BusinessDaily (July 10, 2013)

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Briefly Labor reforms

Cagayan de Oro City

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Solon pushes creation of M’nao Power Corp I

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) tomorrow will launch a program to help the agency jumpstart labor policy reforms in the country.

The Employment Facilitation for Inclusive Growth (EFIG) program aims to strengthen the DOLE’s capability for labor policy analysis toward a comprehensive review and regulatory impact assessment (RIA) of selected provisions of the Labor Code and other existing labor laws and regulations.

A DOLE statement said the EFIG is under the Technical Assistance Program of the Institute of Labor Studies (ILS). It is jointly funded by the Asian Development Bank and the Canadian International Development Agency.

By BONG D. FABE Associate Editor

N ORDER to fully develop and maximized the utilization of all power resources in Mindanao, not just to address the debilitating “Mindanao power crisis”, a partylist congressman is urging government to create the Mindanao Power Corporation (MinPoCor).

M i n Po C o r “ w i l l e n s u r e transparent and reasonable prices of electricity in a regime of free and fair competition, protect the public interest and provide full public accountability to achieve greater operational and economic efficiency in Mindanao,” Rep. Edgardo Masongsong of t he power/PAGE 11

Anti-poverty projects A PROVINCIAL presentation on the Anti-Poverty Projects under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) Program of the national government was held on July 4.

The provincial presentation of BuB Anti-Poverty projects is to inform the local government officials, particularly the local chief executives – Municipal/City Mayors, Municipal/City Planning Development Officer (MPDOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who have duties in the implementation of the anti-poverty projects in their respective areas.

Spearheaded by the Regional Office and the Province of Agusan del Norte,

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion, chair of the regional poverty reduction action team (RPRAT), said BuB projects are crucial in addressing the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of eradicating extreme hunger and poverty. She said that BuB will be the key to mitigate the poverty incidence of the Province of Agusan del Norte and will produce a ripple effect in addressing other MDGs, such as reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and achieving universal primacy in education.

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July 10, 2013

START OF RAMADHAN. A kid looks at the elders praying inside a mosque as the Muslim world observes the Holy month Ramadhan starting Sundown Tuesday, July 9, and will continue for 30 days until Wednesday, the 7th of August. photo by mio cade

DOLE: Kasambahay Law to lure back Filipino domestic helpers

By BUTCH D. ENERIO, Correspondent

T H E D e p a r t me nt of L a b or a nd Employment (DOLE) and other line agencies are optimistic that the number of domestic helpers (DH) going abroad would decrease in the coming years with the implementation of the Kasambahay Law. Republic Act No. 10361, otherwise known as Domestic Workers Act or Batas Kasambahay will now enable house helpers to enjoy the benefits that the government provides workers in the LAW/PAGE 11

Members of Divisoria Night Café and Night Market Association talk to Vice Mayor Ian Acenas during a break Monday to seek the city council’s intervention into their fate. photo by rolando sudaria

Night Café vendors seek reprieve from city council

By REMEE MONIQUE O. ESPIRITU, Reporter

DE SPI T E C a gay a n d e Oro Cit y Mayor Oscar

Moreno’s Executive order reprieve/PAGE 11

J.P. RIZAL - CRUZ TAAL STS., (NEAR SHANGHAI BAKERY) DIVISORIA, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

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no guarantee Pagadian mayor taps business Cha-cha for investments — TG community to invite investors PAGADIAN CITY—The city government has tapped the assistance of the local business community to encourage investors to invest in this city.

Mayor Romeo Pulmones said the investors would no longer have problem where to place their business since they can occupy some of the unoccupied stalls at the City Commercial Center.

The City Commercial Center or C3 Mall is the first government-owned mall in this city and in the region.

It w a s c o n s t r u c t e d through the administration of Mayor Samuel S. Co. Pulmones said there is a need to have the C3 Mall fully occupied to earn money from collection of rentals to help defray expenses since the city government is paying P10, 8 4 3, 371.67 m i l l ion monthly loan amortization

Pulmones

THE Constitution should not be a “whipping boy” of groups seeking economic reforms since hindrances to investments can be removed without constitutional amendments, a for the C3 Mall alone. senator said.

Pulmones said the city Sen. Teofisto Guingona III made the statement in a government has borrowed radio interview where he maintained that he was not in some P700 million, which favor of constitutional amendments even if only limited is payable for five years or to economic provisions. until April 2016, for the To draw more investments to the country, he said, the construction of the C3 Mall. government just has to address the basic issues raised by Pulmones, who served investors, such as the need for “policy predictability” and as Co’s vice-mayor, said the stable and inexpensive power.

C3 project was approved In Malacañang, an official reiterated that renewed and implemented despite initiatives by Congress leaders, led by Speaker Feliciano opposition of the minority Belmonte Jr., to amend the economic provisions of the councilors.

1987 Constitution did not have the blessings of President The vice mayor has met Aquino. over the weekend with the Asked if the President would support Belmonte’s Business/PAGE 10 proposal to convene Congress into a constituent assembly to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution to lure more foreign investors into the country, Deputy Spokesman Abigail Valte said, “The President’s position remains unchanged. Charter change is not a priority of the administration.” of the national economy in 2011, “Let us not make the Constitution our whipping boy. the third largest after Metro Manila Let’s just work on solving the problems and the issues and Calabarzon. Consequently, Avis’ rather than changing the Constitution. If you have a Cagayan de Oro, Davao City and headache, you take paracetamol. You take a pill if you General Santos stations have never been have a headache; you don’t need to have an operation,” busier renting out vehicles – mostly Guingona said. availing of the company’s 12-hour “We can address these without amending the Constitution,” Short Stay Rental program. It serves the senator said. company representatives who fly out On proposals to amend the Constitution to allow of the National Capital Region during foreigners to own land in the country, Guingona said the wee hours of the morning to land countries such as China and Singapore have prospered in these key cities just in time for a 9 without such a law. a.m. appointment.

“One question that always occurs to me when they talk The three biggest cities of Mindanao, about Charter change, why is it that in China they also hubs of growth in the region, straddle have the same system as not allowing foreign ownership more than 59,000 square kilometers of of land but it is very prosperous and has a lot of investors. land through rich agricultural farms It’s the same in Singapore,” he said.

Surging/PAGE 10 Guarantee/PAGE 10

Surging business confidence in M’nao WHILE attention remains focused on business process outsourcing, mining and other high-profile sectors, business activity in key areas of Mindanao that revolve around agriculture and fisheries appear to be surging ahead as well, according to keen observers there.

Ralph Lucila, president of Avis Philippines, notes the increase in “daytrippers” or business travelers who fly for the day into Davao and General Santos in Southern Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro in the island’s northern side to transact business mostly with agriculture-based enterprises and providers of support services. In their wake also follow executives from companies and agencies that offer the

infrastructure support ranging from energy to road networks needed by a rapidly growing economy.

“Generally, we’re seeing a varied group of travelers from various sectors i nclud i ng cor porate execut ives, functional managers, academe, and government of f icia ls f ly ing into Mindanao,” he said.

The surge in inbound and outbound travel spanning inter-regional as well as international trips has increased demand for transport solutions that offer service quality, reliability and safety.

Together, the economies of Northern Mindanao, Socsksargen and Davao accounted for more than 10 percent

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AseanWatch

ASEAN integration won’t follow EU’s path

By BIANCA CUARESMA

DESPITE speculations of being patterned from the European Union (EU), the integration of Southeast Asian Nations in a singular economy on 2015 will be “very different” from the structure and approach of the EU, a National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) official said.

In a recent international conference about the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in Bangkok, Thailand, NEDA Deputy Director General Rolando Tungpalan said the Asean integration and the EU differs in several aspects such as the history and its implementation.

“If you look at the ASEAN and the EU more closely, as much as they both promote regionalism, their structures are very different. ASEAN and EU are very different in their history, culture and more important, in their economic development,” Tungpalan said.

The NEDA official said that the greatest difference in the two regional economies is the sovereignty that is left to the memberstates as the process of integration happens.

“Probably the greatest difference between the EU and ASEAN, which creates a big impact in strategic integration, is that the EU integration required its nations to pull some of their sovereignty, which is not the case in ASEAN,” he said.

He further said that in 2015, the decisionmaking about the different economic issues in ASEAN will be made by consensus given the region’s “diverse political system, social structure and development,” unlike the EU’s singular European Parliament.

The official, who spoke to student delegates from seven countries in Asia, said these regional powerhouses also started in a very different note. Tungpalan said the EU stemmed from the region’s recovery from integration/PAGE 10

Competition policy crucial for AEC— expert A COMPETITION policy will play an important role in forwarding the ASEAN region’s goal for economic i nteg rat ion come 2015, according to an international competition expert.

D r .

Lawan Thanadsillapakul, professor at Sukhothai Thammathirat Universit y in Thailand, said this will strengthen t he compet it iveness of

the economies of ASEAN including the Philippines in the regional and global market.

“Competition law a nd pol ic y f u nc t ion as comprehensive rules of the game and governmental policy that monitor and promote competition in the ASEAN market as well as in the ASEAN members’ market,” she said in a recent

symposium held by the Asian Institute and Management (AIM).

Thanadsillapakul said t hese enable sma l l a nd medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enter the market.

“As such, it may form an alternative to an industrial strategy-based policy which has been regarded as a nonneutral form of government crucial/PAGE 10

President Aquino (L) with US President Obama and other heads of states of other ASEAN members during a meeting in Cambodia in November, 2012. photo by south china morning post/epa

BIMP-EAGA projs to open jobs for Filipino workers, engineers THE Philippines stand to benefit in terms of potential employment opportunities from four major projects with total investments of more than B$20 billion for the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.

The projects, selected and proposed by cooperative Koperasi Bumiputera Bersatu Berhad (KBBB), are geared towards enhancing and complementing the developmental goals of the Brunei Darussalam BIMPEAGA Business Council (BDBEBC) and are expected to generate more than 20,000 jobs.

Filipinos have much to gain from the realization of such projects as the proponents expressed a big preference in getting the services of Filipino skilled workers, contractors, design firms, engineers and consultants, a news statement said.

The projects form part of the memorandum of understanding signed between KBBB Chairman Suharani binti Haji Abd Ladi and

PHL biz groups prepares stand on ASEAN, APEC trade issues THE Philippine business sector, in col laborat ion with the government, has formed a technical working group (TWG) to draft its unified stand on trade and liberalization issues in light of integration developments in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

This came about following a recent meeting bet ween members of t he Bu si ne s s Adv i s or y Council on APEC and the ASEAN, leaders of various business organizations, and government officials.

In a n open for u m, Josephine Romero of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) welcomed

the business groups’ plan.

She said the government is currently recalibrating the Philippine Development Plan and seeks to consult the business community’s collective position on national policies and directions as well as their input for the country’s industry roadmap.

Key focus areas suggested to the technical working group are recommendations to revise the Philippine Constitution and the Labor Code.

E d ga rdo G . L ac s on, president of the Employers Confederation of t he Philippines, stressed the

need to update the Labor Code, which was enacted way back in the ‘70s, to enable local businesses to compete in the ASEAN and APEC free trade markets.

Commenting on the call for a constitutional change, Undersecretary Laura del Rosario of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for international economic relations, said that business groups must take a united stance on t he issue, particularly on provisions affecting foreign ownership in utilities as well as mining and ot her extractive industries.

This, she said, would give the government a clear signal as to which sectors the issues/PAGE 10

Pengiran Haji Mohd Yusof, the executive chairman of the BDBEBC, on June 28 at the Holiday Lodge Hotel Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam.

These projects are aimed at further developing growth in the BIMP-EAGA region.

The projects include a new transport system for the Trans Borneo Railways, a 4,440-kilometer Trans-Borneo Railway system that will connect Bandar Seri Begawan to main cities in Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia, and will be built at an estimated cost of B$20 billion; a proposed ASEAN Halal Park, an integrated project that will set up 1,000 halal-certified manufacturing companies, designed to be the “Halal Hub of the World,” making it the strongest manufacturing center for premium halal products for distribution across the global market; new bus units for the Trans-Borneo Bus Services, which will require new buses jobs/PAGE 10

Human-trafficking syndicates growing — experts

MANILA—Human trafficking syndicates are growing and becoming more organized, helped by technology, Southeast Asian law-enforcement experts said as they sought ways to tackle the issue together.

Experts from the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations met in Manila recently to try to work out either a binding convention on human trafficking or a less stringent “regional plan of action” to enable ASEAN to act in unison.

“Trafficking in persons used to be number three (crime). Now, it has overtaken the (illegal) arms trade and it is number two globally,” Philippine Justice Undersecretary Jose Salazar said.

Salazar, who heads Manila’s anti-trafficking task force, said human trafficking syndicates were expanding worldwide, helped by the Internet and other modern advances.

“They are more organized. They have the resources.

They have been using the advances in technology for themselves,” he said.

While some countries want an ASEAN convention syndicates/PAGE 10

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Mariwasa joins inauguration of GMA Kapuso Foundation’s classroom buildings in typhoon Pablo-hit Davao Oriental Baganga, Davao Oriental – Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc. (MSC) the country’s leading tile maker joins the inauguration of the newly built 2-classroom building constructed by GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc. (GMAKF) in Kinablangan Elementary School.

“We are very happy that we are now reaping the rewards of our efforts in helping the people of Davao Oriental especially rebuild their lives. We are very thankful to GMA Kapuso Foundation for allowing Mariwasa to be part of their school rehabilitation

projects. Mariwasa is a socia l ly responsible organization and this is our way of giving back to the people” said Mr. Alberto Descalzo, AVP for Manufacturing and Maintenance.

The turnover ceremony was the initial phase of

Newly constructed GMA Kapuso Foundation’s 3-classroom school building in Boston Elementary School in Boston, Davao Oriental.

Mariwasa ceramic tiles have been used in all toilets of each classroom.

Mr. Alberto Descalzo, AVP for Manufacturing & Maintenance of Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc. finishes his tree-planting activity at Kinablangan Elementary School, Baganga, Davao Oriental. The young plant, a narra tree, is named after him.

Inside a typical GMA Kapuso Foundation’s classroom complete with armchairs and blackboard.

inauguration of the total of 39 classrooms being built in the towns of Boston, Cateel and Baganga in Davao Oriental, the hardest hit places of Typhoon Pablo last December 2012.

E a r l y t h i s y e a r, MSC extended product support amounting to P500,000.00 worth of ceramic tile products for the rehabilitation efforts in the said areas particularly aimed in the construction of school buildings. On top of that, the company

donated P500,000.00 plus the voluntary contribution of its employees amounting to P40,000.00 for a total of P540,000.00 cash donation in order to provide relief assistance such as food, med ic i ne s a nd ba sic necessities to the typhoonhit areas of Mindanao.

GMAKF and MSC have been constantly joining hands together in reaching out to underprivileged Filipinos and both share the same business philosophy in caring for the community.

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A NEW HOPE. Students of Kinablangan Elementary School in Baganga, Davao Oriental will have a new reason to get motivated going to school. Thanks to Mariwasa-sponsored GMA Kapuso Foundation’s classroom buildings. Mr. Alberto Descalzo, AVP for Manufacturing and Maintenance of Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc. (third from left) joined by his team and some school and local officials in the inauguration of 2-classroom building in the said school. A total of 39 GMAKF classrooms will be completed by the end of August 2013 in Davao Oriental.

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Don’t sweat the small stuff

T

THINK

hink a minute…You know t hat many arg uments A Minute between husbands and wives

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst are not over important things?

Couples often “sweat the small stuff.”

Sometimes the smallest mistake sets off our temper and we fire off angry, hurtful words to blame our wife or husband for the silliest thing.

May b e you r hu sba nd forgot to pick the kids up early from school, or he didn’t hear something you said.

Your wife made you a little late to work, or she ironed the wrong shirt.

Little mistakes and oversights suddenly set off World War III in our home and ruin the whole day, not to mention our poor kids who have to listen to our childish fighting all the time.

But if we don’t change this bad habit of fighting with our wife or husband over every little mistake, we’ll enjoy being with each other less and less.

And eventually, we could end up resenting each other so much that we prefer to be with almost anyone else besides our own wife or husband.

It’s easy for us to laugh at how silly and ridiculous other couples sound when they fight over small things, but we ourselves need to learn to laugh at our own silly fights.

Then forget it and let it go! It’s not worth the stress, even pain, that we cause each other.

We all enjoy being with someone who’s patient and doesn’t get angry easily.

We don’t like to be with people who are hard to please and stress us out.

So if we want others to love and accept us with our mistakes, then we also need to be that kind of person with hurst/PAGE 10

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HEALTH

Plus, the donor undergoes i nt e r v i e w a n d p hy s i c a l I n Focus examination.

By Dr. Mary Jean Loreche There a re insta nces where incidental findings and unknown illnesses are discovered during the process.

And, if I am not mistaken, the screening tests are free on the part of the donor.

Anot her benef it is for the weight conscious: for every unit of blood ( which is approximately 450 cc only ), one can lose as much as 650 calories.

But, what is more interesting than the calories and the free check up, is the fact that, once blood is removed, the number of cells in the body is decrease, which in turn stimulates the bone marrow to produce new, fresh red blood cells that will replenish the loss that was incurred during the donation.

Likewise, the excess iron which we tend to accumulate from our dietary intake, is also removed.

It is worth mentioning that too much iron can promote the formation of free radicals which cause cellular damage.

Which in turn increases one’s risk for certain diseases like heart attack, diabetes mellitus, and even the Big C. The very act of giving is life saving for the recipient and for the donor.

Let us then share!

Same-sex, family planning: Where will they lead us?

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16, the Holy Bible).

-ooo US SUPREME COURT DECISIONS AND THE BIBLE: Clearly, the US Supreme Court’s decisions upholding same sex marriages not only did not at all consider the Biblical basis for marital unions, found in its Genesis 1:27, 2:2224, and Mark 10:6-8. Those decisions were even directly contrary to what the Bible prescribes about marriages.

Whether this is good or bad for the US and its citizens remains to be seen, but even now, Bible believers know where decisions of this nature will take all of us.

In Genesis 2:22-24 of the Bible, it is written: “… Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, `This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.’

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh…”

In Mark 10:6-8, it is written:“… `But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female’. ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be

K

united to his wife, and the akampi two will become one f lesh.’

Mo A ng Batas So they are no longer two,

By Atty. Batas Mauricio but one flesh’…” Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, echoed Genesis 1:27 in emphasizing that a marital union would be between man and woman--“So God created mankind in his own image… male and female he created them…”

-ooo SAME SEX: WHERE WILL IT LEAD US? The Bible also teaches us t hat same sex unions, whereby man desires man, and woman pleasures herself with another woman, represent a deplorable condition God Himself allowed to happen, on account of man’s godlessness, wickedness and refusal to acknowledge and thank Him. This is expounded on quite emphatically by the Bible in its Romans 1:18-32.

Here are some important parts of these verses: “… For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as batas/PAGE 10

Good and bad poverty

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Give & live

t is not uncommon for me to be receiving a call or a text requesting for blood, either as an emergency or for elective procedures.

As a matter of fact, my eldest daughter few days ago called for my help.

While on their way to Tanay, Rizal, she and her group mates met an old lady who approached them and offered her services to do laundry and any odd jobs that they can give her.

The old lady needs three units of whole blood as her grandchild is admitted at a government hospital and is in need of blood as part of her treatment regimen, having been diagnosed of an Acute Leukemia.

My daughter called me and told me that she and her friends are willing to donate blood for a patient that is not even under their care and is unknown to them.

That moment, I felt so proud of my daughter and her friends, who, have the heart and compassion for patients.

Congratulations to the future Doctors!

Yes, blood is a necessity.

Giving blood is more than charity work on the donor.

It gives one that beautiful feeling of being able to share something so vital to someone whose very life may depend on that unit of blood.

The actual process of donation takes less than an hour.

And, it is not as uncomfortable as what you and I may think!

More than that positive feeling of having been able to share, are the medical benefits that awaits the donor.

Once a donor decides to give, he/ she is screened for certain diseases.

Crystaline pino ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI

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I

T’S important that we know there is good and bad poverty.

At the moment, it seems people know more about the bad one, the one that demeans us as persons. There’s hunger, ignorance, inhuman conditions that rightly need to be fought if not eliminated.

But while that concern is just perfectly fine, we should not forget that it’s even more important to know and live the good type, because it is truly necessary for us.

Our problem is that we seem to be exclusively concerned about bad poverty and we appear completely clueless about the good one. We have to exert deliberate effort to correct this anomaly.

The good poverty can be gleaned from one of the beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5,3) I’m sure many of us are familiar with these divine message, but I wonder whether we take it seriously, aware of its practical implications and really eager to attain the goal it is inviting us to reach.

This good poverty is meant for all of us, and not just for some who happen to be more religiously inclined. This is one of the first battle grounds we need to win to have a proper understanding and attitude toward this virtue.

The current world mindset seems to confine good poverty to convents and monasteries. It does not allow this good poverty to breathe in open air, in the middle of the world. It practically inflicts a stigma on this kind of poverty. It paints it black and ugly.

And yet, hardly anything is farther than the truth.

The good, Christian poverty enhances our humanity. It frees us from unnecessary and bad albeit sweet worldly

HINTS

allurements that separate us from our true and ultimate and Traces source of joy and freedom, By Fr. Roy Cimagala God. Especially these days when the world is awash with the effects of materialism and commercialism, this good and Christian poverty is becoming an urgent necessity. We have to find ways to show its authentic beauty and value that should attract all of us.

We c a n u s e t he ne w tech nolog ies to do t hat, explaining its true nature and our objective need for it.

We have to wipe away the smudges of misinformation about it that have hounded it for long.

Christian poverty is actually a happy poverty. While it involves some self-denial and sacrifice, it on the whole and from beginning to end is a very positive element in our life.

With it we free our soul, the very seat of our identity and the linking point between God and us, from any obstacle that would impede our relation with God and with others. With our wounded human condition, we tend to have material and temporal concerns dominate our soul, desensitizing it from its true source and end.

That’s why Christian poverty is not so much about Cimagala/PAGE 10

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News

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7 Batanes, ‘home of the winds,’ beckons local and foreign tourists BASCO – Batanes, comprising 10 islands in the Luzon Strait in the north of the Philippines between Luzon and Taiwan, beckons local and foreign tourists anytime of the year, according to tourism officials in the region.

The island province, the country’s smallest, in terms of population and land area, is the only province in the Philippines which experiences four seasons: autumn from September to November; winter from December to February; spring from March to May; and summer from June to August.

The other provinces enjoy only two seasons: rainy, from June to October; and dry, from November to May. Tourism officials say Batanes, which they describe as “home of the winds” considering it is swept luxuriously by the winds, is the “purest cultural destination” in this Southeast Asian archipelago, both for local and foreign tourists.

Its isolation from the rest of the islands of the country has enabled Batanes, 669 kms by air from Manila, or one hour and 17 minutes by airplane, to

develop its own culture.

The island group is 162 km north of the country’s main island of Luzon and 190 kms south of Taiwan, separated from the Babuyan Islands of Cagayan Province in Luzon, by the Balintang Channel and from Taiwan by the Bashi Channel.

The Ivatans, the people who live in three of the 10 islands, are known for their frugality and humane lifestyle, according to tourism officials – traits validated by recent visitors from Region 2 to which Batanes belongs, the other provinces being Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino in the fertile and lush Cagayan Valley.

The provincial capital is Basco on Batan Island and the only other inhabited islands are Itbayat and Sabtang.

The northernmost island of the province, making it the northernmost in the Philippines, is Mavudis (Y’ami)

Island. Other islands in the chain are Misanga, Siayan, Ivuhos, and Dequey.

Batan, the seat of the provincial government, is where Mount Iraya is and has on its plate the Valugan Boulder Beach, known for its weathered rocks and pebbles skirting the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Itbayat is the home of the volcanoes considered by officials as the foundation of the island: Mount Riposed, which has a panoramic view of Itbayat and Mount Korobanan.

It is also here where the Nahili do Votox – an ancient settlement with boat-shaped burial markers, similar to those sites for the Vikings in Europe – is found.

The third inhabited island, Sabtang, was declared in 1994 by the Dept. of Tourism, as one of the 12 Best Destinations in the Philippines.

Its shores boasts white sand beaches as well as rock formations while a natural coral condition is found in the island’s Duvek Bay. Ivatans, who have been observed by visitors to be

Senator-elect Bam Aquino addresses finalists, members of the media and the organizations behind Catalyst, the social transformation initiative of Tattoo. Aquino said that with IT as an enabler, our techno-savvy youth can make a positive difference in society, coupled with innovation and empowerment. Out of 119 entries from socially-conscious and IT savvy youth vying for program development, mentorship and ICT support, five were recently selected during the 2013 Tatt Awards to win P200,000 cash grants to help put their ideas to actionable programs.

Global Shapers Manila Hub, ICT experts, development professionals and Globe BridgeCom officers will assist in implementing the five solutions for a span of three months, including the opportunity to be instituted as part of Globe BridgeCom’s regular programs. Log on to www.catalyst.com.ph for more information about the entries, the finalists as well as the campaign overview of Cat@lyst.

trustworthy, polite and peaceloving, take understandable pride in the landscape of their province, what tourists can experience here and the food tourism officials in the region say which makes up “delectable dishes (which) are definitely worth every cent.”

Officials say the location of Batanes, where the Pacific Ocean meets the China Sea, explains the teeming marine life of the islands.

Officials tell tourists and other visitors a Batanes sojourn would not be complete without

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tasting the local cuisines, which include fresh lobsters, coconut crabs, the Ivatan cuisine which includes “uvod” made of mixed deboned fish and core of banana and steamed with local herbs, yellow rice cooked with yellow ginger, and “dibang” or flying fish.

Some, who had previously visited the province from the other parts of the country, have described the group of islands as a “photographer’s heaven” – given the pleasant locals to traditional stone houses to the panorama of landscapes and

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seascapes “which try to tease the lenses of cameras.”

Batanes also takes pride in its steepes, cliffs, hedgerows and terrains of what some have described as an island paradise which can be experienced in bicycles -- one of the basic means of transport here -which can take a visitor to different breathtaking sights.

One tourism official has said there is a new kind of fun, excitement and relaxation in Batanes, where time seems to stand still any time of the year. (PNA)

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Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776 Editor : Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy

Rodelsa Hall Unveils New Season R odelsa Hall’s 2013-2014 Cultural Season means more than just experiencing top-caliber performances and noteworthy films but it is also a way to deepen one’s sense of helping others. Dubbed as “Enrich”, this year’s season boasts of a varied mix of seasoned artists who have graced the world’s stage and yet accepted the invitation to grace Cagayan de Oro’s premiere performance venue to help raise funds for Liceo de Cagayan University’s thrusts in education and the environment.

Opening the season is LA-based tenor Sal Malaki on August 8. This is a repeat performance after his successful concert last year. On the 31st of the same month, trumpet artist Raymond Deleon will also share his music with the Cagayanons.

In September, Liceo U’s premiere modern dance company, the Next Moves will finally showcase their dancing prowess in a major dance concert at the Rodelsa Hall.

Come October,

the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines will once again bring to Cagayan de Oro the much-loved Cine Europa Film Festival.

This is the Fifth year that this prestigious international cultural event is being held in partnership with Liceo U. Cine Europa is free to the public.

This is just the first half of the exciting season prepared for all the art lovers. What is more noteworthy, the music performances are for the benefit of

Safer River, Life Saver Foundation, Inc. and a support to the One With You Advocacy Campaign of the University. Donor cards are now available at the Office of Cultural Affairs and the Liceo Philanthropic Office.

Cash Donations are gladly accepted upon entrance during the concert.

Rodelsa Society Diamond Cards are also available to donors who wish to avail of prime seats during performances.

For more inquiries about Rodelsa Hall’s current season and the Rodelsa Society Membership, please feel free to call the Office of Cultural Affairs at (088) 8584093 to 95 local 109 or 09176366528 or visit the official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/rodelsahall.

Kia global sales up 2.6% halfway through 2013 * 1,383,759 Kia vehicles sold from January through June for 2.6% cumulative year-on-year gain * Kia’s bestselling model in overseas markets for month of June was the B-segment Rio (K2) with 43,586 units sold

(SEOUL) July 09, 2013 -- Kia Motors Corporation announced today its global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles through June 2013, recording a total of 1,383,759 units sold. This figure represents a 2.6% year-on-year increase for the first six months of 2013.

China experienced the highest cumulative gain to date in 2013 of 23.1% (291,125 units sold), followed by Europe with 3.7% (296,543 units sold).

Korea, North America and general markets* experienced cumulative decreases of 5.3% (226,404 units sold); 4.3% (313,976 u nits sold) a nd 1.3% (255,711 units sold), correspondingly.

“Halfway through the year

Kia is still posting positive sa les results, and we are particularly pleased with the strong sales momentum in China, which f ur t her demonstrates the market as a rising star for the Kia brand,” said Thomas Oh, Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors International Business Division.

For the month of June, Kia’s bestselling model in overseas

markets was the B-segment Rio (known as ‘K2’ in China) with 43,586 units sold. The Sportage compact CUV was the second best seller with 33,388 units delivered, while the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ or ‘K3’ in some markets), Optima D-segment sedan and Sorento mid-size CUV followed with 32,696, 23,197 and 18,090 units sold, respectively.

KIA’s B-segment Rio (K2)

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Integration... from page 4

from the devastation of World War II while the Asean integration in 2015 stemmed from a “healthy econom ic compet it ion” between countries in Asia.

“In January 2007 Asean noted the growth of Asian neighbors such as China and India and agreed that fast tracking of commitments will have to be made to compete w it h t hese economies,” Tungpalan said.

T he Ph i l ippi nes ha s committed to the ASEAN community to prepare the country in participating in the full integration of Southeast Asian nations into a single economy and market base in 2015. (BM)

Crucial... from page 4

intervention,” she said.

Thanadsillapakul underscored the need for a regional ASEAN competition law that will prevent anticompetitive business practices which can wipe out the benefits that might arise from liberalization.

She said these include hard-core cartels among firms; distribution strategies between manufacturers, suppliers or distributors; abuse of intellectual property rights; and abuse of market dominance, among others.

“A S E A N w i l l n e e d to reg u late t hese a nt icompetitive business practices so as to achieve fair competitive conditions,” she noted.

For his part, Ca lixto Chikiamco, president of the Foundation for Economic Freedom, said the country needs a competition law that will give the Philippines a level playing field once the ASEAN economic integration comes into force by 2015.

Congress has yet to approve a pending bill on the matter.

(PHILEXPORT News and Features)

Issues... from page 4

business community wanted to be opened to or protected from foreign investors.

Additiona l ly, George S. Chua, president of the Federation of Philippine Industries, highlighted the importance of supporting t he ma nu fac t u r i ng a nd industrial sectors to create jobs and spur economic growth.

Dona ld G. Dee, v ice chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., proposed harmonizing the rules of origin for the ASEAN free trade areas to avoid sowing confusion among small and medium enterprises.

He also recommended that government engage business in creating a longterm vision establishing where the Philippines wanted to be in 2025 and working on policy reforms to get there.

Meanwhile, Arthur Tan,

of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc., suggested producing a profile of small and medium enterprises in the country to determine how many were actually part of an international supply chain.

In response, in addition to preparing a unified business position, Del Rosario urged the associations to submit position papers on pending leg islat ive mea su res to government agencies such as the DTI. This will give the agencies sufficient time to present the business sector’s concerns before a bill is enacted in Congress.

The technical working group will be composed of Peter Perfecto for the Business Advisory Council and Ryan Evangelista of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce for the business sector, and Del Rosario and Romero for the government panel. (PHILEXPORT News and Features)

Jobs... from page 4

and coaches to be set up at an estimated cost of B$1 billion; and Proposed Darrusalam Air, a B$2-billion project that will feature some of the best aviation facilities in the world with worldclass hospitality that will be made available through some of the cheapest fare in the BIMP-EAGA region.

Joining the ranks of lowcost air travel providers in the region, Suharani binti Haji Abd Ladi explained that Darussalam Air will primarily provide affordable air fares for Umrah pilgrims going to the holy lands of Makkah and Maddinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Wit h Br u nei a s t he central hub and stopover destination for proposed routes, Da russa la m Air shall cater to travelers from the Southern Philippines, Eastern Indonesia, IndoChina and other parts of China going on a pilgrimage to the holy lands.

These routes will also present a n oppor tu nit y to open up Br u nei for travelers as many would most likely spend a few days in the country during their stopovers.

T h e Tr a n s - B o r n e o Railway Project on the other hand will start and end at the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan, circumventing Borneo Island and will run throughout the coastline of Kalimantan, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. This will also make Borneo’s vast resources like coal, timber and minerals easily accessible for other parts of the world.

Brunei shall play a very important role in the delivery of these commodities to destinations like China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and as far as the western seaboard in North America by providing a shorter alternative route coming from a station in Brunei.

According to Suharani

binti Haji Abd Ladi, the cou nt ries of Br u nei, Indonesia and Malaysia have already agreed in rolling out the Trans-Borneo Railway project.

For this project to realize its implementation, it is vital for Brunei to install a feeder route that will provide linkage to the Trans-Borneo Railway.

While the Trans-Borneo Railway is geared toward cargo transportation to these destinations, the TransBorneo Bus Services, on the other hand, shall provide a complementary bus services that will provide transport for people in the BIMP-EAGA region.

Linking up with existing ferry services from Sabah to Southern Philippines, these buses and coaches shall provide an additional and an alternatively cheaper means of transporting people and manpower across Borneo and other areas in the region.

On May 24 the Malaysian government agreed to set up an ASEAN Halal Park in Brunei Darussalam. This project boasts of setting up at least 1,000 halal-certified manufacturing companies in Brunei, with products delivered all over the world through air, rail, bus or trucking services.

With the establishment of the Trans-Borneo Railway, t he Tr a n s -B or ne o Bu s Services and Darussalam Air, delivery of halal products to main markets like China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Middle East will be made faster and much more convenient.

This includes shipment by rail to Kuching, making it faster and much more c onve n i e nt t o s h ip t o Si ngapore a nd Western Malaysia. The ferry services from Sabah will serve the Philippines and the railroads will serve Kalimantan and prov ide access to ot her Indonesian Islands. (BM)

Syndicates... from page 4

against human trafficking, there are also fears that such a convention could infringe on the laws of individual nations.

Under the regional plan of action, members would not be obliged to follow all the provisions but would merely be asked to cooperate, he said.

The recommendations of the experts in Manila will be presented to ASEAN senior officials meeting in Vietnam later this year, he added.

The Philippines, which h a s a l mos t 10 m i l l ion citizens working overseas, was particularly vulnerable to human trafficking with many women going abroad for legitimate jobs only to be forced into prostitution, he said.

Figures for the number of people trafficked in ASEAN were being compiled but were not immediately available, he added.

He cited International Labor Organization figures

putting the number of people worldwide in forced labor at 20.9 million — 5.5 million of them children.

Aside from the Philippines, ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

ASEAN members have been criticized for not doing enough to f ight hu ma n traf f ick ing even though many of them send laborers overseas and some of them rely on imported workers.

(Interaksyon)

Hurst... from page 6

our own wife or husband.

Just imagine how much more you’ l l enjoy you r ma r r iage i f you decide today that being happy is far more important than being stubborn and always wanting things your way.

So why not ask Jesus Christ to forgive you for your bad habit and attitude of arguing with your wife or husba nd over sma l l, unimportant things?

Just ask Jesus to take charge of your heart and marriage.

He’s the only One Who can help you stop “sweating the small stuff,” so you can start changing and enjoying l i fe w it h you r mate by focusing on the big stuff.

Just Think a Minute…

Batas... from page 6

God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts.

Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned n at u r a l re l at ion s w it h women and were inflamed with lust for one another.

Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error…

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done…”

-ooo FAMILY PLANNING, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, NO SOLUTIONS AT ALL: With due respect to the Forum for Family Planning a nd D e ve lopme nt , t he problem is not so much the fact that almost 10 percent of all Filipino women aged 15-19 have already given birth as of 2013. The problem, really, is, why has this phenomenon of teen pregnancies even occurred in the first place.

This is what the Forum should address---the “why”, or the root cause of the problem--rather than the “effect” of the problem.

The fact is that, even

if we are able to address the adolescent reproductive health and teen pregnancy issues with family planning methods and devices such as IUDs or condoms, that does not remove the problem at all. If we are not able to determine what makes our teenagers engage in sex at very young ages, they will continue to get pregnant and, therefore, still exposed to maternal and infant deaths, even if they engage in family planning or use devices to stop reproduction.

Family planning and antireproductive devices are mere palliatives to unstoppable and burgeoning pregnancies, they are not real solutions.

Someone on ly wa nts to make money out of these programs and devices. The real solution is to instill discipline and spiritual values to our teenagers, something that is sorely lacking now. As the Bible in Ephesians 6:4 says: “… bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”. Then, unwanted pregnancies will stop.

-ooo REACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0922 833 43 96. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, mmauriciojr111@gmail.com.

Cimagala... from page 6

poverty in material terms as in poverty of spirit. It does not keep a negative attitude toward material things, but rather considers them always in relation to our duty towards God and others.

And so Christian poverty can be and in fact, should be lived even in the midst of material prosperity. It is not averse to earthly wealth as long as this wealth is taken as means in our total selfgiving to God and to others.

Thus one should not be afraid to be a millionaire or a billionaire as long as he is detached from earthly things and his is heart to totally given to God and others. Christian poverty is compatible with good taste, good grooming and certain level of human comfort.

It is also open to any situation. As St. Paul said: “I know both how to be brought low, and I know how to abound; both to be full, and to be hungry; both to abound and to suffer need.”

(Phil 4,12)

This is, of course, easier sa id t ha n done, a nd so Christian poverty demands of us constant struggle. We need to continually examine our conscience, rectify our intentions, increasingly get involved in the lives of others, always promoting religion and social justice.

This is t he only way this Christian poverty can be lived regardless of the situation. We have to see to it that everyday nothing earthly or material or temporal detains us from keeping a lively relation of love with God and others.

If we remain simple, humble and honest, it should not be difficult to see if indeed such is our condition in any given day. The end effect should be joy and an exquisite sense of freedom.

Business... from page 2

Pagadian-Zamboanga del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. led by its president Mercedes Lourdes Quisumbing and informed them about the situation of the c3 Mall.

(PNA)

Surging... from page 2

farms and bustling growth corridors.

Lucila notes that Avis’ business in t hese cities have g row n i n t he last three years. “Time is of the essence for daytrippers. At most they have a window of five hours and they opt for service quality providers that allow their stay to be as predictable as possible. They don’t want any surprises like vehicle breakdowns or hidden charges.”

Guarantee... from page 2

When asked, Guingona sa id wh i le C ong ress is i ndependent , Pre sident A q u i n o ’s p o s i t i o n o n constitutional amendments would have a “big influence” on the matter.

The House of Representatives and the Senate have independence but it cannot be denied that the President’s say on those matters wield a big influence,” he said.

M r. Aqu i no ha s c o n s i s t e nt l y s a i d t h a t he wou ld not s upp or t constitutional amendments during his term.(BM)

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Rural development to be market-oriented

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

DAVAO City -- The Philippine Rural Development Program (PR DP) will assure that domestic agricultural goods will be absorbed by the market and that methods will take climate change into consideration, an official said this week.

In a press statement on T hu rsd ay, A r nel V. de Mesa, PR DP deput y director, said the initiative “aims to increase farm and fishery productivity in 16 regions and 49 provinces t h roug h i nteg rat ion of market-oriented and climate resi lienc y agricu lture support, technologies, tools and systems.”

The nationwide program, which replaces the Mindanao Rural Development Program, will improve agricultural profitability through a valuechain approach, which will link the farmers with the market for their produce.

“We will expand livelihood projects into agribusiness e nt e r pr i s e t o i mpr ove

farmers’ productivity,” said Mr. de Mesa.

“W hi le t he prog ra m w i l l pr ov id e a d e q u at e infrastructure and technical support to farming communities, it will also look into policies that will enable business sector to be ef fective par tners of smallholder farmers,” he added.

Regarding climate change, Mr. de Mesa said the program “will use vulnerability and suitability assessment (VSA) as a tool for prioritizing climate-smart investments.”

T he PR DP of f icia l explained that VSA is a scientif ic tool t hat w i l l help identif y areas t hat a re le s s v u l ner a ble to weather problems. It will also help choose areas for infrastructure and livelihood investments.

The National Economic and Development Authority Board, headed by President Benigno S. C. Aquino III, approved the PRDP in late

June. The six-year program begins this year.

The national government set a total budget for the program at P24.54 billion, with about P20.553 billion in a loan from the World Bank and about P287 million in a grant from the bank’s Global Environment Facility. The national government will give a counterpart P3.579 billion, and the local governments, P3.118 billion.

A g r i c u l t u r e Unders e c re t a r y Joel S .

Rudinas earlier said the program will be used to “create a chain of economic oppor t u n it ie s to br i ng farmers’ produce to higher levels of the value chain and allow them to participate in the gains of value creation beyond the farm gate.”

M r. d e M e s a s a i d that business sector representatives, particularly leaders of cha mbers of commerce, will be invited to join the program’s advisory board.

More chikungunya cases in Socot town GENERAL Santos City––Health authorities confirmed on Monday the detection of two more suspected cases of the mosquito-borne chikungunya disease in Tupi town in South Cotabato.

Dr. Lester Claveria, medical officer of the Tupi municipal health office, said the two chikungunya cases involved a couple based in Barangay Crossing Rubber.

“The couple is still under observation and given pain reliever,” he said in a statement.

Claveria said the patients initially showed symptoms of the dengue infection, among them recurring high fever.

He said they later developed some rashes and complained of severe joint pains “so we suspected that it was not dengue but chikungunya.”

Chikungunya is a viral disease that is spread by mosquitoes that causes severe fever and joint pains. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache and nausea.

Victims could suffer from polyarthralgia or multiple joint pains for five to six months and as long as two years, depending on their age.

“Dengue and chikungunya share similar symptoms so a patient who suffers fever and

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rashes should assume that they have possible dengue and seek medical help,” Claveria said.

The South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) earlier declared a chikungunya outbreak in two villages in Tampakan town, which is adjacent to Tupi.

Dr. Rogelio Aturdido, South Cotabato health officer, said the disease was found among residents of barangays Maltana and Kipalbig in Tampakan.

He said the suspected chikungunya cases in the area have so far reached 215.

Early last month, the IPHO reported the detection of two chikungunya cases in Barangay Kipalbig in Tampakan based on the results of confirmatory tests conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City.

Aturdido said the two chikungunya cases, which were detected for the first time in the province, were found in two of the four blood samples that they sent to the RITM. Cecil Lorenzo, South Cotabato disease surveillance officer, said their initial assessment showed that the chikungunyacarrying mosquitoes could have been thriving in the area’s banana plantations, where the patients are employed. (MindaNews)

Power... from page 1

the 1-CARE partylist said through electronic mail.

It will also help address the power supply shortage in the island and help avert any possible supply problem in the future.

The MinPoCor, to be ma na ged by M i nd a nao power stakeholders, will manage the Agus and Pulangi Hydropower Complexes “to assure that the electricity rates are reflective of the true cost of power,” Masongsong said.

He sa id M i n PoC or’s acquisition of the AgusPu la ng i Hydropower Complexes “wou ld g ive beneficial resolution to the M i nd a nao sta keholders through effective and efficient administration of the power industry in the region” as well as provide “security against the skyrocketing of electric power rates.”

Mindanawons, especially those in areas suffering from power outages, are urging government to maintain the Agus and Pulangui plants to subsidize prices in Mindanao since the hydro complexes are the sources of cheaper electricity.

“It is i mperat ive for the national government to promote development in Mindanao by t he establishment of t he dependable and reliable supply of electric power through the acquisition of generation assets of PSALM located in Agus and Pulangui Hydropower Complexes by the direct stakeholders from the Mindanao region to assure that the electricity rates are reflective of the true cost of power,” he said.

He said MinPoCor will have a term of 50 years from its creation, which shall be deemed renewed for an equal period unless sooner dissolved by law.

On Monday, Masongsong filed House Bill 676 (Charter of t he Mindanao Power Corporation), which he said will institute genuine reforms in the power industry in Mindanao, which the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 failed to do.

The EPIR A was once touted to reform the power sector and ensure quality, reliabi lit y, securit y and affordability of electricity supply. But it failed to deliver on its promise, especially in Mindanao because, according privatization proponents, t he Nat iona l Power Corporation (NAPOCOR)-

controlled Agus and Pulangi Hydropower Complexes, located in Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon provinces respectively, were exempted from privatization.

Masongsong said that HB 676 will also institute a Mindanao Power Fund, which will be taken from the rate fixed by the MinPoCor and from royalties paid by elect ric power indust r y players for energy resources in Mindanao. This will be utilized to lower residential rates to be determined by the Corporation and approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) provided it does not sacrifice energy security in the region.

T he c re at ion of t he Mi nPoCor was f irst proposed by the Mindanao Development Aut horit y (MinDA) during last year’s Mindanao Power Summit in Mindanao.

Reacting to the proposal, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) immediately expressed its support, with Ricardo C. Juliano, PCCI Vice President for Mindanao, saying that the Agus-Pulangi hydro plants are Mindanao’s patrimony and it should be in government hands.

According to Masongsong, it is government’s duty and responsibility “to promote the economic development of the Mindanao region and the availability of electricity at reasonable cost as a catalyst for economic growth,” which will be fast tracked with the creation of the MinPoCor.

Law...

from page 1

private sector.

For instance, a house helper can now be protected as a member of the Social Security System(SSS), PagIbig Fund, and PhilHealth where the contributions are shouldered by their employer.

In time, they can avail of loan, maternity, sickness, disability, and retirement benefits from the SSS; to own a house with the PagIbig Fund; and their health concerns will be addressed

by PhilHealth.

Atty Johnson Canete, DOLE regional director in northern Mindanao, said that although the income is very low compared to what a DH earns abroad, their security as a worker in the country is already mandated by the Kasambahay Law and they need not leave their family just to earn a few dollars and in the process su f fer emot iona l ly a nd

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psychologically for being away from their loved ones.

“The Kasambahay Law protects the house help as they are now covered by the services that the different agencies - looking after the welfare of the countr y’s labor force - and ensure that they have a future upon retirement.” Canete said.

The employers a re reminded to register their house help and be a member of the different line agencies, particularly with the SSS where they are protected with their pension when they grow old and funeral and death benefits for the survivors.

The Batas Kasambahay is to professionalize the work of the house helpers in consonance w it h t he International Covenant for Domestic Work of the United Nations where the Philippines is one of the signatories.

Reprieve... from page 1

that temporarily stops the operation of the weekend Nig ht Ca fé a nd Nig ht Market at Divisoria Plaza, stall owners are still hopeful they can get reprieve from the City Council.

O n M o n d a y, t h e Divisoria Night Café and Night Market Vendors Association f iled t heir petition before the opposition-dominated City Council claiming that they were not formally informed the planned suspension which happened last Friday, July 5.

In their petition dated July 8, the vendors’ association asserts that the establishment of the Night Café was based on City Ordinance No. 89202003 and 9431-2004 which the City Council approved and that these cannot be superceded by Moreno’s Executive Order.

They said the “surprised” suspension of Night Café has resulted to enormous loss of income. Some of food sellers have even reported to the police regarding their spoiled foods when police dispersed them Friday.

The group was represented by Socrates Fa b e l a a nd L e op o ld o Feliciano, president and v ic e pre sid ent of t he association.

In their petition the g roup prayed t hat t he Divisoria Night Café and Night Market be re-opened.

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wednesday - July 10, 2013

‘Hapsay’ fun run all set for August stor y and photo by Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy

ALL SET. Kagayhaan Canine Club (KCC) President Edgardo Palad and Circle Productions, Inc. President Jeffrey Ang seal the memorandum of agreement with a handshake during the 1st Mayor Oca Moreno Fun Run “Dagan sa Kahapsay Kagay-an” press conference, July 8 at the Agua Seafood Restaurant, Limketkai Center. Also in the photo are KCC Project Chairman Kenneth Tan (left) and race director Francis Velasquez.

Cagayan de Oro City – The Kagayhaan Canine Club and Circle Productions, Inc. set the first ever Mayor Oca Moreno Fun Run to kickoff the August festivities.

The fun run, apt ly dubbed as “Dagan sa Kahapsay Kagay-an”, is all set for August 4, at the Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, this city.

The 1st Mayor Oca Moreno Fun Run is initiated by the officers and members of the Kagayhaan Canine Club (KCC) in their desire to help the new city administration’s thrust for change.

Accord ing to Edga rdo Pa lad, pre s id e nt of KC C , t he y a s k e d themselves “what can we do to help Mayor Oca Moreno and the new city administration bring about the much needed, desired, long overdue and prayed for ‘kahapsay’ to our beloved city”. The question springs into action the conceptualization of the “Dagan sa Kahapsay Kagay-an” fun run.

KCC Project Chairman, Kenneth Tan, says that the club’s mission as a group of dog-lovers is to promote the proper care and well-being of our canine friends.

Furthermore, Tan says that proceeds will be used for “the establishment and maintenance of the city’s dog pound service and canine vaccination”.

Tan disclosed that the original plan was a fun run together with their pet dogs, but after a series of consultations, Circle Productions ruled out the possibility as this may agitate the dogs during the actual run and might discourage other runners.

Tan also said that if time and weather would permit, they will just have a short ceremonial walk or run within the Divisoria area before the actual runs.

City Veterinarian Dr. Perla D. Asis said that the state and condition of the city dog pound service is currently at

its worst and there is no physical dog pound. “In the past two years, there was no operation in impounding of stray dogs” Dr. Asis further states.

Dr. Asis welcomes the initiatives of the Kagayhaan Canine Club with this fun run to raise awareness in animal rights, protection, and wellbeing of dogs.

Dr. Asis a lso states t hat t hey welcome a l l t y pes of dogs, not only purebreds in their office and that owners should not hesitate to bring their dogs for check-ups or vaccinations, or call them for any inquiries.

Circle Productions, Inc. President, Jef f rey A ng int roduces t he race categories run in a press conference, July 8, at the Agua Seafood Restaurant, Limketkai Center.

The race categories are 10k, 5k, and 3k runs with gun starts at 5:30am, 5:45am, and 6:00am respectively.

Circle Produc t ions, Inc. race director Francis Velasquez introduces the route of the fun. The start and finish lines will be at the Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, this city.

The 10k category will have its turning point at the Bulua Junction Road, while the 5k turning point will be near Pan de Pugon, Kauswagan Highway. The 3k category will have its turning point in the middle of the Maharlika (Marcos) Bridge.

Jeffrey Ang also introduced the registration fees as follows, PHP 500 for the 10k, PHP 400 for the 5k and PHP 300 for the 3k runs – all are inclusive of race bibs and t-shirts.

Interested runners may register at the La Cabana Spa, Happy Tea Convenience Store, Bettina Boutiques, Folded & Hu ng stores, SM A RT offices, Batinga Veterinary Clinic, Casas-Jamis Veterinary Clinic and Baldonado Veterinary Clinic, CMDC Diagnostic Center, PDS-PEME, Paws