BusinessWeek Mindanao (April 6, 2018)

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MALAYBALAY City -- Village officials in San Fernando town, Bukidnon province, are seeking to build a fourclassroom building to cater to the increasing number of Lumads or indigenous people (IP) in the area.

Wainwright Abatayo, a town Councilor in San Fernando, said officials of Sitio Kisayab in Barangay Bonacao are asking his help for the construction of additional classrooms for the Panoloan Te Kisayab IP School.

“The location is about 10 kilometers away from the mother school in Barangay Bonacao. The locality has more than 1,000 IP students,” Abatayo said.

Lapasan Highway, Cagayan de Oro City

T

By MIKE BAÑOS, Editor-at-Large

HE government’s Build Build Build infrastructure initiative in Northern Mindanao received a big boost with the launching Thursday, April 5 2018 of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center Knowledge Center at the regional office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

DAVAO City -- Davao City has posted a 21-percent increase in its local tax collection in the first two months of the year, according to the City Council Committee on Finance, Ways and Means.

From January to February this year, the city collected a total of P2.594 billion, higher than the P2.135 billion collection for the same period in 2017.

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chair of the Committee on Finance, said the increase in the tax collection is the result of the tax adjustment that the city implemented after 12 years of not amending the local tax code.

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5 Mindanawon coffee growers to represent PH in Seattle expo

By ANTONIO COLINA IV, MindaNews

YOUNG SURFER. A young surfer goes out to the sea at the bay of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. This bay has been an interest and destination that attracted local and international surfers in this part of Caraga. photo by jun ayensa

DAVAO City -- Five Robusta and Arabica coffee growers from Mindanao will represent the Philippines in the threeday Specialty Coffee Expo 2018 on April 19 to 22 in

Seattle, Washington in the US. Thelonious Trimmell, ch i e f of p ar t y for t he Mindanao Productivity in Agricultural Commerce and expo/PAGE 11

Partnership agreement. The Bukidnon Association of Water Districts has forged a partnership agreement with the Mindanao Daily news Group of Publications that served as the highlight of the two-day communication workshop designed for water district managers, information officers and secretaries april 5-6 held at LKKS Grand Caprice, Cagayan de Oro. In photo are Dante Sudaria, President and CEO of Mindanao Daily Corporation and General Manager Rosemarie Agustin of Maramag Water District. The signing was witnessed by participants of the seminar.

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Economy

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starts selection More studes complete senior NCIP process for next high this year in Cag. de Oro IP rep in Davao

A

By MARK FRANCISCO, Staff Writer

T least 75 percent of the 16,390 first graders who enrolled in Cagayan de Oro in 2006, have successfully completed senior high school last month.

They are composed of the first batch of the K-12 graduates coming from Cagayan de Oro under the new Philippine basic education curriculum, said City Schools Division Superintendent Jonathan dela Pena.

Dela Pena also noted a three percent increase in the Grade 12 graduates in the new curriculum, at 76.7

percent, compared to the last batch of fourth year high school graduates coming from Cagayan de Oro under the old one, at 73.7 percent.

Likewise, the education official reported that the completion rate for Grade 10 students in the city has improved from 69.73 percent in school year 2016-2017, to 70.22 percent this year.

Dela Pena attributed

the surge in graduation and completion survivals to surge in construction of public classroom buildings in the city.

However, dela Pena also reported that repetition rates in Cagayan de Oro City have increased from 1.15 percent in 2016 to 5.64 percent in 2017 across all levels in junior high. In the elementary level, an increase from 0.46 to 2.52 percent repetition rate was also noted.

Interestingly, only 25.56 percent of the total repetitions can be attrbuted to poor academic performance, he said. The other prevailing factors

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are: need to take care of siblings (43.9 percent), lack of interest (29.36 percent), illness (18.56 percent), early marriage (14.92 percent) and distance between home and school (9.15 percent), among others.

To counter these problems, Dela Pena said the City Schools Division has initiated the so-called Learner Centered Classroom starting last year.

Using this approach, he said the traditional pencil and paper test would be 20 percent of academic evaluation and the rest would be utilized to “encourage critical thinking.” (Mark D. Francisco/PNA)

DAVAO City -- The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in Davao City has started the process for the selection of the next Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) to the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

NCIP Davao City head Cristito Ingay said the next IPMR was being selected from members of the Bagobo-Klata tribe.

The current IPMR is Halila Sudagar of the Kagan Tribe, whose term ends on April 18.

Sudagar is the second IPMR following former Cuncilor Berino Mambo-o

of the Ata tribe. Ingay said the members of the tribe will be using their customary law in choosing their leader through their council of elders called Talaukom.

"We are expecting more or less 495 members of Talaukom who will participate in the selection process," he said.

He said these members came from the 33 barangays where the Bagobo-Klata live. Each barangay has 15 members at the Talaukom.

Ingay said that in the manner of selection, each member will be given selection/PAGE 11

Hundreds of families that fled following the Marawi siege last year are now in quandary over the houses they purchased from a government-funded resettlement site originally intended for typhoon victims in Iligan city.

City Information Officer Jose Pantoja said all housing units sold by typhoon Sendong victims living in Bayanihan Village in Barangay Sta. Elena will be padlocked on Monday (April 2).

Pantoja said the local government reached the decision after a dialogue last week with the

beneficiaries of Bayanihan Village -- a low-cost housing site for victims of typhoon Sendong, which struck this city and several parts of Northern Mindanao in 2011.

An investigation by the local government showed that about a thousand units had been illegally sold, mostly to the Marawi siege evacuees, Pantoja disclosed.

While the local government unit (LGU) sympathizes with Marawi residents, he said the law is clear pertaining to government-funded housing units for the poor

and victims of calamities.

"Republic Act 7279, otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, clearly prohibits recipients of government-awarded housing units from selling their property," Pantoja said.

One of the buyers, a Marawi resident who fled last year's five monthlong siege by Maute terrorists, said their main problem was recovering their money as most of the sellers had already disappeared.

"We were assured evacuees/PAGE 11

Marawi evacuees in a bind over housing units bought in Iligan

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Medina: Faith Tourism Destination of the Philippines

8t h Hinuklog sa Medina 2018 A

n estimated of more than six thousand pilgrims, devotees, foreign, domestic and local tourists witnessed the one of a kind Passion Street Play now running on its eight straight year and considered by the Department of Tourism as a new Faith Tourism Destination of the Philippines.

Every Holy Week during the Lenten season it has been the tradition of the faithfuls of the Municipality of MEDINA, an emerging tourist destination to showcase the one of kind meditative Street Passion Play depicting the Life, Suffering, Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection of Christ, the Savior as part of the Church’s Lenten Religious Ceremonies for the faithful to follow and deeply pray to atone for our shortcomings and to be with Him till Resurrection.

HINUKLOG sa MEDINA 2018 on its eight years of continuous performance which signifies success has attained the recognition of the Department of Tourism as a new Faith Tourism Destination of the country and will be heavily visited by the faithfuls for their annual “Panaad” to join the Street Play by following Christ to Calvary.

With almost four hundred casts and performers, Hinuklog sa MEDINA is brought to us by San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, Lumadnong Magdudula sa MEDINALUMAGMED and with the companies and support from the Local Government Unit of MEDINA under the Man of Vision Mayor Dandan Chan.

Department of Tourism X Regional Director May Salvana Unchuan with

her staff, a Representative from Promotions Board (PTB), a National Blogger, the Provincial Tourism Development Council Chairperson Jennifer Lagrosas, Provincial Tourism Officer-Jerry Saclot Misamis Oriental with his staff, and other Tourism Officers of Northern Mindanao witnessed for the first time the famous Hinuklog sa Medina and made good reviews of the Street Play.

One important personality who is always present and used to play important role of the Street Passion Play is the the humble and great man, the Pride of MEDINA the Hon. DOE USEC Benito L. Ranque. The success of the play lies on the officers and members of LUMAGMEDProduction Team, President Raul M. Barcelona, Vice President Allan Barcelona, Anna Barcelona, Nelson Gatasan, Diomedes Barcelona, KaJonn Sinajon, Nonito Olmillo, Reneco Joseph Carbon, Jonash Barcelona and Depores Reyes who manned the whole Team to greatness.

Impressive performance goes to Edu Dorimon playing Christ and Vicky Alaba playing Mary and all the performers who did great and gave justice to their respective roles. And the success is attributed the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Marlo S. Acenas, Madame Marriane Lloren Chan the Chairperson of the MEDINA Municipal Tourism Development Council and to the think tank Tourism Officer/ Coordinator Edan Mark Vosotros.

Kudos Hinuklog sa Medina for being in the limelight as the Faith Tourism Destination of the Philippines!

4

Opinion

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Friday|April 6, 2018

Getting to know Seoul

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Ruffy magbanua Seoul, South Korea – Koreans express national pride in earnest and most often endearing -- and even lasting. It can take in the form of small talk in coffee shops down to a more serious one during meetings.

Notably, bartenders to the bus drivers serve as their cultural ambassadors, ready to teach you what it means to be Korean like sharing basic awareness of Korean culture that can go a long way in making one feel at home.

In t his L and of t he Morning Calm, Confucius

Oro Chamber

have my say

think a minute

klaus doring

No need to explain headlines and daily news! Killing in every part of the world is unceasing! Warriors go and fight prepared to kill and to be killed with no fear. In the the wife and children who are forests, in the streets, a lot of suffering terrible heartbreak them are found dead bodies and pain from the adulterous spread-eagled. In the rivers affair their father had with another woman.

Yet the amazing thing is we keep doing these same wrong things over and over again. These same things that keep hurting ourselves and Kakampi mo ang batas the ones we love. We keep believing the lie and illusion that these extreme feelings of physical pleasure are what we want and need to feel satisfied. So even though we already know from our own experience that the pleasure doesn’t last and satisfy, we keep going back for more.

We’re almost like the dog Batas Mauricio that keeps chasing its tail.

But there’s a reason why we can’t be satisfied just from LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… physical pleasures. It’s simply Therefore the Lord will take not possible! We are not made no pleasure in the young or designed that way. We men, nor will he pity the humans are not able to be fatherless and widows, for permanently satisfied with everyone is ungodly and only fun experiences and wicked, every mouth speaks physical pleasures. You and folly…” (Isaiah9:17, the Holy I were made for much more Bible).

-ooothan “just to have a little fun before we die!” God made B I B L I C A L P R O O F S us spiritual beings like Him, THAT JESUS IS GOD THE so the only way we can be FATHER, SON, AND HOLY fully satisfied and happy is by SPIRIT: Easter Post Script having a daily, close personal II: To those who have been relationship with our Maker. inquiring if there is proof Then, we can start living His that Jesus is God and Savior hurst/PAGE 11 and is God the Father, Son,

Can’t get no satisfaction

ceremony is over, or simply stumble down a winding back alley on Seoul’s Bukchon Hanok, a traditional village that reflects 600 years of Seoul’s history.

Once in Korea, speak in Konglish. It is a mashup of English words that Koreans have adopted into their own language. If you don’t know Korean, Konglish comes in handy.

Seoul is an hour and half from one of the most dangerous borders in the world. The demilitarized zone is not really demilitarized.

Life along the 38th parallel is a stalemate—the two sides are technically still at war— with tension captured in a still-life.

Go to Panmunjeom for a glimpse of the surreal. North and South Korean soldiers standing face-to-face at the Joint Security Area, or a fake North Korean village, lit up and brightly painted, but empty.

Seoul is the world’s most

connected city. Wi-Fi is integrated into every subway station, platform, train, and many public spaces, including some energy-efficient street l amp s; t r ansit st at i ons are equipped with digital information terminals; and virtual stores, posted on street billboards, enable shopping and scheduling deliveries on the go.

Low-income families are given free second-hand smart devices. The u-Seoul safety service pairs CCTV technology with GPS devices to aler t caregivers and authorities when children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or Alzheimer’s stray from their designated safe zone.

Driven by expansive infrastructure and competitive business environment, the city boasts super high-speed Internet at super low prices.

Seoul’s city buses are the most common means of transportation. Buses seoul/PAGE 11

War against innocents

Member: Philippine Press Institute

is king. He reigns over every part of Korean society, imposing virtues, structure and sense.

In f a c t , t r a d i t i o n a l Confucianism is said to fuel the city’s hums and happenings -- all in between families, friends, lovers, colleagues, neighbors and strangers.

With over 25 million— half of South Korea’s total— Seoul rivals Shanghai, Mexico City, and New York in terms of population.

Seoul’s subway system is the world’s most crowded.

The city’s public spaces are packed with pedestrians, vendors, marketers, and food stands.

Ac c ord i ng ly, t h e re’s urban chaos that defines Seoul save with the mix of an old, traditional social system. However, this city is generally peaceful and culturally-driven.

And take these strolls in a day or two: wander into a Buddhist temple once the

and oceans, a lot of them are found floating if not eaten by the hungry sharkes.

But what about those innocent lives who are just victims of war atrocities? Are they prepared to die in such a horrible state? It is sickening to realize that those people are killed within just a flick of a finger by those war-oriented people. Moreoften, we can learn through media about numbers of people dead and injured caused by building an d s t re e t s b ombi ng s , chemical poisonongs (!), and nuclear power testings.

Killings - yes, there will be always killings! Because the Super Powers are in a race to put as many weapons as possible into their allies’

hands. The Arm producers are urged and more encouraged to make more weapons and explosives. As the Great Powers never stop intervening in these small countries’ affairs, there will be more casualties. Wouldn’t it much better for them to help the Third World countries economically than supplying them with weapons?

How many more innocent lives shall we find scattered in the streets? How many more of them will be seen floatingin the open seas with shattered bodies? And how many more young and old people will be buried innocently at the bottom of the sea leaving their

loved-ones to suffer pain and extreme grief ?

War is hell and t he world has had enough!

When will stability prevail in this world? In one of my previous columns in this corner, several years ago, I asked “Cold War - Hot War?”.

It was the time, the Ukraine crisis began. Today, let’s ask ourselves the same question.

And? Homo sapiens - quo vadis? +++ Email: dor ingklau s@ gmail.com or follow me in Facebook, LinkdedIn or Twitter or visit www. germanexpatinthephilippines. b l o g s p o t . c o m o r w w w. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com .

Easter PS II: Proofs that Jesus is God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

jhan tiafau hurst Think a minute…What’s your pleasure? Do you enjoy music and parties? A nice meal with your closest friends?

Or do you enjoy gambling and alcohol? Maybe you love sports like football, tennis or golf ? What’s your greatest pleasure? As one guy puts it: “What turns your eyes red?”

Pleasures make us feel alive and free. But the problem with pleasure is that it only makes us feel good and satisfied for a short time. Unfortunately, we still end up feeling like the old hit song by the Rolling Stones: “I can’t get no satisfaction.”

After the party’s over we’re back to living our same, ever yday life and responsibilities. It seems even worse after your big high and pleasure. Just ask the guy with the terrible hangover. Ask his wife or kids whom he beat up while he was drunk. Ask

and Holy Spirit who came down to earth from heaven, in the form of man with flesh and blood, and accepted the penalty for man’s sins, the answer of the Children of God Blood Kin of the Christ Church (or AND KNK, Simbahang Anak ng Diyos Kadugo Ni Kristo) is, yes, there are proofs of this from the Bible.

The AND KNK calls these proofs as “accurate pieces of evidence that Jesus is God and Savior, and that He is God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. What are these “accurate proofs?” These are the proofs from the Father, from the Son, from the Holy Spirit, from the disciples of Jesus, and from those who did not accept and have faith in Him. In understanding these proofs, we should start by studying seven verses from the Bible which are the chief foundation of all proclamations that Jesus is God and Savior, and is God

the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These are Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 1:18-25, uke 1:2637, John 1:1-14, and John 20:22.

-ooo JESUS IS THE GOD WHO CAME DOWN TO EARTH FROM HEAVEN: From Genesis 3:15, we learn of the curse that God gave to the serpent after it successfully enticed Eve and Adam to sin by egregiously disobeying the command of God against eating the fruit of the tree from the center of the garden. With this curse, God the Father declared that He will cause enmity between the offspring of the serpent and the offspring of the woman.

It is clear from this declaration of the Father that there would be a fight between the offspring of the serpent and of the offspring of the woman. Who is the offspring of the serpent? It is the evil one, no less, and

his legion of evil spirits and sinfulness that will control (and are in fact controlling, even now) the minds of many people. The offspring of the woman refers, on the other hand, to Jesus.

Now, who is Jesus? He was the son who would be conceived of by the woman and would be given birth to by her, according to Isaiah 7:14.

According to Isaiah: “God Himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a baby boy, who will be called Emmanuel…”

-ooo JESUS: “MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER”: If we study well enough what Isaiah 7:14 said, we ill inevitably come to the conclusion that the baby boy that the virgin will conceive of and give birth to, would most certainly be human. If the woman who will conceive of and give birth to him was human, the baby boy would be a human being too. But, Easter/PAGE 11

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Friday|April 6, 2018

5

CorporateWorld

Vista Land to launch P50-B projects this year

P

ROPERTY developer Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. plans to introduce to the market over P50 billion worth of projects this year, as it aims to sustain its doubledigit profit growth.

“We had a record year last year. We expect to have another record year with double-digit increases in earnings this year again so that’s something to look forward to,” Vista Land President and Chief Executive Officer Manuel Paolo Villar told reporters on Tuesday night.

Villar said the firm launched 55 projects valued at P60.2 billion last year, the highest value it ever achieved in terms of project launches.

“We continued with our strategy of opening in new areas aggressively. We are now present in 133 cities and municipalities and we move closer to our target of having a presence in 200 cities and municipalities in the near future,” he said.

Vista Land generated a net income of P9.1 billion last year, a strong growth of 12 percent driven by the substantial contribution of its commercial assets, coupled with the sustained growth of its core housing business.

Consolidated revenues grew 13 percent to P36

billion from P31.9 billion last year.

Revenues from real estate expanded 10 percent to P27.6 billion. Leasing income also posted a 29-percent increase to P6 billion last year from P4.7 billion in 2016.

Vista Land Chairman Manuel Villar, Jr. said “we are taking advantage of the synergies that we have unlocked between our residential and leasing businesses.”

Villar Jr. said the company successfully implemented expansion of its leasing business and ended 2017 with over one million square meters of gross floor area.

“We remain optimistic for the industry, given the robust demand for our housing products as well as our success in our leasing business propelled by the steady growth in the disposable income, OF (overseas Filipinos) remittances, sound Philippine macroeconomic fundamentals and the government’s drive to accelerate economic activities and infrastructure developments outside Metro Manila, where we have a competitive advantage given that we have the widest geographic reach around the country,” he said in a statement. (PNA)

Filipino body truck assembler bullish over PH infra program

Boeing gets new orders for 737 MAX jets

to nearly double by 2022.

“This will surely invite more domestic and foreign investments and generate millions of jobs through construction and in support industries. Centro is keen in supporting the construction boom by introducing complementary products for the construction industry, such as cranes of various sizes, capacities, and applications,” said Garcia. bullish/PAGE 11

US Aviation giant Boeing announced Tuesday that it has finalized a new order from an American aircraft leasing company for eight more 737 MAX airlines.

Boeing said it has signed a deal with Air Lease Corp. (ALC), an American aircraft leasing firm founded in 2010, to sell the aircraft at USD936.8 million at list prices.

ALC said it owns 213 various kinds of aircraft, including Boeing, Frenchorders/PAGE 11

CENTRO Manufacturing Corp., the country’s leading truck body assembler, expressed optimism that the Duterte administration’s Build Build Build program would generate fresh demand for heavy equipment.

Centro Chief Financial Officer Jerryme Garcia said the government’s ambitious infrastructure program had spurred forward the construction industry

as well as its support industries, thus creating more opportunities for both local and foreign investors.

The truck assembler cited a BMI Research report that the country’s construction industry is expected to grow by 11.8 percent this year, sustaining a double-digit growth of 12.7 percent in 2017.

It also noted that nominal value of the construction sector is seen

6

Sports

Friday|April 6, 2018

SMB now at cusp of PH Cup 4-peat with squeaker over Magnolia

TOP ARCHERS. The Philippine Archery team to the World Archery Philippines (WAP) competition composed of (standing L-R) Jonathan Deaport, Nicole Marie Tagle, Jennifer Chan, Earl Yap, Paul Manton Dela Cruz, Joseph Vicencio, (seated L-R) coach Clint Sayo, WAP treasurer JP Orberta, secretary general Rosendo Sombrio and coach Purita Joy Marino at the Orchid Garden Hotel on Wednesday (April 4, 2018). The country will host the Asia Cup Stage 2 from April 6 to 12 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex baseball field. pna photo by jess escaros

PH archers target 6 medals in Asia Cup Stage 2 The Philippines hopes to win at least six medals in the 2018 Asia Cup Stage 2 which will be held from April 6 to 11 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex baseball field.

According to World Archery Philippines (WAP) secretary general Rosendo Sombrio, the Filipinos are medal contenders in the team and mixed team divisions in both recurve and compound events.

“Our realistic goal is to win six to eight medals. The Asia Cup is a tough competition.

We expect a strong

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challenge, especially from lndia, Malaysia and Thailand which are using the tournament as tune-up for the Asian Games,” said Sombrio during Wednesday’s press conference at the Orchid Garden Hotel in Malate, Manila.

Other countries participating are Australia, China, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, New Zealand and Qatar.

A total of 113 archers are joining the Manila leg of the Asia Cup, archers/PAGE 10

MANILA -- San Miguel Beermen moved forward to within a win from claiming its fourth consecutive PBA Philippine Cup title after an 84-80 cliff hanger over Magnolia Hotshots in Game 4 of the finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday night.

The Beermen’s defense down the stretch paid dividends for them as they built a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, winning for the third straight time.

The Hotshots stif led the Beermen from the start, limiting them to only 14 points in the first quarter.

SMB’s offense then picked up in the second quarter, scoring 31 points and cutting Magnolia’s lead to just one, 46-45, at halftime.

The Beermen’s defense then began to work in the third quarter, limiting the Hotshots to just 18 points while taking a 6964 lead.

SMB seemed poised to finishing off Magnolia after taking an 82-75 lead with 1:58 to go, but

San Miguel Beermen's Junemar Fajardo takes an easy layup during Game 4 of the finals match with Magnolia Hotshots at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday nigh. (photo courtesy of pba media bureau)

the latter scored five straight points via Ian Sangalang to cut the lead down to two, 82-80, with 1:12 left.

The Hotshots even had a chance to force overtime as they made a defensive stop with eight seconds left, but Mark Barroca turned the ball over in the ensuing

play and Arwind Santos sealed the win with two charities.

Alex Cabagnot tallied 27 points, one rebound, two assists, and one steal, while Santos (13 points and 11 rebounds) and Junemar Fajardo (16 points and 13 rebounds) each tallied doubledoubles for SMB, which

can finish the series on Friday night in Game 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Ian Sangalang made 22 markers, 11 boards, and two dimes for Magnolia, which now needs to win the last three games to steal the title. (Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA)

JUNIOR TENNISTERS. (L-R) Coach Patrick John Tierro, Alexandra Eala, Ma. Carmencita Carlos and Julia Ignacio pose during the opening ceremony of the World Juniors Tennis Championships Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying in Nonthaburi, Thailand on April 2. photo courtesy of michael francis eala

PH netters reach World Juniors Championships quarterfinals The Philippines bowed to Thailand, 1-2, on Wednesday but still advanced in the quarterfinals of the (Under 14) World Juniors Tennis Championships Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Ma. Carmencita Isabela Carlos lost to Salakthip Ounmuang, 3-6, 2-6, in the first singles but Alexandra Eala won over Lanlana Tararudee, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, in the second singles. However, Carlos and Eala surrendered to Ounmuang and Tararudee, 2-6, 6-4, 7-10 in the doubles.

Thailand, which topped Group B with a 3-0 win-loss record, and the Philippines, which has a 2-1 slate, will advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Thailand defeated Lebanon (30) and Kazakhstan (3-0) while the Philippines won over Lebanon (3-0) and Kazakhstan (3-0) in the round-

robin.

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei beat South Korea (3-0), Malaysia (3-0) and Hong Kong (3-0) to finish on top of Group A. South Korea prevailed over Malaysia (3-0) and Hong Kong (2-1) to also reach the quarterfinal round.

The quarterfinalists in Group C are China and Australia. China conquered Australia (2-1), India (3-0) and Sri Lanka (3-0), while Australia won over Sri Lanka (3-0) and India (3-0).

In Group D, Japan downed New Zealand (3-0), Indonesia (3-0) and Uzbekistan (3-0) to advance to the next round together with New Zealand, which won over Indonesia (3-0) and Uzbekistan (2-1).

The Top 4 teams will advance to the World Championships in August in the Czech Republic. (Jean Malanum/PNA)

7 DOF sees March inflation rate at 4.1% H Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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IGHER taxes on sin products are seen to drive Philippines’ inflation rate higher in March 2018 to around 4.1 percent from 3.9 percent in the previous month using the

Banking&Finance

rebased 2012 index.

“Of the 4.1% forecast inflation rate for March, sin products account for as much as 0.5 percentage point, much higher than their contribution of only 0.16 percentage point in

the same month last year,” the Department of Finance said in an economic bulletin issued Wednesday.

The Philippine Statistics Authority is scheduled to release the March 2018 inflation

report on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

Last February, rate of price increases rose to 3.9 percent from a monthago’s 3.4 percent due faster inflation of the food index as well as the double-digit

BSP targets to roll out clearing house for online transactions this month THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) is targeting to roll out a clearing house for realtime payments this month, forming part of an industry-wide push towards electronic transactions.

BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier said work on Instapay — a new clearing house that will process electronic fund transfers and payments — is in the final stages, with industry players expected to sign cooperation deals within April.

“The Instapay platform is scheduled to be rolled out mid of April 2018 which is within the target timeline,” Ms. Fonacier said in an e-mail interview.

“So far, there are no problems encountered that might cause delays in implementation.”

According to the central

bank’s plans, Instapay will clear electronic fund transfers (EFT) across banks and e-wallets in real time, focusing on low-value transactions worth below P50,000.

This would be the second clearing house after the Philippine EFT System and Operations Network (PESONet) rolled out in November.

Instapay is expected to be more high-impact in terms of processing money transfers, as it is expected to give a substantial boost for e-commerce.

Clearing and settlement is expected to come in real-time, against the batch processing employed under PESONet. Currently, banks signed up under PESONet carry out one batch run daily, which allows them to credit fund transfers by the end of the banking day to the

intended recipient.

BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. previously said the central bank has been embracing digital platforms for a more efficient financial system, citing the need for industry players to embrace cooperation while remaining competitive.

Last week, the BSP required all banks and financial firms to offer electronic payment channels for all clients which will be ready to process fund transfers within a matter of seconds, as part of the National Retail Payment System (NRPS) project spearheaded by the regulator.

The central bank targets to shift cash-heavy transactions to digital avenues via the NRPS, which they expect to help broaden access to financial services and spur increased

economic activity.

The BSP targets to lift the share of digital payments to 20% of total transactions by 2020, coming from a measly 1% recorded in 2013. Offering e-payments is seen as the fastest way towards wider financial inclusion, with more Filipinos owning smartphones than those with access to bank branches nationwide.

Electronic money transactions in the Philippines totalled P1.1 trillion last year, marking an all-time high as more financial firms offered the digital services to consumers.

There were 11.4 million e-money accounts as of end-2017 — a rapid increase compared to 45.3 million Filipinos with bank deposit accounts, according to latest available central bank data.

growth of the annual inflation of alcoholic beverages and tobacco index.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages index went up to 4.8 percent last month while the alcoholic

beverages and tobacco index rose to 16.9 percent.

In the first two months this year, inflation averaged at 3.7 percent, within the central bank’s two to four percent target for 2017-19. (PNA)

BPI Family sees strong loan growth despite higher prices due to TRAIN The thrift lending arm of listed Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is bullish on its loan growth despite the effects of the tax reform law.

In a round-table discussion on Tuesday, Joaquin Mari B. Abola, retail lending group head at BPI Family Savings Bank, Inc., said the lender is look at “high doubledigit” loan growth this year.

Mr. Abola added that fast turnaround time, as well as competitive rates, will drive the growth of their loan portfolio.

“Fast turnaround time is always a big driver.

Rates [are] another consideration,” he said, noting that obtaining the loan faster is more important for customers.

“We’re quite surprised because some of our competitors actually

charge higher rates but their turnaround time is fast so they were able to get away with it. When you look at it, a one-totwo percentage point difference in rates, that will not impact a lot on the monthly amortization. The more relevant point for the buyer is getting to their dream fast.”

On the other hand, BPI Family Savings Bank said the tax reform law will have a positive impact for the lender despite the higher prices of oil and some cars.

“I think it’s going to be very positive,” Mr. Abola said. “We’re very encouraged because what is really happening is that there’s much more money in the pockets of the average employees.”

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion loan/PAGE 10

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Students of Pagatpat National High School joyously receive the symbolic key of a new three-storey classroom building from school head Eugenio Maghuyop III funded by the Local School Board of the city government of Cagayan de Oro headed by Mayor Oscar S. Moreno. photo by mark doña francisco

NEDA Northern Mindanao launches PPP Knowledge Corner

T

he Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC), in collaboration with the National Economic and Development Authority Northern Mindanao (NRO-X) has formally launched its 2nd PPP Knowledge Corner (PPPKC) in the country on April 05, 2018 at the NRO-X Regional Socioeconomic Analysis and Research Center (ReSEARCH-X).

The launching was led by Undersecretary Ferdinand A. Pecson, PPPC Executive Director and Director Leon M. Dacanay, Jr., NRO-X Regional Director.

The PPPKC serves as a data center where local government units (LGUs), implementing agencies (IAs) and all other stakeholders can access the latest information on PPPs. The PPPKC shall answer to queries on PPPs and coordinate with the PPP center counterpart for technical support, neda/PAGE 10

Davao City Retailers Defy Ban on the Sale of Mercury-Tainted Skin Whitening Cosmetics A non-profit watch group tracking poisonous chemicals in products and wastes chided six wholesale and retail outlets in Davao City for selling skin lightening products banned by the national government for containing mercury.

“We deplore the unabated sale of mercurytainted skin whitening products by some cosmetic dealers in Davao City in brazen defiance of the nationwide ban on such highly injurious items,” said Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.

“Despite the health and environmental risks and notwithstanding the efforts of the Davao City Health Office in the past, mercury-laden skin whitening cosmetics are still widely available in the city,” he noted.

“To our shock and disbelief, the banned products are openly displayed and sold in the stores we visited.

Vendors of such

cosmetics in Manila seem to be more discreet and will usually not flaunt banned products on store shelves to avoid attracting undue attention,” he said.

As the health and safety of skin whitening product users who are predominantly women is in peril, the group wasted no time alerting Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte about the unlawful trade through a report sent to her office today via e-mail and courier service.

The EcoWaste Coalition notified Duterte that they managed to obtain 12 samples of mercurycontaining skin whitening products from six stores in Davao City in test buys conducted by a visiting team from the Quezon City-based group last April 2 and 3.

Although banned by the Food and Drug Administration for containing mercury above the trace amount limit of one part per cosmetics/PAGE 10

DTI-DOST to expand MSME marketing capabilities through OneSTore.ph The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will tie up with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand their market and reach clients online with the OneSTore.ph.

“MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy. And as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s whole-ofgovernment approach to assist MSMEs, we are teaming up with DOST to impact the lives of more Filipino entrepreneurs,” said DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.

The OneSTore.ph is a first government

e-commerce platform (Business–to-Customer and Business-to-Business platform) dedicated to marketing high-quality Filipino products of MSMEs through the worldwide web by “bringing quality products at Filipino doorsteps.”

This comes as DTI intensifies marketing capabilities of MSMEs to help them reach the mainstream market.

Under the OneSTore. ph agreement, DTI will Promote the oneSTore. ph to MSMEs through Negosyo Centers as a platform where they can market their products online. expand/PAGE 10

City Mayor Oscar Moreno lauded the Barangay Fire Brigade of Barangay Bayabas headed by Barangay Chairman Eddie Abrogar for bringing pride and honor to Cagayan de Oro City after winning the bucket relay challenge in the recent 4th National Fire Olympics held in Manila. Photo shows the beaming barangay chair of Bayabas, Eddie Abrogar. cio/bfp central office

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Friday|April 6, 2018

HD Megatrucks opens first-ever showroom in Balintawak Quality trucks and equipment distributor promises even better service to customers

L

eading truck and equipment distributor HD Megatrucks and Equipment, Inc. marked an incredible milestone in its existence with the grand opening of its first-ever showroom in Quezon City.

The showroom, located at 511 A. Bonifacio Avenue, Balintawak, Quezon City, is part of the company’s overall goal to help customers invest in long-term and heavy-duty machineries and equipment. It will also provide HD Megatrucks the ability to strengthen even further its focus on customer after-sales service and support, having deep roots and experience in parts distribution.

HD Megatrucks is still considered a very young company, having been in the business for only 5 years, but have remained steadfast and committed to unceasingly go forth and work hard to provide the highest amount of quality services and products to its customers.

“With this new showroom, we will definitely speed up ahead of our competitors in delivering only the best products and services that the industry and the market needs,” declares Mr. Daniel Dagdag, President and Chief Executive Officer of HD Megatrucks and Equipment, Inc. during the grand opening of the showroom.

HD Megatrucks, Dagdag said, will also focus on helping clients minimize time off the road by providing and ensuring timely and correct repairs and preventive maintenance to minimize overall fuel

and maintenance costs per kilometer. “This helps our customers avoid costly repairs, a key driver for companies get the most return out of their investments on trucks and other heavy equipment.”

HD Megatrucks and Equipment, Inc. is a distributor of Class A brand and quality trucks and equipment from industry lines under infrastructure, construction, mining, rental supplies, warehousing, and trucking and logistics. The company is also in the business of trading and importing of goods such as automotive parts, accessories, equipment and heavy duty trucks.

The company also takes pride in its lineup of brands and product suppliers that they truly value. Among them include Shacman Motors, Inc., Kato Works Co., Ltd, CHL Materials Handling, Takeuchi Group, and Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (XCMG).

Shacman Motors Inc., established in 2012, is the exclusive distributor of Shacman trucks and automobiles in the Philippines such as tractor head, dump truck, special purpose trucks, lorries, trailers, and heavy-duty equipment. Kato Works Co., Ltd. is a technologyoriented manufacturer and supplier in the field of construction machineries. Their machines can meet increasing demands of the lifting and construction industries namely, rough and other types of terrain cranes, truck cranes, excavators, earth boring rigs, vacuum truck, street sweep-

ers, snow sweepers, and spare parts.

CHL Materials Handling, under the Anhui Forklift Group Co., Ltd., is the “No. 1 Forklift Manufacturer in China” and number 8 among the world’s lift-truck suppliers. Founded in 1958, CHL Materials provides IC forklifts, electric forklifts, warehouse electric trucks and wheel loaders. The Nagano, Japanbased Takeuchi Group, meanwhile, is a global standards leader in the manufacture of compact and hydraulic excavators, track loaders and other construction machinery.

Finally, the Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (XCMG) offers construction machineries and equipment such as subsurface excavation bogie, bridge construction equipment, dredger, drill jambo, hoisting, road and concrete machinery, loaders, excavators, piling and fire-fighting machinery, heavy duty trucks, sanitation and mining machinery, aerial working equipment, trenchless machinery, forklift trucks, and boring machines.

The HD Megatrucks and Equipment, Inc. showroom is located along 511 A. Bonifacio Avenue, Balintawak, Quezon City, with principal offices at 103 M. Francisco St., Brgy.

Lingunan, Valenzuela City. Call (+63) 4014816, (+632)917-8436462, (+632)925-8436462, or (+632)9986342 or email hdmegatrucks@gmail. com, sales@hdmegatrucks.com, or support@ hdmegatrucks.com. or visit www.hdmegatrucks. com for more details.

10

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Friday|April 6, 2018

Archers...

NEDA...

which is world-ra n k ing tournament. The first leg was held in Bangkok, Thailand (March 2-9) while the third leg will be hosted by Chinese Taipei from July 9-12.

T he members of t he Philippine team are Flor Matan, Gabriel Moreno, Mark Javier and Jonathan Reaport (recurve men); and Kareel Hongitan, Nicole Tagle, Pia Bidaure and Ferimi Bajado (recurve women); Earl Benjamin Yap, Paul Marton Dela Cruz, Joseph Vicencio and Dran Barbin (compound men) and Amaya Paz, Jennifer Chan, Andrea Robles and Rachell Dela Cruz (compound women).

Tagle, who will compete in the Youth Olympic Games in October, said everyone in the Philippine team has the potential to win a medal.

When asked to comment if t he Filipinos feel t he pressure to deliver the gold medals, Yap, a three-time Asian Grand Prix veteran, replied: “There is pressure but we don’t let it bother us.”

Paul Marton Dela Cruz, a bronze medalist in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, for his part, said “I focus more on training and not so much on winning. I just do my best.”

WAP treasurer JP Orbeta, who also attended the press conference, said he is looking for ward to a successf u l hosting of the Asia Cup. “We’re happy to be chosen as host of the Asia Cup. We’re hoping that we will be able to host successfully so it will become a regular tournament in our calendar,” said Orbeta. (Jean Malanum /PNA)

updates, and other relevant information.

Through the PPPKC, the stakeholders can also access to all PPP Center’s services to help them develop and implement bankable PPP projects.

Director Leon M. Dacanay, Jr. congratulated the PPPC for making this bold move to touch base with the regions by establishing the knowledge corners in all NROs in the countr y. He also looks forward to the preparation and implementation of more PPP projects.

U SE C Fe rd inand A. Pecson said that these are the first steps for LGU capacity building and for implement ing agencies to commence their own PPPs leading to regional development.

An orientation on PPP concepts and processes followed right after the ribbon cutting. (Tricia Marie L. Antivo, DRD, NEDA Northern Mindanao)

from page 6

Loan... from page 7

Law (TRAIN), enacted as Republic Act No. 10963, prov i d e d t a x c ut s and exemptions on personal income and imposed an additional excise tax on petroleum, which came at a time of three-year highs for world crude prices.

The new law also introduced additional taxes on cars, coal, sugar-sweetened drinks and a host of other items, which has caused the prices of other widely used goods and services to increase in past months.

Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa, economist at BPI, said consumers can still afford to buy cars since the higher take-home pay compensates for the price increase.

“The additional purchasing power freed up by the TRAIN law should give potential car buyers the ability to purchase vehicles despite the increase in prices, fuel and overall inflation,” Mr. Mapa was quoted as saying in a statement.

Meanwhile, BPI Family Savings Bank’s retail lending group head also noted that they are looking at offering loans for luxury motorcycles.

“We want to go into big bikes. We still have to study that, but that’s a very small market.”

from page 8

Cosmetics... from page 8

million (ppm), the group faced no trouble buying Goree, Jiaoli, S’Zitang and Yu Dan Tang brands of skin whitening products, which are imported from Pakistan, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, respectively.

Sub s e qu e nt an a ly s is by the group using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer found all 12 samples positive for outrageous concentrations of mercury exceeding the 1 ppm limit under the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive.

Yu Dan Tang Specific Eliminating Freckle Spot & Double Whitening Sun Block Cream with Ginseng & Green Cucumber was found to contain 43,700 ppm of mercury, Goree Beauty Cream with 17,800 ppm, Jiaoli 10 Days Eliminating Freckle Day & Night Set with 2,638 ppm, S'Zitang 10 Days Eliminating Freckle Day & Night Set with 2,537 ppm, Jiaoli 7 Days Specific Eliminating Freckle AB Set with 2,482 ppm, S'Zitang 7 Days Specific Eliminating Freckle AB Set with 2,277 ppm, and Jiaoli Miraculous Cream with 2,041 ppm.

The continued sale of mercury-laden cosmetics is a direct violation of Republic Act 9711 (Food and Drug Administration Act) and Republic Act 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), the group said.

To put a stop to the illicit trade of dangerous cosmetics that threatens human health and the environment, the EcoWaste Coalition requested the city government to: 1. Confiscate the illegal mercury-containing skin whitening cosmetics and safely dispose of them as hazardous waste in an environment al ly s ound manner.

2. Conduct sustained monitoring and law e n f orc e m e nt a c t i v it i e s involving the city’s health,

DENR holds adjudication hearing on seized container vans in Ozamiz

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held an adjudication hearing on seized container vans loaded with flitches and sticks of various kinds of trees on 26 March 2018 in Ozamiz City.

The hearing was attended by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-CENRO, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), CENRO Kulambogan, barangay officials and shippers representatives.

There were 18 units of container van loaded with assorted Mahogany and Gemilina slab, and at Philippine Port Authority (PPA) were seven units Container Van loaded with assorted Mahogany and Gemilina slab and one container loaded on a ten wheeler truck with plate nr GGY 219 with a total estimated amount of P18,720,000. This, after PNP Ozamiz, reported the questionable shipment operations of Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation PSACC in Ozamiz City.

“The owner of the seized forest products will have to undergo an administrative adjudication proceedings to determine its culpability to existing forestry laws and regulations and the appropriate criminal cases will be filed against the shippers,” said CENRO Ozamiz, Guilry Cabatuan.

In the said hearing, the

police and business inspectors, and in coordination with FDA Region XI. 3. Charge and penalize erring wholesale and retail outlets, including revoking the business permits of defiant establishments.

4. Raise public awareness about specific skin whitening products containing mercury and the risks associated with mercury exposure.

5. Promulgate a city ordinance b anning t he importation, distribution, sale and use of mercurycontaining cosmetics.

As explained in the group’s letter to Duterte, mercury, which is added to skin whitening cosmetics to inhibit the production of melanin pigment leading to a “fairer” skin tone, can damage the nervous, immune and renal systems, and also cause skin discoloration, rashes, and scarring, as well as reduce dermal resistance to bacterial and fungal infections.

The discharge of mercury from skin lightening products into the wastewater can also pollute the environment and contaminate the food supply, the group said.

According to the World Health Organization, “the mercury then enters the e nv i ron me nt , w he re it becomes methylated and enters the food-chain as the highly toxic methylmercury in fish,” warning that “pregnant women who consume fish containing methylmercury transfer the mercur y to their fetuses, which can later result in neurodevelopmental deficits in the children.”

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also decided to check the processes for proper disposition while scaling of confiscated container van loaded with assorted Mahogany and Gemilina slab and relocation for the custody.

Cabatuan explained the requirement of providing transport documents covering the said forest commodities becomes very important, not only as a basis for determining the resource drain but also in providing a control mechanism against the unauthorized movement and disposition of contraband forest products.

“It is also very important for us to give priority to such complaints to let the people know that we are very serious in addressing any and all mining and environmental issues” says Cabatuan.

During the hearing, DENR emphasizes that it is very serious in addressing the Anti-illegal logging issues especially in Misamis Occidental.

He also said that the confiscated forest products are now at Ozamiz City PNP for safekeeping which will be used as pieces of evidence in the court.

The DENR pursues a more vigorous campaign against environmental law violators as environmental law enforcement is one of the priority thrusts of DENR, Cabatuan added. (Shaine Mae Nagtalon/PIA Misamis Occidental)

Expand... from page 8

At the same time, DTI will make Negosyo Centers accessible to clients of DOST and allow clients to display and dispatch their products with its payment and logistic partners in One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines HubStores, subject to availability of space and to DTI priorities and promote oneSTore and provide signage for the spaces provided for oneSTore.ph and oneSTore hub in every OTOP Store identified as co-branded hub, among others.

The One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines is DTI’s collaborative program with national government agencies and local government units as a customized intervention to level up the products of various localities and drive inclusive local economic growth.

DOST, on the other hand, will develop and maintain oneSTore.ph where its accredited Regional Hubs and MSMEs may sell products and services to its clients and engage with payment and logistics partners and provide better oneSTore. ph services to its accredited Regional Hubs, MSMEs and its partner agencies.

DOST will also Provide priority to jointly identified OTOP products for product development initiatives including improvements in packaging and labeling, subsidy or discounts in testing fees, equipment support such as the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), and strengthen research and development efforts.

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Projects... from page 1

NEDA had previously said it expects Cagayan de Oro to become the Philippines’ fourth metropolitan center after Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao by 2025.

“We acknowledge the priorty programs and projects listed in our Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP) from 20172022 cannot be sourced from government coffers alone,” said NEDA-X Regional Director Leon M. Dacanay, Jr. during the program launch.

“Partnering with the private sector is another option which the region is eager to pursue in support of the implementation of capital investment targets worth P749.08-billion,” he added.

Dacanay said the PPP corner to widen the dissemination of information ab out t he PPP s cheme esp e cia l ly among lo cal government units (LGUs), particularly its advisory and technical services now these are within easy reach of its clients and stakeholders. “ We l o o k f o r w a r d to the preparation and implementation of more PPP proposals and projects, especially those focused on Mindanao such as water supply, septage/sewerage, schools and hospitals, among others,” he noted.

In h i s pre s e nt at i on following the corner’s launch, PP E xe c ut ive D i re c tor Ferdinand A. Pecson said there are now seven (7) PPP projects at the local levl in the pipeline ranging from water, solid waste management, energy, and public markets.

T h e P P P C e nt e r i s currently providing its technical assistance for these PPP LGUs projects.

“This is a new pipeline that we are building. PPPs at the local level remain a considerable part of the PPP program where we hope to gain more traction and have PPPs address the vast infrastructure needs of the regions,” Pecson said.

Pecson identified these projects as the P128 million Cagayan De Oro Septage Management Project; Los Baños Public Market Project (P110 million); Baggao Water Supply Project (P84.22 million), Quezon City Wasteto-Energy-Project (P16.56 billion); Pampanga Bulk Water Supply Project (P16.7 billion) and the Cebu City Solid Waste Management Project and General Santos Public Market Project whose project costs are yet to be determined.

The Cagayan de Oro Septage Management Project being implemented by the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) has already been approved for procurement under a solicited contractual joint venture scheme.

This PPP project involves the finance, design, construction, and operation of a septage management facility for Cagayan De Oro City. The project pre-

feasibility study was prepared

by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the B e Secure Project. The project concession period will be for 25 years.

Three (3) of these seven (7) PPP projects are under development meaning their completed projects studies are undergoing review by IAs or are undergoing studies. These include the Cebu City Solid Waste Management Project, the Los Baños Public Market Project, and the General Santos Public Market Project.

Developing PPPs at the local level is an ongoing strategy of the PPP Center to d e l ive r t h e v ar i ou s infrastructure needs of the regions and help local governments deliver better services and improve the lives of Filipinos in the countryside.

Expo... from page 1

Trade, said in an interview on Tuesday that the Philippines will get a booth for the first time during the three-day expo.

The event will allow the country to showcase its specialty coffee and build a network with potential international high-value buyers.

The Arabica growers are Davao del Sur’s Marivic Dubria, manager of the Balutakay Coffee Farmers Farmers Association ( BAC OFA ) ; R i o B e sto, chair of Miarayon-LapokLirongan-Tinaytayan Tribal Association in Bukidnon; and Corazon Meredes Lauderes, manager of Imdalsa Coffee, also from Bukidnon.

T h e R o bu s t a c of fe e growers are South Cotabato’s Fred Fredeluces, owner of Green Tropics, and Bukidnon’s Leonila Secadron, manager of Bayanihan Millennium and producer of Kape Napalit.

They are previous winners of the annual Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC), Trimmell said.

“They’ve already been assessed, graded and now we get to share them with the other international buyers to potentially attract them to come to the Philippines,” he said.

The Agricultural Cooperative Development International-Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI-VOCA) will sponsor the US trip of the farmers.

ACDI-VOCA is implementing the fouryear US Department of Agriculture-funded Mindanao Productivity in Agricultural Commerce and Trade project, designed “to increase the income of the 10,600 smallholder cacao, coconut, and coffee farm families in Southern and Western Mindanao.”

Trimmel said joining the three-day international expo introduces farmers to potential high-value buyers and creates a buyer-farmer rel at ionship to b enef it the coffee industry in the Philippines.

Several buyers joining the

expo are willing to purchase specialty coffee from the Philippines at high premium prices, he added.

He, however, said the supply s i d e re m ai ns a challenge as the Philippines is still importing 85 to 90 percent of its coffee. He said even local demand for higher value specialty coffee is growing.

Six coffee entries from Mindanao under Arabica category and another six under Robusta categor y won in the PCQC 2018, as announced during the Philippine Coffee Conference in Baguio City on March 20 to 21, 2018.

Under Arabica category, two coffee entries from BACOFA, grown on the foothills of Mt. Apo in Bansalan, Davao del Sur won 2nd and 6th places in that competition.

Other winners were Zaida Besto (4th place), Eric Yap (11th place), and Kalugmanan Agri Devt Corp. (12th place) from Bukidnon and Rogelo Giangan (10th place) of North Cotabato.

The six winning entries for Robusta categor y from Mindanao included Lorna Libante (2nd place), BMMPC Farmers (4th place), Florentino Hermoso (7th place), and Imelda Paulican Mendoza from Bukidnon (8th place); Delio Cesar from Maragusan in Compostela Valley (5th place), Lake Sebu Coconut Farmers Association of South Cotabato (9th place), and Rebecca Gacayan of Poblacion Sultan Kudarat (11th place).

The competition aims to have Philippine specialty coffee recognized worldwide by performing evaluations signed with globally accepted grading and profiling protocols and standards of the Coffee Quality Institute.

(Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews)

Selection... from page 2

small sticks of bamboo or rattan then place it inside a native basket called lob-bah.

"The person who will garner many sticks of bamboo or rattan will be declared the winner," he said.

So far, he said there are already four members of the tribe who signified their intention to be chosen as the IPMR. Ingay said the IPMR will have a three-year term in the city council and bring the voice of all the IPs in the city

through legislations.

Davao City has a total of 11 tribes. Ingay said the members of Talaukom will convene on April 12 at the Almacen Building in C at alunan Pequeño.

(Armando Fenequito/PNA)

Evacuees... from page 2

by the seller that there was no legal hindrance in this purchase," he said. "It's a pity because we have already made improvements on this house."

He also expressed disappointment over the impending confiscation of their purchased homes, saying Marawi residents like them would have wanted to get a new lease on life in this city after last year's traumatic event in their hometown.

But Pantoja assured that the unsuspecting buyers will not be held responsible.

The sellers, however, will be penalized by redistributing their units to other Sendong victims, he said.

"The government will award the returned units for Sendong survivors who until now don't have their own homes, and are willing to live at the Bayanihan,” he said.

He added that some recipients may have sold their units because they did not like the location of the resettlement site.

Pa nt o j a a l s o b e l i e d allegations that the existing occupants who bought their units from original recipients were harassed into giving up their units.

“Mayor Celso Regencia is dealing with this in peaceful manner to resolve this matter,” he said. (IB/PIA Iligan)

Easter... from page 4

Isaiah’s prophecy does not end there, because in Isaiah 9:6, he identified quite firmly who or what baby boy really would be.

Here was what Isaiah said (in Isaiah 9:6 of the Bible): “Because to us a child is born, a son is given… and he would be called… “Mighty God, Everlasting Father…”

Anyone who reads this part of Isaiah 9:6 would not be able to deny that the baby boy referred to therein is not human, but is in fact the “Mighty God, Everlasting Father.”

It would be very clear, therefore, from these verses, that God the Father Himself

Republic of the Philippines Province of Misamis Oriental Municipality of Initao -oOo-

from page 5

He said among their products that could prove particularly useful in the government’s construction activities is the Hiab 320T telescopic crane, which had three to five booms.

The product is produced

by Hiab, a leading European crane manufacturer. The 320T has lifting capacity of 34-ton meters, with a maximum working radius of 19.6 meters and a maximum working height of 20.8 meters or almost as high as a sevenstorey building.

Centro will be displaying its latest products at the 14th Manila International Auto Show on April 5-8 at the World Trade Center, Garcia added. (PNA)

Orders... from page 5

from page 4

successful and satisfying way.

So today, won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you for living your own way? Then ask Him to start changing your heart and lifestyle. He’s the only One Who can finally fill your life with the pleasure and peace of mind you’ve been looking for. Jesus will give you real satisfaction that lasts, not just for a day or a night, but for the rest of your life. Just Think a Minute…

Seoul... from page 4

here are frequent, reliable and probably the most inexpensive way of getting around, though taking the bus can be confusing for someone who does not know Korean.

S e ou l’s bus network is extensive. There are approximately 400 bus routes with 8,500 city buses, connecting the farthest corners of the city.

An exclusive lane for buses marked with a blue line painted on the road is enforced on city roads at daytime, which makes it possible to spend less time on bus rides than in private cars.

And basically, Koreans are romantics at heart. They have their distinctive ways to display their love -- like couples dressed in matching outfits, or simply hugging and kissing at the city’s sky

made Airbus, Embraer and other models, and the latest order raises its total 737 MAX orders to 138. It leases the jets to more than 80 airlines across 47 countries in every major geographical region in the world.

Boeing said ALC has been a big buyer of the improved 737 airplane. "Our success in MAX placements to date speaks to the strong market demand for these aircraft," which reflected the growing need of its customers for addit ional 737 MAX 8 aircraft, said John Poerschke, executive vice president of Air Lease Corp.

The 737 MAX family is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 4,400 orders from 96 customers worldwide.

Boeing has delivered more than 100 737 MAX airplanes to more than 20 customers worldwide, including four to the ALC. (Xinhua)

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

CCE-0008-2013 RA No.10172 March 26, 2018

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than April 18, 2018.

BWM: April 6 & 13, 2018

Bullish...

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

In Compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that CHARLENE M. BIHAG has filed with Office, a petition for change of first name from ‘’ARLENE’’ to ‘’CHARLENE’’ and correction of entry in sex from ‘’ ‘’ to ‘’ ‘’ or correction of entry in the date of birth from ‘’ ‘’ to ‘’ ‘in the certificate od live birth of ARLENE C. MIÑOSA at Initao, Misamis Oriental and whose parents are MARVIN J. MIÑOSA and VENANCIA B. CAAYUPAN.

Hurst...

park.

Take Seoul by heart, and go K-pop all the way. This is Seoul. (ruffy44_ph2000@ yahoo.com)

Publication Notice R.A 10172

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CFN-0002-2018

was the One referred to in Genesis 3:15 and Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6 who would come down to earth from heaven, in the form of man with flesh and blood. The only question from these verses would be: was this prophecy about God Himself coming to earth in the form of man with flesh and blood fulfilled? I implore you to read the answer in our next column on this subject.

Thank God in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

-ooo FOR QUESTIONS, REACTIONS: If anyone would like to ask me any question about what the burning issues of the day mean, or what we have discussed here, or to consult on any problem, whatever it maybe, please call 0917 984 24 68, or email me at batasmauricio@yahoo.com, or post your concerns at www.facebook.com/attybatas.

Promise, I will answer right away. Thank God in the Name of Jesus, Amen!

(Sgd.) ISAIAS A. JARALES Municipal Civil Registrar

Date: April 2, 2018

In Compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administration Order No. 1 Series of 2012(IRR on R.A. 10172), Noted is here is hereby served to the public that HERNES JAMIS TUZON has filed with this Office, a petition for Correction of entry in sex from ‘’MALE’’ to ‘’FEMALE’’ in the certificate of live birth of HERNES JAMIS TUZON at Laguindingan,Misamis Oriental and whose parents are NESTOR ESTRADA TUZON and HELEN MADRIDANO JAMIS.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later that April 17, 2018.

BWM: April 6 & 13, 2018

(Sgd.) MA.TERESA R. CAYLO Municipal Civil Registrar (Signature over printed name of the C/MCR)

12

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Friday|April 6, 2018

Sydney Harbor

Cebu Pacific maintains lead in Manila-Sydney route

Cebu Pacific bullish on upcoming Manila-Melbourne service on the back of robust demand for direct Australia-Philippine flights

T

he Philippines’ leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB), continues to outperform key competitors in the Manila-Sydney route, garnering a 40% market share for passengers travel between the two destinations in 2017. On the other hand, competitors Philippine Airlines and Qantas garnered a market share of 33% and 26%, respectively.

Based on data from Australia’s Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) for the full year 2017, a total of 408,034 passengers flew between Manila and Sydney, up 10.76% from 2016. Of the total, Cebu Pacific flew 164,565 passengers between Manila and Sydney in 2017.

CEB offers the most number of seats between Sydney and Manila and is the only Low-Cost Carrier flying between both destinations, with five flights weekly.

“We’re thrilled to have maintained our position as the key player on the Sydney – Manila route. We firmly believe that the Philippines is a great vacation choice for the Australian market. It’s within close proximity and has a variety of leisure, recreation and relaxation options. We want Australians to continue to embrace long-haul, lowcost flying, allowing them to save on travel and splurge on the beautiful destination that is the Philippines, said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing at Cebu Pacific.

“Our consistent growth in the Australia market augurs well for the impending launch of our direct service between Manila and Melbourne later this year,” added Iyog. Cebu Pacific had earlier announced it would commence direct service between Melbourne and Manila three times weekly by August 14, 2018.

The Philippines is fast becoming a preferred vacation destination among Australians, with islands such as Cebu, Palawan and Bohol fast-gaining popularity as an alternative to Bali, Phuket or Bangkok.

In terms of air freight services, the BITRE report showed that cargo volume grew 42% year-on-year, from 7,390 tons carried in 2016 to 10,495 tons in 2017, with Cebu Pacific garnering

39.12% market share. Total cargo flown by CEB between Sydney and Manila reached 4,106 tons in 2017, up 68% year-on-year.

“The strong performance of freight services between the Philippines and Australia is consistent with the sustained growth in two-way trade between the two countries. Consumer spending and capital formation have fueled demand for cargo capacity.

We are optimistic that the expansion of e-commerce and the growing need for low-cost and efficient transport of time- and temperature-sensitive goods will continue to fuel our growth in the near to medium term,” noted Alex Reyes, Vice President for Cargo at Cebu Pacific.

The Philippines is also a signatory to the ASEANAustralia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, which has opened opportunities in trade and investments.

Main exports of Australia include beef, lamb, wine, wheat, as well as consulting and engineering services; while those of the Philippines include heating and cooling equipment, electrical machinery and parts, mechanical machinery, pumps, coconut and rubber tires. There are about 200 Australian companies operating in the Philippines in the business-process outsourcing, finance, oil and gas, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.

The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics is part of the Policy and Research Division of the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities.

Its mandate is to provide economic analysis, research and statistics on infrastructure, transport and regional development issues for the Australian Government.