Megawide Plans to Begin Redevelopment in Early 2021

CEBU“Radiating positivity, creating connectivity” BUSINESS

Room 310-A, 3rd floor WDC Bldg. Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City WEEK You may visit Cebu Business Week Facebook page. October 26 - November 1, 2020 Volume 2, Series 58 www.cebubusinessweek.com 12 PAGES P15.00 CARBON PROJECT TO REVIVE CEBU Megawide plans to begin redevelopment in early 2021

MEGAWIDE Construc- on March 9, 2020. By: ELIAS O. BAQUERO as a joint venture between City Check-in. tion Corporation will start “The Carbon Market and the Local Government Unit He said the proposed de- the redevelopment of the its adjoining districts are opment will certainly open (LGU) and Megawide, the velopment will also feature a Carbon Market area by the some of the most econom- more jobs and facilitate ease proposal seeks to redevelop waterfront plaza, a 24/7 mar- first quarter of 2021 once theically and culturally signif- of business for our vendors Carbon Market into a shop- ket, and the Sto. Niño Chapel Cebu City Government will icant locations in all Cebu. and suppliers,” Ferrer said. ping and cultural district that and Park. sign the Joint Venture Agree- With our proposal, we hope On the other hand, Tor- uplifts the quality of experi - Ferrer said that in phase ment (JVA). The project is to help jumpstart the recov- res said that this project will ence for all stakeholders like 1, they aim to deliver the new seen to help revive Cebu’s ery of Cebu’s economy after promote its vision of a First- vendors, business owners, and improved public market once vibrant economy. the pandemic by improving World Philippines across the transport operator and the and provide the ease of access Jason Robert Torres of the market’s existing infra- country not just in terms of public – and encourages the through an interim transport Megawide said that it took structure to provide a safer engineering and construc- growth of tourism and entre- terminal. Operations for the them more than one year to and more efficient experi- tion, but, more important- preneurship. market will remain with the prepare the redevelopment ence while bringing its his- ly, in terms of uplifting the Torres said there will be Market Operations Division project design based on the torical and cultural value to means of livelihood and in- a total of six blocks, devel- (MOD) of the Cebu City Gov- suggestion of stakeholders, the fore,” said Ferrer, also clusive for Cebuanos. oped in phases, with each ernment while Megawide will including vendors, city and Megawide’s managing direc- This redevelopment will block housing diverse retail, maintain the facility. barangay officials, business- tor for transport. also expand Megawide’s F&B leisure, and service fea- “The design and oper- men, and religious leaders. “Through the new mar- transit-oriented develop- tures. Among the proposal ations for the market were Megawide is the engi- ket facility and expanded at- ment portfolio and further highlights is the First-World planned with the intent to neering and infrastructure tractions, we aim to attract cement its commitment for Carbon Public Market, preserve the current vendor conglomerate behind the more investors to Cebu and the Province of Cebu. Wholesalers’ Hub, Lifestyle selection while improving now world-class Mactan-Ce- encourage the growth of the In that press conference, Village, Boqueria, and the overall market facility and bu International Airport local economy. Its redevel- Torres said that structured Premier Galleria and Airport systems,” Ferrer said. (MCIA). Ferrer said ensuring ease GMR-Megawide Cebu of access to Carbon is also a Airport Corporation (GM- priority, with the develop- CAC) President Louie Ferrer ment of an integrated trans- unveiled their plans for the port hub, that houses all redevelopment of Carbon modes of land transportation Market in Cebu City during a as well as a new ferry termi- press conference at Radisson nal that will allow passengers Blu Hotel last October 16. to take a water taxi through Ferrer said Megawide the channel to Mactan Is- submitted its unsolicited land and connect directly to proposal to the Cebu City MCIA. Government under Mayor On the other hand, Tor- Edgardo C. Labella on Octo- res said the architectural ber 11, 2019 and was award- HANGING RICE. Megawides proposed design of Block 1 and 2 which will feature an entrance designed in the design draws from imagery ed Original Proponent Status shape of a puso (hanging rice). unique to Cebu. 2 October 26 - November 1, 2020 Cebu Business Week LOCAL Veco charged for ‘overcharging’ A RADIOMAN who is of April 2020; P10,572.84 Community Quarantine also international boxing for May; P10,493.57 for (ECQ). The meter reader judge has filed a complaint July; P11,761.32 for August; cannot even explain about against the Visayan Electric P10,522.66 for September; the questionable and anom- Company (VECO) before and P9,057.01 for October. alous electric bills. the Energy Regulatory Com- Ligas added that he and “Niadto ko sa VECO mission (ERC) because of his family expected a re- apan taphaw ug wala ko rampant overcharging and duced VECO billing because matagbaw sa ilang pagpas- violation of Section 41 or they did not anymore use a abot kay kini gubot pa sa lu- Republic Act (RA) 9136 and flat iron starting in the last kot,” Ligas said. RA 11469 or the Bayanihan week of March 2020 to Au- In his prayer, Ligas To Heal as One Act. gust 24, 2020. urged ERC to order VECO Edward Ligas said in his He said the billing is to refund to him and to all complaint that in four years, served every month and he VECO consumers who suf- his average monthly bill- paid VECO every month. His fered the same fate of paying ing is between P3,400 and last payment was last Octo- to VECO the overcharges. P3.500. However, Ligas said ber 1, 2020. Ligas also prayed to ERC he was surprised and con- To top it all, Ligas said to order VECO that starting fused when the VECO bill- the VECO meter reader was October 2020, the power ing skyrocketed during the even surprised when he in- distribution utility should months of lockdown. quired from him about the not cut the power supply Ligas received the fol- electric bills with overcharg- to all consumers until their lowing VECO billings: EDWARD LIGAS, RADIOMAN WHO IS ALSO INTERNATIONAL BOX- es when during this period, complaints will be resolved. P10,505.05 for the month ING JUDGE. Cebu was under Enhanced CBW DTI’s buy local program gets backing at Capitol CEBU Provincial Board es are grasping at straws to nesses in areas under a more er from huge losses. Member Glenn Soco has keep their businesses afloat. relaxed community quaran- “The same program filed a resolution strongly The pandemic had seriously tine like Cebu Province. promotes patriotism and supporting the Department impacted the economy like “Under this program, nationalism, both traits of Trade and Industry (DTI) tourism, food and beverage, everyone is encouraged to characterized by devotion in its “Go Local” program accommodations, retail, “shop local, eat local and and support for one’s coun- and called for its aggressive manpower and services, travel local” to help stim- try. The program’s tagline information dissemination and export. ulate demand and restart emphasizes that buying and and implementation. With the pandemic’s im- or bring back confidence going local is a “BUYani” Soco said that due to the pact on trade and industry, to the different domestic act, as it ultimately helps COVID-19 pandemic busi- helping the Micro, Small businesses and industries,” our own people and econo- nesses are forced to close and Medium Enterprises Soco said. my,” Soco said. and movement is regulated. (MSMEs) must be priori- This also aims to pa- “Buying and going lo- Everyone is encouraged to tized to save the economy. tronize domestic products cal support the country’s stay at home. In his opinion, the DTI and services. economy in more ways than He added that with came up with a timely and He said the objective one - it keeps the money in most of the country being fitting program called “Buy of this program was based the community, it creates subjected to community Local, Go Local” -- a nation- principally at helping and and multiples job opportu- quarantine, including thewide campaign during the assisting local industries, nities,” he added. ELIAS O. Province of Cebu, business- gradual reopening of busi- BOARD MEMBER GLENN SOCO especially MSMEs to recov- BAQUERO Pinoys more interested in politics than economics: Calooy BUSINESSMAN Rey E. In 2011, they gave the rupt, hence, considered high economy. If banks are liq- He said the fast circu- Calooy observed that Fili- Philippines a high grade. If risk. uid, BSP will instruct banks lation of money in a com- pinos are more interested this happened to a country, He added that the Phil- to lower the interest rates munity starts from workers in politics than economics the macroeconomic funda- ippine economy in 2011 had to encourage depositors because once they received though the latter is more mental is strong. a good fiscal and monetary or businessmen to borrow salaries, they immediately important to their life espe- He said that if translated management. money to expand their busi- buy daily needs. cially amid the pandemic. to a family whose economic Fiscal management is nesses. Calooy also said that Politics deals with words situation is strong because the result of leadership and “Once their business- while inflation is good as it while the economy deals the income increased. As a governance in implementing es will expand, it will cre- is an indication of a growing with numbers. result, several lending in- the laws on taxes and raising ate triple effect to employ- economy, it is also danger- Calooy said that since the stitutions offer that familyincome a from other revenues. ment. If employment will ous if it reaches six percent year 2011, the Philippines’ big amount of loan. On the other hand, the mon- increase, the economy will because it will become a hy- macroeconomic fundamen- It’s because for the lend- etary policy is set by officials further grow due to increase per inflation. tal improved. In fact, the ers, a family or nation with of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipi- in productivity. Remember If this will happen, the credit rating agencies Fitch strong economy is consid- nas (BSP). that the computation of the BSP will order banks to in- Rating, Standard and Poor’s, ered low risk and can pay The central bank gover- Gross Domestic Product crease the interest rate to JP Morgan and Moodys gave debt, unlike a family, com- nor is in charge of the mon- (GDP) is based on produc- control excess money circu- us investment grade. pany or nation that is bank- etary policy and controls the tion,” Calooy said. lation. ELIAS O. BAQUERO Cebu Business Week October 26 - November 1, 2020 3 NEWS Hontiveros exposes BI scam MASTERMINDS of a 2017. Of these four million nationals arriving here since notorious “business model” Chinese nationals, around 2017 is comparable to more at the Bureau of Immigra- 3.8 million were non-VUA than the entire population of tion have pocketed a total of applicants while around Quezon City. P40 billion pesos since 2017 150,000 were VUA appli- Meanwhile, when it from facilitating the arrivals cants comes to the questionable of Chinese nationals through Around three million of VUA transactions, the bribe the so-called Visa Upon Ar- these non-VUA applicants allegedly goes straight to the rival (VUA). are believed to have paid the main office, where the visas Senator Risa Honti- extra P10,000 service fee in are approved. veros made this revelation the ‘pastillas’ scam. Accord- To recall, in 2017, then on Tuesday adding that with ing to whistleblowers Alex Justice Secretary Vitaliano VUA, kickbacks go straight Chiong and Dale Ignacio, Aguirre issued Department into the pockets of some -offi masterminds of the scam Order No. 41 allowing citi- cials. take part of the bribe money. zens of the People’s Republic According to the figures The senator took note of of China to enter the Philip- provided by BI, there have this unusually large number: pines without having previ- been about four million “The numbers are stagger- ously obtained a visa from Chinese nationals who have ing. For the sake of compar- the Department of Foreign entered the country since ison, four million Chinese Affairs.DFA DOLE assists retrenched MEPZ workers AROUND twenty-six of the changing times thereby of COU applications received (26) workers retrenched at making them ready and able not only by the TCFO but also the Mactan Export Process- in the so-called new normal,” by the rest of the Field Offices ing Zone (MEPZ) are now said DOLE-7 Regional Direc- of DOLE-7, we make sure to scheduled to undergo a skills tor Salome O. Siaton. facilitate them and start ac- training. Said workers will under- cepting applications online,” The Department of Labor go the training on November Siaton said. and Employment-7 (DOLE- 3, 2020. Simplifying the submis- 7), in coordination with Lapu- Apart from its Employ- sion and acceptance of COU Lapu City’s Livelihood Train- ment Facilitation Program, applications will make it ing Center and the Technical the DOLE also ensures that quicker for affected workers Education Skills and Devel- affected workers who have to avail the assistance of the opment Authority (TESDA), applied for the issuance of the SSS. Affected workers will will provide these identifiedCertificate of Unemployment just have to email to dole_ beneficiaries a training on(COU) are given due and ease/Illness. nesses are highly concentrat- [email protected] Bread and Pastry-Making prompt attention. DOLE Tri-City Field Of- ed. their applications attaching a “This is now the result of COUs are issued to work- fice Head Emmanuel Y.- Fer Of the COU applications photocopy of one (1) valid ID the DOLE’s Employment Fa- ers who were involuntarily rer said that as of September received, more than 4,000 and the Notice of Termina- cilitation Program whereby displaced from work due to 25, 2020, their Office has applications come from the tion issued by the employer. affected workers are referredauthorized causes such as (1) already received and accom- locally displaced workers. “In the absence of the to various services depending Installation of labor saving modated over 5,000 applica- “COUs are needed for Notice of Termination, ap- on their interest. Equipping devices; (2) Redundancy; (3) tions for COU. The Tri-City the application of Unemploy- plicants may use a duly nota- these workers with new skills Retrenchment or Downsiz- Field Office covers the citiesment Insurance or Involun- rized Affidavit of Termination is necessary so that they will ing; (4) Closure or Cessation of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu- tary Separation Benefit atof Employment,” Siaton ex- be able to cope with the needs of Operation; and (5) Dis- lapu, where most of the busi- the SSS. And with the influxplained. LTO-7 resumes releasing of MV Plates in CV LAST Thursday, October registration, and name of the Special plates from photocopy of their Official sued ID of the Secretary and 22, the Land Transportation owner. the year 2015, 2016 (Janu- Receipt (OR) and Certificate the authorized person is Office (LTO) 7 resumed the The text line is open from ary-June), and 2017 (Janu- of Registration, and a pho- needed. distribution of motor vehicle Monday to Friday, from 8:00 ary-April) can also be claimed tocopy of any valid govern- Once a final schedule will plates for brand new four- AM till 5:00 PM. following the resumption of ment-issued ID. be sent to the owner, they can wheel vehicles at SM Seaside LTO-7 had started releas- the distribution. If a representative will now go to City Wing at the City Cebu. ing the MV plates last Febru- LTO 7 reminds the mo- claim the plate, a notarized Lower Ground Floor, SM Sea- Around 19,302 plates are ary 13 this year where a total torists who will be claim- authorization letter with a side City Cebu, to claim their set to be released. of 1,941 plates were released ing their plates to prepare a photocopy of a valid govern- MV plates. LTO 7 reminds the public but ceased its operations ment-issued ID for both “Please wait for the to book first for a schedule so last March 17, 2020 due to owner and the authorized confirmation to know your that its personnel can prepare the COVID-19 pandemic. person is needed. scheduled date and time of the plate. Plates from the years Likewise, if the vehicle claiming. If the plate is un- To book, one needs to 2015 and 2016 are now is owned by a company, a claimed, you will have to re- send a text to 0947-349- available except for some notarized Special Power of schedule your appointment,” 9965 with the information plate series such as GEB Attorney, Secretary Certif- said the agency in their notice of their plate number and 2999 to GEB 9895 and GEC icate with one photocopy posted on their official Face- MV file number, date of first1220 to GEC 2000. of the valid government-is- book page. PR 4 October 26 - November 1, 2020 Cebu Business Week OPINION

Parlade’s epic PR fail

Lt. General Antonio Parlade Jr. took on outspoken celebrities in a Red tag attack. But instead of instilling fear in his celebrity targets Liza Soberano, Catriona Gray, and Angel Locsin, they became stronger. The controversy arose after Soberano appeared on Gabriela Youth’s we- Weekly Notes binar titled “Mga Tinig Emmanuel Nacorda Mongaya ni Nene: Reclaiming Our Voices on the International Day of the Girl Child.” She took a stand on the issue of violence against women and children. When her participation drew the ire of some anti-Red netizens, Parlade entered the picture by presenting himself a supposed Soberano defender. He said the actress is “not yet” an NPA and warned her about Gabriela. She might, he said, might even get killed. He then included Gray in his supposed warning. Parlade also dragged into the fray the outspoken Locsin, her sister Ella Colmenares, and their relative Bayan Muna Neri Colmenares. But Ella easily parried the general’s accusation. She even joked about her joining such beauties. Neri, on the other hand, wears his tag with dignity. Fan power Instead of gaining public support, Parlade only made himself and the administration look bad in the eyes of fans who came to the defense of their idols. Maybe the government spokesman against the Left thought his mere say so would frighten both the celebs and their fans. But Soberano, Gray, and Locsin stuck to their guns and the fans defended them. The DDS failed to turn out in masse to support Parlade. I saw Parlade’s interview with Karen Davila. He came Editorial across as an arrogant, condescending, know it all. He was no match for articulate, beautiful faces of strong women with hundreds of thousands of fans online. Perhaps, the general overestimated his support after Facebook shut down Veco must be transparent pro-government fake accounts. President Rodrigo Duterte tried to cow Facebook but had to retreat the next day. Media personality and loss at how to respond. Ligas will follow suit. Ironically, the general strengthened the credibility of international boxing referee said the power company is- Beyond the complaint Gabriela. Parlade publicly showed how petty he is and be- Edward Ligas has accused sued a statement that failed of Ligas, power consumers came the public’s bad guy. Imagine, just an appearance in a the Visayan Electric Co. to address the accusation of in Metro Cebu have been Gabriela youth online activity triggered a vicious attack that (VECO) of overcharging in overcharging. Instead, Ligas grumbling about unex- included a thinly veiled death threat? In the same breath, he a complaint filed before theand others with complaints plained bills. For how can associated woke showbiz stars with Gabriela’s advocacy. Energy Regulatory Commis- are invited to raise their con- Veco credibly explain, for Goebbels wannabe sion (ERC). He demands a cerns in Veco service centers. instance, a bill amounting to What amused me, Parlade failed to realize he flopped at refund and a stop to month- Question: why cannot tens of thousands of pesos to becoming a Goebbels wannabe. Refusing to apologize to Sober- ly increases without clear Veco just explain why bills a business owner whose of- ano, he said the actresses’ lawyer and family even thanked him basis. have been increasing during fice had been closed during for “informing them about the nature if this organization” refer- While the complaint has the pandemic? Veco officials the quarantine? ring to Gabriela. But Soberano’s lawyer Juanito Lim Jr. said in resonated with Veco con- have apparently not realized Once this complaint a statement: “We denounce in the strongest terms the ‘red tag- sumers in Metro Cebu, the that this will only backfire. gains enough momentum, ging’ of our client, Ms. Liza Soberano … Expressing her love and power company has appar- Veco has yet to respond to expect not just an investiga- respect for women and children is her personal advocacy.” ently clammed up. A Manila the need for transparency. tion by the ERC. But then, A natural ally, Defense Secretary Lorenzana instead Bulletin story merely quoted The Ligas complaint has perhaps Veco officials are scolded the general. And why not? Parlade is doing his pub- the Veco spokesperson that a punched a hole in Veco’s in- confident they could just licity all wrong. Dapat mag-damage control na, sir. @anol_ statement is being prepared. transigence. It will only be manage the issue that will cebu in Twitter Veco seems to be at a a matter of time that others eventually go away.

“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 CEBU contents of this newspaper are placed online 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 October 26 - November 1, 2020 5 OPINION Asia suffering worst recession in living memory there are still many black soft drinks at public ven- ing in the UK, to resolve the moniker, according to clouds on the horizon as ues and their closure had cases that have severely Hurun Report. Alibaba countries, including India, forced it to offer voluntary tarnished the firm’s rep- co-founder Jack Ma re- the Philippines and Ma- job cuts to about 4,000 utation. Goldman’s board tains top spot for the third laysia, continue to battle workers in the United also said it will recoup or year, ahead of Pony Ma with Covid-19 infections. States. The company said withhold $174m in com- and Zhang Shanshan. The Not only are economies in consumers were buy more pensation awarded to ex- China Rich List 2020, put the region dealing with the sparkling soft drinks and ecutives, including retired out by the Hurun Research fallout from the pandemic, juices from grocery stores boss Lloyd Blankfein, un- Institute and its founder BIZBITS but they are also affected and online. (CNA / Reu- der whose watch the scan- Rupert Hoogewerf, shows Manny de los Santos Rabacal by the US-China trade war, ters) dal happened. The 1MDB a wealth increase of $1.5 and the growing hostilities oOo scheme was a global web trillion, far exceeding ex- between the two economic Goldman Sachs has of fraud and corruption, pectations. Jack Ma’s up- superpowers. (BBC) agreed to pay nearly $3bn in which billions of dollars coming Ant Group IPO oOo (£2.3bn) to end a probe of ostensibly raised for pub- and a strong reliance on Coca-Cola beat revenue its role in the 1MDB cor- lic development projects in e-commerce platform Al- Asia Pacific is set to re- and profit expectations on ruption scandal. The bank’s Malaysia instead landed in ibaba during COVID-19 cover from its worst reces- Thursday (Oct 22) as a par- Malaysian subsidiary also private pockets, including lockdown have seen the sion in living memory, the tial reopening of theaters admitted in US court that it those of the country’s for- 56-year-old’s value shoot International Monetary and restaurants boosted had paid more than $1bn in mer prime minister Najib up 45 percent to $58.8 bil- Fund (IMF) says. Growth demand and helped the bribes to win work raising Razak. (BBC) lion. Pony Ma, who owns forecasts for the region world’s largest soda mak- money for the Malaysian oOo Tencent and ubiquitous have been downgraded er bounce back from a state-owned wealth fund. The number of bil- Chinese app WeChat, in- again, this time from -1.6% shattering second quarter.US officials said the record lionaires in China grew creased his wealth to $57.4 to -2.2% for this year. Declines in “away-from- settlement reflected Gold- by nearly 30 percent this billion, up 50 percent. Top However, the glimmer of home” sales eased to mid- man’s central role in a mas- year, as the country’s su- among the 257 new billion- hope is for a bounce back teens range in the third sive corruption scheme. per rich thrived during aires this year is Shanshan, of almost 7% next year, quarter from about a 50 perGoldman admitted it had the coronavirus pandem- of Nongfu bottled water according to the IMF. Chi- cent slump in April at the fallen short, calling it an ic. There are now 878 bil- fame, who is now valued na will play a big part in height of lockdowns, while institutional failure. In all, lionaires in the country, up at $53.7 billion and is the the region’s growth next demand for its trademark the investment bank is due 257 from 2019. This fur- third-richest person in year, with its latest data Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola to pay about $5bn in penal- ther widens the billionaire the world’s second-largest showing continued recov- Zero Sugar also rose. Co- ties - about two thirds of its gap between China and the economy. (Newsweek) ery from the downturn ca-Cola makes about half 2019 profits - to regulators U.S., which has nearly 700 mannyrabacal1144@ caused by the virus. But of its revenue by selling its around the world, includ- individuals who qualify for gmail.com

Pres. Osmena’s Report of his administration the news services reported buildings in the Islands for radiogram from him an- ministration make a study that a three-man federal emergency quarters. nouncing that, as a result of the requirements for housing commission would The mission will be of the senator’s represen- construction, reconstruc- leave the United States headed by Earl Gouger, di- tations, President Truman tion and repair of high- shortly to aid in solving rector of the program divi- has instructed the Secre- ways, secondary roads, and the housing problem in the sion of the Federal Housing tary of War to send Unit- essential streets, including Philippines. Both the Asso- Administration. He will be ed States Army engineers bridges. This report will be ciated Press and the Unit- assisted by John Tierney, to the Philippines in order coordinated with the report ed Press said High Com- also of the U. S. hous- to study our requirements of the corps of engineers missioner Paul V. McNutt ing authority, and a third for rehabilitation and ex- ordered by Secretary Stim- Cebu Legal confirmed that the housing member yet unnamed. pansion of port and harbor son. Pedia mission had been request- The City of Manila has facilities here. “ ‘Commissioner Ro- Atty. Clarence Paul V. Oaminal ed by President Osmeña helped to relieve the hous- “ ‘A corps of engineers mulo also informs me that and that details had been ing shortage in the city by will prepare a report on President Truman has in- worked out between Lou- procuring thousands of this essential matter, and structed the Secretary of is J. Croft, the President’s tents from the U. S. Army submit general plans and the Navy to detail such na- special adviser on land for distribution to home- estimates of the cost of val officers as had served planning, and the High less refugees and for sale such additional works in the pre-war personnel Commissioner’s office. at cost to the poor people as may be needed in this of the Public Roads Ad- President Osmena was The housing commis- of Manila.” post-war period, from the ministration to prepare a the consummate nation- sion, which is expected to To expand port, har- standpoint both of nation- plan for the construction, al leader. He carried the arrive in mid-February, bor facilities al defense and of our fu- reconstruction and repair burden of resurrecting the will coöperate with Philip- “‘While I was in the ture commercial develop- of highways and streets, fallen economy of the Phil- pine housing authorities in United States I con- ment. including bridges, which ippines. He made things an effort to get private and ferred with Senator Carl To construct, repair are deemed essential to happen and not just talk public housing projects Hayden, a member of the highways the Philippines. and talk. Here is an ex- started. The commission Senate committee on in- “ ‘President Truman has “ ‘Colonel C. L. Hall is cerpt of the report released will attempt to have large sular affairs, concerning also instructed Maj. Gen. already on his way to Ma- on January 1946: amounts of wartime mate- these matters. Commis- Philip Fleming, adminis- nila, together with his staff, To solve housing rials placed at its disposal. sioner Romulo has con- trator of the United States and we shall of course ren- problem It also hopes to take over tinued these conferences Federal Works Agency, to der him all the cooperation On January 16, 1946, many service-constructed and I have just received a have the Public Roads Ad- we can muster’.” 6 October 26 - November 1, 2020 Cebu Business Week OPINION

Insanity Plea 6, 1991, the appellant stabbed normally. The mother then ceded and thereafter took a by his stabbing of the two vic- Roger Cabiguen on the fore- brought the appellant to Dr. jeepney with appellant, while tims Roger and Elza) while arm and Elza Rodriguez on de Guzman, a medical prac- on the jeepney the appellant leaving the other two people the chest. Ricardo Maglalang titioner. She then disclosed to then jumped off the jeepney in the room unharmed. In had physical injuries on dif- the doctor that insanity runs and boarded a tricycle. fleeing from the scene- indi ferent parts of the body. in the family. 5.) On 11 March 1991 he cated that he was aware of the There were two other 2.) Dr. de Guzman di- was interviewed by the City wrong he committed. people inside the room, but agnosed the appellant as Health Officer I and was- rec The Supreme Court said they were not harmed by suffering from “psychosisommended to be committed that actions performed by the the appellant. Roger and Ri- w/ schizophrenia.” He pre- to the NATIONAL MENTAL appellant does not sufficiently The Legal Front cardo were both wounded scribed an anti-depressant HOSPITAL prove his insanity at the time Atty. Gerry Carillo while Elza died from the stab known as thoracin which kept 6.) While under the care of commission of the crime: wound. the appellant sane for a peri- of the hospital the medical “A man may act crazy but it After his arrest, ac- od of 2 months. findings for the appellant wasdoes not necessarily and con- cused-appellant was inter- 3.) On 04 March 1991, the that he was suffering from:clusively prove that he is le- mittently confined at appellant’s the mother noticed Psychosis or Insanity classi- gally so.” The other day I watched a National Center for Mental that he is acting strangely. fied under Schizophrenia Although it can be argued movie on NETFLIX about an Health. Thus, he was ar- So, she left to buy Thoracin. The issue of the case was that the appellant is suffering accused found to be mentally raigned only on February 19, When she returned the appel- whether insanity in this in- from mental illness what is insane. He was exonerated for 1993 wherein he pleaded not lant is nowhere to be found. stant case can become an ex- decisive is his mental condi- killing his wife but was placed guilty. Thereafter, the cas- 4.) On 06 March 1991 empting circumstance so that tion at the time of the perpe- in the mental institution. Will es were archived until No- (date of commission of crime) the accused can be freed from tration of the offense. Failing this apply in our country? vember 15, 1994, when ac- he was seen swimming across the charges? to discharge the burden of Is an insane person ex- cused-appellant was declared the river. The Barangay Cap- The High Tribunal decid- proving that he was legally in- empt from criminal liability? mentally fit to withstand trial. tain and Councilman took ed in the negative. In insanity sane when he stabbed the vic- The following case should be This time, accused-appellant the appellant out of the water as a defense, it is presumed tims, he should be held liable interesting. admitted commission of the and placed inside a boat. The that all persons to be of sound for his felonious acts. This is about People of crimes charged but invoked accused-appellant kept on mind. Otherwise, the law pre- The court held and found the R.P. vs. Valledor G.R.No. the exempting circumstance crying and uttering words to sumes all acts to be voluntary, the accused guilty of the 129291 penned by the Su- of insanity. the effect that his family will and it is improper to presume crime. The actions of the preme Court on 3 July 2002. The appellant’s plea of be killed. Suspecting that ap- that acts were done uncon- accused surrounding the cir- This case is about Enrico insanity was anchored on the pellant was mentally ill, the sciously. cumstances of the case would Valledor’s appeal of his con- following instances: Barangay Captain asked the The acts made by the ap- certainly persuade the court viction for the crime of con- 1.) On January 1990 the Councilman to accompany pellant shows that he does in deciding the case. summated, frustrated, and Mother of the appellant no- accused-appellant to Puerto not have complete absence of Write us at carilloger- attempted murder. On March ticed that he is behaving ab- Princesa City. Sibunga ac- the power to discern as shown [email protected] Laudato si, Palma and his priest so many times trade unions environmental degradation tor representatives, and policy prehensive. A group of divers and workers around the world abound. Flooding in most ma- experts won’t not be a naught. voluntarily checked the coral in a dialogue about economic jor city streets when there is I posit this because of the reefs, seagrasses and marine justice, from “Populorum pro- downpour are natural occur- “magnum silentium” of Arch- ecosystem, September and gressio” to “Laudato si.” In a rences. And no water from the bishop Palma over the report- October 2019, respectively. profit-driven global economy, faucet despite the abundance ed destruction of the mining One recommendation is investing in a solidarity that of water during rainy season. firms in Southern Cebu to theto institute mitigating mea- goes beyond the walls of asso- While Cebu is being pro- terrestrial environment and sures to stop more damage ciation that protects only the jected as prosperous, its nat- marine ecosystem. to the environment. But Mr. rights of workers, but above ural base is fast degenerating. Incidentally, a very dis- Villaber was castigated by the all of whose rights are not even The island province is now turbing accusation hurled by a priest for reporting without The Labor Front recognized, the Roman Curia besieged with environmen- certain Michael Sarsonas, a di- his imprimatur. Art Barrit boldly stated. tal problems from all fronts ocesan priest, in-charge of the He even informed some Clearly the abuse of our – land, water and air. Ironi- archdiocesan environmental NGO members that if not for natural resources has upset cally, our irresponsibility and concerns stated in a meeting his timely intervention DENR the delicate balance of nature indifference are the main cul- among his peers that what Secretary Roy Cimatu could Pope Francis issued a 184- and we are already beginning prit. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia have filed a case against the page Papal Encyclical, “Lau- to suffer the consequences of Thus, heeding the clari- is doing to the mining firmsgroup is for the baseless report. dato si,” or “Praise Be to You” our violation of nature’s im- on call of Pope Francis to the a political conspiracy and po- The priest did not know to highlight the crisis posed by mutable laws. many forms of environmen- litically motivated. that Mr. Villaber’s report was climate change. Environmentalists and tal problems confronting our To me, this is a height of one of the bases used by the The Supreme Pontiff plac- progressive trade unions and island province of Cebu, the an irresponsible pulpit pun- technical assessment team in es most of the blame on fossil workers would tell us that archdiocese under the arch- ditry. validating the reported en- fuels and human activity, while there’s such a thing as an “eco- bishopric of the Most Rever- The fellow wouldn’t budge vironmental damage. It was warming of an “unprecedent- logical web”, i.e., the destruc- end Jose Palma, D.D. held its on the issue made by a long- carried out last October 14, 15, ed destruction of ecosystems, tion of natural resources starts 1st Archdiocesan Convention time marine biologist practi- and 16, 2020. The team were with serious consequences for a chain of rection that leads to on Climate Emergency, Janu- tioner William Villaber. The composed of MGB, EMB, all of us” if corrective action is the loss of others. ary 31, to February 1, 2020. findings of Mr. Villaber DENR on PENRO, Capito PEN- not taken swiftly, the encycli- Let’s bring the issue home. I hope the convention coastal barangays adjacent RO, MENRO of Dalaguete cal letter noted. The diagnoses are tragic. The participated by 160 differentthe mining firms containedand Alcoy and two represen- The Church has engaged prognoses are bleak. Signs of parishes in Cebu, private sec- in a 22-page report was com- tatives from PMSC and DMC. Cebu Business Week October 26 - November 1, 2020 7 NATION Over 1M Pinoys begin Natl ID registration THE National Economic ber, 485,569 are female and the “Philippine Identifica- strengthen the financial- in and Development Authority 572,977 are male. tion System Act,” was signed clusion for both public and (NEDA) said that more than The PhilSys registration by President Rodrigo Dute- private services. 1 million Filipinos have tak- involves three steps: collec- rte in August 2018. It aims Chua earlier said the na- en the first step in registering tion of demographic infor- to establish a single nation- tional ID system could also with the Philippine Identifi- mation; recording of biomet- al ID system for all citizens transform how these services cation System (PhilSys), also rics and validation; and issu- and resident aliens of the are accessed and delivered known as the National ID ance of PhilSys number and Philippines. to hasten the growth of the system. PhilID card. The valid proof of iden- country’s digital economy. Data provided by Act- The first step was per- tity that PhilSys will provide The national ID would ing Socioeconomic Plan- formed house-to-house as a ACTING SECRETARY would be used to simplify give Filipinos and resident ning Secretary Karl Kend- precaution against the corona- KARL KENDRICK CHUA public and private transac- foreigners “a legal and digi- rick Chua showed that 1.058 virus disease 2019 (Covid-19) “We are on track so far. tions. It would also serve as tal identity so that no other million had registered their as it aimed to pre-register The PSA is working hard to a social and economic plat- IDs will be needed to trans- data with the system as of about 5 million Filipino house- do step one,” Chua said. form that promotes seamless act with the government,” he October 20. Of the num- holds in system. Republic Act 11055, or social service delivery and added. No rice import permits during some months urged THE Senate committee on phytosanitary import clear- tion of rice in the country as expressed support for the sug- itary and technical barriers to agriculture and food on Thurs- ances (SPIC) for rice from the long as traders secure permits gestion on limiting the months trade can also be invoked to day proposed the non-issu- months of November to Janu- and pay the 35% import tariff when import clearances for better manage the importa- ance of import permits for rice ary, and from May to June. imposed by the measure. rice can be issued. tion of rice. during certain months every No such permits shall be A few months after its im- Marcos, chair of the Sen- In response, Agricul- year to avoid the local farm- given to traders from Febru- plementation, local rice farm- ate committee on economic ture Undersecretary Rodolfo ers’ income from plummeting ary to April, and July to Octo- ers suffered as palay prices affairs, said this can be Vicerra done said the government during harvest season. ber of every year to avoid tum- plunged to as low as P7 to P10 by invoking some non-trade will “manage rather than stop” Senator Cynthia Villar, bling prices of palay. per kilo. measures that are recognized the importation of rice. chair of the panel, said the Bu- The passage of the Rice Senators Francis “Kiko” by the World Trade Organiza- “So, this will be your guid- reau of Plant Industry (BPI) Tariffication Law in 2019- al Pangilinan, Christopher tion. ance. This is guidance,” Villar should only issue sanitary and lowed the unlimited importa- “Bong” Go, and Imee Marcos She added that phytosan- said. Compulsory installation of VMM, ERS to all fishing boats AGRICULTURE Sec- tory fish stocks. food security. dents, or other emergencies, it said. retary William D. Dar has The Bureau of Fisher- The VMM was a product ensuring safety of fishers at BFAR said the data from ordered the mandatory in- ies and Aquatic Resourcesof public consultations and sea,” BFAR said. the ERS and VMS would also stallation of vessel monitor- (BFAR) said the VMM is used deliberation by the National Based on the new FAO, be used in tracking fishing ing measures (VMM) and to “track and monitor the po- Fisheries and Aquatic Re- the installation of fully op- behavior for scientific re- electronic reporting system sition, course, and speed of sources Management Coun- erational tracking devices is search and serve as a basis (ERS) to all fishing vessels fishingto vessels at any givencil (NFARMC), the country’s now a requirement for regis- for more effective fisheries foil illegal, unreported, and time for the purpose of man- highest recommending and tration, or renewal of a ves- management measures. unregulated fishing (IUUF). agement of fisheries and fish- advisory body on fisheriessel’s license. Based on the new FAO, The Fisheries Adminis- ing effort and traceability.” policies, according to BFAR. “Aside from this, an Elec- vessels weighing 3.1 to less trative Order 266 signed by Civil-society groups, lo- “The system will use an tronic Reporting System will than 30 GT must have a DA- Dar last October 12 updated cal governments and artis- Automatic Location Com- be used to record and trans- BFAR- approved VMS in- FAO 260 of 2018, which was anal fisherfolk commendedmunicator [ALC], or a track- mit catch data, including stalled within one year from the government’s initial ef- DA and BFAR’s issuance for ing device equipped with a species and volume of fishthe effectivity of the FAO. forts in implementing VMM. the fishing vessel monitor- distress alert button, which caught, position of the ves- For vessels weighing 30 FAO 260 only covered ing rules saying the move is when activated will automat- sel where the fish are caught,GT or more, VMS must be commercial vessels catching a timely and important step ically locate the vessel and vessel activity, and port of or- installed immediately as re- straddling and highly migra- in supporting the country’s alert authorities during acci- igin and arrival in real time,” quired by FAO 260. BSP still vague on digital currencies THE Bangko Sentral we have, while some have also said they are currently ng Pilipinas (BSP) remains progressed to proof-of- assessing their own financial undecided on whether to issue concept experiments. A and economic conditions on its own central bank digital smaller number of central how a central bank-backed own digital currency, the BSP in the payments system, as currency (CBDC) in the future. banks have already developed digital currency can fit intocould potentially reduce the it presents another form of This, after the local Central and are in the pilot test stage their systems. printing costs of physical cash competition with privately Bank recently completed its of their CBDC,” BSP Governor “A CBDC is a digital and banknotes, and can help issued digital currencies. exploratory study on CBDC. Benjamin Diokno said. form of central bank money promote financial inclusion The BSP governor said The research was carried out Just this month, China that is denominated in a in the country which in turn they will continue to study and by a composite Technical concluded its pilot program for national unit of account and leads to lower cost of painting weigh the benefits and risks Working Group. its own central bank-backed functions as both a medium of money for the BSP. of CBDCs for the Philippines. “There is an increasing digital currency. The country’s exchange, and a store of value. Diokno also said it will Among the developments they number of central banks digital currency is expected to Given the features of CBDC, potentially promote financialare looking to make in the engaged in some form of help track flow of funds in the it is expected that it will be inclusion, as it provides coming years include added groundwork on CBDC. Many economy and address some preferred than privately issued another means to perform research, capacity building of them are undertaking money laundering risks. digital currencies,” he added. financial transactions andand establishing of more conceptual research like The US Federal Reserve Diokno said, issuing its could encourage innovation networks. 8 October 26 - November 1, 2020 Cebu Business Week CEBU CITY PAGE A paper within the paper DA 7 to fund Bagsakan center CEBU City Mayor Edgar- water catchments near the do C. Labella and Director farms to make it accessible Salvador “Salva” Diputado to the farmers. With enough of the Department of Agri- water, their yields will surely culture (DA) signed a mem- increase. They will have wa- orandum of agreement that ter at home and water at their the agency will download P14 farms. In addition, we can million for the construction of surely stop flash floods in the a Bagsakan center. urban areas,” Zafra said. Cebu City Councilor Phi- Zafra said DA 7 will also liip Zafra said that all farmers help the farmers in mountain from the mountain barangays barangays in constructing and Province of Cebu can bring storage facility so they can their farm produce at Bagsakan preserve their harvests until for the consumers to buy. such time they can bring it to “We expect a reasonable the Bagsakan. price of vegetables and fruits “So, there will be Bag- at Bagsakan for both farmers sakan at South Road Prop- and consumers. The farmers erties (SRP) and the storage will not anymore sell their facility at the mountain ba- products to the middlemen rangay,” Zafra said. at low price. The farmers are MOA SIGNING. THE CEBU CITY GOVERNMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SINGED A The councilor said DA 7 at the mercy of these devi- MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BAGSAKAN CENTER will also provide trucks for ous middlemen who buy the the farmers to bring their veg- farmers’ produce at very low how to improve the agricul- In response, Diputado in mountain barangays to hold etables, fruits and other prod- prices yet sell the same at ex- tural sector to increase food said DA 7 will give additional rainwater during rainy days, ucts to Bagsakan so they will orbitant prices,” Zafra said. production amid the Corona support for the construction of instead of allowing it to flownot be tempted to sell their Zafra sid they also brought Virus Disease (Covid-19) pan- various water catchment facili- freely to the sea. harvests to the middlemen. up to Diputado their plans on demic. ties like gabions and mini dams “We will put up these ELIAS O. BAQUERO Labella thanks Cimatu for anti-Covid fight CEBU City Mayor Edgado Labella said Cimatu your going beyond the call of C. Labella thanks Secretary praised the action of the Cebu duty. Thank you to our dear Roy Cimatu of the Department City Government in prevent- Cebu City residents for your of Environment and Natural ing the spread of Covid-19. cooperation and contribution Resources (DENR) for over- “They hold us up as model to this fight. I hold dear that seeing the fight against Coro- for other locations. They have mandate that you entrusted to na Virus Disease (Covid-19) shared what we did as best me,” Labella said. pandemic. practices. I am also humbled He shared his prayer for Cimatu, who is also a that he credited this success to God to give them strength es- member of the Inter-Agency my leadership,” Labella said. pecially that all people and the Task Force (IATF), was tasked The mayor also thanked community have to face the by President Rodrigo Dute- his team at Cebu City Hall and challenges because Covid-19 rte to oversee efforts against CEBU CITY MAYOR EDGADO C. LABELLA AND to their frontliners. is still here and there is still no Covid-19 in Cebu. SECRETARY ROY CIMATU “I am deeply honored by vaccine against it. CBW 6 dorms for frontliners now under quarantine center THE Department of built such facilities for the Public Works and Highways Cities of Cebu, Mandaue (DPWH) 7 has turned over and Lapu-Lapu in the total six units of off-site dormito- amount of P250 million. ries to Cebu City Quarantine In his statement, Mayor Center (CCQC). Edgardo C. Labella thanked DPWH 7 Director Edgar the National Government, Tabacon said these facilities DPWH 7 and other govern- provide healthcare workers ment agencies for extending who have been taking care this much-needed support in of Covid-19 patients a better our continuing battle against and comfortable shelter. Covid-19. Tabacon said each unit “We will make the most is fully furnished with 16 out of these units through air-conditioned rooms with the very dynamic efforts of their own restroom, a com- the Cebu City Medical Center mon kitchen, and a laundry (CCMC) headed by hospital area. administrator Yvonne Cania He said DPWH 7 has Feliciano,” Labella said. CBW Cebu Business Week October 26 - November 1, 2020 9 CEBU CITY PAGE A paper within the paper Cebu City, Archdiocese prepare for Christianity’s quincentenary celebration THIS Archdiocese of Earlier, in an advisory, Cebu and the Cebu City gov- the Catholic Bishops Con- ernment agreed to set up ference of the Philippines crowd control plans and lim- (CBCP) announced they had its for the country’s most stretched the celebration of awaited quincentenary cele- the 500 years of Christianity bration of Christianity here. until 2022 due to the effects Mayor Edgardo Labella of the pandemic. together with Councilors Joel In Cebu, the celebration Garganera and Dave Tumulak for the 500th anniversary met with Archbishop Jose Pal- of Christianity will officially ma on Saturday, October 24, open this April 18, 2021, Eas- to discuss initial preparations ter Sunday. for the 500th anniversary of The reenactment of the Christianity this April 2021. First Baptism is scheduled on This nationwide celebra- April 14, 2021 to be conducted tion will run for the whole in front of Magellan’s Cross in year. downtown Cebu City. Garganera, the depu- A week-long combina- ty chief implementer of the tion of cultural and liturgical city’s Inter-Agency Task activities, including exhibits Force for the Management of and cultural shows, are also Emerging Infectious Diseases being planned. (IATF-MEID), disclosed that the entire preparations. said Garganera. like to attend the activities. The Archdiocese of Cebu a group composed of mem- “Security and safety are Tumulak also bared that “The limits are intended is expected to spearhead the bers from the church and the among the issues that are to among the plans both par- to ensure that social distanc- activities for the quincentena- city government was created be addressed especially in ties agreed on was to limit the ing will be maintained,” said ry celebration of Christianity for the purpose of overseeing this time of the pandemic,” number of people who would Tumulak in Cebuano. on Cebu City. More funds for flooding in Cebu City soughtCity mulls another P400M SB CEBU City Councilor COUNCILOR Raymond P1 billion but because it was Jerry Guardo wants more Garcia, chairperson for the able to avail a tax amnesty, funding for the drainage and City Council’s committee on the city has to only pay P200 anti-flooding projects after finance, said the Cebu City million to the BIR. massive flash floods occurred government is considering The city also needs to re- in the city in the past week. another Supplemental Bud- lease the hazard pay of the In a privilege speech, get (SB) before the close of frontliners in the barangays, Guardo said that the flash 2020 to pay off taxes and thewhich will cost an additional flood was caused by accumu- hazard pay of frontliners. P100 million. lated unresolved problems He said the local finance Another P100 million of waterways obstruction, committee had submitted for will also be needed to pur- uncompleted drainage proj- consideration an SB 4 worth chase additional health ects, and continuous garbage the city that things may get violated the 3-meter ease- approximately P400 million. equipment or testing - mate woes. worse this La Niña period. ment policy and even directly The SB will primarily be rials for the City Health De- “But now, the problem For a start, Guardo obstructing the waterways. used to pay off taxes to the partment (CHD). has reached the uptown wants the hotel, which built He also called the DEPW Bureau of Internal Reve- Up until the pandem- and it is quite alarming.a boxWe type bridge on top of to conduct massive dredging nues (BIR) for the non-gov- ic is over, Garcia said the should look at the root caus- the Kamputhaw River near in the rivers and remove silt ernmental functions the city city would need continuous es,” said Guardo. the Rahmann Bridge, to be and garbage to provide more does such as rent for build- funding. It has spent almost The councilor said that investigated for their failure space for water to flow. ings, parking fees, and simi- P15 billion for 2020 alone, agencies such as the Depart- to comply with the proper Finally, he called on lar generated revenues. most of which have been for ment of Public Work and height requirement to allow DPWH Secretary Mark Villar The actual tax reaches COVID-19 response. Highways (DPWH), Depart- the flow of floodwater duringto appropriate more funding In fact, Garcia said the ment of Engineering and heavy rains. for the implementation of city deferred certain projects Public Works (DEPW), the The Kamputhaw River Flood Control Projects in the for infrastructure to fund the Office of the Building Officialhas also narrowed due to oth- city. COVID-19 response. (OBO), and the City Environ- er obstructions and informal Mayor Edgardo Labella The City Council will ment and Natural Resources settlers along the more than said they had talked with the tackle the supplemental bud- Office (CENRO) should work 7-kilometer stretch. This is establishment obstructing get on its regular session on hand-in-hand to get to the also true with other major the waterways remove the October 28, 2020. bottom of the problem. river systems such as Lahug, obstruction voluntarily over The incident last October Bulacao, Kinalumsan, and a city-sanctioned demolition. 13, 2020, where three people Butuanon. The city is also looking COUNCILOR RAYMOND GAR- died because of the overflow- Guardo called on the for a relocation site for the CIA, CHAIRPERSON FOR THE ing of the Kamputhaw River OBO to provide the council a informal settlers before any CITY COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE should serve as a warning to list of all structures that have demolition is carried out. ON FINANCE 10 October 26 - November 1, 2020 Cebu Business Week THE ACADEME Teachers didn’t make the modules IT IS unfair to shift the 5, requiring them to accom- still the ones being blamed for COVID-19 pandemic. Diosdado San Antonio, blame for modular errors to plish weekly reports, attend errors in modules even if they He added that these er- undersecretary for curricu- educators and local offices. webinars and online meet- were not the ones responsible rors were an indication that lum and instruction, admit- Thus, lamented the ings, and distribute modules. for these,” Basas said. the DepEd had to address ted to only one of at least 35 Teachers’ Dignity Coalition “After addressing the Students reported feeling “much deeper problems” modular errors—a black-and- (TDC) in response to the call many concerns of parents and overwhelmed and exhausted when it comes to the distance white module that instructed of the Department of Educa- the public due to confusion in just in the first week of class- learning modalities. students to match colors with tion’s (DepEd) to lessen the handling the different learn- es when some of them were “If these missteps con- their names. He disclosed load of students under dis- ing modalities, teachers are asked to accomplish within a tinue to happen, then the it had slipped past quality DepEd’s and teachers’ effortsassurance measures in the in producing modules will be DepEd Central Office. put to waste. It seems that we He appealed to teachers will be having difficulty deliv- to make some exercises and ering the education that our activities in the modules op- students and their families tional to prevent “burnout” deserve,” Basas said. among students. FUn TRiVIA Do you know that… n The founder of McDonald’s has a Bachelor’s degree in Hamburgerology?

tance learning. few days three weeks’ worth proved that the agency was TDC national chair Benjo of assignments. “unprepared” for the reopen- Basas explained that teach- Basas clarified that ing of classes, contrary to ers had been hard at work teachers did not decide on the DepEd’s insistence that n Retired Canadian cook Sam Panopoulos invented months before classes in pub- the content of the students’ Oct. 5 was the education sec- lic schools reopened on Oct. self-learning modules, which tor’s “victory” against the the Hawaiian pizza? He.was the first person to put pineapple and ham on a pizza together and marketed it as a Hawaiian pizza in the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario. n By 400 BC, Persian engineers mastered the technique Lapid seeks to legalize digital of storing ice in the middle of desert summers using subterranean storage space and thick, heat-resistant scanning of textbooks construction materials? n The words “laser” and “radar” were originally SENATOR Lito Lapid acronyms? They stood for “Light Amplifications has filed a bill seeking- to al by Stimulated Emission of Radiation” and “Radio low the digital scanning of Detection And Ranging” respectively. textbooks, saying easing re- n Febriphobia is the Fear of fever? strictions on the reproduc- tion of school reading mate- Now you know! rials may expedite the distribution of learning materials to public school students. Senate Bill No. 1881 in- tends to amend Republic Act Best Quotes No. 8047, or the Book Pub- from Successful People lishing Industry Develop- ment Act, to mandate pub- “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and lishers to allow the Depart- look around once in a while, you could miss it.” ment of Education (DepEd) to scan or convert their – Ferris, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off works to e-books, “subject to compliance with... the Intel- safe, and so that they can use all public school students, “After a while, you learn to ignore the names lectual Property Code of the these for as long as they need in a manner deemed appro- people call you and just trust who you are.” – Philippines.” without rushing because a priate and reasonable by the Shrek, Shrek The Third “In times like these classmate needs to borrow DepEd,” according to the bill. where the COVID-19 virus it,” Lapid said. Lapid said it is important “Our lives are defined by opportunities, even continues to spread, it is bet- “The e-books and digital for the government to resort ter to have textbooks con- format copies of the text- to already available technol- the ones we miss.” – Benjamin Button, The verted into e-books or digi- books shall also be made ogies and innovations that Curious Case of Benjamin Button tal formats to keep students available and accessible to can temporarily fill the gap. Cebu Business Week October 26 - November 1, 2020 11 WORLD NEWS USAID, OPV, PBEd to provide training for unemployed and out-of-school youth THE Office of the Vice pines by supporting youth in President (OVP), the United need of upskilling and em- States Agency for Interna- ployment opportunities. tional Development (USAID), He said the USAID re- and Philippine Business for mains committed to work Education (PBEd) recently with our partners in govern- launched a P17-million partment and the private sector to nership, to support free tech- ensure that economic growth nical-vocational skills and remains inclusive and sus- employability training for at tainable for all. VICE PRESIDENT MA. LEONOR G. ROBREDO (FROM LEFT), UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNA- least 1,000 unemployed and TIONAL DEVELOPMENT MISSION DIRECTOR LAWRENCE HARDY II AND PHILIPPINE BUSINESS FOR PBEd Chair Ramon del out-of-school youth (OSY) in EDUCATION CHAIRMAN RAMON DEL ROSARIO JR. Rosario for his part, said the the country. partnership will create a ean- Through the TrabaHOPE Moreover, YouthWorks allowance, as well as pre-em- families, especially during ingful impact on the lives of initiative of its BAYANI- PH’s private sector partners ployment support. This will the COVID-19 crisis,” said VP underprivileged young Fili- HANAPBUHAY program, the from the food and beverage complement YouthWorks Leni Robredo. “This collab- pinos who are in dire need of OVP co-sponsors the needs of service, construction, manu- PH’s provision for learning oration is yet another proof learning and livelihood oppor- OSYs aged 18 to 30, who will facturing, and IT sectors will devices, online mentoring, on- that the spirit of Bayanihan tunities at this time. qualify for YouthWorks PH’s provide additional support line/blended tech-voc train- continues to inspire our com- “We are still in the middle tech-voc training program for such as daily training allowing, in-company training, and mitment to uplift the lives of of the COVID-19 pandemic, young people who are cur- ance and opportunities for TESDA national certification. those who are in need.” and the OVP’s commitment rently not studying, training, eventual employment to the “We are grateful for this USAID Philippines Mis- to support our FTW trainees or employed. The combined trainees. partnership with USAID and sion Director Lawrence Har- is a massive boost towards P17.15-million commitment The OVP’s assistance will PBEd, which will allow us to dy II thanked the OVP for empowering young Pinoys from OVP, USAID, and PBEd include the trainees’ daily al- open more doors for young partnering with them in pro- who are disproportionately covers the training costs until lowance, welcome kit, hands- people, who may need to moting broad-based econom- affected by this crisis,” -del Ro the end of the year. on materials, mobile/internet support themselves and their ic development in the Philip- sario said. Beijing commemorates ‘war to resist US aggression’ IN COMMEMORA- Anniversaries of the ing was widespread; while ing China’s entry into the week, Xi said the war was TION of the “War to Re- war have often been used as in 2010, then President Hu war, where he will “deliv- “a victory of justice, a vic- sist US Aggression and Aid an opportunity for anti-US Jintao oversaw a far more er an important speech.” tory of peace and a victory Korea,” hundreds of thou- rhetoric in China: The year muted 60th anniversary, The ceremony caps a week of the people” and should sands of Chinese troops be- 2000 saw a large-scale amid better feeling toward of events, and jingoistic “inspire the Chinese peo- gan crossing into North Ko- commemoration, coming Washington. saber-rattling in Chinese ple and the Chinese nation rea, in an intervention that after the NATO bombing This year, Chinese lead- state media and official to overcome all difficulties hold United Nations forces of the Chinese embassy in er Xi Jinping will attend propaganda. and obstacles and prevail to an uneasy detente. Belgrade, as anti-US feel- an event commemorat- Speaking earlier this over all enemies.” CNN Brazilian native leader wins Former Lebanon PM back after stepping down FORMER Lebanese Prime with its own military wing. strongest Sunni Muslim can- Robert Kennedy rights award Minister Saad Hariri was re- Abstentions also came didate to take the post, which FOR defending the said. named Prime Minister after from different political groups,must be held by a Sunni under rights, ancestral lands, and The award draws atten- winning a slim majority of including the Lebanese Forces, a 77-year-old pact that gave the culture of indigenous peo- tion to the struggle of her votes in parliament just un- former Hariri allies who call presidency to Maronite Chris- ple in Brazil, an indigenous tribe to stop the building of der a year after his resignation themselves as opposition, and tians and the position of Speaker leader won the 2020 Robert hydroelectric dams on the amid mass-protests last year. their opponents the Free Patri- of the House to a Shia Muslim. F. Kennedy Human Rights Tapajos River, where the Hariri’s dramatic return was otic Movement (FPM), former In a short address follow- Award. Munduruku live, and gain made possible by the votes of 65 coalition partners with Hariri ing his designation, Hariri Alessandra Korap of recognition for their reser- MPs from across the country’s before ties soured. promised to form a govern- the Munduruku tribe in the vation lands, Korap said. political spectrum, including his The Iran-back Hezbollah ment of non-partisan experts Amazon received $30,000 It comes at a time when own Future Movement, the Shia party also did not vote for Hariri, to implement economic and award from the former U.S. the government of far-right Amal Movement, the Druze Pro- though they have been among political reforms outlined in an senator’s daughter, Kerry President Jair Bolsonaro gressive Socialist Party and the the most enthusiastic propo- initiative proposed by French Kennedy, in a virtual cere- has “dismantled” health and Syrian Socialist Nationalist par- nents of his return since his res- President Emmanuel Macron mony from Washington at education services for in- ty, ostensibly secular but closely ignation on October 29 last year. during a September visit. THE which keynote speaker for- digenous people and turned allied to Hezbollah, a Shia party Hariri always remained the NEW YORK TIMES mer U.S. Secretary of State a blind eye to illegal loggers John Kerry praised her and gold miners increasing- courage. ly invading protected reser- Unusual green puppy born in Italy “This prize is not for me vations and destroying for- A PUPPY with green fur It is believed to be a result alone, it is for all of Brazil’s ests, she said. was born to a dog owned by of the puppy making contact indigenous peoples that are Bolsonaro defends his Italian farmer Cristian Mallocci. with a green pigment called crying out for help,” the policies as integrating in- His brothers and sisters biliverdin while in the womb. 36-year-old said. “It has digenous people into Brazil- all had white fur, the same co- Green is a color of hope strengthened our cause. ian society and lifting them lour as their mother. and luck, Mallocci said. BBC We will cry out louder,” she out of poverty. REUTERS 12 October 26 - November 1, 2020 BISAYA EDITION Cebu Business Week P100K GANTI ALANG SA ZERO COVID BARANGAY SA SIYUDAD SA SUGBO SI MAYOR Edgardo La- free kon gawasnon na sa bella mopahalipay sa mga COVID-19. barangay sa dakbayan sa “Apan ang hagit mao ang Sugbo nga makakab-ot sa pag sustinir sa kalampusan “zero active cases” sa corona- nga nakab-ot sa mga baran- virus disease kon COVID-19. gay,” matod ni Garganera. Si Konsehal Joel Gar- Si Labella, niadtong Oc- ganera, ang deputy chief tober 23, 2020, nianunsiyo implementor sa Inter-Agen- nga ang kagamhanan sa si- cy Task Force for the Man- yudad mohatag og P100,000 agement of Emerging Infec- isip ganti sa matag barangay tious Diseases (IATF-MEID) nga makakab-ot ug mak- sa Dakbayan sa Sugbo, ni- amintinar sa “zero active hangop sa lakang sa mayor. COVID-19 cases” sugod sa Si Garganera mao usab Nobyembre 1 hangtod Disy- ang nangulo sa Emergency embre 31 ning tuiga.. Operations Center (EOC) sa Hangtod niadtong Bi- dakbayan. yernes,Oktubre 23, 44 sa 80 Matod sa konsehal, ang ka mga barangay nga na- ganting cash magdugang sa glangkob sa Siyudad sa Sug- kadasig sa mga barangay ug bo ang gitaho sa EOC nga usa ka dakung lakang aron walay bag-ong pasyente sa makab-ot sa Siyudad sa Sug- COVID-19 sud sa milabayng GANTI. SI MAYOR EDGARDO LABELLA ATOL SA IYANG PAKIGHINABI SA MEDIA DIIN SIYA MIANUN- bo ang tumong niini nga SIYO SA PAGHATAG OG P100,000 ISIP GANTI SA BARANGAY NGA MAKAMINTINAR SA “ZERO ACTIVE 14 ka adlaw ug wala say akti- madeklarar nga COVID-19 COVID-19 CASES”. bong kaso sa maong sakit. Tigum alang sa ika-500 ka tuig sa Kristianismo sa Sugbo SI CEBU City Mayor Salvatierra-Lubino, ang ernment sa pagtunol sa Edgar Labella nakigtagbo chief of staff sa Office of the bisan unsang tabang nga kang Cebu Archbishop Jose Mayor. mamahimo niining maha- Palma ug uban pang mga Atol sa tigum, gipaday- tag tungod kay ang maong opisyales sa Archdiocese of ag ni Archbishop Palma nga selebrasyon kausa lang ma- Cebu niadtong Sabado, Ok- nagkinahanglan og tabang hitabo. tubre 24, 2020 aron tukion ang simbahan sa mga kali- Gipasalamatan usab ni ang mga kalihukan sa 500 hukan unya sa maong sele- Mayor Labella ang simba- years celebration sa Kris- brasyon sunod tuig hilabi na han pinaagi ni Archbishop tianismo sa Sugbo. sa striktong pagpatuman sa Palma sa ilang kontribusy- Uban usab sa maong ti- minimum health protocol. on sa pagpamenos sa kaso gom sila si Konsehal Phillip Gipadayag ni Labella sa COVID-19 sa Syudad sa Zafra, Konsehal Dave Tu- nga andam ang City Gov- Sugbo. mulak, Konsehal Joel Gar- ganera ug Atty. Mary Rose Magbantay sa overpricing ANG Department of kay nagkaduol ang Pasko. Libreng bikes gikan sa DOLE Trade and Industry (DTI) Gidasig sab ni Lopez ang NUNOT sa pande- nawad-an og panginabuhian ang mga kwalipikado og libre nagpahinumdom sa publiko katawhan sa dili pagpanu- mya sa coronavirus disease ilabi na sa anaa sa informal nga training mahitungod sa sa pagmabinantayon sa pag- ko sa pagsumbong ngadto (COVID-19) daghan sa mga sector. traffic regulation, productiv- palit og mga butang nunot sa DTI kon aduna silay ma- trabahante ang nawad-an sa Ang DOLE nakig partner ity ug financial literacy, - oc sa nagkaduol nga panahon hibaw-an nga mga nego- ilang panginabuhian. sa Grab ug LalaMove alang cupational safety, ingon man sa Pasko. syanye nga magpaturagas Tungod niini, nakahu- sa maong programa. maayong panglawas. Sa usa ka pakighinabi, si pagpasaka sa presyo sa ilang kom ang si Secretary Silves- Sa mga interesado, ma- Si Trayvilla nipahibawo DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez mga baligya. tre Bello III sa Department himong mobisita sa DOLE nga atol sa paglusad sa DOLE niawhag sa mga kunsumidor Sa susamang higay- of Labor and Employment field office sa ilang lugar- niining al programa, ang un- sa pag report sa mga over- on gisubli ni Lopes ang (DOLE) nga mohatag og li- ang sa profiling free bicycleang mga lugar nga hatagan priced nga mga produkto panawagan ngadto sa pub- bre nga mga bisikleta alang initiative ug aron mahatagan og libreng bisikleta mao ang nga baligya sa mga tinda- liko nga suportahan ang sa mga interesado nga mo- Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, han ug sa mga magnegusyo mga lokal nga produkto trabaho isip delivery service. Pasig ug Manila, ingon man pinaagi sa online. nga gikan sa atong mga lo- Si Atty. Ma. Karina Tray- ang ubang rehiyon. Si Lopez nitambag sa kal nga tiggama aron ma- villa, ang Director sa Bureau Sa buwan sa Nobyembre publiko nga susihon ang tabangan ang atong nasud of Workers with Special ug Disyembre, ang DOLE presyo sa mga nag-unang nga makabangon gikan sa Concerns sa DOLE, niingon manghatag sa libreng bikes palaliton kung nisubay ba krisis nga hatod sa coro- nga ang mga libreng mga sa Sugbo ug sa ubang region- kini sa gilatid nga Suggested navirus disease (Covid-19) bisikleta gitanyag ngadto sa al offices. Retail Price kon SRP ilabi na nga pandemya.