BusinessWeek Mindanao (June 9, 2014)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO Best in Business and Economic Reporting Philippine Press Institute Civic Journalism Community Press Awards 2013

Volume V, No. 1

Market Indicators

As of 6:07 pm june 7, 2014 (Saturday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P43.65

6,762.62 points

X Briefly

9.82 points

X

16 cents

Nego Tour 2014 THE province of Zamboanga del Norte showcased its “champion products” before potential investors and local entrepreneurs during a trade fair in Dipolog City last weekend.

Dubbed Nego Tour ‘14, the trade event was initiated by the provincial government and the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The highlighted commodities were rubber, coconut, oil palm, cacao, and seaweeds.

Local officials noted the province has selected these commodities since these can be produced more efficiently in local farms than in other areas.

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BusinessWeek Mindanao turns 5 and counting…

FDC allots P9B capex for coal power plant F

By IRENE DAYO, Staff Writer

ILINVEST Development Corporation (FDC) has earmarked almost onefourth of the holding company’s capital expenditures (capex) this year to start up its power plant project in Misamis Oriental.

Stanfilco loses DAVAO City -- The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) has ordered Dole Philippines, Inc. - Stanfilco Division (Dole-Stanfilco) to pay 1,626 workers about P40 million after it lost a case lodged in 1997.

Elbert C. Restauro, NLRC regional arbiter, said his office released the order about two months ago as part of the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on February 13, 2009, which awarded the workers the amount after both bodies ruled that the workers were not merely contracted through a third party but were employees of the company.

Asked to comment on the report, a Dole-Stanfilco official who did not want to be named said that the company was ready to settle its obligations based on the legal steps.

P15.00

MINING SEASON. Dry season is considered as the glory days for mining companies in Surigao del Norte because they can maximize production. Photo taken last week at Barangay Cagdianao, Claver, Surigao del Norte, where the Platinum Group Metals Corporation is mining nickel ore to be shipped abroad. mindanews photo by roel catoto

Oro lawmakers push for gov’t ComVal guv appeals support to garment industry to stop disconnection

By CRIS DIAZ, Executive Editor

TWO solons in this trading hub of Northern Mindanao are urging Congress to provide support to resuscitate the ailing local textile industry in order to spur employment and improve the country’s revenue in the garment sector.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, of Cagayan De Oro City, and Abante Mindanao (Abamin) Party List Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. had filed resolution number 1018 urging the House Committee on Trade industry/PAGE 7

In its disclosure to the Philippine Stocks Exchange, the investment arm of the Gotianum family bared it allotted P38 billion for capex of all its businesses, P9 billion of which is intended to fund the first phase of a 405-MW coal-fired power plant project to be constructed at the Phividec Industrial Estate in Villanueva town.

The committed project, with a total cost of P30 billion, will be undertaken by the company’s power subsidiary FDC Utilities, Inc., will come in two phases: the 270-MW capacity unit expected to be online by 2016 to help ease the worsening power supply crunch in Mindanao, and another 135-MW capacity set for operation by 2018, in time for the expected surge in power demand on the island.

Capex/PAGE 7

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO Correspondent

DAVAO City -- The governor of Compostela Valley has appealed to the Energy department to suspend a disconnection order against the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO), to avoid losing electricity in the province as well as in Davao del Norte.

In a text message to BusinessWeek Mindanao, Governor Arturo T. Uy of Compostela Valley said: “It (disconnection) would have a very negative impact on the stability of the province.”

Davao del Norte also hopes to stop the disconnection, according to Assistant Provincial Administrator Romulo D. Tagalo.

“We are coming up with steps to prevent the disconnection,” Mr. Tagalo told BusinessWeek Mindanao.

DANECO officials have not issued an official statement. Power Sector Assets and Appeals/PAGE 7

HARDWORK. Cesar Almacen repairs shoes at the Rizal Park in Davao City. This is his source of income for around 20 years. mindanews photo by ruby thursday more

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Davao exporters briefed on non-tariff measures ‘Bottoms Up Budgeting’ projects

By CARINA L. CAYON, Contributor

D AVA O C i t y – T h e Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) have recently engaged Davao trade officials and exporters

in a seminar in the city which primarily discussed non-tariff measures.

DTI and W TO have intensified its advocacy efforts in providing

knowledge and explanation on the importance for a WTO member country to impose non-tariff measures especially since the decline of tariffs in the importation and exportation of products.

Jurgen R ichter ing , chief of the World Trade Organization market access intelligence section, said non-tariff measures aim to protect the local industries in a country from unfair trade practices in the international market.

According to a web definition, non-tariff measures refer to government measures other than tariffs that restrict trade flows.

Two of the common regulations that were discussed during the twoday seminar-workshop held on June 2-3 at the Pinnacle Hotel, were the sanitary and phytosanitary or SPS measures and the technical barriers to trade or TBT measures.

Richtering explained that the application of SPS measures is necessary for the protection of human, animals, plants and their health against the risks c aus e d for example by pesticides and diseases that could be carried by the goods being imported or exported.

“There are countries that require pesticide certification or pest traceability from the farm to export market,” cited Magnolia M. Uy, commercial attaché for the Philippine Tr a d e a n d Inv e s t m e nt Center based in Geneva, Switzerland.

T h e pu r p o s e of t he technical barriers to trade o TBT measures, meanwhile, is to avoid unnecessary barriers t o i nt e r n at i o n a l t r a d e and non-discrimination between like products in the international market, Richtering said.

The TBT measures ensure that industrial and exporters/PAGE 7

need MOA, Oro councillor says

A MEMORANDUM of Agreement (MOA) is needed by and between the city government and concerned agencies for the implementation of priority projects here, said City Councilor Prexy Elipe on Friday.

Most of these priority projects are listed as the Poverty Reduction Projects under the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) that involves various government line agencies, Elipe said.

Elipe, Chair of the City Council’s Committee on Finance and Ways and Means, said that his committee has not received a copy of the MOA under the BUB projects.

Among the government agencies involved in the BUB projects are the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

He said that the Committee on Finance has already requested the concerned government agencies to submit the MOA for the city council to enact an appropriate legislation.“ Until now there has been no MOA from the different line agencies,” Elipe said.

However, the council committee has requested the Local Finance Committee (LFC) to source out funds for the city’s counterpart in the implementation of these priority projects.

The BUB projects include the Bigasan sa Barangay under the DOLE, school repairs, Gulayan sa Paaralan and Innovative Program for street children of the DeEd, farm to market roads and food terminal to be implemented by the DA, and water system and livelihood programs under the DSWD. (PNA)

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Opinion

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BusinessWeek MINDANAO

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Failure of Philippine Education

L

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Train the child in the way he should go, and he will never depart from it even if he grows old…” (Proverbs 22:6, the Holy Bible).

-ooo RP MANPOWER EXPORTING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD: Here is an article I wrote on August 31, 2008, about colleges and universities in the Philippines: “If we come to think of it more seriously, we will not fail to realize the fact that the Philippines actually is a pioneer in establishing good universities and colleges and other outstanding institutions of higher learning in Asia.

“The oldest school in the Asian continent, the University of Sto. Tomas in Espana, Manila, preceded all other tertiary schools in the region. But this pioneering status in collegiate education notwithstanding, the Philippines has conspicuously lagged behind in almost ever ything, including education in college, compared to its Asian and ASEAN neighbors.

“We have actually become the exporting capital of the world, when it comes to Filipinos working in foreign soils, sending our sons and

Philippine Press Institute

The Sweat of Success hink a minute…Former Prime Minister of England, Winston Churchill, became so famous for his speeches that he’s been called the greatest speaker of the century. He was also famous for his quick wit.

Yet amazingly, he was not a naturally talented speaker.

In fact, earlier in Churchill’s life he had such a bad speech problem that people made fun of the way he talked.

Do you know how Churchill changed to become the greatest speaker of the 20th century? He studied and wrote his speeches wordfor-word on paper, and then he practiced them countless hours in front of a mirror. He worked at saying each word just the right way with just the right facial expressions.

He also practiced pausing and pretending to struggle to find the right word, even though he knew exactly what he was going to say! So although Winston Churchill was not a naturally good speaker, he disciplined himself and worked hard to become a great one!

You and I can never succeed in life without discipline and hard work.

It takes sweat to succeed in our job and career, in school, in sports, in our marriage and family. Even if you’re born into a rich family, or

daughters to almost every nook and cranny of the planet in search of gainful employment, no matter how pitiable the working conditions are, no matter how measly the incomes given to Filipinos may have turned out to be.

-ooo FAILURE OF PHILIPPINE EDUCATION: “Why is this happening to us when, precisely, many of us graduated and obtained our education from some of the best schools in the world? The reason, to me, arises from the failure of the country’s educational system to include as part of our college curriculum spirituality and matters of faith.

“If a survey of college subjects and activities being taught to students were to be made today, it would be easy to see that nothing is ever mentioned about God at all, or about spiritual values.

Consequently, our students and almost all of us grew up without having learned even just one word, or verse, from the Bible. The question is, where is this going to bring us to?

“In its Deuteronomy 6:5 and 7, the Holy Bible tells

us, in quite a strong manner, that we should teach our children to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, with all our souls and with all our strength, while we are working or sleeping, or while we are lying down or are up and about.

-ooo R E A L C AU S E O F DIFFICULT LIFE IN RP: “The obvious intent of this kind of a Biblical command is to make all of us revere the Being who owns each one of us, for He is our Creator, our Maker. What do you think is going to happen to anyone who does not follow this order, and truly love God in return?

“Deuteronomy 28:15 has the answer: `However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you…’

“This is the reason why our people and our nation are experiencing extreme poverty and unbearable hardships... These difficulties in life are happening to us not by accident, not by reason of our corrupt and inept government leaders, not by

K ak ampi

Mo A ng Batas

By Atty. Batas Mauricio

rising prices of commodities worldwide, but because of our having strayed away from God and His Word in the Bible, even if many will say they continue to have faith in God…” -ooo REMINDERS: Please tune in: “Tambalang Batas at Somintac sa DZEC”, at 1062 kHz on the AM band, Mondays to Fridays, at 6 a.m., simulcast, real time, over www.eaglenews.ph; “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas sa Radyo Trabungko FM”, at 103.7 mHz in Don Carlos, Bu k idnon, Mondays to Fridays, at 7 a.m.; and “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas sa DYKA” at 801 kHz on the AM band (Panay Island), Mondays to Fridays, at 10 a.m.

To A New Priest

Member:

T

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THINK

A Minute

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst

with an intelligent mind and strong body, you still have to work hard to reach your full potential and truly succeed.

Most importantly, it takes work and discipline to develop the character we were born to have and enjoy. We must discipline and change our wrong attitudes, thinking, and way of living everyday.

It’s not natural or easy for us to quickly forgive someone who hurts us or our family.

It’s not natural or easy to always be honest no matter how much we can get away with or how much it costs us.

But you can start by asking Jesus Christ to forgive you for living your own way; and then ask Him to take full charge of your heart and character.

It’s only with Jesus’ character and power in you that you can start changing to become the best person you can be.

Just Think a Minute…

I

don’t know if it’s a sign of aging that every time I attend an ordination of priests, I get very moved in a strange way. All sorts of thoughts and feelings come to mind. I easily fall into waxing lyrical, sentimental, hopeful, etcetera, in an alternating flow.

There’s also a trace of apprehension which I try to drown out with positive thoughts. There’s always hope, no matter what. That’s what I repeat in my mind, always recalling God’s promises to all of us. I believe the good always triumphs in the end.

I suppose it’s the years in the priesthood that have made me more perceptive and nuanced regarding possible scenarios that we, priests, can find ourselves in. In a manner of speaking, my experience has enabled me to read more between the lines, to be more discerning of the drift, the implications, etc.

There’s the good and the not-so-good scenarios. My experience has enriched my appreciation of these possibilities, and have made me more aware of the many factors and elements that go into them. The happy cases are many, but the saddening ones are also growing.

In the face of all this, my reaction and evolving conviction focus on how I can be of help to my

brother-priests. I feel that I cannot remain in the level of intention and theory alone.

I have to dive into the pond and get dirty if need be.

And so, if I have the chance to talk to a new priest, most likely these are what I would say.

I would strongly advise him to always remember the points articulated in the manual for priests called, The Directory for the Ministry and Life of Priests. This has been updated lately and now contains more details more reflective of current world situation.

There the basic areas of concern are well explained, namely, what the priestly identity is, the need both to develop a working priestly spirituality and to avail of continuing formation.

Sad to say, these points appear to be known mainly in theory but hardly put into practice. The gap and inconsistency is widening.

Nowadays, we can even hear voices of dissent to what have already been clearly defined.

And if there’s one thing I feel is most crucial in a priest’s life, it’s his life of prayer, his abiding effort to get in touch with God, with Christ, with the Holy Spirit everyday.

This can take many forms and can be done in many ways. But what I would consider very fundamental

is the daily meditation of God’s word as conveyed to us in the Bible.

I would like to give special mention to the praying of the breviary. It’s a daily prayer for priests, containing beautiful psalms, readings and excerpts from Tradition, church documents and writings of saints, etcetera.

There the very thoughts, will, sentiments and desires of God are expressed vividly.

If all of us, being image and likeness of God have to reflect these thoughts and sentiments of Christ, then we should realize how important it is know and incarnate his words.

This is especially so for priests who are the sacramental representations of Christ as head of the Church-we act “in persona Christi capitis.”

The breviary is a beautiful source of inspiration. It feeds the faith, strengthens the hope and sharpens the charity of priests. It trains the heart to feel both for God and for all men, in the different situations and predicaments we can be in.

It gives us the complete picture of our life and mission on earth. It effectively blends all the aspects of human life, from the material to the spiritual, from the temporal to the eternal, from the natural to the supernatural.

It broadens our minds, warms

HINTS

and

Traces

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

our hearts, and equips and prepares us to face whatever in life.

It teaches us what to be concerned about, and how it has to be pursued. It’s never an abstract piece of literature, detached from our immediate daily realities.

Thus, we have to be most careful when we think that to be realistic, or to get real, we can withdraw from God’s word and just rely on our reason, our sciences and arts, our opinions and consensus, etcetera.

We need to give priority to God’s word as expressed in the breviary. It’s where we can truly get in touch with God. Otherwise, we would just feed on our own food, with more or less effective results, but fail to be nourished by the real thing.

A priest should preach God’s word, not merely his own word.

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CorporateWorld

Globe Telecom buys solutions firm Asticom GLOBE Telecom, Inc. said on Wednesday said it will acquire 100% of Asticom Technolog y, a provider information technolog y solutions, in order to boost its offerings to business clients.

The sellers were Azalea Technology, Inc. and SCS C omputer Systems Pte. Ltd., which are units of Globe Telecom’s principals, Ayala Corp. and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. SCS owned 51% of Asticom and Azalea the remainder.

For m e r l y k n ow n a s Ayala Systems Technology, Inc., Asticom provides enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management systems, and also undertakes complex integration projects for retail, utilities, manufacturing, financial, and government clients.

“G l ob e’s a c qu i s it i on of Asticom is in line with its strategy to expand its business operations in the globe/PAGE 7

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PSALM says Apo geothermal IPPA attracts 10 potential bids THE POWER Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) said 10 parties expressed interest in bidding for the independent power producer administrator (IPPA) contract covering the output of the Mt. Apo geothermal power plants.

“There are 10 interested bidders who submitted their letters of interest before the deadline set last May 30,”

PSALM President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said.

“Out of the total, two are foreign-owned entities and eight are Filipino-owned,” he added.

Interested parties have until Friday to execute a confidentiality agreement with PSALM and pay the non-refundable P120,000 for the bid documents.

“We will release the names of those who submitted their letters of interest also on Friday because we are waiting for the completion of documentary submissions and payment of the participation fee,” Mr. Ledesma said.

Bidding for the IPPA was set on Sept. 24, with a pre-bid

conference on June 26.

Mr. Ledesma said earlier that the winning bidder will be in charge of selling the capacity generated by the two power plants under two separate IPP contracts.

Each of the power plants has a capacity of 54.24 megawatts (MW).

Located in Kidapawan C it y, Nor t h C ot a b at o, t he p ower plants were commissioned on Feb. 15, 1997 and June 17, 1999 under a build-operate-andown contract with Energy Development Corp.

The cooperation period for both plants is 25 years and will expire on Feb. 15, 2022 and June 17, 2024, respectively.

PSALM was formed under

Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 to assume ownership of and manage all National Power Corp.’s (Napocor) assets, liabilities, contracts with independent power producers and other disposable assets.

The company is also in charge of privatizing and disposing of these assets to liquidate Napocor’s financial obligations.

In March, PSALM conducted auctions for two other state-owned power facilities.

The company declared Aboitiz-owned Therma Power Visayas, Inc. the highest bidder in the privatization of the 153.1-MW Naga power plant complex in Cebu.

Big 3 oil firms corner nearly 70% of market

Keynote Speaker Energy Regulatory Commissioner Josefina Patricia M. Asirit, with GM Julie Real and BOD Pres. Bernard Benavidez during the 46th Founding Anniversary and 44th Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) held 23 May 2014 at Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. (Contributed photo)

SIXTEEN years after the government deregulated the downstream oil industry, the so-called Big Three of Petron, Shell and Chevron (formerly Caltex) continue to dominate the local market.

In a report, the D e p ar t me nt of E ne rg y (DOE) said Petron Corp, Chevron Philippines Inc, and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum

Corp cornered 69.1 percent of the market for petroleum products last year.

In contrast, the combined market share of the so-called independent players reached 30.9 percent last year.

The Big Three’s share has gone down from nearly 100 percent before the passage of the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act

of 1998 to 85 percent in 2006.

The independent players include PTT Philippines Corp, Total Philippines Corp, Seaoil Philippines Inc, TWA Inc (Flying V), Filpride E ne rg y C or p, Pho e n i x Petroleum Philippines Inc, Liquigaz Philippines Corp, Petronas Energy Philippines Inc, Pryce Gases Inc, Micro oil/PAGE 7

Social empowerment through education STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) believes that quality education is a fundamental universal right of all children. Their future is defined by the quality of education they get.

SPI’s SEEd (Social Empowerment through Education) Program opens an avenue for children and youth that someday their dreams and aspirations will come true.

In 2007, SPI launched its Reading and Proficiency Project covering all public schools in Villanueva. The program expanded in 2011 to cover schools in the neighboring town of Tagoloan having known that the project yield dramatic improvement in the learning performance of school children in the English language and comprehension. As of 2013 about 8,550 grades 1 to 3 pupils of both municipalities have benefitted in the program.

SPI has also provided multi-media equipment and educational videos to fifteen public schools in Tagoloan and Villanueva districts which enhanced the teaching learning effectiveness particularly in science and mathematics.

SPI continues to support education for all. SPI’s support to the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) aims to mainstream school dropouts back to the formal education system.

CONGRATULATIONS

Hundreds of school dropouts attended the series of ALS classes. So far, 181 passed the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) tests and were conferred with a high school diploma.

As an offshoot project to the Alternative Learning System, SPI implemented the Project SKILLS in which qualified Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) passers pursue technical-vocational courses.

Some 328 Project SKILLS trainees are now

TESDA NC II certified ----boosting their competiveness and employability.

SPI has also been promoting academic excellence by recognizing and providing both material and financial incentives to top three performing high school students in two (2) public schools in Villanueva. About 24 Power

Student awardees continue to receive educational assistance every year. Beginning 2011, the award expanded to include scholarship grants to high school class valedictorians. Four power student valedictorians are now pursuing college courses in various reputable universities in Northern Mindanao.

On an annual basis, SPI assists in addressing the needs of public schools.

Aside from participating in beautification and clean-up drives, SPI also helps address the perennial lack of classrooms and school chairs. SPI also forged partnership with national and local government agencies and some private entities in constructing two (2) school buildings in Tagoloan and Villanueva.

This year, SPI will be completing the two-story classroom building in Barangay Sta. Cruz in Tagoloan town. Added to this, about 5,000 school chairs are distributed to all public schools in Villanueva and Tagoloan to provide a chair for every child which aim to achieve the one is to one ratio of students and school chairs.

These programs and initiatives are some of the concrete expressions of SPI’s commitment to help improve the quality of life of the people in the communities where it is part of. SPI believes that empowering people through education enables them to secure for themselves and their families a better and brighter future.

ON ITS 5 TH ANNIVERSARY! MORE POWER!

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Capex... from page 1

The company said the power project will make use of “clean coal technology.”

When completed, the project will be the largest power plant in Mindanao and is expected to alleviate the region’s ongoing power crisis.

The rest of FDC’s capex will be set aside for the hotel, banking and sugar operations.

FDC Hotels, Inc., a whollyowned subsidiary of FDC, recently commenced its 192-key, five-star Crimson Resort and Spa development in Boracay.

Around P25 billion has been allocated to its real estate business which includes Filinvest Land, Inc. as well as Filinvest Alabang, Inc., the developer of the 244-hectare Filinvest City in Alabang.

A more significant portion of the capex will be used for recurring income investment properties while the balance will be for trading assets with a portion to be used for land-banking.

In a press statement, FDC President Josephine Gotianun-Yap said EastWest Bank is expected to see its network become mature and productive as it is already at the apex of its aggressive store expansion program in 2014.

Based on the last disclosure, it had already reached 376 stores and is targeting 400 stores by year end.

“These investments will in turn drive earnings growth for the next five years,” GotianunYap said.

“With the continuing strength of the Philippine economy and the recent ratings upgrade, we are optimistic that these investments will sustain the growth of FDC,” she said.

E a r l i e r, F i l i n v e s t Development Corporation reported a 27 percent drop in consolidated attributable net income to P701.29 million in the first quarter of 2014 from P966.34 million in the same period last year due to lower trading gains of its banking unit.

The firm said its total revenues and other income inched up P9.06 billion from P9.02 billion in the first quarter of 2013 with real estate subsidiaries raking in the sales during the period.

Industry... from page 1

and Industry to conduct an inquiry into the proposal for the government to provide funding support in order to revive the ailing garment industry in the country.

The res olution cites statistical data, provided by the National Statistics Office, on the sorry state of the country’s textile industry as its year-on-year value in the export market has gone down to USD 170 million in 2012 from a high of USD 1.57 billion.

The National Statistics Office showed that outbound

shipments of garments were valued at USD 1.57 billion in 2012, 17.03% lower than in 2011 while textile exports also went down by 7.26% year-on-year to USD 170.36 million in 2012, the resolution said.

It said that the revenues for the garment industry started to decline following the lifting of the country’s export quota of garments to the US and China, which opened its economy for international trade and other countries like Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Bangladesh offered lower prices compared to local firms; R o b e r t Yo u n g , t h e President of the Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines (FOBAP) has reported that the textile industry lost about 300,000 to 500,000 jobs in the past six years in the garment sector alone.

Young said that the FOBAP now seeks funding support from the government to revive the countr y’s garment industry in a bid to get back one-fourth of the lost employment of around 150,000 to 200,000 jobs.

He said that the gover nment supp or t is needed in order to implement projects to revive the garment industry, including mapping garments and hard goods sectors, and compliance program.

Another important factor is the “invite” the Chief Executive Officers where the CEO and buyers of the major department stores abroad are invited – all expenses paid – to come to the Philippines in order to show to them the garment industry in the country is alive and stakeholders are ready to meet the demands of the international market.

Young said that the FOBAP has proven the effectiveness of the “invite” the CEO project during the Martial Law years when the country experienced crisis and the foreign markets then stopped purchasing goods in the country.

He said that the higher costs are brought about by the need to comply with implementing the requirements and regulations on child labor, clean and safe environment and the minimum wage.

Based on the FOBAP report, the House Committee on Trade and Industry should study the real condition of the textile and garment industries in the country in order that the government could step in and find ways to emasculate the local garment industry and perk employment opportunities, the resolution said. (PNA)

Appeals... from page 1

and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) said in a statement on Wednesday that the cooperative would be disconnected from the grid due to unpaid obligations am ou nt i ng t o P 5 7 6 . 4 5

million.

Complicating the situation is that DANECO’s management is in question, with one group associated with the C ooperative Development Authority (CDA) and the other with the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

The two factions have been fighting for the cooperative’s control, resulting in confusion e ven among c ustomers because both have collecting agents.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla himself has intervened in the tug-of-war as the agency provided the NEA-connected faction the authority to run the power utility. However, the CDAlinked faction has continued to collect from customers despite the order.

In Wednesday’s statement, Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr., PSALM president, said that the state firm has exhausted all means to collect from DANECO and has sought Mr. Petilla’s approval of the disconnection.

Exporters... from page 2

agricultural products are in accordance to international quality standards before they could be allowed entry into a country.

Aside from the 32 exporters who attended the seminar, 34 representatives of various government agencies have also been part of the non-tariff measures seminar in Davao.

The seminar was part of the series of information sessions under the Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP) of DTI w hich aims to provide capacity for exporters to compete in other countries and to prepare them in the coming Asia Pacific E conomic C o op erat ion forum.

“We have to prepare the exporters, and guide them what to do,” said Sonia Rodriguez, chief of the Export Trade Facilitation Division under DTI Business Matching Center.

She said the WTO seminar in Davao was the first to be conducted outside Metro Manila, adding that more advocacy activities under PECP will push through in the near future.

Oil...

from page 5

Dragon Petroleum Inc, Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc, Isla LPG Corp, Jetti Petroleum Inc, Eastern Petroleum Corp, and Filoil Gas Co, among others.

Despite the Big Three’s c o nt i nu e d d o m i n a n c e , Raymond T. Zorilla, Phoenix Petroleum vice president for external affairs, said the smaller players are hopeful that the market share will near a 50/50 level in the coming years. “[It] may be remote given the bullish efforts of the majors but still it may be a

possibility,” he said.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said deregulation has led to varied pricing to the benefit of consumers.

“There are enough players and the prices vary a lot.

Although the major oil companies still have the larger market share, there are many independent players coming in with prices that are lower than the big players,” he told InterAksyon.com.

To t a l d e m a n d f o r petroleum products rose 5.9 percent to 117,489 million barrels (MB) last year from 100,991 MB in 2012.â ¨ This translates to an average daily requirement of 321.9 MB compared with the previous year’s 303.3 MB. The country’s total oil import bill however fell by 5 percent to $13.17 billion from $13.86 billion in 2012 due to a decrease in crude import volume and lower prices that offset the growth in demand for finished petroleum products.

“The drop was attributed t o t h e e m e rge n c y an d scheduled maintenance/ turnaround of the refiners’ process units sometime in the year which resulted to increased imports of finished petroleum products,” the DOE said.

Import cost of crude oil, amounting to $6.26 billion at an average cost of $111.05 per barrel in 2013, was 13.9 percent lower than 2012’s $7.27 billion at an average of $114.11 per barrel.

Finished product import cost, on the other hand, increased by 5 percent to $6.92 billion at an average cost of $111.48 per barrel vis-à-vis 2012’s $6.59 billion at an average cost of $120.32 per barrel.

Pet roleum exp or ts earnings dropped by 12.8 percent from $1.23 billion to $1.08 billion in 2013. Overall, the country’s 2013 net oil import bill of $12.10 billion was down by 4.2 percent from the previous year’s $12.63 billion.

7

Publication Notice R.A. 10172 Republic of the Philippines PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL Municipality of Initao CFN- 0003-2014

June 2, 2014

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that AMPARO A. ACUT has filed with this Office, a petition for change of first name from “ DEBIE JEAN “ to “ DEBBIE JEAN LUZ “ and correction of entry in sex from “ “ to “ “ or correction of entry in the date of birth from “ “ to “ “ in the certificate of live birth of DEBIE JEAN SALAHID ABORDO at Initao, Misamis Oriental and whose parents are MARYJANE S. ABORDO and DARVING G. ACUT.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than June 26, 2014

BWM : June 9 & 16, 2014

(Sgd.) ISAIAS A. JARALES Municipal Civil Registrar

Rat Plan: For result-oriented and efficient services

By Rochelle B. Guipulao Saray Elementary School

In the vision to push resultoriented and efficient services, the rationalization plan for education department is created. Approved on 2013, this executive order served as epitome of offering high kind of service delivery.

Rationalization Plan directs a thorough and strategic review of the operations and organizations of the executive branch. As well as, providing options and incentives for government employees who may be affected by the rationalization of the functions and agencies of executive branch.

The program is identified as a process-oriented idea, requiring each government offices to provide specific functions to its subordinates which would prevent duplication and overlapping of roles. Aside from that, Rat Plan would escalate agency performance through rationalization of service delivery, support systems, organization of structure and as well as staffing.

In Department of Education, affected of the Rat Plan were its Central offices, Regional offices and the Division offices-proper. The contractual and casual employees funded by General Appropriations Act Personal Services (GAA-PS) were also affected. Thereafter, DepEd had its reorganization for

staff. However, there are DepEd sections that were not included.

These are schools, DepEd of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, attached agencies, GAA-MOOE-funded Contract of Service (COS) employees at foreign-funded COS employees.

Options were also offered to affected employees. They could choose to remain to government service by expressing intent to be placed in a comparable position and go through the placement process and convert item toCoTerminus with the Incumbent (CTI) status. Otherwise, they could also opt for retirement / separation under EO 366.

People placed in plantilla positions, no one will lose their rank or position level, none will be forced to retire for it is voluntary. In addition, no one will be forced out or retrenched from the organization.

The Rationalization Plan, whatever it would be years from now, is for the purpose of organization, order and improvement of delivery of government service. It may experience a lot of struggle along the way, its advantages will perhaps be appreciated in the near future.

Globe... from page 5

information technolog y space,” the company said in a disclosure.

The cost of the acquisition is estimated at up to P46.76 million, or “less than 0.1% of Globe’s total stockholders’ equity.”

Globe Telecom reported a first-quarter core net profit of P3.4 billion, up 9% from a year earlier. Consolidated revenue was P23.2 billion, up 9%.

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

CDO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947

DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631

CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491

LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739

CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City

CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd.,Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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FEATURES

www.businessweekmindanao.com

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THE

FOUR-WAY TEST

of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Section Editor: Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy

B1

MANILA SOUTHWOODS RULES WGAP 22ND TOURNEY DEL MONTE BAGS TWO INDIVIDUAL TROPHIES

M

By Angela Marionne Mendoza

anila Southwoods dominates the 22nd LUZVIMIN Golf Tournament, with Annika Cedo, Sunshine Baraquiel, Ma. Sofia Chabon, and Sophia Ysabel Blanco bringing home the crown of the Diamond Division with 622 points.

As the annual tournament o f t h e Wo m e n’s G o l f Association of the Philippines (WGAP) comes to a close, the battle between the ladies of Villamor and Del Monte for the second rank has been intense. Harmie Constantino and Chanelle Avaricio led the Pasay-based team to a twopoint win (574 pts) against the home favourite Del Monte group (572 pts) with Pamela Mariano and Rainstar Roque heading the pack.

Lorenz Kayla Nocum and the ladies of Valley 1 (501

pts) grasp the prize for the Emerald Division, with Forest Hills (496 pts) as runner-up.

Virgie Hermiston’s Davao City (443 pts) triumph in the Ruby Division, followed by the ladies of Valley 2 (426 pts).

Del Monte keeps local pride alive when two players are declared champions in the individual category: Pamela Mariano (Championship flight) and Annika Michelle Mendoza (Class A).

Harmie Constantino from the Villamor team bags the overall top award for the

Annika vs Annika (L-R) Annika Mendoza of Del Monte tees-off against Annika Cedo of Manila Southwoods at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club.

individual game. Meanwhile, Belinda del Rosario of Valley 2 wins in Class B and Rose Sara of Davao City in Class C. Pueblo de Oro Golf &

Country Club hosts the golf invitational, which rotates around the various courses in the country, encouraging camaraderie and friendly competition among lady

golfers. Usually the tournament is held in August, but this year the WGAP decided to conduct it in early June and the decision has paid off.

“We have a good turnout,”

said Marissa Romano, WGAP President. “The weather has been perfect and the ladies are having a very wonderful experience here at Cagayan de Oro City.”

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Assistance surprise farmers in Misamis Oriental’s farthest town

MISAMIS ORIENTAL -– The farmers and residents of the tribal community of Limonda, a farming village in Opol, Misamis Oriental, had a shock of their lives following the sudden appearance of a top provincial official in the village Tuesday noon.

Provincial Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano together with some key provincial officials showed up Tuesday in the farming village of Limonda, the farthest town in the coastal town of Opol, with 30 bags of rice, vegetable seedlings, and agricultural implements.

Emano also formally turned over the multipurpose building costing P 500,000 to the barangay officials and residents of Limonda.

He said that the multipurpose building would ser ve as convergence grounds for the village youths, women, and farmers w here the y could hold meetings, entertainments, and deliberate on development plans for the tribal community.

Village chief Michael Sambulay expressed the surprise of his life of Emano’s visit. “Si Gobernor Emano ra gayod ang miabot diri sa among barangay ug naghatag kanamo ug ingong niini” (Only Gov. Emano have gone to our place (referring to elected officials) and gave all these things), Sambulay said.

“The tribal community is ver y thankful that despite the distance, the governor came to our place

and distributed rice to the residents, Sambulay added.

Emano said that he will always take time to visit the farthest and the nearest village in Misamis Oriental as part of his commitment to hear and act on the needs of the people.

He said that his visit to Limonda, the almost forgotten tribal village in Misamis Oriental, is part of his administration’s “element by surprise” approach where the provincial government makes unscheduled visits to the towns and villages of the province.

During the visit, the prov i nc i a l gove r n me nt would deliver basic services and provide immediate needs that the villagers have long before dreamed of, Emano added. (PNA)

2014 REGIONAL SPED CONGRESS – VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ speaks before teachers, administrators and educators as Keynote Speaker during the 2014 Regional Special Education (SPED) Congress last 26 May 2014 at Koresco Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. In his message, Vice Governor Pelaez called for more support to Special Education in order to enable our differently-abled students to grow and to be contributors of change in society.

LIMKETKAI LUXE HOTEL IN THE CITY OF GOLDEN FRIENDSHIP CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY OFFERS FATHER’S DAY DELIGHTS! Located steps away from the city’s famous shopping and dining destinations in the City of Golden Friendship, Limketkai Luxe Hotel is set to provide its guests with lifestyle convenience and exceptional warm comforts for both leisure and business travellers. The hotel features 215 sophisticated guestrooms including Superior Deluxe Rooms, Deluxe Twin Rooms, Executive Suites, Club Deluxe Twins and Club Executive Suites.

Limketkai Luxe Hotel redefines the luxury hotel experience as it combines intimacy, comfort and exclusivity with personalized service and attention to details. Conceptualized to provide sophistication and world-class service, the hotel takes pride in its state-of-the-art facilities and amenities. The Emerald Grand Ballroom & function rooms, KaVe Restaurant and Bar, fitness club, infinity pool and pool bar were all distinctly created to serve the varied needs of its discerning guests.

This June, Limketkai Luxe Hotel prepared three (3) irresistible deals in honor of the man of the season!

It is true that it’s always a challenge to buy Dad a gift on Father's Day, that is why, we have three options to

treat the super hero in our lives. Father's Day Delights at Limketkai Luxe Hotel was specifically concocted to pamper dads with awesome treats to choose from.

Check these out!

1) Dads Eat Free! Pay for 4 persons and Dad gets to eat for FREE!! Featuring Steaks-and-SaladsAll-You-Can from June 13-15, 2014 at 7PM to 11PM at KaVe Restaurant Bar. Enjoy a wide selection of steaks and salads for only P999 per person PLUS! complimentary 1 round of wine for Dads! 2) Dads Stay Free! 3 Rooms for the price of 2, from June 1 to June 30, 2014. Pay only P7,688 net for 3 Deluxe Twin Rooms inclusive of breakfast for 2 and use of swimming pool. 3) Daddy’s Happy Hour from June 1-30, 2014 between 5PM to 7PM at KaVe Restaurant Bar. Beer Bucket of 5 local beers + appetizer for only P399! Plus 30% OFF on all other wines and spirits.

For inquiries and reservations please contact: +63(88) 880.0000 or (02) 7795240 or 0917 312 4563 & 0917 543 6915. Visit us at www.limketkailuxe.com or like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Seven ways to jumpstart an exciting School Year The long, worry-free days of summer vacation may be winding down, but this does not mean your good times should end, too. After all, the coming school year presents a lot of opportunities to take on new challenges, discover and develop your talents, as well as meet new friends who share your interests and passions.

Here are seven ways to jumpstart an exciting school year and make sure you’ll have an epic ride: 1. Rank your subjects and determine which study habits work for you. Here’s the time to look at your last report card and see which subjects you should prioritize this time. And then, assess whether you’re the type who covers more things at crunch time, or the type who needs a relaxed pace to absorb new concepts. Do you work better alone or in study groups? Do gadgets help you or distract you? School life is a balancing act and determining which methods work for you is key to your academic success.

2. Sign up with school organizations. Learning should not be confined within the four walls of the classrooms or buried in the pages of textbooks. If you are good at sports or have talent singing, dancing or acting, take the chance to join school clubs or organizations. Being part of school groups not only enhances your talent and skills, but also helps you tap into your inner leader. Also be discerning 3. Expand your social circles.

Having your own close-knit group of friends should not prevent you from connecting to even more people.

Meeting new people who share your passions and beliefs opens doors for interaction, and helps you build on your social skills. So get out there, meet new friends with whom you can share your knowledge and experiences.

4. Join school competitions.

Nothing helps you bond more with your peers than a school competition.

The long hours of rehearsals and preparations can be a challenge, but the fun and fulfillment that comes with working toward a single goal is

all worth it.

5. Get into volunteer work. If you’re passionate toward a cause and itching to make a difference, don’t hesitate to join volunteer groups. Whether it’s for teaching public school students basic Math or simply cleaning up your community, volunteering opens your mind to the concerns of the people around you and allows you to make a real difference in their lives while inspiring others to the same.

6. Connect with the rest of the world. Today’s technology allows for a quick flow of knowledge and information. Aside from doing research online, take a step further by collaborating with your counterparts from different parts of the world using social networking sites or online groups, as well as engaging in discussions with experts and leaders.

7. Arm yourself with the right tools. It’s not just about having a complete set of school supplies and gadgets. It’s also about making sure you have the right SIM card on your handset for all your communication needs – from connecting with your new peers at school to tapping ultrafast internet on your device so that you can surf for school work and stay active on your social network accounts at student-friendly rates.

Available at only PHP15, the Smart Jump-IN LTE SIM is specially designed to give you a wide array of exclusive offerings for call, text and data services that certainly won’t make a dent on your school allowance.

For example, you may take advantage of Jump All Out 50, which gives you sure load for five days for only PHP50: Each day you may enjoy 30 minutes of calls to five barkada numbers on Smart, Talk ‘N Text and Sun, unlimited texts to all networks, and 10MB of data surfing - by simply texting JUMP50 to 5867. What’s more, your unused call minutes and data allocation shall also be carried over to the following day so you’ll make the most of your load.

Smart Jump In also gives you exciting perks in its line-up of school activities, fairs and competitions throughout the year– all geared toward inspiring you to let go of your hesitations and jump in to life’s moments.

For more information on Smart Jump In offerings, as well as Smart Jump-In activities for the youth, simply like the Smart Jump In official Facebook page (www.facebook. com/SmartJumpIn) or visit www. smartjumpin.com.

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Billboard B3 Primavera Residences cements its partnership with CDO Rugby Club through victory dinner Best in Business and Economic Reporting Philippine Press Institute Civic Journalism Community Press Awards 2013

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Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental. Can sports and nature work together in harmony? The partnership between Primavera Residences and the Cagayan de Oro Rugby Football Club (CDORFC) showed that it can. Last June 1, Primavera Residences, an eco-friendly condo complex in Uptown Cagayan de Oro, hosted a celebratory dinner for the CDORFC Rafters to celebrate the team’s latest win in the 2014 Philippine National Games Rugby 7s Shield Division.

Held at the function hall of Primavera Residences, the dinner was attended by members of the Rafters headed by coach and founder Noel Villa, and representatives from Primavera Residences.

The Rafters bagged the gold cup and were declared champions after beating rival team University of

Makati (UMak) Herons 27 to 5 in the national game held in Manila last April 25. The CDORFC Rafters was a first timer in the national games and a rookie team in Cagayan de Oro. Founded just eight months ago, the CDO Rugby Club is the

first and only rugby team in Cagayan de Oro. Primavera Residences is one of the sponsors and avid supporters of the CDORFC Rafters. Its philosophy of a balanced lifestyle and environment matches with the team’s belief in resilience,

strength and endurance.

Primavera Residences is a green, mixed-use development in Cagayan de Oro that offers residential, commercial and office spaces for rent and purchase. Because of its unique design and e nv i r o n m e nt - f r i e n d l y

features, it won the Best Mixed-Use Development in the Philippines award in the recently concluded 2014 Asia Pacific Property Summit held in Kuala Lumpur. The summit was organized by the very prestigious International Property Awards, a global

organization that recognizes excellence in property development around the globe.

For any inquiries on Primavera Residences events, visit its website: www.primaveraresidences.com or call (088) 3108173, 0917-7921078.

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar "Oca" Moreno (2nd from right), and executives of Isuzu Philippines lead by Nobou Izumina (3rd from left), Francisco Rolida (3rd from right), Art Balmadrid (2nd from left) and George Ongchua (right) pose for posterity infront of the all-new Isuzu D-Max during the D-Max 4x4 Drive Series "One Challenge, Five Destinations" event at Pueblo Business Park, Cagayan de Oro City, June 6.

Photos by SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

DMAX-47 The All-New Isuzu D-Max 4x4 shows off how it can conquer through any terrain with Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno and Isuzu Philippines executives on-board in a ceremonial drive through the prepared off-road track at the

The All-New Isuzu D-Max 4x4 shows off how it can conquer through any terrain with Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno and Isuzu Philippines executives on-board in a ceremonial drive through the prepared off-road track at the D-Max 4x4 Drive Series "One Challenge, Five Destinations" event, Pueblo Business Park, Cagayan de Oro City, June 6.

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Environment

Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776 Editor: Cheng Ordoñez

Landbank of the Philippines, through its Gawad Kabuhayan Project, in partnership with the Habitat for Humanity turns over three transport services to Habitat Homeowners Association on May 29, 2014, at Calaanan Relocation Site, catering to 3,600 households affected by typhoon Sendong. LBP has allocated a total of P2.3 million worth of income generating projects in the area such as hollow block making, food processing and transportation services. (RTP/PIA10)

Mangrove planting highlights World Environment Day fete CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Some 5,000 mangrove propagules have been planted in Taytay, El Salvador City, on Thursday to highlight the World Environment Day celebration with the theme “Raise your voice, not the sea level.”

World Environment Day is celebrated every year, on June 5, to give human face to environmental issues and

empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development.

The event was spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natura l Res ources region 10 (DENR 10) and Philippine Information Age n c y 1 0 ( P IA 1 0 ) as a prelude also to the environment agency’s newest campaign to mitigate the

effects of global warming.

More than 700 participants from various national line agencies, local government units, academe, media, and youth groups joined the event, which kicked-off with a motorcade from Cagayan de Oro City to barangay Taytay, El Salvador City.

Barangay Taytay is among the successful implementers

of the integrated coastal resource management project and best showcase the partnership between the community, government and civil society groups in the rehabilitation efforts.

The project covers a 3 0 - h e c t a re a re a a n d has initially covered and developed about 16-hec tares as of press time. (JCV/PIA)

Northern Mindanao unite for World Environment Day

By JASPER MARIE OBLINA-RUCAT

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Close to 1,000 participants from the region’s national government agencies (NGAs), civil society, the youth, educational and private institutions join in planting 5,000 mangrove propagules in barangay Taytay, El Salvador City Misamis Oriental to

celebrate World Environment Day. Sp e arhe ade d by t he Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DENR) with its partner the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the activity on June 5 started with a motorcade from Cagayan de

Oro City to El Salvador City early in the morning, then proceeded to the mangrove site.

DENR Regional Director Ruth Tawantawan through DENR Regional Technical Director for Land Management Services Paquito D. Melicor Jr is so thankful upon seeing the massive participants because they felt that they are not alone

when it comes to protection of the environment.

According to Director Tawantawan, the World Environment Day is the most important day of the year because it is a worldwide awareness of shared responsibility of taking care of mother earth and all of us being agents of positive change.

Climate change primary challenge Eco-tourism Global warming is causing o c e a n l e v e l s t o r i s e at an increasing rate. When global temperature rises, water expands and occupies m o r e s p a c e . Ic e m e l t s w h i ch a ls o c ont r ibute s to rise of sea level.

Further, United Nations E nv i r o n m e nt P r o g r a m (UNEP) studies reveal that global sea levels rose from 10 to 25cm over the last 100 years. As temperature heats up, extreme weather events, such as heat waves, floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, and hurricanes become more frequent and severe.

Director Tawantawan said that our country has lost many lives because of super typhoon Yolanda in

2013. The disaster served as wake up call, not just for government to take action but the countrymen as well.

She said that after ‘Yolanda,’ Environment Secretary Ramon JP Paje de clare d restorat ion of mangroves and beach forest of 380km coastline in Eastern Visayas.

According to the S e c r e t a r y, m a n g r o v e s protect coastal communities from future typhoons and storm surges and other extreme weather events that may occur because it serves as buffer shielding the coastal areas. Aside f rom t he s e, mang rove s also provide nurser y

ground for fish, prawns and crabs, and suppor t f isheries pro duc tion in coastal waters.

Meanwhile, originally, Philippines has 500,000 mangrove hectares of mangroves forest, but due to coastal development, land conversion and reclamation, only 100,000 hectares mangrove forests or less are visible in the c ou nt r y t o d ay. O n e of this is Taytay, El Salvador mangrove area.

Further, Tawantawan s a i d t h at t h e b e s t w ay to protect coastal communities from storm surge is planting mangroves under the National Greening Program or NGP.

Development

Not only is this mangrove rehabilitation a way to help mother earth in climate change mitigation but also in the future it can become income generating through eco-tourism, revealed Forrester Barbarona.

She said that with ecotourism, the local government unit can make income and become self-reliant to finance project and activities.

Meanwhile, Juvy Labis, barangay Chairman of Taytay, El Salvador City expressed her gratitude to everyone who participated to this great endeavor. (JMOR/PIA10)

Info officers set communications direction for climate-smart agri-fishery sector CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -– Information officers from various regions recently gathered in Manila to craft a communications plan that would help the new national rural development program.

Tagged as the Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education (InfoACE) unit of the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP), the InfoACE is composed of information officers coming from the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional offices.

The team agreed to come up with a communications plan that would set directions for various communication and advocacy initiatives under the PRDP. PRDP is a six-year program designed to establish the government platform for a modern, climate-smart and market-oriented agri-fishery sector. The Program is being implemented by the DA with funding assistance from the World Bank, national and local government units.

The program will partner with local government units (LGUs) and the private sector in providing key infrastructure, facilities and technology to raise incomes, productivity and competitiveness in the countryside.

“The role of information and communication is critical at the inception of PRDP,” said PRDP Deputy Program Director Arnel De Mesa, citing the positive outcome of strategic InfoACE activities of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) that helped in planning for the creation of PRDP. “We need to get the word out there about the program to generate stakeholder support particularly with our target clients, the local government units and private sector,” he said.

De Mesa added that one of the key information that LGUs need to know is the lower counterpart equity of 10 percent in various rural

infrastructure projects like farm-to-market roads. Relevant information on policies and project specifications should also be communicated to adhere to quality standards as previously practiced in MRDP, he added.

An important part of the workshop the communications audit, which allowed the participants to evaluate communication skills and expertise, programs and technology, which are crucial in the implementation of communication and advocacy activities.

Noel Provido, MRDP InfoACE unit head also presented the communication needs research for PRDP conducted by the unit in cooperation with the DA information officers.

“The study presents media preferences and exposure of the program’s intended audience and should help the information officers in anticipating and responding to communication challenges that will arise during the course of the implementation of the program,” he said.

He cited that among the information needs that arose during the MRDP implementation was to come up with a unified checklist of requirements in easy-to-digest format that LGUs and people’s organization (PO) beneficiaries would understand.

He also said that the unit is finalizing short video documentaries that highlight success stories and best practices of the Program implementation, which he said could serve as benchmark for implementing projects under PRDP. PRDP is a P27.5 billion program where the bulk of the program will go into infrastructure and enterprise development components. It will also adopt value chain analysis of priority commodities identified by the province or region and make use of business development plans as bases for investments.

(Jay M. Rosas/DA-MRDP)