“Radiating positivity, creating connectivity” BUSINESS Room 310-A, 3rd floor WDC Bldg. Osmeña Blvd., You may visit Cebu Business Week WEEK Facebook page. September 14 - 20, 2020 Volume 2, Series 52 www.cebubusinessweek.com 12 PAGES P15.00 IS BINALIW WASTE FACILITY LEGAL? Cebu City, DENR to determine status, says Rama

THE Cebu City Govern- of trees. By: ELIAS O. BAQUERO maneuvering and profiteer- Office of the Ombudsman to ment and the Department Rama said that while ing venture. Any shenani- weigh their violations. They of Environment and Natu- the Garganera Committee is when he was the Cebu City gans must be exposed so the should be charged before the ral Resources (DENR) shall investigating the alleged il- mayor from 2013 to 2016, people may know. graft court together with the determine once and for all legal quarrying in mountain he, together with Garganera, Rama said Garganera is private owners and operators whether the Binaliw garbage barangays, it should also in- closed the Inayawan landfill bringing the matter to DENR of this landfill. disposal facility is legal or il- vestigate the garbage dispos- because it was a threat to the to question whether the ce- He said the Cebu City legal. al facility in Binaliw wheth- people’s health. Yet another mented roads leading to the Government, with the Cebu Cebu City Vice Mayor Mi- er or not “it is a landfill, landfill opened with more alleged illegal landfill and City Council shall close any chael “Mike” Rama said the waste-to-energy or another controversies and unan- the landfill itself has a Envi- issue on this controversial Cebu City Council Commit- kind of animal.” swered questions. ronmental Compliance Cer- and anomalous landfill. There tee on Environment chaired “This shall be made pub- “I don’t want anymore tificate (ECC) issued by the are issues that the people are by Councilor Joel Garganera lic. This must be transparent a landfill. How much more DENR otherwise it is anom- excited to know the answers is now seeking a real report because the people have the in the mountain alous and immoral. and that need discussions. from DENR whether this so- right to know about it. The where contaminated rainwa- Rama pointed out that The discussions shall be called Binaliw landfill has an people behind it must be ter can easily sip the ground if this ARN Central Landfill fair to everybody including Environmental Compliance exposed so that if there are and mix with potable water is illegal from the beginning those people currently oper- Certificate (ECC) or not. If damages to the environment, for the people’s consump- and there are some Cebu City ating it. none, then this is illegal and they better be ready to face tion,” Rama said. officials and national - gov Who are the people be- shall be closed permanently. the consequences of their il- The vice mayor said that ernment agency officials in- hind this landfill project? An official opined that legal acts,” Rama said. questionable projects like volved, maneuvering to make How much is the capitaliza- the Commission on Audit He said that it is not good the Binaliw landfill thrive be- the illegal legal, then they tion? Where is the DENR (COA) may disallow pay- for the people’s view that cause these are tainted with should be charged before the ECC? Can it affect the water ments from reservation area or the water for garbage disposal to Bina- supply? Who gave this land- liw landfill if DENR will find fill owners the authority to it illegal and immoral. operate? Who are the public Initially, Rama said the officials monitoring it? Garganera Committee found “If the laws were cast out that the cemented roads aside and there were viola- leading to the garbage facil- tions but devious people le- ity had damaged the envi- galized the illegal, this shall ronment and is a threat to be looked into by the Of- water reservation and water fice of the Ombudsman and supply for the farm and the DENR among other inves- people. The garbage disposal tigating agencies so we can facility itself has reportedly bring justice to the people re- damaged the environment garding our natural resourc- by cutting several hundreds CEBU CITY VICE MAYOR MICHAEL RAMA AND COUNCILOR JOEL GARGANERA es,” Rama said. 2 September 14 - 20, 2020 Cebu Business Week LOCAL Mactan Rock can sell cheap water to MCWD A WATER distribution tela water is far cheaper than own water equipment. Mactan Rock will have a expert said that hopeful- the P26 per cubic meter sold He said that under Mac- long-term contract with an ly before the end of 2020, to MCWD by Maynilad and tan Rock program, the com- establishment, it will shoul- his company, Mactan Rock Manila Water which sourced mercial and industrial water der the water treatment and Industries Inc. (MRII) can free water from Luyang, consumers can recycle. The recycling cost, and the com- start supplying 10,000 cu- Carmen, Cebu. Department of Environ- pany’s expenses will be re- bic meters of water to Met- Tompar said that if ment and Natural Resourc- duced because it is cheaper ropolitan Cebu Water Dis- MCWD will not hesitate to es (DENR) even authorized than potable water,” Tom- trict (MCWD). push through with Mactan him to supply water to in- par said. Engineer Antonio Tom- Rock Compostela water, it dustrial firms in Lapu-Lapu He said recycling of par said that if no person is cheaper by P48 per cubic City and Panglao, . water in can with hidden agenda will meter compared to MCWD’s “The wastewater must address the environmental block his move, Mactan coming desalinated water be treated and recycled, concern and replenish the Rock will get potable water source at P65 per cubic me- ENGINEER ANTONIO TOMPAR so it may not endanger the dwindling ground water re- from Cotcot River in Com- ter to the detriment of the lives of the people,” Tompar serve. Metro Cebu now is postela, Cebu and will sell consuming public. Rock is completely equipped said. experiencing water scarcity that to MCWD at P17 per With a success story in in comparison to all other “Some businessmen and recycling the water will cubic meter. water sourcing and distri- bulk water suppliers be- think that water treatment reduce the demand. ELIAS Mactan Rock’s Compos- bution, Tompar said Mactan cause it is manufacturing its and recycling is costly. If O. BAQUERO NMIS: Be Careful in Buying Meat Online THE National Meat In- should not buy it but instead healthy meat because of ASF. spection Service (NMIS) report it to the authorities the closure of some hotels, But he said that when has warned the public to be to stop this practice which restaurants, and resorts. Covid-19 came, foreign trav- careful in buying pork and is detrimental to public The pork industry, which el, including the shipment of chicken from online sellers health,” Oblena said. has P11 billion investment in meat from countries known and make sure that these are Oblena said that it is not Cebu and P6 billion in Bo- to have ASF, was stopped. properly handled to avoid fair for customers who buy hol was spared from Asian He added that while contamination. meat online to avoid being Swine Fever (ASF) with the ASF was reported in some Dr. Eduardo Oblena, exposed to virus in the mar- travel ban from countries parts of Mindanao, there NMIS 7 director, said that ket, but ended up with un- where the animal disease was none in Northern Min- because thousands lost their clean meat. DR. EDUARDO OBLENA originated. danao especially in Cagayan jobs due to lockdowns in re- “We will prevent the This is why the Covid-19 de Oro City, hence, Mayor sponse to the Covid-19 pan- spread of Covid-19 virus and healthy. pandemic has helped the Edgar Labella has allowed demic, several people are at the same time avoid un- “While we prevent the in preventing their pork and chicken to now engaged in online meat healthy food,” Oblena said. spread of Covid-19 pandem- the spread of ASF in the be shipped and sold in Cebu selling. He said the Local Gov- ic, we will also make sure country, Oblena said. City. “We were being in- ernment Unit (LGU) meat that the meat the people eat He told Cebu Business “This meat from Cagay- formed of mishandling of inspection division which is is clean and healthy,” Oblena Week that before Covid-19 an de Oro City can only be meat ordered by customers. the NMIS counterpart in the said. hit the country, several im- sold in Cebu City and not to This is dangerous because it localities will always make Oblena said Central Vi- ported meat arrived the other parts of Metro Cebu will lead to food infection or sure that the meat sold in sayas especially Cebu has Philippines from different and Cebu Province,” Oblena food poisoning. The people the community is clean and enough supply of clean and countries suspected with said. ELIAS O. BAQUERO LTO 7’s biggest office to feature ‘single-window transaction’ LTO 7 regional director The single-window sys- 7’s new office now costs P8 will be operational. Victor Emmanuel Caindec tem is enabled by the LTO’s million, but “not a single cent “This office will be con- announced that the future new Land Transportation of government money was sidered as the largest office in new office which will be lo- Management System, which spent to retrofit that said of- the region, same as with the cated at the Robinsons Gal- is part of the agency’s nation- fice.” other LTO offices inside the leria in Cebu will feature sin- al IT modernization program. “The current LTO office mall. This is a public-private gle-window transaction. Caindec further explained in N. Bacalso Avenue in Cebu partnership,” said Caindec. “This is the first time that that any transaction of LTO 7 City will be transferred to Caindec believes that we are looking at the flow and under the new office in Rob- Robinsons Galleria. Howev- when the public is given more dynamics of the agency’s pro- insons Galleria will only hap- er, the Malasakit Lounge will offices as options for them to cess. This is to eliminate the pen in one window. stay for special sectors,” said do government transactions, long waiting time and long The director also dis- Caindec. it will eliminate complaints transaction hours at LTO,” closed that the current reno- LTO 7 REGIONAL DIRECTOR There are no details yet and will give the public a has- said Caindec. vation being done in the LTO VICTOR EMMANUEL CAINDEC on when the said new office sle-free transaction. Cebu Business Week September 14 - 20, 2020 3 NEWS Inayawan transfer station closed RESIDENTS of Barangay solid wastes. The garbage the biodegradable waste goes worth P147.780 million to COA said the City dis- Inayawan have confirmed the came from the different parts through composting. Only the boost garbage collection ef- bursed P108.480 million and closure of the garbage transfer of the city and in turn trans- non-biodegradable waste shall forts on Nov. 12, 2019. P69.463 million in the first station operated by the Cebu ported to the Aloguinsan land- be disposed of in the landfill. However, the state audi- six months of 2019 for the col- City Hall after the Commis- fill. To implement the waste tors said the City could have lection and transport of solid sion on Audit (COA) recom- According to the COA re- disposal system of Cebu City saved millions of pesos had it wastes from the source to the mended the move. port, “the amount payable to Hall, the City purchased 21 implemented the mandato- Inayawan transfer station. Cebu City Mayor Edgar the providers was based on six-wheeler garbage trucks ry segregation of solid wastes These were charged to the Labella had opened a garbage tonnage of gar- and other provi- maintenance and other oper- transfer station in the baran- bage per trip. sions of the Solid ating expenses (MOOE) of the gay where garbage from var- The City spent Waste Manage- SWM fund. ious barangays were gathered higher due to ment (SWM) Act. The City rented trucks. before these were transferred heavier gar- But the City From the Inayawan landfill, to a landfill in Aloguinsan. bage. Had these failed to actively the garbage was hauled to its The system was put in garbage been implement this final destination in Aloguin- place after some residents segregated into despite the is- san, Cebu.The City contract- raised issues against the waste biodegrad- suance of an au- ed Pasajero Motors Corp. and management facility private- able, non-bio- dit observation Jomara Konstruct Corp. for ly owned by the Arn Cen- degradable memorandum the hauling of solid wastes. tral Waste Management Inc. and recyclable (AOM) from the City Ordinance No. 2031, Businessman Jiji Gullas is the waste from prior year’s au- enacted in 2004, requires president of the company. its source, the dit. households to segregate The transfer station in City could have The state au- wastes into biodegradable Inayawan and the landfill in saved a signifi- ditors observed waste, non-biodegradable Aloguinsan had been criti- cant amount of the City spent waste, recyclables, and haz- cized as illegal. However, the money.” a significant ardous waste. Cebu City government con- COA contin- amount on the The ordinance also re- tinued with their solid waste ued to say that rental of vehi- quires proper disposal of disposal system until COA the recyclable cles used for the waste on the respective days IN ALOGUINSAN. TRUCKS THREW GARBAGE FROM THE came up with its recommen- waste should CEBU CITY TRANSFER STATION IN BARANGAY INAYAWAN hauling of the of collection set by the Cebu dation. have undergone TO A LANDIFILL IN ALOGUINSAN TOWN. THOUGH CLOSED solid wastes that City Solid Waste Management The state auditors con- the recycling BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RE- were charged to (SWM) Board. However, only ducted an ocular inspection program. Recy- SOURCES (DENR), THE ALOGUINSAN LANDFILL CONTINUED the maintenance 21 out of 80 barangays of Cebu of the Inayawan transfer sta- cling includes ITS OPERATIONS WHEN THE INAYAWAN TRANSFER STATION and other oper- City have adopted the city or- WAS OPEN. PHOTOS OF THE TRUCKS WERE TAKEN DURING tion and found several trucks the recycling THE TERM OF MAYOR EDGAR LABELLA. (CONTRIBUTED ating expenses of dinance for the segregation of transporting unsegregated program were PHOTO) the fund. solid wastes. 2.4M coco farmers to benefit Producing sugar in northern Cebu new levy bill: Diputado THERE are about 2.4 version of the coco bill which cost higher: Cong. Martinez million poor coconut farmers aims to provide the utiliza- FORMER Cebu 4th Dis- puted economic leader in who will benefit from the new tion of the Coco Levy Fund to trict congressman Celestino Northern Cebu for more version of the Coco Levy Bill benefit the marginal coconut “Junie” Martinez Jr. said than 45 years now, said that once it finally passes into law farmers. sugar production cost in Cebu’s sugar industry needs by the Senate plenary of the The previous version Northern Cebu is high over several supplements like 18th Congress (2019-2022). of the coco levy bill was ap- the years compared to plan- fertilizer, insecticides for Atty. Salvador “Salva” proved by the 17th Congress tations in other sugar pro- weeds, farm implement and Diputado, director of the De- (2016-2019) but was vetoed ducing countries. trucks. partment of Agriculture (DA) by President Rodrigo Duter- Martinez, a former may- “So, most sugar plant- 7, said Senator Cynthia Villar te because with the P10 bil- or of the City of Bogo, said ers who survived are those disclosed during the Senate lion initial appropriation, the that one of the problems who have big capital and hearing on the bill that its PCA will not be able to im- is the eroding labor supply investment. The others who intended beneficiaries come plement the program. wherein only few people have limited resources have from 67 producing provinces In the regular session in the community want to stopped,” Martinez said. , five cities and 1,346 towns last Sept. 8, 2020, Go reiter- work in sugarcane planta- He added that the sug- in the country. ated his support for the pas- tions. ar milling center in North- The Philippines has sage of the new measure and Martinez, vice president ern Cebu is dilapidated and 1,550 municipalities and 81 likewise requested to be its of the Cebu Sugar Planters needs modernization to in- provinces. co-author, Diputado said. Association in Cebu, said crease sugar processing and Diputado said Villar In the same session, Vil- when the new generations CONG. CELESTINO “JUNIE” reduce cost. also told the Senate that 65 lar told his colleagues that in the 1990s and 2000s fo- MARTINEZ JR. “At present, the conver- percent of the poor coconut the Senate will put up an cused on high school and sion of sugarcane to sugar farmers are from Mindanao initial funding of P5 billion college education, they manpower is coupled with is low and in order to up- while the other 35 percent to improve the lives of the shunned working in sugar- the low prices of imported grade the facility, we need a are from Visayas and Mind- hapless farmers and to deter- cane plantations because sugar from countries where big capital infusion. But the anao. mine if the Philippine Coco- they didn’t want to follow sugar production is cheap apprehension of the sugar Diputado added that nut Authority (PCA) can re- the hardships experienced because of high technolo- planters is the recovery of Senator Christopher “Bong” ally implement the program. by their parents. gy,” Martinez said. investment,” Martinez said. Go is supporting the latest ELIAS O. BAQUERO “Of course, the lack of Martinez, an undis- ELIAS O. BAQUERO 4 September 14 - 20, 2020 Cebu Business Week OPINION

Pemberton gambit? The move surprised even Presidential spokes- person Harry Roque. The release of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton by Presi- dent Rodrigo Roa Duterte shocked many, even me. However, I do not believe the president’s reasons for releasing the American who killed the transgender Jennifer Weekly Notes Emmanuel Nacorda Mongaya Laude in 2015. It could be a gambit to appease America amid moves to strengthen ties with China. After all, President Duterte has been walking that tightrope between the two superpowers. Some quarters think Duterte’s predecessors Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada lost American support in Edsa 1 and 2 because of overtures with China. Former president Glo- ria Macapagal-Arroyo survived repeated attempts to unseat her. But by the 2010 elections, her able anointed failed miserably. President Duterte did more than overtures. He did busi- ness with China while repeatedly insulted the United States. Can the release of Pemberton appease America? Even the belated diplomatic protests over West Philippine Sea infrac- tions and improvements in Pag-asa Island look small com- pared to allowing fortifications in Chinese-held islands. Look. US President Donald Trump is egging China for a fight in a bid to swing the American electorate this Novem- ber. Business-wise, the US is squeezing out such firms as Tik- Tok and Huawei. The US junked the underwater cable Inter- net connection with Hong Kong, a move that jeopardizes the Chinese-backed Dito. Editorial Perhaps, President Duterte needs to tighten the loyalty screws on several pro-America Cabinet members than re- lease Pemberton. Of course, these pro-US Cabinet men sup- port a bigger budget for eradicating the Left and the terror- ists. While Duterte wants to give them that, opposition sena- Kalag-Kalag? tors and the Makabayan bloc will be giving him a hard time. Mayors Isko Moreno and ing Advisory Council (PCAC) turning over management Then the Duterte loyalists need to prevent nervous officials Edgar Labella stirred contro- can do the job of ensuring the of 2021 back to the from connecting with the opposition especially Vice President versy when they ordered the observance of health proto- Sinulog Foundation Inc. as Leni Robredo. Better limit turncoats to people like Mon Tulfo. closure of cemeteries on All cols inside cemeteries. has been the practice since Indeed, there seems to be more to the Pemberton gambit. Saints day and All Souls Day. After all, if Cebu City Hall the 1984. But many focused more on the tip than the rest of the iceberg. The so-called wisdom rests pursues this idea of prevent- The Sinulog Govern- Garbage on preventing the spread of ing people to gather during ing Board managed Sinulog Vice Mayor Mike Rama wagged his sword during a Cebu SAR-Cov-2 when the popula- the Kalag-Kalag, Mayor La- 2020 and it paled in com- City Council after the disposal of garbage returned to the waste tion flock to local cemeteries. bella might as well ban peo- parison to Sinulog 2019. facility in Barangay Binaliw. But despite the bluster, the vice Mayor Labella urges the ple from gathering inside Now, Vice Mayor Rama, who mayor failed to present convincing proofs. Is something wrong public to visit early or cele- Churches during the Misa de heads SFI, apparently wants with a corporation headed by businessmen surnamed Gullas brate Kalag-Kalag at home. Gallo as we approach Christ- to show the mayor how the and an Espinosa? Did Rama present DENR documents? Perhaps, the mayor thinks it mas. celebration should be done. And why raise issues about waste disposal only now will take a lot of effort to en- Then, we also ban people But first let us settle when the Commission on Audit (COA) caused the closure of sure social distancing inside from inside Churches during how to manage Kalag-Kalag. the illegal garbage transfer station in Barangay Inayawan? cemeteries. the New Year’s Eve. And how Maybe, if we cannot go to the I find it ironic. The camp of Mayor Labella and Vice May- However, Vice Mayor about Sinulog 2021? cemeteries, we just invite our or Rama caused the closure of the Inayawan landfill during Mike Rama disagrees. He be- Note that Mayor Label- dead to our homes. Sugot the previous administration. However, they allowed the lieves the Police Coordinat- la has already decided on mo? operation of the illegal transfer stations after they assumed power. Weder-weder? Or is there something more?

“Radiating positivity, creating connectivity” Atty. Gerardo Carillo Emmanuel delos Santos Rabacal Cebu Business Week is published every Chairman President week by Cebu Newsmakers Forum, Inc. All contents of this newspaper are placed online CEBU through Cebu Business Week Facebook page. Emmanuel “Anol” Mongaya Bebie Hiñola Baquero BUSINESS Editor Marketing Manager email: [email protected] Keres H. Aviles Emmanuel R. Espina Room 310-A,3rd floor WDC Bldg. WEEK Writer Production Head Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City Cebu Business Week September 14 - 20, 2020 5 OPINION Facebook, Google Dump Hong Kong Cable Plan raised concerns about between the two nations. soft will provide industry April after the country this company’s involve- (AsiaBizNews) required training in cloud closed its borders and in- ment in the project due oOo & artificial intelligence, ternational airports for to its links with China’s The Microsoft En- as well as a platform for foreign tourists, leading Dr Peng Telecom & Me- abler Program launched all three to collaborate to- to substantial losses in dia Group Co. The agen- recently pioneers disabil- wards an inclusive future tourism income and leav- cies allege that the Pa- ity inclusive workplaces for every person. Micro- ing millions of people cific Light Data firm has across Asia Pacific by re- soft will provide online left unemployed in the links with Chinese intel- moving the barriers for a training in data engi- sector. According to the BIZBITS ligence and security ser- more diverse workforce. neering and program- Bangkok Post, officials Manny de los Santos Rabacal vices. The Pacific Light With more than 1 billion ming, cloud computing have reduced their fore- Cable Network project people with disabilities on Microsoft Azure and cast for the number of was floated in 2017, list- (PwDs) in the world, dis- application development foreign tourists this year ing all three trans-Pacif- ability-inclusive employ- in GitHub to the PwDs. to 6.7 million – most of Google and Facebook ic destinations. In June, ment can lead to 1-7% (AsiaOne) which arrived in the first have changed their plans US security agencies and rise in GDP in Asia Pa- oOo quarter anyhow. This of building an undersea the Justice Department cific through increased Thailand’s tourism compares to tourism ar- cable between the US requested the Federal economic productivity. industry and with it the rivals of 39.8 per cent in and Hong Kong. Instead, Communications Com- The program will pilot in country’s entire economy 2019, a huge drop. With the cables will now only mission, FCC, to deny the five markets: Korea, New have come under signifi- inbound flight restric- be directed towards the link to Hong Kong, say- Zealand, Philippines, Sin- cant distress and will feel tions still in place, the Philippines and Taiwan. ing it would expose the gapore, and Thailand, be- the heat far into 2021 if ratio of foreign travelers The change in plans oc- US citizens’ data to Chi- fore expanding to the rest international tourists are is expected to shrink by curred after the Trump na. The agencies have no of the region by the end not allowed back into the 100 per cent year-on- administration said Bei- problem with the contin- of 2020. Organizations country soon, the Bank of year between April and jing might use the link uation of the project with committed to the program Thailand warned recent- December. For 2021, the to spy on Americans, ac- Taiwan and the Philip- will receive training from ly. Tourism, which offi- forecast is 12 million in- cording to a Bloomberg pines. Google has won the Non-Profit organiza- cially contributes around ternational tourist arriv- report. The new plan approval to operate the tions (NPOs) to become 22 per cent to Thailand’s als, even though it is still filed by both the com- portion linking Taiwan inclusive employers, and GDP – unofficially the unclear when and under panies does not include for six months. The aban- these businesses will in number is closer to 30 which conditions borders the name of the original donment of the cable turn provide job shadow- per cent when services will eventually be opened partner, the Hong Kong- plan comes amid esca- ing, internships, mentor- provided by the vast in- for tourism again.(in- based Pacific Light Data lating tensions between ing and opportunities in formal sector are fac- vestvine) Communication Co. The China and the US. There tech jobs for PwDs identi- tored in –, has come to a mannyrabacal1144@ US security agencies had is a trade war going on fied by the NPO’s. Micro- de facto standstill since gmail.com

Don Sergio Osmena’s SONA on June 9, 1945 (Excerpts) in this hour of trial and a battlefield, our coun- to be executed. As time triots who helped them, crisis, encouraging us to try suffered heavily in went on, we became is an epic of heroism, proceed with the ardu- men and property, espe- more impoverished, loyalty, and sacrifice. ous tasks that lie ahead. cially in Bataan, where while the enemy became As far as possible they This great man, who the Filipino-American still more cruel and ar- should be given recog- dedicated his entire life Army battled the Japa- rogant. After undergo- nition. Recognized guer- to his country, died as nese forces for four long ing three years of enemy rilla units have already he would have wanted to months.” domination, no people been incorporated into die—in line of duty. Soon “Then followed a pe- were a more pitiful sight the Philippine Army.” his mortal remains, kept riod of enemy occupa- than the Filipinos—lean, “Let us get together Cebu Legal at the Arlington Nation- tion, cruel and humil- ragged and famished.” in one mighty effort. Let al Cemetery at Virginia, iating. No sooner had “Unwilling to bow to us set aside selfish con- Pedia will be brought back to the fighting in Bataan the enemy, the Filipi- siderations and forget Atty. Clarence Paul V. Oaminal the Philippines, and we ended than the enemy no people valiantly took petty differences. Only shall all have the op- began the systematic up the struggle with all in unity can there be portunity of rendering looting of our country. the strength they could strength. To the experi- him our last homage of There was no limit to muster. Patriotic groups enced, I turn for advice. “The tragedy that has admiration and affec- what he could requisi- soon sprang up through- From the youth of the afflicted our nation has tion. We shall erect him tion with his worthless out the length and land, I ask for its enthu- lacerated our hearts. a monument so that we money. Even our barest breadth of the Archipel- siasm and energies. My We all miss today many and our generations yet necessities were com- ago. At first eluding the faith in our people is un- dear and familiar faces unborn may keep his mandeered. And when enemy, the guerrillas bounded. Over the ruins that are no more. But memory enshrined in we tried to stand by our took to the mountains, of our cities and barrios perhaps no sorrow has our hearts.” rights, force, ruthless but with the active sup- we shall build anew. In touched us more deeply As early as December force, immediately in- port of the civilian popu- this most crucial hour of than the passing of our 8, 1941, a few hours af- tervened. With or with- lation they quickly grew our history, I look for- beloved leader, Manu- ter her felon attack on out cause, people by the in number and strength ward to our destiny un- el L. Quezon. I know, Pearl Harbor, Japan sent scores were arrested and to become a virtual chal- afraid, confident that, however, that you feel bombers and task forces sent to prison and con- lenge to the enemy. The God willing, ours will as I do that his immor- to the Philippines. Un- centration camps—some story of the guerrilleros be a happy, progressive tal spirit abides with us avoidably turned into to be tortured, others and of the civilian pa- and prosperous land.” 6 September 14 - 20, 2020 Cebu Business Week OPINION

Honoring the Frontliners hundreds to thousands and be placed into mandatory Ernesto Abella and his wife Moreover, the contract then hundreds of thousands. quarantine. Janice of QRT were found positive. They tracing as a tool of flattening Just recently, two good likewise manned the White were rushed to the Hospi- the curve has not yet been friends, brothers Nelson and Knights hotel ensuring that tal and the wait took them fully implemented. Gar- Marlon Garcia, passed away the LSI will have stay inside nearly 7 hours before they ganera said, even the front- because of COVID. Earlier, the hotel as required by the were admitted to Chong Hua liners themselves have fallen former Congressman and City. Hospital. All the time they ill. city councilor Tony Cuenco Chona Pascua, a coun- just stayed in the ambulance He recalled how he and succumbed to COVID-19. cilor of the Barangay Bu- waiting. his wife Audrey battled the But despite these dan- lacao, recalled personally This situation was con- deadly virus. They stayed in The Legal Front gers, personnel from the picking up the COVID-pos- firmed by no less than Coun- the hospitals for days until Atty. Gerry Carillo Cebu City Risk Reduction itive residents to the isola- cilor Joel Garganera, the ap- they fully recovered. His ex- Mitigation and Management tion center just to persuade pointed Deputy of the City perience armed him in lead- Office never ceased to work. people in Bulacao the com- AITF. ing the city’s fight against setting aside their person- munity would be safe. In Garganera, a covid sur- the virus. I had the privilege of al safety. Akin to Alexander the process, she herself has vivor himself, admitted that Stella, Edgar, Marlon, meeting the staff of the Cebu Pope’s An Essay on Criti- contracted the virus despite the City have reached critical Chona can now breathe a City Disaster Risk Manage- cism our frontliners rush in precaution she made. level of infection. Although sigh of relief knowing that ment and Mitigating Office where angels fear to thread. In June and July, the the Cebu City’s facilities the city has now more or less at the White Knights Hotel, Quick Response Team daily count reached three were prepared to meet the flattened its curve with the Mango Avenue last Satur- (QRT) staff Stella Barbado figures making the city contingencies but because Virus. Make no mistake the day. In said gathering, they assigned at the Emergency the epicenter of the virus of lack of coordination and VIRUS still within our midst all narrated how COVID 19 Operation Center recalled spread. This prompted the understanding about the but with the regular imple- hollowed their purpose of the barrage of calls from all President to send his trust- disease, our medical system mentation of the health pro- joining the City Government. over the city on the concerns ed men likes General Cimatu nearly collapsed. tocols being implemented From the time COVID 19 made her and the rest of the and Galvez to help the City He said that the situa- transmission is minimized. spread, the city’s daily tally people render service be- in its fight against the vi- tion reached critical level. Knowing the sacrifices made posted in the Social Me- yond their call of duty. rus. It was then our Medical He attributed the rise of in- by our frontliners at most we dia comes too scary. Hos- Edgar Aguilar of the QRT Centers were swamped with fection to the sudden down- can pay tribute and do our pitals and medical centers said that they nearly worked patients. Many had to wait grading of the quarantine share by staying at home. were swamped with people 24/7 to fetch the LSI from for almost 6 hours just to be status but the foundation of That’s the least we can do for infected and the count of the Airport to their respec- accommodated. I recalled the heath protocols was not now be a hero of your own those infected grows from tive hotels where they would when my uncle former Col. yet in placed. stay safe, stay home.

Synthetic sand and unionized workers lar and the communities in The Dolomite Mining the seabed affecting marine The MPSA has a lifespan general. Corporation (DMC) and its life such as seagrasses, cor- of twenty-five years and re- Time was when prob- subsidiary Philippine Min- als and a lot of marine spe- newable for another period lems affecting the health or ing Service Corporation cies. These were abundant of twenty-five years but not life of a worker were labelled (PMSC) are both engaged before in the coastal baran- exceeding 50 years, provid- occupational hazards. The in large-scale mining oper- gays of the towns of Alcoy ed that the mining firm has world of work then was nar- ations of high-grade dolo- and . These could complied with all the man- rowly viewed as separate mitic limestone in barangay no longer be found. datory and regulatory re- from what is perceived as Pugalo in the municipality In a validated survey quirements under the min- the natural environment. of Alcoy for the past forty and recommendations pre- ing law while in operation. While some distinctions years or so ago. pared by a marine biolo- It was found out recent- The Labor Front maybe established between It created employment gist from the University of ly that the mining establish- Art Barrit occupational and environ- in the locality but likewise San Carlos (USC), Mr. Wil- ments have violated envi- mental issues, the funda- wrought havoc to the terres- liam Villaber together with ronmental laws and lacked mental similarities between trial environment and pollu- some volunteer divers from coordination with the host the two should prove to be tion of the marine habitats. SeaKnights found out that municipality and the Pro- Ecology activist Stephen more compelling. Consequently, most of indeed, massive deposits vincial Government. This Croall, in his book “Ecology The effects of occupa- the marginalized fishermen of silt and sedimentations led to the cease-and-desist for Beginners”, aptly said, tional dangers cannot be in the coastal barangays ad- due to dust outfall from order (CDO) by Cebu Gov- “trade unions fight for better confined within the prem- jacent to the mining firm the mining operations have ernor Gwendolyn Garcia pay and good working con- ises of the workplace. Trade could no longer expect a choked the growth of corals from extracting, processing ditions but what their mem- unions and workers have good harvest in a day’s fish- and seagrasses. Most of the selling and transporting do- bers gain at the workplace is a great role to play for im- ing. Their daily catch dwin- corals have been bleached lomite for the Manila bay often lost outside in a deteri- proving environmental pro- dles significantly for the because the sun rays could rehabilitation and beautifi- orating environment”. tection and promoting sus- past several years. no longer penetrate. And so cation project. Apparently, the orga- tainable development. But A big contributory fac- also with the seagrasses. The effects of envi- nized workers of a mining when a labor union is not tor is the dolomite dust out- They mining firms have ronmental hazards are ex- firm in Alcoy, Cebu under doing this, then that labor fall during processing and been granted Mineral Pro- perienced globally. But a Manila-based labor union union is not true to its man- loading of the fine ore to the duction Sharing Agreement these are generated locally. is not maximizing the trade date. The struggle for safe ships or vessels anchored (MPSA) with the Mines “Think globally, act locally”, union’s potential role in ad- and decent workplaces can- at the loading point via the and Geo-Sciences Bureau is a message born of envi- dressing environmental is- not be segregated from the open belt conveyor. With (MGB) of the Department ronmental awareness and sues affecting the health or fight to protect the environ- the wind, fragments and of Environment and Nat- remains a good basis for life of a worker in particu- ment. particles naturally settles at ural Resources (DENR). trade union action. Cebu Business Week September 14 - 20, 2020 7 NATION Retail Electricity Market gains ground despite Covid THE Energy Regulato- a Local RES, the competitive Supply Contracts (RSC). able customers as of the 2nd tion in the CREM is gaining ry Commission (ERC), in its business segment of a distri- From the total number Quarter of 2020 is recorded at ground and slowly breaking 2nd Quarter 2020 Monitoring bution utility (DU). of 1,460 contestable custom- 4,977.31 MW. the monopoly in the supply of Report of the Retail Electric- “The Commission has ers which have entered into As to the suppliers in the electricity by allowing more ity Market, stated that it has been regularly monitoring RSCs, 1,120 or 77% are within CREM, the report further dis- entities to act as a supplier. granted a total of forty-two the activities in the CREM to the 1MW and above threshold, closed that majority or 55% of As to the contestable (42) Retail Electricity Supplier observe the behavior of the while 340 or 23% are within the ERC-licensed RES are af- customers’ participation, the (RES) Licenses and authorized stakeholders in this market, the 750kW to 999kW thresh- filiates of generation compa- CREM registered an increase twenty-five (25) Local RES. particularly in terms of pric- old. On the other hand, for nies (GenCos) while 20% are of almost 2% despite the The said suppliers now ing, switching patterns and the 629 contestable customers also operating a generation Community Quarantine im- compete for the supply of elec- the capacity and energy of with Certificates of Contest- company as another busi- position in most of the areas tricity of contestable custom- contestable customers”, said ability which have remained ness segment. Having more in the country. ers in the Competitive Retail ERC Chairperson and CEO under the regulated services suppliers that are GenCo af- “This positive develop- Electricity Market (CREM). Agnes VST Devanadera. of their respective DUs, 328 or filiated gives confidence that ment stimulates competition The CREM is where quali- The report further dis- 52% are within the 1MW and electricity supply is ensured among Retail Electricity Sup- fied contestable customers closed that out of 2,089 reg- above threshold, while 301 or and that they have the capa- pliers and will entice more (those consuming 750 kW istered contestable customers 48% are within the 750kW to bility to offer competitive or contestable customers to shift and above) have the option to issued with Certificates of Con- 999kW category. cheaper prices in the CREM. to these electricity providers”, choose their electricity provid- testability by the ERC, 1,460 or In terms of market share, This is a positive indication ERC Chair Devanadera con- er, either from an RES or from 70% have entered into Retail the total demand of all contest- which signifies that competi- cluded. SEC obtains ‘unqualified’ audit rating fromCOA anew THE Securities and Ex- “In our opinion, the ac- with the International Public cial statements for 2018. COA Emilio B. Aquino said. change Commission (SEC) has companying financial state- Sector Accounting Standards has given the Commission good “The audit rating also received good housekeeping ments present fairly, in all (IPSASs),” the report read. housekeeping marks for two strengthens our position to mark from the Commission material respects, the financial Under the IPSASs, auditors straight years now, breaking lead by example, as it speaks on Audit (COA) for the second position of the Securities and issue an unqualified or unmod- the rows of audit findings it had of our adherence to the high- consecutive year. Exchange Commission as at ified opinion when they con- made over the past decade. est standards of transparency, In an independent audi- December 31, 2019, and its fi- clude that financial statements, “The unqualified opinion accountability and good gover- tor’s report dated July 30, State nancial performance, changes as a whole, are free from mate- rendered by COA affirms our nance that we likewise require Auditor Concepcion C. Reyes in net assets/equity, cash flows, rial misstatements, which could commitment to honest, sound of corporations, capital market rendered an unqualified opin- comparison of budget and ac- arise from either fraud or error. and prudent use of public re- participants and other entities ion on the fairness of presenta- tual amounts for the year then The SEC also received an sources to improve our opera- under our supervision in the tion of the Commission’s 2019 ended, and notes to the finan- unqualified opinion on the fair- tions for the benefit of the peo- best interest of their investors, financial statements. cial statements, in accordance ness of presentation of its finan- ple we serve,” SEC Chairperson clients and other stakeholders.” NEDA hopes to hit Ph virtual banks advised to tap sustainable dev’t goals THE National Economic by the COVID-19 pandemic, youth, small businesses and Development Authority there is a need to further in- VIRTUAL banks in the small- and medium-sized en- posits, much higher than the (NEDA) is bent on working tensify the implementation of country must target the terprises (MSMEs). This was 0.1% to 0.25% regular sav- more closely with stakeholders strategies to ensure the attain- young and unbanked as well short of the 10% threshold ings rates of peso deposits of to achieve the Philippines’ Sus- ment of the SDGs. “We have as small businesses. mandated by Republic Act brick-and-mortar banks. tainable Development Goals to catch up and prioritize what S&P Global Ratings said, 6977 or the Magna Carta for For the time being, new (SDGs). needs to be done amid these digital banks may carve a MSMEs. digital banks have potential NEDA has organized a challenges.”. niche by catering to the not Virtual lenders have an to grow amid the significant chamber for both government NEDA is contemplating to so wealthy retail market and advantage as their reduced number of underserved and and non-government SDG include local governments, ac- small businesses. These seg- need for infrastructure gives unbanked in the Philippines stakeholders to deploy re- ademic institutions, business ments have been disregard- them the leeway to introduce as well as the increased pref- sources. groups, trade unions, youth ed by traditional banks. offerings at a low cost for erence for digital transactions “This chamber will serve organizations, other SDG-re- Aside from risks associ- these underserved segments. due to the coronavirus pan- as a platform for better re- lated institutions and vulnera- ated with low-income bor- However, they have to use demic, S&P said. source management and co- ble communities in the cham- rowers, the cost of building data correctly to be successful A central bank study ordination for the achieve- ber. branches in rural areas also in pricing risk. showed only 29% of the 72 ment of the SDGs by ensuring It said some representa- made big banks turn away “Digital banks’ lower million adult Filipinos had ac- complementarity and sup- tives from the United Nations from these segments, S&P operational costs give them cess to formal bank accounts port between government will also be a part of the cham- said. room to offer higher deposit as of 2019. This was already an and non-government actors,” ber. According to S&P, in rates, which may trigger de- improvement from the 23% NEDA Undersecretary Rose- NEDA said it will release a 2019, only P579.13 billion or posit price competition,” S&P seen in 2017 and represents marie G. Edillon was quoted shortlist of qualified members 7.10% of the P8.14 trillion in said, noting virtual lenders five million Filipinos gaining as saying. within 45 days from issuing total loanable funds was dis- operating in the country cur- access to a financial account in NEDA said the chamber the call for membership. bursed for lending to micro-, rently offer 3-4% rates for de- the two-year period. will host pledging sessions to The SDGs serve as a blue- aid in achieving of the SDGs. print for achieving 17 goals set Acting Socioeconomic to address poverty, inequality, Planning Secretary Karl Ken- climate change, environmen- drick T. Chua said, that with tal degradation, peace and the disruptions brought about justice, among others. 8 September 14 - 20, 2020 Cebu Business Week CEBU CITY PAGE A paper within the paper Council mulls PCAC to implement health protocols during Kalagkalag THE Cebu City Council (IATF). Rama said it would appear of senior citizens and peo- has drafted an executive He said that it is not in the mind of President ple aged from 18 years old order to be signed by May- good that Cebu City will that Ce- to 21 years old. or Edgardo C. Labella mak- follow the decision of Ma- buanos cannot decide on “With the empower- ing the Police Coordinating nila Mayor Isko Moreno its own. ment of the barangays and Advisory Council (PCAC) in ordering the closure of Rama suggested just the reopening of business- an agency to go down to the all cemeteries during All regulating and extending es, then we should encour- barangay to implement the Saints’ Day and All Souls’ the days of entry of the age the church and media health protocols during All Day on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, people in the cemetery in- institutions to remind the Saints’ Day and All Souls’ 2020. stead of closing it which is people about the strict im- Day. “If we close the ceme- being opposed by majority plementation of protocols Cebu City Vice Mayor teries on these days, it will of the people. The cemeter- in going to the cemeteries,” Michael “Mike” Rama has be possible that the gov- ies may be opened for five Rama said. already discussed about ernment may also prohibit days from Oct. 1-Nov. 2, He said that maybe the the matter with Presi- Christmas celebration in 2020. church may open the cem- dential Spokesman Harry December 2020 and avoid He said the government eteries to the public for the Roque and Department of Sinulog in January 2021. IF has already expanded the period of five days (Oct. Environment and Natural they will close the cemeter- capacity of church atten- 29-31 to Nov. 1-2, 2020). Resources (DENR) Sec- ies in Manila, Cebu should dance, public transport Most of the cemeteries are retary Roy Cimatu of the not follow that,” Rama said. CEBU CITY VICE MAYOR passengers, and it is now owned by the church. ELIAS Inter-Agency Task Force By following Manila, MICHAEL “MIKE” RAMA time to lift the quarantine O. BAQUERO Coastal clean-up to include cleaning rivers THE International partments including 5,000 and dispose it. Coastal Clean-up Day on to 6,000 officials and em- Earlier, City Councilor September 19, 20202 will ployees. Jerry Guardo, the chairman be expanded to Interna- He said that despite of the Committee on Infra- tional River Clean-up to Covid-19 that hit Cebu City structure, said that some declog rivers and esteros to for several months now, informal settlers agreed prevent any flash floods. they will push through with to voluntarily demolish Cebu City Vice May- the coastal and river clean- their illegal structures that or Michael “Mike” Rama, up which is also one way to caused the overflow of rain- chairman of the Committee stop the pandemic. water during rainy days. on Health and Committee He urged the people, He said that while on Education, said that this especially those residing homeless people were event involved the Com- near the coastal areas and forced to build shanties mittee on Environment Resources (DENR), City lic Works and Highways river banks, to stop throw- in esteros, they also know headed by Councilor Joel Environment and Natural (DPWH), Cebu Contractors ing garbage indiscrimi- that their lives are always Garganera, Department of Resources Office (CEN- Association (CCA) and oth- nately and wait for the gar- in danger by this situation. Environment and Natural RO), Department of Pub- er important Cebu City de- bage collectors to gather ELIAS O. BAQUERO Guardo: N. Bacalso Ave. widening on the way CEBU City Councilor flash floods. administration.” wants a 36-diameter culvert, Jerry Guardo called for an Earlier, DPWH 7 Di- Guardo added that this but the Cebu City engineer executive meeting on Sep- rector Edgar Tabacon told was presented to the Cebu wants a 72-diameter one to tember 15, 2020 to solve the Cebu Business Week that his City Council for discussion as completely eradicate flash hazardous flash floods taking agency has allocated P18 mil- well as the drainage that will floods. place during rainy days at lion for the widening of both be attached to the widening “Once the DEPW and both sides of the 750-meter sides of the underpass which project. The project was fur- DPWH will agree on the ex- underpass road at Natalio are in front of Shopwise, Mc- ther delayed because of the act size of culverts, the mat- Bacalso Ave., Cebu City. Donalds, and Super Metro. Covid-19 pandemic. ter will be presented to the Guardo, chairman of the However, Guardo said He said that in the wid- Cebu City Council for ap- Cebu City Council Commit- this was delayed because ening project, the court has proval,” Guardo said. tee on Infrastructure, said there are about 130 full- COUNCILOR JERRY GUARDO already issued an order al- The Natalio Bacalso Ave. the meeting will be attended grown trees that need to lowing them to already buy in front of Shopwise, Mc- by the Department of Engi- be cut and DPWH wants to with the widening. the affected properties. Donalds and Super Metro in neering and Public Works know if there are earth-ball- Guardo said that when The city councilor said Barangay Basak-San Nico- (DEPW) and Department of ing. At the end of 2019, the DPWH Secretary Mark Vil- that an important thing to las, Cebu City used to be a Public Works and Highways project contractor backed lar conducted an inventory, be resolved now is the size of six-lane highway but was re- (DPWH) to give long term out and DPWH informed the agency decided to push the culvert to accommodate duced to only four lanes be- solution to the recurring them that it will not pursue through with the project “by rainwater to flow. DPWH cause of the underpass. Cebu Business Week September 14 - 20, 2020 9 CEBU CITY PAGE A paper within the paper Labella praises Cebu City’s COVID-19 response THE measures that our equipment, meal packs, and COVID-19 crisis, they have City Government has been logistics aid to our frontlin- continued to extend finan- implementing have real- ers,” Labella said. cial assistance to the senior ly helped us manage this The city’s medical re- citizens and persons with health crisis well. sponse included the fol- disabilities. In fact, the city Cebu City Mayor Ed- lowing: tested more than government is now allotting gar Labella posted on his 50,000 people for COVID-19 P60 million as financial aid Official Facebook Page the to date; created a total of for three months to our pri- major developments that 134 contact tracing teams; vate health workers. the city has achieved in its used 20,000 rapid test kits “As I have always reiter- COVID-19 response to boost testing capacity; ated, even as we have some- “We have released a to- and established five cluster how flattened the curve, we tal of P1 billion as budget for clinics and 50 isolation cen- should remain steadfast and various COVID-related relief ters in the city, the mayor re- not become complacent. operations, including food vealed. Our efforts and cooperation assistance to city residents; Labella assured the pub- must continue because the cash aid to our barangays; lic that even as their efforts virus isn’t gone and our fight and personal protective CEBU CITY MAYOR EDGAR LABELLA have been focused on the not over yet,” said Labella. Cebu City barangays to submit disaster plans THE Cebu City Disaster Ayuman said a disas- to include a hazard map of The CDRRMO hopes Risk Reduction and Man- ter plan is important as the their barangays, which will the BDP to be part of the agement Office (CDRRMO) cold season approaches the allow the CDRRMO to pre- requirements of the baran- asks all barangay captains country. It is during this pare and put up mitigating gays to get the approval of in the city to submit their season when typhoons and measures ahead of expect- their annual budget, but disaster plans. other disaster such as land- ed disasters. they are still working on CDRRMO Offi- slides or flashfloods are ex- “The BDP will help the the legalities of this. cer-in-charge Ramil Ayu- pected to be more frequent. CDRRMO foresee any di- Ayuman said they will man explained this is in The Barangay Disaster sasters that may come with also be training disaster re- preparation for the new nor- Plans (BDP) will give the typhoons, heavy rains, and sponders in the barangays mal The disaster response city a database on how to even in the aftermath of soon such as the tanods may change to accommo- respond to the possible di- unpredictable disasters and even boy scouts in the date health protocols such sasters in each barangay. like earthquakes,” said area to respond first to di- as social distancing. The barangays will need CDRRMO OIC RAMIL AYUMAN Ayuman. saster. Fill out health forms truthfully Cebu City fisherfolks FILL out health forms documents. It is very im- porting of Notifiable Diseases properly and accurately when portant that they place the and Health Events of Public receive aid from CCLEC entering an establishment right information because Health Concern Act and (b) THE management and Witnessing the turnover that would require them to do that would help our contact Tampering of records or in- staff of the Cebu-Cordo- were Councilor Phillip Zafra so. tracers find them should the tentionally providing misin- va Link Expressway Corp. and City Agriculturist Joeli- The Cebu City Emergen- establishment have a posi- formation. (CCLEC) turned-over its to Baclayon. cy Operations Center (EOC) tive COVID-19 (coronavirus “However, we would livelihood assistance pro- Mayor Edgar Labella ex- made this appeal after it disease 2019) case,” said the like to shift the responsibil- gram to fisherfolk organiza- tends his sincere gratitude found out that some people mayor. ity to the establishment to tions in Cebu City who are and appreciation to CCLEC filled the forms with false in- The act of providing accu- ensure that those entering affected by the third bridge for the assistance it provided formation, even using names rate information in the health their premises will provide project. to the city’s fisherfolks. of fictional characters like forms is a small but crucial accurate info because this is “Bruce Wayne,” “Optimus contribution of the people to for their own good. The EOC Prime,” and “Doctor Strange.” the city government to help would therefore recommend Mayor Edgardo Label- prevent the spread of the establishments to ask for a la already issued a warning coronavirus. valid ID before entry and against putting false infor- Councilor Joel Gargane- check the forms if they were mation in these public doc- ra, EOC head, said not pro- completely filled,” said Gar- uments saying this could viding accurate and proper ganera. be punishable by law as the information in contact trac- The EOC urged the public to health forms could be consid- ing forms might be punished help the city government by ered public documents. under Section 9(b) of RA (Re- properly filling up the forms “That can be consid- public Act) 11332 otherwise because these forms will be ered falsification of public known as Mandatory Re- needed for contact tracing. 10 September 14 - 20, 2020 Cebu Business Week THE ACADEME 748 private schools suspend operations this school year OVER 700 private Central Luzon with 141 rollment turnout and transfer The measure also states schools offering basic edu- schools. It was followed by of teachers to public schools. that subsidies and allowances cation are not operating this Calabarzon with 121, Metro Earlier, private schools will be provided to “qualified school year. Manila with 96, Western Vi- sought tax relief measures students in public and private Data from the Depart- sayas with 90, and Bicol Re- and other forms of aid from schools whose families are ment of Education (DepEd) gion with 46. the government as they strug- facing financial difficulties showed that 748 out of 14,435 Jesus Mateo, Undersec- gle to keep afloat due to the brought about by work stop- private educational institu- retary for Planning, Human COVID-19 crisis. page and closure of estab- tions, which opened last aca- Resource and Organizational Once the Bayanihan to lishments due to community USEC JESUS MATEO demic year suspended opera- Development, and Field Op- Recover As One Act becomes quarantine.” tions for academic year 2020 erations said that the closures law, teaching and non-teach- Briones expressed hopes Officials have begun gradual- to 2021. may be temporary. ing personnel of private and the educational institutions ly easing restrictions in June The move affects 3,233 Education Secretary Le- public schools who have lost would reconsider their de- to help the ailing economy teachers and 40,345 learners. onor Briones said two of the their jobs during the quaran- cision since the “economy is recover, allowing more busi- Most of those which reasons why schools have de- tine are entitled to a one-time improving.” nesses to reopen. stopped operations are in cided not to open are low en- cash assistance. FUn TRiVIA Do you know that… n Coca Cola owns all the domain names that can be read as ‘ahh’. Such as ahh.com, ahhhh.com, ahhhhh.com, and so on... all the way up to 62 h’s! n Your favorite butter for breakfast and snacks, the Anchor butter is owned by the biggest farmer’s cooperative in New Zealand? n There is a sea slug that is part animal and part plant? The Elysia Chlorotica, a green sea slug, is the first animal ever discovered to create chlorophyll like a plant.

n Grapes are fatally toxic to cats and dogs even in small amounts? They cause acute kidney failure quickly followed by death. n Francophobia is the Fear of French people Now you know!

Best Quotes from Successful People “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty—six times I’ve been trusted to take the game—winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan, former professional basketball player “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” — Zig Ziglar, American author “I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realise I should have been more specific.”— Lily Tomlin, American actress Cebu Business Week September 14 - 20, 2020 11 WORLD NEWS Hong Kong Pro-democracy activists call to boycott ‘Mulan’ PRO-DEMOCRACY ac- followed immediately after tivists in Hong Kong are are and soon enough, #Boycott- renewing calls to boycott Mulan was trending on Twit- Disney’s Mulan as the film ter, which is banned in Chi- “endorses police brutality in na. Hong Kong.” Now after manifold de- The calls erupted last year lays due to the coronavirus when the film’s lead actress pandemic, “Mulan” is out in Liu Yifei expressed support the US and is set to hit the- for Hong Kong police, who aters abroad very soon. In- anti-government demonstra- ternational audiences, par- tors accuse of using excessive ticularly in China, are a key force to quell unrest. part of the film’s theatrical “This film is released to- strategy. day. But because Disney kow- And now, renewed calls tows to Beijing, and because to boycott “Mulan” have also Liu Yifei openly and proudly spread to activists in Thai- endorses police brutality in land and Taiwan, fueled Hong Kong, I urge everyone mostly by the #MilkTeaAl- who believes in human rights liance, an online movement to #BoycottMulan,” prom- uniting pro-democracy pro- inent Hong Kong activist testers in Hong Kong, Thai- Joshua Wong tweeted on Au- land and Taiwan with con- gust 2019. cerns about China’s influence Calls to boycott “Mulan” in the region. Trump says one more country can join Israel-UAE pact ANOTHER country “Next week Trump, how- tries come in. The big ones could possibly join a diplo- at the White ever, did not dis- are going to be coming in. matic accord between Israel House we’ll be close the name I spoke to the king of Saudi and the United Arab Emir- having a sign- of the country Arabia, so we’re talking. We ates. ing between the that might be the just started the dialogue. U.S. President Donald UAE and Israel, next to join, but And you’ll have them come Trump will host a signing and we could forecasted that in,” he said. ceremony next Tuesday that have another Saudi Arabia The Saudi Embassy in includes delegations with country added would eventually Washington did not re- Israel and the UAE. into that. And I do so. spond when asked whether Israel and the UAE will tell you that “I think what the Saudi ambassador or agreed last month to nor- countries are ultimately will another Saudi represen- malize relations in an ar- lining up that happen is you’re tative would attend next rangement that Trump want to go into going to have week’s signing ceremony at helped organize. it,” Trump said. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP quite a few coun- the White House. Germany to loosen China ties Mali sets transitional ALARMED by its eco- not on the law of the strong,” China had been Berlin’s nomic dependence on Chi- German Foreign Minister diplomatic focus in Asia government consultation na and the country’s track Heiko Maas said. “That is and also accounts for 50% MALI has set a three- by Colonel Assimi Goita have record on human rights, why we have intensified co- of Germany’s trade with the day national consultation on been reaching out to various Germany formulated a new operation with those coun- Indo-Pacific region. the transitional government key personalities in an effort Indo-Pacific strategy that tries that share our demo- Europe as a whole seems make-up beginning Thurs- to boost their credibility, takes a tougher approach to- cratic and liberal values.” to be reevaluating its ties to day in the capital, Bamako. support their base and im- ward China Germany now adopts China. The European Union The West African lead- prove their public image. Germany has made a new policy guidelines cover- in 2019 labeled China a ers have put September 15 as Col Goita met two for- sharp break and will focus ing the Indo-Pacific, empha- “strategic competitor,” high- deadline for the appointment mer Presidents, Dioncounda instead on stronger partner- sizing the importance of the lighting its trade and tech- of civilian leaders. Traore and Amadou Touma- ships with democracies in rule of law and promoting nological rivalry with China. The National Commit- ni Toure, who have a history the region such as Japan and open markets in the region. Germany plans to work tee for the Salvation of the of leading transitions, and South Korea to promote the The strategy resonates with France toward an EU- People (CNSP) is pressured the influential High Islamic rule of law. the approach taken by wide strategy on the In- to put in place a civilian-led Council of Mali. “We want to help shape France, Japan, Australia and do-Pacific. Berlin aims to transitional government af- Meanwhile, a team of ex- the future global order so members of the Association boost its influence on the is- ter the of ouster Ibrahim perts on Wednesday submit- that it is based on rules and of Southeast Asian Nations sue by having the entire bloc Boubacar Keïta on August18. ted its work, a roadmap and a international cooperation, (ASEAN). on its side. Senior junta officials led charter, to the junta. 12 September 14 - 20, 2020 Cebu Business Week BISAYA EDITION AYUDA SA MGA MANINDAHAY

HUMAN miluwat og di- SA MGA SAM-ANG Labangon ug uban pa aron rektiba si Cebu City Mayor ilista ang mga tindera og bu- Edgar Labella sa temporary- wak ug kandila, ingon man ong pagsira sa mga sam-ang mga sepulturero. sugod Oktubre 30 hangtod Buot ni Labella nga ma- Nobyembre 3, 2020, daling hatagan sila og ayuda kay mimando usab ang mayor sa posibling maapektuhan ang Department of Social Wel- ilang kita tungod sa pagsir- fare and Services (DSWS) sa ado sa mga sam-ang atol sa pag-atiman sa ayuda sa mga Kalag-kalag. manindahay og kandila ug Isip usa sa mga lakang buwak ug sepulturero. batok sa COVID-19, tempo- Si Labella nagkanay- raryong sirad-an ang mga on nga mipakanaug siya og sam-ang sud sa lima ka ad- Memorandum ngadto lang law aron malikayan ang pag- Francis Abangan, ang da- tapok sa mga tawo panahon kudaku sa DSWS nga maki- sa kalag-kalag. gtambayayong kini sa mga Mihangyo si Mayor La- opisyales sa barangay diin bella sa publiko sa pagduaw nahimutang ang mga sam- og sayo sa ilang mga minahal ang sama sa barangay Car- sa kinabuhi nga mitaliwan reta, Calamba, Pardo, Luz, na. South Bus Terminal Mga sementeryo sa Siyudad sa Sugbo sirado Oktobre 30 - Nobyembre 3 sirado atol sa curfew SI CEBU City Mayor Ed- ang kahimsug sa panglawas sa si Labella nga nakasabot siya KINAHANGLAN sirado terminal sa bus kinahanglan gar Labella miluwat sa Exec- katawhan.” nga kinahanglan pasidung- ang usab nga mosunod sa oras sa utive Order No. 092 nga nag- “Gibuhat nato ni aron ma- gan ang atong mga mahal sa (CSBT) sa mga oras sa cur- curfew nga gilatid sa siyudad sira sa tanan nga mga publiko likayan ang pagdasok sa mga kinabuhi nga nibiya na pinaa- few – gikan sa alas 10 sa gabii tungod kay ang publiko gi- ug pribadong sementeryo, tawo ug ang pagkaylap sa vi- gi sa pagduaw sa sementeryo ngadto sa alas 5 sa buntag sa manduan man sa pagpuyo sa mga memorial parks, ug mga rus sa sulod sa mga sement- ug pag-ampo. sunod adlaw. ilang panimalay anang mga columbary sa Sigun sa may- Mao kini ang gipamahay- orasa. sulod sa Dak- or, gipagawas ag ni Mayor Sa susamang higayon, bayan sa Sug- niya kining di- sa Siyudad sa Sugbo ang terminal dili usab angay bo gikan Ok- rektiba og sayo “Atol sa among tigum, nga muabli sa panahon sa tubre 30 hang- aron hatagan atong gisigurado nga iimple- curfew. tod Nobyem- og panahon mentar ang basic health pro- Aron pagpahigayon sa bre 3, 2020. ang mga tawo tocols labi na nga moabot ang sayon nga pagbiyahe sa nga Subay sa pagbisita sa daghang katawhan dinha sa bus tali sa local government kini sa mga mga sement- terminal gikan sa atong mga units kon LGUs karon nga lakang kontra sa COVID-19, eryo samtang gisaulog ang Ad- eryo ug uban pa sa dili pa kini probinsya,” matod ni Labella. anaa na ubos sa modified nagkanayon si Labella, kinsa law sa mga Santos ug Adlaw sa masirad-an. Ang mayor makigtagbo sa general quarantine (MGCQ) nidugang nga “padayon nga Mga Kalag,” matod sa mayor. Si Labella nanghinaot nga mga kadagkuan sa Kapitolyo ang Siyudad sa Sugbo, giabli- nag-una sa atong prayoridad Sa laing bahin, niingon magiyahan ang tanan. sa Sugbo nga maoy nagpada- han na ang tanang borders. gan sa maong terminal, mga Hinoon, si Labella miin- opisyales sa Siyudad sa Tali- gon nga ang mga checkpoints Kabalaka sa mga criminology students sa UV say, Cebu City Transportation gimintinar aron pagseguro PIPILA ka mga tinun-an ilang grado, apan matod pa, unibersidad sa Schedule of Office, ug sa Land Transpor- nga gisunod sa katawhan ang sa College of Criminology ila na nacomply ang kaku- Transaction alang sa mga tation Franchising and Reg- mga health protocols, ug kad- sa University of the Visayas, wangan. kandidato sa Recognition o ulatory Board-7 (LTFRB-7) to lamang adunay quarantine mipadangat sa ilang kabala- Sigun sa mga tinun-an, Graduation sa tanang col- aron pagtuki sa health proto- passes, certificates of employ- ka kalabot sa estado sa ilang nasagmuyo sila tungod kay leges o programs. cols sa CSBT. ment, ug ubang dokumento pagtuon sa maong unibersi- wala sila gihatagan og pag- Kon dili ma cleared ang Si Labella niingon nga ga- ang mahimong mosud sa si- dad. tagad sa ilang mga profes- maong mga tinun-an, dili sila was sa health protocols, ang yudad. Ang maong mga tinun- sors. makaapil sa mga mogradwar an mga kandidato sa Grad- Ngani, matod pa, dili sa College of Criminology sa uation apan nasugamak sa man motubag ang ilang mga University of the Visayas ug problema sa ilang comple- professors sa ilang mga men- dili usab sila makakuha og tion ug clearance. Kadaghan- sahe sa social media, hinung- board exams. an sab niini naggikan pa sa dan nga dili ma proseso ang Ang ubang unibersidad probinsiya. ilang clearance sa College of sa Siyudad sa Sugbo nangan- Nakaangkon sila og INC Criminology. dam na alang sa umaabot nga o Incomplete nga marka sa Nag post na ang maong Criminology board exams.