BusinessWeek Mindanao (April 24, 2015)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO “we grow minds” 2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting

Volume V, No. 150

Market Indicators

As of 6:10 pm apr. 23, 2015 (thursday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P44.30

7,891.25 points

8 cents

X

X Briefly 58.22 points

Stabilize by 2018 THE power situation in Zamboanga City, which is currently experiencing regular power outages of six to eight hours’ duration, is expected to stabilize in 2018 when new power plants in Mindanao join the grid, Alsons Consolidated Resources (ACR) Inc. said.

Joseph C. Nocos, an Alsons vice president in charge of power development for the Mindanao-focused group, said a subsidiary, San Ramon Power Inc., will be operating a 105-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Talisayan, Zamboanga City by that year.

Mr. Nocos added that other new generating plants will have joined the Mindanao grid in the intervening period, including those of Aboitiz-controlled Therma South Inc. in the Davao region.

Davao promotion DAVAO City -Participants of the Visit Davao Fun Sale are assured of good promotion as a guarantee to their participation in the summer event to boost the tourism here.

Christian Porras, a member of the executive committee of the VDFS, a program being supported by the Department of Tourism said that persons with passports are encouraged to visit these establishments to enjoy the food, drinks and fun.

He explained that passport holders will be entitled discounts once they visit these establishments.

Porras said discounts may vary depending on the offer of the establishments.

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Govt power firm pushed to avert privatization

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

D

AVAO City -- A proposal to create a government-owned Mindanao Power Corp. will be presented before the House of Representatives energy committee next week, with the ultimate goal of heading off the privatization of two hydroelectric complexes that serve as the main power sources for Mindanao.

BUKIDNON KARANG. Student performers dance with “karang” or walking stilts during the groundbreaking ceremonies of the 68.8-megawatt hydropower electric project of Hedcor, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power, in Barangay Maluko, Manolo Fortich town in Bukidnon on Wednesday. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

Power situation in Mindanao to improve despite dry spell DAVAO City -- The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) allayed fears of a worst power situation in Mindanao despite a long dry spell affecting the island.

The Director for Investment Promotions and Public Affairs of MinDa, Romeo Montenegro said the occasional rains and additional sources of power for electric distributors in Mindanao will ease the power

situation, thereby shortening hours of power outages this summer.

Montenegro said the occasional rains in Mindanao has kept water level at Agus and Pulangi plants at safe level.

Ev e n w i t h o u t r a i n , Montenegro said the electric cooperatives able to contract from power providers for additional supply that enabled them to curtail long blackouts

Oro gov’t seeks reversal of DOJ’s decision on tax code

By MARK FRANCISCO, Staff Writer

THE city government has filed an appeal before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on its decision to approve the 2015 City Revenue Code. This, even as Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas sternly warned city treasurer Glenn Bañez to immediately

implement the tax code or else face charges for dereliction of duty.

It can be recalled that on March 18, the DOJ trashed City Hall’s petition to set aside Ordinance No. 12860 otherwise known as the 2015 reversal/PAGE 10

thirty minutes minimum unlike in previous summers when consumers suffer five to eight hours of power outages.

He disclosed that out of the 33 electric cooperatives, about 10 of them have contracted additional supply from independent power producers with modular gensets.

The Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative improve/PAGE 10

Rep. Edgardo R. Masongsong of the First Consumer Alliance for Rural Energy, Inc. said the proposal is a consolidation of three schemes that were all directed at creating a governmentowned and -controlled corporation (GO CCs) that will manage the Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric complexes.

“We need to lobby for the creation of the corporation to ensure that the two

power complexes do not get privatized,” said Mr. Masongsong, author of the proposal, during a news conference on Tuesday.

He said the proposal has about 60 co-authors, all from Mindanao, who have taken the position that the government should retain ownership of the power plants to ensure that energy pricing in Mindanao is lower than the rest of the country. power/PAGE 10

LUMAD CONSENT. A Bukidnon tribal leader signs his consent to the 68.8-megawatt hydropower electric project of Hedcor, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power, in Barangay Maluko, Manolo Fortich town in Bukidnon on Wednesday.

Looking behind him is Hedcor President Rene Ronquillo. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

POWER OUTLOOK

How ready is the NGCP (Second of a Series)

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO

DAVAO C i t y — T h e two main blackouts that plunged Mindanao into darkness in the last two years showed how vulnerable the Mindanao power grid has become.

Among the many implications is the readiness of t h e Nat i on a l Gr i d Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the privatelyowned grid operator of the country which bought the transmission system from government when it

was bidded out in 2008 as part of complying with the Electric Power Industry Reform Act. In both incidents, the Henry Sy-led grid operator acted clumsily to say the least. On the February 27, 2014 blackout, the company played a blame-game with generating company Steag State Corp., each accusing the other of being the reason for the incident.

On the one hand, NGCP claimed that had not the

Steag plant conked out, the grid would not have given up. But the generating company said had the grid operator been able to fill in the gaps that it left, power would have been restored in no time.

One huge indicator was that NGCP’s reserve was anchored on the Agus 1 power plant, which at that time had to undergo repair. So when the Steag 105-megawatt power unit started dropping its capacity, NGCP could not tap its NGCP/PAGE 10

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Gingoog eyes street kid-free city

GINGOOG City -- Join the city government of Gingoog city in sustaining its honor as recipient to the Seal of Child-friendly Governance.

The city government of Gingoog has been conferred by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Int e r i o r a n d L o c a l Government (DILG) with the 2014 Seal of Child-Friendly

Local Governance (SCFLG).

The city’s chief executive has acknowledged such conferment cited by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) for the city’s commitment in promoting child rights to survival, development, protection and participation.

Mayor Marie Guingona said this initiative is towards a Child-Friendly Philippines:

A Caring and Protective Society For, By and With the Children” as conferred by CWC chair and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman and attested by Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.

The unwavering collaboration with DILG and DSWD through the city counterparts together with

Marie P. Estabaya

First Solo Art Exhibition (For a Cause)

RHYTHM of NATURE May 1, 2015 At the Clubhouse Morning Mist Village Pueblo de Oro, Cagayan de Oro City

barangay councils in the consistent implementation of the City-wide Councils for the Welfare of Children (CCWC) in cooperation with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other stakeholders contribute in achieving this honor, said the lady mayor.

Among the manifestations for Gingoog being a childfriendly city is the launching of the Abtik Pinoy program

and inauguration of the Balay Pangarap which serves as home to street kids roaming around this city.

Mayor Guingona said the city government calls for support in bringing these smart kids back to the normal stream of the society. Assist us in patching up their parents’ weakness, she said.

She further said the Balay Pangarap, a collaborative efforts that offer a homey place for disadvantaged children and open a wide opportunity for wandering minors are on the verge of success and point of consolation.

As kids have been undergoing a holistic transformation in Balay Pangarap, their parents have been given familial development sessions on their essential duties and responsibilities, said Orville

Guimong, focal social worker.

Meanwhile, the city has been facilitating for the livelihood of the parents through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in such a way that they will be materially and integrally prepared to reunite with their children after their voluntary commitment to “Abtik Pinoy Program,” Guimong said.

Eulogia B. “Ate Ehay” Precillas, house parent said that all 20 minors inschool (nine of whom are in elementary and the rest are in public school), majority of them have finished this school year with honors.

These kids also possess leadership potentials as observed by their teachers.

Due to records of heinous and petty crimes committed by these kids aged from eight years old, they were once seen as “rising societal dilemma.”

BUB reporting system goes on-line B U T UA N C i t y - The Department of E du c at i on and Natu r a l Resources (DENR) Caraga Conservation and D e v e l o p m e nt D i v i s i o n conducts a learning session on Bottom-Up-Budgeting (BUB) on-line reporting system on Apr i l 16-17, 2015 at the DENR Regional Training Center, Ambago, Butuan City.

The learning session aims to capacitate the key players who will be responsible in providing systematic and efficient process of

reporting and analysis on the implementation of BUB project in the region.

The seminar was attended by 29 participants composed of BUB focal person from field offices, National Greening Program (NGP) technical staffs and regional office representatives.

“We are hoping t hat through the conduct of this activity, we would be able to fast track the levelingoff of information and be able to submit our reports on time,” NGP regional coordinator Sarah Parejo said.

BUB is an approach used in preparing the budget proposal of various agencies, taking into consideration t he de velopment ne e ds of cit ies/municip a lit ies as identified in their respective local poverty reduction action plans that shall be formulated with st rong p ar t i cip at i on of basic sector organizations and ot he r c iv i l s o c i e t y organizations.

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Globe Telecom signs partnership with Rocket Internet’s Lazada

N

UMBER one Philippine mobile brand Globe Telecom recently partnered with top online retailer and marketplace Lazada to bring its internationally-acclaimed GCASH mobile wallet to the eCommerce space in South East Asia.

Lazada is owned by Rocket Internet, an internet platform that identifies and builds proven internet business models then transfers them to new, underser ved or untapped markets where it seeks to scale them into m ar ke t l e a d i ng on l i ne companies.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) was signed

by Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu and Lazada Founder and CEO

Maximilian Bittner on April 22 in Seoul, South Korea. In the coming months, it will pave the way for GCASH to be used as a mode of payment in Lazada’s eCommerce website through an open integrated mWallet platform.

“We are excited about this partnership with Lazada because of its customer traffic and the innovation it has done with online shopping. It is a great opportunity for us to leverage on this collaboration by bringing GCASH at the forefront of eCommerce.

By increasing transactions through mWallet, we will once again expand the online ecosystem of Globe and provide our customers with a full digital lifestyle experience,” said Cu. GCASH is an

internationally-acclaimed product of Globe Telecom’s wholly-owned subsidiary G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI) and is among the pioneers of telcoled mWallet in the world.

GXI has also established a wide network of local and international partners that includes government agencies, utility companies, cooperatives, insurance c omp an i e s , re m itt an c e companies, universities, banks, and commercial establishments which accept GCASH as a means of payment for products and services via mobile phone or the internet.

Through mWallet, Globe customers no longer need to own a credit card or even have a bank account to engage in globe/PAGE 10

Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu (left) and Lazada Founder and CEO Maximilian Bittner (right) together with Globe SVP for Consumer Mobile Marketing Issa Cabreira (center) after the partnership MoU signing between Globe and Lazada.

Phinma mulls nursing school in Myanmar THE EDUCATION ARM of Phinma Corp. plans to build schools outside the Philippines -- including a nursing school in Myanmar -- to mark its Southeast Asian foray ahead of a planned listing in 2019, a company official said.

“My plan is [to go public by] 2019. I want to build a better story first,” Phinma Education Network (PEN) President Chito B. Salazar

said on the sidelines of the launch of Career Academy Asia (CAA) on Tuesday night.

PEN is sending a team to Myanmar to talk to potential partners for the establishment of a nursing school, paving the way for its maiden venture overseas.

“I hope to be in Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia by that time,” Mr. Salazar said, adding that the company plans to export its expertise

in information technology, allied sciences and business.

“We’re also talking to Medical City to set up schools together,” he added, without elaborating.

PEN has revived talks to acquire a university that will give the company a footprint in the middleincome segment, Mr. Salazar said.

Phinma President Ramon V. del Rosario, Jr. said the

company was on the verge of signing a deal to purchase a university, but negotiations fell apart at the last minute.

“We were supposed to sign but things didn’t go well. It did not end so were hoping to announce something in the next few days,” Mr. Salazar said.

PEN has four schools catering to the lower-income s eg ment. The y are t he phinma/PAGE 10

UnionBank’s first-quarter profit drops on lower trading gain P R O F I TA B I L I T Y a t the banking arm of the Aboitiz Group fell by more than a third in the first three months of the year.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Union Bank of the Philippines reported a 3 9 p e rc e nt d ip i n it s first-quarter net income to P1.481 billion this year f rom P 2 . 4 1 0 bi l l i on i n

2014.

The decline was largely due to trading gains, which were nearly halve d to P540 mi llion from P1.070 billion last year.

Net interest income, which comprised nearly t w o - t h i rd s of re v e nu e , also dipped to P2.527 billion this year from P2.653 billion in 2014.

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I

couldn’t hold my tears while experiencing when German Wings victims have been remembered in solemn Cologne service yesterday.

Cathedral bells have marked the end of a somber memorial service held in the western German city of Cologne to pay tribute to the 150 people killed in last month’s German Wings plane crash.

The ceremony was at Cologne Cathedral, one of t he big gest G erman cathedrals and many times my hidden place of prayers, for the victims of the German Wings crash ended just like it began, with the cathedral’s bells ringing out across the city on this sunny Friday afternoon, and a choir singing.

Hundreds of mourners at t e n d e d t h e n at i o n a l memorial service in Cologne’s landmark cathedral on Friday, including German President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Gauck, the main speaker, told the service the nation was still in “enormous shock” over the tragedy of flight 4U 9525, which crashed into the French Alps on March 24, killing all 150 people on board.

Oro Chamber

Under the Surface

hink a Minute…Remember Greg Louganis? The young, strong, superstar athlete who won gold medals in all his events at both the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. He was the first athlete in history to do it, and was elected to the Olympic Hall of Fame. But at the Olympics, no one ever suspected that under the surface Greg Louganis’ body was full of AIDS. It’s true that you really cannot know what’s inside a person just from looking on the outside.

Many people are not what they appear to be. For example, that tough football or rugby player you know may actually still be an insecure little boy on the inside, because he could never be good enough for his hard, strict father. That shy young woman you see around town might still be a broken, hurting little girl, because she was abused by her uncle or stepfather when she was young.

Maybe even that 60-year-old political leader or successful businessman is still full of hurt and anger from when he was badly treated as a child because of his skin color, or because he grew up in a poor family.

Many people look strong and mature on the outside, but inside they’re still hurting emotionally and need healing.

They still have deep wounds, scars and painful memories of terrible things that were said or done to them when they were young children or

“Since this day, nothing has been what it was for these families and friends” of the victims, Gauck said.

“Something was destroyed that can never be healed again in this world.”

Some 1,400 people - including 500 victims’ relatives - attended the ecumenical service, presided over by Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, who left B erlin to take over the Cologne archdiocese just last year.

“You are not alone in these hours of loneliness,” he told grieving family members, encouraging them to take comfort in the crowds of people with them at the service. “Love is stronger than death.” Yes, it has been a tragedy in more than three countries.

The German Wings crash has had a wide-reaching impact in western Europe.

Most of the victims on board the ill-fated plane traveling from Barcelona to Düsseldorf were Germans a n d Sp a n i a rd s . In h i s address to the congregation, President Gauck offered his thanks to the French people for their role in leading the rescue operation at the crash site in the south of their country.

“For this touching sign of f r i e n d s h ip b e t w e e n our countries we are all most deeply grateful,” the president, whose role is largely ceremonial, said.

French cabinet minister Alain Vidalies and Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz were also present at the service.

Deutsche Welle reporter Kate Brady was in Cologne, observing the proceedings on a big screen set up outside the cathedral. The service was also broadcast live on national German television.

A candle for each of the dead, including the copilot Lubitz. Not everybody agreed with this ... . Would you?

Across Germany, flags flew at half-mast, while buses and trains in Cologne stood still for a minute of silence as the cathedral ser vice got underway. Inside the famous gothic structure, known in German as the “Kölner Dom,” a choir sang hymns, while small wooden angels were put on the pews.

The steps to the altar were covered with 150 candles one for each person who died in crash, including co-pilot Andreas Lubitz.

Referring to the decision to include a candle for

H ave M y Say

Klaus Doring

Lubitz, Cardinal Woelki told Germany’s “Bild” newspaper: “It’s not for us to judge.”

President Gauck also asked the congregation to remember the co-pilot’s family. “On March 24 his relatives lost someone whom they loved and who leaves behind a hole in their lives - in a way that they find just as difficult to make sense of as all the other bereaved.”

An unbelievable event.

An unbelievable story. Many remaining questions. For all of us, who are taking a plane now and also in future.

Here and everywhere in this world. +++ Email: doringklaus@gmail. com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www. germanexpatinthephilippines. blogspot.com.

The Apocalypse of the 70’s and Masagana 99

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THINK

A Minute

W

ILL you still be there when I am 64?

Counting all those years as I run the memories in my mind, I stop at t he p er io d of t he student’s awakening movement during my college days and asked this question to my soul.

The 70’s witnessed the turbulence in the streets of Manila as activist march from the University Belt of Morayta to Mendiola shouting the isms found i n t h e v o c a bu l a r y a n d other intimidating slogans which call to unseat an overstaying leader of this countr y. Perhaps, borne from restless ideals which w e re i n f e c t i ou s i n t h e youth movement towards a maligned President to include our ally and defender, the United States of America. Student leaders who came from the best schools in the national capital region were b eg inning to inf luence my surroundings at the same time sow confusions in my mind. I ponder on s ome i ssu e s w hy m any students should dislike Marcos when he has built the longest bridge in the country and cemented the roads in many Barangays where children can play

Jhan Tiafau Hurst teenagers. Friend, if you’ve been living with pain, fears or anger from what people said or did to you in the past, these hurts and bad memories can be like chains that hold you in prison emotionally.

Well, Jesus Christ sure knows how you feel. Jesus is probably the most hurt, abused person in history. His own family thought He was crazy, and His own people had Him tortured and killed as the worst of criminals. But not only does Jesus understand and feel your pain, He’s also the One Who can heal your broken heart and painful memories. So today, why don’t you put your whole life, including your painful past, into the strong, healing hands of Jesus? He’ll even help you forgive those people who hurt you. Then, you’ll finally be free from your emotional pain and prison to start living the full, new life Jesus has planned for you.

Just Think a Minute…

st re e t b a l l ? What w as wrong with the US when they have the best products in the world that we want to have in our homes? Those were questions reminiscent of my yout h re f l e c t i ng my orientation away from the progressive movement which is an apocalypse now.

After College, I remember setting forth and travelled to the big city, not as a tourist, but to find work either in the field of mass media or a desk job in one of the leading banks of the country. I was fortunate to be hired by a bank at the time was tasked to implement a project called Masagana 99 under the bank on wheels of PNB, a former government bank.

Masagana 99 was a major undertaking of the Marcos Presidency to alleviate the lives of the rice farmers and increase rice production in this country.

I was one of the 37 fresh college graduates given the opportunity to train at the National Investment and Development C or p or at i on ( N I D C ) a financial subsidiary of the Philippine National Bank.

NID C, complimented, the banks planning and policy making in granting

agricultural loans. My PNB employment allowed me to make several trips to Los Banos in Laguna to visit the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) at the University of the Philippines. I remember d o i n g i nt e r v i e w s w i t h scholars and agricultural fellows from Bangladesh, Thailand and Taiwan at the UP Los Banos Campus where I discovered that they were send by their government to learn on rice technology and adapt the planting methods in their country.

To cut it short, my Bank employment did not last long, when Marcos was ousted, the Masagana 99 r ice prog ram of t he government disappeared together with the Billions of Pes os capit a lize d by PNB. After five Presidents who succeeded Marcos, no one took the initiative to revitalize the rice production of this country but instead they supported the National Food Authority importing rice from our Asian neighbors instead of supporting the interest of the Filipino rice farmers.

To d ay, it is an op en secret that we buy rice from Thailand and

TRAVERSING the

Tourism H i - way

Ped Quiamjot Vietnam to augment the food requirements of the 100 Million Filipinos.

The infrastructure buildings at the IRRI in Los Banos, Laguna now s t an d a s m onu m e nt of n e g l e c t . Mu ch of t h e i r farm equipment is rotting while many Filipinos are getting hungry. Perhaps, something is wrong the way government manage our rice culture to support a growing nation. We have seen how rice fields in C entral Luzon and elsewhere were made industrial parks and residential subdivisions never mind if a government agency called CARP and a DENR are supposed to regulate agricultural lands c onve rs i on . How many more hectares of rice lands will disappear soon?

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5 Removal of foreign equity restrictions in companies & investment houses sought

A

House leader is seeking to remove the foreign equity restrictions in financing companies, adjustment companies, lending companies and investment houses for the government to attract and promote more foreign direct investments into the country.

Deputy Speaker and Isabela Fourth District Rep. Giorgidi B. Aggabao said removing or reducing the limitations on foreign investments or participation in certain activities or areas listed in the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL) becomes imperative if the country wants to attract and welcome more foreign direct investments.

“This is also in keeping with the major reforms in the financial sector and the government’s thrust of bringing in more capital into the country that would support the economy and provide more jobs for the people,” said Aggabao, a lawyer accountant.

Aggabao’s proposal embodied in House Bill 5544 or the proposed “Foreign Investment Liberalization Act of 2015” is now pending at the House Committee on Trade and Industry chaired by Rep. Mark A. Villar (Lone District, Las Piñas City).

The bill declares it is the State policy to attract, promote and welcome productive investments from foreign individuals, partnerships, corporations, and governments, including their political subdivisions, in activities,

which significantly contribute to industrialization and socioeconomic development.

It is also the State policy to improve investment liberalization and facilitation in the country to comply with its ASEAN Economic Community Commitments, the bill provides.

Given the country’s development objectives or thrusts and the need to increase investments to achieve these, the bill provides that removing or reducing the limitations on foreign investments or participation in certain activities or areas listed in the FINL, as provided for in specific laws, becomes necessary.

Under the measure, the FINL shall mean “a list of areas of economic activity whose foreign ownership is limited to a maximum of 40 percent of the outstanding capital stock in the case of a corporation or capital in the case of partnership.”

It defines foreign investment as “an equity investment made by a non-Philippine national.

Provided, however, that for purposes of determining foreign ownership, peso investments made by a non-Philippine national shall be considered.

Provided, further, that only foreign investments in the form of foreign exchange and/or other assets actually transferred to the Philippines and duly registered with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and profits derived therefrom can be repatriated.”

It refers to Existing Foreign Investment as “an equity investment made by a

non-Philippine national duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection in the form of foreign exchange and/or other assets transferred to the Philippines.”

The bill provides that all statutory laws and implementing rules and regulations that impose nationality requirements or foreign investment limitations on adjustment companies, lending companies, financing companies and investment houses are hereby repealed, except as otherwise provided in the proposed Act, and subject to the provisions of the Constitution.

The measure seeks to amend Section 332 of Presidential Decree 612, otherwise known as “The Insurance Code,” as amended by Republic Act 10607, so that “No person, partnership, association, or corporation shall act as an adjuster, as herein defined, unless authorized so to act by virtue of a license issued or renewed by the Commissioner pursuant to the provisions of this Code.”

It also seeks to amend Section 6 of RA 9474, otherwise known as the ”Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007” pertaining to Citizenship Requirements so that “A lending company may be owned up to 100% foreign nationals.

Provided, however, where the loan is secured by land, a lending company, more than 40% of whose capital is owned

K to 12: For globally competitive Filipinos

By Nidalyn T. Jumawan Teacher – I Lanao del Norte National Comprehensive High School

Twelve-year program is an adequate number of years for learning basic education.

This is the belief of the administration in the lead of President Benigno Aquino, and thus, approving K to 12 Basic Education Program.

The current administration have this in mind: Education should be a central strategy to improve the lives of Filipino people, contributing to the rise of country’s economic status. Further, a change of country’s educational system will enhance the learning of every Juan dela Cruz, which will be his tool to be successful.

In K to 12, students will be able to get sufficient instructional time to do subject-related tasks which makes them more prepared and well- trained on a subject area. The period that would cover this new educational system is longer than the older one. For this reason, there would be enough time to go beyond specifics on every subjects taken and thus, giving students a more clearer understanding on a particular subject matter.

Through this, our nation will be at par with other countries. K to 12 program is a key so that Filipinos

would have recognition in working abroad.

This program could also provide graduates that are more prepared to enter the labor force. K to 12 consist of technological and vocational education that are teaching subjects, equipping students with skills that are needed in most workplace. Thus, once

a K to 12 student graduates, he can be employed even without college degree.

K to 12 is a big help.

Philippines can be at par and at sync together with other countries, giving wide opportunities and more success for Filipinos that would help towards nationbuilding.

by foreign nationals, shall not bid or take part in any sale of such land as a consequence of such mortgage. No foreign national may be allowed to own stocks unless the country of which he is a national accords reciprocal rights to Filipinos.”

The bill likewise seeks to amend Section 6 of RA 8556, otherwise known as the “Financing Company Act of 1998,” so that on the Form of organization and capital requirements, “Financing companies shall be organized in the form of stock corporations, may be owned up to 100% by foreign nations, and shall have a paid-up capital of not less than Ten million pesos (P10,000,000) in case the financing company is located in Metro Manila and other

friday|April 24, 2015

first class cities, Five million pesos (P5,000,000) in other classes of cities and Two million five hundred thousand pesos (P2,500,000) in municipalities: Provided, however, That no foreign national may be allowed to own stock in any financing company unless the country of which he is a national accords the same reciprocal rights to Filipinos in the ownership of financing companies or their counterpart entities in such country: and Provided, further, That financing companies duly existing and in operation before the effectivity of this Act shall comply with the minimum capital requirement within one (1) year from the date of the said effectivity; and Provided, finally, where land is concerned, the financing company with the

constitutional provision on foreign ownership of land.”

Lastly, the bill seeks to amend Section 5 of Presidential Decree 129, as amended by RA 8366, otherwise known as the “Investment Houses Law,” so that On Citizenship requirements “An Investment House may be owned up to 100% percent by foreign nationals. In approving foreign equity applications in Investment Houses, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shall approve such applications only if the same or similar rights are enjoyed by Philippine nationals in the applicant’s country. Foreign nationals may become members of the board of directors to the extent of the foreign participation in the equity of said enterprise.”

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fFeature eature

SM Lanang Premier to hold ‘Spanish Tapas y Sangria Feast’

T

he Visit Davao Fun Sale is in full swing at SM Lanang Premier as it holds exciting breakthrough events in support of the city-wide sale and events extravaganza.

On April 24 to 26, 6pm onwards, the metro’s premier shopping and lifestyle destination is having the Tapas y Sangria, a Spanish gustatory feast that aims to draw more and local travelers to come and discover the food culture of Davao City. Part of the Department of Tourism’s Flavors of the Philippines campaign, Tapas Y Sangria pays tribute to the one of the largest gastronomic festivals – the Madrid Fusion Manila, which will be held in

SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on the same weekend.

SM Lanang Premier takes inspiration from Madrid Fusión Manila, offering a venue where Spanish cuisine is highlighted and made accessible to Davaoeños and tourists alike.

Tapas Y Sangria is set to be launched on April 24 at 5 pm at the 2nd Level of The Fountain Court.

Participating restaurants include Cellar de Boca, Bistro Selera and Archipelago 7107 by Barrio Fiesta.

For inquiries, call 285-0943 local 135-138. Check out SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for event updates and exclusive promos.

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

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

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7

BPI named Best Trade Finance Bank, Leading Counterparty Bank in PH Makati City -- Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) once again proves it is at par with the world’s leading transaction banking institutions with its win as Best Trade Finance Bank and Leading Counterparty Bank in the Philippines for 2014 at the recent Asian Banker Summit, the region’s largest annual meeting of global thought leaders and banking practitioners.

BPI President and CEO Cezar P. Consing says that this latest accolade shows the level of confidence and trust clients have placed on the bank. “BPI’s customers are loyal because they consistently benefit from the bank’s innovative efforts. We bear their financial goals in mind when we design our solutions,” he says.

The Transaction Banking Awards, which recognizes achievements made in the areas of cash management, payments, and trade finance, underscores BPI’s constant innovation over the years. Consing points out, “the bank’s ability to match technology at a global level and its commitment to regularly launch new products and enhancements allow BPI to keep pace with changing business needs.”

Recently, the bank introduced enhancements to its services, including a new feature in its Pag-IBIG that allows acceptance of calamity loan payments, a timely improvement given increasing incidence of natural calamities. The bank also recently relaunched its payroll facility to better serve the needs of the BPO industry.

BPI also launched a first in the Philippine banking industry warmly embraced by its clients—RMBdenominated letters of credit. This facilitates the importation of goods and services from the Peoples’ Republic of China, one of the country’s major trading partners. To date, BPI has facilitated transactions covering appliances, apparel, lumber and coconut oil with a value equivalent to US$ 5 million.

“BPI is not just a service provider for trade, but a partner bank that will help clients grow their business through the use of the right financing solutions,” says BPI head for Transaction Banking Ana Maria C. Sison.

Recently, BPI was named Best Retail Bank in the Philippines for 2014, by Singapore-based The Asian Banker; the accolade is the 11th Best Retail Bank award given to BPI since the awards establishment in 2011.

ABOUT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (BPI) BPI, the first bank in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, is a universal bank with an expanded banking license.

Together with its subsidiaries, BPI offers a wide range of financial services from consumer banking and lending, asset management, securities brokerage and distribution, insurance, leasing, foreign exchange, and corporate and investment banking. BPI is a leader in Philippine banking, with its high market capitalization, strong Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio and healthy shareholder return, all promoted and supported by prudent management.

BPI is rated investment-grade by the international ratings agencies.

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Rody’s tough anti-vice drive T he Philippine s c out i n g m ov e m e nt , badly hurting from a c c u s at i on s of c or r upt i on against its top leaders, found a ne w he ro i n D av a o C it y Mayor Rody Duterte who has vowed to protect the youth from drugs, crime and bad influence.

D ut e r t e , w h o i s w i d e l y believed to stand against Vice President Jejomar Binay, a l s o h e a d of t h e S c out i ng organization in the country, in the Presidential contest next year, told leaders of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines during a national encampment in Davao City last week that the youth must be shielded from vices because they will be the leaders of the future.

The GSP's choice of Duterte as their guest of honour and speaker during its 38th National Encampment in Camp

Alano Davao City came as a sur pr is e to many s cout ing followers.

Tr a d i t i o n a l l y, i t i s t h e Scouting Movement's national head, Vice President Binay, who is invited as Guest of Honor.

T h e Vi c e Pre s i d e nt , who has been criticized for overstaying as B oys Scouts of the Philippines head, was lately accused of selling off and disposing the BSP's valuable properties in several are as a l l ove r t he c ou nt r y in arrangements and prices which many said were grossly disadvantageous to the organization.

In his message to the Girl Scouts from all over the countr y, Duterte explained that the tough measures he i mp l e m e nt e d i n t h e C i t y, i n c lu d i n g t h e t ou g h a nt i smoking ordinance, the 1 a.m.

curfew for drinking alcohol and his brutal campaign against drug dealers and criminals, are aimed at protecting the youth.

He cited the s couting m ov e m e nt ' s c ont r i but i on s in moulding the youth into becoming better citizens and leaders of the future but said the countr y's leaders must serve as the role models and must exert extra efforts to safeguard the children.

Duterte shared with the Girl Scouts his own failings as a young kid growing up where he was expelled from t h e At e n e o d e D av a o a n d finished his high school after seven years.

With the guidance of a very strict Mother Scout, his late mother Soledad Roa Duterte, a retired public school teacher, D ut e r t e s ai d h e b e c am e a lawyer and a City Mayor.

D ute r te, w ho obv iously

relished the moments he had with the young girl scouts and their leaders, is known to have a soft spot for children, especially the poor.

As Mayor of Davao City, he has initiated the establishment of a halfway house for Mindanao children suffering from cancer at the Southern Philippines Medical Centre.

He spends his birthdays and special occasions with the cancer-stricken children, even personally buying toys for them.

R e c e n t l y, a n i n c e n s e d Duter te ordered the arrest of the parents of three boys he found sleeping by the side streets in the wee hours of the morning.

"Anak kayo ng anak tapos hindi nyo maalagaan," Duterte chastised the parents of the boys who were all charged with child abuse.

Sta. Lucia eyes partners for Luzon, Mindanao projects STA. Lucia Land Inc (SLI) is searching for partners to jointly develop several properties in Luzon and Mindanao.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, SLI said its board cleared the creation of joint ventures for each of 10 properties up for development. Running to nearly144 hectares, the properties are as follows: • 36,915 square meters in Ponte Verde, Davao; • 28,751 square meters also in Ponte Verde; • 985,292 square meters in Eden, Davao City; • 16,026 square meters in Cainta, Rizal; • 5 1 , 9 6 9 square meters in Barrio Pasong Matanda, also in Cainta; • 8,318 square meters in Taytay, Rizal; • 29,492.62 square meters in Binangonan, Rizal; • 8,423 square meters in Barrio San Miguel, Pasig City; • 246,653

square meters in Bauan, Batangas; and • 27,500 square meters in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

SLI's board also approved the acquisition of two more properties: a 337,715-square meter land in Barangay Balayong in Bauan, Batangas; and a 7,500-square meter land in Jaro, Iloilo City.

To finance the above projects and acquistions, the company board likewise cleared the issuance of up to P6 billion in debt instruments.

Lastly, the board approved the sale of SantaLucia Ventures Inc to Sta. Lucia Realty & Development at book value.

SLI earlier formed a unit that would venture into housing construction, serving the buyers of the company's subdivision lots.

The property firm of the Robles family earned substantially more in 2014 on the back of strong real estate sales.

Peace Education for Senior High School

By Vevian P. Baroy Teacher – I Lanao del Norte National Comprehensive High School

Senior High School is a part of K to 12 Basic Education system that targets in lifting the educational status of the country through fixing educational gaps and problems and reform the basic education curriculum.

Being the final stage of 12-year education cycle, SHS is aiming to produce learners having mastery of basic competencies and thus, preparing them to higher learning or sending them to a more deliberate path to employment arena and entrepreneurship.

K to 12 also aims to produce graduates who are involved and supportive to peace process, especially that a lot of peace issues bombarded the country. These problems should not be hidden in a child’s eyes, because even though he is still young, he should be aware of what is happening in his surrounding. It is through awareness that makes a person part of his society.

Thus, K to 12 offers this Peace Education.

According to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), an international organization that promotes child’s survival, protection and as well education, peace education is a natural tool to prevent conflict and to promote social, economic, and political justice amongst a nation’s youngest citizens.

It can be integrated seamlessly throughout the curriculum as a learning process, equipping young children and adolescents with confliction resolution skills, respect for human diversity, and awareness of our interconnected societies, and world, at large.

It should not just be the high demand for quality education and thoughts of the growing population and budding economy that must be put into consideration, but also the subjects that makes a person whole and a member of the community, through involving them in things such as in peace process by means of Peace Education.

Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776 Editor: Cheng Ordoñez

Environment

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Senator Villar leads Earth Day celebration

M

ANILA -- In obser vance of Earth Day 2015, S enator Cynthia Villar spearheaded on Wednesday a series of activities at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA).

Earth Day is held every April 22 throughout the world to demonstrate the support

for environmental protection.

Villar opted to promote t h e p ro t e c t i o n o f t h e LPPCHEA, one of the world’s most important wetlands included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

“We are holding these activities to instill awareness among our people on the importance of LPPCHEA to

our environment and Mother Earth,” said Villar.

Aside from the regular clean-up along the shoreline of Manila Bay, Villar said the “Commitment Wall for LPPCHEA” was signed to boost protection and preservation of LPPCHEA from all dangers, including threats of reclamation.

Vi l l a r, a k n o w n

environmental advocate, has been strongly fighting the planned reclamation project on the 175-hectare LPPCHEA, a protected mangrove forest and marine habitat in the cities of Las Piñas and Parañaque.

The participants of the activities in the LPPCHEA were treated to boating and kayaking, Eco-tour and Bird

Paje: No letup in climate change mitigation and adaptation MANILA -- Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje assured the nation on Tuesday that the government has been working systematically to reduce the impact of climate change, which remains the single biggest environmental threat facing the country and the world.

In his highly anticipated report on the country’s state of the environment, Paje said government agencies led by the Department of Environment and Natural Res ources (DENR) are committed to countering t h e a dve rs e e f fe c t s of climate change and building sustainable solutions for the long-term benefit of people and nature.

“Climate change is now part of our lives and it is no longer an impending threat.

It is real, it is happening,

and now, this is the new normal,” Paje told a crowd, mostly students attending a three-day youth camping at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City, as part of the local celebration of the Earth Day. The environment chief gave an overview of the current state and development of the environment, particularly on the measures implemented by the DENR to improve environmental protection and make communities more resilient to a changing climate, which has led to extreme weather events and natural disasters in recent years.

Foremost among these measures, he said, is the Aquino administration’s National Greening Program (NGP) that seeks to cover 1.5 million hectares with trees

from 2011 to 2016.

Paje said the NGP is expected to surpass the count r y’s reforest at ion efforts in the past 50 years by 28 percent, making it the most massive reforestation prog ram in Phi lippine history.

“More and better forests comprise the linchpin of our strategies, and our main line of defense against climate change,” Paje said.

A f te r fou r ye ars of implementing the NGP, Paje said the country’s forest cover rose to 7.8 million hectares from 6.8 million hectares in 2010, adding that more than two million jobs have been generated through the program.

He also cited the imposition of the total log ban in natural and residual forests, which remarkably

reduced illegal logging hotspots to 23 from what used to be 197 in 2010.

Paje likewise reported the completion of higherresolution geohazard maps, on a scale of 1:10,000, indicating areas highly susceptible to landslides and flash floods in 1,634 cities and municipalities nationwide.

He said the maps are desig ne d to help lo cal government units in preparing their respective dis aster re duc t ion and management plans, and make them more responsive during disasters.

Paj e a l s o c i t e d t h e achievements in other areas of environmental protection such as clean air, clean water, mines and geosciences, land management, and minerals development. paje/PAGE 10

Watching.

Prior to these activities, there was ribbon-cutting ceremony for a photo exhibit showcasing the “scenic beauty, the pristine nature and wonders of this haven for endangered wildlife.”

Villar stressed Ramsar’s recognition on the global importance of LPPCHEA should be coupled with

responsibilities to protect it from anything that threatens to destroy it.

In April 2007, Presidential Proclamation No. 1412 declared LPPCHEA a protected area because of its significant role in preserving and promoting biodiversity and sustainable ecological balance in Metro Manila.

(PNA)

22 of 37 villages in Cotabato City placed under state of calamity

By Noel Y. Punzalan

COTABATO CITY -- Three more villages in the city have been placed under state of calamity as the dry spell continue to affect the agriculture sector, officials said.

Lawyer Cynthia Guiani S ay a d i , C ot a b at o C it y administrator, told the Sangguniang Panglungsod that the number of villages severely affected by the dry spell rose to 22 from 19.

Sayadi said the city council has amended its earlier resolution putting 19 villages under state of calamity, making it 21 after the villages of Barangay Poblacion 2, Rosary Heights 11 and Barangay Rosary Heights 5.

From 340 farmers affected,

the city disaster risk reduction and management council said the number of affected farmers rose to 420 farmers as of April 20.

Agriculture of f icials placed the damages to crops to more than P17 million.

Veranda Samson, city assistant social welfare officer, said the city needs to have long term solution because the aid extended by her office was only temporary.

The dry spell affecting most parts of the country may continue until June or even the entire year, Samson said.

Sayadi said the city government has extended alternative livelihood for the affected farmers in the form calamity/PAGE 10

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10 For Your Leisure daily sudoku friday|April 24, 2015

DAILY CROSSWORD

Across 1) Surveyor's product 5) Sky-___ (TV news chopper) 8) Angry 13) "Take one!"

14) Curly leafed veggie 15) Draw the route again 16) Demonic 17) Horace volume 18) Informed 19) What rumors of war may cause 22) Butter for 33-Across 23) "___ the ramparts..."

24) Big name in trains 27) "Smoking or ___?"

29) Connect these 33) Governor in Mogul India (Var.) 34) "Concentration" puzzle 36) Paid player 37) Be scared to death 40) Historic period 41) Baker's need 42) Eagle's home 43) Comedy legend Dick Van 45) Be nosy

46) Duo of a children's rhyme 47) After expenses 49) Ukrainian capital 50) Act the coward 58) Cartoon art form 59) Act as lookout 60) It's in a jamb 61) Brush-league 62) Fibber's forte 63) Harp's cousin 64) Great balls of fire 65) Superman's insignia 66) Pull hard -----Down 1) "That was a close one!"

2) Jeans name 3) Desiccated 4) Pre-fax communique 5) Close-knit group 6) Sheltered, at sea 7) City near Phoenix 8) Mourning band 9) Poster heading 10) Arab League member 11) Rani's dress

12) Architectural detail 14) Coin in 49-Across 20) Hardly well kept 21) Coffee break snack 24) Chipped in a pot 25) Get a spouse 26) Fine-tune 27) Informal 28) Final notice, briefly 30) Drama at La Scala 31) Blue eyes or baldness, e.g.

32) Tender spots 34) Behind 35) Woodworking tool 38) Greek penny, once 39) With passion 44) Inflame with love 46) Strains, as flour 48) Decorative pitchers 49) They bend for proposals 50) Butts 51) Apartment, to a super 52) Shit that sailed "the ocean blue" 53) Ive League campus 54) Leggy wader 55) "Naked Maja" painter 56) Brass instrument 57) Long hike

Power... from page 1

Part of the proposal, according to Mr. Masongsong, addresses funding concerns for the rehabilitation of the facilities, which currently function at only 30% of their rated capacity due to age as well as other factors such as siltation.

He said that based on government figures, Agus and Pulangi are making money at about P6 billion to P7 billion annually, but instead of being used for rehabilitation, the amount gets funneled to the national government through the heavily indebted National Power Corp., which currently manages the plants. “(Mindanao Power Corp.) can use the money to rehabilitate its plants,” he added.

Under the law, GOCCs can retain 50% of their revenue.

Meanwhile, Romeo M. Montenegro, public affairs head of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), said among the main issues that need to be discussed are the valuation of the facilities.

“There are mechanisms that need to be looked into in putting a price tag on these assets,” Mr. Montenegro said.

One possible method is to base the price on dependable capacity, or 80% of the 982-megawatt combined installed capacity of the two plants, and multiplying it by the average cost for building a hydroelectric power plant, which is between $1.5 million to $2.5 million per megawatt, depending on the location.

Another mechanism takes into account the price of other governmentowned hydroelectric power plants that were already privatized such as the Magat and the Angat complexes, which were sold at about $2 million per megawatt.

In both these methods, Mr. Montenegro explained, the biggest consideration is the fact that the Agus and Pulangi assets are old. In the case of the Agus complex, most of the six plants are already beyond their estimated life.

“The government, in putting a price tag on each of the complexes, will consider the fact that the plants are fully depreciated,” he said.

The proposal also recommends an initial payment of 75% of the total purchase price and distributing the remaining 25% over a 25-year period.

“Based on assessment, Mindanao Power Corp. can pay its debts,” said Mr. Montenegro.

However, Mr. Montenegro acknowledged that one of the main hurdles to the Mindanao Power Corp. proposal is that its approval will require an amendment to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, the law that stipulates the privatization of all government power assets.

“This will really open the law to amendments,” he said.

Among those pushing for the retention of the complexes in government hands is the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives, whose more than 30 members deliver power supply to most of Mindanao, except the major cities.

The group’s president, Sergio C. Dagooc, said a Mindanao Power Corp. as proposed would maintain rates at the P3 per kilowatt-hour rate enjoyed by cooperatives. -- Carmelito Q. Francisco

Improve... from page 1

(DANECO), for example, was able to buy additional capacity from the 15-megawatt heavy fuel oil peaking power plant of EEI Power Corporation based in Magdum, Tagum City.

The Php610 million investment of the EEI Power Corporation, one of the firms under the Yuchengco Group of Companies, is a diesel-fired power plant.

Montenegro said Tagum City was one of the areas that suffered long hours of blackouts the previous years.

An earlier media release from

MinDa, Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said the situation last year and the years before there has been a significant improvement in Mindanao’s power situation.

She mentioned the immediate and medium term measures, stressing that even with the ongoing maintenance shutdown of Steag’s 200MW coal-fired power plant, majority of Mindanao did not have rotating brownouts as reported by the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO). (PNA)

Reversal... from page 1

City Revenue Code approved by the opposition-dominated City Council last year in which City Mayor Oscar Moreno has claimed it failed to meet the requirements set forth under the Local Government Code.

Moreno, in his petition, said that no public hearing was conducted and that it was not published in a local newspaper of general circulation as required by law.

But Bañez said they are confident that their motion for reconsideration will be ruled in their favor after they have presented new evidence that would swing their chance for the reversal of the DOJ decision.

Bañez pointed out that as an earlier employee of the City Finance Office in Quezon City, he has witnessed the DOJ reversing itself a number of times in its decision regarding the revenue code of the city.

But meantime, Bañez said his office would follow the DOJ order and implement the 2015 City Revenue Code.

Acenas said that it is clear under Section 187 of the Local Government Code that even though a local tax code is on appeal, its effectivity must not be suspended.

NGCP... from page 1

reserve power unit. So in a span of eight seconds, Mindanao went down without power.

This even prompted Vicente T. Lao, chair of the Mindanao Business Council, to ask the grid operator to secure a stable power reserve or build its own plant just so it can have a reliable power reserve.

Of course, the grid operator brushed aside the call mainly because the law favors it as under the outdated Grid Code of the Philippines, the grid operator only has to secure 4% of the capacity to serve as its reserve. The national government has not even compelled it to secure a stable power consider that the performance of Agus 1 power plant, being part of the hydroelectric power complex, depends on the water level of Lanao lake which becomes erratic especially during drought.

It does not take a rocket scientist to conclude that under an ideal situation, the reserve plant should be at least equal to the biggest plant in the grid in capacity. At present, the biggest plant is that of the Steag plant at 105.

The biggest capacity will in the next two months change when Therma South Inc. starts the commercial operations of its first unit which is 150 megawatts.

Readiness The entry of the new power unit also signals the new era in the Mindanao power industry. Within the next four years, new power plants are expected to go online with Mindanao getting stable power supply if the generating capacity is the main consideration Which brings the question of whether the grid, particularly its operator, is ready or not. If what it has been doing becomes the barometer for its readiness, then it needs to shape up bigtime. It needs to invest more because, logically, the more power coming into the grid, the bigger the grid capacity should be.

Several years ago, the company completed the redundancy system

which addresses the need for another backbone if the first one malfunctions.

But there is no dramatic investments in reinforcing the current system so that when all these new plants start throwing power into the grid, it is ready for the punch or it will get knocked out.

There is an industry joke that if China wants to sabotage the Philippines, it should only tap the NGCP mainly because among its owners is the State Grid Corp. of China, a state-run company which is among the biggest power utilities in the world.

So is the grid operator ready for the entry of new generating powr plants? This remains to be seen, but if the recent events are to be considered, its readiness is wanting.

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Carmelito Q. Francisco is managing editor of the Davao City-based Mindanao Times, and correspondent of BusinessWeek Mindanao, a local daily business newspaper in Cagayan de Oro City)

Globe... from page 3

eCommerce. Instead, they can turn their mobile phone into a virtual wallet to shop at the speed of a text message.

In just barely three years, Lazada has become one of the top B2C eCommerce market places in South East Asia with presence in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Lazada has over 15,000 merchants, and 1.4 million active customers and is currently valued at US$1.2 billion with US$700 million of investment funding. It has an online footprint of approximately 4 million daily visits to its websites and the largest Facebook following in Southeast Asia with over 12 million fans.

Globe is very active in forging regional and international partnerships such as Google, Facebook, Viber, Spotify, NBA and recently, online entertainment service HOOQ to drive the growth of its mobile data business.

Phinma... from page 3

University of Iloilo, Araullo University, Cagayan de Oro College and University of Pangasinan.

“By that time [2019], I hope to add a fifth school to the lowincome segment. I have a school in the mid-income segment and then Career Academy Asia. I hope to have an international group as well,” Mr. Salazar said.

Set to open in Rockwell in August, CAA is a senior high school specializing in design, arts and management. PEN has partnered with internationally recognized institutions Singapore-based First Media Design School and School D’ Hospitality Institute for the venture.

By 2020, PEN’s earnings will hit the P600-million mark with its four schools having a student population of 100,000, Mr. Salazar said. The education business made P192 million last year, a 19% increase from P160.8 million in 2013.

Calamity... from page 9

of agricultural assistance.

Mohammad Abdulgani, acting city agriculture officer, said also severely affected were fisherfolk and fish pond owners in the city's coastal villages.

Sayadi said the executive branch is not asking for funding to help the farmers.

"We have buffer funds to help them, all the executive department want is a declaration of calamity because we have no basis to help the farmers if the area was not hit by calamity," she told the city council.

The city council approves the executive office's request. (PNA)

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Paje... from page 9

In addressing air pollution, Paje noted the steady improvement in ambient air quality in Metro Manila with its reduced pollution level in terms of total suspended particulates (TSP) concentration at 128 micrograms per normal cubic meter for the period covering January–March 2015, compared with the 166 recorded in 2010.

The normal level is 90.

“The DENR vows to move doubly hard to ensure that international air quality standards are met throughout the metropolis before President Benigno Aquino III steps down in 2016,” he said.

In line with this, all 16 cities and one municipality comprising Metro Manila now have at least one air quality monitoring station (AQMS), which is used to measure systematically concentrations of pollutants in ambient air and provide a scientific basis for measures to reduce air pollution and protect the community’s health.

The DENR also recently issued a directive requiring the use of cleaner fuel and imposing stricter emission standards starting July 2015, as part of government efforts to improve air quality in Metro Manila and other urban areas in the country.

In terms of managing biodiversity and coastal resources, Paje said the

government has rolled out a landmark policy mandating the conservation of 240 protected areas both terrestrial and marine, 113 of which are now proclaimed while 13 have been legislated.

He said many of the priority protected areas have been added to the list of ASEAN Heritage Parks or AHPs: Mt. Malindang National Park; Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve; Tubattaha Reefs Natural Park; and the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary as World Heritage Site, the sixth for the country and first in Mindanao.

The coral reefs and ecosystems of the nation’s 34 Marine Protected Areas are now strictly under protection jointly by the DENR and local governments, thereby enhancing the ecotourism potential of these sites. The department has assessed and mapped 60,593 hectares of coral reef system and consistently protected 53,589.5 hectares.

Moreover, strengthened species conservation efforts resulted in increased population of key species like the Philippine Eagle which was a mere 29 head in 2010 but has now gone up to 52. The Philippine Tamaraw also increased from 274 in 2011 to 382 in 2014.

In the area of clean water, the DENR is currently reviving 19 priority rivers that pollution has rendered incapable of sustaining aquatic life. Five of those rivers are now compliant

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10TH Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF FILE NO. 2015-008 Upon extra - judicial petition for sale under Act No. 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND ( PAG-IBIG ) , as mortgagee against NEYRA C. PARCON , married to HERNANDO L. PARCON, as mortgagor, to which as of March 11, 2015, amount of TWO MILLION THIRTEEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SIX PESOS AND 02/100 (P 2,013,806.02), inclusive of interest and penalty charges, attorney’s fees and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned will SELL TO PUBLIC Auction on May 18, 2015 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning at the entrance door Regional Trial Court Branch - 23 , City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidder for cash or manager’s checks and in Philippine Currency, the following described properties , to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE TITLE NO. T-17945 A PARCEL OF LAND, (Lot 1, Blk 18 of the Subd.

Plan, PSD-10-022684, being a portion of lot 5239-A2, Psd-104321-020152 ). Situated in the Barangay of Barra, Municipality of Opol, Province of Misamis Oriental. Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of Eighty Eight (88) Sq. meters. More or Less.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated date, time and place.

In the event auction sale cannot take place for whatever legal reason, the same will proceed on the following working day, without further notice, posting and publication.

Prospective buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves the title herein-above described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Done this April 10, 2015 in the City of Cagayan de Oro , Philippines.

(Sgd) RICO A. REMALIG Sheriff IV

BWM: April 17, 24 & May 1, 2015

with the biochemical oxygen demand standard, while nine are compliant with the standard for dissolved oxygen.

The department also signed a total of 549 agreements with various partners for the continuing cleanup of esteros and rivers across the country.

It has also operationalized 18 water quality management areas.

According to Paje, these initiatives helped restore the faith of the public in the government’s capability to protect the environment and conserve the country’s natural resources, as shown in the Pulse Asia survey in March where 48 percent of the respondents approved of the Aquino administration’s environmental performance, ranking second in the overall comparative performance rankings of the national administration.

The 48 percent approval rating is a significant improvement over the 45 percent posted in the November 2014 survey, he pointed out.

However, Paje said these remarkable achievements under the present administration should not be reason for the DENR and the public to be complacent.

“I would like to believe that although we have done so much, these will never be enough,” Paje said, as he urged the public to support all of the government’s environmental programs and to do their own share in protecting the environment.

“This Earth Day 2015, let us keep in mind that we all have the right, and the responsibility, to do the best that we can for our environment. This is for everyone, everywhere, everyday,” he added. (PNA)

Invest... from page 12

we continue to assess opportunities for organic & inorganic growth” he added.

“We’re not only using the region for supporting our global clients but also for business originating in the Philippines. This allows us to utilize locally skilled resource and create jobs across a wider socio-economic spectrum.

We’re p ar t i c u l ar ab out upskilling and developing local talent by providing employees an opportunity to work across global locations” added Anand Achuthan, Delivery Head Philippines, Tech Mahindra, Business

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Gingoog City OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE File No. 202-2015 Upon Extra-Judicial Petition for Sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118, filed by Home Development Mutual Fund (otherwise known as PAG-IBIG Fund), with Principal Office at the Atrium Of Makati , Makati Avenue , Makati City against SUSAN V. KIONISALA married to ROSAURO N. KIONISALA of legal age, Filipino citizen with postal address at 501 Gomez Tuto St., Barangay 3, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental 9014 to satisfy the Mortgage indebtedness which as of January 30, 2015 have amounted to ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED NINETEEN PESOS AND 08/100 (Php 1,157,619.08) inclusive of Interest and Penalty charges, and other fees incurred in the foreclosure proceedings, the undersigned Sheriff will sell at public auction to the highest bidder for CASH on May 19, 2015 at 8:00 o’clock in the morning to 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the Regional Trial Court, Office of the Clerk of Court, Hall of Justice, Dugenio St., Gingoog City, the following properties with all the improvements existing thereon, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-17471 A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 808-C-8-B-27-B-5-I-10, PSD-10-051793). Situated in the Poblacion, City of Gingoog, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao. Including all improvements found thereon, containing an area of THREE HUNDRED SQUARE ARE METERS (300) more or less.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated date and time.

In the event the public auction cannot take place on the said date, it shall be held on the next working day without further notice and posting.

Prospective buyer/s may investigate for themselves the title of the herein described property/properties and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Gingoog City, March 17, 2015.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF BY:

(Sgd) DAN E. LABADAN

Sheriff IV

RTC-OCC

Gingoog City BWM: April 17, 24 & May 1, 2015

Services Group (BSG).

The company will service global enterprise & telecommunication clients from the facility in Cebu. The world-class facility and workforce have been developed to deliver exceptional customer experience to their large

11

global customer base.

Operating with about 23,500+ associates across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Tech Mahindra Business Services Group is the BPO segment of the USD 3.5 billion IT & BPO Service Provider - Tech Mahindra.

NEW LIGHT PAWNSHOP Main: Gen. Capistrano Neri St., Cagayan de Oro City Branch: Don. S. Osmeña St., Fronting Public Market, Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE OF AUCTION Starting May 1 & 2, 2015 (Friday & Saturday) at 9:00 A.M. to 5P.M., this establishment will set an Auction Sale on all pledges since December 2014. Patrons are enjoined to verify their receipts.

MANAGEMENT PAHIBALO Sa Mayo 1 & 2, 2015, ang (Bernes & Sabado) sa may 9:00 sa buntag paingon sa alas 5;00 sa hapon, ang tanan nga penirenda nga wala malukat sa bulan sa Disyembre 2014 maapil sa subasta.

Giawhag ang tanan suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo.

ANG TAGDUMALA GREAT VALUE PAWNSHOP V. Catro St., Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE OF AUCTION Starting May 1 & 2, 2015 (Friday & Saturday) at 9:00 A.M. to 5P.M., this establishment will set an Auction Sale on all pledges since December 2014. Patrons are enjoined to verify their receipts.

MANAGEMENT PAHIBALO Sa Mayo 1 & 2, 2015, ang (Bernes & Sabado) sa may 9:00 sa buntag paingon sa alas 5;00 sa hapon, ang tanan nga penirenda nga wala malukat sa bulan sa Disyembre 2014 maapil sa subasta.

Giawhag ang tanan suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo.

ANG TAGDUMALA BWM April 24, 2015

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10TH Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF FILE NO. 2015-012 Upon extra - judicial petition for sale under Act No. 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND ( PAG-IBIG ) , as mortgagee against CAMELO B. BASARIO , married to EVANGELINE S. BESARIO, as mortgagor, to which as of March 11, 2015, amount of THREE HUNDRED TWELVE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY TWO PESOS AND 40/100 (P 312,432.40), inclusive of interest and penalty charges, attorney’s fees and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned will SELL TO PUBLIC Auction on May 18, 2015 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning at the entrance door Regional Trial Court Branch - 23 , City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidder for cash or manager’s checks and in Philippine Currency, the following described properties , to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE TITLE NO. T-112921 A PARCEL OF LAND, (Lot 14, Blk 30, of the cons.

Subd. Plan, PCS-10-001462, being a portion of lot 45, Blk 12, Lot 83, 85-99 Blk 13, Lot 1-48 Blk 22 Lot 1-48 Blk 23, Blk 24, Lot 1-48 Blk 25, Lot 1-29 Blk 27, Lot 29-81 Block 28, Lot 29-78 Blk 29, Lot 1-76 Blk 30, Blk 31, Lot 1-57 Blk 32, Lot 1-77 Blk 33, Lot 1-55 Blk 26, Roads Lot 1, 2, 16 to 28, Psd-104305-017756,) .

Situated in Carmen, City of Cagayan de Oro . Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of Sixty (60) Sq. meters. More or Less.

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE TITLE NO. T-112922 A PARCEL OF LAND, (Lot 16, Blk 30, of the cons.

Subd. Plan, PCS-10-001462, being a portion of lot 45, Blk 12, Lot 83, 85-99 Blk 13, Lot 1-48 Blk 22 Lot 1-48 Blk 23, Blk 24, Lot 1-48 Blk 25, Lot 1-29 Blk 27, Lot 29-81 Block 28, Lot 29-78 Blk 29, Lot 1-76 Blk 30, Blk 31, Lot 1-57 Blk 32, Lot 1-77 Blk 33, Blk 38, Lot 1-55 Blk 26, Roads Lot 1, 2, 16 to 28, Psd-104305017756,) . Situated in Carmen, City of Cagayan de Oro .Island of Mindanao. Containing an Area of Sixty (60) Sq. meters. More or Less.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated date, time and place.

In the event auction sale cannot take place for whatever legal reason, the same will proceed on the following working day, without further notice, posting and publication.

Prospective buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves the title herein-above described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Done this April 10, 2015 in the City of Cagayan de Oro , Philippines.

(Sgd) RICO A. REMALIG Sheriff IV

BWM: April 17, 24 & May 1, 2015

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

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

Tech Mahindra Continues to Invest in the Philippines FRIDAY | APRIL 24, 2015

editor: SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

PAGE 12

The organization added a BPO Centre in Cebu to support global customers

CEBU City – Tech Mahindra Ltd. a specialist in digital transformation, consulting and business reengineering today launched its fourth center in Philippines. The IT & BPO major has been operational in Philippines since 2008, with two centers in Manila and one in Cebu.

This addition makes Tech Mahindra one-of-the fastest growing service providers in the region.

Sujit Baksi, Chief Executive, Tech Mahindra Business Services Group (BSG) said “The Philippines region is key to our growth strategy, over the past few years we’ve invested

heavily in developing capability to serve the transformational needs of our customers arising from the influx of digital. With the addition in Cebu around 14% of our global workforce is now concentrated in the region.

We have grown over 400% taskforce since 2008.”

“These are very exciting times for our business, we’re experiencing growing demand of digital transformation from our customers, our investments in people and technology are higher than ever and INVEST

Page 11

SUJIT BAKSI, Chief Executive Tech Mahindra Business Services Group (BSG)

SOLAR POWER SAVERS FROM ACE HARDWARE With a long hot summer ahead – as well as talks of energy saving - it’s the best time to follow the sun with ACE Hardware’s innovative solar power savers.

Portable, lightweight and versatile, these modern, efficient energy solutions are not only great investments but also eco-friendly.

Indoors or outdoors, these solar lighting systems will provide bright light and ensure that you have a fully charged

mobile pack whenever you need it. Just plug the solar panel into the mobile charging battery pack, charge it in the sun and plug in your mobile devices.

ACE Hardware also has solar lighting solutions that can be used as flashlights and lanterns with up to fifteen hours operating time.

There are also solar power chargers for your cellphones and tablets to keep you connected, entertained, and enjoying your

summer adventures safely and conveniently.

These solarpowered solutions from d. light, Hanns, Akari and Bosco are available at ACE Hardware in SM City Cagayan de Oro as well as at ACE Express and ACE Builders stores nationwide.

Visit our website at www.acehardware. ph or like us at www. facebook.com/acehardwarephilippines or follow us at twitter and instagram at acehardware_ph

GLOBE 1/2 ambot kung madayon bah... lol

With a USB Port for your mobile devices, this d. light Solar-Powered LED Lantern can provide light for up to eight hours.

This Hanns Solar Lighting System is a great camping mate with up to 14 hours operating time when fully charged. It also serves as an auxiliary power source for charging gadgets and other battery operated devices.

Illuminate summer nights with this portable and lightweight Akari Solar LED Bulb Rechargeable Flashlight with up to 15 hours operating time.