BusinessWeek Mindanao (April 10, 2015)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO Your daily business paper

2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting

Volume V, No. 139

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As of 6:12 pm apr. 8, 2015 (wednesday)

FOREX

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US$1 = P44.46

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Auction sale POWER Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corp. is bidding out the Independent Power Producer Administrator (IPPA) contract for the 200-MW Mindanao coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental province.

According to the invitation to bid which was published in newspapers, interested parties may conduct due diligence from April 13 until “two business days before the tender” on Sept. 23, 2015. All bids should be submitted at 12 noon on that day.

As in PSALM’s previous bidding, the opening and evaluation of bids would follow immediately at 12:30 p.m.

“The Mindanao coal IPPA selection is the second privatization activity of PSALM for this year.

The first was the launch of the IPPA selection for the Bulk Energy of the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plants (ULGPP) two weeks ago,” PSALM president and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. said.

Long-term plan AS news of higher power rates this summer puts a spotlight on the country’s long-standing energy woes, a think tank cautioned the government against applying what it describes as merely “band-aid solutions.”

A paper by the Stratbase ADR Institute on Strategic and International Studies said while the interruptible load program could potentially avert the much-feared rotating brownouts in Luzon, the bigger picture required a more long-term energy security plan.

“Augmenting the supply is the only long-term and viable solution to these persistent woes, a direction that requires both enabling policy and political will,” the paper said.

“While Congress and the executive scramble to find band-aid solutions to avoid this looming power crisis, it does little to even begin solving the country’s power woes beyond 2015.”

P15.00

Mindanao eyed for $6-B halal industry www.businessweekmindanao.com

Friday | April 10, 2015

By KRIS M. CRISMUNDO, Philippine News Agency

A

S the Philippines eye a share in the $600-billion global demand on Halal food and non-food products, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ponciano C. Manalo Jr. told reporters a one-stop Halal certification shop is being eyed in Mindanao.

Halal means prepared according to Muslim law.

Manalo, who recently came from an investment forum and a business mission in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said strengthening

the local Halal industry can also boost the country’s food exports to UAE and other nations in the Middle East, where most people are are Muslim. halal/PAGE 11

Students hope for peaceful M’nao via peace journalism

By ERWIN MASCARIÑAS, MindaNews

BUTUAN City – Students and teachers from various schools in the Caraga Region expressed their hope for peace through responsible and balanced journalism during a peace journalism workshop

at the Father Saturnino Urios University on Tuesday.

Primy Cane, a former broadcast journalist based in Cagayan de Oro City who spearheaded the workshop, peaceful/PAGE 11

BANGUS HARVEST. Fisherfolks harvest bangus (milkfish) from a fishcage in Barangay Masao, Butuan City. mindanews photo by erwin mascarinas

Matigsalug tribal hall powered by solar energy SOLAR power is giving new life to the once dilapidated and forgotten tribal hall of the Matigsalug community in Marilog, Davao City.

In p ar t nership w it h AboitizPower, its subsidiary Therma South Inc., and the Aboitiz Foundation the Matigsalug Council of Elders, Marilog, Davao City, Inc. (MACOEMADDACI) and its community is now using the new facilities and most importantly, electric power, matigsalug/PAGE 11

SOLAR-POWERED. Matigsalug tribe members witness the ceremonial opening of the solar-powered tribal hall in Marilog district in Davao City. Cutting the ribbon is led by Marilog Proper Punong Barangay Purificacion Suyko (center), Matigsalug Deputy Mayor Datu Carlito Guinto (left from center), and tribal group President Datu Juanito Mandahay (far right) and TSI FVP Charles A. Gamo.

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Economy

Fish production in NorMin posts higher growth in 2014

By APIPA BAGUMBARAN, Contributor

FISH production in Northern Mindanao grew by 1.08 percent in 2014 compared to the 156,520.11 metric tons (MT) produced in the previous year.

All the three sectors of fish production posted positive

performance during the year, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reported.

Aquaculture production, which accounted for 49 percent of the total fish production of the region,

increased by 1.08 percent from 76,802.50 MT in 2013 to 77,632.96 MT in 2014.

Commercial and municipal fisheries, on the other hand, accounted for 23 percent and 28 percent of the total regional fish production, respectively.

The commercial fisheries production went up by 0.30 percent from 36,853.61 MT to 36,965.94 MT during the year although it experienced a drop in the fourth quarter due to the stoppage in operation of some boats in Misamis Oriental as a result of the

higher penalties imposed by Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on encroaching municipal waters.

Mu n i c i p a l f i s h e r i e s posted the biggest growth among the three sectors from 42,864 MT to 43,613.83 MT or by 1.75 percent.

The abundance of inseason species resulting to more unloading of tamban, tulingan, galunggong, bonito and tunsoy in Misamis Occidental was cited as a major contributor in the positive performance of the municipal fisheries. (APB/ PIA-10)

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DOH urges public to submit to health centers for coughs with tuberculosis symptoms

By JASPER MARIE OBLINA-RUCAT, Contributor

THE Department of Health (DOH) region 10 in its goal to eradicate Tuberculosis (TB) in the region, is urging the public to submit themselves or anyone with symptoms of lung TB to the nearest health centers or TB Directly Observed Treatment, Shortcourse (DOTS) facility in their area.

Dr. Evelyn Magsayo, head of DOH Infectious Disease Cluster, said that the most common form of TB is Pulmonary TB or TB of the lungs. Usually, the symptoms include cough of two weeks or more or cough

Tax campaign kicks-off in MisOcc OZAMIZ City -- Some 556 businessmen and taxpayers signed their pledge of commitment to highlight their support to the Tax Campaign of Revenue District No. 100, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), here.

Focused on the theme: “Angat Pa, Pinas (Rise More, Philippines): Do Your Share, Pay Your Correct Taxes,” the campaign kicked-off with a motorcade in Ozamiz and

Oroquieta, two of the three cities in the province.

“The activities, which were followed by seminars/briefings on Taxation, were held in time to remind the public of the April 15, 2015, deadline for filing the income tax returns (ITR) for the previous year, Atty. Judith G. Seno, officer-in-charge (OIC) and assistant revenue district officer of RD 100, said.

Meanwhile, Seno said RD 100 will continue its regular schedule of tax briefing for the new businesses, every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., at the 3rd Floor of BIR Building in Ozamiz City.

The briefing includes what the taxpayers are required to do upon registration, what receipts or invoices to print, how to register the manual books of accounts, how much fees to pay and which BIR forms to use.

Also included are the information of which returns to file and which tax type to pay for which the taxpayer is obligated, as indicated in the certificate of registration, when any of the following changes occur.

Transfer of place or head of office or branches, cancellation or closure of registration and change in tax type and other taxpayer details, Seno added.

of whatever duration, fever and loss of appetite.

Vulnerable population include children who are five years old and below who has close contacts of TB patients in the house; clinical high risk groups also include those with low immune system and with diabetes, also those with HIV. Another high risk population group those that live in faraway villages like the Indigenous People (IP) since they are geographically isolated and do not have access to check up.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Mae Garcia, senior health officer of DOH said that they have intensified their case finding.

They have a high detection rate of 74%, higher than the last two years. In 2014, there had been 9,118 cases of TB detected in Northern Mindanao.

However, Dr. Magsayo said that we need to submit more cases because the estimated TB cases last year was 90% and only 74% were detected which means out of the 11,000 estimated TB cases, only 9,000 were detected and treated. There are still missing 3,000 cases.

Pulmonary TB is highly infectious since transmission is through the air. “Everytime we speak, every second we breathe, if the person has TB, especially when we cough, millions of TB bacteria will come out in the air and one highly infectious person will infect 10 to 20 persons per year,” Dr. Magsayo said.

Their strategy is intensified case filing with this year’s theme, “Stop TB: Hanapin, Gamutin, Pagalingin”.

D OT S has b e en t he strategy of DOH for more than five years and success rate is more than 90%, even the drug resistant TB, said Dr. Magsayo.

She emphasized that if we can detect early, we can also treat the patient early.

T h e Wor l d T B D ay observance was on March 24, 2015. (JMOR/PIA10)

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CorporateWorld

Cebu Pacific gets closer to flying to United States PHILIPPINE aviation regulators have allowed Cebu Pacific Air to fly longer than usual from the nearest airport, boosting prospects the budget carrier will mount new long haul flights including the US. In a statement released yesterday, the Gokongweiled airline said it has received certification for Extended Diversion Time Operations (EDTO) of up to 120 minutes.

EDTO, according to Cebu Pacific, refers to a set of rules introduced by the International Civil Aviation Organization for airlines operating twin-engine aircraft cebupac/PAGE 10

Globe, RCBC tie up for mobile money service C U STOM E R S of R i z a l Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) can now use their mobile phones for banking transactions under a partnership with Globe Telecom Inc. RCBC has tied up with G - Xch ange In c ( G X I ) , allowing the bank’s MyWallet account holders to undertake fund transfers using the GCash service. GXI is a

subsidiary of Globe.

“Mobile payments and transactions are a great opportunity for emerging economies like the Philippines to spur business growth,” said Xavier Marzan, GXI president.

“We are confident that our strategic partnership with RCBC would further promote mobile money transactions Tie up/PAGE 11

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Hedcor, USAID empower Mt. Apo rangers thru sustainable roadmap STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur -- Hedcor and USAID jointly organized an environmental law enforcement workshop aimed at improving forest conditions in Mt. Apo. Hedcor’s vice president for Mindanao operations Rolando Pacquiao said, “This sustainable roadmap workshop is one of our direct efforts in sustainability initiatives crafted for our partner communities.”

Some 100 participants fr om Hedc or , B+ W i s er , Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Local Government of Barangay Sibulan, and the Mount Apo Natural Park (MANP) forest rangers developed a roadmap for improving forest conditions through enhanced environmental law enforcement.

Prior to the creation of the roadmap, the participants underwent a workshop held at Hedcor’s host communities in Sitio Pogpog, Sitio Tudaya and Barangay Sibulan proper in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. The forest area in and around Sibulan is within the MANP and is an important source of water supply for both domestic use and energy generation.

Hedcor, with four generating hydropower plants in the area, started its reforestation efforts in 2008.

Since then, the 1,000-hectare land area within the Mt Apo Natural Park has already been covered.

Hedcor is currently integrating environmental law enforcement to have a more positive impact on the wider landscape, which includes areas with high conservation values, such as those considered as habitats of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle.

Meanwhile, B+WISER is providing technical assistance in designing Forest Protection and Monitoring System to rehabilitate the forests. The technical assistance provided for this initiative is part of USAID’s restoration efforts which covers 78,000 hectares in the country.

Hedcor’s direct result for its green practices, it is ISO-certified for Environment Management Systems and a recipient of Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Seal of Excellence.

Hedcor is operating run-ofriver hydropower plants with a total installed capacity of 170MW for its 21 generating facilities across the country.

For 37 years, Hedcor is continuously growing and developing more run-of-river plants to provide Cleanergy, its brand of clean and renewable energy. (PR/Hedcor)

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Summer jobs bolster work force development

H

ow do we recall the summer jobs we had when we were young? We can smile remembering those washing dishes chores in restaurants. Haggling with customers in a retail shop.

Cleaning assignments in construction sites. It may not be the specific skills we learned, but the more general lessons were so important like showing up on time; treating customers with courtesy and respect; and the satisfaction that comes from earning a day’s wage for a hard day of work.

Remember?

Unfortunately, many high school and college students today don’t enjoy the same opportunities to earn a little money over the summer or experience what can be an essential introduction to the

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Who Does He Think He Is?

T

hink a minute…Have you ever wondered what the big deal is about Easter and this man Jesus Christ? Who exactly was He? People who don’t even like Him still agree that Jesus Christ taught and lived the highest standard of love and morality the world has ever known. But what made Him so different from all the other religious teachers and prophets, so that the world’s calendar centers on this one man’s birth?

Remember, Jesus said that He’s the One Who has the authority to forgive people’s wrongs and sins. Jesus said that He’s the One Who will judge every person in the world when they die. Jesus even claimed He’s the Lord over death and the Creator of all life. So Who does this man think He is? God? Exactly! And He proved it.

When He gave His innocent, perfect life for the wrongs of mankind, was buried for 3 days, and then came back to life! Only God Himself has the power to create life from death.

So what about other prophets and teachers who came after Jesus with new revelations, teachings and books they claim are also from God? Jesus very strongly warned us that any person who adds another teaching or book to the Bible, Jesus said that man is a liar and His teaching or book of

THINK

A Minute

Jhan Tiafau Hurst revelation is not true. Because nobody, not even a priest or prophet, can add anymore to the revelation, teaching, and truth of God Himself in the Bible. Jesus warned we should never believe or follow these false prophets and religions, even if they call themselves a Christian church or followers of Jesus Christ.

You may be thinking: “Ok, if Jesus is God and the Only One Who can forgive all my wrongs, so what? What’s that to me?” Well, Jesus has everything to do with your life—both now and after you die. What we do with Jesus in our life now decides what He will do with us after we die.

You must decide for yourself 1 of 3 choices who Jesus Christ really is: He’s either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord of the world, just who He said and proved He is. Jesus said and showed that He’s hurst/PAGE 10

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editorial world of work. That’s too bad not only for them, but also employers. Students miss out on the chance to gain what’s often literally handson exposure to the workplace environment, to develop good habits and learn how to work with others. Down the road, employers miss out on more qualified job applicants with a much better idea of what it’s like to work and how to succeed.

There’s a connection between summer jobs and work force development.

Private and public establishments are promoting summer employment to get more students into summer

jobs.

Publishing companies not only hire a lot of high school and college students for its busy summer production s eas on, but als o of fers them training in such life skills as collab oration, communication and time management. The effort helps to improve productivity. And this benefits extend to other employers for which the students subsequently work.

Not every business can hire youth for summer jobs, especially those with limited resources in terms of both money and time. But more businesses could hire youth for the summer, especially

those whose operations become busier during the season and could use the extra help.

There’s the short-term immediate benefits associated with the enthusiasm and ability to learn quickly most youth bring to summer jobs.

But there’s also the longterm benefit associated with developing future job applicants who know from personal experience what it’s like to work and what’s expected of them in the workplace.

The important lessons they learned from summer jobs can also benefit the younger generations.

C ongratulations to establishments offering summer jobs. They are helping to increase economic activities in the regions.

Tagum City: Creating its own Convergence

C

OMPETITIVE CITIES never ceases to evolve into an investment haven.

Anchored on agricultural exports and a strong real estate market, this emerging Davao del Norte City has the synergies to become a major growth area in Mindanao.

Tagum City has its new master plan that caters to the influx of real estate developers, educational institutions, health care and agri-tourism. With good governance that streamline the business process into a one stop center at the City Hall, first termer Mayor Rey Rellon has eliminated various red tapes in doing business in his city. Rellon, a former practicing lawyer before embarking on his political career took the indomitable challenge to wrest the city leadership against the anointed son

of his predecessor during the 2013 Mayoralty contest with a wide margin of votes.

He counts the support of the young entrepreneurs, the civil society and many business leaders in his city.

Less than an hour drive from Davao International A i r p o r t , Ta g u m C i t y, welcomes motorist and commuters through a wide four lanes highway planted on both sides with Century Palm Trees whose leafy arms wave as the summer breeze blows in the air. The main road leads further to the fertile farms of Compostela Valley. Another parallel highway divert to the scenic Mati City in Davao Oriental.

Tagum’s strategic location and superior road network has spur investments and encourage migration from nearby provinces in search of j obs in t he B anana

Plantations, retail business, small skill mining and the service industry. The growing population with increasing income bracket has created demand for more residential communities and commercial space for expanding business. Data from the banking sector and remittance centers reveals an estimated P150 Million monthly cash inflows from overseas workers and medical professionals working in the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand to their families. Probably, this economic cycle accelerate fast turnovers of consumer’s goods. Another factor for the cities growth in trade and commerce is its proximity to the mining sites of Mt. Diwalwal and the Agusan del Sur gold rush municipalities.

The high consumption index could have attracted mall

TRAVERSING the

Tourism H i - way

Ped Quiamjot developers and major cars distribution centers to open new branches. Robinson Land and SM Prime have secured their locations with construction timeline set for 2016. While Davao home grown companies like Gaisano Capital and the NCC of Robert Lim have just completed their major expansions. quiamjot/PAGE 10

PNoy’s peace process killed SAF 44

L

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things…” (Romans 2:1, the Holy Bible).

-ooo PNOY’S PEACE PROCESS KILLED SAF 44: I am tempted to say, “I told you so”, but I won’t. What is important now is that, our repeated claims, both in our columns here in the Philippines and abroad and in our various radio broadcasts in stations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, have been vindicated.

Indeed, no help was given to the 44 officers and men of the Special Action Force (SAF) as they were being butchered all day long on January 25, 2015 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, so as not to jeopardize or put

in peril the peace agreement that President Aquino was forging with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Clearly, the so-called peace process was deemed more important by the Aquino government, and was worth more preserving and being protected with the might of the State, than the lives of the 44 SAF commandoes who were evidently sent to Mamasapano to prop up the campaign to clinch a Nobel Peace award for a very important official. Truly, Aquino’s peace process killed the SAF troopers.

-ooo “STAND DOWN” ORDER CONFIRMED: What am I referring to? Yes, you guessed it right. I am referring to the testimony given to the House of Representatives last April 08, 2015 by Chief Supt. Noli Talino, SAF deputy director, and Supt.

Michael John Mangahis, the ground commanders for the

Mamasapano operation on January 25.

What did they say? That the “peace process” was used by ranking military officers in Maguindanao to justify their not providing ground and artillery support to the SAF commandoes who have been pinned down in Mamasapano after they successfully carried out their mission to kill Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, or Marwan, that’s what.

This disclosure by Talino and Mangahis confirmed earlier allegations that police and militar y assistance to the beleaguered SAF commandoes were ordered to “stand down”, or, in other words, were prohibited from being extended to the hapless policemen on orders of somebody very powerful in government.

-ooo PNOY DID NOT SAVE SAF 44-NAPENAS: Who could have been this

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

Atty. Batas Mauricio “somebody powerful in government” who prevented help from being given to the SAF commandoes as they were being mercilessly murdered by MILF rebels?

Your guess is as good as mine, but I am sure the statement given by ousted SAF chief Gen. Getulio Napenas during the same April 08, 2015 hearing at the House will give us an idea.

Napenas was quoted by a media report as saying batas/PAGE 10

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Entrepreneurship and financial literacy program in all educational levels pushed The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure instituting an entrepreneurship and financial literacy program in all levels of education nationwide.

Rep. Kimi S. Cojuangco (5th District, Pangasinan), chairperson of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture, said House Bill 5603 would deliver highly relevant programs to Filipino students to address the pressing need for financial literacy and make them at par with the global standards on basic financial education.

The bill is line with the policy of the State to promote the sustained development of a pool of young Filipinos whose aptitude and skill in the field of finance and entrepreneurship shall be encourage d and honed through education and specialized training programs, Cojuangco said.

Hous e Bi l l 5603, to be known as the “Youth Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Program Act,” amends Republic Act 6977, as amended by RA 8289 and as further amended by RA9501, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).”

The measure substitutes House Bills 2464, 2700, 4713 and 2877 authored by Reps.

Alfred Vargas (5th District, Quezon City), Anthony Del Rosario (1st District, Davao del Norte), Mark Villar (Lone District, Las Pinas City), Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur) and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga), respectively.

Vargas said the government should arm the Filipino students with fundamental financial management and entrepreneurship know-hows.

“In the pursuit of a globally competitive labor

forc e , m any c ou nt r i e s have already established financial education and entrepreneurial institutions and have included these fields in their basic education curricula,” Vargas said.

Del Rosario said the problem of unemployment and underemployment may be remedied if the country can produce graduates who are job creators rather than job seekers.

“To ensure that students process and synthesize a wide range of skills, attitude

and knowledge to enable them to think critically and act creatively for personal, community and national development, it is imperative to include entrepreneurship as a subject in the secondary curriculum for both public and private schools,” Del Rosario said.

The measure shall promote youth entrepreneurship and financial literacy program to all levels of education nationwide, specifically providing that in the primary level, such program shall

focus on the ideal values necessar y to become successful entrepreneurs.

Under the measure, the Entrepreneurship Education Committee (EEC) shall be created, chaired by the Secretary of Department of Education (DepEd) and with members composed of a representative each from Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),

National Youth Commission (NYC), and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council.

The EEC shall formulate a national plan of action for the implementation of this proposed Act, which sha l l i nclu d e stu dy i ng and standardizing all current programs of schools and institutions on entrepreneurship and f i nanci a l lite r ac y ; and providing assistance, training, and support that will

ensure coherence and clear progression of the objectives of the proposed Act. The measure requires the EEC to provide information on available government and nongovernment assistance and training programs that may be availed of by students for further training and possible entrepreneurial and financial ventures; develop mentoring and coaching programs for the students in coordination with eligible entities to facilitate sharing literacy/PAGE 11

Normalization process need not Free meals and regular check up program for public school kids pushed be in BBL, GPH legal rep says To improve the overall health, academic performance and attendance of school children in daycare centers, public elementary and secondary schools, three lawmakers have filed a measure seeking to institutionalize a “Malusog ng Estudyanteng Pilipino Program.”

Rep. Sharon Garin (Partylist. AAMBIS-OWA) said under House Bill 5584, food recommended by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) shall be served during meal time from Monday to Friday, except holidays and semestral breaks which will start on the date of class

opening in June and ends in the last day of class in March.

“It is reported that there are many Filipino children who go to school with an empty stomach. This obviously compromises the learning of the children in the classroom. To address the program/PAGE 11

MANILA – In a press briefing held April 6, Atty. Sittie Amirah Pendatun, member of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel’s legal team, reiterated t hat t he nor malizat ion process, part of which is the decommissioning or turnover of Moro Islamic Liberation

The DA-10 convenes with the women in agriculture in Northern Mindanao as it conducts the Regional Women’s Congress in line with National Women’s Month celebration. Sharing their success stories as women propellers of agriculture development in Region 10. (DA-RAFIS 10)

Front’s (MILF) weapons and forces, need not be in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), citing as reasons (1) constitutional requirements, (2) the power of the president to conduct peace negotiations, and (3) the nature of an organic or basic law as outlined in the 1987 Constitution.

First, according to Pendatun, the normalization process is not included in the proposed BBL due to a constitutional provision that prohibits the creation of a bill that has more than one subject. Pendatun was referring to Art. VI, Sec. 26(1) of the 1987 Constitution, which says “every bill passed by the Congress shall embrace only one subject which shall be expressed in the title thereof.” “ The BBL is really about the establishment of an autonomous region.

It’s about the creation of a political entity which seeks to establish an inclusive system of governance for a multicultural segment of the Philippine population, and not about the MILF per se,” Pendatun explained. process/PAGE 11

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Biggest K-POP ICON search now in PH A multi-million peso recording and management contract in Korea await the champion, and possibly another one from the top 10 finalists of the biggest K-Pop Icon Search (KISPINOY) that will kick off on April 22 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Music Hall. A free concert by U-KISS AND LABOUM will be part of the grand launching.

“We’ve always been amazed by the incredible pool of talents that can be found in the Philippines. All over the world, Filipinos are recognized for their passion in singing and performance. That’s why we’re here. We believe that a Filipino is the next K-Pop idol,” says Matthew Choi, KISPINOY founder and producer.

KISPINOY is a reality-based talent search that aims to discover young and talented Filipino K-Pop performers. To be shown on TV5, the aspiring contestants will be battling it out on stage every week to win a coveted stature in the Asian and global music industry. YU&IQ International, Inc., in partnership with YU&IQ Korea and NH Media, is the producer of the show. YU&IQ Korea (formerly Ryu’s Entertainment) is a major investor of KISPINOY. LABOUM

U-KISS

Lim Chang Jung

(All Photos Supplied)

The company is the creator of awardwinning film and television artists like Suh Young Hee and Lee Mun Sik. NH Media is a South Korean record label and entertainment agency that currently manages U-KISS, Lim Chang Jung, The Ray, Kim Jeong Seo and LABOUM. Expect some of Korea’s most prominent artists to be seen as guests and/or judges on the show. They will also mentor the contestants who will eventually become the next K-Pop sensations from a world-class brand.

A 3-billion dollar industry from South Korea, K-Pop was the main driver of the Korean Wave, spreading across Asia, to the West and other parts of the world. As described

by Time magazine, K-Pop is South Korea’s greatest export, continuously experiencing double-digit growth in terms of revenues since the mid-2000s.

In 2011 alone, it clocked in US$3.5

Kim Jeong Seo billion in gross income.

Some of the K-Pop idols today have Filipino roots: Sandara Park of 2NE1, Cheon Dung of MBLAQ, and Alex Eusebio, former member of U-KISS. KISPINOY is open to all Filipinos ages 13 and up. Those interested can record their songs and dance performances in booths that will be set up in designated SM malls nationwide.

These recordings will be sent to Korea for screening. The audition dates and venues are as follows: April 22, SM Mall of Asia; April 24-25, SM Pampanga; May 2-4, SM Southmall and SM Davao; May 6-9, SM CDO; May 8-10, SM Megamall; May 12-14, SM North EDSA; May 1315, SM Cebu; and May 21-23, SM Dasmarinas and SM Bacolod.

For more information, email info@ kispinoy.com

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Cebu Pacific bags CAAP approval for extended range operations

Members of Lanao del Norte Media Practitioners Marketing Cooperative (LNMPMC) pose during their recent General Assembly at MCC-Rianas, Tubod. Seated are the newly-elected officers of LNMPMC.

Lanao del Norte media coop elects new officers Tubod, Lanao del Norte – Members of the newly created Lanao del Norte Media Practitioners Marketing C o op erative (LNMPMC) recently elected their new set of officers to serve until March 2016.

Elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors

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is Vincent Labial of the Provincial Information Office. Also voted as Board of Directors are Dra. Melania Untao, Vicente Secuya III, Helen Tesoro, Dra. Filipinas C amins, Domingo Sacote and Cheryll Balderama.

“We definitely have our

work cut out for us. It’s a big responsibility especially that LNMPMC is still in its infancy stage, but with dedicated BOD’s, officers and members I believe we can overcome the odds”, expressed BOD Chairman Vincent Labial.

The Philippines’ leading airline, C ebu Pacific (PSE:CEB), received certification for Extended Diversion Time Operations (EDTO) of up to 120 minutes. EDTO refers to a set of rules introduced by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for airlines operating twinengine aircraft on routes beyond 60 minutes flying t i m e f rom t h e n e are s t airport. The time refers to f light times between diversion airfields.

To secure the certification, CEB submitted to a comprehensive review of systems by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). CAAP

checked CEB’s compliance with additional sp ecial engineering and flight crew procedures in addition to the normal engineering and flight procedures. CEB pilots and engineering staff are now qualified and trained for EDTO. “ C E B ’s E D T O 1 2 0 certification allows us to serve new long haul markets with a more direct route b et we en air p or ts. This means considerable fuel s av i ng s , an d t h e m o s t optimal flight times for o u r p a s s e n g e r s . Wi t h the certification, we can continue to offer the fastest, most affordable flights for all our customers,” said Alex Reyes, CEB General

M a n a g e r, L o n g H a u l Division.

CEB also took delivery of its 6th brand-new Airbus A330 which arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last month.

The wide-body aircraft is third of five brand-new Airbus aircraft the airline is set to receive this year.

CEB currently operates a fleet of 55 aircraft comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 31 Airbus A320, 6 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft. CEB’s fleet is one of the youngest in the world, with an average age of 4.43 years.Between 2015 and 2021, CEB will take delivery of 7 more brandnew Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Summer escapade on CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Free summer sports clinic is on for children and teens aging 7 to 14 and below in Camiguin.

Dubbed as Kiddie Summer Escapade, the program offers lessons on swimming, taekwondo, soccer, tennis, and even extends further to painting, choral, piano and guitar lessons.

Camiguin governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo believes that pushing for projects as this, motivates kids and teens to be productive and active during vacation. It aims not only to provide recreational activities but also to develop their skills on other interests, be it in sports, music, or arts.

Kiddie Summer Escapade is now on its second year, and will be expanded to cover

the towns of Guinsiliban, Sagay, and Catarman or the GUIN-SA-CAT district.

Provincial information officer Nykolsha Mae H. Closas called on interested persons to register now at the Governor’s office; it started on Monday, April 6 and will last until April 15.

The summer clinic will be held at the provincial c o nv e nt i o n c e nt e r f o r Mambajao and Mahinog children, while the GUINSA-CAT district will be at the in Langujanan ni Ta Inggoy, Sagay Gymnasium, and Sagay Municipal Hall.

Closas, meanwhile, said that auditions for piano and choral will be hold separately on April 10 for Mambajao and Mahinog at the convention center. (Cheri Lian Ansale/ JCV/PIA)

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China’s most polluted province cuts coal use SHIJIAZHUANG -- Hebei Province, known for the worst air condition in China, vowed on Wednesday to clear the smog by reducing coal-related pollution.

Hebei Vice Governor Zhang Jiehui said the province would cut emissions from coal-fired power stations by half.

Stations that can not meet

the goal will be shut down, according to the provincial government.

The government also plans to close all solid clay brick kilns as they cause heavy pollution.

Coal emissions contribute half of the air pollution in Hebei, the vice governor said at an air pollution control meeting. (PNA/Xinhua)

U.S. govt takes action to reduce health impacts of climate change WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government on Tuesday announce d a s er ies of executive actions aimed at reducing the health impacts of climate change.

A warming planet, caused by human emissions of greenhouse gases, can lead to more smog, longer allergy seasons, and an increased i n c i d e n c e of e x t re m e weather-related injuries, the White House said, noting that children, the elderly, the sick, the poor, and minorities are especially vulnerable.

"The sooner we act, the more we can do to protect the health of our communities, our kids, and those that are the most vulnerable, " said a statement from the White House.

The actions announced included two climate change and health workshops this week and a White House summit on this issue later this spring.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will release a report on adaptation actions in some U.S. cities and states while the interagency U.S. Global Change Research Program will release a draft Climate and Health Assessment report.

Environment

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PHL backs UN’s safety plans, awareness against disasters Malacanang said it supports a United Nations initiative raising awareness on disasters to make vulnerable communities much safer.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction head, Ma r g a re t a Wa h l s t röm , have urged disasterprone countries like the Philippines to make “disaster risk reduction” a household word.

In a radio inter view on Sunday, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said such an initiative is already being done by the Aquino administration.

Disaster risk reduction has been the priority of the Aquino government and has incorporated it in the pillars of its Philippine Development Plan.

“Kaya nga po hanggang

sa pinakamataas na antas ng pamamahala, mayroon po tayong climate change Cabinet cluster na binubuklod lahat ng mga a h e n s y a n a m ay r o o n g responsibilidad para harapin ‘yung mga hamon ng climate change m it i g at i on and adaptation,” Coloma told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Among the government agencies involved in the initiative include the Department of Environment

and Natural Resources, and the Climate Change Commission.

The President heads the Climate Change Commission and is being supported by Secretary Lucille Sering, its vice chairperson.

“At s a l o o b p o n g administrasyon ni Pangulong Aquino ay nakapaglatag na po tayo ng pambansang istratehiya para harapin ang mga hamon ng climate change safety/PAGE 11

The administration is also expanding its Climate Data Initiative, which it launched last year, to include more than 150 health-relevant datasets. It also announced that a coalition of deans from 30 medical, public health and nursing schools are committing to train their students to address the health impacts of climate change.

There are also commitments from U.S. companies. For example, Google pledged to donate 10 million hours of highperformance computing, which will enable scientists to work to eliminate global infectious diseases and to visualize global fires and oil and gas flares over time.

Microsoft will develop drones that can collect mosquitoes autonomously and then conduct genesequencing and pathogen detection to serve as an early warning system for vector borne disease outbreaks.

Last week, the White House submitted its new climate change plan to the United Nations, in which it pledged to reduce carbon emissions by up to 28 percent below 2005 levels in the next decade. (PNA/Xinhua)

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

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

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

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

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

CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City

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

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Community After leading the PANUNUMPA NG LINGKOD BAYAN without reading a copy during the Flagraising ceremony March 23, 2015, MR. NOEL E. PAGUIDOPON, Admin AIDE I of the Assessor's Office, was invited

by Governor Bambi Emano to come on stage and receive a congratulatory message for a job well done. Governor Bambi Emano then asked the HRMO to look for an item to promote Mr. Paguidopon to at least be an ADMIN AIDE II. "Accolades will be given to employees who are dedicated to their job and act as model public employees, Gov. Bambi Emano said.

P12.5M worth of anti-poverty projects for implementation

By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

PLARIDEL, Misamis Occidental – At least 11 anti-poverty projects, all worth P12.5 million, will be implemented, here, under the Bottoms-Up Budgeting/ Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (BUB/ GPBP), this year.

Of these projects, three, each, will be implemented by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), two each, by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

and the Local Government Special Fund (LGSF), and one by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

As to status, however, all the projects are still in the process of initially complying with the requirements necessary for its implementation, Sanivier G. Patoc, provincial director of DILG, said.

Meanwhile, the projects were identified by the civil society organizations (CSO) operating in the municipality from a list of projects, they

themselves have prioritized, Jovencio P. Naranjo, local government unit (LGU) BUB/ GPBP coordinator, said.

These anti-poverty projects, include the following: Swine Fattening in barangay Cartagena, P500,000, Cocosugar Production in North Poblacion, P1,200,000, and Kabuhayan Program, also in North Poblacion, P500,000, all to be implemented by DOLE. Farm implements, Barangay Unidos, P1,200,000, mini-rice mill, also in Unidos, P1,000,000 and Rice-Duck Culture in Mamanga Daku,

P500,000, to be implemented

by DA and Rehabilitation of the old Plaridel water system in the North and South Poblacion, P300,000, and construction of the Deboloc-Tipolo Foot Bridge, P1,500,000, both by DILG. Gr ave l i ng of P u ro k 3-Purok 4, New Cartagena Road, P700,000, and c on s t r u c t i on of w at e r reservoir and distribution of pipes, also in Cartagena, both

by LGSF and construction of ‘Pasalubong Center’ at the North Poblacion, P1,000,000,

by D OT. (RCA/PIA10Misamis Occidental)

Mandaya-Mansaka tribe awarded Top DavNor companies ancestral domain title NEW BATAAN, Compostela Valley -- Members of the Mandaya-Mansaka tribe in Compostela Valley are urged to regard the certificate of ancestral domain title as instrument of peace and unity.

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples ( N C I P ) C om m i s s i on e r and Chairperson Leonor T. Oralde-Quintayo Monday called on members of the Mandaya-Mansaka Tribe in the indigenous people (IP) communities of Maragusan, New Bataan and Compostela to find progress in their lives through the title awarded them, not division and chaos among them.

In her message during the turning over of the Registry of Deeds-registered Ancestral Domain Title, Quintayo described the title as a hard-earned prize of the struggles that the elders made to protect the ancestral domain.

Dili unta kini mamahimong hinungdan sa pagkasiak-siak sa tribo.

(Hoping that this won’t

be the cause of division of tribe.),” she said during the turning over ceremony done at the municipal gym of New Bataan.

The Mandaya-Mansaka ancestral domain title covers 82,000 hectares encompassing barangays Mangayon, Tamia, Ngan, San Miguel and whole of Panansalan of the municipality of Compostela; p or t i ons of b ar ang ay s Cabinuangan, Batinao, Bantacan, Kahayag, Magangit, San Roque, Camanlangan, Fatima, Cogonon and whole of Pagsabangan and Andap of the municipality of New Bataan; whole barangays of Bahi and Langgawisan of the municipality of Maragusan.

The event was witnessed

by Compostela Valley Vice Governor Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora, New Bataan Mayor Lorenzo Balbin, Provincial Board Member Jayvee Tyron Uy representing Provincial Governor Arturo Uy, Provincial IP Sectoral Representative Augusto Blanco, members of Sangguniang Panlungsod of New Bataan.

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Provincial and regional officials of NCIP were also present during the event that drew some members of the Mandaya-Mansaka tribe and officials of the MandayaMansaka Executive Council of Elders.

Quintayo further hoped that the title may serve as springboard of development and empowerment that will spread to covered IP communities through the formulation of Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development Protection Plan (ADSDPP).

She described ADSDPP as the platform through which all agencies of the government at the local and national level including nongovernment organizations (NGOs) can work together to provide assistance to IP communities.

On t he ot her hand, Provincial Vice Governor Zamora echoed the same call of Commissioner Quintayo to keep the titles in good hands while he urged tribal officials to refrain from distributing title/PAGE 11

support Palaro

DAVAO DEL NORTE — The top corporations in Davao del Norte and in the entire Davao region have thrown their support to help guarantee a successful staging of the 2015 edition of the Palarong Pambansa which kicks off in less than a month.

The cream of the crop of business in the region— Ta g u m A g r i c u l t u r a l Development Company, Inc. or TADECO, Damosa Land, Davao Packaging Corporation or DPC, Davao International Container Terminal, Inc. or DICT and Pearl Farm Beach Resort—are backing the May 3 to 9 GAMES that organizers are hiping to emerge as the “Best Palaro Ever.”

“We are not only thankful but also very proud of their generous support for the Palaro,” Davao del Norte G ove r n or R o d ol fo d e l Rosario said. “With their help, we are on track to out objective: to stage the best Palaro ever.” palaro/PAGE 11

Hurst... from page 4

God Himself, the Creator of all life, and Lord over death.

That means He’s your and my Judge Who’s the only One Who can forgive and save you from suffering in hell, away from Him forever.

So if you understand that Jesus is God your Maker, just as He said and proved He is, then the smart choice is to obey everything He commanded and live His way every day of your life.

His way’s the only way you can live the true, satisfying life He created you to enjoy—now and forever.

Just Think a Minute…

Quiamjot... from page 4

Eco-tourism has likewise moved for ward with the launching of a river cruise and development of plantation tours. More resorts in their rustic setting have refurbished with modern amenities and two new 4-star hotels opened in 2013 and now run an average of 60 percent occupancies. If Davao City registered 1.3 Million tourist arrivals in 2014, more than 370,000 went to Tagum City. Current investment in tourism infrastructure plus the equity of the ADB assisted industry training programs has captured the interest of many national c o nv e nt i o n p l a n n e r s .

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) have just concluded their national convention last February.

Other MICE events and domestic tourism in this part of the countr y is not only motivated with attractions but more of the experience.

Tagum City has the best kept secret Madaum Port which handles the export shipment of the growing volume of agricultural products. The banana export alone has contributed USD 200 Million to the national economy last year. The Port has expanded its birthing facilities to accommodate containerized shipment of imports from Singapore and other North Asian Countries with cargoes destined for Mindanao that need not pass through the congested Manila Ports. Madaum can also be developed into a major shipment port for roll on roll off vessels (RORO) to transport the food and basket pillar of the BIMP-EAGA agribusiness initiatives.

Batas... from page 4

President Aquino and police and military officials abandoned and betrayed him and his men “because timely and effective support was not given to us in the middle of the firefight in the morning of January 25” despite his repeated requests for artillery support.

-ooo RULE ON USE OF ALIASES: Here is Republic Act 6085 on using aliases: “Sec. 3. No person having been baptized with a name different from that with which he was registered at birth… or any person who obtained judicial authority to use an alias, or who uses a pseudonym, shall represent himself in any public or private transaction or shall sign or execute any public or private document without stating or affixing his real or original name and all names or aliases or pseudonym he is or may have been authorized to use.”

-ooo PLEASE LISTEN: Broadcasts on spirituality and Word of God: Yes Radio 88.3 FM, Barobo City, Surigao del Sur and Yes Radio 93.9 FM, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, Mondays to Fridays, 8 p.m.; and 92.7 Smile FM, San Francisco, Agusan Del Sur, and Kiss 101.1 FM, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, Mondays to Fridays, 10 p.m.; Win 107.5 FM, Roxas, Isabela, Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.

-30-

CebuPac... from page 3

on routes beyond 60 minutes flying time from the nearest airport.

“The time refers to flight times between diversion airfields,” the airline said.

Cebu Pacific’s EDTO 120 certification “allows us to serve new long haul markets with a more direct route between airports,” Alejandro B. Reyes, Cebu Air, Inc. long-haul division head, said in the statement.

“This means considerable fuel savings, and the most optimal flight times for our passengers.”

Asked what long-haul routes Cebu Pacific plans to fly next, Mr. Reyes said in a mobile phone reply: “We are planning to operate flights within the US by yearend.”

To secure the certification, the budget carrier said it underwent a series of reviews by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

“CAAP checked CEB’s compliance with additional special engineering and flight crew procedures in addition to the normal engineering and flight procedures. CEB pilots and engineering staff are now qualified and trained for EDTO,” Cebu Pacific said in the statement.

Last month, the budget carrier took delivery of its 6th new Airbus A330. The widebody aircraft is third of five brand-new Airbus aircraft the airline is set to receive this year.

The budget airline now has a 55-strong fleet consists of 10 Airbus A319, 31 Airbus A320, 6 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft.

Between 2015 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of seven more brand-new Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft.

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Halal... from page 1

“Our biggest interest [to UAE] is food… As you know the UAE, 85 percent of food requirement is imported so that’s a big opportunity for us to get Halal-certified product,” he said. “[We need] to be proficient in Halal certification so we can export products in UAE. That’ll be very good for Mindanao because that’s our food basket,” the DTI official added.

Manalo said Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority is being pushed by its chair and administrator Christopher Lawrence Arnuco Jr. for the one-stop shop Halal certification site.

“Chris Arnuco has an advocacy and we talked about that a lot. I said you have to focus on something and we see the opportunities for Halal certified products that can be exported to Middle East and other ASEAN countries,” said Manalo.

“If you capture 1 percent and that’s $6 billion and your GDP (gross domestic product) is $290 billion, even you get only 1 percent of the market that’s an additional 2 to 3 percent to your GDP growth. That’s only for food products,” Manalo explained.

Meanwhile, Manalo mentioned that UAE-based firms are interested in investment projects in the Philippines.

“Infrastructure in general, not necessarily PPP (publicprivate partnership). Though they are interested primarily in commercial development,” he said.

“We’re going to make a big pitch in infrastructure development,” he added.

Peaceful... from page 1

pointed out the importance of peace journalism, especially in Mindanao.

“Mindanao needs peace journalism, the way a thirsty man needs water,” Cane said.

She pointed out that after the Mamasapano tragedy, there was so much anger and “uninformed comments and opinions” one can read all over the social media.

Cane, who recently finished her masters degree from the University of Sydney through the Australia Awards Scholarships, expressed the need for a better way to convey “what really is happening by providing context, history and background, and doing more legwork and extra research” so the audience can realize that “violence is not the only solution to conflict.”

She pointed out how peace journalism can help build a better perspective on what is really happening in the field away from the prejudice and hatred.

Cane said that while she was taking up her Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies, all she could think of was how much her fellow Mindanawons “needed to hear and learn all that I was hearing.”

“There is so much prejudice against this beautiful island and its generous people, and I grew up influenced by this culture that people would ask me if my

island is as scary and dangerous as it is portrayed in the news.

While in Australia, I decided that I wanted to become part of the solution to correcting this grossly skewed misconception of Mindanao,” she stressed.

During the open forum, the students expressed their optimism and called for the importance of responsible journalism through advocating peace.

Jamila Loren Tingzon, a third year communication student at FSUU and president of its Communication Guild, revealed that the workshop was an eye opener for the students.

“We were all clueless about it. It’s not taught in school, and I think it should be,” she said, referring to peace journalism.

She promised to help spread the cause.

“With peace journalism, people will have more hope towards a much better life,” seconded Cybil Pearl Alegria, a high school student from Trento, Agusan del Sur. Reynaldo Hipitulan, a teacher who headed the delegation from Bayugan Central Elementary School, said he was delighted that at such a young age, the students had a “grasp of the idea of peace education and journalism.”

He expressed optimism that the students will understand the importance of peace and incorporate this “in the way they write and hopefully develop them into better writers in the future.”

an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the power plant, through a massive and sustained forest ecosystem rehabilitation program. More than just planting the trees, a comprehensive carbon sink program ensures that the trees grow to maturity so the trees will be able to help the environment absorb carbon dioxide, which is a product of human activities.

Without the carbon sink, the carbon footprint of industries will just add to the already existing amount of global greenhouse gases, which contributing to global warming.

“This Friendship Building is a testament of the strong partnership between TSI and MACOEMADDACI towards its objective of cultural and environmental preservation within the ancestral domain area of the Matigsalug tribe in Barangay Marilog Proper.

Through this building we also hope to see the realiztaion of more projects that will bring sustainable livelihood and a better future for the people of Barangay Marilog Proper” said Charles Gamo, AboitizPower FVP for Corporate Services.

A subsidiary of AboitizPower, Therma South, Inc. is constructing a 300MW thermal power plant in Southern Davao City, which will serve more than 20 electric cooperatives and distribution utilities all over Mindanao.

Matigsalug...

of technical knowledge and skills and technology transfer; and coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Land Bank of the Philippines to develop lending and other support programs specifically for agriculture-related entrepreneurship activities, among others.

To promote youth entrepreneurship development, the MSMED Council shall develop a national program using specific strategies such as identification of funding mechanisms to support young entrepreneurs in the incubation and start-up of enterprise projects, among others.

The MSMED Council shall include a representative of the youth who shall be designated by the Chairperson of the NYC to coordinate with the EEC on mentoring and support programs.

The DepEd Secretary, in consultation with the heads of CHED, TESDA and DTI shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed Act. Aside from Cojuangco, the bill’s co-authors are Mariano Piamonte, Jr. (Party List, A TEACHER), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City), Evelina Escudero (1st District, Sorsogon), Magnolia Rosa Antonino (4th District, Nueva Ecija), Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija), Ibarra Gutierrez III (Party List, AKBAYAN), and Teddy Brawner Baguilat, Jr. (Lone District, Ifugao).

from page 1

of the “Friendship Building” for their meetings, trainings and social events.

Due to the remoteness of the barangay from the city, there was a need to for a conducive area for the trainings, project meetings as well as the tribe’s council meetings and other cultural practices, to name a few.

“We are extremely grateful for the kindness and generosity of Therma South and the Aboitiz Foundation in supporting our tribe’s cause of cultural preservation and environmental protection. Rest assured that we will take care of this donation as a way of showing our high regard for our tribe’s friendship with TSI.” said Datu Juanito Mandahay, president of MACOEMMADACI in his speech during the turnover ceremony last March 13, 2015.

Through AboitizPower, the Friendship Building located in Brgy. Marilog Proper, Marilog, Davao City, boasts of a fully solar-powered battery system that can last up to 8 hours a day and is capable of providing power to basic functions like meetings and presentations.

The MACOEMMADACI is the partner organization of Therma South, Inc. (TSI) in its ongoing implementation of the Carbon Sink Management Program (CSMP) in Brgy. Marilog Proper in Marilog, Davao City. Due to the success of the first batch of partner beneficiaries, the CSMP is now on its second year of implementation of its 10 year CSMP plan.

The CSMP aims to capture

Literacy... from page 5

Program... from page 5

issue of malnutrition among Filipino students and to further encourage them to go to school,

the implementation of this program is proposed,” Garin said.

She cited the findings of the Department of Education (DepEd), which disclosed that in 2012, there are more than 500,000 pupils enrolled in public kindergarten and elementary levels were considered severely wasted.

Garin further said that based on a nutrition study conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) in 2011, 2 out of 10 of Filipino children aged 0-5 years old and 3 out of 10 aged 6-10 years old are underweight.

Malnutrition alongside with the issue of poverty has been experienced more in conflicted and disaster-prone regions such as the Mindanao and the Visayas, she added.

Rep. Rogelio Espina (Lone District, Biliran) said the program could enhance enrollment and reduce absenteeism among Filipino students.

“School meals connect the community, as parents and teachers work hand in hand for the benefit of the children as well as strengthen their social ties amongst the children themselves,” Espina said.

Rep. Romero “Miro” Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City) said aside from the free meals, the students are also given regular check-ups, vaccination and vitamin supplements to ensure that they are physically fit.

“As the aim of the program is to safeguard physical and intellectual development among Filipino students, the early enactment of this measure is earnestly sought,” Quimbo stressed.

Under the bill to be known as the “Malusog na Estudyanteng Filipino Act,” the program shall follow a 5-year full implementation phase. In its first three years, the program shall be implemented in the public schools of the top provinces where the poverty rates are the highest.

On the fourth year onwards after the enactment of this Act, the Program shall be implemented in all daycare centers and public schools nationwide. Public schools located in conflict and typhoon-stricken areas and the provinces where extreme poverty is experienced worse shall be given priority.

One of the provisions of the bill is the creation of a central body to be known as the National Nutrition Council (NNC), with the help of the Departments of Education (DepEd), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), FNRI and the Department of Health (DOH), which shall be responsible for the overall formation, implementation and evaluation of the program.

The program shall be complemented by public health and nutrition education campaign programs, to promote a holistic and integrated approach to health and nutrition education of school pupils.

P50,000,000,000 is appropriated for the implementation of the Program, which shall be taken from the proceeds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Philippine Gaming and Amusements Corporation (PAGCOR).

Process... from page 5

“For this reason, the normalization is not a pertinent subject of the proposed BBL,” she added. “In fact, if we include two subjects, there’s a possibility that this will be challenged in court for non-compliance with the constitutional requirement.”

Secondly, Pendatun clarified that the normalization process, which will be jointly implemented with the MILF, does not need new legislation as it is within the power of the president to conduct peace talks.

“We believe that the current legal framework empowers the President to enter into and implement agreements on normalization, including decommissioning,” she said.

“Thus there is no need for a new law.”

“The Supreme Court decided in a case that the President is the one in power to conduct peace negotiations. That is implicitly included in his powers as Chief Executive and as Commanderin-Chief,” Pendatun explained.

The President as Chief Executive “has general responsibility to promote public peace,” and as Commander-in-Chief has the “specific duty to prevent and suppress rebellion and lawless violence.” She added that “normalization, which includes decommissioning, is a measure to promote public peace and to prevent or suppress rebellion.”

Citing jurisprudence, Pendatun noted that “the President must be given leeway to explore solutions for the implementation and to end hostilities, because the President is in a singular best position to know the grievances and also know the measures to address these grievances.”

Lastly, Pendatun explained that the Constitution already provides a guideline for the content of an organic act such as the proposed BBL. “The Constitution itself provides the guidelines for it. We have two sections: Article X, Sec. 18 and Article X, Sec. 20,” Pendatun said.

According to the Constitution, an organic act should contain the basic structure of government (executive and legislative), the creation of special courts, provisions on the conduct of a plebiscite, and the legislative powers of the proposed entity.

And all of these matters are already included in the proposed BBL” The normalization process has three main components— security, socioeconomic development, and transitional justice and reconciliation—which are aimed at fostering peace in conflict-affected communities in Mindanao, which will then allow individuals to fully pursue productive and sustainable livelihoods without fear of violence or crime.

Safety... from page 9

adaptation at mitigation, at ito po ang pinanggagalingan ng mga programa sa disaster risk reduction and management ng ating bansa,” Coloma explained.

The government has also implemented the National

11

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, he said noting that the Aquino government is the first administration to implement such law.

One of the law’s provisions is the conduct of review of government initiatives after five years with a main objective of creating a national organization and infrastructure for disaster risk reduction, Coloma stressed.

The President heads the hierarchy of responders from national to local levels to get everyone involved, according to Coloma.

The objective is to inculcate a culture of safety to communities and make them more disasterresilient during calamities, he noted. (PCOO/PND (as)

Title...

from page 10

copies of such title so it would not be taken advantage of.

Zamora revealed that leaders of other tribes granted with ancestral domain title enticed business/mining entities to invest in their ancestral lands for their personal advantage, and as a result “many lives were lost” as chaos and division grew intense.

Meanwhile, MandayaMansaka Executive Council of Elders main convenor Roger Saygar assured the media in an interview that division and chaotic relationship won’t possibly happen in his group whose members have common understanding on the importance of having the ancestral domain title. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive DuronAbangan)

Palaro... from page 10

Some 15,000 athletes and officials, and thousands more chaperones, tourists and supporters, are expected to flock for the Palaro, which will feature competitions in 17 regular and five demonstration sports in the primary and secondary levels.

The Palaro was launched just before the Holy Week break and that early, the organizers— led by the provincial government of Davao del Nore and the city government of Tagum—have already drew unprecedented positive reaction from the Department of Education (DepEd).

“Hosting the Palarong Pambansa is a privilege and it gives us—in Davao del Norte— the opportunity not only to showcase our capability to stage multi-sports competitions, but also how well the province and the region have become in terms of business, economy and tourism,” Del Rosario said.

(PIO DavNor)

Tie up... from page 3

as local economic growth continues to gain traction,” he said.

“By putting together the RCBC MyWallet and RCBC AccessOne with GCash, we aim, by opening this channel, to make available a full suite of services at the least possible cost for the unbanked Filipino anytime, anywhere,” he added.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO THE BUSINESSMEN’S NEWSPAPER 2013 PPI’S BEST IN BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC REPORTING

FRIDAY | APRIL 10, 2015

editor: SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

DISTRICT 3870 DISCON MAY 7-9, 2015 @ PRYCE PLAZA HOTEL

PAGE 12

DTI MisOr turns over P1.9M Summer Escapade to Magsaysay for On Coco Sugar production The Department of Trade and Industry – Misamis Oriental (DTI-MOR) turned over on March 31, 2015 a check worth P1,958,000.00 to the local government of Magsaysay in Misamis Oriental in the implementation of its Coco Sugar Processing and Production.

Received by Magsaysay chief executive Rey Buhisan, the check represents the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) project funds for the implementation in accordance with the work and financial plan, the cash program and the implementation schedule on the approved GPB project, Coco Sugar Processing and Production.

According to mayor Buhisan,

Coco Sugar Production will bring long-term benefits for his constituents.

Based on the study of the municipality of Magsaysay, they have a viable market and enough number of experienced coconut climber “mananggiti” that are ever ready to be trained to sustain the program.

DTI-MOR provincial director Ma. Eliza A. Pabillore, in their part will provide regular supervision and guidance towards the successful and attainment of the project; provide technical assistance; initiate on-site inspection and consultative meeting the local government; and monitor and evaluate the project.

DTI MisOr turns over P1.9M check to Magsaysay LGU for coco sugar production

Meanwhile, the Magsaysay local government will implement the project and must submit monthly liquidation and status report and convene a quarterly consultative meeting with DTI, recipient group and other stakeholders, among others.

Mayor Buhisan said that this GPB project is really a big help to the various groups in his town particularly the farmers group.

“We are very thankful to the national government for this GPB program for giving local government an opportunity for projects such as this Coco Sugar Production. This will provide livelihood to the women’s group and farmer’s group in Magsaysay.” (JMOR/PIA10)

DTI MisOr signs MOA for Magsaysay LGU coco sugar production

The AMPR Publicity and Communications Inc., an information development and management services company based in Pasig, Metro Manila, held a learning visit at BusinessWeek Mindanao Corp office, April 9.

On photo are AMPR Media Relations Jerome Samson, BusinessWeek Mindanao Publisher Dante M. Sudaria, AMPR Managing Director Ana Manansala and Account Manager Abdel Sabdani. (Photo by Irene Dayo)

FREE summer sports clinic is on for children and teens aging 7 to 14 and below in Camiguin.

Dubbed as Kiddie Summer Escapade, the program offers lessons on swimming, taekwondo, soccer, tennis, and even extends further to painting, choral, piano and guitar lessons.

Camiguin governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo believes that pushing for projects as this, motivates kids and teens to be productive and active during vacation. It aims not only to provide recreational activities but also to develop their skills on other interests, be it in sports, music, or arts.

Kiddie Summer Escapade is now on its second year, and will be expanded to cover the towns of Guinsiliban, Sagay, and Catarman or the GUIN-SA-CAT district.

Provincial information officer Nykolsha Mae H. Closas called on interested persons to register now at the Governor’s office; it started on Monday, April 6 and will last until April 15.

The summer clinic will be held at the provincial convention center for Mambajao and Mahinog children, while the GUIN-SA-CAT district will be at the in Langujanan ni Ta Inggoy, Sagay Gymnasium, and Sagay Municipal Hall.

Closas, meanwhile, said that auditions for piano and choral will be hold separately on April 10 for Mambajao and Mahinog at the convention center.

(Cheri Lian Ansale/JCV/PIA)

Notable women in agriculture share success stories IN support to the advocacy on gender and development and in line with the celebration of the National Women’s Month, the Department of Agriculture-10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted the Regional Women’s Congress on March 30-31, 2015 in Cagayan de Oro City.

This was participated by the federation of rural improvement clubs and women’s groups from the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and from the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental and by the women employees of DA-10 and its attached agencies.

The activity highlighted the important roles of women in attaining agricultural productivity, food security and sufficiency and community development, amidst the challenges of gender inequality and discrimination. This is also parallel to the theme of the women’s month: “Juana, ang desisyon mo ay mahalaga sa kinabukasan ng bawat isa. Ikaw na.”

Thus, the agency honored the exemplary effort and dedication poured by women contributory to agriculture development. Honored during the congress is Imelda Paulican Mendoza, President of Maramag Federation of Rural Improvement Clubs who shared how Kape Maramag an agri-enterprise supported by the DA-10 through the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) benefited local coffee growers. Kape Maramag has around P878,000 worth of assets as of end of 2014 since they started the coffee processing venture in 2012 with only P8,500 as capital.

Also noted for being a relentless advocate of organic agriculture, Lourdes Villanueva Abad of Awang, Opol, Misamis Oriental likewise imparted how she made a barren and denuded area into a productive and flourishing land locally known as “Happy Hills.” She holds the title as Regional Outstanding Rural Woman and is one of the finalists vying for the national level competition.

DA-10 regional director Lealyn A. Ramos likewise shared how she rose from the rank with the willingness to learn, observe and by giving more than what is expected. “Ipakita nga ikaw kasaligan sa pagtrabaho, nga kasaligan ka sa gagmay o dagko nga butang, (Prove that you can be trusted with any kind of task, may it big or small),” said Ramos as she encouraged the participants to continue their endeavors.

With the conduct of the women’s congress, the DA commits to continually support the Filipino women, especially those in the marginalized sector as stipulated in the Magna Carta of Women or the Republic Act 9710.

(Vanessa Mae S. Siano, DA-RAFIS 10/PIA 10)