BusinessDaily (July 30, 2013)

INSIDE LOOK

Sering: Climate change also affects industries

Ranger model drives up Ford’s sales in 1H

Sustainable tourism on ‘paradis islet’

PHL biodiversity depleting -- DENR

BusinessDaily Motoring

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Eco-Business

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Volume III, No. 266

Market Indicators

As of 6:11 pm july 29, 2013 (Monday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P43.34

6,717.66 points

3 cents

X

45.96 points

X

Briefly Davao’s growth

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Tuesday

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P15.00

July 30, 2013

Mindanao’s best, posh condominium launched V

By IRENE JOY B. DAYO, Reporter

ISTA Land and Landscapes Inc., the country’s leader in horizontal real estate development, has launched its first high-rise condominium property named “The Loop” outside Metro Manila on Saturday, July 27, at the Limketkai Atrium, Cagayan de Oro City.

DAVAO City -- Davao’s Region economy grew to 7.4% in 2012.

The 2012 increase in the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) is higher than the 2011 growth of 3.7%.

T he ac c e l er at i o n wa s brought about by the surge in the industry sector and the sustained growth of the Services Sector.

The industry sector surged from 0.7% in 2011 to 8.9% in 2012. Construction, and Electricity, Gas and Water Supply (EGWS) had a 13.7% growth in 2012 as compared to -9.6% in 2011. The services sector sustained its high growth with 9.2% in 2012, last 2011 it grew by about 6.7%. Manufacturing sector grew by 14.0%.

C a r a g a ’s B u B projects BUTUAN City -- On its first year of participation in the bottomup budgeting (BuB) process, the Department of Trade and Industry – Caraga Region has generated some P87 M worth of proposed projects in partnership with some 48 local government units (LGUs) and their partner civil society organizations (CSOs).

The projects are for 2014 implementation.

The amount represents 16% of the P549 M total value of DTI BuB projects from 17 regions in the country and therefore is the biggest among all the DTI regions.

This amount, which was recommended by the Caraga Regional Poverty Reduction Action team (R-PRAT) March of this year, has since been endorsed by the National Anti-Poverty Commission to the Depar tment of Budget and Management (DBM). The latter has also submitted this together with the rest of the 2014 BuB projects for approval by congress.

A Heritage of Good Taste

‘THE LOOP’ LAUNCHED. Former Manny Villar shares a toast with Limketkai President/ CEO Mr. Alfonso Lim during the launching of Vista Land’s “The Loop”, a two-tower 25-storey condominium that will be built inside Limketkai Complex. photo by rolando sudaria

PNoy orders probe into CdeO blast

“This is the best and most lu xurious condominium in Mindanao,” said former Senator Manny Villar who also graced the launching.

The Loop towers are twostorey buildings called North and South Towers. This is connected to Limket kai Mall by a walkway. Inside the North Tower alone are 522 units which consist of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and threebedroom units.

These master-planned towers have a spaciou s lobby that would welcome its u n it ow ners. In t he groundfloor, there are adult and kiddie pools, fitness gym, multi-purpose hall and commercial spaces which wou ld prov ide ups c a le amenity offerings. There

would be also a clubhouse in the groundf loor called “Canopy.”

The second to third floors are consist of parking pods.

The fourth level displays the garden residential units.

Further, fifth to 24th floors house the residential condo units. The 25th floor, on the other hand, houses exclusive penthouse units which also contains the sky lounge.

The Loop also ensures convenience a nd sa fet y of its residents. It has 24hour concierge services and advanced security system.

The condo will cater to almost all income segments and will serve the needs of its target market ranging from mid to upper middle and high-end income markets. launched/PAGE 11

By CHENG ORDONEZ BWM Editor-in-Chief

PR E SIDEN T Benig no Aquino III condemned on Sunday the explosion that rocked Cagayan de Oro where initially six people were killed and scores others wounded Friday night, at an arcade in Limketkai mall.

D e put y pre sid ent i a l spokeswoman Abigail Valte said that Aquino ordered probe/PAGE 11

BOMBING SUSPECTS. The PNP Regional Crime Lab Region 10 yesterday released the computerized facial composite of the three suspects as described by witnesses. (PNP-PIO)

RED ALERT. Police conducts checkpoints in various parts of the city following the deadly blast at the Limketkai Center Friday evening.

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Economy

ZamPen is fastest growing local economy ZAMBOANGA Peninsula has the fastest growing local economy in the Philippines last year, this is according to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).

Jose Ramon A. Albert, NSCB secretary general said that the Western Mindanao region posted a stunning

12.4 percent economic growth, as measured by its gross domestic product (GDP), last year.

Albert said that the impressive economic performance, the fastest growth in 2012 among the country’s 17 regions, was brought about by the acc elerated growths of the industry and services sectors, particularly in fisheries.

But the rapid growth of the Zamboanga Peninsula was also attributable to some “base effects” as the economy grew from 0.1 percent in 2011.

Meanwhile, other top five fastest growing regions in 2012 also included Caraga with 10.6 percent; Central Visayas, 9.3 percent; Cagayan Valley, 8.2 percent; and SOCCSKSARGEN with 8.1 percent.

On the other hand, the economy of Eastern Visayas contracted by 6.2 percent in 2012 from a 2.1 percent growth in 2011.

Out of the country’s 17 regions, fourteen regions posted accelerated growths from 2011 to 2012 with Zamboanga Peninsula posting the biggest jump. This was followed

by CALABARZON (5.3 percentage points), Bicol (5.2 percentage points), Metro Manila (4.2 percentage points) and Davao Region (3.7 percentage points).

Meanwhile, the growth rate of Eastern Visayas’ economy nosedived by 8.3 percentage points from 2.1 percent in 2011 to negative 6.2 percent in 2012 while that of CAR and Central Luzon dropped by 0.3 percentage point and 0.8 percentage point, respectively.

NCR continued to have the largest share of the country’s total output with a 35.7 percent share in 2012, slightly higher than the 35.6 percent recorded in 2011.

It was followed by CALABARZON with a share of 17.4 zampen/PAGE 10

Economists hopeful Davao to maintain strong economy DAVAO CITY—Despite the impact of typhoon Pablo, Davao Region economic planners expressed optimism the region will continue its strong economic position this year.

In her report on the 2012 Economic Performance of the Davao Region, Maria Lourdes D. Lim, Nationa l Economic Development Authority-XI (NEDA-11) regional director, said the region’s expected strong economic position this year will be pushed by big ticket projects registered with the Board of Investments (BOI).

Some of these investments are the following: the P1.3-billion hydro power plant in Davoa del Sur; P1.1-billion project in coal production in Davao Oriental; P824.5-million 186-room hotel in Davao City; and a low-cost mass housing in the cities of Davao and Tagum valued at P975

million.

Other prospective investments on the pipeline are the retail shopping malls and the electronic and steel manufacturing in the proposed PEZA Zone in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Lim said they are also looking at ICT to continue its robust performance in the light of favorable developments among others, the start of operations of Convergys, the country’s biggest BPO in Davao City which recruited 1,000 agents.

Knowledge Process Outsourcing is also going into expansion for non-voice sector that would cater to health IT, back office outsourcing, engineering and design outsourcing, graphic design and animation, she added.

Also, she said Davao City being the new davao/PAGE 10

MEDIA PARTNERS:

External trade declines 1.6%

THE Philippines’ external t r a d e d e c l i n e d b y 1. 6 percent in the month of May a mounting to US$ 10.151 billion from US$ 10.317 billion of May 2012, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).

T he recent foreig n trade statistics showed that country’s decline in external trade is due to negative growth in imports as six out of 10 major commodities reduced their imports while total exports also went down in May as five out of 10 major commodities exports weaken.

It was reported earlier that total imports in May dropped 2.4 percent posting US$ 5.258 declines/PAGE 10

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Toyota to showcase concept cars in the Philippines

Ranger model drives up Ford’s sales in 1H THE Philippine sales of American carmaker Ford more than doubled in June, w it h it s R a nger model cornering a third of sales.

In a statement on Thursday, Ford Philippines said its sales last month jumped 112 percent to 1,245 vehicles from 587 in the same month last year. So far this year, June was Ford Phi lippines’ top-sel ling month, exceeding sales of 1,230 last May. At end-June, a “record” 6,261 Ford vehicles were sold, up 87.2 percent from 3,344 in the same six-month period

last year. The company claims t hat Ford is t he “fastest growing automotive brand in the Philippines this year.”

“Exceptional response to our full lineup of segmentleading Ford vehicles is helping drive record sales.

Our widest-ever range of Ford vehicles in the Philippines is helping introduce our brand to even more customer segments and is helping attract so many new-to-Ford customers,” Ford Philippines managing director Kay Hart said.

The all-new Ford Ranger

pickup remains the bestselling model, with 417 units sold last month. End-June sales of the Ranger reached 2,003 or almost a third of total sales in the first half.

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This August 2013, the no.

1 automotive brand in the cou nt r y, Toyot a Motor Phi l ippi nes (TMP) w i l l bring in two concept cars to the Philippines. These vehicles that will give us a glimpse of how cars will be in the near future will be exhibited at The World of Toyota Motorshow on August 10 – 18 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. Toyota’s FCV-R and Lexus’s LF-LC exude the brand’s new design philosophy and technology of cars in the future.

Toyota’s Fuel-Cell Vehicle Rea l it y a nd Revolut ion (FCV-R) is a ded icated c onc e pt mo d e l t h at i s highly practical. Marking its next step towards mass production sometime in 2015, this mid-size family FCV runs on hydrogen and does not emit emission gas or CO2 but only water vapor.

Overall, the FCV-R combines

LEXUS’S LF-LC

FCV-R

breakthrough innovation with ergonomic practicality and futuristic styling.

Mirroring Toyota’s new family design, both the front and rear styling exposes a “W” theme, signifying the fuel cell cooling system.

On the other hand, Lexus will showcase its FutureLuxury Coupe (LF-LC) that was first revealed in Detroit, M ich iga n at t he Nor t h American International Auto Show.

The LF-LC shows off the brand’s signature spindleshaped grille supported by

a front-engine and rearwheel drive drivetrain layout.

Furthermore, the vehicle’s interior displays the latest advanced technology with natural forms and shapes to create a driver-focused synergy of form and function.

All these are powered by the latest Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive that delivers driving performance and fuel efficiency.

All in all, the FCV-R and the LF-LC shape Toyota’s future in mobility. Moreover, this rare opportunity to view these concept cars will give visitors a chance to env ision t he bra nd ’s new design language and technology that promises to be consistent in all upcoming Toyota vehicles. As the brand moves forward after 25 years in the Philippines, Toyota remains to be committed in creating quality vehicles and u ltimately satisf ied customers.

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EcoBusiness

‘Build Green, Live Green’

Zuellig edifice joins league of world’s ‘greenest’ building

THE US Green Building Counci l awarded t he Z u e l l i g Bu i ld i n g i n Makati City certification at Platinum level under its “Leadership for Energy a nd Env i ron ment a l Design” (Core and Shell) (LEED-CS) program.

Zuellig Building is the first development in the Philippines, and among the first in Asia, to earn the highest level in the LEED rating system for “green” architecture, sustainable construction met hodologies and resource-eff icient building operations.

The new Ma kati landmark joins an elite group of about a hundred Platinum-certified highr ise of f ice bu i ld i ngs worldwide.

Among the ranks of these “greenest” buildings are the Bank of America Tower in New York, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Asia Square in Singapore, a nd Ta ipei 101. T he Zuellig Building’s LEED Platinum certification brings the Philippines a nd Ma k at i i nto t he world-class league of green architecture and state-of-the-art office infrastructure. (MST)

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By Roger M. Garcia

Sering: Climate change also affects industries

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

CLIMATE change will impact heavily on Philippine industries as extreme events become even more severe, affecting supply, transport and distribution in the future, Secretary Lucille Sering of the Climate Change Commission said.

Speaking before some 300 participants of Green Retail Agenda 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, Sering said climate change is strongly being felt even today that a “business-as-usual” scenario has become impossible.

Sering, the President’s alter ego to the climate-change body, spoke about the effects of climate change and the government’s preparedness to its impacts.

Organized by SM Superma lls, the Green Retail Agenda 2013 carries the theme “Business Continuity Amid Climate Change” to emphasize the need to prepare for the unforeseen to protect businesses and the community. Representatives from SM Supermalls and business partners participated in the conference.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Affects/PAGE 10

Bill amending Mining Act ready by Sept — Acosta MANILA—A bill changing how the spoils of mining are divided between companies and the government will be filed in Congress in September, Presidential Adviser on Environmental Protection Neric Acosta said.

“It would be submitted to this new Congress by early September so that you don’t have to wait for another few months— isasalang na kaagad,” Acosta said.

He said the Mining Industry Coordinating Council’s (MICC) technical working groups have been threshing out the details of the bill, including the classification of metallic and non-metallic minerals, and the role of local governments and small-scale mining, among others.

“With that, what would you do with Mt. Diwalwal? With Rapu-rapu?” Acosta, who

chairs the MICC, said.

“The metallic and non-metallic has long been suggested as you cannot lump them together. And there are also those identified as non-metallic that should be metallic — like black sand mining — that is considered as quarrying and gravel. But it’s not supposed to be because it separates sand and derive magnetite,” he added.

The inter-agency MICC is also updating data on Philippine mines and the fiscal regimes in other mineral-rich countries such as Chile, Botswana, South Africa and Australia that can be used in amending the existing revenue-sharing between the government and the private sector.

The MICC is mapping out the entire act/PAGE 10

THE set is stage for the biggest event for green technology that aims to build greener communities for a greener future.

In a press briefing held in Makati late this week officials of Reed Exhibitions together with the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore Director Koh Lin Ji, announced that Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia, Southeast Asia’s premier business platform for the green building and construction industry will hold the annual “green event” on September 11-13 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

BEX Asia 2013 “promises to be a truly holistic and an all-encompassing green show” as it will also simultaneously hold the inaugural edition of the World Engineering Expo (WEE), this year’s International Green Building Conference (IGBC) and the World Engineers Summit (WES) 2013 during the 3-day event.

IGBC will also be a key part of the Singapore Green Building Week (SGBW) 2013 and serves as a platform for global industry players, practitioners and academics, to congregate and share cutting-edge ideas and best practices.

With a total 300 exhibitors coming from 30 countries worldwide the BEX Asia likewise expects to deliver at least US$100 million onsite volume sales compared to last year’s US$ 90 million output.

New comer countries Switzerland and Japan will be joining China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC), Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) that will have their respective pavilions during the 3-day event.

In Partnership with Singapore Institute of Architects together with Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority and its Green Building Council the event expects to draw at least 10,000 visitors this year.

BEX Asia brings together skilled professionals, key industry practitioners, major specifiers and buyers from the region to build networks and create business opportunities, in support of the global trend to build greener communities for a greener future.

Since 2009, BEX Asia has taken the lead to drive the industry’s green movement by providing a platform for regional interaction,” said Ms. Louise Chua, Project Director of Reed Exhibitions which organises BEX Asia. green/PAGE 10

Sustainable tourism on ‘paradise islet’ ONE destination that is slowly gaining popularity among local and foreign tourists is Kalanggaman Island in Palompon town, Leyte.

Known as “paradise island,” Ka la ngga ma n boasts of pristine waters and powdery wh ite-s a nd be ach w it h long sandbars stretching on both sides of the island.

It is found in the middle of the sea between Bogo City in northern Cebu and Palompon.

Tourists—some even coming from Malapascua Island in northern Cebu—reach Kalanggaman by motorboat and go swimming, kayaking or snorkeling the whole day

before departing by sundown.

Today, the influx of visitors is being regulated by the mu n icipa l gover n ment , which has jurisdiction over the 9-hectare island.

Cruise ships:

Two international luxury cruise ships had already made stopovers there. Close to 400 tourists and crew members of the MS Europa came on March 20 and stayed for 12 tourism/PAGE 7

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Lee Catane and Charlotte Calo, members of Stella Maris College HS Batch 88, on the way to planting mangroves in Oroquieta City. contributed photo

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US debt deal helps PHL save forests THE United States will help preserve the Philippines’ rapidly vanishing tropical rainforests under an $31.8-million debt-toaid conversion signed in Manila.

Payments on debt owed by the Philippines to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will be redirected to starting a tropical forest conservation fund, a joint statement of the two governments said.

The fund would provide grants to conserve, maintain and restore still substantial forest lands in five regions of the archipelago.

“In addition to helping to preserve the Philippines’ extraordinary terrestrial

biodiversity, the fund will contribute to international climate change mitigation efforts,” the statement said.

US-based environment group Conser vation I nt er n at ion a l l i s t s t he Philippines as one of 17 “mega-diversity” countries that together have more than two-thirds of earth’s plant and animal species.

However the Philippines

is a lso considered a biodiversity hotspot due to r apid ha r ve st i ng or conversion of its forests to farms or other uses.

T h e P h i l i p p i n e government says the country lost half its forest cover over the past 100 years, and is down to 7.6 million hec ta res (18.78 mi l l ion acres). (Interaksyon.com/ AFP)

Mangroves: Insurance PHL biodiversity depleting — DENR Zambo school launches green against wrath of nature (Part 2)

By Philipp Gassner

AS insurance provider, Mother Nature is now being taken seriously on the market.

Some insurance agencies offer cheaper policies for resorts with beaches seamed by mangroves; not only to protect from the odd tsunami, but also from much more frequent calamities, such as typhoons and floods.

Calamities sound all too familiar to millions of oceanfront Filipinos, Indonesians or Indians. Let alone the people of Fiji, Tuvalu, or the Federated States of Micronesia, who live just 2 meters above sea level, which are on the rise as the globe warms and the poles melt.

Such rise turns average surf into a flood. And storms, multiplied by the very same global warming, into small tsunamis.

Blue carbon locked into the soil: Better be climate change insured by mangroves.

Mangroves which can yet do much more. They can fix climate change in the first place, and, thus, render a human-issued insurance policy against it obsolete.

Sounds too good to be true? How can a couple of trees in the water mitigate climate change?

Well, by addressing the very cause of it, the boosted carbon-dioxide levels in the atmosphere, which lead to the warming greenhouse-gas effect.

Just like any other tree, mangroves capture carbon from the air and store it in their wood. But mangroves do an even better job.

To discover their secret, we have to dig deep in the muddy, grubby ground. In the rich, tidally submerged soil, mangroves store about 90 percent of the fixed carbon in the form of organic material, which decomposes very slowly. Thus, they continuously lock huge amounts of “blue carbon” into the soil under the sea level: 1,000 tons per hectare, more than three times as much as tropical forest on land.

Mother Nature’s bank account: This carbon lock is great news for the climate and great news for us. We can kick back and conveniently continue our beach holiday, enjoying the wooden beach cottages, the colorful fish, the sweeping views and the clear water, as advertised in the brochure—without having to worry about mangroves anymore.

Or do we? Sorry to say, but without mangroves the travel brochure would read quite differently: Dull views, lifeless oceans, filthy water and no wooden cottage.

Indeed, mangroves are spot on all-rounders: they are a source of timber and construction materials, e.g., for beach resorts while, at the same time, providing them with sweeping panoramas, promoting wellness and recreation. They filter coastal pollution, prevent soil erosion and improve biodiversity. For instance, they are home to the endangered Kalimantan Proboscis Monkey. nature/PAGE 10

PAGADIAN CITY—Recent assessment made by the Department of Environment a nd Nat u ra l Resou rces (DENR) revealed that of the 24 percent of the total 44,000 square-kilometers of coral reefs of good condition in the Philippines, only two percent remain in excellent condition.

Mu s s aend r a G . Te e , chief of the Biodiversity Conservation and Management Section of the Protected Areas Wildlife Coastal Zone Management (PAWCZMS), DENR-9 said that of the original 450,000 hectares of mangrove forests in the country only 149,000 remain untouched.

“But based on the 1995 DE N R s t at i s t ic s , t he s e mangrove areas were further reduced to only 117,700 hectares,” she said.

Tee said that “more than half of the country’s wetlands of international importance covering 14,000 squarekilometers are threatened.”

“The countr y had an estimated 17 million hectares

tech project

of forest lands in 1935, but now only six million remain intact and only 800,000 hectares of these are old growth,” she reported.

“The Philippines is one of the 18 countries in the world identified as containing 6070 percent of the world’s bio d i ver sit y ne x t on ly to Brazil, Columbia and Indonesia,” Tee said.

According to Tee, the Philippines ranks fifth in the world in terms of plant species, numbering to more than 8,000; and fourth in bird

endemism registering 579 species of bird of which 395 are known to nest and breed in the country. The country is also fifth in mammal endemism.

“The factors that threaten our biodiversity a re at t r ibuted to ma nmade and natural disasters such as logging, fires, land conversion, dest r uc t ive f ishi ng, encroach ment / occupancy in protected areas, siltation, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and typhoons,” Tee concluded. (PIA)

Z A M B OA NG A C I T Y— The Za mboa nga Cit y State Polytechnic Colleges has lau nched its Green Technology project in support to environment protection in the community following the negative effects of climate change.

ZCSPC president Dr. Nora Ponce said the launching of the project was held during t he 10 8t h a n n i ve r s a r y celebration of the school last week.

The ZCSPC was e st abl i she d du r i ng t he American regime and was known as Zamboanga School of Arts and Trade. It was converted into a college 12 years ago.

Ponce said they w i l l pl a nt g re e n t re e s including horseradish trees (Malunggay) in the school’s perimeter.

Ponce said these trees will project a green environment launches/PAGE 11

disasters strike so health workers can determine if she’s among calamity victims for priority medical assistance and evacuation,” R xBox project research associate Randy Fernandez said.\ A pregnant woman’s vital signs and uterine contraction as well as her baby’s heart rate can be measured and monitored using RxBox to identify the risk involved.

RxBox research assistant Jonathan Fabia noted the device can also transmit such readings to authorities out side d i s a ster a re a s ,

enabling t hem to guide health workers on how to help at-risk pregnant women trapped in communities left isolated by calamities.

“Such device is capable of sending the information t hroug h tex t messages, e-mail, calls and voice-over Internet protocol,” he said.

He said when disaster strikes, women can experience trauma, stress and other conditions that endanger pregnancy.

RxBox can help health workers address such emergency situations, he

noted. “ T he de v ic e i s a l s o usef u l du r i ng norma l times, reducing need for long-dista nce travel, so communities can use this to enhance respective health services as well as disaster preparedness and response,” he said.

Fernandez said RxBox at present runs on either electricity or battery.

R xBox’ future use of s ola r p ower a nd ot her renewable energy forms is still a possibility, however, potential/PAGE 11

UP innovation raises PHL disaster preparedness, response potential MANILA—A local diagnostic device is enhancing the Philippines’ potential to further improve its disaster preparedness and response bid.

Dubbed R xBox, such device is an innovation of State-run University of the Philippines Diliman to help provide pregnant women in marginalized and remote communities nationwide better access to life-saving healthcare services.

“The device can identify a pregnant women’s risk factors before and af ter

When you’re in Zamboanga City and other part of Western Mindanao, read...

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A better way

T

THINK

hink a minute…You know that all of the world ’s A Minute progress has come from people By Jhan Tiafau Hurst who just weren’t satisfied to let well enough alone.

Sir Francis Bacon said: “Acorns and nuts were good, until someone invented bread.”

So after you’ve succeeded a little, don’t make the mistake of stopping.

If you can’t think up a new idea or invention, then find a way to improve an old one.

S ome one s a id : “ T he difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.”

Remember, the enemy of the best is second best.

So if you’re satisfied with just what’s good, you’ll never have the best.

A famous sports coach said: “It’s what you learn after you know it all that really counts.”

When you think you know it all, you stop improving.

If we think we’ve arrived, we’ll get left behind. Successful people keep looking for better work even after they’ve found a job.

“We may all live under the same sky, but we don’t all have the same horizon.”

Expanding your horizons means choosing to see the bigger picture and opportunities for success all around you.

A woman’s view of life was changed forever when in a restaurant she met Picasso, the world-famous artist.

She asked him to write something on her dinner napkin.

Picasso scribbled something quickly and said to her: “That will be $10,000.”

Shocked, the woman said to him: “But you did that in just thirty seconds!”

Picasso answered: “No, it’s taken me 40 years to do that.” hurst/PAGE 7

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and others of their kind. akampi Yes, discrimination against Mo A ng Batas these people causes them to

By Atty. Batas Mauricio go underground and therefore become unable to avail of treatment and medicine, but then, the issue is, how did these people acquire the HIV virus in the first place? By having indiscriminate sex, man to man, man to woman, woman to woman, that’s how.

What Rosales and her group should focus on, therefore, is to stop such sexual trysts from happening, to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS. Stopping discrimination to allow those infected with these deadly diseases to avail of treatment is a mere stopgap measure that will not stop the epidemic, now very alarming because some 101 individuals are now getting infected every day (which is five people infected per hour).

Stopping promiscuity and sexual liberation will, and that is the real challenge that we should all surmount.

-ooo BIBLICAL DIMENSION OF HIV & AIDS: In fighting HIV and AIDS, Rosales and her associates should also seriously consider the spiritual dimension of the ailments. batas/PAGE 7

K

Do not vote for re-electionists

he reason we shouldn’t vote for re electionists is simple.

If the administrator or legislator asks for another term in office, how is it he or she requires another term when they already had their chance in office.

To ask for another term to only make promises is suspect.

As for legislators, if they have not pursued their legislative agenda and accomplished what it is they aspired to legislate, no term extension will obviously complete his or her proposals.

And should the re electionists ask for another term, they shouldn’t have to campaign other than register because their successes will dictate their mandate from the people who will either have been satisfied regardless of not being made aware of their work.

And should it be the latter, then the politician must have failed with his PR campaign to convey his successes (and either way he or she has failed).

As for administrators who require additional terms in office, be wary should he campaign hard for it because they are only obviously building an oligarchy to sustain their authority obviously thru their offices.

In this election let us STOP voting not only for those with political dynasties (or families in government) but also re electionists who are trying hard to win the election.

If and when the voting public is aware of his or her

Crystaline pino ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI

Comelec acts on Pasay PCOS poll case

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another…”

(Romans 1:24, the Holy Bible).

-ooo COMELEC ACTS ON PASAY PCOS POLL CASE: I wish to thank the Commission on Elections for acting on the petition I filed for a group of Pasay City residents questioning the proclamation of Mayor Antonino Calixto as the winner in the May 2013 elections, based on election results which showed more votes that were counted than there were voters. The poll body set a hearing on that petition on July 31, 2103, at 2 p.m., at its Intramuros, Manila office.

Calixto was also ordered by the Comelec to answer that petition. The objective in this case is to clarify why the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines that were used in Pasay City came out with election results which reflected discrepancies in the very statement of votes that were used to proclaim the winning candidate.

-ooo ROSALES, ET. AL. ARE WRONG ABOUT HIV & AIDS: With due respect, Commission on Human Rights Chairman Loretta Ann Rosales and other lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists, are all gravely wrong in their perception that the spread of the deadly HIV virus which causes AIDS (or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a result of mere discrimination against lesbians, gays

T

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successes, there is no need to campaign other than to B randing register for the office.

By Harry Tambuatco We need to elect new officials and new family names into office.

Let us remember; “equal opportunity for public office” as stated in the constitution Article II Section 26.

At t he rate t he major political parties are saddled with dynasties and mostly re electionists, we need to shun most of them to pave the way for new politics.

Should we as a people have issues with government, taking this to measure then our politicians have failed and should no longer be voted into power.

Beware of those politicians who stay the positions to win mandates, they only wish to perpetuate themselves into power as they build their power and inf luence to sustain their oligarchies.

And should we have to have to convince you why dynasties are wrong, then all is lost.

Tambuatco/PAGE 7

Realities of teen pregnancy

eenage pregnancies is a universal concern, be it a third world country or a highly industrialized nation.

It is likewise no respecter of religion, status in life, educational attainment and even family ties.

In most instances, the pregnancy gets unnoticed during the first trimester and sometimes extending to the second trimester.

Unless, of course, if the parent/s, are kind of attuned to the changes in their daughter’s appearance, behaviour and bodily changes.

It is not uncommon for teen age pregnancies to go undetected.

I have encountered these cases wherein they are brought to the hospital for consultations, for something else.

The signs and symptoms related to pregnancy like nausea, vomiting ( commonly referred to as morning sickness), sore nipples and breast, unusual fatigue, aversion to certain foods or smell, mood swings, may not be felt by the teenager.

A missed menstrual period may be considered as normal, especially if one’s cycle is not regular.

There was even this particular patient who was rushed to the Emergency Room by an unsuspecting mother because her daughter is complaining of severe abdominal pain.

After a thorough physical examination, I then asked the patient point blank if she missed her period and if she has a Boyfriend.

At first she denied. But, having pregnancy as one of the clinical impressions, I requested for a Pregnancy Test, which turned out to be positive.

HEALTH

There are also instances when only upon doing an I n Focus abdominal ultrasound, trying

By Dr. Mary Jean Loreche to rule out a surgical abdomen that the real diagnosis of a pregnancy is seen.

Problem w it h teenage pregnancies is that, it puts greater medical risks to the upcoming mother and her baby.

Due to the fear of being discovered, she tends to hide t he pregna nc y a nd t hus, prenatal care is neglected.

Prenatal care is critical during the first months of the pregnancy, as this is the time wherein medical problems are screened like the haemoglobin level ( to detect anemia ), blood pressure, hepatitis C, to name a few of the tests that may be requested for.

Premature births or low birth weights are not uncommon.

Not forgetting that, due to lack of emotional support either from the father of the baby or the family, the teenage mother to be, may suffer from depression.

Alcohol and drug abuse is not far off too.

And, it also goes without saying, that she may have to stop her schooling for the duration of the pregnancy and through the coming months in order to nurse her infant.

The list of negative effects for a teenage pregnancy can loreche/PAGE 7

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Chiz files bill to prohibit stereotyping based on religious or ethnic origin Stereotyping based on race, religion or ethnicity will be unlawful once Senator Chiz Escudero’s bill passes into law. Escudero filed Senate Bill No. 1081 (SBN 1081) or Anti-Religious and Ethnic Stereotyping Act. SBN 10 81 m a k e s any racial-prof iling and stereotyping unlawful with penal provisions for those who will be found violating and guilty of such.

Escudero, chairman of the senate committee on finance said it has become a typical ill in our society to cast particular groups of people in a mold simply because they belong to stereotyped communities or groups.

“It ’s a n a ge- old i l l, stereotyping ascribes negative traits to a particular group or person, such as when a person suspected of being involved in a crime is referred to as a ‘Muslim suspect,’ when no such identification is made when such a suspect belongs to a Christian or other religions. It’s almost rooted in bigotry and this should be rectified by an enforced legislation,” the senator said.

He s a id i nd iv idu a ls who belong to the stereotyped communities feel a diminished sense of citizenship, a feeling of being an unequal member of society when we claim to live under one flag and one country.

“Every citizen has the fundamental right to be free from discrimination w h ic h a r i s e s f rom h i s or her race, religion or ethnicity, as prescribed by the Constitution and the International Human Rights Covenants. The State shall not allow the commission of acts which directly or indirectly derogates these fundamental

Hurst... from page 6

God’s given each of us so much potential.

We can, and should, keep learning and improving all our life.

S o i f w h at you d id yesterday is still good enough for you, then you haven’t done much today.

Don’t ju s t “ge t by ”, get high on life by always learning new things every day.

You s e e , w hen G o d stretches you, you never snap back to your original size and shape.

You’re always a bit bigger and better than before.

So why not ask Jesus to forgive you for not living up to the kind of life He created you to live?

Then ask Him to take charge and start showing you every day His better way.

Just Think a Minute…

Batas... from page 6

With due respect, they should consult the Bible, and find out from its verses what can be done about these diseases.

human rights,” Escudero said.

Section 4 of SBN 1081 prohibits the following acts: a.) discriminatory treatment where any person treats another differently or less favorably on account of any stereotypes associated with that persons religion or ethnic origin in media, employment, education, delivery of basic goods and services and other analogous circumstances and b.) religious or ethnic stereotyping or profiling where a person is singled-out or profiled based solely on account of religion or ethnic origin, such that it shall be made to appear that any act committed or any attitude taken by such person or class of persons is based on account of his/her/their religion or ethnicity.

Penal provision for first offense is a fine not lower than thirty thousand pesos (Php 30,000.00). Succeeding offences mete out a fine not lower than two hundred t housa nd pesos (Php 200,000.00) or imprisonment for at least one month to six months; or both such fines at the discretion of the court.

“The enactment of this bill and its enforcement is long overdue. Our country is a melting pot of cultures; we have to co-exist amid our rich and diverse sociocultural background. We have to hurdle stereotyping and discrimination because it hinders our progress as a united nation,” Escudero said.

For starters, they should read its Romans 1:18 to 32, and understand that the phenomenon of men being inf lamed with desire for another man, and woman for another woman, was predicted to happen a long time ago.

Consider these: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness…

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened…

“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 natural relations with women and were inf lamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error…”

-ooo DEATH AS PENALTY: And what is the “due penalty”

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Phase out of old PUVs start soon CAGAYAN de Oro City-Starting end of October this year, old passenger jitneys, taxis, vans and buses used for public transport in Northern Mindanao would be phased out, the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Thursday.

LTFRB Regional Director Mandangan Darimbang said that the franchises of public utility vehicles that are more than 15 years old would no longer be renewed as the LFTRB started to phase out the old taxis, buses, and vans.

He said that the LTFRB has started checking the franchises and models of public utility transport, especially if these vehicles were acquired more than 15 years ago.

“We have already started to phase out the old taxis, buses and vans,” Darimbang said, following a circular order from their national office.

However, he said there is a problem when it comes to jitneys because it is not easy

to determine their year of manufacture.

It was learned that jitney bodies are made here but the parts are surplus.

“But we could examine the registration papers to find out if these were tampered ” Darimbang said.

He said that tampered papers can be caught because vehicle registration is now computerized.

“We will not renew or confirm franchises of older vehicles, although owners may replace their old units with new models,” he said.

Darimbang, however, said that the franchise of repainted old units purposely to make it appear that the unit is new would not be renewed, too.

He added that the cost for renewing or confirming a franchise is around P 1,000 considering that there are no penalties for delinquency.

By the end of October this year, Darimbang said that the phased out vehicles would no longer be allowed on the road as public utility vehicles.

PHASE OUT - The Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) give owners and franchise holders of public utility vehicles like buses, vans, taxis, and jitneys acquired more than 15 years ago until the end October to phase out their units. photo by gerry lee gorit of mindanao daily news - nm

For buses, Darimbang cited some specific cases such as the old units of Batman and Lucy plying the eastern

Misamis Oriental route.

He also included the old unit of the Super 5 plying the Cagayan de Oro-Wao route.

Biz group lauds ‘Hapsay Dalan’ sidewalk clearing drive-Local business group Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OroChamber) lauded City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno’s intensified ‘Hapsay Dalan’ sidewalk clearing campaign led by Atty. Jose Edgardo ‘Egay’ Uy as it noted vast sales improvements of member-establishments, especially those located around Divisoria area. In a recent courtesy call, OroChamber President Efren Uy (2nd from left) and his officers met with Mayor Moreno to boost business relations and partnership between the group and the city government insofar as trade and investment promotion is concerned. photo supplied

that the Bible is talking about? It is death, and this is clear from Romans 1:32, which says: “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them…”

Those in the know will say that “death” here is not just physical death, but also the “second” death, which is eternal life in the lake of fire and worms.

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

Tambuatco... from page 6

Dynasties are not only e v i l , t he y re s t r ic t t he growth and prosperity of the municipalities and cities they have held hostage while in extended stay in office.

Politics should not be a career, it should be public service.

Starting out as advocacies coupled with the goodwill to help and serve the public gets

corrupted in time with the perks the office provides.

At one time or other politicians turn prostitutes unable to refuse favors the off ice promotes and the longer we keep them in office, the stronger the oligarchy becomes.

And before you know it the monster the politicians were trying to replace have become the monsters they replaced.

The oppression of the majority or the masses is the ignorance that is born with their disposition.

Loreche... from page 6

go on and on.

According to the United Nations Family Planning Agency, in 2011, among the ages 10-19, teenage pregnancies has increased to 70%.

Educating t he young on t heir sexua lit ies , making them understand responsibility, keeping them aware of the negative effects as well as the health risks, will help the young make intelligent , morally correct informed choices.

For after all, the young are the backbone and the future of our nation.

Tourism... from page 4

hours to swim, sunbathe and stroll on the white-sand beach.

On May 1, the MS Bremen arrived with about 100 European tourists.

Tourism Undersecretary Maria Victoria Jasmin, who visited Kalanggaman in April, lauded the efforts of Palompon Mayor Ramon Oñate to make tourism sustainable in his town.

“We feel that this is going to be a big attraction soon, and we hope that the mayor and his staff will continue to maintain and sustain whatever they are doing,” Jasmin said.

“The thing is the mayor has considered the potential, but at the same time, he is looking at the capacity [of the island],” she added.

Sustainability: Usually, Jasmin pointed out, when a locality would show tourism potential, local officials tended to accommodate all tourists regardless of its capacity.

“We should also consider, how many can be accommodated at one given time,” she said.

In the case of Kalanggaman, Jasmin said Mayor Oñate did not want to rush development on the island to maintain the quality of the beach sand.

“Kalanggaman is a very beautiful

fine-sand islet. It is an attraction by itself. It is not as big as other islands like Boracay [Island in Aklan],” she said. “There are several interventions that are needed but they (local tourism office) strongly await what the plan of the mayor is in the next few years.”

Asked to elaborate, the tourism official said the island needed a water supply, as well as a sewage system.

Travel plans: The town proper of Palompon can be reached by a two-hour boat ride from Cebu and a three-hour travel by van from Tacloban City, the capital city of Leyte.

From there, visitors can take a motorboat for a trip of about one hour to Kalanggaman. Fare is P3,000 for a maximum of 20 passengers, including four containers of freshwater for bathing.

A P125 entrance fee to the island is collected. For tourists who plan to stay overnight, the fee is P250 per head. They may occupy several huts or pitch their own tents since there are no hotels or resorts.

Fresh catch can be bought from local fishermen. There are grilling stations available, as well as wooden tables.

Those planning to take a trip to Kalanggaman are advised to contact Palompon Ecotours Office (053-5559010) or view their website (www. palompon-leyte.gov.ph) for more details. (Eco-Business)

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Kumbira 2013 Heritage Feature:

A Heritage of Good Taste

by Wendy Ramos-Garcia

My mother used to say that one way of sizing up a person is by knowing about the kind of food he/ she enjoys since food is part and parcel of living well.

It wasn't until I left home that I realized that we have so many culinary delights, some of them peculiar only to Cagayanons - like the much-touted bihod (fish roe) coming from that special fish known as pigok (indigenous to Cagayan and Tagoloan rivers).

There's the binaki (made from milk and corn meal) that most people in the Philippines don't even have an inkling of.

Then there's the fresh milk puto from the Soriano kitchen, the yemas, brazo de mercedes, sans rival and boat tarts that only Tita Gely Dayrit can make.

There's also the

Elloso's banana candies and the late Tita Flor Jaldon's special coconut candies (not macaroons).

From my mother's kitchen, I learned to make keseo (white cheese from fresh carabao’s milk), budin (bread pudding), jalea (pure mango jam) and fresh milk ice-cream churned from a handcranked ice cream maker or garapinera.

Who can forget the late Tita Luz Macaranas' special ensaimadas, fresh lumpia and masa podrida (a kind of pastry/cookie made from flour with ube jalea filling ), the Castanos' empanadas, Lola Iling Fernandez's pastillas de leche (also made from fresh carabao's milk) and the manticao (or mantecao, small elongated cakes which come in two flavors: cinnamon and butter) and crema de fruta recipes of the

Neri sisters (Tita Perla and Tita Flor).

Almost every family had tsokolate at breakfast and dinnertime made from their own backyard cacao trees.

What about the kayam? (a kind of fruit, shaped like a shell which is eaten boiled) I remember that my mother had a "suki" who would deliver cooked or boiled kayam to the house.

I haven't seen kayam for a long, long time now.

And who can ever forget the ginamos made from hipon or little fish that come only once a year, usually the first day of February.

I wonder if other places in the country have as many delicacies such as the ones that Cagayan can boast of (except for Pampanga and Bacolod, of course).

Ginamos galore from Libertad

(Excerpts from an article by Gwendolyn RamosGarcia - “Memories of the Old Hometown”)

Memories of the Old Hometown

Street food specialties from VIP Hotel's Kalye

The Japanese Way…?!!

Time a n d aga in , t h e Japanese have wowed the world on their culture.

The recent buz z on social media about how Japanese commuters in Minami - ku, Saitama - Shi JR Minami Urawa station rallied to save a woman who fel l on the gap bet ween the t ra i n and the platform have stirred va r i o u s re a ct i o n s f ro m netizens.

P i n oy s , p a r t i c u l a r l y, reacted as to whether if similar incident will happen in MRT or LRT, the same reaction would happen— but doubted, anyways.

I have, on seve ra l o cca s i o n s a n d va r i o u s capacities, been privileged to be immersed on Japanese Culture—as an exchange student, goodwill youth ambassador of the Philippines to Japan and working for the Cabinet

Office of the Japanese Government.

In those occasions, I have observed a considerable similarity with Pinoy culture, perhaps of the fact that we are, after all, Asians, neighbours and for a time, our history intertwined.

The reaction of the Japanese on the incident a t t h e ra i l w a y s ta t i o n on July 22, 2013 is to us Pinoys, a familiar culture— “Bayanihan.”

Yes, our primary school teachers would teach us, showing a photo of a group of Barrio folks carr ying a Bahay-kubo being moved to another place, that it is one virtue or character that defines Pinoys; and we bragged about it. So it goes to say that “Bayanihan” is no foreign to us.

It surprises me then how doubtful our Kababayans were when similar incident

may happen— I must be honest, I, too, doubted.

So what happened to our “Bayanihan” spirit?!

Have we outgrown as we embraced the changes that’s happening in our present society?!

Would it be true to say that the “Bayanihan” spirit, as our pr imar y school teacher showed us the picture, is only apparent in Barrios and no more in Urban areas?!

Quite the opposite of the Japanese, if I may say.

July is also designated as the celebration of Philippines-Japan Friendship.

I ronic it may sound consider ing the sad experience we had with the Japanese, but h i sto r y tel l s us that ou r governments have forged amity and cooperation for each countr y’s sake and

Insights from Angelie Seriña Azcuna

the region’s peace and harmony.

Thru this understanding, both governments have had joint socio-economic undertakings to facilitate economic growth in both countries.

Technical assistance, t e c h n o l o g y t r a n s f e r, human resource capacity enhancement—in a form of schola r shi p g rants, cultural exchanges, among others—were some of the initiatives undertaken by both governments.

We, Pi noys, have embraced Japanese technology— as we continue to be enthralled with their latest innovations and inventions.

But while we continue to we l co m e J a p a n e s e technology in our society, why cannot we al so learn the Japanese spirit of fraternity— of ser ving

others before self—if not revive ou r “Bayanihan” spirit?!

Like I mentioned ea r ly on, both cu ltu res are never different—we have commonalities and differences.

Perhaps we var y from Japanese though in t h a t w h e n we, P i n oy s , welcome other countr y’s ideas we have become too accommodating of othe r cu ltu res too that tend to diminish our core values and beliefs, while the Japanese have held on to their customs and traditions.

I close this article with a thought: If we, Pinoys, are great innovators, why can’t we also imbibe that Japanese spirit of fraternity, or perhaps the proper term, REVIVE, that Bayanihan spirit that’s been in us since time?!

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ZamPen... from page 2

percent and Central Luzon with 9.2 percent. On the other hand, ARMM had the lowest share of 0.8 percent of the country’s GDP. In terms of sha re to the national GDP growth of 6.8 percent i n 2012 , NCR cont r ibuted 2 .6 percentage points, followed

by CALABAR ZON with 1.2 percentage points and Centra l Luzon w it h 0.6 percentage point. ARMM, on the other hand, had a meager contribution of 0.01 percentage point.

The economies of Luzon (e x c l u d i n g N C R ) a n d Mindanao island groups posted accelerated growths from 2011 to 2012. Luzon’s economy (excluding NCR) accelerated from 3.3 percent in 2011 to 6.3 percent in 2012 while the economy of Mindanao posted a robust growth of 8.2 percent in 2012, almost double its 4.2 percent growth in 2011.

Meanwhile, the economy of the Visayas island group remained constant with 5.6 percent growth in 2011 and 2012.

NCR posted the highest per capita GRDP at P183,747, ne a rly t h ree t i me s t he national average. This level of per capita GRDP was 5.6 percent more than NCR’s per capita GRDP in 2011.

Aside from NCR, two other regions, CALABAR ZON and CAR likewise had per capita GRDP higher than the national average at P82,393 and P73,573, respectively.

Meanwhile, AR MM had the lowest per capita GRDP among the regions at P14,321.

The NCR posted t he highest per capita index relat ive to t he nat iona l ave r a ge a t 278 . 8 w it h CALABARZON a distant second at 125 and CAR, third at 111.6. All 14 other regions have indices lower than the national average with ARMM at the bottom at 21.7. (MB)

Davao... from page 2

new favor ite hub for national conventions will continue such pace as it won the bidding as one of the sites for the Asia-Pacific E conom ic C o op er at ion (APEC) Ministers and Senior Officials Meeting in 2015.

This upcoming big event reinforces Davao Cit y’s lead position in events and convention in Mindanao and the ASEAN. Though the economic growth of the region slowed down in 2013 due to the impact of typhoon Pablo, it is forecast by the region’s economists that the region’s gains this year will outweigh the impact of typhoon Pablo, she said.

Lim, however, was vocal

on the challenges Davao Region will be facing this year topped by the setback on agricu lture industr y specif ica lly banana and coconut.

Cacao and coffee plantations damaged by t y phoon Pablo. Though government interventions are now ongoing to recover from the Pablo damage, NEDA has also identified El Niño to bring adverse effect to the agriculture sector this year.

Other climate change such as rise in sea level and temperature remain as threat to the region’s fishery sector, Lim said.

She said the problem of the lack of stable power supply is another major challenge facing Davao Region.

She cited t hat t he Mindanao Grid needs an additional power generating capacity of 1,950 megawatts onwards to 2030.

Between 2011 to 2015 i nve s t ment s for p ower generation only committed for 286 megawatt capacity, she further said. (PNA)

Declines... from page 2

billion from previous year’s US$ 5.386 billion.

Likewise, total export earnings in May experienced a negative growth of 0.8 percent amounting to US$ 4.891 billion from US$ 4.932 billion registered in May 2012.

With import costs US$ 364.47 million higher than export earnings, the country experienced trade deficit in the month of May. Meanwhile, Japan is the country’s top trade partner accounting for US$ 1.347 billion with US$ 365.61 million imports and US$ 981.79 million exports.

Republic of China ranked second with total trade of US$ 1.299 billion. Unlike Japan, country’s import from China is higher than its export to the said country with total imports of US$ 365.61 million and export earnings of US$ 981.79 million.

This is followed by United States of America (USA) with total trade of US$ 1.16 billion; South Korea (US$ 816.28 million); Singapore (US$ 728.28 million); Taiwan (US$ 527.42 million); Thailand (US$ 527.07 million); Hong Kong (US$ 472.71 million); Malaysia (US$ 454.07 million); and Germany (US$ 321.62 million).

Electronic products still topped as country’s external trade product accounting for 24.3 percent of the total import payments and 35.4 percent of the total export revenue. (PNA)

Affects... from page 4

Bill Tweddel said in his keynote address that the conference’s t heme was timely as he underscored the need for businesses to plan well to ensure business continuity.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe underscored the need to invest in disaster-risk reduction and management to minimize the impact of expected disasters.

Sering said the effects of climate change in the Philippines, as demonstrated

by Tropical Storm Ondoy, highlighted the need for bot h public and private institutions to address the challenge. On the part of the government, she noted that several laws have been enacted to promote climatecha nge m it igat ion a nd adaptation measures.

While climate change is principally brought about by natural causes, she said a lot of human activities, particu larly in business and industry, worsened the situation.

Flaviana Hilario, deputy administrator for research and development of t he Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and A s t ronom ic a l S e r v ic e s Administration, who spoke on climate trends in the Philippines, said that over the past several decades, the unprecedented rise in temperature has altered the country’s weather patterns, triggering extreme weather events, such as long droughts and rainy seasons.

In the next 20 to 50 years, Hilario said, the country would continue to experience extremely hot summers, and extremely cold rainy seasons.

“Even w it hout t he presence of tropical cyclones, we have experienced severe rains that trigger flashfloods and landslides,” she noted.

Businesses, she said, will not be spared from the impacts of these natural calamities as they come.

“Based on historical data, we have seen that from 1951 up to 2010, we have already seen increasing temperature,” she said.

In the past, SM Supermalls annual conference focused more on climate-change mitigation than on adaptation.

This year’s conference, however, focuses on disaster risk resilience, logistics programs and sustainable practices to strengthen and empower the retail business

in the face of climate change’s worst impacts. (BM)

Green... from page 4

Pa r t icipa nts w i l l get to see how Si ngapore’s efforts to reduce her carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality have helped to “green” the Singaporean lifestyle, organizers said.

The annual event is a onestop sourcing destination for cutting-edge products, innovative technologies and sustainable designs in building materials, energy efficiency systems, fittings and fixtures, and much more.

While BEX Asia 2013 offers green solutions for residential and commercial properties, WEE focuses ma i n ly on eng i neer i ng ser v ices, consu ltanc y and products, and WES touches on larger issues like infrastructure, industrial developments and climate change.

To g e t h e r, they complement each other to provide a comprehensive plat form of t hought leadership and practical architectural, design and engineering solutions for the industry in the region.

The inaugural edition of t he World Engineers Summit (WES) is a 7 day event that includes the World Federation of Engineering Orga n i s at ions (W F EO) Genera l Assembly 2013 and committee meetings, alongside BEX Asia 2013.

The host of distinguished speakers includes academic professionals, and industrial experts.

T h i s y e a r ’s t h e m e “Innovative and Sustainable Solutions to Climate Change” will be seeing engineers from multiple disciplines and climate change specialists from a ll over the world gathering to share ideas and insights on climate change.

(MST)

ACT... from page 4

Ph i l ippi ne s to c l a s si f y which a reas must be decla red as protected a nd “no-go” zones, a nd wh ich a mong t hese a re identif ied as among t he most mineralized.

Acosta said t he most mineralized regions in the Philippines are Cordillera, Z a mb o a n g a Pe n i n s u l a , Pa lawa n, CA R AGA a nd the Nueva Vizcaya-Isabela regions.

He said Cordillera is the most contentious of all because of land use issues.

“Pwedeng may land use sa itaas tapos may mining sa ilalim? Pwede ba yun?

Tapos may private patents, may mga exemptions. If you based it on slopes and elevations, Cordillera is all no-go,” he said. “[But] how can you make it no-go when Lepanto has been there, Philex is there.

Mining has so much part in the histories of this area,” he added.

In addition, the gover n ment h a s ye t to resolve the issue of Palawan, which has been identified a s a “no -go” prote c te d zone even t hough t hree big mining f irms are in the province.

While the inter-agency body is trying to sort out these conflicting issues, it is also waiting for additional maps to be able to complete the draf t for the bill on protec ted a reas, Acosta said.

Ot her bi l ls t hat may come out of t he M ICC technical working groups is one governing small-scale mining and another setting forth regulations based on internationa l standards.

(Interaksyon.com)

Nature... from page 5

Besides, they capture and accumulate sediments in their roots, which serve as nursery to many species of fish that feed the world.

Nea rshore f isheries— critica l ly impor tant t o m i l l ion s of c o a s t a l communities in Southeast Asia and worldwide, but also most large-scale commercial of f s hore f i s her ie s — a re ut terly dependent on ma ng roves a s breed i ng grounds.

No wonder that Vietnam decided to plant and protect nearly 12,000 hectares of mangroves, spending $1 million but saving annual expenditures of wel l over $7 million, on dyke maintenance alone.

Try to get such interest rate from your bank.

If you i nclude t he ot her ser v ices prov ided by mangroves, 1 square k ilometer of mangroves is worth a jaw-dropping $900,000 a year. What a nice savings account for every coastal community.

But this account has a f lip side: By hastily taking too much money out of it—say, in form of timber for a beach cottage, worth a couple of hundred dollars—you will lose an incredible amount of yearly interest rate. (To be concluded)

For lifestyle and events updates in Northern Mindanao, read...

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Launched... from page 1

The Loop is located in the very heart of the city.

It provides a short walk to schools, hospitals, hotels, churches and offices and is situated also right at the vicinity of Limketkai Center and across the stores, shops and transport hubs.

The towers also offer a go o d v ie w f r om t he unit. Its east side provides spec tacu la r mou nta i n view while the west gives compel l i ng v iew of t he vibrant cityscape.

The Loop is the second ver t ic a l projec t of Vista Residences, the condominium development a r m of Vi s t a L a nd , i n Mindanao. The first is the m id-r i s e condom i n iu m project in Davao City called Northpoint.

P re sident a nd C h ief exec ut ive of Li m ket k a i Center, Mr. Alfonso Lim, also attended and shared a wine toast with Villar. He said in his speech that he is very glad to partner with Vista Land. The launching held is another milestone not just for them but also for the city of Cagayan de Oro. “Partnering with Vista Land is our way to show our confidence to be a CBD (Central Business District) of Cagayan de Oro,” he said.

The Limketkai Center has a direct walkway from the towers to the main mall.

Probe... from page 1

authorities to bring to justice whoever was behind this “act of senseless violence,” a report from the Philippine Information Agency said.

“The president ordered a clear investigation, that the right process is followed, to

determine who was behind this explosion,” she said in an interview over a state-run radio station.

She said probers were reviewing the CCTV cameras in the area and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas had flown to the place to ensure that the process was being followed. “ T hey a re t r y i ng to reconstruct now the crime scene because apparently the owners were allowed to clean up even before a clearance was given by the police,” said Valte, who refused to speculate as to the motive of and whoever was behind the incident.

The bomb blast occurred at Kyla’s Bistro and Candy’s Café in Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center, where the bomb, which was reportedly placed inside a black bag and left by a male suspect, exploded at past 11:00 p.m. Friday.

The resto-bar was filled with doctors and other health workers then who attending a national medical convention in a nearby hotel.

A prov incia l council member, Roldan Lagbas, was one of the fatalities in the explosion inside a mall in downtown Cagayan de Oro city in Mindanao’s Misamis Oriental province. Two were doctors who were attending the convention.

As t his developed, one more doctor and a pharmaceutical salesman died at the hospital from last Friday night’s bombing, bringing to eight the number of deaths resulting from the tragic blast.

Authorities identified the fatalities as Dr. Marciano Agustin, who passed away 9:25 Sunday evening, and Rey Dalupan, an executive of United Laboratories, who passed away 6:15, Monday morning.

Meanwhile, City Vice

Mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas has urged all government offices in Cagayan de Oro City to fly the Philippine Flag in their respective offices at half-mast on July 29, 2013.

He said this will symbolize the deep grief and mourning of Kagay-anons over the death of victims of the bombing incident Friday night. Six people, including Misamis Oriental Provincial Board Member Roldan Lagbas of the first district of Misamis Oriental were killed by the bomb explosion while dozens of other civilians were injured.

Vice Mayor Acenas ex presses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims as he condemns in the strongest possible terms the barbaric act.

The vice mayor is calling on concerned agencies to pool their resources together to ensure that justice will be done and perpetrators face the full force of the law.

“There can be no justification for this cowardly and dastardly act,” he added.

Potential... from page 5

he noted.

“Research continues to further improve RxBox,” he said.

UP Diliman earlier studied a commercially available riskdetection unit and made innovations to produce RxBox, Fernandez said.

Fernandez said government already deployed one RxBox to each of Quezon City as well as Western Samar and Romblon provinces.

He noted government will deploy, possibly within the next two months, a unit each for Quezon and Mindoro provinces.

G o v e r n m e n t ’s f i r s t deployment of both the com mercia l ly ava i lable detection device and RxBox

covered some 10 units for Western Samar, Northern Samar, Masbate, Romblon, Leyte, Mindoro and Batanes provinces, he continued.

“Our target is to help remote fourth- to sixthclassmunicipalities,” he said.

Fabia said the science depa r t ment is f u nd i ng production of RxBox at present.

He noted RxBox’ estimated cost is about PhP100,000 includ ing resea rch a nd development.

Government deploys RxBox for free to marginalized municipalities, however, he said.

Municipalities hoping to avail of RxBox must be willing to use it since patients’ feedback on this device will serve as inputs for further improving it, noted Fabia.

He added such municipalities must also be far from referral centers.

Queries on RxBox can be forwarded to the National Telehealth Center in UP Manila.

G ove r n me nt e a rl ie r reported RxBox in 2007 helped in development of the National Telehealth Service Program.

NTSP is among the health department’s initiatives to promote use of information and telecommunications technology in advancing u niversa l hea lt h ca re nationwide. (PNA)

Launches... from page 5

to the thousands of students in the campus and send a message to the surrounding community that green is good.

The project’s second emphasis is the ban against the use of plastics in the school campus, according to Ponce.

“We plan to make the college plastics-free,” she added. (PNA)

11

Alsons Power’s subsidiary inks sales deal with S. Cotabato power coop

THE Sarangani Energy Corp. (SEC), a subsidiary of listed Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR), signed a power sales agreement (PSA) with the South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative Inc. (SOCOTECO-1).

In a disclosure, ACR said that under the agreement, SEC will provide SOCOTECO-1 with 10 megawatts (MW) of electrical capacity from its 210 MW coal-fired power plant in Maasim, Sarangani.

SOCOTECO-1 serves Koronadal City and seven municipalities in South Cotabato.

The 10-MW capacity allotted to SOCOTECO-1 will be coming from the second phase of the SEC power plant which is expected to be operational by 2016.

The full 105 MW capacity of the Sarangani plant’s first phase has already been sold out, with the bulk of the output cornered by another South Cotabato distribution utility –the South Cotabato 2 Electric Cooperative Inc. (SOCOTECO II), which will be getting 70 MW. SOCOTECO-11 covers the entire Province of Sarangani, General Santos City and two South Cotabato municipalities.

The remaining 35 MWs will be taken by the Agusan Del Norte Electric Cooperative (ANECO), the Agusan Del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (ASELCO) and the Davao Del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (DANECO).

ANECO covers Butuan City and other areas of Agusan Del Norte. ASELCO’s service area comprises all 13 municipalities of Agusan del Sur and Bayugan City –the province’s only city.

On the other hand, DANECO’s territory encompasses the entire Province of Compostela Valley, the Davao del Norte cities of Tagum and Samal, and five municipalities of Davao del Norte.

Phase 1 of the SEC plant commenced construction in 2012 and is expected to begin operating in 2015.

The plant construction is part of a long-term solution to the current power shortage in Mindanao.

Apart from the power plant, ACR of the Alcantara Group is in advanced stages of development for the 105 MW San Ramon Power Inc. coal-fired power plant in Sitio San Ramon, Talisayan, Zamboanga City.

ACR’s other power subsidiaries include the Western Mindanao Power Corp.’s 100-megawatt diesel plant in Zamboanga City, the Southern Philippines Power Corp.’s 55-MW diesel plant in Sarangani Province, Mapalad Power Corp.’s 98-MW Iligan Diesel Power Plant, and power plant operations and management company Alto Power Management Corp. (PNA)

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Sun Cellular extends support for PWDs Mobile phone operator Sun Cellular extends its support for persons with disabilities (PWDs) after having sponsored the recent red carpet premiere of the movie “Man of Steel”, in cooperation with Handicapped Care Association, in Mandaluyong City.

The proceeds of this special movie screening will be used to support the supplemental feeding of indigent PWDs and their families.

“This is among our efforts of showing support for an advocacy that’s as noble as that of Handicapped Care’s. Further to addressing the communication needs of our customers, we also extend our efforts to help out the less fortunate members of the community,” says Reuben S.J. Pangan, Official Spokesperson of Sun Cellular.

The Handicapped Care Association champions various programs and services that primarily provide assistance to persons with disabilities.

These would range from livelihood and educational assistance activities, healthcare programs, to feeding programs, through which the aforementioned event falls under.

Sun Cellular is a member of the PLDT Group.

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

Johndorf Ventures introduces Pag-IBIG Citihomes’ phase 4 JOH N D OR F Ve ntu re s Corporation (JVC) has announced it will start the construction soon of 700 duplex units within phase four of Pag-IBIG Citihomes in Malanang, Opol, Misamis Oriental.

G o v e r n m e n t e mp l oy e e s , i n c l u d i n g teachers and law enforcers, as well as those in the private sector have awaited for t his de velopment, a c h a n c e f or t h e m t o own a home at the least possible cost.

JVC is pursuing the project consistent with its mission to build communities of quality homes with the corporate principle of providing these homes within the means of most Filipinos, said Richard Lim, the company president.

One may own at PagIBIG Citihomes a duplex unit wit h a 32-s quare meter f lo or are a on a 72-square meter lot worth P400,000 that Pag-IBIG will finance, he pointed out. A homeowner may opt to acquire the adjacent duplex unit if other sources of funds are available.

Michele D. Chiu, JVC sales and marketing manager, expects to sell Pag-IBIG Citihomes units like hotcakes as before, especially that Opol is located only next to Cagayan de Oro City by 11 kilometers northwest. JVC and PagIBIG are just awaiting for the license to sell.

The subdivision is t he big gest s o ci a lize d housing project of

ARTIST’S VIEW of the duplex model at Pag-IBIG Citihomes near Cagayan de Oro City.

Johndorf to date, Chiu d i s c l o s e d . It i s a p t l y called as one of the "PagIBIG cities" and the only one in Mindanao.

Johndorf started to develop Pag-IBIG C it i home s i n 2 0 0 7 i n partnership with the government's Pag-IBIG Home Development Mutual Fund with now over 5,500 singledetached homes in three

developmental phases.

The company expects to complete development works on phase four in just two years, said Chiu.

For inquiries, o n e m ay c o nt a c t a ny accredited broker or visit the Johndorf office at Un it 7 of Jofel mor b l d g . on Mor t o l a St . , Cagayan de Oro City or call (088) 857-8575.

Bayanihan defies odds, empowers communities through sheer will and determination “Bayanihan” or the spirit of communal unity and cooperation has been a Filipino heritage for generations.

The image of a group of people carrying a native hut is one of the images we as Filipinos oh, so dearly patronize. But do we still practice this tradition right now?

Do people on this day and age of Candy Crush and iPads still relinquish traditional practices that have for so long been a part of our lives? Or has bayanihan been minimized to just a thing of the past; a form of folklore we only speak of during our “back in my days” stories we tell the younger generations?

People have forgotten this priceless gesture of solidarity; a simple show of camaraderie and genuine act of care for those in the neighborhood.

Today, majority of people have belittled this gallant act, and have even tagged it as “old school” or “baduy” (out of style or out dated). But what this tradition has goes beyond trends.

It goes beyond what is new and hip. It is a simple gesture of oneness a nd compassion fo r o t h e r s bu t it e n s u r e s strengthening of relationships within the community.

Indeed this is an old thing; an old thing that still works pretty well in bringing the community together and sure enough gets things done even with the odds going against the community.

Take for instance the success of the Barangays in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte implementing t he Payapa at Ma saga na ng Pamayanan (PAMANA), the national government's program and framework for peace and

development which is being implemented in areas affected by conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements.

Through sheer determination and bayanihan, severa l com mu n it ie s ge t to f i n i sh program sub-projects with just limited budgets.

T h e PA M A NA P r oj e c t , bei ng i mplemented by t he Kalahi-CIDSS Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development provides barangays of qualified municipalities Php 300,000 to fund sub-projects that would answer to the direst needs of the barangay that would address conf lict issues in their respective communities.

For s e ver a l p e ople , t he Php 300,000 funding for any sub-project is not enough to accommodate sub-projects such as potable water systems, peace centers, farm – to – market roads, and the likes.

But this shortage of funds has challenged the community, bringing about the best ideas from community volunteers implementing the PAMANA. For optimistic persons, the limited funds only open more opportunities to venture into, just to be able to make things work.

Barangay Tugar and Paiton were among those whose most pre s si ng need wa s pot able drinking water, and they saw PAMANA as an opportunity to do something about their problem.

Yes, Php 300,000 was limited for a Gravity Driven Potable Water System (Level2), and may only cover the basic materials for the sub-project, but this was more

Volunteers for the Kalahi-CIDSS (PAMANA) implementation revive the Bayanihan spirit to compensate for the limited budget they have for their Gravity Driven Potable Water System (Level 2). Photos showing volunteers from Barangay Tugar and Barangay Paiton, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte enduring the heat and dangers just to finish their sub-projects.

(Marko Davey D. Reyes, Social Marketing Officer - Kalahi-CIDDS Program)

than enough to start providing solutions to their problems.

They showed that when there was strong will, especially from the beneficiaries, there was a sure way to handle the matter.

To c omp e n s a t e for t h e deficiency in the exact total budget costs, the community volunteers came up with a pretty good idea that would totally solve their problems.

Aside from the Php 300,000 budget from PA MANA, t he Local Cash Counterparts form the MLGU and the BLGU, the community decided to revive the bayanihan spirit.

But this will only be effective if everyone believed this would work and bring about success in the project implementation.

a Glimpse of Lifestyle in the Metro

It was time to awaken a longtime dead tradition; which was for the community, the only way to deal with the matter.

They all agreed to do “Pahina” or free/voluntary services to complete their water system sub-project.

A l l t he fa mi lies in t heir barangay would be willing to dig ditch holes and work on the water reservoir without pay.

Everyone was in a schedule to do labor until the job was done.

For those who were not available, they were to provide meals for those working, which is pretty much fair enough according to those doing labor.

Everyone agreed and the rest was history. Work was finished in just about 5 days; better than

any contractual work by any professional.

Indeed the community has proven once and again that in unity, there is definitely success.

The “bayanihan” spirit has once again proven itself worthy even in modern times.

What is wonderful about the success of the project was that it empowered communities to work for a common goal, one that definitely solves their most pressing needs.

Kalahi-CIDSS believes that to empower the communities, there must be enough room for the community to be creative in thinking of solutions for their problems.

This is an important matter in empowering them; to let them be responsible for their own sub-projects.

Again, is bayanihan dead in modern times?

The answer is definitely and absolutely NOT. It just needs to be applied in a proper place and time.

The Gravity Driven Potable Wat e r Sy s t e m (L e ve l 2) of Barangays Tugar and Paiton, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte are true testaments of the value of bayanihan.

All it takes is a little bit of unity and cooperation, a bit of will and determination, a sprinkle of sacrifice, and then you have a completed and operational Gravity Driven Potable Water System (L evel 2) for a l l t he community to enjoy.

A little bit of bayanihan goes a long way towards empowerment and self-sufficiency.

[Mar ko Dav e y D. R e yes]

The

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