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2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting
Volume V, No. 140
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Visit Davao Fun Sale DAVAO City -- The Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDFS) tourism campaign has adopted a mobile application to help visitors avail of discounts from some 200 participating establishments in the city. “The Visit Davao City Lifebit mobile application is available for download for Android and iOS users,” said Eric Clark Su, mobile application developer and president and chief executive officer of Twidle, Inc. Mr. Su said there have been 150 downloads so far since the application was launched on the Google Store on April 3, the start of the VDSF, which will run until May 17.
Water station MALAYBALAY City -Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bukidnon Provincial Director Ermedio Abang has notified existing and would-be entrepreneurs of water refilling stations to avoid or discontinue using specific words in their business name registration applications either new or for renewal. These words are “alkaline, ionized, pi water, mineral, oxygenated, energized, oxidized, deionized, and hydrogen.” Program Director Patricia May Abejo of the Program Management Team for Business Registration has added those words in the Negative List through Enhanced Business Name Registration System (EBNRS) Advisory BNMEM-15-01. This is based on the request of the Center for Device Regulation, Radiation Health and Research (CDRRHR) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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Power consumer group to oppose privatization By CHENG ORDONEZ, Associate Editor
A
POWER consumer group is bent to block the privatization of capacities of government-owned generating facilities, particularly the AgusPulangui hydropower complex, which provides over half of the island’s electricity.
HARVEST TIME. Farmers reap rice in San Vicente, Butuan City. Rice fields in urban centers like Butuan have depleted due to massive conversion of agricultural lands into residential or industrial use. photo by jun ayensa
Farmers’ biz skills key to growing agriculture By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent
DAVAO City -- Helping f ar me rs i nc re as e t he i r har vests is not enough to guarantee growth in the agricultural sector, as their entrepreneurial skills must also be honed, according to the report of the third party evaluator that assessed the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) which ended in December 2014. “ ( T he re must b e a ) balance between increasing agricultural productivity and promoting livelihood and agribusiness enterprises to ensure growth and selfsufficiency of agri-fisheries
sector,” said Pacific Rim Innovation and Management Exponents, Inc. in its report, a copy of which was obtained by BusinessWeek Mindanao. The report also pointed out that interventions must be directed at improving and providing “appropriate production technologies and marketing strategies”, and coming up with a comprehensive commodity value chain. Family beneficiaries of the MRDP Phase 2, implemented by t h e D e p ar t m e nt of Agriculture and funded by the World Bank between 2007-2014, gained a modest
improvement in annual income from the 2006 baseline set at P67,589, to P75,650 in 2014, taking inflation into account. Without inflation, the increase is higher with annual income computed at P102,759. The report also noted that the increase in income of MRDP beneficiaries, estimated at about two million individuals with half of them women, was higher than skills/PAGE 11
Engr. Cereal C. Donggay, former VicePresident for Mindanao of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and currently president of the Oro Chamber, said the Mindanao Coalition of Power Consumers (MCPC) is opposing the privatization because it will eventually increase power rates. In his presentation titled “Evolving Power Mix in the Mindanao Grid and the Crucial Role of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex in the Long-Term Energy Outlook” during the Mindanao Power Forum Update III, a side event of the ongoing 19th IIEE oppose/PAGE 11
HARD LABOR. Laborers pull their carts loaded with boxes of flowers along Pichon Street near Bankerohan Market in Davao City. mindanews photo by keith bacongco
Misor electric cooperative secures P1.2-B bank loan for line upgrade By IRENE DAYO, Staff Writer
THE construction and upgrade of the transmission lines of Misamis Oriental-1 Rural Electric Service Cooperative, Inc. (MORESCO-1) at the western part of the province will soon start after it secured a loan with the Philippine National Bank (PNB) in the amount of P1.2 billion. Based on the loan agreement,
MORESCO-1 will pay its obligation with the PNB in 10 years. The proposed capital expenditure projects were approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in December 2014, which aims to ensure distribution system reliability and efficiency.
Touted as the country’s first electric cooperative having been founded in 1968, MORESCO-I services the electricity needs of Misamis Oriental’s 10 municipalities, namely; Alubijid, El Salvador City, Gitagum, Initao, Laguindingan, Libertad, Lugait, Manticao, Naawan and Opol. As of today, MORESCO-1 has more than 72,000 connected households.
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Lanao Norte gets P1-M worth Feature: of medical equip from Germany TUBOD, Lanao del Norte -- The Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of International Health turnedover medical equipment, including medicines, to the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte in March this year. The more than a millionpeso worth of donation comes from the Federal Government of Germany through Kreditanstalt fuer
Wiederaufbau (KfW). Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (KfW) is the implementing agency for this humanitarian initiative and provides assistance to poor and developing countries like the Philippines. This medical assistance could help local government unit hospitals (LGUs) operate their health facilities and provide quality health service medical/PAGE 11
PWD among top academic achievers of Pantawid in NorMin LIFE has not been easy for 17-year-old Edy Rose T. Tayab of Purok 1 7 , B ar ang ay Butong , Quezon, Bukidnon. She was born with a congenital deformity. She has no feet and left hand. But Edy Rose did not let her disability get in the way of achieving her dreams. She wanted to excel in her class, just like her friends. “I want to prove myself that I can do what the normal people can do,” claimed Edy Rose who disclosed that she cannot avoid to compare herself to her classmates. Having no feet, Edy Rose can still manage to walk using her underdeveloped lower limbs without crutches daily. Her residence is approximately three k i lometers away f rom Apayao National High School, a challenge she has to face just to finish her secondary formation.
“Usahay makamahay ( I feel resentful at times),” she said, especially when some or her classmates or even adults would taunt her, saying, “Nganong ingana man imong nilaktan? Mohi lom na l ang ko. Pero sa akong galamhan gisakitan nako, (Why are you walking like that? I just keep silent. But deep inside I am hurt).” A dream come true Edy Rose, who placed t o p n i n e a t Ap a y a o National High School of Quezon town, this year started focusing on her studies even while in her elementary years. She is a consistent honor pupil. “I enjoy studying,” Edy Rose said, adding that it was during in her elementary years that she noticed she loves Mathematics. “It feels like I’m just playing games when it comes to Mathematics,” said Edy Rose. She added she wants to answer Mathematical challenges.
Finishing at the ninth place is a dream-cometrue for Edy Rose, who plans to take business and accountancy related courses in college. Thankful to DSWD, PNoy Edy Rose, monitored by Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), expresses her h e ar t fe lt g r at itu d e t o DSWD and to President Benigno Aquino III. “Magpasalamat jud ko sa DSWD ug ni Presidente PNoy kay natabangan ko nila sa pag-eskwela pinaagi sa Pantawid Pamilya aron makab-ot nako ang akong mga pangandoy,” she said. (I will thank DSWD and President PNoy because they have helped me in my studies and in reaching my dreams through Pantawid Pamilya). B efore having b een enrolled in the program, Edy Rose recalled that her family could hardly send her to school. “May adlaw ko nga walay balon sauna. Karon kompleto nako og balon ug mga gamit sa eskwelahan,” she disclosed. (Before, there were days that I don’t have food to take for my meal. Now, I have food to eat and I have school supplies.)
Fellow Achiever Edy Rose is not the only Pantawid Pamilya academic achiever in her s cho ol. Via C a libjo is the Class Valedictorian of Apayao National High School. Calibjo also received academic awards like the Excellence in English, Excellence in Filipino, Excellence in Mathematics, and Excellence in Science. Pantawid Pamilya is a government’s povertyreduction strategy that provides cash grants to extremely poor households aimed at helping them raise educated and healthy children aged 18 years and below. It utilizes the Conditional Cash Transfer ( C C T ) s c h e m e w h e re beneficiaries receive cash grant provided that they send their children to school, get preventive health check-up, and the parents attend the monthly Family Development Session (FDS). Edy Rose and Via are among t he more t han 20,381 Pantawid Pamilya benef iciaries who will graduate this school year 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5 . Cu r re nt ly, Northern Mindanao has 271,077 active household beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya. (Oliver Badel Inodeo/PIA10)
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
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Cagayan de Oro: The City of Golden Opportunities
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re n ow n e d F i l i p i n o businessman from Manila asked me the other day during a lunch meeting where I would invest here in the Philippines. Without thinking twice, I immediately replied “Cagayan de Oro”. No wonder my reply was met with an acknowledging nod. I discovered later that he had just recently agreed to invest a big sum of money in a big new plant near Cagayan de Oro with job opportunities for maybe a thousand people. My impression is that slowly the city of golden friendship is becoming the city of golden opportunities. Businesses are growing naturally in a city which is the hub of Northern Mindanao for distribution, storage, transport, food processing, manufacturing, healthcare, ser vices and education. With the influx of people from nearby municipalities and province looking for work, local and national government entities as well as private businesses are investing to keep up with the demand and required infrastructure improvements this growth is provoking. Knowing this may sound all
L
Oro Chamber
T
A Smart Thief
hink a minute…Did you know there’s a thief trying to break into your home every day to steal your most valuable possessions? But what’s most amazing is you and I open the door to let him in! You see, what makes this thief so smart is that he knows even better than we do what our most valuable possessions are. So while you and I are busy protecting our money, house, and car; while we’re guarding our title, status, and position of respect; this thief is stealing from us our much more valuable possessions. He’s stealing our peace of mind and happiness, as well as our honesty and good character. He’s taking away our marriage and children. Yet we don’t even know we’ve been robbed! So when did we open the door to let this thief in to our lives? What’s his name? His name is Fear…Fear of what other people think. And you and I let him rob us when we start surrendering to the pressure of pleasing other people. When we’re afraid that other people won’t like or accept us. So after work, instead of going home to our family and being good, loving parents who spend time with our children, we go out drinking trying to impress our peers and fellow workers. You and I let fear in when we don’t stand up for what’s right and true, because we’ll do whatever will make us liked and get us
THINK
A Minute
Jhan Tiafau Hurst what we want. We’ll lie, cheat, even sacrifice our marriage and children, just to get us what we think will satisfy us. This smart thief gets us to believe that doing all these things to be liked or rich will finally make us happy. While all the time he’s stealing from us our most valuable things in life! Our only possessions of any real worth. But you can decide right now to once and for all stop this thief. Today you can close and lock the door to fear—fear of what other people think—by opening the door of your heart to Jesus Christ. Then, He can come in to start leading your life and protecting your real wealth. It’s only when you ask Him to take full charge of your heart and way of living everyday that you can start enjoying the life of success and peace of mind you want. That’s when Jesus will get back for you what the fear of others’ opinions took away. Just Think a Minute…
too rosy and it is also true that difficulties and problems are always a to o loyal companion to all business activities in general, but with the right determination and perseverance, success is actually a natural consequence. As the Vice President for Visayas and Mindanao of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, my role is to encourage investment and promote the exchange of business, ideas, know-how and financial cooperation. With this we are able to build gateways for local, national and foreign businesses to reach out in all directions to search for new markets, new clients, new suppliers or new venture partners. Investment does not only go into the local economy. There are also situations where investments are going out into other areas as part of the expansion program of local businesses. The credo that big business is done only in Manila or Cebu is false and it is slowly showing that businesses in the provinces are as vital as those in the capital. Just last month, another
foreign businessman was asking me for help with his business as he was not able to overcome a few simple organisational and HR issues which in the end grew over his head and got him frustrated and demotivated. So he actually wanted to pull out and close a profitable business with the consequence of sending 4 workers home. Fortunately I was able to help to solve his issues with the goodwill of a few local friends but this shows that sometimes the local environment needs the appropriate know-how to actually break through. Now he is back on track enjoying a healthy working environment with happy employees. It is ver y interesting when I look at my email inbox and single out some of the inquiries of businesses wanting to set up shop for example in Bukidnon for farming, in Cagayan de Oro for food processing and manufacturing plants, in Puerto and Villanueva for distribution warehouses, in Camiguin for resorts or solar energy farms. So the entrepreneurial will is there, the funding apparently is not a problem and the
O ut
of
The B iz B ox
Mr. Lorens Ziller
basic infrastructure is also there. Maybe some need to be pushed or even reassured a little as Mindanao still generates some unjustified fear even among Filipinos. If the government, the city and private businesses are able to coordinate their efforts for the benefit of progress, the ultimate beneficiaries are the people who are enjoying new jobs, new infrastructure, new facilities and opportunities. There are big interests flowing to Northern Mindanao and with the right attitude and healthy business environment we can have great benefits for the local economy. Let’s buckle up and get to work so the fruits can be enjoyed by all of us.
Incompetence under PNoy kills
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IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… For this reason, God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations w it h women and were inflamed in their passions for one another…” (Romans 1:26-27, the Holy Bible). -ooo INCOMPETENCE UNDER PNOY KILLS: Once again, the incompetence of many in the Aquino gover nment is causing deaths and injuries to hapless victims. A case in point was the gruesome death of at least two people and the serious injuries to another in Sampaloc, Manila the other night, apparent victims of poisoning from the milk tea they bought from a store which is supposed to be operating under the control and supervision of national and local health authorities. I mean, if only Manila health officials and their counterparts at the Department of Health (DOH) have been doing their jobs in ensuring that food, drinks, and other goodies being sold anywhere in their areas of jurisdiction are safe for consumption, senseless deaths and injuries like the one that happened in Sampaloc could have been
avoided. Yet, it is clear that no one really cares anymore. In the issuance of licenses and permits for eateries and other companies dealing with food, it is a widely known fact that as long as the prospective food dealer, seller, retailer, or manufacturer or processor can pay hefty bribes to health officials, they could be issued those permits and licenses, never mind if they operate under filthy and very dirty conditions. -ooo GOLDEN RULE: HE WHO HAS THE GOLD RULES: In fact, in my work as a free legal aid lawyer, I have come across reports from the Food and Drugs Administration of the DOH showing food manufacturers and processors being cited for poor sanitation and festinfested facilities which make their products totally dangerous to their customers and the buying public. I have also come across official reports that dubious meat products are being wantonly imported---or, perhaps the better word is “openly smuggled”--- into the country by unscrupulous bus i ne ss me n and t he n processed into semi-cooked foods which are then sold openly, even in big stores. Yet, the DOH had not done anything to stop the
operation of the erring parties, and your guess is as good as mine as to why this has been the sorry state of affairs in our country. Indeed, many in government and in the private sector apply the golden rule---he who has the gold rules, and can get away even with murder. I know this for a fact, because I have been trashed and maligned for protecting the rights of our countrymen. -ooo AIDS RISE IN RP: GODLESSNESS: Why is the deadly and often-fatal HIV/AIDS disease on the rise in many cities in the Philippines? Well, according to a report released by the DOH the other day, this is due to an increasing predilection for “MSM”, or men having sex with other men. The DOH report confirmed that more and more Filipino males are now openly engaging in homosexual relations, giving rise to more HIV/ AIDS victims. There would be many reasons why men would now be more inclined to have sexual dalliances with their fellow males and many of these reasons could be true. In fact, one probable great contributor to this malady is the acceptance of the homosexual male, especially in media and in films.
K akampi
Mo A ng Batas
Atty. Batas Mauricio As far as I am concerned, however, I am convinced that the Biblical admonition about homosexuality, or men having sexual relations with men and women having sexual relations with women, too, is now happening here in our country. What is the admonition from the Bible about this? That, because many will no longer be recognizing God, hey would be given the curse of homosexuality, which leads to death. -ooo REACTIONS? Please call me at +63 917 984 24 68, +63 918 574 0193, +63 922 833 43 96, or Skype (batasmauricio), Viber (+63 918 574 0193) and Line (+63 917 984 24 68). Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, melaniolazomauriciojr@ o u t l o o k . c o m , mmauriciojr111@gmail.com. -30-
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Nickel Asia buying into NiHao Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) is acquiring a tenth of NiHao Mineral Resources International Inc. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, NiHao said it entered into an agreement with NAC that would involve the latter buying at least 10 percent of the former’s shares at P4 a share, which was NI’s closing price last Wednesday before the market closed for a holiday yesterday. NI is the stock symbol of NiHao. B esides investing in Ni Ha o, t h e a g re e m e nt also involves NAC taking over the operations of the former’s Isabela project, a 2,391.4-hectare nickel mine located in Dinapigeu, Isabela and covered by Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) No. 2582007-II. Ni Ha o op e r ate s t he
Isabela project for Geogen Corporation, which under the deal NAC will acquire for P720 million. NiHao however will retain a 20 percent profit share in the Isabela project. The deal between NiHao and NAC go es b e yond the Isabela project, as the former will give the latter the right to develop and operate other mining claims, including the 5,081.6-hectare area of Mina Tierra Gracia Inc in Botolan and Iba, Zambales; a 1,944-hectare area of Bountiful Geomines Inc in Opol and Manticao, Mis amis Or ient a l; and a 4,136.7-hectare area of Masbate 13 Philippines Inc in Milagros and Mandaon, Masbate. Mina Tierra, Bountiful and Masbate 13 are subsidiaries of NiHao, which also stands to retain 20-percent profit shares in these project areas if the deal pushes through.
AboitizPower, Vivant JV start building 340 MW plant THE joint venture between Ab oit i z Powe r C or p. (AboitizPower) and Vivant Corp. has started construction of its 340-megawatt (MW) coal plant in the province of Cebu. In a statement disclosed on Friday, AboitizPower announced that Therma Visayas, Inc. issued the
notice to proceed to project contractors as early as last month. “The power plant, which will have a net capacity of 300 MW is scheduled for completion in early 2018,” the statement read. The plant will provide base load power not only plant/PAGE 11
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Mobile money gains in PH, GCash customers grow 25% G-XCHANGE INC. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom that operates mobile money service GCash, continues to drive mobile money usage in the country with a 25% upturn in its customer base. The emergent shift to a digital economy has allowed GXI to broaden its services and reach a wider customer base to include online shoppers, retailers, and entrepreneurs. “G C ash’s in nov at ive services have paved the way for more Filipinos to experience the convenience of mobile money. Whether for send money services such as bills payment or remittance, to using it to shop for goods and items online, GCash has become a driving force in the industry as it continues to cater to various market segments to serve different needs,” said G-Xchange, Inc. President & CEO Xavier Marzan. From a regular remittance service back in 2004, GCash has evolved into a total mobile money solution that carries a wide portfolio of payment options for its customers. To keep the momentum, GCash continues to improve its existing portfolio of services and introduce groundbreaking
services to extend reach to a bigger segment of customers. In 2014, GCash launched Globe Charge, a mobile pointof-sale (mPOS) service that has equipped over 1,500 entrepreneurs and SMEs to accept credit card payments to date. A mobile card reader that can be easily attached and detached from any smartphone or tablet, Globe Charge allows business owners to accept card payments from their customers. Payments are then settled in their corresponding GCash wallets as early as the next business day. GCash also ventured into collaborative partnerships with American Express and MasterCard in response to Filipinos’ rapid adoption to the online shopping trend, paving the way for the mobile money service to introduce the GCash American Express® Virtual Pay, one of the most innovative payment solutions to date. With the GCash American Express® Virtual Pay, customers can purchase digital goods and shop in international sites. The account also has a personalized US address which customers can use as their shipping address for their goods to be delivered directly in their own homes. One’s
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GCash American Express® Virtual Pay is also directly linked to their GCash account. Ap a r t f r o m o n l i n e shopping, GCash has also maximized the exponential growth of financial cards as the preferred mode of payment. With this, GCash unveiled its very own GCash MasterCard that is ideal for those who do not yet own a credit card or a debit card. The GCash MasterCard is a reloadable prepaid card that one can easily use to swipe and pay just like any other credit card. Linked to one’s GCash account, it can be used to shop and pay across 33 million MasterCard-enabled establishments worldwide. GCash is also playing an important role in socioeconomic development with
a 60% increase in customer base for its GCash Payroll segment. To date, GXI is providing both SMEs and MSMEs with a modern payroll solution that allows employers to easily disburse salaries, loans, allowances, and commissions. Employees also get access to the rest of the GCash suite of services such as paying bills, buying load, and sending money, among others. To let customers perform GCash transactions in an easy and convenient way, the company also developed its own GCash mobile app, which allows customers to monitor their GCash balance, buy prepaid load and pay their bills. The app is available for iOS, Android and Blackberry devices.
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Mobile money gains in PH, GCash customers grow 25% G-Xchange Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom that operates mobile money service GCash, continues to drive mobile money usage in the country with a 25% upturn in its customer base. The emergent shift to a digital economy has allowed GXI to broaden its services and reach a wider customer base to include online shoppers, retailers, and entrepreneurs. “GCash’s innovative services have paved the way for more Filipinos to experience the convenience of mobile money. Whether for send money services such as bills payment or remittance, to using it to shop for goods and items online, GCash has become a driving force in the industry as it continues to cater to various market segments to serve different needs,” said G-Xchange, Inc. President & CEO Xavier Marzan. From a regular remittance service back in 2004, GCash has evolved into a total mobile money solution that carries a wide portfolio of payment options for its customers. To keep the momentum, GCash continues to improve its existing portfolio of services and introduce groundbreaking services to extend reach to a bigger segment of customers. In 2014, GCash launched Globe Charge, a mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) service that
has equipped over 1,500 entrepreneurs and SMEs to accept credit card payments to date. A mobile card reader that can be easily attached and detached from any smartphone or tablet, Globe Charge allows business owners to accept card payments from their customers. Payments are then settled in their corresponding GCash wallets as early as the next business day. GCash also ventured into collaborative partnerships with American Express and MasterCard in response to Filipinos’ rapid adoption to the online shopping trend, paving the way for the mobile money service to introduce the GCash American Express® Virtual Pay, one of the most innovative payment solutions to date. With the GCash American Express® Virtual Pay, customers can purchase digital goods and shop in international sites. The account also has a personalized US address which customers can use as their shipping address for their goods to be delivered directly in their own homes. One’s GCash American Express® Virtual Pay is also directly linked to their GCash account. Apart from online shopping, GCash has also maximized the exponential growth of financial cards as the preferred mode of payment. With this, GCash unveiled its very own GCash MasterCard
that is ideal for those who do not yet own a credit card or a debit card. The GCash MasterCard is a reloadable prepaid card that one can easily use to swipe and pay just like any other credit card. Linked to one’s GCash account, it can be used to shop and pay across 33 million MasterCard-enabled establishments worldwide. GCash is also playing an important role in socioeconomic development with a 60% increase in customer base for its GCash Payroll segment. To date, GXI is providing both SMEs and MSMEs with a modern payroll solution that allows employers to easily disburse salaries, loans, allowances, and commissions. Employees also get access to the rest of the GCash suite of services such as paying bills, buying load, and sending money, among others. To let customers perform GCash transactions in an easy and convenient way, the company also developed its own GCash mobile app, which allows customers to monitor their GCash balance, buy prepaid load and pay their bills. The app is available for iOS, Android and Blackberry devices. To know more about GCash and their latest portfolio of products and services visit http://www. globe.com.ph/gcash, or visit a Globe store nearest you.
Turnover of 500 housing units slated anew CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- San Miguel Corporation Foundation/ Gawad Kalinga formally tuned over 500 housing units at the relocation site in Purok 5, Barangay Balubal on April 8, 2015, according to Ramon Fernandez, chairman of the Shelter and Housing Development MultiSectoral Task Force. Fernandez disclosed
that the units are the first single-detached houses built by SMC Foundation and Gawad Kalinga intended for the survivors of typhoon Sendong that hit the city in December 2011. Until now, up to 3,800 families have not been relocated. The beneficiaries who underwent values formation seminar are expected to witness
the event tomorrow, according to the Task Force. The turnover ceremony was graced by SMC Foundation Executive Director Camille Buenaventura; Jose Luis Oquinena, Executive Director of Gawad Kalinga; and Dr. Alfonso del Fierro, Jr., GK Provincial Head, Misamis Oriental.(CIO/PIA10)
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‘Panagtagbo Alang sa Kalinaw‘ highlights Lanao ‘Month of Peace’ By Lorry V. Gabule
MAIGO, Lanao del Norte — Capping this year’s theme: “Padayun sa Pagpalig-on sa Naangkon na Kalinaw sa Lanao” marked the Lanao Month of Peace celebration with a Panagtagbo Alang sa Kalinaw (Convergence for Peace; Salubongan Para sa Kapayapaan) held at the Maigo Central Elementary School gymnasium, town of Maigo, Lanao del Norte on March 25. Town Mayor Rafael C. Rizalda said as host for this year, participants of multi representations started the activity with a Peace Walk at the town’s vicinity and ended at the gym. He s ai d t h i s i s an annual celebration showcasing the multistakeholders participation and cooperation for the preservation of peace in
the Province of Lanao del Norte. While Musa Mohamad Sanguila, director of Pakigdait Incorporated, and chairperson of Civil Society Organizations Lanao del Nor te Par t nership for Peace and Development (CSOLN-PPD), expressed his gratitude to the full support of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, in partnership of the local government of Maigo and other stakeholders from Iligan City and the province of L anao del Nor te, t he Ph i l ippi ne National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the 15th IB of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade (Magbalantay), Philippine Army. lanao/PAGE 11
Community
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City to put up P5-M livestock auction market CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- To give farmers in the rural areas easier and more productive lives, the City Agricultural Productivity Office is expediting the establishment of the Mambuaya Livestock Auction Market in barangay Mambuaya, this city. The project aims to
boost economic activities and enhance business opp or tu n it i e s b e t we e n farmers and traders through fair trading. Dr. Hector San Juan, city agriculturist, said the project costs P5 million where 90 percent is funded by t h e D e p ar t m e nt of Agriculture while 10 percent
is shouldered by the city government. San Juan hopes that the City Council’s majority will support the auction market project, noting the body’s go-signal prior to its implementation. The project also aims to develop the local agricultural tourism in upland areas.
Brgy. Mambuaya was cho s e n b e c aus e it l i e s at the center among 12 agricultural barangays, comprising Lumbia, Bayanga, Dansolihon, Ti g n ap o l o a n , B e s i g a n , Pa g a lu ng an , Ta g p ang i , Ta g l i m a o , Tu b u r a n , Pigsag-an, Tumpagon, and Mambuaya.(CIO/PIA10)
Sinacaban-LGU implements P11.31M worth of projects By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
SI NAC A BA N , Mis am is Occidental – The local government unit (LGU), here, has lined-up some P11.31 million worth of projects to be funded by its 20% Development Fund for implementation, this year. Of this amount, P6.18
million or 54.58 percent have been programmed under infrastructure ser vices, P4.94 million or 43.66 percent, for agriculture and development, and P200,000, or 1.76 percent, for social services, Mayor Cris Mahilac, said.
HUSTISYA: MARC BAGAIPO – The Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental, led by GOVERNOR YEVGENY VINCENTE “BAMBI” B. EMANO and VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ, condoles with the bereaved family of former the City Councilor of Gingoog City and Consultant to the Provincial Government during the funeral and burial of Mr. Marc Anthony M. Bagaipo. With them is the Mayor Ken Niño Uyguangco of the Municipality of Medina, Misamis Oriental. The Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental condemns the murder of Mr. Bagaipo and calls for immediate justice. Mr. Bagaipo is said to be the 44th victim of the 47 unresolved killings in Gingoog City.
Me anw h i l e , h e s ai d projects under the i nf r ast r uc ture s e r v i ce s include the one-year loan amortization for a heavy equipment, such as, road rollers and dump trucks of P3.5 million, the LGU counterpart for Grassroots Participator y Budgeting Project (GPBP) of P1.99 million and counterpart for other LGU projects of P686,986. On t he ot her hand, J o v e n c i o P. L a r a n j o , GPBP coordinator, said u n d e r a g r i c u ltu re an d development, the projects include the following: Urban greening and reforestation, P285,120; establishment and maintenance of forest trees nursery, P283,692; resource inventory of ridge to reef proj e c t, P283,692; and tree-growing on parks and playground, P520,120. Watershed management and development, P383,692; land care and environment management program, P250,000; watershed characterization and
upland forest, P500,000; environmental and natural resources assessment, P280,837; and waste assessment characterization study, P500,000. Establishment of material recovery facility (MRF), P300,000; Coastal Environment Protection Program/coastal law enforcement, P500,000; Ridge to Reef Project, P399,847; mangrove, sea grass and coral reef rehabilitation, transplantation, protection and conservation, P399,847; and contribution to the Iligan Bay Alliance of Misamis Occidental (IBAMO), P100,000. Projects under social services with an allocation of P100,000, each, include the Nutrition Program and Training/ Capability Building for ser vice providers of workers in the Municipal He a lt h O f f i c e ( M HO ) , and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), Laranjo added. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)
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Environment
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says tobacco crop SurSur agri office continues NTA needs relief from drought to gear up for El Niño TANDAG CITY – The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) in Surigao del Sur has continued to set up mitigating measures to cushion the possible impact of El Niño
phenomenon here. Marcos Quico, OPAg chief, reiterated mustering efforts through the help of counterparts at the city and town levels.
Farmers told to apply old farm practices against dry spell Farmers were asked to consider traditional practices in keeping their crops from drying up during the summer season. Ilocos Provincial Agriculturist Norma Lagmay said the farmers should apply age-old farm practices such as mulching technology to maintain soil wetness and watering crops early morning or late in the afternoon.
“(In mulching), we use organic matters like dried leaves, rice straw or peat that place around the growing plants as protective covering to prevent the evaporation of moisture, the freezing of roots and the growth of weeds,” she explained. She said water early in the morning or late in afternoon lessens the evaporation of practices/PAGE 11
Technical Group to focus on Solid waste management The provincial government of Antique created the Provincial Technical Working Group (TWG) on Solid Waste Management Program and will be composed by national and provincial government agencies. The TWG was created through an Executive Order 29 issued recently b y Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao.
“ There is a need to organize the Provincial Technical Working Group that would provide the technical assistance to the Provincia l S olid Waste Management Board in the performance of its duties and responsibilities,” states the EO 29. The cre at ion of t he T WG o n S o l i d Wa s t e focus/PAGE 11
TEACHERS’ IMPACT Matters By Marife Y. Bongcayao, Ph.D. Lugait National High School Lugait, Misamis Oriental
There is nothing more fulfilling in life than the kind of effect you could cause to others. There is nothing more rewarding when you met somebody anywhere and greets you “Good morning Maam” and to your surprise realization he has been your student, a successful one, many years had past, living a beautiful life of his own. That is what I always tell my children, I’ve never got any regrets I’m into teaching. For many years now, fourteen years, three months and fifteen days to be exact, I am enjoying the kind of career I have chosen. Teaching they say is the most noble profession and vocation thereat. Causing a good change in the lives of many is its prize. The simple and complex things a teacher does in the classroom could really make a difference in a one’s future. An ordinary individual can always choose the kind of effect he could cause to others. How much more of an educator and a teacher like me and to all the teachers in the world can be. A mortal sin a teacher could commit is not to teach what is ought to be taught.
Allow me to give the word TEACHERS a meaning; Thy Endearing Act of Care Houses Everlasting Remembrance to every Soul. The meaningful imprints we have carved into each little brains, the transformation we have turned a specie into and the future every being could achieve all lies in the delicate task of those who are like us, TEACHERS. In my own realization, in every move I make in the four corners of the classroom, I never forget to offer everything to God to make me His instrument to foster the ultimate impact to the lives of those who are left to my care, my students. That I shall become their guide, their motivating figure and a part of their whole being. As I become one, the impact I should become is better if not the best one. This impact can never be equaled with any material reward in the world. Causing a positive impact to others the youth, my students is what drives me to become a more ambitious teacher. That certainly after every class ends, there has to be a little add up to what they deserve and that is to learn.
Among the steps made, he conf irmed, was the compliance to the request last month of Regional Executive Director (RED) Edna Mabeza of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) in Caraga regarding the submission of the “list of area” that could “possibly be affected including operational/non operational NIA water service station.”
El Niño is described as a phenomenon characterized by severe climate disruption particularly to countries in and beside the Pacific. However, despite reports of El Niño now affecting some areas in the central and western parts of Mindanao, so far, OPAg has not yet issued any information to this effect, it was learned. (NGBT/Greg Tataro Jr., Radyo ng BayanTandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur – The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has urged tobacco producing provinces to use part of the tobacco excise tax funds to purchase irrigation facilities for the tobacco crop during the dry period. N TA Ad m i n i s t r at o r Edgardo Zaragoza said the quality of Virginia tobacco crops harvested suffered due to the drought. The NTA official said local governments should prioritize the provision of
shallow tube wells, open wells, small water impounding, small diversion dams and wind mill pipes as safety measures against the dry weather that has devastated Ilocos farmlands “Include cooperative projects that will enhance better quality of products, increase productivity and guarantee the market to increase farmer’s income,” the former Board member in the Second District said. He said the NTA has relief/PAGE 11
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Oppose... from page 1
Northern Mindanao Regional Conference (NMRC) slated April 9-11 at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. Donggay warned that if the privatization pushes through, power rates in Mindanao will level off with that of Metro Manila’s, which, he said, is “highest in the world.” And because of the high power rates in the country, some prospective locators have opted to go elsewhere, he added. He said that currently, the power rates in Mindanao are still competitive compared to other Asian countries. Since factories and industries are electricity intensive, it will surely redounds to high prices of their products and services, Donggay pointed out. “If we want to promote industrialization through manufacturing, the country must have a competitive power rates,” Donggay said. The promise of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, otherwise known as EPIRA, according to Donggay, is security and affordability of electricity. “But, what is happening now?” he asked. After the passage of the law (EPIRA) 15 years ago, the Philippines has the highest rates in the world, Donggay said. Engr. David A. Tauli, president and spokesman of the MCPC, said they have drafted three resolutions to address the Mindanao power problems to be presented to the delegates who are attending the 19th IIEE Northern Mindanao Regional Conference, for them to adopt. On top of the three resolutions is the call for the creation of the Mindanao-run Mindanao Power Corporation (MPC). The MPC will take over ownership of the Agus-Pulangi power plants, keeping the power rates emanating from these plants as is. The second resolution calls for the revocation of the Independent Power Producers Administrative Act (IPPAA) of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM). “The IPPAA is a privatization process being used by the PSALM Corporation to sell power from Mindanao Power plants at higher rates than those approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC),” said Engr. Tauli said. The third resolution calls for the holding in abeyance of PSALM’s plan to subject Steag coal power plants to IPPA. Tauli said the MCPC will say no to all mode of privatization, but will be acting within the framework of the EPIRA. The Integrated Institute of Electrical Engineers-Cagayan de Oro Chapter (IIEE-CdO) and the MCPC brought the third edition of the Mindanao Power Forum as a side event of the 19th IIEE NMRC yesterday, April 10, 2015, dubbed as “Mindanao Power Forum Update III.” “We have sought this partnership with the IIEE to enable the ordinary consumer, private distribution utilities, rural
electric cooperatives and other stakeholders in the Mindanao power industry to come together in an annual forum to discuss issues affecting the island’s power grid and map out possible solutions in an objective platform of unity and cooperation, rather than confrontation and distrust,” said Engr. Tauli. “We have organized this third edition of the Mindanao Power Forum specifically to update our members in IIEE-NMRC on the current power issues affecting our island,” said Engr. Nonito A. Oclarit. VP-External Affairs of the host IIEE-CdO Chapter.
Skills... from page 1
among non-beneficiaries. MRDP Deputy Program Director Arnel V. de Mesa earlier told BusinessWorld that the income growth of beneficiaries, based on mid-term assessments, was still higher than projected. MRDP Phase 2, with a budget of about P1.41 billion, provided small infrastructure facilities like farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems and post-harvest facilities as well as technology provision for livelihood activities. The post-program report noted that beneficiaries were able to reduce travel time by two-thirds between their farms and the trading posts and save on transportation costs. With new and rehabilitated irrigation systems, farmers were also able to increase cropping intensity by 40%, especially for rice. Some small-scale farmers, particularly those tilling plots of less than a hectare, also realized the potential of having bigger planting area with sufficient irrigation and converted available idle lands to productive use. The irrigation systems covered by the MRDP fund benefited about 164,000 farmers and 54 irrigators associations were established by the end of the program. Another key component of the program, the National Res our ces Management , became the vehicle for increasing awareness of the communities about “the need for protection and monitoring of globally significant endangered marine species.” This was noted as community participation in protection and monitoring activities went up to 96% based on four of the 24 project towns sampled. The report added that about three-fourths of the towns that participated in the project “passed enabling instruments in support to coastal resources and biodiversity conservation,” including the allocation of funds for coastal resources and biodiversity conservation. The program also pushed participating local government units (LGUs) to invest more in agriculture and fisheries as well promote transparency and accountability. Based on the personal rating survey, officials of the participating LGUs said they were “capacitated in planning and implementation of agriculture and fisheries projects,” with 50% saying there is improved
agribusiness entrepreneur confidence in their areas. The MRDP has been up-scaled into a nationwide program as the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP). Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said last year that the PRDP would focus on value chain development and the LGUs will be given more latitude in identifying focus areas for their communities. Mr. Alcala also said that the program’s national version would use the lessons from the Mindanao experience, especially in the rehabilitation of areas in the Visayas devastated by typhoon Yolanda in November 2013. The PRDP, according to Mr. De Mesa, has a P4.8 billion budget this year for infrastructure projects, of which P2 billion is allocated to Mindanao.
Medical... from page 2
to their constituents. As one of the local recipients, the province received one pack of surgical drugs and medicines amounting P649,225; 10 sets of obstetric and delivery kit worth P189,100; five sets of first aid kit worth P35,075; and two packs of surgical supplies worth P235,460. Representatives from DOH and foreign donor KfW will be visiting the province within this year to assess how the medical equipment are being utilized in government hospitals and to evaluate the effectiveness of their medical intervention program.
Plant... from page 5
to Cebu but also to the entire Visayas, said Therma Visayas President Benjamin A. Cariaso, Jr. “Cebu and the Visayas region have achieved a rapid growth in economy and in order to sustain this momentum, reliable power is needed,” the official was quoted in the statement as saying. “Therma Visayas will improve the region’s energy mix through dependable base load power, securing the energy needs of the Visayas region,” Mr. Cariaso added. Therma Visayas last year tapped Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd and Galing Power Energy Co, Inc. as engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project. The plant will be built in Barangay Bato in Toledo City.
Lanao... from page 8
Meanwhile, Governor Khalid Q. Dimaporo, in his message, said Christians and Muslims in the province of Lanao del Norte have maintained harmonious relationships, as peace and loving communities in each of the towns, and through the military and PNP initiatives, exerted effort to make dialogue among those having ‘rido’ which the governor considered it to settle for the betterment of each of the clan in the area. The governor further said, he supports the government’s
Bangsamoro Basic Law which the province has six municipalities for inclusion under its core territory. Representing Secretary Teresita ‘Ging’ Q. Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) to deliver an inspirational message of peace was Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo who oftentimes attended peace-activity initiatives in the province. He lauded the peace activities in the province involving the community, the provincial and the local government units. In support to maintaining the peace and order situation in the province, Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, brigade commander of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade (Magbalantay) Philippine Army, said peace and order situation in Lanao del Norte is ‘stable and peaceful,’ and we need the continuing support of the community and the partnership of the people in bringing peace in our land. The PNP, as well, in its mandate to provide security through its police stations in the entire province has coordinated with the AFP, and being at the frontline maintains its force to maintain peace and order in the province, said Deputy Senior Supt Antonio Taylan, Jr., who represented Regional Director Agrimero A. Cruz, Jr. of Police Regional Office (PRO) 10. He said the Philippine National Police (PNP) reiterates its call for the community to be vigilant. Highlighting the day’s event was the Signing of Support of Peace: ‘No to War, Yes to Peace’ by all sectors, including the youth, students and the community. Also, the activity ended with a ceremonial tossing of balloons and doves by all stakeholders in attendance. The doves signify peace in the province and the entire country. Provincial Ordinance No. 01-2008 declares March as the Month of Peace for the Province of Lanao del Norte, particularly Section 4, mandating the civil society organization represented by PAKIGDAIT Inc. to spearhead the celebration and preparation of the program of activities for the celebration of the Month of Peace. (LVG/PIA-10 LDN)
Relief... from page 9
proposed an initial listing of programs and projects that were identified during the series of consultative conferences with local executives, farmer leaders and other stakeholders of the tobacco industry in Region 1. The NTA official said that Budget Sec. Florencio Abad directed various LGU’s to list down programs and projects to be funded from the shares of RA 7171 (tobacco excise tax) and RA 8240 (sin tax) as basis for the release of funds. Ilocos Sur, the top Virginia tobacco producer in the country, has the biggest chunk of P1.9 billion from RA 7171 for 2013. Zaragoza identified infrastructure projects to be funded from RA 7171 or RA 8240 such as Barangay roads and bridges, Barangay Centers cum Tobacco Information Centers, Day Care Centers, nursery
schools, additional classrooms, sports facilities, Agri- Pinoy Retail Stores, Bagsakan Centers, improvement and rehab of natural waterways in farming communities and construction and improvement of farming community. The NTA also proposed programs and projects that provide livelihood projects particularly the development of alternative farming system to enhance farmers income through tobacco, rice, corn production, hog fattening, goat and sheep production, cattle fattening project and off season vegetable production, processing of bamboo products, processing of native food delicacies and value adding/ improved processing of native wines such as basi, dragon fruit production. Agro-industrial projects that will enable tobacco farmers to be involved in management and ownership of post harvest, curing barn, bulk curing, commercial solar drier, rice mill, feed mill and slaughter house are also included in the NTA list. (MCA/ BPP/PIA-1 Ilocos Sur)
Practices... from page 9
soil moisture in the fields. “Early morning or late afternoon is the best period to water or irrigate our crops because the sunlight is very low while the crops have greater moisture absorption and lesser evaporation,” she added. Lagmay issued the advisory to the farmers as the province had been experiencing hot weather in the first week of April. Meanwhile, the Region 1 office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported an estimated P15 million in damaged rice crop in the Ilocos provinces due to the dry spell starting January. Among the reported hardly hit areas by the dry spell in Ilocos Norte were the towns of Piddig and Banna. In the first quarter of the year, the DA reported at least 89 hectares of rice plantations were totally destroyed by dry spell in the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. In addition, the DA also posted in the region at least 4,171 hac of rice plantations that were partially damaged by drought namely Pangasinan 3,389 hac.; Ilocos Norte – 513 hac.; La Union – 176 hac.; and Ilocos Sur – 94 hac. To save the partially damaged rice plantation in the Ilocos, the DA mulled to distribute more water pumps for immediate irrigation. (MCA/ FGL, PIA- 1 Ilocos Norte)
Focus... from page 9
Management program is in step with the Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 mandating the systematic and comprehensive ecological solid waste management program that shall ensure the protection of public health and environment. Gov. Cadiao said that the he
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partnership with the concerned government agencies is proof that the provincial government is serious in the pursuit of implementing the program on solid waste management. The composition of the provincial TWG on solid waste management program are as follows: Environmental and Natural Resources Office as member/secretariat; Integrated Provincial Health Office; Office of the Provincial Agriculturist; Department of Interior and Local Government; Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Philippine Information Agency; Department of Trade and Industry; Department of Science and Technology; Department of Education; Recycling Industry; SP Chairman on Environment. Aside from assisting the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board (PSWB), the provincial TWG is also expected to monitor and evaluate the status of RA 9003 and its implementation in the municipalities and report the same to the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board. (JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)
Tune Labs... from page 12
There is a lot of talent in the region which, to date, has lacked the access and opportunities that are readily available to budding entrepreneurs in the West. Through Tune Labs, my partners and I seek to provide the guidance and mentorship that we found hard to come by in the early days of building AirAsia and envisage a structured environment to encourage, validate and ultimately implement exciting, new ideas that will hopefully revolutionize and change the way we go about our everyday lives.” Datuk Kamarudin Meranun added, “A key obstacle to many new businesses is the difficulty or inability to raise capital in order to access markets and achieve growth. As such, my partners and I are committed to seed, nurture and develop the initial opportunities that will be housed under the venture. Our comprehensive network of partners and investors cultivated over the years and supported by our track record will also allow Tune Labs’ participants easier access to further funds to catalyze growth.” Lim Kian Onn commented further, ”Tune Labs allows aspiring entrepreneurs to concentrate solely on developing and growing their ideas. The ability to utilize the wider Group’s assets coupled with essentials like office space, finance and legal – will significantly reduce costs and improve management focus. Furthermore, Tune Labs’ advisory panel will consist of experts from various backgrounds to provide guidance across diverse fields. It is a fundamental objective of Tune Labs to aid entrepreneurs to reduce the time and costs needed in bringing to market an innovative new product.” Further information on Tune Labs and how to apply for entry into the incubator and accelerator programs are available atwww. thetunelabs.com. Applications from committed and passionate entrepreneurs are welcome from across the growth spectrum – be it early stage seed or growth capital. The initial cohort is expected to commence in the second half of this year.
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Globe CSR Director Fernando Esguerra (rightmost) welcomes the first batch of the telco’s Work-Ready Now! program graduates into the mainstream workforce. photo supplied
Globe expands sustainable livelihood opportunities for vocational students
G
lobe Telecom recently collaborated with Educational Development Center (EDC), a global non-profit organization which addresses some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health and international development. This enabled the telco to provide new opportunities for public high school students to engage in sustainable livelihood. Globe participated in the EDC’s Accelerating Work Achievement and Readiness for Employment (AWARE) program, where the company hosted 54 technical-vocational students from Benigno Ninoy Aquino High School (BNAHS) and Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Vocational School. By sharing its information and communications technology
(ICT) expertise, Globe sought to enhance the work readiness of the students who wish to pursue a career in the said field. The participating students were able to gain 40 hours of work exposure from the Information Systems Group (ISG) of Globe. They received mentoring on the latest technologies, shadowed Globe technicians, and received hands-on training on various hardware processes, including PC preparation, standard tools of work installation, email and network configuration, personal computer troubleshooting and retirement, as well as software installation. The initiative is a component of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility’s sustainable livelihood program, Prosper. It harnessed their potential
and innate skills as a way to generate sustainable livelihood programs and prepared them for mainstream employment. Likewise, it benefits social enterprises, micro enterprises and the underserved sectors of the society such as the Globetrained students. “We are pleased to partner with EDC through the AWARE program. By equipping talented public school students with the technical and soft skills needed to succeed in today’s work environment, we hope to open up more employment opportunities for them. Through its employees, Globe as a good corporate citizen is ready and willing to share not only knowledge but more importantly, time, resources and effort to make a difference in the lives of marginalized
youth,” said Globe Director for Corporate Social Responsibility Fernando Esguerra. Commenting on his training experience at Globe, BNSAHS’ Jason Paul Villanueva mentioned that, “I am so thankful to have an opportunity to train at Globe as I experienced being in an actual work place setting. I treasured being able to immerse myself with the company’s latest technologies.” Apart from equipping Villanueva and 53 other students mentored by the telco’s ISG unit with increased work readiness skills and improved access to employment through “Work Ready Now (WRN)!”, the AWARE project effectively establishes and improves practical relationships among tech-voc schools, local
businesses such as Globe, and the Philippine government. Its WRN! curriculum is implemented in more than 15 countries over the last decade under the United States Agency for International Development. Aside from implementing WRN!, Globe CSR also initiated last year a social enterprise based in Bago City, Negros Occidental called “Bagosphere,” an Interactive Voice Recording (IVR)-based hotline that could help out-of-school youth build their English language foundation without the need for formal schooling so that they can break into the local business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, a booming and constantly growing sector that contributes more than $10 billion to the Philippine gross domestic product.
Tune Labs to benefit aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs KUALA LUMPUR Serial entrepreneurs Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Datuk Kamarudin
Meranun and Lim Kian Onn (collectively “the Founders”) have announced the launch
of their latest venture, Tune Labs, a Kuala Lumpur-based start-up incubator and accelerator
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Chairman of Tune Labs (center) announced the launch of Tune Labs, together with Arun Verma (left) and Gareth Lim (right). photo supplied
program that seeks to identify, mentor and fund entrepreneurs across the Asean region. Tune Labs will formalize a partnership between the Founders which has nurtured and brought to market disruptive businesses such as AirAsia, Tune Hotels, Tune Insurance and Tune Money. Going forward, the Founders – through Tune Labs – will support aspiring entrepreneurs achieve their visions of creating market-leading, innovative businesses with a particular focus on the travel, payments and retail verticals. Tune Labs offers two distinct paths for applicants to develop and cultivate their ideas: · An incubator program that will be
conducted thrice yearly, a 12-week long start-up boot camp for applicants with unvalidated, earlystage ideas. Successful applicants will be offered the opportunity to work closely with the Founders and their partners to develop and validate their ideas and establish viable, commercial propositions with a view to showcasing their products at a demonstration day at the end of the program. · An accelerator program which takes validated ideas and business plans – which may also include graduates from the incubator program – and expedites entry into the market through access to capital and partnerships sourced and introduced by the Founders.
All participants will have access to partnerships developed over the years by the Founders, the established infrastructure and support system of Tune Group and the ability to leverage in-house technical and software development capabilities for both the incubator and accelerator programs. The investment team at Tune Labs will be helmed by Arun Verma and Gareth Lim, experienced members of the Tune Group and AirAsia, with a significant track record in developing and delivering innovative new ventures. Tan Sri Tony Fernandes commented, “It has always been a personal goal of mine to promote and grow the start-up scene in Asean. tune labs/PAGE 11