“Radiating positivity, creating connectivity” CEBU BUSINESS Room 310-A, 3rd floor WDC Bldg. Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City You may visit Cebu Business Week WEEK Facebook page. February 8 - 14, 2021 Volume 3, Series 73 www.cebubusinessweek.com 12 PAGES P15.00 FEAR V. SLUMP, FOOD CRISIS Business leaders worry on lack of food supply, lack of money

THE country is facing vived back to a category before By: ELIAS O. BAQUERO tive GDP in the 4th quarter. thorities need cooperation economic depression because Covid-19 hit the country. The people are encour- from the public especially that of lockdowns imposed by “So, while we might hit ernment to impose high tax- aged to join urban gardening, several people are roaming the government to control sa rock bottom, the question is es to idle lands to encourage or massive food production in around the city unmindful of Covid-19 pandemic, said Cebu on when the economy will landowners to make their the countryside to prevent fur- Covid-19 and they wear their business leaders. bounce back,” Tan said. property productive and in- ther food crisis. mask below their nose. The business leaders also Tan does not believe that crease food production. There For his part, Felix Tagu- “I urge the people not to expressed alarm of an immi- those who are engaged in the are vast track of idle lands. iam, the president of the Cebu forget the main health proto- nent food crisis due to the lack business of power, water and Earlier, businessman Rey Chamber of Commerce and col like face mask, hand-wash- of food supply and the lack of food are the only ones to survive E. Calooy of the Filipino-Cebua- Industry (CCCI), said that 85 ing and social distancing so money for the people to af- because these are support to the no Business Club, said that one percent of our businesses have Covid-19 will be eliminated and ford the skyrocketing prices of industry. If the industry will be basis for declaring economic reopened. that will result to the revival of commodities. down, they will be affected. depression is at least three suc- But he said the problem is the economy,” Taguiam said. Businessman Philip Tan Tan noted the food crisis cessive economic recessions. the low consumer confidence On the other hand, busi- said that last December, his that the people are currently The National Economic and consumer spending. nessman Bunny Pages said the economic forecast was nega- facing. and Development (NEDA) “The people are afraid to survival of a businessman will tive 10 percent Gross Domes- “There is actually a short- 7 reported that the negative go out for fear of contracting depend on his business venture. tic Product (GDP) for the last age of food right now. Our food economic growth last year Covid-19. But for the past two “I said a long time ago, quarter of 2020. security is crucial to the eco- were: negative two percent weeks, the number of Covid-19 that we are facing the same “The actual computation nomic recovery. The ordinary GDP in the first quarter of cases was increasing. We have storm, but we are on board on of the government economic people cannot anymore man- 2020; 16.5 negative GDP in to be careful that what hap- different boats. So, each one of managers is negative nine per- age to pay for food because their the second quarter; 15.5 per- pened last year will not be re- us will look at our situation,” cent plus on GDP. So, my pre- savings are depleted,” Tan said. cent negative GDP in the 3rd peated,” Taguiam said. Pages said. diction was bullseye,” Tan said. He suggested for the gov- quarter; and nine plus nega- Taguiam added that au- He said that last March Tan, a past president of 20, 2020, all businesses were Mandaue Chamber of Com- closed. Thousands of workers merce and Industry (MCCI) lost their jobs. and management representa- He said they were able to tive to the Regional Tripartite reopen last September 2020. Wages and Productivity Board We were able to build momen- (RTWPB), said that if we will tum. be back to normal and we “Unfortunately, the ones reach the bottom, there is no inside the malls failed to pick other way but to go up. up due to lack of customers. He said that when this This might be the result of pandemic will temper, and we authorities urging the people hit the bottom, the tendency is to avoid air- conditioned plac- for the economy to grow. His es. It’s better for us that our only concern is if the economy restaurants are outside the will stagnate and cannot be re- mall,” Pages said. 2 February 8 - 14, 2021 Cebu Business Week NEWS Rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in CV this February: DOH THE Philippine gov- efficacy of the COVID-19 vac- ernment is set to rollout the cines that will be used in the COVID-19 vaccines in the country’s vaccination pro- latter part of February, said gram. She assured the public Department of Health (DOH) that the COVID-19 vaccines to Undersecretary Maria Rosa- be used under the Emergency rio Vergeire. Use Authority (EUA) and the In a press release to Cebu clinical trials underwent very Business Week, Vergeire rigid processes to ensure the made the disclosure during safety and efficacy. the Mugstoria Ta, an online The current vaccines, she conversation hosted by As- said, reduce the risk of severe sistant Secretary Anthony disease and risk of death, and Gerard ‘Jonji’ Gonzales of the are most suited for those with Office of the Presidential As- higher risk of exposure and sistant for the Visayas. death. According to the Currently, Pfizer and - As COVID-19 Vaccines Glob- traZeneca have already been al Access (COVAX) Facility, granted with an Emergen- 117,000 Pfizer vaccines are cy Use Authorization (EUA) expected by second or third from the Food and Drug Ad- week of February, the health Celsius, DOH 7 and Vicente other hand, the Astra-Zene- added. ministration (FDA) for their official disclosed. Sotto Memorial Medical Cen- ca vaccines have to be kept at Bernadas also disclosed eventual public roll-out in the Meanwhile, DOH 7 Di- ter (VMMC) are each acquir- two to eight degrees Celsius. that a simulation exercise for country. Those who received rector Jaime Bernadas said ing freezers capable of minus Bernadas said the VSM- the vaccination rollout will be EUAs have gone through his office has an existing cold 80 degrees Celsius. The VSM- MC freezer, which has a ca- conducted on February 10. stringent scientific and regu- storage facility at two to eight MC is a designated COVID pacity of 400,000 vaccines The activity, which includes latory processes to verify their degree Celsius with a capaci- hospital. at minus 80 degrees Celsius, Cebu and Davao, will be in safety and efficacy. ty of up to 3.5 million COVID Pfizer vaccines need to be will be delivered on Monday preparation for the rollout of There are three other vac- vaccines. stored at minus 70 degrees or Tuesday. The DOH 7 freez- the vaccines from the nation- cine makers that have applied To accommodate COVID Celsius while Moderna vac- er with a similar capacity will al hub to the regional hub. for EUA and are now being vaccines that need to be cines can be stored at minus also arrive next week to pro- Vergeire also gave as- processed, Vergeire said./ stored at minus 70 degrees 20 degrees Celsius. On the vide redundancy capacity, he surance over the safety and PR/ELIAS O. BAQUERO Palace finalizing rules for senior citizens law: Quijano THE National Com- purchased by the government senior citizens want to be in mission for Senior Citizens and expired for failure to dis- Cebu City because of several (NCSC) based in Malacañang tribute it. We remind govern- benefits like P1,000 a month is now finalizing the Imple- ment agencies concerned on financial assistance. menting Rules and Regula- their need of wellness and The National Govern- tions (IRR) of Republic Act welfare,” Quijano said. ment has allocated annual 7432 (Senior Citizens Act) to He said that they are still budgets for senior citizens consolidate all goals and pro- in the process of finalizing under the General Appropri- grams. the IRR of RA 7432. ations Act through the differ- NCSC Chairman Frank- “As NCSC chairman, I lead ent agencies like Department lin Quijano said that his of- the making of a good orga- of Social Welfare and Devel- fice wants to consolidate all nizational structure. We will opment (DSWD), Depart- goals and programs for se- put up NCSC officials in- ev ment of Health (DOH), Phil- nior citizens in the country ery city and municipally and health, Department of Agri- for uniform processing and require all municipalities and culture (DA), and Technical releasing of benefits. cities to connect to all senior Education and Skills Devel- Quijano said RA 7432 citizens,” Quijano said. opment Authority (TESDA) is giving importance to se- Some Local Government among others. nior citizens because they Units (LGUs) have Office of But Quijano said the new were once involved in nation the Senior Citizens Affairs law provides that all these building, contributing their (OSCA), but some have none funds for senior citizens in energy, talents and skills especially if funds are limit- the different government during their prime time. NCSC CHAIRMAN ATTY. FRANKLIN QUIJANO ed. agencies will be transferred Quijano is a Cebuano, Quijano said that every to NCSC for consolidation. but is a former councilor and retary Jesus Dureza. He was about 10.4 million senior cit- government agency, national As to when the transfer mayor of Iligan City. He was an administrator of the Phil- izens in the entire country. or local, is allowed to appro- of funds will be done, it all also with the Office of the ippine Veterans Investment If every senior citizen has a priate one percent of its annu- depends on the willingness Presidential Affairs for Peace Development Corporation. profile, there will be no more al budget for senior citizens. of the concerned agencies. Process (OPAPP) under Sec- “We have a database of issue that medicines were If you look at it, several ELIAS O. BAQUERO Cebu Business Week February 8 - 14, 2021 3 BUSINESS Senate knows people face hunger: Hontiveros SENATOR Risa Honti- less because the delivered veros said that in a recent food stocks are already high- hearing of the Senate Com- priced. mittee on Agriculture, they “Where can the vendors knew that aside from the get profit when the food prod- problem of Covid-19, the ucts are already high-priced people are facing hunger due when delivered? That’s why to the rising prices of com- we are amenable to the pro- modities. posal of Secretary Ramon In an interview with Lopez of the Department of DYRC Aksyon Radyo Cebu, Trade and Industry (DTI) for Hontiveros said the Filipinos a suggested retail price (SRP) are now experiencing food in all levels. The DTI and De- crisis because of the skyrock- partment of Agriculture (DA) eting prices of daily needs. must also join hands in con- She said that aside from trolling the prices of farm the so-called “Ayuda” and assisted in recovering eco- food producers down to the She added that even the products,” Hontiveros said. band-aid solution, the gov- nomically. All the Filipinos market vendors, and the con- market vendors are help- ELIAS O. BAQUERO ernment must have a long- are now suffering from the sumers who will have jobs, term food production pro- high prices of commodities,” we can resolve the food cri- gram. Hontiveros said. sis,” Hontiveros said. “We should not only fo- Hontiveros said that in- She said that in the Sen- Sonny O dies at 86 cus on giving financial -as creasing food production is ate Agriculture Committee FORMER Senator John for the quote “Pagpuasa Mo.” sistance to the consumers one way to survive in this hearing, several questions Henry “Sonny” Osmeña In the Senate, he also au- but also to help the market Covid-19 pandemic. were heard like: Is the current passed away at Maryville thored the Energy Power In- vendors, livestock produc- “If our food supply is high prices of commodities Condominium last February dustry Reform Act (EPIRA). ers, farmers and fisherfolks abundant, because the gov- based on supply and demand, 2, 2021 at the age of 86. Later in his long political among others. They must be ernment is supporting the cartel, or manipulation? He was hospitalized last career, he ran for Toledo City year because of Covid-19 but mayor and won. recovered. However, he died His nephew, Director Rotary Club of Cebu East marks Charter Day of colon cancer. Richie Osmeña of the Land ROTARY Club of Cebu Those who failed to at- to 50 members. It had Global Sonny O, as he Transportation Fran- East president Heinz I. tend were PP Wilbert Uyki- Grant Projects, Grand fies- was fondly called, chising and Regu- Ackerman said their 40th ngtian, PP Gregory Curda, tas with young families and one of the leaders latory Board (LT- Charter Day celebration PP Derick Bulkley, PP Tom more. of the Liberal FRB) 6, said that last month was a success al- Mckinley, and Rotarians “Looking ahead we have Party who were Sonny O had though its charter president, Richard Sharpe, Robert to look in the mirror. What injured during done a lot for Rep. Raul Del Mar passed “Bobby” Nadela Plariza, Con- do we see? Depending on the infamous the Cebuanos away last year. rado Castro and Sten Trigve what we make out of it, we Plaza Miranda as senator and Ackerman said that anni- Olsen. can list four action scenarios bombing before mayor. versaries are a time of reck- Ackerman said that they like: dissolution of member the imposition “You (Son- onings, a time to reflect the all had a great time enjoying joining other clubs; merger of martial law by ny O) were one past and enjoy the present, the beautiful Huna-Huna with another club; keeping then President Fer- of my mentors in and to think about the future. Resort and its surroundings the status quo and waiting dinand Marcos. politics. You taught Present during the RC of couple PP Schurch and for better times; or reset, During much of the me a lot and I will be Cebu East Charter Day cele- Ann Merly. They and their reenergize, and rejuvenate. Marcos dictatorship, Sonny forever grateful. Cebu again bration at Huna-Huna Beach staff served delicious food. As your proactive president, was in the United States but has lost another great lead- Resort in Catmon, Cebu The lechón was sponsored by having accepted a second later returned to the country er,” Richie said. were Ackerman, Past Pres- Gaisano. term, I shall continue to pur- and joined the growing pro- Ferliza Calizar Contratis- ident (PP) Alex Gaisano, PP He said they enjoyed sue possibilities. To produc- tests in 1984-86. ta, Toledo City public informa- Alastair Schurch, Past Assis- the speeches, conversations, tively spend my good will After the EDSA uprising, tion officer , quoted Sonny O’s tant Governor (PAG) Elias O. dancing and singing. The and energy, I need your full he was appointed by then sister, Annie Osmeña Aboitiz Baquero, PAG Antonio Chua, song of the day was definite- and unequivocal moral and Ministry of Local Govern- that the former senator was PAG David Sharpe, PP Dr. ly “Stand by Me” by Ben E. contributory support,” Ack- ment chief Aquilino Pimen- immediately cremated. Tony Y. Chua, PP Bebet Fe- King. The song is important erman said. tel as OIC-mayor of Cebu Sonny O’s brother is for- randos, PP Joselito Sulapas, because it marks the strong He said that the delicate City from 1986 to January mer Cebu governor Emilio PP Federico Peñaflorida III, bond among RC Cebu East situation we are in now re- 1988 when he was elected as “Lito” Osmeña who has been PP Joop van Kessel and Ro- members. quires a lot of cooperation and senator. credited for the Cebu econom- tarian Winston Pepito. Also Gaisano, a charter mem- communication. Fortunately, After his senate seat, Son- ic boom (Ceboom). His first present were Rotary Anns ber and others reminisced we have all possibilities at our ny O became the congress- cousin is former Cebu City Eva Ackerman-Gerber, Joy on RC Cebu East’s glory and disposal like small person to man of Cebu’s 3rd District. Mayor Tomas Osmeña. Sharpe, Merly Schurch, Ra- accomplishments in the past person meetings e.g. at Mar- He was re-elected as senator Sonny O, Lito and To- quel van Kessel and Cather- four decades. co Polo Plaza, zoom meet- during the presidency of Jo- mas are all grandchildren of ine Pepito, and Jane Alexis RC Cebu East had spon- ings every Friday or chat via seph Estrada. the late Philippine President Gaisano, daughter of PP Gai- sored three Rotary Commu- ielephone, Viber, Messenger, During his stint as sena- Sergio Osmeña Sr. ELIAS O. sano. nity Corps. It used to have 40 WhatsApp, Mail, etc. tor, Osmeña became known BAQUERO 4 February 8 - 14, 2021 Cebu Business Week OPINION

Cebu & presidentiables For presidential cam- paigns come the 2022 elections, Cebu seems to be strategic. Key develop- ments involving three pos- sible presidential candi- dates transpired last week. Our friend Ton- ton Antogop, secretary general of the Manny Pacquaio for President Movement (MPPM), Weekly Notes bared in a Facebook post Emmanuel Nacorda Mongaya the president of their movement – the pretty Cebuana publisher of iNews.ph Nor- een Tormis. I understand they are busy recruiting volunteers in Visayas provinces, Mindanao, and Luzon. But the senator clarified he is focusing in helping communities amid the dif- ficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Then a lady lawyer friend sent a private message. They launched a campaign in change.org saying “I am ready for Leni.” I checked just now. The petition already gathered 35,791 signatures. A counter petition got more signatures - 62,776. However, I took a mental note of checking the veracity of the email accounts shortly. It seems somebody is ready with DDS troll farms. The trolls even descended on a thread about Kha- kie Pangilinan singing a non-political song in Wish. Let us see if an online campaign for organic support is more effective in persuading people than a paid ‘bastosan’ campaign. Leni topped the 2016 vice presidential race in Cebu. But then, Digong also won in Cebu. The pro-Duterte camp mar- ginalized the opposition in 2019. Finally, I learned about meetings of personalities iden- tified with the Association of Political Operators (APO) with political players in Cebu. The group formed last year in Davao Editorial City and decided to support Davao City Sara Duterte-Carpio. The core group of a national grassroots movement also had a conference in Cebu City. They will be campaigning for the presidential daughter. Alarming Covid-19 situation Gov. Garcia Politically sensitive Cebuanos are watching Gov. Garcia. While the Cebu City lead- Cebu City has already ex- them have begun antagonistic Will she, as expected by observers, support Inday Sara? Will ership resolves what seems perienced addressing surges broadcasts. other presidentiables support a potential rival for the gov- like a communication prob- in Covid-19 cases with the While Mayor Labella ernorship? Or, like the presidential run of FPJ in 2004, will lem, the rise in the number help of DENR Secretary Roy urged the vice mayor to fo- they decide on mere parallel movements in Cebu? I learned of Covid-19 cases has become Cimatu. cus on work, he needs take that a self-styled political operator insisted: a presidentiable alarming. However, there is a need the initiative in reducing the could win even without a bet for governor. As of February 6, 2021, for the Cebu City leaders to political noise. Managing the Sen. Manny Pacquiao was supposed to give out relief goods Cebu City has posted the put their acts together. Covid-19 situation should for Cebuano communities in Mandaue and Toledo cities ear- highest number of new cas- This means Mayor Ed- become the priority. Yes, it ly January 2021. However, this was cancelled at the last mo- es of coronavirus infection gar Labella, Vice Mayor Mike is not the right time to bick- ment. The official announcement was because of the local rise in of 1,345 new cases in 14 days Rama, and the Emergency er. But Cebuanos, even if it Covid-19 cases. However, some quarters said both Sara and Gwen nationwide. Within that Operations Center (EOC) had is just Rama at first, should did not like the support of some local mayors for the senator. same period, Davao City has to meet, perhaps online con- know what is afflicting the JHO only 1,050 new cases and sidering the health situation, mayor. Condolence to the family of Sen. John H. Osmeña es- Quezon City has 1,005 new as soon as possible. First, Cebu City should pecially his only son John-john. I will write a mouthful in cases. Communication especial- stop the recent surge and re- next week’s column. On February 6, the active ly between Mayor Labella and duce the number of cases. (Emmanuel ‘Anol’ Mongaya is co-founder and director for strate- cases in Cebu City reached Vice Mayor Rama is through Second, the leadership should gic PR of PRWorks Inc. He is also a member of the Political Offi- 2,000 with the additional 166 separate press conferences. seriously prepare its vaccina- cers League of the Philippines or POLPhil. DM him @anol_cebu) cases that day. Media allied with either of tion program in Cebu City.

“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 Elias O. Baquero BUSINESS Editor VP-Finance email: [email protected] Keres H. Aviles Bebie Hiñola Baquero Room 310-A,3rd floor WDC Bldg. WEEK Writer Marketing Manager Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City Cebu Business Week February 8 - 14, 2021 5 OPINION Jeff Bezos to Step Down as Amazon CEO percent to $125.6 billion ness, the Labor Depart- 2030 as part of efforts and the government the as opposed to $87.4 bil- ment said on Friday (Feb to foster an environ- remaining 0.9 trillion lion in the fourth quar- 5). The January increase ment-friendly recov- won, Moon’s office Blue ter of 2019. In a Tues- came after the world’s ery from the COVID-19 House said. It said the day statement, Bezos largest economy saw a pandemic. The project project would provide up said it was the “optimal contraction in hiring in is a major component of to 5,600 jobs and help time” for the leadership December, but the gov- President Moon Jae-in’s achieve a goal to boost change. Bezos is expect- ernment noted that con- Green New Deal, initiated the country’s wind pow- ed to transition to the ex- tinued job losses in sec- last year to curb reliance er capacity to 16.5 GW by BIZBITS ecutive chair position in tors such as leisure and on fossil fuels in Asia’s 2030 from 1.67 GW now. Manny de los Santos Rabacal the company. Bezos also hospitality, retail trade, fourth-largest econo- (CNA/Reuters) expressed confidence in health care and transpor- my and make it carbon oOo Jassy’s ability to lead the tation undermined the neutral by 2050. Moon Bitcoin climbed to- company. Bezos is one of gains. Data for Decem- attended a signing cere- ward $40,000 in a ral- the wealthiest people in ber was revised to show mony in the southwest- ly that helped the mar- the world, with Forbes 227,000 jobs lost instead ern coastal town of Sinan ket value of digital to- Amazon founder and reporting his net worth of 140,000 as previous- for the plant, which will kens scale a new peak. CEO Jeff Bezos will stop as $196.4 billion as of ly reported. December’s have a maximum capaci- The largest cryptocur- down as head of the com- Tuesday. Bezos also owns drop was the first in eight ty of 8.2 gigawatts (GW). rency rose as much as pany, according to an Am- The Washington Post and months and came amid Utility and engineering 4.3% to $39,499 on Sat- azon press release. Andy aerospace company Blue renewed restrictions on companies also attended, urday, taking it closer Jassy, the CEO of Amazon Origin. (Newsweek) businesses like restau- including Korea Electric to early January’s re- Web Services is expected oOo rants and bars to slow a Power, SK E&S, Hanwha cord of almost $42,000. to replace Bezos as CEO The US unemploy- resurgence in coronavi- Engineering & Construc- The value of more than of the company. Bezos’s ment rate dropped to rus infections. (CNA) tion, Doosan Heavy In- 6,000 tokens tracked by announcement came as 6.3 per cent in January oOo dustries & Construction, CoinGecko hit an unprec- Amazon announced fi- but the economy added South Korea unveiled CS Wind and Samkang edented $1.22 trillion. nancials for the fourth only 49,000 jobs as the a US$43.2 billion plan M&T. The companies will (Yahoo/Bloomberg) quarter of 2020, which COVID-19 pandemic con- to build the world’s larg- provide 47.6 trillion won mannyrabacal1144@ saw net sales increase 44 tinued to hamper busi- est wind power plant by of the required funding gmail.com

We have to defend Carbon Market to such agreement has ry old building and dis- When would the amount period leasehold. committed the crime of tricts, few Cebu City Pub- be given to the city gov- The Carbon Market cultural simony. Carbon lic Officials are allowing ernment? It is therefore was donated to the city by market predates its nam- its aesthetic surgery, like imperative for the Cebu the national government ing during the American a face and nose lift. The City Council to recall the on May 13, 1964 and the occupation in the ear- rustic ambience and sim- authorization bestowed Freedom Park originally ly 1900’s it was already plicity of Carbon Market to the City Chief Execu- called Washington Plaza there during the Spanish is its beauty. Mutating it tive regarding the project the bastion of Cebuano occupation. to a modern mall is cul- for it to reexamine. free speech and political The privatization of tural stupidity. There must be sobri- freedom was owned by Cebu Legal Carbon Market would It is a tragedy that ety in placing the Car- the Order of Augustinian Pedia never benefit the or- those bestowed with the bon Market in the hands Recollects (OAR) like- Atty. Clarence Paul V. Oaminal dinary Cebuano -- the sacred duty of protection of an entity foreign to wise donated to the city. consumers and vendors. have become accomplic- Cebu. The Mayor and the Allegations that con- Carbon Market is not es of destruction. Carbon City Council are elected spirators for the dese- just the marketplace for Market’s last bastion is to serve only for a peri- cration of Carbon Market Cebu City residents. It the intervention of Di- od of three years. Thus, it have engaged PR firms caters the whole prov- vinely Almighty and the could not arrogate upon to sanitize the evil and ince of Cebu and nearby ghosts of Lutao District, themselves the decision vile odor of the lease and provinces in Visayas who which for centuries pro- alone and unilaterally compounded by reports Carbon Market is part manufacture and pro- tected and haunted. shackle Carbon for 50 of vendors harassed by of the Lutao District. It duce of what is sold in Carbon is also a her- years. Even the Constitu- city employees must be is so called, as seawater the market. itage site of the Visayas tion only allows the gov- validated and investi- enters the land. How- The hasty and unilat- and Mindanao. Carbon ernment to issue fran- gated by the Cebu City ever, “Lutao” in Tausog eral act of few Cebu City market is owned by the chises to business enti- Council. means “ghost” that sup- public officials of aban- people and they deserve ties for only 25 years. The Cebu City Coun- posedly abound the area doning its stewardship to know the truth. The The privatization of cil in the performance of as its protectors. Ermita of the market and abro- Public Market is being Carbon is, in effect, pros- its sacred duty must hear also a part of the district gating it to an entity for- leased, couched in the titution using the decep- the true voices of the means “chapel.” It is also eign to Cebu is a crime. term “joint venture” for tive term “moderniza- vendors, consumers and said that it is so called as The proposed demolition a period of 50 YEARS, tion.” The Cebuanos are all the stakeholders of it is where “hermits” find of its buildings is a per- in the amount of P5.5B. being disenfranchised Carbon and not just the solace. verted and distorted ap- The lease does not state on deciding the future of chosen, rehearsed, and The privatization of preciation of progress. the specifics of where a heritage site to elect- recycled vendors and as- Carbon Market is cultur- It is cultural regression. the amount is for. Is it ed and appointed public sociations who are biased al sacrilege. Public of- While officials elsewhere only for the lease or the officials who may not be in favor of its privatiza- ficials who are conduit are preserving centu- amount of the project? alive during the 50-year tion. 6 February 8 - 14, 2021 Cebu Business Week OPINION

Chain of Custody of the Bill of Rights for the Dangerous Drugs, the pros- unbroken chain of custody failure or a showing of protection of liberty of ev- ecution must prove: (a) the over the same and account any genuine and suffi- ery individual in the realm, identity of the buyer and the for each link in the chain of cient effort to secure the including the basest of seller, the object, and the custody from the moment required witnesses un- criminals. The Constitution consideration; and (b) the the drugs are seized up to der Section 21, Article II of covers with the mantle of delivery of the thing sold its presentation in court as RA 9165 must be adduced. its protection the innocent and the payment.26 Mean- evidence of the crime.28 Thus, for failure of the and the guilty alike against while, in instances wherein In this case, the Court prosecution to provide justi- any manner of high-hand- an accused is charged with finds that the police officers fiable grounds or show that edness from the authori- Illegal Possession of Dan- committed unjustified devi- special circumstances exist The Legal Front ties, however praisewor- gerous Drugs, the prose- ations from the prescribed which would excuse their Atty. Gerry Carillo thy their intentions. This cution must establish the chain of custody rule, there- transgression, the Court was the words of the High following elements to war- by putting into question the is constrained to conclude Court when they strict- rant his conviction: (a) the integrity and evidentiary that the integrity and evi- ly implement the Chain of accused was in possession value of the items purport- dentiary value of the items Custody in Drugs Case as of an item or object iden- edly seized from Gamboa. purportedly seized from enunciate in PEOPLE OF tified as a prohibited drug; The law requires the Gamboa have been compro- THE PHILIPPINES, vs. (b) such possession was not presence of an elected pub- mised. It is settled that in a MANUEL GAMBOA Y authorized by law; and (c) lic official, as well as rep- prosecution for the sale and FRANCISCO G.R. No. the accused freely and con- resentatives from the DOJ possession of dangerous 233702, June 20, 2018 sciously possessed the said or the media to ensure that drugs under RA 9165, the The Court strongly sup- In ruling that the appeal drug.27 the chain of custody rule is State carries the heavy bur- ports the campaign of the is meritorious the Supreme It is essential that the observed and thus, remove den of proving not only the government against drug Court said,”Here, Gam- identity of the prohibited any suspicion of tamper- elements of the offense, but addiction and commends boa was charged with the drug be established with ing, switching, planting, or also to prove the integrity of the efforts of our law en- crimes of Illegal Sale and moral certainty, consider- contamination of evidence the corpus delicti failing in forcement officers against Illegal Possession of Dan- ing that the dangerous drug which could considerably which, renders the evidence those who would inflict gerous Drugs, respectively itself forms an integral part affect a case. for the State insufficient to this malediction upon our defined and penalized un- of the corpus delicti of the It is well to note that the prove the guilt of the ac- people, especially the sus- der Sections 5 and 11, Arti- crime. Thus, in order to absence of these represen- cused beyond reasonable ceptible youth. But as de- cle II of RA 9165. Notably, obviate any unnecessary tatives does not per se ren- doubt. Consequently, Gam- manding as this campaign in order to properly secure doubt on the identity of der the confiscated items boa’s acquittal is in order. may be, it cannot be more the conviction of an accused the dangerous drugs, the inadmissible.44 However, Write us at carillogerry@ so than the compulsions charged with Illegal Sale of prosecution has to show an a justifiable reason for such yahoo.com.ph

Price freeze on commodities. Lament from ordinary workers

with thousands of social income subsidy for workers. mation 1081 (issued in the ers. contracts with their social The prices of basic com- wake of Typhoon Ulysses) 5) For the DTI to prom- partner through the collec- modities spiraled upwards indefinitely to freeze prices inently post physically sug- tive bargaining agreements even weeks before the ex- of basic commodities. gested retail price (SRP) (CBAs) based on records piration of Presidential 2) For Diskwento Car- for basic staples in markets, from the DOLE Bureau of Proclamation 1081 as some avans and more KADIWA groceries and supermarkets Working Conditions (BWC) unscrupulous traders and stores to be rolled out to as well as all social media wrote a letter asking Presi- middlemen and socially ir- factory zones and depressed sites, providing instructions dent Duterte’s intervention responsible retailers tossed and low-income communi- on how consumers com- on the extraordinary move- the proclamation aside in ties of the urban poor where plaints can be brought to the ment of prices of the com- their rush to make profits majority of minimum wage attention of DTI and LGUs. The Labor Front modities in the market. hand over fist. earners and their families 6) For the DOLE to Art Barrit For brevity, due to lack Basic commodities are reside. provide a wage subsidy to of space, I will reprint the now becoming beyond-the- 3) For the DA, DTI, the workers from the DOLE essence and substance of reach of workers as their DILG, DOJ, NBI and PNP to TUPAD budget in the form said letter for public con- diminished incomes are out- go after and to actively pros- of cash transfers or vouch- sumption. paced by the relentless rise ecute price gouging middle- er system to assist them in of commodity prices. men, traders and retailers their food purchases. “Dear President Duterte: A perusal of the price and to shut down hoarders. 7) For DILG and DTI The country’s biggest monitoring by the PSA as The ineptitude and lack of to closely monitor the ship- labor organization, the As- We write to His Excel- of January 6, demonstrate political will of both the DTI ment of supplemental basic sociated Labor Unions, an lency, for and on behalf of clearly the exorbitant in- and the DA in enforcing the commodities being brought affiliate of the Trade Union the millions of unemployed, crease of the prices of ba- Proclamation must become in from Mindanao to Luzon Congress of the Philippines those who hardly earn due to sic commodities from their a thing of the past. to assist in bringing down (TUCP) is imploring Pres- flexible work arrangements farmgate price to actual re- 4) For the DOLE food prices by preventing ident Duterte for a price and for the minimum wage tail price. and DTI to initiate direct traders and middlemen freeze on basic and essential earners, for urgent action In this regard, we sub- agri-producer co-op linkag- from further coopting and commodities and other con- by relevant Departments of mit this humble request and es with workers coops, labor capturing these resources. sumer goods in the light of Government to put in place urgent plea for the following unions and employers to as- TUCP National Exec- spiraling increases of prices effective price controls on policies and issuances from sure direct, affordable access utive Officials Michael C. of those items. basic and essential com- His Excellency: of workers to food purchases Mendoza and Gerard R. The organized labor modities and to provide an 1) Extending Procla- without middlemen or trad- Seno signed the letter. Cebu Business Week February 8 - 14, 2021 7 NATION LTO people called to resign over non-implementation of RA 11235 SENATOR Richard country will not take it,” the J. Gordon has demanded chairman of the Senate Blue the resignation of officials Ribbon Committee said in and employees of the Land his opening statement. Transportation Office for the Records from the Philip- delay in the implementation pine National Police showed of Republic Act 11235 or the that a total of 36,848 peo- Motorcycle Crime Preven- ple had been victimized by tion Act. riding-in-tandem criminals This is in the light of from 2010 to 2020, of which the number of killings by 8,805 were killings. riding-in-tandem assassins The Blue-Ribbon Com- totaling almost 9,000 from mittee chairman said that 2010 to 2020 and continu- a dispute between two sup- ously increasing daily. pliers of number plates have Gordon made the call caused the ballooning of the during the first hearing of LTO’s backlog in the pro- the motu proprio investi- menting the law, which was or-coded number plates to is happening except peo- duction of number plates. gation that the Senate Blue aimed to prevent criminals facilitate tracing of motorcy- ple are being killed without The problem is further ex- Ribbon Committee called. from using motorcycles as cles used in the commission the protection of the law. If acerbated by the anomalous The want to get to the bot- get-away vehicles by impos- of crimes. they cannot do that, then practice in the registration tom of the delay in imple- ing bigger, readable and col- “Enough is enough. We I demand the resignation process and distribution of can no longer tolerate the of all the people of LTO re- number plates that he also situation where nothing sponsible. The people of this bared. SEC bans firm from soliciting investments LANDBANK facilitates account opening THE Securities and Ex- other officers, representatives, change Commission (SEC) salesmen, solicitors, agents, for unbanked national ID registrants has barred Chiyuto Creative uplines, enablers and influ- THE Land Bank of the the PSA said that of the 10.5 Branch or its ABPs. Wealth Documentation Facil- encers, including Maricris Can Philippines (LANDBANK) million initial registrants to The card can likewise be itation Services from soliciting Chiyuto, Maria Christina Chi- has allotted more than P153 the PhilSys, more than 82 used by Philsys ID holders to investments from the public yuto Canobida, Naneth Bar- million for the hiring of over percent indicated that they do withdraw cash at ATMs and through a double-your-money ruela, Aureliza Apa-Ap, Capiz 1,000 service contract work- not have bank accounts. point-of-sale (POS) cash-out roulette game. Buy and Sell Anything, Kiaka ers (SCWs) who are now be- Borromeo said in her re- terminals, shop online and In an order issued on Avel Cho, and Santiago City ing deployed to various lo- port to Finance Secretary and perform cashless transac- February 1, the Commission Online Market. cations across the country to LANDBANK chairman Car- tions, as well as receive any directed Chiyuto, which regis- The SEC issued the order assist in the opening of trans- los Dominguez III that the government subsidy digitally, tered as a sole proprietorship after finding that Chiyuto has action accounts for unbanked SCWs will act as frontliners Borromeo said. and later on as a one-person offered investments to the national ID registrants. by attending to various que- The card is also contact- corporation (OPC), to cease public with promised returns LANDBANK presi- ries and requests relating to less enabled, which means and desist, under pain of con- of 100% in one day, 30 days dent-CEO Cecilia Borromeo the opening of accounts and it can be used for “tap” pay- tempt, from selling and/or of- or 45 days, depending on the said facilitating the opening gathering and verifying client ments, such as for the Auto- fering securities in the form of outcome of the roulette, with- of bank accounts for regis- information. mated Fare Collection System investment contracts until it out securing a secondary li- trants to the Philippine Iden- “Our participation in (AFCS) that the government has filed and secured the nec- cense. tification System (PhilSys) the PhilSys registration is plans to roll out for public essary license. Section 8 of Republic Act will help ensure the speedy in line with the Duterte ad- utility vehicles (PUVs) within The SEC further enjoined No. 8799, or The Securities and efficient delivery of future ministration’s financial -in the first half of 2021. Chiyuto and Creative Wealth Regulation Code (SRC), pro- government assistance pro- clusion agenda of bringing In 2020, the PSA report- OPC from transacting busi- vides that securities shall not grams to unbanked national unbanked Filipinos to the ed completing the initial reg- ness involving funds in its be sold or offered for sale or ID holders. financial mainstream and istration of 10.5 million heads depository banks and from distribution within the Phil- Under this setup, the is in response to Secretary of low-income households in transferring, disposing, or ippines, without a registration SCWs, who will augment Dominguez’s directive for 32 provinces to the PhilSys. conveying any related assets statement duly filed with and LANDBANK’s existing man- us to accelerate our shift to The second step will in- to ensure the preservation of approved by the SEC. power, will co-locate with the digital-based transactions to volve the validation of sup- the assets for the benefit of af- The Commission warned Philippine Statistics Author- prepare us for the new econ- porting documents and cap- fected investors. the public against investing in ity (PSA) in national ID reg- omy,” Borromeo said in her ture of biometric informa- The order covers Chiyu- Chiyuto and other entities en- istration centers not serviced report to Dominguez. tion, such as fingerprints, iris to’s owner, principal, propri- gaged in unauthorized invest- by the bank’s Agent Banking LANDBANK will be of- scans and front-facing pho- etor and sole stockholder-di- ment-taking activities as early Partners (ABPs), Borromeo fering its Mastercard Prepaid tographs of the registrants rector-president Patrocenio C. as August 18, 2020 through said. Card to unbanked PhilSys at PSA designated centers, Chiyuto, Jr., nominee Judy B. an advisory, as well as through The PSA is the lead agen- registrants free-of-charge, so in preparation for the issu- Pajarillo and alternate nomi- an investor alert posted on its cy in the nationwide registra- that they can later use them to ance of the respective PhilSys nee Felomina L. Andrada. official Facebook page on Oc- tion of PhilSys applicants. cash-in, cash-out and trans- numbers and physical IDs of The order also extends to tober 23, 2020. In a previous statement, fer funds at any LANDBANK registrants. 8 February 8 - 14, 2021 Cebu Business Week NEWS Task force to boost employment recovery formed DIFFERENT govern- employment looking for- Survey, the employment rate ment agencies headed by opportu- ward to our is at 89.8 percent, while the the Department of Labor nities and stronger en- unemployment rate is at 10.2 and Employment (DOLE), improving gagement percent - the lowest and high- the Technical Education and the employ- with our est, respectively, since 2005,” Skills Development Authority, ability of stakeholders Bello added. (TESDA), and the Department Filipinos from the pri- “This underscores the of Trade and Industry (DTI) while taking vate sector, importance of coordinated signed a Joint Memorandum into con- labor and efforts to bring our economy Circular (JMC) that would sideration employer back on its feet, to recover our create jobs and improve the the changes groups so losses in the labor market, and employability of workers. in the la- that as one, preserve existing jobs, busi- The JMC constitutes the bor market we heal, re- nesses, and livelihood amidst National Employment Re- brought by cover, and the lingering pandemic,” he covery Strategy (NERS) Task the pandem- enjoy the said. Force. ic and the fruits of a re- Other signatories of the “Let me convey my appre- fast adop- charged and JMC are the Department of ciation to all the agencies that tion of the Fourth Industrial and supports existing and reinvigorated labor market,” Transportation (DOTr), De- contributed to our endeavor Revolution technologies. emerging businesses,” the he added. partment of Tourism (DOT), to generate more employment “This JMC will fortify our DOLE chief said. The Philippine Statistics Department of Education opportunities and to improve collective undertaking as a This aligns with the over- Authority (PSA) released the (DepEd), Department of In- the employability of our work- Task Force working to devel- all economic recovery strat- full Gross Domestic Product terior and Local Government ers through the NERS,” said op a policy environment that egy espoused in the updated output for 2020 showing a (DILG), Department of Bud- DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bel- encourages the generation of Philippine Development Plan -9.5 percent contraction of the get and Management (DBM), lo III./ more employment opportu- 2017-2022 and the ReCharge economy. and Department of Social NERS is a medium-term nities, improves employability PH. “Based on the Annual Es- Welfare and Development plan geared towards creating and productivity of workers, “We, at the DOLE are timates of the Labor Force (DSWD). CCCI bags APAC Hero Chamber of the Year Award THE Cebu Cham- government, non-govern- The “COVID-19 Solidar- ute to the growth of commu- Award; Best Community En- ber of Commerce and In- ment organizations, and the ity Fund & Initiatives” do- nities across the Asia Pacific gagement Program Of The dustry (CCCI) bagged the society in the fight against nated 5 million pesos worth despite the regional and lo- Year Award; Best Virtual COVID-19 Hero Chamber of COVID-19. of PPE gowns, face shields, cal impact of the COVID-19 Event Of The Year Award); the Year award during the According to Glue Up, and medical supplies to pandemic. I am pleased to Finnish Chamber of Com- 4th annual APAC Chamber the “COVID-19 Solidarity frontliners and distribut- extend my congratulations merce in Hong Kong (Inter- of Commerce Awards an- Fund & Initiatives” and the ed relief goods for affected for their positive contribu- national Chamber Of The nounced by Glue Up on Feb- “Project Balik Buhay” spear- families, while the “Project tions that are truly deserving Year Award); Ayr Chamber ruary 3. headed by CCCI were high- Balik Buhay” provided a to be held in high regard,”- of Commerce (Local Cham- The APAC Chamber lighted as best projects of well-coordinated multi-sec- CEO and co-founder of Glue ber Of The Year Award); awards 2020 recognizes the Chamber. toral plan that calibrated the Up, Eric L. Schmidt added. Tatum Albertine, Executive and honors individuals and “Impressive leader- opening of work based on Other winners for the Director, American Cham- chambers that have shown ship and proactivity shown risk and impact guidelines APAC Chamber of Com- ber of Commerce Myanmar remarkable leadership and during the pandemic by under General Communi- merce Awards are The Amer- and Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei, have built a strong culture of implementing relevant and ty Quarantine while taking ican Chamber of Commerce CEO, The American Cham- innovation in their organiza- practical solutions, posi- measures to help the health in Singapore (Large Cham- ber of Commerce in Singa- tions in the face of adversity tioning the Chamber as a system cope as cases contin- ber Of The Year Award; pore (Executive Of The Year during an extremely chal- valuable force for effective ued to rise. Excellence In Technology Award); and Adam Castillo, lenging year for the whole management,” said Exec- “We want to highlight & Innovation Of The Year Governor, American Cham- humankind. utive Director of the Cape the winners’ immense im- Award); Swedish Chamber ber of Commerce Myanmar The CCCI was recognized Chamber of Commerce and pact on chamber success as of Commerce Singapore (Rising Star Of The Year for its joint efforts with the Industry, Sid Peimer. they continuously contrib- (Small Chamber Of The Year Award). House Committee okays bill amending Data Privacy Act A BILL amending the House Bills 1188 and 5612, ernment and the private sec- fines for unauthorized pro- The criteria for lawful data privacy act has hurdled the current Data Privacy Act. tor by providing stiffer provi- cessing and accessing of per- processing of personal infor- committee level at the House Deputy Speaker Michael sions, rationalizing all exist- sonal information and sen- mation stated in the bill are: of Representatives this week. Romero, one of the authors ing rules and regulations, as sitive personal information, (1) consent from the data sub- The House Committee on of the bill, said the bill seeks well as creating a more effec- as well as improper disposal ject, (2) necessary for medical Information and Communi- to foster protection for indi- tive and sufficient data priva- and concealment of security purposes, and (3) needed for cations Technology, chaired vidual personal information cy scheme. breaches involving person- public interest in the area of by Tarlac Rep. Victor Yap, in information and commu- The bill seeks to increase al information and sensitive public health or humanitarian approved the bill amending nications systems in the gov- the imprisonment period and personal information. emergencies, among others. Cebu Business Week February 8 - 14, 2021 9 BOHOL PAGE Blogger leaks alleged Aris’ mansion in Dauis DAUIS, BOHOL - A con- Facebook rumblings. troversial Facebook blogger Yap, a lawyer by profes- has accidentally leaked an sion, had denied any owner- alleged mansion of Rep. Aris ship of a mansion as alleged Aumentado of Bohol 2nd by Ramasola on his social Congressional District. media posts. Makati-based tennis The former Cabinet secre- player Willy Ramasola, now tary and congressman in the facing a cyber libel case filed Third District of Bohol dared by the Holy Name University the blogger to come up with (HNU), insinuated on Face- evidence and documents, say- book last Feb. 3, 2021 about ing the malicious imputation a mansion allegedly owned by of a vice or crime in Ramaso- Aumentado and his wife Va- la’s posts is libelous. nessa in Dauis within Bohol The incumbent governor, 1st District. in a radio interview, said he is Aumentado is Bohol 2nd not surprised with the consis- District congressman whose tent proliferation of lies and last term (9th year) will end in fake news leveled against him 2022 but has been rumored since election season is just to run for Bohol governor. around the corner. In a surprising Facebook Yap said the Boholanos post by Ramasola, the blogger have not forgotten how for- wrote in a question-and-an- mer Governor Rene Relam- swer fashion in which he an- pagos, now Bohol’s vice gov- swered his own question. ENTRANCE TO THE CONTROVERSIAL MANSION IN DAUIS, BOHOL. ernor, was demolished and “They say it is actually destroyed by relentless news- Congressman Aris Aumen- about it and they didn’t deny am not sure if it is big enough the Aumentado couple. paper and radio propaganda tado, and not Art Yap, who that they are building a house for you to call it a mansion. For the first time, and out over a mansion, allegedly, owns a mansion. And this is in Dauis,” revealed Ramasola Let’s just say it’s just a house.” of nowhere, since he accused also in Baclayon, an issue in Dauis... Is this true”? Ra- on Facebook. Ramasola’s post shocked Yap of an alleged mansion that was blamed on the lat- masola asked. Aumentado’s wife has netizens. Nowhere in his years in Baclayon town, Ramaso- ter’s ultimate defeat against Ramasola answered “Yes” been openly declaring her bid of attacks against Governor la dropped a bombshell and then former Rep. Erico B. and “No”. for a seat in Congress in next Arthur C. Yap’s administra- dragged a mansion in Dauis Aumentado, Aris’ father, in “I talked to Congressman year’s elections. tion had he mentioned a Dauis allegedly owned by Congress- the May 2001 gubernatorial Aris and his wife Vanessa The blogger continued, “I mansion allegedly owned by man Aumentado into his elections. PR Bohol, PCG agree on protecting Balicasag Island BOHOL Governor Ar- will construct the radar sta- something that he has sup- clude the establishment of a Yap also saw the impor- thur Yap and Admiral George tion and establishment of ported for quite some time, regional training facility and tance of PCG when the Dos Ursabia Jr. of the Philippine Central Visayas Regional recalling his support for bud- the completion of a radar sta- Palmas incident happened Coast Guard have signed a Training Facility. get allocation to PCG when he tion. when he was still in the Cab- Memorandum of Agreement In a post at PriMER Bohol was still a congressman repre- Yap said this could have inet, in which they received between the Bohol Provincial Facebook Page, Yap said that sent Bohol 3rd District. been very helpful during the a report that the original ob- Government and PCG to pro- the radar network in linking The Bohol governor also 2017 Abu Sayaff incursion jective of the terrorists was mote the protection and safe- all sea crafts together is really expressed support for the de- where patrol crafts like bang- Bohol, especially the guests ty of Balicasag Island. something that they should velopment of PCG facilities kas and motorboats would in Balicasag. PR/ELIAS O. With the MOA, the PCG have done long time ago and in Balicasag Island, which in- have had identifying signals. BAQUERO Yap, DOH execs talk on support for hospitals GOVERNOR Arthur Yap trict hospitals and the mod- met with Dr. Leonita Gorgo- ernization will be under the lon and Director Jaime Ber- Health Facilities Enhance- nadas of the Department of ment Program of the DOH. Health (DOH) 7 where they The DOH reviewed the talked about the support of modernization program to the health agency in modern- suit it to Rural Health Units izing hospitals owned and when the new Gov. Celesti- controlled by the Bohol Pro- no Gallares Memorial Hos- vincial Government. pital-Cortes Health Care The Bohol Local Govern- will open in 18 months. PR/ GOVERNOR ARTHUR C. YAP MEETS WITH DR. LEONITA GIRGO- ment Unit (LGU) has ten dis- ELIAS O. BAQUERO LON AND DIRECTOR JAIME BERNADAS OF DOH 7. AS OF FEB. 7, 2021 10 February 8 - 14, 2021 Cebu Business Week THE ACADEME DepEd denies students dropping out THE Department of Edu- much worried with the wan- the DepEd to address such cation (DepEd) denied claims ing student participation in concerns. that a significant number of the government’s distance More than 25 million reg- learners have dropped out of learning program but are only istered in basic education this school. giving out incomplete marks school year, down by 2 mil- “Learners did not drop instead of failing grades or lion from the total number out from school, but they ei- delisting students from the of enrolled students in the ther shifted from one mode rolls as we understand their previous year, according to of learning to another,” the difficulties,” he added, urging DepEd data. DepEd said in a statement. “Other learners have decided to shift from solely modular to blended learn- ing, wherein they can also tap FUn TRiVIA into TV, online, and radio re- sources available at their re- Do you know that… spective schools,” the agency explained. n Salmon farmers add a chemical called The department said mi- canthaxanthin to their food to dye their meat gration among students may Education Secretary Le- students have not formally pink and that Canthaxanthin is linked to retinal have also given the impres- onor Briones on Tuesday dropped out of their classes, damage in humans? sion that there have been denied claims of massive they are “essentially not par- n Billie Jean by Michael Jackson was the first dropouts. dropouts due to difficulties ticipating.” video to air on MTV by a black artist? “Learners’ migration is in new modes of learning, “Many students have observed due to the econom- which schools implemented barely shown up in online ic impact of the pandemic. as in-person classes remain classes or have hardly sub- Data showed that students banned due to the COVID-19 mitted their class require- have either moved from city pandemic. ments,” ACT Secretary Gen- to provincial schools or from The Alliance of Con- eral Raymond Basilio said in private to public schools,” it cerned Teachers (ACT), a statement. said. however, said even though “Our teachers are very Duterte OKs face-to-face classes in medical schools in some areas n Pigs have some of the best long-term memories PRESIDENT Rodrigo known in animals and are considered as the Duterte has approved face-to- world’s fifth-smartest animal? face classes for some medical n Russia defrosted some prehistoric worms, and courses in areas with the low- two woke up? One is 32,000 years old, and the est quarantine levels to en- other is 41,700 years old. sure the country would have n Urophobia is the Fear of urine or urinating? enough health frontliners. These are in medical schools and medical allied Now you know! programs in higher educa- tional institutions in areas under modified general com- munity quarantine, and for Best Quotes higher education institutes from Successful People in GCQ areas with base hos- pitals that cater to COVID-19 “Action is the foundational key to all success.” patients.) year, Commissioner Prospe- of COVID-19, according to Pablo Picasso The Commission on ro De Vera said. CHED’s guidelines. Higher Education (CHED) In the next 2 to 3 weeks, Each medical school in “Never limit yourself because of others’ limited on Monday said it would we will know how many will areas under general commu- imagination; never limit others because of your soon release the list of med- be approved. Let’s see how nity quarantine should also own limited imagination.” Mae Jemison ical schools that are qualified many will pass the evalua- coordinate with their respec- to hold face-to-face classes tion. tive local governments, De “Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up on a limited basis. Among the requirements Vera said. your right to be wrong, because then you will CHED has been evalu- for the resumption of physi- Face-to-face classes in lose the ability to learn new things and move ating the capacity of some cal classes in medical schools schools across the country forward with your life. Remember that fear medical schools to send third is the retrofitting of several have been prohibited since always lurks behind perfectionism.” David M. year and fourth year students facilities to ensure that stu- last year to curb the spread Burns to physical classes since last dents would not be carriers of COVID-19. Cebu Business Week February 8 - 14, 2021 11 WORLD NEWS Myanmar generals shut down internet as thousands protest coup THOUSANDS of people Telenor said it had However it added it was took to the streets of Yangon stressed to the authorities bound by local law and its to denounce this week’s coup that access to telecom ser- first priority was the safety of and demand the release of vices should be maintained. its local workers. elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. As the protest swelled and activists issued calls on Biden ends deadlock social media for people to join the march, the country’s over next WTO head internet crashed. THE Biden adminis- ahead to do together.” Monitoring group Net- tration has ended the im- President Donald Blocks Internet Observatory passe over the next Director Trump, describing the WTO reported a “national-scale General of the World Trade as “horrible” and biased to- internet blackout”, saying Organization (WTO) by ex- wards China, wanted Yoo, on Twitter that connectivity Norwegian mobile net- internet disruption will se- pressing its “strong support” South Korea’s trade minister had fallen to 54% of ordinary work provider Telenor ASA verely limit their ability to for Nigeria’s ex-finance min- for the post. levels. Witnesses reported a said authorities had ordered organize and access indepen- ister. Yoo on Friday said her shutdown of mobile data ser- all mobile operators to tem- dent news and information. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala decision to withdraw her vices. porarily shut down the data Myanmar civil society was frontrunner for the role candidacy was made in The junta extended a network, although voice and organizations appealed to in- until the Trump administra- “close consultation” with the social media crackdown to SMS services remained open. ternet providers and mobile tion last October wanted an- US. “South Korea will ac- Twitter and Instagram after Many activists had side- networks to resist the junta’s other woman, South Korea’s tively contribute to reaching seeking to silence dissent by stepped the Facebook ban orders, saying in joint state- Yoo Myung-hee. consensus for the next WTO temporarily blocking Face- by using virtual private net- ment they were “essentially Yoo has now withdrawn chief and co-operate with her book, which counts half of works to conceal their loca- legitimizing the military’s her candidacy. and participate in the WTO the population as users. tions, but the more general authority”. If confirmed in the role, reform process, she added/” Dr Okonjo-Iweala would be The White House said the first woman and the first the “US stands ready to en- African to lead the WTO. gage in the next phase of the Wuhan residents remember Dr Okonjo-Iweala on WTO process for reaching Friday praised her rival and a consensus decision on the Covid ‘whistleblower’ doctor said, “there is vital work WTO Director General”. A YEAR after his death from COVID-19, residents of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala set Wuhan City, China say they remain grateful to the “whis- to make history at WTO tleblower” doctor who first HAVING survived the WTO - they need someone sounded the alarm about the murky waters of politics willing to do the reforms and outbreak before it received in Nigeria, and rising to lead.” official recognition. number two at the World During her 25 years at the Li Wenliang, an ophthal- Bank, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala World Bank, she is credited mologist at a hospital in the should have no trouble with spearheading several city, became one of the most dealing with international initiatives to assist low- visible figures in the early trade negotiators in her income countries, raising days of the outbreak in Wu- new job at the World Trade nearly $50B in 2010 from han when he tried to sound While people on the knowledges him, and per- Organization (WTO). donors for the International the alarm about its appear- streets around Li’s hospital sonally, I think he should The 66-year-old will Development Association ance, but was reprimanded say life in the city has mostly receive more official honors, be the first woman and the (IDA), the World Bank’s fund by police for “spreading ru- returned to its usual rhythm, rather than being treated as first African to occupy the for the poorest countries. mors.” they still revere Li for his ac- what he did is already in the position. But it is her reform agenda The 34-year-old’s death tions. past” Ji said. Despite recently taking in Nigeria in which she takes from the virus on Feb. 7 led “He was the first to tell us A World Health Organi- out US citizenship, she revels real pride - especially the to an outpouring of public about the virus,” said Li Pan, zation (WHO) team is cur- in being Nigerian and is two times she served as the mourning and rare expres- 24, who owns an online store. rently in Wuhan researching fiercely patriotic, flaunting country’s finance minister sions of anger online. “He must have considered the early stages of the out- her African identity in her under Presidents Olusegun Several days later Zhong the impact would be huge, break. It visited the sprawl- African-print tailored outfits. Obasanjo and Goodluck Nanshan, a renowned epide- but he still raised the alarm. ing Huanan Seafood Whole- The Harvard-educated Jonathan. miologist, shed tears for Li, That was really brave.” sale Market, thought to be development economist is One of her greatest calling him a “hero of China.” Ji Penghui, a 34 year-old where the virus first became seen as a down-to-earth, achievements was leading But when President Xi designer, said he heard about an outbreak. hard worker, who said that a team which negotiated a Jinping honored the “heroes” Li’s warning in the early days The market site has been what the WTO needed was a whopping $18B debt right- of the “people’s war” against and rushed to stock up on shut to the public since the shake-up. off in 2005 for the country, the virus in September, there masks before the officials beginning of last year. “They need something helping Nigeria obtain its was no mention of Li’s con- spoke openly about the virus. The team is preparing to different. It cannot be first ever sovereign debt tribution. “The public strongly ac- present its findings. business as usual for the rating. 12 February 8 - 14, 2021 Cebu Business Week BISAYA EDITION LABING UWAHING ISOLATION FACILITY SA MANDAUE CITY ABLI NA ANG Norkis Park, labing Ang MCIU adunay 63 ka uwahing isolation facility sa wards ug ang 55 niini pulos Mandaue City niabli niadtong COVID positive. Pebrero 2, 2021 ug karon Sigun ni Malate, himan aduna nay 19 ka pasyente sa mamaayo ang mga pasyente Coronavirus Disease 2019 sa COVID-19, gamiton sa syu- (COVID-19) nga na-admit. dad ang mga classrooms sa Ang Norkis Park anaa MCIU alang sa mga Overseas nahimutang sa dalan Plar- Filipino Workers (OFWs) o idel Dakbayan sa Mandaue. kaha mga Returning Over- Ang isolation unit makad- seas Filipinos (ROFs) nga ik- awat hangtud 79 ka pasyente warentina og 14 ka adlaw in- sa COVID-19. gin man niadtong nagpaabot Si manlalaban Lizer Ma- sa ilang re-swabbing. late, pangu sa Emergency Aduna sab 25 ka pasy- Operations Center (EOC), ni- ente sa Mandaue City Isola- ingon nga ang mga nahibil- tion Center (MCIC) nga gitu- ing pasyente sa COVID-19 kod sa kanhi Cebu North Bus sa Mandaue City Isolation Terminal sa Barangay Sub- Unit (MCIU) nga anaa na- angdaku nga nagpaabot sa il- himutang sa Mandaue City ang swab results. Ang MCIC Central School dili ibalhin sa maoy nagsilbi nga expanded Norkis Park. swabbing center sa siyudad. Gobyerno giawhag pagpalit og Face masks gimando na mga sapatos nga locally-made sa mga drayber pasahero ANG Philippine Foot- gikan sa mga local nga tig- gobyerno musuporta sa ilang sa pribadong sakyanan wear Federation Inc. (PFFI) gama og sapatos. grupo. FINAL na! Kinahang- Transportation Office (LTO) niawhag sa gobyermo pagsu- Si Py niingon nga ang Gibutyag sab ni Py nga lan na nga magsul-ob og face Law Enforcement Service Act- portar sa local nga industriya mga sapatos sa gihingusgan sa PFFI nga mask ang mga drayber ug pas- ing Director , niingon nga ang pinaagi sa pagpalit og sapa- mga uni- malakip ang footwear ubos ahero sa mga pribadong bisan dili pagsul-ob og face mask tos nga locally-made alang porma- sa United States General- kon nagpuyo sila sa usa ra ka samtang nagmaneho nga sa mga uniformado nga dong ized System of Preferences panimalay. dunay pasahero usa na karon mga kawani. kawani (US GSP) sa higayon nga ang Ang Department of Health ka salaod nga “reckless driving.” Si PFFI director general pagka- Pilipinas mo-apply na og re- (DOH) ug ang Department of Ang DOH ug DOTr mo- Roger Py miingon nga ang il- karon newal sa preferential tariff Transportation (DOTr) niingon patuman sa face mask guide- ang grupo nag-awhag sa mga treatment. nga kon ang drayber nagbiyahe lines sumala sa pagtugot sa magbabalaod sa paglakip Ang GSP grant sa Pilipi- nga walay pasahero, mahimong Inter-Agency Task Force on niini sa amendment sa Re- nas ning expire na niadtong di siya magsul-ob og face mask. Emerging Infectious Diseases public Act (RA) 9290 kon Dec. 31, 2020. Si Clarence Guinto, Land (IATF-EID). ang Footwear, Leather “Kon ang footwear mal- Goods, and Tannery Indus- akip ma sa GSP, ang foot- tries Development Act. wear nga ginama sa nasod Warning alang sa curfew Matod ni Py, ang gobyer- makasud na sa merkado sa ANG tingog sa siren sa Ang curfew sa Cebu City no mahimong mopalit og sagad mga imported. Estados Unidos “duty-free,” bombero maoy magsilbing magsugod sa alas onse sa mga sapatos alang sa mga Matod ni Py, mas maayo matod ni Py. warning 30 minutos sa dili gabii. unipormadong kawani sama unta kon ang lokal nga in- Ubos sa US GSP pro- pa ang curfew sa tibuok Si Mayor Edgardo La- sa military boots, sapatos dustriya maka benepisyo gram, 70 porsiyento sa ex- dakbayan sa Sugbo. bella kanunay nga nag- para sa mga seamen, ug para sa buhis sa katawhan, ug port sa nasod makasud na sa Si Fire Chief Inspec- awhag ug nagpahinum- sab sa mga pulis ug bombero kini mahitabo lang kon ang US market nga zero tariffs. tor Josephus Alburo nipa- dom sa publiko sa pagtu- hibawo nga ilang patin- man sa mga health pro- gugon ang siren sa mga tocols sa tanang higayon firetrucks sa 13 nila ka mga aron mabuntog nato ang Mango Farmers’ Market abli na fire stations sa siyudad aron Covid-19 ug mamahimong GIPAHIBAWO sa Cebu Ang Mango Farmers’ tal plants nga baligya sa maong maoy mo-signal sa publiko liwas ang tanan sa maong City Agriculture Department Market anaa mahimutang sa merkado alang niadtong ma- nga hapit na ang curfew. sakit. (CAD) nga abli na ang Man- Mango Avenue tunga-tunga hiligon sa maong mga tanom. go Farmers’ Market alang sa sa Abuhan Restaurant sa da- Ang Mango Farmers’ FOR YOUR ADVERTISING NEEDS PLEASE CONTACT: mamalitay og preskong pru- lan Gen. Maxilom, Siyudad Market abli gikan sa Huwe- tas ug utanon gikan sa Baran- sa Sugbo. bes hangtod sa Sabado matag gay Tabunan. Aduna sab mga ornamen- semana. 0995 912 5514