be in order how his kindness liberated those living in extreme poverty and those who were victims of ecological disasters.

That disaster that

happened on Dec. 17,2011 when Typhoon Sendong hit the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan had not only caused deaths to some 3,000 people especially those in the vulnerable areas; thousands were rendered homeless.

A year before that, I was called “prophet of doom” because we in Task Force Macajalar were drumbeating a warning of that impending tragedy that thousands will die after I have shown pictures taken from a helicopter of some two hundred thousand hectares of denuded areas in Kalatungan-Mt. Kitanglad Ranges which were rendered without a standing tree after some six logging companies illegally and massively logged our dipterocarp forest for six decades. Those illegal logging activities stopped in the ’90 when we in Task Force Macajalar took direct actions through human barricades.

We were told by my best

friend, Dr. Rabindranath Polito, Ph.D., a physicist, that one inch of rainfall in the 200,000-ha. denuded areas situated in the uplands of Cagayan de Oro would mean one meter when the water reach the 200-ha. urban center of Cagayan de Oro. Thus, 10-inch rainfall would mean 10 meters. Dr. Polito was telling me that the flood water would even carry houses on top of the bridges. Being one of my brightest classmates in high school in Xavier University, I believed him, so, I drumbeat such warning in all meetings.

But no one was listening and I was even called, a “prophet of doom” which became a headline in a local paper.

As thousands of poor families who were living in vulnerable areas were rendered homeless, the cooperatives came together to establish a 5-ha. Cooperative Village in Mambuaya with

The forcefulness of love JHAN TIAFAU HURST

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Cong. Klarex: Liberating the Poor & Oppressed

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It’s true! Where there is love, there is also some kind of forcefulness, an abiding state of being driven despite the variations of our bodily and other earthly conditions.

Where there is love, we can only echo what Christ himself said: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk 12,49) Where there is love, we would be clear about what the real and ultimate purpose of our life is, we would have a good sense of direction even if we are presented with many alternative options, we would not mind the many difficulties and challenges we can encounter as we go along. In fact, we would find great meaning in them.

This is the ideal condition for all of us. Even if we are endowed only with the most phlegmatic and melancholic temperaments, something must be burning inside our

heart that cannot help but burst into a flame, a flame of love, of self-giving, of serving without expecting any return, without counting the cost. If it is not yet there, then let’s enkindle it.

The secret is always that vital identification with Christ. Of course, this condition, this requirement is quite tough to meet, but if we would just try and try again as often as necessary, certainly the ideal effect would just come about. On the part of Christ, we cannot doubt that he is all there for us, all there for the taking.

What can always help is that we avoid getting imprisoned in our own world and allow ourselves to simply be at the mercy of the state of our physical, emotional and mental condition. With our spiritual faculties of intelligence and will, plus of course God’s grace that will always be made abundantly

available, we can transcend beyond these constraining elements.

So we just have to use everything within our power to attain that ideal state of being always on the go, dynamic, eager to serve and to do things for everyone. We may have our limitations, and we can commit mistakes, yet we cannot deny that everything is already given for us to be how we should be in our earthly life. And that is to be like Christ, whose only desire is to love all of us.

We actually cannot avoid using some forcefulness.

Even with our own selves, we have to use it, because if not then we would be totally dominated by our laziness, softness, fears, doubts. Right at the start of the day, when we have to get up, we have to use force, and that little daily task can require heroic efforts, both mental and

assistance from Arch. Tony Ledesma and the Rotary Club. Two hundred two-bedroom houses made of bricks loomed in that village but without roads. Without any hesitation, no less than Cong.

Rolando “Klarex” Uy financed the construction of concrete roads. Now, that housing project for the poor Sendong victims loomed as one of the best housing projects in the country – Thanks Cong.

Klarex. It was so amazing how Cong. Klarex helped the poor family-victims. I as CDA Regional Director then was the one interviewing the victims. One of those were parents who narrated to me that after Sendong, the family just transferred to a dilapidated house which caught fire and three of their children died. Oh my God, I told them from now on you will have a decent home. If not of the concrete road provided POVERTY/PAGE 7

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA physical.

It´s true that as we age, our physical strength can wane, but not the power of the mind nor of the will. In these latter two faculties, which are our spiritual powers, there´s no such thing as aging, unless we entirely submit them to the law of our physical life. Especially with the grace of God, they can go on gaining strength, scope and depth.

So in theory, because of our spiritual nature, we can LOVE/PAGE 7

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FRI-SAT|OCTOBER 22-23, 2021

Easing of travel restrictions benefitting PH property mart

T

HE easing of travel restrictions, especially for foreigners, has positive impacts on the Philippine real estate market, a property advisory firm said.

Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) chief executive officer David Leechiu said one of the positive outcomes of relaxing travel restrictions for foreigners is the comeback of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), which accelerated the growth of the office space market EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AND PARTITION OF THE ESTATE OF LYNDEL ALPUERTO DESQUITADO

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late LYNDEL A. DESQUITADO, who died intestate on August 19, 2019; that the deceased at the time of his death left certain properties with FIRST PARCELTransfer Certificate of Title No. T-106447 issued in the name of Ma. Cecilia M. Desquitado, and Tax Declaration No. F-090423, with a 2-storey Residential Building (Family Home) covered by Tax Declaration No. 1887; situated at Block 3, Lot 8, of the plan Phase 2 Xavier Estates Subdivision, Upper Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY (150) SQUARE METERS, more or less, SECOND PARCEL- Transfer Certificate of Title No. 137-2016002513 issued jointly in the names of MARIO P. TERO, married to Evelyn L. Tero, and LYNDEL A. DESQUITADO, married to Ma. Cecilia M. Desquitado, and on Tax Declaration No. G-371192 (Commercial Lot); situated at Makahambus Street, Poblacion, Cagayan de Oro City, an interest consisting of One-Half (1/2) share in containing an area of ONE HUNDRED (100) SQUARE METERS, more or less, THIRD PARCEL- Transfer Certificate of Title No. 137-2017001181 issued in the name of Ma. Cecilia M. Desquitado, married to Ma. Cecilia M. Desquitado, and Tax Declaration No. G-313255; situated at Corrales Street Extension, Barangay 25, Poblacion, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN (211) SQUARE METERS, more or less, FOURTH PARCEL – Transfer Certificate of Title No. 137-2017007922 issued in the names of Ma. Cecilia Mejia Desquitado & Lyndel Alpuerto Desquitado, Tax Declaration No. G-360877 (residential Lot), and Tax Declaration No. G-357856 (Building); situated in the Barrios of Kauswagan & Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of THREE HUNDRED THIRTY ONE (331) SQUARE METERS, more or less, FIFTH PARCEL- Transfer Certificate of Title No. 137-2019000518 issued in the names of Sps. Lyndel A. Desquitado & Maria Cecilia M. Desquitado, Tax Declaration No. G-371271 (residential lot) and Tax Declaration No. 369000 (Building); situated in the District of Macasandig, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED (200) SQUARE METERS, more or less, SIXTH PARCEL-Transfer Certificate of Title No. 137-2020002893 issued in the names of Spouses Lyndel A. Desquitado and Maria Cecilia M. Desquitado, Tax Declaration No. G-371273; situated in the Barangay of Upper Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) SQUARE METERS, more or less, SEVENTH PARCEL-Condominium Certificate of Title No. 137-2018000423 issued in the names of Maria Cecilia M. Desquitado, and Tax Declaration No. G-333693; situated at the PRIMAVERA

before the pandemic.

“With travel restrictions easing up, we anticipate POGOs to start reopening their offices and begin to grow by the second quarter of 2022,” Leechiu said in a press briefing Thursday.

The POGO sector, where workers are mostly Chinese nationals, has given up around 30 to 40 percent of the office space and a higher rate of vacancy in the residential space amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Right now they are in RESIDENCES TOWER 1, Block 1, Lot 3 Pueblo Business Park, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City containing an area of ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE (1,125.00) Square Meter, EIGHT PARCEL- Condominium Certificate of Title No. 137-2019000033 issued in the names of Sps. Maria Cecilia M. Desquitado and Lyndel A. Desquitado, and Tax Declaaration No. G-354071; situated at the Pueblo de Oro Business Park, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX (1126) Square Meter, MOTOR VEHICLES- TOYOTA FORTUNER Sports Utility Vehicle with Engine Number 2KDU613925, Chassis No. MHFZR69G203105884, Plate Number ANA 5930 described under Certificate of Registration No. 210979882, 02/18/2015 and MVRR O.R. No. 1804108294, 11/29/2019; TOYOTA INNOVA Utility Vehicle with Engine Number 2KD6463466, Chassis No. NUMBERKUN405034949, Plate Number KEL 7722 described under Certificate of Registration No. 9915988-5, 02/16/2010 and MVRR O.R. No. 1753161513, 06/19/2020; MITSUBISHI MONTERO Sports GLS Premium Utility Vehicle with Engine Number 4N15UCD4751, Chassis No. MMBGUKR10HH035677, Plate Number MAF 1286 described under Certificate of Registration No. 297240764, 01/19/2018 and MVRR O.R. No. 128083417, 01/18/2018; KIA BONGO Double Cab with Engine Number JT235233, Chassis No. KN3HAP333YK707899, Plate Number AXA 9491 described under Certificate of Registration No. 197593104, 07/14/2016 and MVRR O.R. No. 1804229873, 01/28/2020; MONIES- CHINABANK-CDO LAPASAN CHECKING ACCOUNT NO. 1831540615 under ACCOUNT NAME: DESQUITADO, LYNDEL or DESQUITADO, MARIA CECILIA MEJIA with available balance of PESOS: FORTY TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED NINETY SIX AND 20/100 ONLY (P42,696.20); PUBLIC SAFETY SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, INC. (PSSLAI) Capital Contribution Account No. 01-0655281 with available balance of PESOS: FOUR MILLION FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY EIGHT & 36/100 (P4,450,768.36) as of July 16, 2020; PUBLIC SAFETY SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, INC. (PSSLAI) Premium Savings Account No. 0200162866 with available balance of PESOS: ONE MILLION FORTY SEVEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED &95/100 (P1,047,400.95) as of July 16, 2020; PUBLIC SAFETY SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, INC. (PSSLAI) Account No. 05-05060927 with available balance in the amount of PESOS: FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND NINETY &26/100 (P530,090.26) as of July 16, 2020; and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AND PARTITION OF THE ESTATE OF LYNDEL ALPUERTO DESQUITADO, filed by the heirs of LYNDEL A. DESQUITADO, as per DOC #499; PAGE #100; BOOK #CXXXIV; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ABRAHAM S. OLEGARIO, JR. BWM: Oct. 22, 29 & Nov. 5, 2021

the moat of stability. But when they start expanding again, I think it depends on the rate of expansion, they could easily wipe out all these vacant spaces in the market in the next two years,” he added.

Leechiu also recalled how POGOs grew since 2016 when they are only occupying 200,000 square meters (sqm), to peaking at 1.7 million sqm. before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Leechiu said both the office and residential properties will be boosted with the return of POGOs in the country.

Aside from POGO, the easing of travel restrictions is also

attracting business process outsourcing (BPO) companies to expand in the Philippines.

He added that many BPO firms, particularly newcomers, will be putting up their operations in the country. Most of these BPO companies are in the healthcare sector coming from the United States and Europe.

“I think the next administration will have to appreciate that we need more PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) zones in Manila. We continue to meet new brands, names you never heard before… who are coming to the Philippines for the first

time, and they need to be in Manila,” Leechiu said.

PEZA has been pushing for the lifting of the ban on new ecozones in the National Capital Region (NCR) to encourage new investors from the BPO sector to open their operations in the Philippines.

Leechiu emphasized those BPO firms that have been in the country for a long time are already expanding in other parts of the country, bringing more jobs and economic activities outside NCR. However, new entrants in the market will have to establish their offices in Metro Manila.

Moreover, with the

infrastructure projects being established by the government particularly airports, it will attract more tourists to the country and will boost the tourism market, Leechiu said.

He added that direct flights coming from abroad to provinces with key tourist destinations will encourage more foreign travelers to visit the country for leisure trips.

“I think tourism will be the biggest industry in the Philippines within 10 years. It will be larger than the BPO sector, it will be larger than the overseas remittances,” Leechiu said.

(PNA)

Ping moves up in survey, now ties Leni Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has steadily gained ground in the latest “Pulso ng Pilipino” nationwide pre-election survey of the Issues and Advocacy Center (The CENTER).

Lacson is moving upwards with a 12.5 percent popularity rating, statistically tied with Vice President Leni Robredo.

He previously received 4% and then 8% in previous surveys in the months leading to the latest poll.

Lacson broke into double digit figures for the EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF DONATION KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late SPOUSES RAMON F. ADECER and SALUD ROBERTOADECER; and that RAMON F. ADECER died on April 11, 1962 while his spouse Salud RobertoAdecer died last August 13, 1996; that the spouses died intestate, without last will or testament, and without outstanding debts or accounts; that both deceased spouses left a parcel of land and buildings erected therein, covered by Tax Declaration Nos. G-006016, G-006017, G-006018 respectively; wit description as follows: Tax Declaration No. G-006018 situated at Tiano Bros. St. Brgy 20, Cagayan de Oro City, two storey building, with total floor area of 182.00 square meters, registered in the name of Salud R. Adecer; Tax Declaration No. G-006017, situated at Tiano Bros.

St., Brgy. 20, Cagayan de Oro City, one storey building, with total floor area of 60 square meters, registered in the name of Salud R. Adecer; Tax Declaration No. G-006016, situated at Tiano Bros. St., Brgy. 20, Cagayan de Oro city, Land, Cadastral Lot No. 683 C-1, with total land area of 266 square meters more or less, registered in the name of Salud R. Adecer, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF DONATION, filed by the heirs of SPOUSES RAMON F. ADECER and SALUD ROBERTOADECER, in favor of MELISSA LAO GAN (DONEE), as per DOC #70; PAGE #14; BOOK #XXIII; Series9 of 2014 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. LYNN AMOR L. PACLARPANULAYA. BWM: Oct. 22, 29 & Nov. 5, 2021

first time “on the basis of a strong showing in Luzon and Visayas regions,” according to The CENTER based on its overview of the findings. The survey was conducted between September 27 to October 8.

Partido Reporma welcomed this development, proving that a traditional yet principled campaign amid extreme political divisions these days is still working no matter how difficult it seems to pull off.

Lacson is expected to see a rise in his numbers in Mindanao after securing Davao del Norte as his EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED AMIE SABANAL-DAMASING KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

This deed is made and entered into by and between: GLENN D. DAMASING, SR., of legal age, Filipino citizen, widower, spouse of the deceased, and a resident of Blk. 10 Lot 1, Phase I, Scions Executive Homes, Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City; GLENN S. DAMASING, JR., 7 years of age, legitimate child of the deceased and duly represented by his legitimate father GLENN D. DAMASING, SR., of legal age, Filipino citizen, widower, spouse of the deceased, and a resident of Blk. 10 Lot 1, Phase I, Scions Executive Homes, Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City; That the late AMIE SABANAL-DAMASING died intestate on November 1, 2018, at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, leaving behind her the above mentioned parties as her legitimate heirs; that the deceased prior to her death has acquired property, more particularly described as follows: Bank account under the name of Mrs. Amie SabanalDamasing, Bank Name: BDO-Gingoog Branch, Account No. 003220213183, Account Balance: Php 36,162.00 and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED AMIE SABANAL-DAMASING, filed by the heirs of AMIE SABANAL-DAMASING, as per DOC #407; PAGE #83; BOOK #V; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JOHN REY J. LAGA, REB. BWM: Oct. 22, 29 & Nov. 5, 2021

bailiwick, where the ruling PDP-Laban lost all of its members to Reporma.

Davao del Norte is governed by Governor Edwin Jubahib, SecretaryGeneral of Reporma, and former Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez, President of Reporma and House representative of the province’s 1st district. Both are Lacson allies.

The CENTER noted that the 2022 presidential contest remains “too close to call” adding that it is premature to count Lacson, Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ de la Rosa out in favor of the top three candidates leading the race.

Lacson emerged as the third preferred candidate for voters belonging to Classes A, B and C with 19 percent rating. He ranked fourth with a 14 percent rating among presidential aspirants based on the preferences of survey respondents from Metro Manila.

“The CENTER views the 2022 polls as a close contest that will be decided by the candidate who has a well-organized political machinery that can successfully conduct the necessary political maneuvers on the days leading to the elections,”

according to the polling firm.

Lacson’s running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) continues to dominate the vice presidential race with all his popularity ratings going beyond 40 percent across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The CENTER conducted the survey without the name of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who did not file her certificate of candidacy for president before the October 8 deadline of the Commission on Elections.

This allowed former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to gain the lead in the latest pre-election survey followed by Sen. Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Moreno, and Robredo.

Pacquiao and Moreno switched places in the latest rankings with the boxer-turned-senator moving up after garnering a 19.75 percent popularity rating, while the actorpolitician dropped a few points with an 18 percent rating.

6

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FRI-SAT|OCTOBER 22-23, 2021

Response... from page 1

partnership with the United Kingdom (UK) government and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

“Primarily, the partnership aims to strengthen and support the Covid-19 prevention efforts in the Bangsamoro region,” Dr. Bashary Latiph, BARMM health minister, told reporters here Wednesday.

Latiph said another project to combat the pandemic was introduced dubbed "Improving COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Overcoming Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Refusal in the BARMM," following the successful implementation of the first Covid-19 Emergency Response in BARMM that ran from August 2020 to March 2021.

Under the new project, the UK government will provide the region’s Bangsamoro Information Office, the MOH, and the provincial information offices in Basilan, Sulu, and TawiTawi, with technical assistance in communication and behavior change, the wide dissemination of correct messages, the training of local health teams on effective behavior change communication, promoting Covid-19 vaccinations, and the mobilization of local government authorities for their full support.

In a statement, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim said the fight against Covid-19 is far from over, especially with the emergence of new variants. Through the renewed partnership with UNICEF and the UK government, he added that the region remains confident that it will be able to address misinformation concerns.

“We have to protect our people against the disease, particularly our children,” Ebrahim said.

To achieve population protection, MOH-BARMM needs to vaccinate some 2.4 million individuals or about 70 percent of the 2020 BARMM population, according to MOH Director-General Dr. Amirel Usman.

Usman admitted that the regional office is facing several issues in its efforts to improve the fight against the pandemic and other health problems.

These include the lack of manpower in data management, late reports due to internet connectivity, misinformation, the low vaccination rate of A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) priority groups, absence of doctors in some rural health units, and preference on the brand of vaccine, among others.

“This time, we will be working closely with the MOH to focus on Covid-19 vaccination. We all know that refusal and hesitancy are really major issues,” said Andrew Morris, UNICEF Chief Field

Officer for Mindanao.

“We will have an extra focus on the islands because it is very diverse with multiple languages. So there is a need for extra communication efforts there,” he added.

Iain Cox, political counselor, and Conflict, Stability, and Security Fund (CSSF) program officer from the UK Embassy, meanwhile announced that the Philippines and the UK government are celebrating their 75th year of bilateral relations.

Cox said the particular project forms part of the wider program to support the BARMM. “The UK had a historical role in the initial negotiation for the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and we wanted to continue that role and support the development of the BARMM, focus in different areas such as supporting the parliament and offering technical assistance,” he said.

(PNA)

Abuse... from page 1

exploitation of children to help them cope-up with the debilitating impact of the pandemic to the economy, the group found out.

In April 2020, the United States National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported that in the Philippines, the number of cases related to Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children or OSAEC skyrocketed by 260% since the start of pandemic. It noted that 40% of the facilitators involved the victims’ immediate family members.

As a result, the Philippines has been identified as the “biggest source of online child sexual abuse materials,” most of them coming from poor families and with the children often going online unprotected or without guidance. According to the report, foreign online sexual predators have been targeting Filipinos since a majority can understand and speak English.

The anecdotal records of Talikala revealed how young girls from urban poor communities here have become vulnerable to online sexual abuses.

Leah (not her real name) was only thirteen when she met a certain “Mike Smith” on social media. At first, Smith was friendly and seemed to be genuinely interested in her.

“Mangutana siya nako kung kamusta akong eskwela, unya buotan kaayo siya. Mangutana pud siya kung naa ba ko mga kinahanglan sa amo. Unya manggihatagon kaayo siya, hatagan ko niya og allowance para sa skwelahan (He would ask how I am doing in school. He is very polite. He would also ask about my needs. He is generous and gives me school allowance),” Leah shared.

For child rights advocates, this level of interaction where the predator is

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

This EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT is made and entered into this 24th of September, 2021 by and between:

CYNTHIA GRACE E. LLANES, of legal age, Filipino, and a resident of Blk. 13 Lot 8, Xavier heights, Brgy. Upper Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City.

RIZZAH GRACE L. FERMANO, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Blk. 8 Lot 6, Villa Maria Subd., Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, and

RALPH LAWRENCE E. LLANES, of legal age, Filipino, and a resident of Blk. 13 Lot 8, Xavier Heights, Brgy. Upper Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City.

WITNESSETH, That:

WHEREAS, we, CYNTHIA GRACE E. LLANES, RIZZAH GRACE L. FERMANO and RALPH LAWRENCE E. LLANES are the heirs of RAFAEL M. LLANES who died on June 25, 2021; WHEREAS RAFAEL M. LLANES died without leaving a will;

WHEREAS the deceased left no debts;

WHEREAS at the time of his death, the decedent left the personal and real properties;

WHEREAS the personal property consists of a bank deposit in the amount of ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED TEN & 67/00 (1,574,310.67) PESOS Philippine Currency at East West Bank, Carmen Branch, Cagayan de Oro City.

NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises and pursuant to SECTION 1 RULE 74 of the Rules of Court we, the heirs, hereby adjudicate in equal shares unto ourselves the personal property left by the deceased.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we hereunto set our hands this 24th day of September, 2021 at Iligan City, Philippines.

establishing friendship and gaining the trust of the child is labelled as “grooming.”

The “generosity” isn’t without strings attached, however.

“Sa sugod kay gapangayo siya og picture nako, dayon pagkadugay na kay mangayo siya na ang suot nako kay swimsuit lang (At first, he would ask for my picture. But later on, he wants my photo where I am clad in a swimsuit),” Leah narrated.

Eventually, Smith requested Leah to take nude photos of herself and have them send to him.

Red flags What would at first appear as harmless exchanges eventually grow into something else. Over time, the young girl will be asked if she has a sister, a relative or a friend whom the predator can also “befriend.” The same things will happen all over again.

“These young girls are drawn to these people because of the feeling that they have someone who is interested in them and is willing to support them economically,” said Jeanette Ampog, Talikala executive director. “We can see how vulnerable they are because of the situation. These contacts happen with unprotected exposure to the internet.”

The parents sometimes become the facilitators, or at the minimum, they allow their children to engage with these strangers because they receive something, too. For example, one family had their house repaired while one father was “gifted” with a digital camera.

In Davao City this year, authorities arrested a mother and a stepfather in Barangay 8A for abusing her 14-year-old daughter. GMA Network also reported in 2019 the arrest of a grandmother in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, for abusing her own grandchildren.

According to SaferKidsPh, majority of the victims come from poor communities and, in many instances, parents or guardians are not around to check on their children or the parents themselves force the children to do sexual acts and sell it to the perpetrators outside of the country. These cases mostly happen at home, a place that was supposed to be the children’s safe space.

Harmful effects Children as young as three months old have become victims of online sexual abuse. The parents or the relatives of the victims who facilitate these acts believe that no real harm is being done since the child is “not touched.”

But to the advocates, nothing can be farther from the truth.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), there are some studies devoted to the effects of

online sexual abuse and exploitation to child victims. Some of the most common negative effects are self-disgust, social isolation, self-harm, anxiety attacks, and challenges in well-being and mental health.

For Leah, she became disgusted with herself and wanted to commit suicide.

“Niabot ko na gusto na lang nako magpakamatay kay gusto niya nga mag-video ko nga makig-sex kauban ang babae. Giluod ko sa akong sarili na mangutana ko ngano’ng na-ingon ani na man ko (I came to a point when I wanted to commit suicide because he wanted me to take a video of me having sex with another girl. I feel disgusted with myself. I had to ask myself what have I become)?” Leah confessed.

Ampog said the child victim’s confession of wanting to commit suicide is a cause for alarm.

“This is causing them stress and anxiety. Their self-blame gnaws at them each time,” Ampog said.

“We have also seen how victims have high levels of dissociation and they become more withdrawn. Another girl also told us how she feels unsafe that anytime, anyone can just come at her with her (naked) pictures,” she added.

Indeed, the shift from face-to-face to online classes has greatly contributed to the unsafe exposure of children to inappropriate online content and to sexual predators.

This was reflected by a data from SaferKidsPh, which showed that 80 percent of cybercrimes involved child exploitation.

liters of formaldehyde are used to preserve a single dead body, which means that at least 3,000 liters or 18 drums of such chemical could be seeping to the ground annually.

The report said that formaldehyde can be hazardous, especially if it contaminates the groundwater.

“This area (Bolonsiri cemetery) has reached its maximum capacity. There is a need to redesign and develop it into a more efficient and environment-friendly memorial park,” the DENR report said.

Records from the Civil Registry Office in Cagayan de Oro showed that 5,680 burial permits have been issued from 2015 to 2019 for the Bolonsiri public cemetery.

Cuenca said the city government had no record of how many were buried between 1982 and 2015.

“Judging on how crowded the graves in this cemetery, we estimated that more than 50,000 are buried here,” Cuenca said.

He said the cemetery included the more than 1,000 residents who died of from COVID-19 since the pandemic started in 2020.

Cuenca said Patient No. 40, the first person who died of COVID-19 disease in Cagayan de Oro, is also buried at the Bolonsiri public cemetery.

Patient No. 40 and the other COVID-19 victims are buried on top of a hill overlooking the cemetery.

“We will not touch the graves of the COVID-19 victims. It is still too early,” he said.

Cuenca said the removal of the old graves will start as soon as the winning bidder, Jejor Construction Corporation, will be given the order to proceed by the city government, hopefully next month.

He said a columbarium where the bones of the dead will be stored would be constructed in the ten-hectare new cemetery.

Cuenca said that all the new graves would be sealed to prevent formaldehyde from seeping to the ground.

“Construction of the columbarium is expected to be finished by February 2022,” Cuenca said, adding the construction will be in phases.

This is the third time that the public cemetery in Cagayan de Oro would be transferred, according to local historian Nanette Roa. She said the side of the St. Agustine

Metropolitan Cathedral, where the Bishop’s residence now stands, was the location of the first public cemetery at the turn of the 20th century.

As Cagayan de Oro grew, Roa said the cemetery was transferred beside Xavier University along Hayes Street.

Roa said the cemetery along Hayes Street had two sections – for the Catholics and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente members.

She said the Bolonsiri public cemetery started accepting burials in 1982 during the term of then mayor and the late Senator Aquilino Pimentel.

Roa said it has two sections, one for Muslims and the other for Catholics and other Christian denominations.

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF EDGARDO SATUR SR., PARTITION AND DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE OF PORTION OF REAL PROPERTY

That the late BIENVENIDO CARTAGENA and PEPITA YANEZ CARTAGENA who died on January 16, 2009 and April 11, 1980, at Barangay Baikingon, Cagayan de Oro City, the deceased at the time of his death, left a parcel of land with TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE T-147379 situated at Baikingon, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of BIENVENIDO CARTAGENA and PEPITA YANEZ CARTAGENA, as per DOC #233; PAGE #47; BOOK #75; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. VINCENT CROMWELL V. SERIÑA.

That the late SPOUSES VICTORIO M. RAGMAC and CRISANTA S. RAGMAC died last April 21, 1983 and June 7, 1963 without any Last Will and Testament and to the best knowledge and information of the VENDORS, the said decedents left no debts; that SPOUSES VICTORIO M. RAGMAC and CRISANTA S. RAGMAC left a parcel of land with Tax Declaration No. 02-002852 situated at Barangay Bolisong, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of NINE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY THREE (9,743) SQUARE METERS, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of SPOUSES VICTORIO M. RAGMAC and CRISANTA S. RAGMAC, as per DOC #163; PAGE #33; BOOK #XXVII; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JAN ELSON G. ORQUILLAS.

That during the lifetime EDGARDO SATUR SR. and a widower, he acquired real property covered by KATIBAYAN NG ORIHINAL NA TITULO BLG. P-28806 situated in the Barrio of Gango, Municipality of Libona, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT (2,948) SQUARE METERS, entered into by and between his children, namely; DARLING RHONA S. PAJO, of legal age, married, Filipino and a resident of Gango, Libona, Bukidnon; LUDEVICA S. VIRTUDAZO, of legal age, married, Filipino, and a resident of Gango, Libona, Bukidnon; RHONALYN S. JOSOL, of legal age , married, Filipino, and a resident of Gango, Libona, Bukidnon; DARLING MAE S. CATUBIG, of legal age, married, Filipino, and a resident of Gango, Libona, Bukidnon; EDGARDO B. SATUR, JR., of legal age, married, Filipino and a resident of Gango, Libona, Bukidnon; and SPOUSES RICHARD AND MARY JEAN CO TAN, of legal age, Filipino, and a resident of 111-113 Tiano-Gomez Street, Cagayan de Oro City, herein referred to as the VENDEE. That Adjudicated of the Subdivided Lots among heirs are as follows: LOT 1132A containing an area of 599 SQUARE METERS to RHONALYN S. JOSOL, LOT 1132-B containing an area of 599 SQUARE METERS to LUDEVICA S. VIRTUDAZO, LOT 1132-C containing an area of 507 SQUARE METERS to DARLING RHONA S. PAJO, LOT 1132-D containing an area of 611 SQUARE METERS to EDGARDO SATUR, JR., LOT 1132-E containing an area of 260 SQUARE METERS to DARLING MAE S. CATUBIG, LOT 1132-F containing an area of 452 SQUARE METERS (ROAD LOT) CO-OWNERS PRO-INDIVISO, RHONALYN S. JOSOL, LUDEVICA S. VIRTUDAZO, DARLING RHONA S. PAJO, EDGARDO B. SATUR, JR. AND DARLING MAE S. CATUBIG, for and in consideration of the sum of ONE MILLION FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (Php 1,050,000.00), Philippine currency, EDGARDO SATUR, JR., hereby TRANSFER AND CONVEY unto the VENDEE, SPOUSES RICHARD AND MARY JEAN CO TAN, their heirs, assigns and successor-ininterest, LOT 1132-D ABSOLUTE AND IRREVOCABLE AND FREE FROM ALL LIENS AND ENCUMBRANCES, and has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF EDGARDO SATUR SR., PARTITION AND DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE OF PORTION OF REAL PROPERTY, as per DOC #4; PAGE #1; BOOK #3; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. SYLVAN GERALD L. SABIO.

BWM: Oct. 15, 22 & 29, 2021

BWM: Oct. 15, 22 & 29, 2021

BWM: Oct. 15, 22 & 29, 2021

Close... from page 1

the surrounding community,” Cuenca said.

However, a 10-hectare alternate site within the Bolonsiri cemetery will be developed, complete with sewage treatment technology to prevent the formaldehyde from seeping to the ground once it becomes operational, he said.

The remains that will be dug out from the closed portion can be transferred to the new site, he added.

In its 2019 report, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that formaldehyde, which is used in preserving dead bodies, has been seeping to the ground since Bolonsiri public cemetery started accepting the dead for burial in 1982.

Since it started operation, the DENR estimated that 1,000 bodies were buried every year at the cemetery.

The DENR report noted that three

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED PERSON

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late BABIOLO B. APUT, who died in Lapad, laguindingan, Misamis Oriental on May 30, 2020, that the said deceased, at the time of his death, left a certain real property with Lot 36258, Cad-237 situated in the Barrio of Lapad, Municipality of Laguindingan, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWENTY SIX THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED THREE (26,803) Square Meters, more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED PERSON, filed by the heirs of BABIOLO B. APUT, as per DOC #54; PAGE #11; BOOK #VII; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. MICHELE N. ANAYRON. BWM: Oct. 15, 22 & 29, 2021

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

7

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FRI-SAT|OCTOBER 22-23, 2021

Confidence... from page 3

A back and forth to build trust Those interviews will reveal the people are happy to get vaccinated or opt not to, these insights will be used for the most important step, testing and tailoring community health messaging to ensure it addresses all important facilitators and barriers to vaccination.

It is natural for people to ask questions about vaccination, especially a novel one they are being asked to take, and that open, transparent public health messaging is an important way to build trust and confidence in the vaccines.

One of the ways we have to respond to hesitancy and to help build trust is via effective communication.

If we respond to people’s questions and concerns, we can help build people’s confidence in the vaccines.

That’s why I think this research is important.

The research reveal the attitudes to vaccination in general. Such studies on COVID-19 vaccination, will examines trends in vaccine acceptance and hesitancy, will allow the concern government agency to continue evolving its community messages in the future.

Challenge... from page 4

understandably make us fearful about the future.

We wonder if there is any place in this world that is absolutely safe and secure?

Yes, just one: in the hands of the only One Who controls the future. As the song says: “I know who holds the future, and I know He holds my hand.” If you put your entire life in Jesus’ hands, you will be in the EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late ROMERICO T. ROXAS, who died intestate on ______, respectively without leaving any last Will and Testament, at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, the said decedent at the time of her demise, left behind personal properties with OCT NO. OE148 situated at Lapad, laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of 13,040 square meters-Agricultural, registered to JESUS ROXAS, and OCT NO. OE-149 situated at Lapad, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of 305 square meters-Agricultural, registered to JESUS ROXAS, NOW, TEHREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises, and invoking the provision of Section 1, Rule 74 of the Rules of Court, the parties hereto have agreed as they here-by do so agree to divide, partition and adjudicate the above estate among themselves in the following manner and proportion, to wit: FOR CONSTANCIA G. ROXAS and LORNA R. DIVINAGRACIA, OCT OE148 situated at Lapad, laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of 13,040 square meters-Agricultural, registered to JESUS ROXAS, and OCT NO. OE-149 situated at Lapad, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of 305 square meters-Agricultural, registered to JESUS ROXAS, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT, filed by the heirs of ROMERICO T. ROXAS, per DOC #373; PAGE #75; BOOK #VIII; Series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. MAYNARD EUGENIO C. YLAGAN. BWM: October 8, 15 & 22, 2021

safest place in the world.

Why risk another day? Once and for all, won’t you ask Him to forgive you for all of your wrong living? Then ask Him to take charge of your heart every day? With Him in charge of every area of your life, you will never again need to fear anything.

He is the only One Who can help you rise to every challenge you face, no matter how big. Just think a minute.

Poverty... from page 4

for by Cong. Klarex, the poor family could have not transferred to that wonderful village.

Three years, ago I visited Barangay Besigan which is just 30 kilometers away from the city but it would take me four hours to reach the hinterland barangay because there was no road. One has to take a long route, going around passing first near Talakag before reaching Besigan. Those living in that barangay, the Higaonon, Manobo and Talaandig Tribes were living in extreme poverty. Their products were bought very cheap, no access to clinics or hospitals, no school, no market and what have you. Thus, I went to inform Cong.

Klarex who again did not hesitate to help for the construction of concrete roads. As it had become very accessible, Besigan has bloomed with IP students having access to nearby school, marketing of local products, access to health center and what have you. You can now reach the once isolated barangay in just 30 minutes and with that assistance, has drawn the poor tribal communities into the mainstream of development process.

What is so amazing is on how the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) not only from the hinterlands of Cagayan de Oro but those from other areas of Mindanao were assisted by the Cong.

Klarex, especially in creating the empowerment path to be liberated from poverty and oppression. With the assistance of Cong. Klarex, a series of IP Mindanao-wide summits were held in Cagayan de Oro City early last year. The Summits focused on how to liberate the oppressed Indigenous Peoples from the quagmire of poverty and oppression, carrying the title “Agaw Lupa, Agaw Buhay,” featured in PTV-4 in three episodes anchored

by Mr. Ceazar Soriano in his weekly program entitled, “Magandang Gabi Pilipinas.” Somehow, the IPs are now empowered through their cooperatives and becoming a countervailing force against climate change and violent extremism. Even the micro transport cooperatives have been assisted by the good congressman as in the case of the Centro Iponan Jeepney Operators and Drivers

Transport Cooperative (CIJODA) that came to being because of his empowerment guidance Thank you so much Cong.

Klarex. You are indeed a liberator of the poor, the oppressed and the victims of ecological disasters.

Your leadership has drawn those in the margins into the mainstream of development processes. We know that you have done so much but humble as you are, there is no noise about your kindness – thus, this little sharing. To you, our firm salute and warm embrace – from Task Force Macajalar, a coalition of farmers, fisherfolks, Indigenous Peoples, micro and small cooperatives and environmentalist groups. Indeed, there is no greater grandeur sight on earth than a leader like you, fired with the vision of liberating the poor and the oppressed from the quagmire of poverty, gross inequities and social injustice – all for God’s greater glory!

Love... from page 4

go on living and loving. This is the natural basis for our immortality, that capacity to continue living even after our death. But since we are a unity of body and soul, of something material and spiritual, we always experience a certain tension within ourselves which we try to bear by using some forcefulness.

But when we have true love, we can handle that predicament well. Love has its inherent forcefulness.

Aid...

from page 2

and the Integrated Provincial Health Office in Maguindanao; the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City; and the Community Health Service C o op erative Hospital (COHESCO) and Dr. R.A.M. Albutra General Hospital in North Cotabato.

Also included are the Basilan General Hospital and Lamitan District Hospital in Basilan; the Sulu Integrated Provincial Hospital and Pangutaran District Hospital in Sulu; and the Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

In partnership with the Mercury Drug outlet here, the MSSD has also covered P12.8 million worth of medicines for 1,880 patients from May 19 to September 30, 2021.

(PNA)

Politics... from page 4

virus is slowing down and the lifting of restrictions worldwide would likely

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result to a dramatic economic turn around as vaccines are coming in by plane loads on a global scale.

Indeed, the pandemic has now incited the worst economic slump since the Great Depression.

And here is the takeaway and why: the meconomic impact of the pandemic may last a little longer even if the underlying cause is contained quickly amid the brewing smell of PH politics.

Sadly, we are not over on this yet. The task ahead is a herculian challenge to all of us as we face off the dark shades of PH politics now shaping up in the four corners of the land. (ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo. com)

Product... from page 5

future, our success justifies local production and it is feasible, then we will explore this,” Mr. Alejandro said.

“With Vinamilk bringing its expertise for dairy manufacturing and innovation to the partnership, DMPI, on the other hand, will leverage its extensive distribution presence across all channels in the country,” he added.

In August, the company announced that it had entered into a “strategic alliance” with Vinamilk. Both companies will be giving 50% to the total investment capital of the joint venture.

Farm... from page 2

mu n i c ip a l it y h a s b e e n identified as one of the conflict vulnerable areas of the region by the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) identified area.

Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado led the turnover ceremony and was assisted by DASAAD 10 Focal Person, Lana May S. Racines, and Field Operations Division Chief, Audy G. Maagad along with consultant Lawyer Albert Lagamon. (DA-10/PIA-10)

Retire... from page 1

completely phaseout coal will be launched at 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland next week, the

finance chief said.

“This could serve as a model for coal dependent emerging economies to gradually shift from fossil fuels to more sustainable and greener energy sources,” Dominguez added.

Last April, Dominguez said the DOF and the Department of Energy developed a plan to rehabilitate the Agus River system and was studying the possibility of setting up a fund to acquire all the coalpowered plants in the region.

He explained that the “idea” was to shutdown all coal-powered plants as energy delivery of the Agus River increases.

Dominguez said they want Mindanao to be completely or at least 90 percent powered by renewable-energy resources.

The government tapped the Asian Development Bank study the viability of the plan.

O n We d n e s d ay, t h e g ov e r n m e nt p r e s e nt e d the Philippine Sustainable F i n an c e R o a d m ap an d Gu i d i ng Pr i n c ipl e s on policy and regulatory gaps in promoting sustainable investments.

He described the launching as “a major step forward in our comprehensive national effort to combat climate change and support our sustainable recovery and development.”

“The Roadmap underscores our commitment to deliver on our carbon reduction pledges. We hope this roadmap will inspire other countries towards adopting the appropriate finance policies that will help in the reduction of carbon emissions,” Dominguez said.

Insure... from page 1

be covered by insurance, as the PCIC’s principal mandate is to provide insurance protection to farmers against losses arising from natural calamities, plant diseases, and pest infestations of their rice, and corn crops as well as other crops.

ASF indemnification Also on Wednesday, Collado oversaw the distribution of ASF indemnification for affected hog raisers in Barangay Bulua and apologized for the delay due to the processing of the request from the Department of Budget and Management.

The distribution started on Tuesday and will run through October 21. A total of P9,730,000

will be given to 443 hog raisers.

Each farmer will receive P5,000 for each hog culled from their care.

Dr. Jules Maquiling, DA-10's focal person for ASF response, earlier said the first round of indemnification to the city's hog raisers was done in July this year. Indemnification was also carried out for hog raisers in Misamis Oriental (MisOr) province.

"We requested a last (third) batch worth P9.1-million for those hog raisers affected until June 30. There are still few (farmers affected) in CDO (Cagayan de Oro), and the rest are in MisOr," he said in an interview Tuesday.

As early as March 2021, DA10 has announced the presence of ASF in this city and Misamis Oriental.

On October 14, DA Undersecretary for Consumer and Political Affairs Kristine Y. Evangelista led the distribution of the ASF indemnification fund in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental.

A total of 281 hog raisers from the 10 barangays of the town received the total amount of P5.98 million for their 1,197 culled hogs that were affected by the virus.

On October 13, the DA also distributed a total of P1.77 million to 86 ASF-affected farmers from five municipalities in Misamis Oriental.

Nine ASF-affected farmers from Manticao received P310,000; Initao with P945,000 (49 farmers); Libertad with P110,000 (5); Opol with P385,000 (22); and one farmer from Laguindingan accepted P20,000.

Alternative livelihood When farmers Palcida Daayata and Eclida Serinado had to surrender their hogs to the DA for culling, both resorted to planting crops as an alternative.

Serinado admitted that it was hard at first since the income from selling the hogs contributed to a large portion of their livelihood.

Daayata said they could have sold each suckling for at least P3,500 had they grown enough to be sold to markets.

Collado said the agency is in talks with provincial and city veterinary offices to come up with new programs to help the farmers recover fast from their losses.

In Misamis Oriental, farmers affected by ASF began raising ducks and sold duck eggs to alleviate their daily income.

(PNA)

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8

Ayala commits to achieve net zero by 2050

A

YALA Corporation, one of the largest conglomerates in the country, is committing to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as announced by its President & CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala during the group's Integrated Corporate Governance, Risk Management, and Sustainability Summit held Thursday.

"As Ayala’s concrete contribution to the wellbeing of future generations of Filipinos, we are announcing our commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We are aligning ourselves with the global movement for climate action as our way to help secure our country’s future from the threats brought by climate change. We believe that we have the capabilities and collective will to make this happen," Zobel said.

Ayala aligns its business strategy with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels. As such, Ayala commits to set targets aligned with science that cover the following: Scope 1 (direct emissions from owned or controlled sources), Scope 2 (indirect emissions

from generation of purchased electricity), and all relevant Scope 3 (all other indirect emissions that occur in value chain). Scope 3 emissions are expected to make up the majority of Ayala's footprint and can be complex to address, but Ayala is committed to net zero best practices and driving meaningful change in its business ecosystem.

Prior to Ayala’s net zero by 2050 announcement, its core business units have initiated the following climate-action interventions: • Ayala Land pushes for offsetting its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2022 for its commercial operations • BPI will not finance new greenfield coal power generation projects. The Bank will reduce its coal power generation exposure to half of 2020 by 2026 and to zero by end of 2032.

• Globe, a participant to the Race to Zero and a signatory to the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), has shifted to buying energy directly from renewable energy producers for its headquarters in Taguig and six offices and facilities since 2019 • AC Energy is on its way to installing 5GW of renewable energy by 2025

• Ayala Corporation’s Project Kasibulan, a reforestation, forest protection, and biodiversity conservation program for carbon sequestration is to be piloted in the island of Mindoro To develop a net zero roadmap, Ayala partners with South Pole, a leading project developer and global climate solutions provider that works with private organizations and governments worldwide.

This partnership enables the group to have an accurate view of emissions across its core business units and a tangible roadmap for reducing them in line with its net zero by 2050 ambition. In the next 12 months, Ayala and South Pole will: − Develop a detailed greenhouse gas footprint that includes all relevant Scope 3 emissions from the value chain, which is considered net zero best practice − Assess potential emission reduction activities and strategies to help Ayala prioritize and budget for these interventions across its core business units, ensuring practical steps are taken to reduce emissions as quickly as possible − Establish interim targets aligned with a science-based 1.5°C pathway across the core

Fernando Zobel de Ayala business units to ensure Ayala has robust and measurable milestones along their journey to net zero by 2050 Ayala Corporation and its core business units are signatories to the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial

Disclosures (TCFD) and are currently working to implement the 11 recommended disclosures. This year, Ayala focuses on determining the actual and potential impacts of climate-related risks and opportunities on its businesses,

strategy, and financial planning.

A physical and transition-risk analysis is well underway.

Ayala's announcement of its net zero by 2050 ambition comes ahead of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to be held in Glasgow, United Kingdom in November 2021, where signatories to the Paris Agreement will be reporting back on progress made since 2015.

Last April, the Philippines submitted its first nationally determined contribution to the Paris Agreement, committing to a projected greenhouse gas emission reduction and avoidance target of 75% by 2030.

Ayala believes that accelerating climate action is part of its recovery roadmap.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, global companies have moved towards net zero.

Capital has been flowing to sustainable investments as a growing number of investors and lenders walk away from carbon-intensive sectors. And while a net zero ambition entails risks and costs, Zobel sees it as a long-term investment for the future generations, aptly defining Ayala as a catalyst and partner for net zero transition in the Philippines.