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Volume V, No. 42
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ARMM business sector lauds BBL submission K
By BONG S. SARMIENTO, MindaNews
ORONADAL City -- The business sector in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) welcomed the submission by President Benigno S. Aquino III of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to Congress .
COTABATO City – The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law will have a smooth journey in the House of Representatives, a ranking House leader said here Monday. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, leader of new political party called Centrist Democrat Party (CDP), assured his partymates in the city and Maguindanao he will support the enactment of the draft Basic Bangsamoro Law (BBL). Once enacted into law and ratified via a plebiscite in selected southern areas, this shall pave the way for the replacement of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a new Bangsamoro entity.
Datu Haron Bandila, chair of the ARMM Business Council, said they are also hoping that Congress will immediately approve the BBL for the entrenchment of the Bangsamoro government in place of the autonomous bbl/PAGE 9
Veterans Bank opens Valencia City branch By ALLAN M. MEDIANTE Executive Editor
VALENCIA City -- The Philippine Veterans Bank has opened one of its newest branches in Mindanao – the PVB Valencia City Branch. Business has already commenced last September veterans/PAGE 9
Zambo airport repair THE Zamboanga City airport gets P6 million from the US government through the Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) to be used for the repair of the dilapidated 1,800-meter stretch runway of the Zamboanga City Airport to ensure smooth air travel for all. City mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco led the groundbreaking of the project on Friday morning, along with Maj. Matt Bartlett of the JSOTF, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Chief of Staff Maj Gen. Artemio Corrosco, Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde and Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt Gen. Rustico Guerrero and witnessed by multi-stakeholders who were present during the event. Climaco said the American government has allocated about P6 million to rehabilitate the degraded portions stretching through 1.8 kilometers by the Wee Builders, a local contractor in this city. Maj. Bartlett said the project will not only benefit the JSOTF aircrafts, but also all aircrafts flying in to Zamboanga City—be it civilian or those used by the AFP forces.
Thu-Fri | September 11-12, 2014
FINAL DRAFT. President Benigno Aquino III and GPH Peace Panel chairperson Professor Miriam CoronelFerrer, who is holding a copy of the signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. robert viñas / malacanang photo bureau
PNoy seeks House okay to address power shortage PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday said he will seek authorization from Congress to address the projected power shortage this summer. “To be more efficient and impactful in our efforts, very soon, we will formally ask Congress for a joint resolution, that will authorize shortage/PAGE 11
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Aboitiz builds new classrooms in Bohol quake-hit schools THE Aboitiz Group, through its social development arm Ab oitiz Foundation, is continuously assisting in post-rehabilitation efforts in Bohol as it constructs c l a s s ro oms i n s c h o o l s badly damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the province nearly
a year ago. The construction of classrooms is being done in parallel with the ongoing s c h o o l s r e h a b i l i t at i o n initiatives in North Cebu – one of the hardest hit areas of super typhoon Yolanda. The Foundation said target completion of classrooms in
these disaster-stricken areas is by December this year. In B ohol, recipients of nine new classrooms include Canmaya Centro Elementar y School and Ubujan Elementary School in Sagbayan, and Tubigon West Central Elementary School in Tubigon. These
are expected to benefit more than 2,000 students. Aboitiz believes that focusing on the construction of educational facilities can help speed up the province’s recovery. The availability of classrooms is instrumental in encouraging students to go [back] to school.
“The classrooms will be designed to ensure safety and be conducive to learning. We hope that the students who will use these classrooms will be inspired to do well not only in academics but als o in helping p e ople help themselves,” Aboitiz aboitiz/PAGE 11
A student leaves a makeshift classroom at Canmaya Centro ES in Sagbayan – one of the hardest hit schools during the Bohol earthquake.
150 firms in Caraga get award for being labor laws-compliant BUTUAN City -- Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, together with Undersecretary Rebecca Chato, DOLE’s internal affairs and labor relations cluster head, on Wednesday presided over the awarding of D OLE Certificates of Compliance (CoC) to 157 establishments found to have been compliant with general labor laws (GLS) and occupational safety and health standards (OSHS) after a joint assessment under the new Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS). A tot a l of 63 ot her establishments have been issued CoC on Child LaborFree Establishment. The awarding of certificates was held in a simple ceremony which Baldoz said underscored the DOLE’s heightened and award/PAGE 11
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Peace In Mindanao: Will It Come This Time?
IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall…” (Proverbs 16:18, the Holy Bible). -ooo PEACE IN MINDANAO: WILL IT REALLY COME THIS TIME? I am finding it hard to believe the claims of President Aquino and his coterie of peace advisers that peace will now finally come to Mindanao simply because he has already submitted to Congress, in a highly publicized gathering in Malacanang last Wednesday, September 10, 2014, a draft of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. How could peace come when, even now, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) refuses to be bound by a new entity that will be called “Bangsamoro”, insisting that it is only the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which should be recognized as the legal entity representing Filipino Muslims since it was duly-recognized by the Organization of Islamic Conference? How could peace come when, even while Congress is yet to deliberate on the prop os e d l aw, f ac t ions have already broken away f rom the Moro Islamic
Member:
Divide and Conquer hink a minute…Millions of children today come from broken families. But have you ever wondered if children of divorced parents totally get over it? Do they bounce back to live truly healthy, happy lives? Or are there any long-term damages done to kids by their parents divorcing? Recent statistics show that 90 percent of children from divorced families experienced serious shock, grief, and fears. 50 percent felt rejected and abandoned. One third of the kids feared being left even by the parent they were still living with. Two thirds experienced extreme loneliness for their other parent they were not living with. And surprisingly, 37 percent of the children were even more unhappy 5 years after the divorce than they were when it first happened. In other words, time did not heal their wounds and pain. After the children of divorced parents grew up, 40 percent of them never married, compared to only 16 percent of children who grew up with both their parents. Children of divorce were more likely to use drugs and alcohol before age 14. They had less social skills and confidence, and were less successful at university. They were also more likely
Liberation Front and have vowed to continue the war in Mindanao? How could peace come when, indeed, many other armed groups in Mindanao appear to have been left out from the Bangsamoro Basic Law? -ooo MILF AS A THIRD “ARMED FORCE” IN RP? Then, the very ticklish issue of MILF members laying down their arms remains unresolved, as it appears to have been excluded from the proposed law submitted by President Aquino. There is a serious Constitutional issue regarding this because under the 1987 Constitution, only the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police are authorized to bear arms. If MILF members are allowed to continue holding on to their firearms, that would constitute them as a military or police force, in the nature of a “third armed force”, even if they do not belong to the AFP or the PNP. If not properly resolved, this will make the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law repugnant to the 1987 Constitution, and could be nullified on that ground. On the other hand, if MILF members are not allowed to bear arms, that makes them easy targets
for the other armed groups in Mindanao, especially those which broke away from it on account of its participation in the drafting of the proposed law for the Bangsamoro. Indeed, this is a case of “damn if you, damn if you don’t” situation which requires a Solomonic solution. -ooo WEALTH SHARING ISSUES UNRESOLVED TOO: Then on the issue of wealth sharing, here is a piece we wrote in the past: “There is something that baffles me in the wealth sharing scheme signed by the Aquino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF): is it true, as a report of a major Manila newspaper is saying, that 75% of the incomes that will be earned by the Bangsamoro government that will be put up in Mindanao in 2015 will solely go to the MILF? “Here is a portion of that report: `…A 75 percent share in taxes and earnings from natural resources and metallic minerals in the proposed Bangsamoro entity, and 50 percent from energy and other mineral resources. “ `These are the terms won by the MILF in the w e a lt h - s h ar i n g d e a l it
K ak ampi
Mo A ng Batas
By Atty. Batas Mauricio
signed with the government l at e S at u rd ay n i g ht i n Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the peace panels finally c omp l e t e d t h e w e a lt h sharing annex, with the lion’s share of earnings in the Bangsamoro going to the MILF.’ “Now, the question here is this: how about the other groups in Mindanao? What share will they have in the earnings of the Bangsamoro entity? And if the MILF will get 75% of all the incomes of the Bangsamoro entity, would that mean that only 25% of those incomes will be used in running the affairs of government in the region? Will 25% of those incomes be enough to run the region and provide basic services to our countrymen there?”
Birthdays
Philippine Press Institute
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THINK
A Minute
By Jhan Tiafau Hurst
to commit crimes. Girls whose parents divorced experimented with sex at an earlier age and were more likely to get pregnant as unmarried teenagers. In fact, the evidence is very strong that the damage from divorce in one way or another lasts a lifetime. You see, since marriage is the foundation of the family, it makes sense that if you destroy the marriage you destroy the family. The old saying “Divide and Conquer” has been working to hurt and destroy millions of children’s lives. That’s exactly what divorce in a family does. But if you’ve already divorced, it’s never too late to start loving and putting your children first. In fact, the only one who can help you fix and heal the damage to your family is the one who hurst/PAGE 11
W
e have just celebrated on September 8 the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the mother of Christ, who is both God and man. Therefore she rightfully could be called also as the Mother of God. She is also our mother, because Christ, before his death, gave her to us through St. John to be our mother. “Behold your Mother,” he said. It would be good if we get more aware of this truth and act accordingly, developing a deep Marian devotion that would always be full of practical effects. That is why I like that Latin Marian aspiration: “Beata Maria Virgine, mater Dei et mater nostra.” (O Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God and our mother). It’s an exquisite, heartwarming reminder of the truth of our faith that we all belong to the family of God, despite our huge and multiplying differences. Her birthday, of course, is a great occasion for joy. It’s a big family celebration where all the children from all corners of the world gather together, spiritually and morally more than physically, to be with their mother, greeting her and showing her our filial affection. We may not get along well among ourselves, divided
as we are in our cultural and social conditions, not to mention our political and economic views. But on this anniversary of the nativity of our common heavenly mother, we rise above these differences and unite ourselves with the sole purpose of making our mother happy. Obviously what would make her most happy and what would comprise as the best gift we can give her on her birthday is when we make another renewal of our promise to love God above all things and to love others for love of God. This would make her most happy, since this will be the fulfillment of her fondest desire for us. Her birthday, of course, is a good occasion to pause and ref lect again more deeply on the importance and relevance of our Mother Mary in our lives. She is the most privileged person, all full of grace from her conception to her death, assumed to heaven body and soul and crowned as queen of the universe! She is truly a mother who never stops in taking care of us, of interceding for us before our Father God, especially when we have something serious to settle with him. She is our unconditional
advocate and defender, ever willing to put a good word on our behalf before the divine seat of justice. She will always try to soften God’s justice and to gain for us his mercy. She is the very channel of grace from God to us. We can also take the occasion of her birthday to reflect on the significance of birthdays in general. A birthday is always a happy event, since it is a celebration of life, a great gift from God, completely gratuitous. It is the vehicle that bears and carries all the graces and blessings from God With one’s birth, it’s like God is all willing to go through an adventure with us that would be an exciting, suspenseful interplay of God’s love and our freedom to love him return or not. He is giving us everything, even raising us to be children of his, made into his image and likeness. We are all free to uphold that dignity or mess it up beyond recognition. Still God, with is ever powerful, wise and merciful providence, would do ever ything, including the very mysterious ones, unknown to us, to draw us to him even while respecting our freedom. Evil would not have the last word. It’s God’s love and mercy.
HINTS
and
Traces
By Fr. Roy Cimagala
T he s e t r ut hs of ou r faith should be in our mind w h e n e ve r we c e l e br at e the birthday of someone. That spontaneous joy we experience when someone is born is due more to these truths than the mere physical appearance of the baby. These truths may not be explicitly articulated, but they are there deeply embedded in our consciences. That’s why it’s good that from time to time we sit back and reflect on the significance of birthdays, and update our consciousness to these fundamental truths. Better still, we can make use of the initial human reasons for joy to arrive at the more fundamental theological reasons behind one’s birthday. God never suppresses our humanity. He is always respectful of it and continues to enrich it with his graces.
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Environment
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report highlights role Mindanao bids for Guinness of UN ozone hole in climate change thru TreeVolution CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Mindanao targets to beat India in the Guinness book of record by planting 4.6 million seedlings in just one hour, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am on September 26, 2014. India has set a record of 1,945,535 trees across 408 locations with 340,200 participants in 2011. TreeVolution: Greening Mindanao Challenge will pitch some 244,444
participants to plant at least in 9,200 hectares inside the National Greening Program (NGP) areas and other areas identified by the local government units and private sector partners. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) called on volunteer planters, stewards, and video/photographers to
Ecowaste visits DOE’s mercury lamp waste recycling project MANILA -- A 12-person delegation from the EcoWaste Coalition visited Wednesday the Lamp Waste Management Faciity (LWMF), operated by the Department of Energy (DOE) during the pilot phase, located in Bagumbayan, Taguig City. The EcoWaste Coalition’s Clean Production Committee organized the “lakbay-aral” in coordination with DOE’s Energy Research and Testing Laboratory Services under Director Amelia de Guzman. “We are keen to see how discarded fluorescent lamps can be safely recycled through the LWMF to ensure that their mercury content does
not poison waste workers, the environment and the food chain,” said Thony Dizon, EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect coordinator. The D OE purchased the LWMF equipment in 2013 from the Mercur y Recovery Technology (MRT) System International based in Karlskrona, Sweden for USD 1.37 million, inclusive of taxes and customs duties. The facility is comprised of a lamp processor, highdensity discharge processor, batch process distiller, drying oven and vapor monitor. The LWMF, according to the DOE, is “a facility where DOE/PAGE 11
register now at their nearest provincial/city environment and natural resources office (P/CENRO). Guinness is requiring at least 25 planters per hectare with at least 20 seedlings each or a minimum of 500 hundred seedlings per hectare. All six regions will join the bid with region 11, 13, 12, 9, 10 and ARMM to cover least 4,153, 1,469, 1,001, 836, 708, and 59 hectares, respectively. “Other than beating India, we hope to increase our forest cover to 30 percent, because at present Mindanao’s cover
pegs only between 6 to 10 percent,” Lordilie Enjambre development management officer of MinDa said. MinDa emphasized that this is not just about beating the challenge, but rather a campaign for the Mindanaoans to unite in the protection, rehabilitation and conservation of its natural resources. “We enjoin everyone to be part of the campaign and together let’s plant trees on September 26, 2014 even right on your backyards,” she added. (PIA)
WELLINGTON -- A United Nations report recognizing the role of the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica is significant in understanding climate change in the Southern Hemisphere, a leading New Zealand government expert said Thursday. The report, Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion 2014, is the work of a UN panel of 300 scientists and is due out in January, but a summary Assessment for Decision Makers, (ADM) was released Thursday. Atmospheric scientist Olaf Morgenstern, of the g ov e r n m e nt’s Nat i on a l Inst itute of Water and
At m o s p h e r i c R e s e a rc h (NIWA), who is a reviewer of the report and the ADM, said the report showed a broad consensus that considerable changes during summer since the late 1970s were mostly driven by ozone depletion. “In other seasons, ozone depletion is a contributor, but other effects (increasing greenhouse gases) are thought to be more important,” Morgenster n s aid in a statement. The consequences included drying of parts of s out h e r n Au st r a l i a , moistening of some subtropical regions and report/PAGE 11
Personnel of government agencies under the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) based at the National Media Center along Visayas Ave. in Quezon City conduct an earthquake reaction and evacuation drill on Friday afternoon (Sept. 5, 2014). The participants were from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA); News and Information Bureau-Philippines News Agency (NIB-PNA); Philippine Broadcasting Service-Radyo ng Bayan (PBS-DZRB); and People's Television Network (PTV-4). pna photos by oliver marquez
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See and Experience Toyota at the 5th Philippine International Motorshow T his September, see and experience Progress In Motion as the numb er one automot ive comp any in t h e c o u nt r y, Toy o t a Mo t o r Philippines (TMP,) joins the 5th Philippine International Motorshow (PIMS.) Organized by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI), the 350 square meter Toyota booth will feature the Vios One Make Race Model,
the best-selling Vios, the mini hatchback Wigo, the well-loved Innova and the new Fortuner and Hilux. Moreover, Toyota will also showcase a concept car called the “Fun Vii” representing the brand’s commitment to its future in mobility. The 5th PIMS will be held from September 18 – 21, 2014 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Now on its fifth year, Toyota a long wit h its luxur y brand
Lexus, shall display an array of new models under the theme “Progress In Motion.” As the countr y’s biggest automotive company, Toyota, for its part, will make its booth a cut above the rest by showcasing its position today in the automotive industry. In a statement, TMP President Mr. Michinobu Sugata expressed, “We at Toyota are very excited to be part of the 5th Philippine I n t e r n a t i o n a l M o t o r s h o w.
Motorshows such as this express t he he a lt hy situ at ion of t he automotive industry is in our country today.” Furthermore, he also added saying, “In the 5th PIMS, customers will be able to witness for the f irst time in the Philippines the new design language of the Toyota display b o ot h to hous e our var ious models. Inspired by a simple but vibrant design, our visitors will
get a sense of what waku-doki truly is. Moreover, aside from the fun element, this new design also mirrors Toyota’s brand promise of quality, durable and reliable vehicles.” For more information about Toyota and its participation in the 5th Philippine International Motorshow, visit www.toyota. com.ph or like and follow Toyota’s official Facebook page at facebook. com/ToyotaMotorPhilippines.
BBL... from page 1
Muslim region. “We are very happy about the submission. From the very start, we are supportive of the peace process between the government and the MILF [Moro Islamic Liberation Front],” he said in a phone interview. Bandila said the business sector in the ARMM has taken part in consultations conducted in relation to the GPH-MILF peace process. He expressed hopes that the agenda pushed by the ARMM business sector—such as the improvement of sea and air ports in the region—will be addressed by the new Bangsamoro political entity. “Commitments were made to us by both sides and we hope they will honor them,” Bandila said. There’s a need to improve infrastructure facilities in the ARMM to make doing business in the area easier and to further attract more investors, he said. Bandila, who said he has yet to read the draft BBL, noted that businesses play an important role in generating jobs for the people. Ishak Mastura, chair of ARMM’s Regional Board of Investments, also hailed the submission of the draft BBL, which was handed to Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. in a ceremony at the Malacanang Palace in Manila. “This sends a positive signal to potential investors to locate in the area,” Mastura said. However, he tempered his expectation, noting that “possible changes in policies in the new Bangsamoro government may make potential investors cautious.” “Investors are always taking into account uncertainties brought by changes. In every transition, there is always that fear from them,” said Mastura, who also admitted he has yet to read the copy of the draft BBL. He urged the new Bangsamoro government to come up with clear investment and decision-making policies once it is installed to fend off the fears of potential investors. Among the investment policies Mastura suggested “is a level playing field for all investors,” meaning there must be no favoritism. Aside from clear investment policies, he also underscored the importance of sustaining the security stability on the ground to also further attract investors.
Veterans... from page 1
2, although its formal inauguration is set in October this year, said PVB Vice President for Corporate Affairs Miguel VillaReal. Aside from being a commercial bank, the war veterans and pensioners are serviced by this
bank. Pensioners in the province of Bukidnon are very grateful. They said they will not experience rigorous travel anymore if they need the services of PVB. The nearest branch is Cagayan de Oro which now is a 3-hour travel from Malaybalay City due to road repairs. PVB Valencia Bukidnon is a big respite for old-aged pensioners who live in Bukidnon, says Branch Manager Lino Gacus. Philippine Veterans Bank is owned by Filipino World War II veterans and their designated heirs, numbering about . 400,000 A very prominent provision of its mandate is to provide 20% of its annual net income to the Board of Trustees of the Veterans of World War II (BTVWWII), which in turn manages programs for the benefit of the veterans, their widows, orphans and heirs. These include the BTVWWII Museum and the BTVWWII Out-patient Center. In its recent annual stockholders’ meeting, PVB has announced that its total resources has grown from P54.93 billion to P55.59 billion. PVB President and CEO Joey A. Bermudez also reported that the 1.22 percent growth was recorded from 2012 to 2013 yearend, adding that the bank’s Capital Funds remained strong at P6.61 billion. About 4,000 stockholders Filipino World War II veterans, widows, and heirs attended the annual event. PVB also announced that the election results held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City showed that PVB Board officers and directors, Roberto F. de Ocampo OBE, Guillermo A. Parayno Jr., Joey A. Bermudez, Ma. Nieves R. Confesor, Alfonso B. Cruz Jr., Judith V. Lopez, Percianita G. Racho, Gen. Umberto A. Rodriguez, Atty. Romeo G. Roxas, Laurito E. Serrano and Pablito H. Yap were re-elected to a one-year term. “PVB’s capital adequacy ratio (CAR), a measure to determine a bank’s capability to shoulder risks, stood at 20.24% under Basel II. This is still well above the 10% minimum requirement of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. In terms of audited Net income, the Bank was able to generate P142.70 million lower than the 2012 figure of P356.82 MAINLY due to the sustained drop in asset yields given the excess liquidity in the market,” the bank stated. PVB is a PRIVATE BANK, but it has the advantage of an authorized depository of government funds as stated in Section 6 of R.A. 7169.
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Arts&Culture
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My Hometown
Feature & Photos by Irene Dayo
J
Immaculada Concepcion Parish Church
Dancing Fountain of Jasaan
asaan town in Misamis Oriental is a home to me for 21 years of my life. This place spells my memorable childhood days. I have stepped my feet in various places around the town and all I can say is that Jasaan is simply amazing, and it is a hometown that I could always boast to my friends coming from other locations. This peaceful town is situated along Macajalar Bay, in central coast of Northern Mindanao, 30 kilometers east of Cagayan de Oro City. It is bounded by the municipalities of Balingasag in east, Villanueva in west and Claveria in north. The municipality of Jasaan sits in a location perfect for summer break and holiday getaways. It is known for its pool resorts, springs, rivers and beaches that attracts tourists from both nearby and far places. It is also a home of Sagpulon Falls, referred to as an acclaimed tourist attraction in the country. Jasaan is abundant in water resources which the town considered as an asset to be proud of, and might be the reason on the creation of a festive and colorful Katubigan Festival celebrated annually on the month of December.
This town, considered small though, has also embraced the culture of modernism, making it at par with other municipalities in the province. Jasaan is one of the places not only rich in water resources but also tradition that has been preserved even its oldest form and cultural heritage that might reached not just centennial year. Town that considered “small” to some though, but I must admit that, a native Jasaanon as I am, I haven’t touched all its edges and corners. There are still some more doors to explore. THE 66th FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY Every September first of the year, Jasaan commemorates the day this town has founded. Fortunately, I came to witness this event. This year, the celebration revolved in the theme “Ang panaghiusa mao ang kabilin sa paglambo sa Jasaan.” In the spearheading of the Municipal Mayor Grace A. Jardin, various activities have been organized to entertain town residents and visitors alike. These activities include sports festivals and tournaments, Wow Jasaan and Katubigan
song composition contests, town parade, fireworks display, ‘Barangay Homegrown Festival’ Night presented by barangay officials and staff, Festival Queen search, Unity Run, ‘Festivals of the Philippines’ Night and Indak Pinoy presentation of Department of Education and Time Travel Night given by the local government unit. There is also an Agri-tourism Fair held exhibiting the products of various barangays such as sweet potato, cassava, corn, banana and coconut, among others. In addition, for coastal and upland barangays, the local government unit conducted an Agri-coco booth contest. Each booth is decorated with coconut materials being the main component of a festive agricultural motif. The exhibit exposes the resourcefulness, innovations and skills of Jasaanons for booths display quality Jasaan-owned products having proper grouping, arrangement and labels. The celebration also enveloped the delivering of State of the Municipal Address (SOMA) of Mayor Jardin in front of witnessing Jasaanons and visitors. In her speech, she presented all the finished projects and programs such as Dairy
milk production, Vermi culture project, I.S. Cruz solar dryer, road-concreting projects, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Project and several others. Further, the mayor mentioned the on-going and future projects and also, her plans for the town. The latest attraction of Jasaan came as highlight of this year’s celebration. Famous to the residents as Dancing Fountain of Jasaan, Mayor Jardin said that this fountain is made to give entertainment to Jasaanons, especially to the oldies. As what she said during her SOMA, “Ang kaligayahang hatid ng fountain na iyan ay hindi matutumbasan ng pera (The happiness brought by this fountain cannot be bought by money).” The construction of this project worth P 6.5 million coming from the town’s development fund, and in which the water source is the local government unit pipe. The fountain is more attractive at night, emitting different colors of dancing water. The best feature also of this attraction include the water lines dance while music is playing. Jasaan is indeed a paradise full of beautiful creations that are truly blessing from above. The spots and facts
mentioned in this article might be just few of the many trying to evoke interest, inviting adventure seekers out there. Truth be told, there are still some which are just quietly standing in the midst of this town, waiting to be explored. Personally, I am a native of this town. I grow up here and explored so many things, that I found these all so interesting. Honest to say, however, I can say that each time I see news on TV and posts on social networking sites about Jasaan and its new innovations, I still can say that amazement still collides me. I still feel thrilled and surprised, making me realize that I do not know everything. This realization came that seems eye-opener and encouraged me to discover more things about my hometown and other places in Misamis Oriental. Long ago, in my younger years, I dreamed to visit far and new places, locations away from Jasaan, not knowing that there are still places in town that could be too new to me. Indeed, a lot of adventures just sit in the place where we are in. There’s more fun in 7,107 islands in the Philippines, but there are much more fun in this home Misamis Oriental!
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the national government to contract an additional generating capacity to address the 300-megawatt projected deficit, and, on top of that, to have sufficient regulating reserves equivalent to four percent of peak demand, for another 300 megawatts,” the President said in a speech at the launching of the 420-megawatt Pagbilao III Power Plant project. Apart from this measure, President Aquino said the Department of Energy (DOE) will also continue to seek participation for Interruptible Load Program (ILP) until next year. ILP allows significant endusers to disconnect from the grid, use their own generators and receive compensation, as approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission. “But this is a voluntary program, and private companies will have their own, valid reasons to choose to participate or not in this venture,” the President said. “Let me assure our partners from the private sector: Government intervention will be focused solely on addressing the projected shortage. We have no plans of intervening to distort the market or complicate the situation even further,” he added. The Chief Executive attributed the growing power demand to the Philippines’ economic resurgence and the change in personal lifestyle that progress brings. President Aquino said the Philippines is also set to hit a demographic sweet spot by next year, which means that the majority of our population will be of working age. The economic sweet spot is expected to persist for about 30 years. “Add to that the fact that more and more investors are coming to the Philippines and setting up shop here. Indeed, the economy will continue growing—and so too will the demand for power grow,” he said. Meanwhile, the third unit of Pagbilao Power Plant project in Quezon province is expected to be completed in November 2017. “The 400 megawatts that this project will bring, once it begins operations, represents
a significant addition in the form of baseload power. This is absolutely necessary to ensure a steady supply of the power that Filipinos need day in, and day out, even as we seek to diversify the energy mix by bringing in other power sources,” President Aquino said. (PNA)
Aboitiz... from page 2
Foundation Chief Operating Officer Sonny Carpio. As part of the Bohol initiative, the Foundation also took on the construction of new ‘Silid Pangarap’ classrooms in partnership with the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pagangat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) and some minor repairs in Manalongon Elementary School in Sagbayan and Guadalupe Elementary School in Carmen through the assistance of CitySavings Bank. Aboitiz was among the early responders to organize disaster relief operations in the affected areas in Bohol last year. The Group was able to reach out to about 18,000 families. Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. is the corporate foundation of the Aboitiz Group. Established in 1988, it addresses the social and economic development needs of marginalized members of society. It implements corporate social responsibility interventions especially in areas where Aboitiz companies are located. The foundation focuses on three program components, namely education, enterprise development, and environment.
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intensified effort to foster among the country’s private business establishments a culture of voluntary compliance with labor laws and OSH standards for the benefit of Filipino workers. “What makes the DOLE’s new LLCS unique is that it is no longer purely regulatory and is now relying on a heavy hand of enforcement to exact compliance.,” she said. “The new LLCS is already a combination of regulatory and developmental approaches premised on the need for the government to inform and educate first the country’s businesses on their responsibility so that they will know and understand why and
how to comply with our labor laws,” Baldoz said. She added that “what makes the LLCS even more acceptable and effective is that it involves tripartism, with the government bringing together workers and management to understand that it is all for their benefit to comply with all labor laws and OSH regulations.” The establishments awarded their CoCs all belong to the education and the security and general services sectors of the Caraga region and most are represented in the industry tripartite councils (ITCs) organized with the assistance of the DOLE regional office. The awarding of the CoCs came after the DOLE Caraga Regional Office, headed by Regional Director Johnson Canete, engaged the ITCs on Security, General Services and Other Related Services and Education in a joint assessment of business establishments in these sectors, the first in the region. The one-day, industry-wide joint assessment was held at the Almont Inland Hotel and Resort and was participated in by the management and workers representatives of the two sectors in their respective ITCs. Undersecretary Chato said the activity was preceded by an initial assessments of the establishments performed by the regional office’s Labor Laws Compliance Officers (LLCOs). “Actually, this joint assessment with the ITCs involved was already a second assessment of the establishments and the awarding of the CoC is a culminating highlight of the process. It is also an occasion
to award the certificates of compliance on GLS and OSHS to establishments that have corrected their deficiencies during the first assessment,” Chato said. The industry-wide joint assessment was the third such activity that the DOLE has conducted since August upon Baldoz’s instruction. Earlier, industry-wide joint assessments had been conducted in General Santos City in Region 12 and in Cagayan de Oro in Region 10. A total of 181 private establishments in the two previous joint assessments have been awarded CoC on GLS, while 63 establishments were issued CoCs on OSHS. The industry-wide joint assessment also saw Baldoz awarding certificates to two companies selected as finalists for the Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan of the Occupational Safety and Health Center, which make the awardees eligible for the DOLE Secretary’s Award. Baldoz also awarded certificates to nine construction companies which have approved Construction Safety and Health Programs. (PNA)
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all spent mercury-containing lamps shall undergo recycling to recover mercury and other by-products (to) avert residual mercury from entering the food chain through landfill leaching into ground water.” Early this year, the EcoWaste Coalition published a photo investigative report entitled “The Toxic Silence of the Lamps” illustrating how busted or spent lamps are unsafely disposed
of in Metro Manila’s 17 local governmentunits, and the need for a practical system for the safe collection, storage and recycling of such lamps. According to the report, “the indiscriminate disposal of busted or spent fluorescent lamps as common trash is not only polluting the surroundings, but is also exposing waste handlers, informal recyclers and the public to mercury, a potent neurotoxin, which can lead to acute and chronicintoxication even at low levels of exposure.” The group submitted the report to the DOE, as well as to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to push for the speedy implementation of an extended producer responsibility system for lighting products under the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2013-09-2001 of thetwo departments. (PNA)
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poleward shifts in the paths of low-pressure systems over the Southern Ocean. One of the most important messages in the ADM was that the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty to phase out production of ozone-depleting substances, was working. “It has stopped ozone depletion in Antarctica from getting worse. In the 1990s, this wasn’t clear,” said Morgenstern. T he oz one hol e ov er Antarctica was expected to return to 1980 levels between 2050 and 2070, but that could be advanced by 11 years if the international community were to eliminate all future emissions of ozone-depleting substances, he said. The ADM also highlighted that hydrogenated fluorocarbons used in air conditioning and refrigeration were potent greenhouse gases projected to increase substantially in coming decades, although they
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were not ozone-depleting. The ozone and climate science communities were likely to become more closely aligned, with models used to inform future ozone assessment reports also increasingly used to inform climate assessments, he said. The next Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report and the next Ozone Assessment would probably use the same model simulations as their basis of information. (PNA/Xinhua)
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created families. So why not ask Jesus Christ to forgive you for your mistakes and wrongs you’ve done to your mate and children? Then ask Jesus to help you start changing. He’ll help you to love your mate and children without conditions, so they can become the strong, happy and successful adults you want them to be. Just Think a Minute...
Lot for Sale 1). 5.6 hectares with 2 hectares quarry with approved permit. Located at Sta. Ana tagoloan, Misamis, Oriental. 2). 4.6 hectares with 2 hectares quarry with approved permit . Located at Natumolan, Tagoloan, Misamis, Oriental.
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Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10TH Judicial Region Branch 28 Mambajao, Camiguin IN THE MATTER OF CANCELLATION FOR SPL. PROC. NO. 2014-486 OF CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF MARITONI ROSE TAGOTONGAN REGISTERED AS MARIETHONI O. TAGOTONGAN UNDER REGISTRY NO. 2004-903; MARITONI ROSE TAGOTONGONGAN (Minor) Represented by her biological mother, ROSIE TAGOTONGAN BRISCOE, Petitioner, -versusMELTON O. TAGOTONGAN and MARILYN O. TAGOTONGAN, and LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, Respondent. x-----------------------------------------/ AMENDED ORDER Let this case be heard on October 6, 2014 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, at this court. The Local Civil Registrar concerned and any person having or claiming any interest under the certificate of Live birth whose name is sought to be changed may, within fifteen (15) days from notice of the petition, file his or her opposition thereto. At the expense of the petitioner, let a copy of this order be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Camiguin and in Cagayan de Oro City.
SO ORDERED.
Mambajao, Camiguin, September 8, 2014. (Sgd.) JEOFFRE W. ACEBIDO Acting Presiding Judge
BWM: Sept. 12, 19 & 26, 2014
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friday|september 12, 2014