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Briefly Coco farmers POTENTIAL coconut based agrarian reform communities (ARCs) will soon benefit from the Kaanib Enterprise Development Project (KEDP), an integrated resource-service convergence approach which seeks on increasing farm productivity and income of small coconut farming communities. The Department of Agrarian Reform in Region 10 (DAR-10) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) initiated a joint consultative meeting recently with the coconutbased agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) to identify and prioritize potential areas for coconut plantation as well as other existing plantations to develop within its ARCs. S i m i l a r l y, t h e A g r a r i a n Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) will also provide strategic and sustainable support services to the beneficiaries.
Invention fair THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST-XI) has invited interested professionals and students with research projects and inventions to join in the 2013 Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit (RICE 2013) slated on November 19-21, 2013 at SM City Davao. In DOST-XI’s emailed invitation, the agency called on professionals and students in groups or individuals to bring their entries on research projects, inventions, prototypes, industrial designs and software applications related to science, technology, engineering, medicine, health and the environment. The deadline for the submission of entries is on November 13, 2013. T h e D O S T-Te c h n o l o g y Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) is in cooperation with the Davao Inventors Association (DIA) and the Davao Region Industry, Energy and Emerging Technologies Research and Development Consortium (DRIEERDC) in the holding of the RICE 2013 at the SM City Davao Events Center, SM Annex, Ecoland, this city.
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Chemical exports rise over 15% in 2 years E
By PHILEXPORT
xports of the Philippine chemical industry are expected to increase over 15 percent annually in the next two years, driven by new investments into the sector.
MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez, together with 2nd District Board Member Nancy S. Madjos (3rd from the right) visited the Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital – Initao to distribute the medical equipment donated by Children International last October 30, 2013. Also present during the distribution were Mayor Enerito J. Acain, V (2nd from the left), Sangguniang Bayan Member Renato Galaroza (2nd from the right) and the OIC Chief of Hospital, Dr. Ma. Jocelyn B. Biña (5th from the right). photo supplied
Roberto Batungbacal, president of the Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika (SPIK), said export revenues are seen to rise 23 percent this year compared to the industry’s historica l g row t h of 15 percent. “This year, there are some plants that started up. By January, a naphtha cracker will also start (commercial o p e r a t i o n s) w h i l e a petrochemical (plant) will be completed in early 2015. So for two years, there will be an incremental jump because of these investments,” he said.
Batungbaca l said t he opening of a new naphtha cracker is significant, as it br i ngs closer to f u l l integration of the country’s chemical industry. “We have now different chemical production but are not integrated...The experience of other countries is t hat once you have a cracker, the production and demand start picking up faster,” he noted. “If you look at our ASEAN neighbours, once they start integrating, in a matter of 10 years, they were able to grow from below $10 billion Chemical/PAGE 7
Efinity Philippines to build 20-MW solar power plant in Zambo ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Its all systems go for Enfinity Philippines Technology Services, Inc. to put up a 20-megawatt (MW) solar power plant worth P1.4 billion in this city. E n f i n it y pre sid ent Dennis Chan Ibarra s a id t he p ower pl a nt w i l l be constructed at t he Za mboa nga Cit y Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority in San Ramon, Barangay Talisayan, west of this city.
Ibarra said the Department of Energ y (DOE) had already granted them with a service contract to build the solar power plant in this city. Ibarra said the 20-MW solar energy may be too small for this city’s power demand “but at least it could help and part of the solution to the power crisis.” Ibarra further said that Enfinity and Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative Plant/PAGE 7
COFFIN, ANYONE? A worker polishes a coffin in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato on Wednesday, October 30, 2013. mindanews photo by keith bacongco
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Bohol receives help from NGCP Devastated by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake two weeks ago, Bohol province is slowly getting up on its feet and recovering from the disaster, thanks to the many donors who readily sent donations and relief goods to the different evacuation centers in the province. The country’s sole electric transmission service provider, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), is one of the companies who
immediately reached out to the earthquake victims. “As soon as it is safe for our people to mobilize, we organized relief operations
for Boholanos who badly need food and water,” said Mr. Nelson Cabangon, Head of NGCP’s Corporate Affairs Department. NGCP gave out 7,000 relief goods last October 24 and 25 to ten municipalities – Danao, A nte quer a , M a r ib ojo c , Tubigon, Ca lape, Loon, Cortes, Corella, Sagbayan, and Carmen. The relief operations were done in close coordination with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development offices to help identif y priority families and individuals. NGCP’s partner-customer Bohol Electric Cooperative I (BOHECO I) assisted in packing and distributing relief goods. Because of dif f icu lt y i n la nd t ra nspor tat ion, NGCP used its helicopters to deliver the relief goods to the municipalities. “We exhausted various means to efficiently distribute the goods. We used our chopper and line trucks to expedite t he deliver y to t he ten municipalities,” stated Mr. Cabangon. Bohol is host to 250 circuit kilometers of 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines and three substations of the grid operator. NGCP is also constructing a new 138-kV backbone in the island. ngcp/PAGE 7
With the help of local militar y units, NGCP sent the relief goods to far-flung municipalities via helicopters. Each relief pack containing 10 canned goods and 3 bottles of water were distributed last October 24 and 25. Line trucks normally used for transmission line inspections and repairs were used as storage and delivery vehicles of more than 7,000 relief goods intended for the victims of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol.
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CHATs as Public Leaders By Yam Palma Women’s Feature Service
These days, a familiar last name or a pretty face can be enough to get you elected to public office. For Barangay Kagawad (councilor) Elena Falle of Barangay Pagalongan in the municipality of Wao, Lanao del Sur, it was her track record as a health volunteer. “Being a barangay health worker and Communit y H e a l t h A c t i o n Te a m (CHAT) member for many years has helped me become a n ef fec t ive ba ra ngay kagawad for health,” Elena says. As a CHAT, Elena learned the importance of programs such a s G a r a nt i s adong Pambata, family planning, breastfeeding, and facilitybased delivery. Because she was active in the community, it was no surprise that she was elected kagawad in the 2007 elections. “I won because everyone in the community knows me. As a CHAT member, I am always there during i m mu n i z at ions a nd I a lso ma ke t i me to t a l k to mot hers about t hei r children’s health, so that’s probably the reason why they voted for me,” she says. Now on her second term, Elena continues to advocate for hea lt h prog ra ms i n her community. She was
appointed as chairperson for health, allowing her to come up with programs that will ensure the delivery of the best health services to her constituents. Using her interpersonal sk ills as a CHAT, Elena convinces her constituents to avail of the basic health services made available to them. “B ei ng a CH AT a nd kagawad at the same time is a big advantage for me,” she says. My knowledge on health, which I acquired from trainings and workshops as a CHAT, and my [position] as kagawad and chairperson for health is the perfect formula for me to become an effective health advocate.” A dream for the community L i k e E len a , M a r it e s Enr iquez of Ba ra ngay Ba lag tasa n i n L a mita n, Basilan is a CHAT member w ho r a n for b a r a n g ay kagawad in 2010 because of her dedication as a health
advocate. Ma r ites feels t hat as a CHAT, she bridges the gap between community members, and doctors and midwives. “This is probably t he ma i n rea son why I was elected as kagawad. People in the community appreciated my efforts. They felt my sincerity in serving them as a CHAT member, so it wasn’t that hard for me to gain their trust,” she says. Ma rites is a lso t he barangay chairperson for health, a position that gives her the power to prioritize hea lt h-related programs for women and children. Through her initiative, the barangay allocated funds to put up their barangay health station. She also tapped the Department of Social Work and Development for the completion of the health station and its facilities. “Being a CHAT and a kagawad is a great honor for me. I get to have access to funds in order to continue my advocacy for health and safety in our community,” says Marites. “When I realize how our community has improved through the years because of a more accessible health facility and services, I feel so fulfilled,” she adds.
Ma r i tes E n r iquez meet s with fellow CHAT member and barangay health worker Dira Pangkalan and barangay midwife Maritess Romero at the Barangay Health Station. photo: r . v. carbayas / wfs
The Botica ng Barangay has made medicine more accessible to the residents of Barangay Pagalongan. photo: y. palma /
But Marites’ dream for her community doesn’t end there: “I don’t want any woman [or] child to be left behind in terms of basic services. I want them to have access to all the health programs of our government,” she states. “I want them to understand that it is our right and not a privilege, so we must assert it,” she states passionately. The next step for Marites is to propose a livelihood program for the women in their community. She says lack of money causes them to rely on their husbands for income, which in turn
makes them feel inferior. “That is why I want the women in our community to be empowered. I want them to assert [themselves] and have their own choices in life, and this will start to happen if they have their own source of income,” she adds. Challenges and achievements The challenges Elena faces in Barangay Pagalongan are not that different. Aside from having the secondlargest population in Wao, the barangay is home to indigenous and Muslim tribes whose cultural practices differ
from the healthcare practices that Elena is advocating. “At first, it was really difficult to convince them to go to the health center,” Elena narrates. “But after a series of tumpukans (community d i a l o g u e s), t h e y we r e convinced to go to the health center for immunization, vitamin A, and prenatal check-up. And now that they see positive results, we don’t need to convince them, because they now see it for themselves,” she adds. Elena also managed to convince her constituents to practice facility-based delivery
wfs
i nstead of home-ba sed delivery. She spearheaded the establishment of a birthing facility in the health center, and with the support of the municipality of Wao, a midwife is now assigned to the barangay. B ut E le n a’s bi g ge s t achievement—and perhaps her legacy to her constituents—is the establishment of the Botica ng Barangay, a communityrun drugstore which sells generic brands at low prices. To put up the drugstore, Elena took the lead in setting up a farming project for fund raising purposes. From that
Marites Enriquez shows off the new Barangay Health Station in Balagtasan, Lamitan in the province of Basilan. The health station became operational in December 2012. photo: r . v. carbayas / wfs
initiative, the community was able to put up PHP 25,000— enough to start the community drugstore. “Before, we had to go to town to buy medicine. But now that we have our Botica ng Barangay, which is next to our health center, we need not spend a lot for our medicines,” says Elena.
In their journey as CHATs a nd k agawads i n t hei r respective barangays, Elena and Marites have their own stories of triumphs, failures, and challenges. But it is their passion to serve and make sure that the best interest of every woman and child, especially in health services, comes first.
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Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez pushes for the increase of the budget of the Office of the Ombudsman during the recent budget hearings. Rep. Rodriguez expresses his full support for the restoration of the P133 million for the MOOE and the P30 million for the administrative and operational expenses of its area/sectoral/regional offices. He is also urging the Committee on Appropriations to find ways in order to legally allow the Office of the Ombudsman to be able to use a portion of their income to defray the expenses of their daily operations.
Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Ed Malaya welcome Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez and other members of the Philippine observer delegation to the 39th Exploraratory Talks between the Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia. The peace talks were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last August 22-25, 2013 and it is the first time in the 16-year history of the peace talks that observers from various sectors are represented Also in the photo are (L-R): House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Pangalian Balindong and Representative Jesus Sacdalan.
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Bill to give free basic medicines for the poor Poor families will get free medicines under a bill establishing a health program for indigents especially those that are living in remote barangays of the country. Reps. Ma ximo Rodriguez, Jr. (Partylist, ABAMIN) and Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) have filed House Bill 2455 to address the inaccessibility of medicines to the underprivileged and impoverished people. Under the bill, the medicines shall be made available in barangay health centers nationwide which will be released to qualified recipients. However, the program shall be restricted to qualified recipients who are indigent residents of barangays with an annual income of not more than P100,000, to be identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). “There is a growing sentiment among the poor that they are being neglected by the government. Many of them die of sickness not because their cases are terminal but because they can hardly afford to restore their health,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez said the bill seeks to protect and promote the right to health and wellbeing of ever y Filipino and to adopt a system of implementing the delivery of free basic medicines to indigent residents in all barangays nationwide. The measure to be known as the Free Basic Medicines Act of 2013 shall be administered by the Department of Health (DOH) through the barangay health centers in all municipalities. “The greatest wealth of a nation is its healthy people, thus the government shall ensure that no sick person will be deprived of his right to medical attention including the supply of medicines despite his financial status,” Rodriguez said. news.silobreaker.com
Davao solon praises Aquino NGCP conducts nationwide consultation workshops on environmental permits for clarifying PDAF, DAP DAVAO CITY --Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab (Third District) has lauded President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for bravely standing over the issue on the use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or the so-called pork barrel fund and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). “I agree with the speech of President Aquino. I believe that there are some people confusing the issue between the PDAF and DAP as well as the cases filed in the courts related to the misuse of PDAF,” said Ungab, chair of the powerful House Committee on Approriations. In a televised speech complete with a slideshow presentation, Aquino expounded on the DAP and its supposed benefits to the public. Without mentioning names, he said personalities involved in the alleged misuse of PDAF are using the DAP issue to divert the public’s attention as well as to smear his administration. Ungab said that “we must support the good governance of the President since the country has gained economic headways such as sustained GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth, manageable budget deficits, accelerated infrastructure development and the investment grade ratings achieved in the past three years, among others.” (PNA)
In compliance to environmental policies, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) launched a nationwide series of consultation workshops, particularly on the processing of special tree cutting and land use permits. A joint project with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s Forest Management Bureau (FMB), the 4-city workshop aims to address encountered environmental issues and streamline the DENR clearance process in relation to the grid operator’s construction of new transmission lines. Its first leg, held in Quezon City on October 9-10, was attended by environmental officers from the Central and South Luzon offices of NGCP and DENR. Director Irma Exconde of the Department of Energy was also present to extend the department’s support. “DOE commends NGCP
and DENR for this initiative, as the adequate supply and timely delivery of power is crucial to the energy industry. Through this consultation workshop, we see the start of the convergence between the private and public sector to address environmental issues and improve necessary processes to answer the many challenges in the power sector,” stated Dir. Exconde. N G C P, t h r o u g h i t s Environmental Management Division, expressed interest to hold consultation sessions with the FMB in light of concerns on its transmission projects that traverse public and forest lands. The special tree-cutting and special land use permits awarded to NGCP will enable the grid operator to clear areas that transmission lines and facilities will pass through, upon submission of environmental requirements and prior clearance from DENR.
“All of NGCP’s projects undergo in-depth review to determine the best direction with the least impact on the environment. However, it is inevitable that in the pursuit of reinforcing the power grid, we will have to traverse public and forest lands. In that event, NGCP complies with all environmental policies and with this series of workshops, we are able to address current and future challenges to NGCP’s timely environmental compliance,” said Atty. Cynthia Perez-Alabanza, NGCP Spokesperson. In his statement, DENR’s Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Marcial Amaro, Jr. welcomed the grid operator’s invitation for consultation. “This joint workshop is an affirmation of NGCP’s commitment to the special permits granted to them as well as a good opportunity to clarify and streamline internal guidelines. NGCP can be assured that DENR will remain its partner
in carrying out their mandate while caring for the environment.” The 2-day joint consultation workshop was conducted in Laoag on October 16-17 and in Cebu on October 23-24, with DOE Undersecretary Raul Aguilos and DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Demetrio Ignacio in attendance during the Cebu workshop. Its last leg in Davao City will be held on November 5-6. NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets. As a socially responsible company, it is committed to create a sustainable environment and protect the natural resources particularly in areas hosting its transmission facilities.
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CongressWatch 5 Moreno defends P2.6 billion proposed 2014 budget CREDIBLE
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2.2 billion budget in 2013 because of the city’s sound CAGAYAN de Oro City––Cagayan de Oro City fiscal management and revenues,” Elipe Mayor Oscar Moreno defended the proposed improved added. P 2.6 billion 2014 budget as necessary for the Elipe said that the city city to move forward. government has two major M o r e n o p e r s o n a l l y as P 3.2 billion – depending sources of income; the submitted the 2014 proposed on the aggressiveness of the Internal Revenue Allotment budget to the city council city’s tax collection. (IRA) and the revenues City Councilor Prexy collected from various local during the council’s regular session on Monday afternoon Elipe, chair of the city taxes.0 council’s committee on for its approval. No tax increase He said that the budget, a finance, ways and means, Moreno also allayed fears P 400 million increase from said that the city council will on insinuations that the city 2013’s approved P 2.2 billion review the proposed budget government would increase budget was “ambitious and “item for item.” collection of taxes to be able “We appreciate the city to meet the P 2.6 billion aggressive” that manifests the city’s continued annual mayor’s coming to the city budget in 2014. council himself to defend his growth. Moreno made the The city mayor said proposed budget. However, assurance in a speech before that the increase in the the city mayor could have members of the city council proposed budget was more on sent the department heads during the regular session social services particularly who know the details more on Monday. increasing coverage of of their needs,” Elipe said. The city mayor endorsed He said that the city the proposed P 2.6 billion PhilHealth beneficiaries from the current 100,000 government’s approved budget for 2014 for approval to 240,000 beneficiaries budget in 2013 was P 2.2 by the local august body. billion, up by P 300 million next year. He said that the city According to Moreno, that from an annual budget of P government would not collect the city government would 900,000 in 2012. additional taxes to burden “The city government local taxpayers in order to be able to improve its annual revenue collection to as much was able to meet the P attain the proposed 2014 By Cris Diaz Mindanao Daily News
Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno presents his proposed P2.6-billion budget for 2014 during the regular session of the city council on Monday. Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas listens as the presiding officer. The budget allocations were spelled out by the mayor for the city councilors to see why the amount totals P2.6-billion. mindanao daily news photo by gerry lee gorit
budget. “I believed that a sustain collection of existing taxes could increase the necessary revenues of the city government,” Moreno said. He said that under a
stable revenue collection and exploring possible sources of revenue, the city government could easily raise its annual revenue income to P 3.2 billion. According to Moreno, that the proposed P 2.6 billion
2014 budget was attainable and fair as the city embarks on more infrastructure and social service projects designed to serve the people more and maintained the city as the gateway of Southern Mindanao.
President Aquino satisfied with transport terminals security preparations
M A N I L A - - P r e s i d e nt B e n i g n o S Aq u i n o I I I on T hu rsd ay ex pressed satisfaction w it h t he security preparations in t he countr y’s passenger terminals as he led ranking government of f icia ls i n i n s p e c t i n g t he M a n i l a North Harbor, the South We s t I n t e g r a t e d B u s Te r m i n a l , a n d N i n o y Aqu i no Inter nat iona l Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 a day before the c om memor at ion of A l l Saints’ Day. President Aquino was accompanied by Interior Secretar y Manuel Roxas I I, Tr a n sp or t at ion a nd Communications Secretary Joseph Emi lio Abaya, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolent i no, P re sident ia l Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, among others,hen he conducted the inspection. In a chance interview a t N A I A Te r m i n a l 3 , Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the President seems to be contented w it h t he way authorities laid out their security preparations for “Undas”. “Genera lly, muk hang satisf ied, ot her w ise you would see it in his face kung meron siyang nakikitang malaking pagkukulang... Mu k h a n g o k ay n a m a n ‘yung naging appreciation niya sa pagpre-prepare po natin,” Abaya said. Aquino first inspected the x-ray machine of the air terminal’s initial security check before proceeding
to t he passenger checki n cou nters, a nd to t he final security check. The President also inspected the airport’s comfort rooms and other amenities the terminal has to offer its passengers. “Titingnan niya mula sa point of view ng pasahero. Marami siyang naitatanong at pinupuna, at mask i papaa no ay napaghahandaan naman po natin,” Abaya added. For his part, Interior Secretar y Manuel Roxas II said the police have not received any specific threat during this long holiday. “Well, iyong threat it’s not much of a physic a l or security threat. Wala na ma ng a ler t, a no, in specif ic regarding a particular plan or a p a r t i c u l a r o p e r a t i o n ,” Roxas said. He added: “But it’s really just na sa dami ng tao na bibiya he nitong da lawa, tatlong araw na ito ay sa t ra f f ic, sa da mi ng tao, labas pasok sa mga ports and airports --- iyong alert level lang talaga kailangan na manatili at isa ‘yan sa mga sinigurado ng Pangulo na nanatiling alert iyong a t i n g m g a n a s a x-r a y, iyong at i ng mga pu l i s , iyong ating mga Aviation Security Group at iba pa na nanatiling alert”. Roxas said authorities i n a i r, s e a , a n d l a n d terminals, and even in the communities are in their highest state of readiness for any eventua lit y t hat may arise during the long holiday.(PNA)
LIAISON FOR THE COMMON GOOD. Governor Bambi Emano exercises his ‘right to vote’ as he casts the names of the ‘right people’ he believes, can bring Poblacion, Tagoloan to common good. The governor hopes for a CLEAN and PEACEFUL Barangay Election this year. photo supplied
Solons want CCTV installation mandatory requirement for firms To help solve crimes, lawmakers proposed that the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras be made a mandatory requirement for business establishments and government offices all over the country. The proposal embodied in House Bill 2449 or the proposed “CCTV Act of 2013” was filed by siblings Reps. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) and Rep. Maximo Rodriguez (Party-list, Abante Mindanao). According to the solons, the installation of CCTV
cameras will help prevent and solve crimes. The solon-lawyer said one way to lower the high crime data is to install CCTV cameras in establishments. He cited crime data gathered by the Philippine National Police (PNP) showing that from January to November 2011, the PNP recorded 230,817 crime incidents. “While the number is lower compared to previous years like in 2009 when 333,416 crime incidents were reported, the figure is still very high. One way to lower this high crime rate is to provide deterrents, which
would make criminals think twice and reconsider. One very effective form of deterrent is the installation of CCTV cameras,” said the elder Rodriguez. The proposal mandates all business establishments employing more than 20 employees or workers and with work premises of not less than 50 meters in the country shall install and maintain, in good working condition, high quality surveillance or CCTV cameras in all their entrances and exits within the premises of their work area, the perimeter of their
work areas or establishments, and other areas of their business to protect their patrons and deter crime. Moreover, the CCTV cameras should be able to clearly show the faces of the persons recorded. The bill also prohibits the installation of CCTV cameras in any restroom, toilet, shower, bathroom or changing room, and other similar areas. The owner or manager of commercial establishments shall maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the recorded video feeds which can be used when required in law enforcement. (PNA)
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“Pork King”, “Denial King”; More Reminders for Halloween
The Job We Must Not Fail
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hink a minute…Recently on television I saw the mother A Minute and father of a young 15-yearBy Jhan Tiafau Hurst old girl being interviewed. Their daughter’s teenage boyfriend had told her that the only way they could be together was for them to kill themselves. So the 15-year-old girl took a gun and shot herself in the head. But when her boyfriend saw her dead, he became afraid and ran away. I watched the parents of this young girl who killed herself break down and cry on TV. They were begging all parents to get closer to our children, and to especially really understand what our kids are feeling and going through in their own life. It doesn’t matter how much success you and I have in our jobs and careers. Even if we get the best education, become leaders with high titles and respected by many people, or if make heaps of money or have the highest titles. But if we fail in our marriage and with our children. If we fail to love and raise our children to be confident, mature, honest people who passionately love God and others. None of our other successes can make up for us failing as parents. It’s the one job we must not fail! Being a successful parent is a tough job and big responsibility. To love, teach, and shape a human being wisely from the moment they start life is overwhelming! After all, babies come into our world with no manual or instructions. Then, as they grow their needs change. Plus, each child is different, so what works with one of our kids, may not work with the other. Yet even when we make mistakes, we can still get closer to our children so they will both respect us and also count us as their close friends. Many times the kids who rebel and make bad choices are the ones with parents who just make strict rules, but they are not close to their children. It’s usually the kids who are close to their parents who really respect, love, and want to care for their parents when they’re old. But no matter how old your children are, it’s never too late to start being a better parent. Why not ask Jesus to forgive you for all your mistakes and to take charge, so He can start changing you with His love, power, and wisdom? It’s only with Jesus in complete charge of your character that you can become the parent and friend your kids need. Just Think a Minute…
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IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “...For if we have faith that Jesus underwent death and came back again, even so those who are sleeping will come again with him by God’s power...” (1 Thessalonians 4:14, the Holy Bible). -ooo FROM “PORK BARREL KING” TO “DENIAL KING”? So, President Aquino is denying he is the “pork barrel king?” Well, with his annual “special fund” of about P500 billion as reported in media (which should now be about P1.5 trillion for the period from 2010 to 2013), and his having used funds from the executive department for distribution to lawmakers for the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, his denials may yet earn him another monicker. What could this other monicker possibly be? “Denial king”, that’s what! And do you know what happens to a “denial king”, at least in Philippine show business? He loses credibility, nobody believes him anymore, and he is even bound to lose whatever “star quality” he may have. Somebody, if not from Malacanang, at least from show business, must advise him posthaste about this! -ooo PR E ACH T H E WOR D TO T H E DE A D T HIS HALLOWEEN! Let us continue with our reminders for the forthcoming All Saints Day or All Souls Day, an annual national commemoration for our departed loved ones, to enable us to know what we should be doing for them that
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will really help them, even if akampi they are already in the great Mo A ng Batas beyond. By Atty. Batas Mauricio As we already wrote earlier in this column, it is clear that we, the living, have an obligation to proclaim and preach the Word of God to the dead. This is what 1 Peter 3:1820 is saying. This particular part of the Bible tells us that after Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, resurrected, He went to the place where spirits are imprisoned while awaiting Judgment Day, and preached the Word to them. It might be asked, why would Jesus---and us, at present--preach the World to the dead? 1 Peter 4:6 gives us the reason: “For this was the reason why the good news of Jesus was given even to the dead, so that while they might be judged as men in the flesh, they might be living before God in the spirit...” -ooo OLD TESTAMENT BASIS FOR PREACHING TO THE DEAD: There is a basis for this assertion about preaching to the dead made by the New Testament, particularly in batas/PAGE 7
Why PhilPaSS Matters to You
f you are a “banked” individual, you have probably experienced withdrawing money from your savings account using the automated teller machine (ATM) of another bank. Technically, what happens is your bank is “borrowing” money from the other bank to provide your immediate cash requirements. Now, how do you think your bank is able to pay what it borrowed from the other bank? Also, how is it possible that your account immediately reflects your withdrawal? Banks do not manually pay each other by exchanging bags of cash at the end of the banking day. If dues are settled this way, it will cost a lot of time and effort from the parties involved. That’s why in modern economies such as what most countries have now, there exists an infrastructure that enables the efficient payment and settlement between financial institutions in a given country. This infrastructure is called a payment system. Payment systems play an important role in the financial infrastructure of the economy. They provide the mechanism through which money is transferred from one party to another. In the Philippines, our national payment system is called the PhilPaSS or the Philippine Payments and Settlements System. It is an automated facility owned and operated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which as the country’s central monetary authority has taken
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steps to ensure that there is a safe and efficient payment O ut and settlement system in the By Ignacio Bunye country. The PhilPaSS, which was launched in 2002, settles f u nd t r a n s fe r s b e t we e n participant banks and financial institutions which maintain deposits with the BSP. It uses a real-time gross settlement system (RTGS) that allows payments and settlements to be processed and posted as they happen. With RTGS, risks in high-value payments between banks are minimized because transactions do not require exchange of actual cash. Since banks have their own deposit accounts in the BSP, the central bank directly adds or deducts from the banks’ respective accounts in the BSP what are being paid or settled through the PhilPaSS. This process has proven to be a more efficient way of processing transactions. Before, things were done manually. Debit and credit entries were posted one by one in the banks’ respective deposit accounts in the BSP. Statement of accounts of the banks also had to be sent through postal mail. bunye/PAGE 7
The Beauty of Self-Emptying
ome years ago, a young man approached me and very happily told me he just had his newborn baby baptized. I immediately asked him what the name of the neonate was. And he cheerily responded, “Kenosis, Maria Kenosis, Fr.” I, of course, was dumbstruck. It was not so much that the name sounded very strange and so out-of-this-world. It was more because I happened to know the word and it never occurred to me that it could be a name of a baby girl. The word is Greek and it appears in the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians. It means “emptying,” referring to Christ who being God emptied himself to become man, making himself like a servant, obedient to this Father unto death on the cross. (cfr 2,6-8) I asked the fellow who suggested the name to him and whether he knew the meaning. He said, it was a priest who suggested it and who explained the meaning. He said that since he liked how the word sounded, he accepted the suggestion. I was actually happy to learn about this turn of events, since it was a good departure from the usual practice of parents naming their children according to some combination of their names. Thus, you hear about a child named Celpon because the parents are Celine and Ponciano, or Charger because Charlene and Gerry are his parents. I wonder what other funny combinations we will have next time. But the word Kenosis is actually a good word and
concept for all of us to be familiar with. It is actually and Traces an ideal to be made reality By Fr. Roy Cimagala in us, since the attitude of self-emptying is actually a necessity for us if we want to imitate Christ and to be able to be all things to men. It’s the formula for adapting ourselves to everyone and every situation, especially the more difficult ones. This business of self-emptying is no impractical or profitless venture. It’s the secret for success in any effort to build up unity and harmony in a world that is often wracked in differences, conflicts, and relativistic mentalities. These differences, conflicts and relativistic ways are not only in the area of politics, philosophies and ideologies. They can be in the more important aspects of life like faith and religion, morality and the like. Looking closely at the kenosis or the self-emptying of Christ, we can learn that the God who created us truly humbled himself to become man and went all the way to assume even the sinfulness of man without committing sin himself. cimagala/PAGE 7
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Chemical... from page 1
to about $20 billion to $50 billion. The ramp up is fast with continued investments,” he added. Batungbacal, also the country manager of Dow Chemical Pacific Limited, thus stressed the need for the industry players and the government to work toget her to ensure t hat crucial chemical plants are successful. “Make sure that the startup (plants) are run efficiently and that the markets are able to take products, (that we are) able to export,” he said. Moreover, Batungbacal expressed hope that the Ph i l ippi ne s a nd g loba l economies would continue expanding as this could result in healthy growth in chemical demand. “Since we are becoming a bigger exporter, a lot of that will depend on the global demand,” he noted. Batungbaca l said t he industry players are gearing up to achieve long-term export revenue targets set in the roadmap for the sector. Under the roadmap, the chemical sector is aiming to hit $5 billion worth of exports by 2016, $10 billion by 2022 and $30 billion by 2030. “But it is not only about exports, we have targets for environment, health and safety. We have (also) targets for the number of patents and for the number of new SME
(small medium enterprises) going into the sector,” he added. -- Danielle Venz, PHILEXPORT News and Features
Plant... from page 1
(Z a mcelco) w i l l joi nt ly petition the Energ y Regulatory Board (ERB) for the rate approval. “ We a r e n o w b u s y prepa ring t he power rates, the power purchase agreement and we are also busy formalizing the land leases, now that the national government has released the service contract,” he said. He assured that the power rates from solar energy are much lower than the current rates. M ayor M a . I s a b e l le Climaco-Salazar has strongly endorsed Enfinity’s solar power projec t proposa l when she and Ibarra met Wednesday at City Hall. (PNA)
NGCP... from page 2
NGCP is a privately-owned corporation in-charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets. As a corporation with a public service orientation, NGCP supports the communities hosting its transmission facilities, which it considers as a true partner in nation-building.
Batas...
Bunye...
1 Peter 3:18-20 and 1 Peter 4:6, in the Old Testament, specially in the Book of Isaiah. The particular chapter of Isaiah on preaching to the dead is found in its Chapter 37, where God commanded Isaiah to preach to the bones of the dead. Let us quote some of these parts of Isaiah 37: “The hand of The Lord had been on me, and he took me out in the spirit of the Lord and put me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones. And he made me go past them round about; and I saw that there was a very great number of them on the face of the side valley, and they were very dry. “And he said to me, Son of man, is it possible for these bones to come to life? And I made answer, and said, It is for you to say, O Lord. And again he said to me, Be a prophet to these bones and say to them, O you dry bones, give ear to the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord has said to the bones: See, I will make breath come into you so that you may come to life... “So I gave the word as I was ordered: and at my words there was a shaking of the earth... and breath came into them, and they came to life and got up on their feet, a very great army...” I praise God for this understanding! -ooo REACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0922 833 43 96. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, mmauriciojr111@gmail.com.
Operating the PhilPaSS is the BSP’s Payments and Settlements Office (PSO), a lean and mean team of 15 personnel, including its head Director Bella Santos. The PSO, formerly called the Deposit Demand Account – RTGS Payment Unit, came to be in June 2006 as per Monetary Board Resolution No. 847.A. It processes an average of 5,000 daily transactions w it h a n ave r a ge d a i l y value of Php 1.4 Trillion. These transactions involve 37 commercial banks, 46 thrift/savings banks, 60 rural banks, 13 non-banks and quasi-banking institutions. This group settles the transactions of third party system providers such as the Philippine Clearing House Cor porat ion, Mega lin k, Bancnet, and the Philippine Dealing Exchange. It’s important to note too, that the PhilPaSS does not just facilitate interbank fund transfers and ATM transactions. It also settles check clearing and facilitates trading of foreign exchange and government securities. B a n k s a l s o u s e t he PhilPaSS to facilitate inward remittances from overseas Filipinos. With the speed, ease and safety offered by PhilPaSS, many ordinary Filipinos have a lot to be happy about. Note: My book, Central Bank ing for Ever y Juan and Maria is now available
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from page 6
in main branches of Fully B o ok e d , Power B o ok s , National Book Store, and University of the Philippines Press.
Cimagala... from page 6
That is how he removed the sting of sin and death, as can be gleaned in this passage from St. Paul: “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” (1 Cor 15,54-56) It’s important that we learn t he sk i l ls of selfemptying as we go through the unavoidable differences and conflicts in our life. We have to convince ourselves that that is the proper way to behave, overcoming the all too human reactions of defending ourselves too readily, of wanting to score and win in a debate, etc., all manifestations of pride, vanity and self-righteousness.
We have to be ready to be humi liated, to be misunderstood, etc. What should come foremost to our mind is that we are closely united with Christ all the way to his culminating act of offering his very own life. That’s because Christ himself said: “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” (Lk 11,23) To be strongly convinced of the wisdom of this attitude, we need to remember always words of Christ: “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Mt 10,39) And as St. Paul also said: “The foolish things of the world has God chosen, that he may confound the wise; and the weak things of the world has God chosen, that he may confound the strong.” (1 Cor 1,27) We need to revise our concept of what is truly good for us, what would comprise real success and victory. It’s in the self-emptying ways of Christ. In fact, he commands it of us: “If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.” (Mt 16,24)
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Happy 58 Birthday
Brother EDUARDO V. MANALO Executive Minister of Iglesia Ni Cristo Greetings from:
Vice Governor JOEY G. PELAEZ Abing I. Bernaldez Bing F. Dumadag Benedict P. Lagbas Enteng K.Pelaez Dandan N. Chan(PCL)
Geronimo Z. Lagbas(SK)
and Board Members
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Gagay J. Acain Boris H. Actub Enan V. Emano Nancy S. Madjos Loloy S. Mugot Jun S. Kho Jr.(ABC)
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