BusinessWeek Mindanao (August 10, 2015)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting

YOUR Mindanao-wide BUSINESS paper

Volume VI, No. 019

X

Market Indicators

As of 6:00 pm August 7, 2015 (friday)

FOREX US$1 = P45.74

5

PHISIX

X Briefly

cents

X

7,532.52

57.43 points

Triple ‘A’ rating DIGOS City -- The Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Dasureco), the only power distributor in the 14 municipalities and one city in the province, was recently rated for the third time a Triple A for its performance by the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

During the 22nd NEA-Electric Cooperatives Consultative Conference held at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday, all electric cooperatives under NEA were given performance assessment for the year 2014, and Dasureco has been rated as a Triple A Electric Cooperative with a 100 percent perfect score in all aspects of operation.

According to Dasureco general manager Engr. Godofredo Guya, the highest rating of AAA will be given to power coops which are compliant in all four parameters: Financial, Institutional, Technical and Reportorial Requirements.

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Tobacco firm to ramp up operation in Misor C

LAVERIA, Misamis Oriental -- Barely eight months since it started commercial operation, the country’s biggest cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC) targets to ramp up production in its facility here within the next three years.

Ravi Lumunsad, PMFTC op erat ions manager of Claveria Fresh Leaf Buying and Curing Facility, said the company aims to achieve maximum capacity of four million kilos annually in two to three years as part of its expansion program in the Philippines.

Investment forum ISLAND Garden City of Samal -- More than sixty landowners and farmers here participated the IGaCoS’ Investment Forum on Priority Industries (Banana and Cacao) conducted by the City Investment and Tourism Office in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry-Davao del Norte Province at Camp Holiday Beach Resort on July 31.

The investment forum aims to promote investment opportunities on banana and cacao to the land owners and farmers to engage in market-driven commodities. The activity also hopes to promote productivity through utilization of idle land and investment generation.

Cardaba Banana and Cacao industries are among the clusters prioritized by the Department of Trade and Industry-Davao del Norte Provincial Office under its Industry Cluster Development Program.

P15.00

“We hope to achieve about four million kilos annually, which is the maximum capacity of our facility,” Lumunsad told members of the media.

He said PMFTC needs about 2,400 to 2,500 hectares of land planted to tobacco tobacco/PAGE 11

AS CLIMATE CHANGE DERAILS PROGRESS: TOBACCO NURSERY. A worker sprinkles water to newly-grown tobacco in a nursery farm of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

The company has recently earmarked $50 million for tobacco farm expansion and setting up a modern facility in Claveria, a landlocked municipality where high quality Virginia tobacco can be grown twice in a year. photo by shaun alejandrae yap uy

Road project to shorten travel time from Marawi to Cag. de Oro

By FERDINANDH B. CABRERA, MindaNews

COTABATO City -- Travel time from Marawi City to Cagayan de Oro City will

soon be shortened from 3.5 hours to 1.5 hours with the concreting of the Kapai-

Tagoloan-Talakag road.

Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region i n Mu s l i m M i n d a n a o project/PAGE 11

PHL must scale up resilience measures

By BONG D. FABE, Contributing Editor

THE PHILIPPINES must scale up its resiliency me asure s or f ace t he devastating impact of climate change that will definitely derail whatever economic progress the Aquino administration has

achieved in the last six years.

“Fo r a d e v e l o p i n g country that is prone to geological hazards and is visited by an average of 20 cyclones annually, there is an urgent need to resilience/PAGE 11

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DA, MinDA ink pact to boost cacao production

T

HE Department of Agriculture and the

Mindanao Development Aut hor ity (MinDA)

s i g ne d a Me mor andu m of Agreement (MOA), on

July 31, to enable Davao region, and the whole of Mindanao to rise up to the Cacao 2020 challenge.

The MOA seeks to help cacao-producing provinces in Mindanao to address cacao 2020 challenge which aims to produce 100,000 metric tons (MT) quality cacao beans by the year 2020.

The volume will be

us e d to supply t he te n percent global deficiency of 1 million MT. T h e MOA m an d at e s the two agencies to carry out p olicies and action p l a n s t h at w i l l d o u b l e the land areas planted to cacao, thereby increasing production and income of cacao farmers and stakeholders, DA said in a statement.

Action Research in Education Get your BWM Loyalty Card NOW for only P350.00 valid for one year, and avail of discounts to more than 150 participating business establishments.

By Lindo M. Cayadong, Ph.D Senior Education Program Specialist-Planning and Research Department of Education Division of Misamis Oriental 9000 Cagayan de Oro City

Action research is a part of the thoughts to consider in the field of education.

An educator constantly comes across with many forms of challenges in the classroom and in the school.

Educational challenges always come along with instructional managers and leaders.

Action research is an educational journey where one identifies the problem, does activities to resolve such, assesses how effective the solution is and looks for another solution to address it. Doing an action research

is a continuous process.

An action research is done to advance educational strategies to come up with learning outcomes.

Through it, educators can discover different strategies and techniques that are essential to effectively deliver quality education.

Educators who love to get involved in the conduct of action researches lead to becoming transformational l e a d e rs w ho, i n tu r n manifest efforts to come with students and graduates who are globally attuned and highly-competitive.

Aside from production, the DA will assist growers in various value adding activities.

Un d e r s e c r e t a r y f o r Operations and Marketing Atty. Emerson U. Palad said that the DA is keen in teaching farmers on how to be entrepreneurs.

“You have to be business m i n d e d . D o n’t s t o p at production, you have to invest i n pro cessing and value-adding so can maximize your income,” he said.

Pa l a d s ai d t hat DA together with MinDA will look into the expansion and improvement of production to enable increase in productivity.

“We will also provide training support as well as posthar vest and research and development assistance,” he said.

The DA, under the High Value Crops Development Program, will also explore export market opportunities to sustain a competitive and viable industry.

Data from DA-HVCDP (High Value Commercial Crops Development Program) shows 90% of the total cacao production in the country is mostly sourced from Mindanao, 80% of which comes from Davao Region.

“Aside from banana and durian, we are prioritizing support to cacao industry so that we can position the region as the country’s cacao capital,” DA-Region XI director Remelyn R .

Recoter said.

DA i d e nt i f i e d c a c a o as a priority commodity for Davao Region under the World Bankassisted Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). (DA)

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The tropical culture of Davao Oriental

T

RAVELING to scenic Mati City is serendipity to w hat S outh E astern Mindanao can offer in terms of tranquility, sea breeze and adventure as the winding road reminisced a car chase scene of a Sean Connery, James Bond movie, filmed on location at the French Riviera in Monaco. We were not of course, after the trail of Secret Agent 007, but my staff composed, probably of the most eager and hardworking Sales Executives so far assembled for the tough job have a mission, exploring trade and challenging marketing work in the hospitality business.

Working for a hotel sales department endure pressure and must have the quality of speed to run after the accounts in the corporate business just as thorough bred horses are selected and trained to compete in a race.

Pushing further to the far end of the province, we arrived at the Municipality of Cateel where the wind coming from the sea touched our face with a dust of salt.

Along the route, we passed by the cascading falls of Aliwag wag feeling the turbulence of water that sounds music to our ears.

This v i l l age bur nt t he onslaught of Typhoon Pablo in 2012. News clippings displayed in the Municipal Librar y showed an area flattened to the ground that

Oro Chamber

Make Excuses or Make Money

T

hink a minute…A very s u c c e s s f u l bu s i n e s s has this as their motto: “You can make excuses, or you can make money, but you can’t do both!”

It’s true. Many times we make excuses because we’re afraid. We’re afraid to fail, and of what people might think. We’re afraid to change and do something n e w a n d d i f f e r e nt . O r we’re afraid that we don’t have what it takes to be successful. We think we’re not smart enough. But it’s only after you push past these fears and excuses that you can be confident to go for it! That’s the only way to start being successful in your life.

Yo u s e e , s u c c e s s f u l people are human just like you and me. They have to face the same fears and excuses we all do. But the difference is in what they do with their fears and excuses. Even though they fe el af raid just li ke us, they simply discipline and force themselves to go for it anyway. That’s the only way any new successful c a re e r or b u s i n e s s g ot started.

R e m e m b e r, successful people were also

THINK

A Minute

Jhan Tiafau Hurst unsuccessful, until they chose to exchange their habit of making excuses for the better habit of making the most of their abilities.

It just makes sense it’s the One Who made you Who knows all of your abilities and potential He gave you. S o if you ask Him to be your personal life manager, He’ll help you become all that He planned for you to be. And the first thing He’ll do is get you to stop making excuses and to start being a success by being your best. So why not ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and to take charge of your life today?

Then, you can get started down your road to success.

Just Think a Minute…

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looks like a “nuclear bomb’ was detonated in the town.

We did not come to rekindle sad memories of the people of Cateel but we came with a sales purpose, technically referred as “sales blitz” to establish commerce and goodwill to the government officials and the business community of the progressive Municipalities of Davao Oriental. Sales Blitz is a marketing strategy in the tourism industry fast applied to introduce a product promoted by the company.

It has a guaranteed return of investment of time and money with a definition in creating opportunities and opening new market.

Some people working in the marketing department of a consumer manufacturing or a hotel business, aside from distributing posters and advertising materials, always tucked product samples, when visiting a client. The hospitality industry refers to this as “collaterals” not to be mistaken as properties that can be mortgaged to the banks but gifts which communicate the product.

Our collaterals, for the sales trip were not the usual, but p acke d go o ds and merchandise, donated by corporate sponsors during the hotel inauguration. It was heart-warming that the timing of our visit followed after their town Fiesta. We can still feel the joy and the

smell of the celebration as we move around.

From all walks of life, people smiles with their warm handshake that impresses our perceptions, three years after a tragedy, they were able to rise and rebuilt their lives with the compassion of the world.

Turning back, we stayed overnight in Mati City, to learn how people manage their community and derived their wealth from their sources of living. The economy of the province of Davao Oriental have crawl back to normalcy. Behind some visual spectacle, government infrastructures have been repaired and aqua-culture rank as top money earner followed by the good prices of copra harvested from more than 20,000 hectares of land planted with coconut trees. Retail business fill up market places and many of their “Motorelas” were running with full capacities.

We did not see Cowboys in the Valley earlier, but livestock’s, ranked third in the agricultural activity with grass feed Cattles from the emerald fields, truck loaded weekly, to the abattoir of Davao City. This explains why many Supermarkets and Steak Houses in Davao City and General Santos never run out of choice Beef cuts.

Community based tourism has taken off to the next level with more resorts and

TRAVERSING the

Tourism H i - way

Ped Quiamjot pension houses filled with holiday seekers in the beach playground of Dahikan where skim boarding is popular at daytime just as visiting local tourist drown the Karaoke singing at nighttime.

Davao Oriental is famous for the early sunrise. It is the first province in the country that sees the sun silhouette through the clouds of the Pacific skies. The old proverb is true in this part of the Philippines that “early bird catches the worms”. If some cities are still in a deep slumber at 4:00 o’clock in the morning, at about that time, Davaowenyos in Mati City springs to life with deep sea Fishermen landing the first haul of Skyjack Tuna from the Moro Gulf. When day break comes, we hear laughter of children taking their ocean dip.

For comments or queries, please Email: sbeverage@ rocketmail.com or follow on Twitter @gm_ped

The legacy of Raul S. Roco

I

received an email invitation last week and immediately I decided that it was an occasion I would not miss.

It was for the book launch of “Honorary Woman – The Life of Raul S. Roco” last August 5 at the Club Filipino.

The launch coincided with 10th death anniversary of the late legislator and public ser vant whom admirers dubbed as “The Best President the Country Never Had.” His widow, Sonia, his imme di ate fami ly, and intimate friends joined the mass, celebrated by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, which preceded the book launch.

Written by Conrado de Quiros, the book narrated Raul’s humble beginnings and his growth and achievements as a student, lawyer, legislator and public servant. Lawyer Rene A.V. Saguisag wrote the foreword. It is a very inspiring read.

My former classmate at Ateneo, Jose “Jojo” Ma. Bunag, former BIR Commissioner, had fond memories of Roco.

“Raul S. Roco was my partner for about 10 years at ACCRALAW and for 15 years at the office we co-founded, Roco & Buñag. He performed brilliantly at ACCRALAW and easily gained the favor of the partners there and the trust and confidence of many clients, notably the late Mr.

Andy Soriano and his family and friends, as Raul led the teams that successfully fought off the attempts then of John Gokongwei to gain entry to the San Miguel board. He then established a reputation as the best lawyer in corporate proxy contests. This he carried over in thwarting the attempt of Fred Ramos to gain control of Atlas Mining after we have formed our firm.

“He was a litigator nonpareil and taught us a lot of techniques you will never learn in law school or read in books. But like most brilliant men (he was one of the first ten outstanding students when the Jaycees started giving out that award) he was a complex man, with many dimensions to his person, and he had his share of detractors and critics. But he can easily be the most charming person in a gathering. He was a master storyteller and thus an effective speaker in political campaigns. He thought he would be the first president from Bicol but destiny decreed otherwise.”

When I was a student at the Ateneo, I admired Roco from afar. Aside from being an outstanding student (from the other good school, San Beda), Roco was an outstanding debater. I often attended the debates he participated in and admired

the way he pinned down his opponents with his brilliant cross-examination.

I read up on him as he pursued a brilliant career as a legislator. He had a long list of bills – later enacted into law – of which he was either the principal author or co-author.

On gender equality and women’s rights, Roco had his brilliant inputs in: 1.

Women in Nation Building Law 2 . Nursing Act 3.

Anti-Sexual Harassment Law 4. Anti-Rape Law 5.

Child and Family Courts Act. Because of these and other pro-women activities, Roco was conferred the title of “Honorary Woman” by women’s groups.

On education, he authored bills which gave more flesh to the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers. Much earlier, while working as a staff of Ninoy Aquino, Roco helped draft the Study Now, Pay Later law.

As a former banker, I became keenly interested in Roco’s efforts to reform the banking system. Roco was principal author of senate bills which led to the enactment of the New Central Bank Act, and others which promoted the liberalization of the banking industry and the strengthening of rural banks.

On a personal note, the

SPEAKING

O ut

Ignacio Bunye people of Muntinlupa owe Roco one big favor.

I recall that 20 years ago, we were in the proverbial “last two minutes” of our efforts to have Muntinlupa upgraded from a municipality to a highly urbanized city.

The cityhood bill for Mu nt i n lup a h a d j u s t hurdled Congress. Thanks to the determined efforts of Congressmen Ciriaco Alfelor, Ceferino Paredes and Jim Lopez. But we still needed approval of a senate version of the bill.

With only two weeks before the sine die adjournment of Congress, it was an uphill battle. We still had no senate sponsor.

The first name that came to mind was Raul Roco who was a recent visitor of Muntinlupa.

So we approached him.

Roco greeted us smiling.

“I know what you are here for, bunye/PAGE 9

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SRA orders reallocation of US DENR taps PO’s for greening services sugar export to local market THE Sugar Regulator y Administration (SRA) has allowed the reclassification of Class “A” sugar or the United States export sugar to Class “B,” or domestic market sugar, to ensure stability of supply in the local market

amid increase in demand.

In Sugar Order No. 1115, SRA Administrator Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin ordered the reallocation of some 68,681 metric tons (MT) of US export sugar to domestic market sugar as

demand increased by about 3 percent at the end of the current crop year.

“We have verified that there are about 68,681 metric tons of US export sugar that is qualified for the conversion.

It is in the national interest

The Teacher as a Catalyst of Change

By Lizza Claire Sab-a

The teacher has mu l t i f a r i o u s r o l e s t o portray. As a catalyst of human transformation, a teacher has to go through enriching the minds and touching the entire lives of the learners. This makes the true essence of the teaching career- more of a vocation than that of a profession.

Other than a mentor, who fills the inquisitive minds of the learners, one has to be a counsellor and a special friend who is ready to lend a listening ear to every piece of sentiment and misfortune learners have experienced. Time spent to a student is priceless and meaningful. This makes teaching distinct from the rest of the professions.

Furthermore, a teacher

has to play mini Santa Claus at all times. He is sensitive to the immediate needs of students such as papers, ballpens, pencils, projects and even baon.

For teachers assigned in the rural barangays where pover ty is most likely experienced, scenarios like these are indeed ordinary that , teachers are true image of generosity and kindness . Because of this, some learners consider teachers as their source of admiration and even inspiration.

B a s i c a l l y, a g o o d teacher is also a social worker. He is willing to travel kilometres away from school in order to visit his students’’ dwellings. For a teacher, home visitation

plays a vital role to know the learners better. This way, students feel their importance into the heart of the teacher for spending time with time no matter how hectic the teacher’s schedule is.

Finally, a teacher has good public relations. Her involvement to community projects and activities is i n d e e d c om m e n d abl e.

From the clean and green p r o g r a m t o b a r a n g ay fiesta, advocacy against drug addiction, graft and corruption and others, the teachers presence cannot be questioned . Because of this, the teacher wrapped in humility and simplicity, becomes a prominent figure in the barangay he is a part of.

to institute measures that will bring about stabilized prices of domestic sugar, which are fair to consumers and reasonable to producers,” she said.

This was the fourth time this current crop year that SRA allowed conversion/ reclassification of sugar intended for exports as the projected sugar buffer stock may hit critical level.

The sugar crop year in the Philippines starts September 2014 and ends August 2015.

For crop year ending August 2015, the country was able to produce 2.316 million MT -- short of targeted 2.46 million MT, due to the unfavorable weather conditions that affected major sugarcane plantations, particularly in the Visayas region.

The prolonged dry spell towards the end of the current crop-year also impacted sugarcane crops.

On t he ot her hand, domestic demand for the sweetener -- based on per capita consumption of 25 kilos for 88 million Filipinos -- is around 2.25 million MT. Martin said the conversion program for sugar planters and mi l lers, w ho have sugar/PAGE 9

D E PA R T M E N T of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) expanded its network of people’s organizations (POs) undertaking reforestation a c t i v it i e s t h rou g h t h e National Greening Program (NGP).

Such MOVE aims to help facilitate greening NGP’s 2016 target of 1.5 million hectares of open and denuded land nationwide.

This week, DENR and a PO named Tulungan sa Kabuhayan ng Calawis Inc. (TSKC) signed in Antipolo City a memorandum of ag re e me nt c ove r i ng reforestation of a 200-hectare NGP site in Bgy. Puray of Rizal province’s Rodriguez town.

The agreement engaged TSKC’s services for twoyear comprehensive site development of degraded and denuded forest lands as this PO signified interest to join NGP. Such site development would cover the establishment phase as well as maintenance and protection phase. The first year of the agreement would be devoted to establishment of plantations.

Maintenance and protection of planted seedlings will comprise activities during the second year, according to the agreement.

Under the agreement, T SKC must pro du c e

172,400 seedlings/cuttings “for the comprehensive site development of pioneering species.”

DENR requires an 85 percent minimum survival rate for the planted seedlings.

NGP aims to reforest its target areas using some 1.5 billion seedlings of indigenous and exotic tree species.

Ta p p i n g P O s a n d other partners is among mobilization strategies for NGP. To fund the work, the agreement further said DENR will make available a total of Php 1.86 million, with payments to be made based on progress billing.

T he ag re e me nt a ls o provides that the DENR must release - upon signing of the contract and issuance of Notice to Proceed, and upon written request of TSKC - a mobilization fee equivalent to 15 percent of the approved budget.

Also under the agreement, the DENR must provide technical assistance subject to the undertaking’s approved work and financial plan.

TSKC must submit such plan for DENR’s approval.

Earlier, DENR reported a 112 percent nationwide accomplishment for NGP as of December 2014 with 1.005 million hectares of land planted using nearly DENR/PAGE 9

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Environment

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Convergence raises hope for low-carbon R&D financing

By Catherine J. Teves

MANILA -- An expert is seeking international convergence on financing research and development (R&D) of low-carbon initiatives that will help further ease climate change.

“We should have an agreement of US, EU, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, Canada and other willing partners to come forward for a large consortium of lowcarbon R&D financing,” The Earth Institute Dir. Dr. Jeffrey Sachs said at the International Policy Advisory Group’s Aug. 3-4, 2015 meeting hosted by Asian Development Bank.

He raised urgency for low-carbon R&D financing, noting countries must curb emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) so global temperature rise

can remain below the internationally agreed target limit of 2°C. Temperature rise beyond such point would worsen climate change and spell havoc for the planet, he warned.

“There’s no way to maintain growth with runaway climate change,” he said.

Experts said GHGs acc umulate and trap heat in the atmosphere so temperature increases, leading to climate change.

They identified the Philippines as among countries most at risk for the changing climate’s impacts.

S u c h i mp a c t s a r e increasing onslaught of extreme weather as well as sea level and temperature rise, they said.

To help reduce GHG

emissions, Dr. Sachs noted countries must increasingly decarbonize by transitioning to lowcarbon systems.

“Every country needs to plan for deep decarbonization,” he said.

Deep decarbonization includes transforming energy systems to significantly reduce carbon intensity across all sectors.

Technology transfer and development are needed to make such transformation possible, said Dr. Sachs.

“We need to invest probably something in the order of another USD50 billion a year globally in low-carbon energy research in a sensible, cooperative manner,” he further said.

He note d t he top technology needed for lowcarbon transition concerns storage of energy.

“Better batteries, for example, will make possible universalization of electric

vehicles,” he said.

Battery technology, electric vehicles, carbon sequestration and smar city infrastructure are among areas very amenable to financing, he noted.

Earlier, scientist Richard Heede presented in Metro Manila key findings of his peer-reviewed study which showed 90 international fuel and cement producers accounted for some 63 p ercent of estimated cumulative worldwide industrial emissions of CO2 and methane from 1751to 2010.

His study also showed such top emitters consisted of 50investor-owned, 31 State-owned and nine nation-State producers of oil, natural gas, coal and cement.

About half of global GHG emissions were released into theatmosphere since 1986, the study continued.

Heede noted emissions

The Contextualization of Kindergarten Curriculum Guide (NKCG)

By William D. Caballero Head Teacher – II / District Kindergarten Coordinator

Republic Act 10157 stressed the importance of Kindergarten Education a s it i ns t itut i on a l i z e d Kindergarten Education into basic education system.

The same act as well stated that “Kindergarten education is vital to the academic and technical development of the Filipino child for it is the period when the young mind’s absorptive capacity for learning is at its sharpest.”

It is during Kindergarten

years that pupils begin to meet the influx of learning.

Thus, it is important that along the changes made to education system as K to 12 has been implemented, the role of kindergarten education should be recognized through reviewing or if possible, making amendments to its procedures, for the reason of improvement.

This is the reason as well of the contextualization of National Kindergarten Curriculum Guide that

has been participated by all kindergarten-offering schools nationwide within 40 weeks.

This contextualization aims to put in place the proper topics that should be discussed in classroom and to be inserted in different activities, as well as lessons that best support the skills and learning coverage of the pupils. To mention a few, these are learning experiences that support Language Development and Logico Mathematical

D e v e l o p m e n t . It a l s o covered the instructions for indoor activities, game time outdoors and daily lesson plans to be made.

Department of Education has conducted series of seminars and workshops among different divisions before the proper contextualization to further prepare them for the 40 weeks-implementation.

These are mostly par ticipated by s cho ol heads and kindergarten regular teachers.

have been increasingly d i s c h a r g e d i nt o t h e atmosphere since then.

He hopes emitters concerned can be climate-

responsible entities and adapt emission-reducing inter ventions to help mitigate climate change.

(PNA)

District Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training of Trainers

By ARDIAN V. SACULINGAN School Principal I Baungon District Division of Bukidnon

I’M happy that the government is now involving public school teachers in disaster risk reduction and management. As a typhoon-perennial country, the Philippines ought to involve all sectors in how to mitigate calamities. And nowhere is close to that involvement than teachers.

Why? Because throughout his and her elementary and high school life, children spend seven hours each weekday. That is why it is imperative for teachers to know and learn about disaster mitigation so they can pass it on to their students.

As a public school principal, it is my honor to accept this task having been appointed District Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Coordinator in our district of Baungon, Bukidnon.

Sadly for the past few days, our province has been hit with flooding, claiming half a dozen lives. It was a first for Bukidnon, just like Sendong was a first for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Half of the victims were children of school age and my heart was pierced with sadness over that unfortunate event. But at the same time, it was and

it should be a wake-up call for us teachers that we should prepare our respective campuses for any eventuality, be it from flooding, earthquake, fire or even man-made calamities such as terrorism or food poisoning.

Indeed what happened in Bukidnon was an impact of climate change. Our beloved province has never been flooded that way before.

It has necessitated the general public to realize that awareness and preparedness for these phenomena are a must. Every teacher or staff, both from the public and private schools, must recognize that the welfare of the students in their respective campuses is a foremost concern and responsibility.

E mp owe r m e nt an d cooperation are the key words that can make disaster preparedness work. A basic four-day training course is good enough for the teaching staff to learn the basic knowledge and skills in strengthening disaster preparedness as prepared

by DILG and the Office of Civil Defense. Although we don’t know when calamities strike, at least we in the school campuses are fully prepared.

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Tourism Sites to promote Misamis Oriental Teachers as Prime Movers

By Micka Victoria

The banner program on Tourism is anchored on the core principle of good governance envisioning Misamis Oriental to be “the leading eco-tourism destination and center for economic growth with a healthy environment and cultured, prosperous, resilient and empowered p eople in a stable and enduring petace and order situation.

As of the present, there are 8 priority tourist sites in Misamis Oriental --

Tugasnon Hot Spring in Tugasnon, Alubijid; Sagpulon Falls in San Isidro, Jasaan; Philippine Sailfin Lizard in Solana, Jasaan; Aya-Aya Falls in Upper Talacogon, Lugait; Agutayan Whit Island in Jampason, Jasaan; Alibuag Cold Spring in Duka,Medina; Civoleg Falls in Lunotan, Gingoog City and; Cebu Pacific Flight 387 Shrine in Aposkahoy, Claveria.

These tourist development sites are intended to bring positive economic impacts to communities

CENSUS STARTS NOW

The 2015 Census of Popu l at ion (PopC en 2015), which is a complete enumeration of households in the country starts today, August 10, 2015 , and will end S eptemb er 6, 2015 in most provinces an d m ay b e e x te n d e d until end of September 2015 in big cities. This nationwide census taking is sp e arhe ade d by t he Philippine Statistics Aut h or it y ( P S A ) . T h e authority and mandate of the PSA to conduct the POPCEN 2015 emanates from RA No. 10625 and E x e c u t i v e O r d e r No. 352. The POPCEN 2015 is designed primarily to take an inventory of the population of the entire Philippines.

Enumerators wearing official POPCEN 2015 IDs will visit and interview every household to ask basic information such as age, sex, marital status, e d u c at i o n , a n d u s u a l occupation and others.

The interview will take from 15 to 30 minutes for each household.

This nationwide activity aims to provide updated population counts of household members, which shall be used for t h e d e t e r m i n at i o n o f t h e Int e r n a l R e v e nu e Allotment (IRA); creation of new local government units (LGUs); and, for

“The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.”

~Confucius

the conversion of some existing LGUs to higher level such as municipalities to component cities and component cities to highly urbanized cities. Census results are also useful for determining sites for establishing businesses.

These data are utilized to determine consumer demands and supply of labor for the production of v ar i ou s g o o d s an d services.

Dr. Janit h C. Aves , the Interim Provincial Statistics Officer of PSA, Misamis Oriental, calls for all to support the POPCEN 2015 by accommodating its enumerators as they d o i nt e r v i e w s an d by providing complete and appropriate answers to all questions during t h e i n t e r v i e w. Av e s also mentioned that all d at a prov i d e d by t h e respondent will be held strictly confidential as indicated in Section 27 of RA 10625.

ensuring wise growth that entails the protection of environment, opportunity for education, economic and

social advancement, healthy citizenry and strength in bringing people together for development.

A Simple Reminder

By Ricender G. Gonzales

A few people I know overheard a seventh grade teacher exasperatedly tell one of her students, “How am I supposed to teach you when you are so stupid and slow at Math?” Time has shown how the child still looks down when given a math problem, insisting she was poor at numbers.

I cringed upon hearing the story, and realized how a few words of a teacher could impact the rest of a person’s learning attitude.

How significant are teachers, really?

One’s growth is not only determined by how his cells are designed to develop, but also by factors that come in from the outside. Naturally, a learner gives credit to his teacher, and naturally, we would all agree. How could we deny such apparent transfer of ideas? Shove a learner to one teacher and in a period of time, one would eventually realize the traces of the teacher in the student’s thoughts and works. Plato had Socrates as Carl Jung had Sigmund Freud, or Alexander the Great had Aristotle.

There is so much in the hands of a teacher, they say.

Like a potter shapes clay to a pot according to his taste, so does the teacher have the critical privilege to help mold a child’s mind, even in ways one does not tend to think of. Meanwhile, society seems to only hand over

the children to the school gates with the expectancy that they come back out filled and knowing at the end of the day. Think of it as a grocer picking a bag of inexpensive sugar from the shelf without considering how the sugar cane must have been processed, refined, or packed, and how many workers must have toiled over a single bag. Teaching is like that, is it not? We hear so much about how, behind every professional there is on this planet, there is a teacher.

And that, no matter how we stretch or squeeze it, is true.

But all too often we forget that. We forget how teachers’ efforts remain, even in ways unimagined – far beyond the daily lessons. It may only be that small pat on back the teacher had given when a student flunked his long quiz, or a harsh remark on a barely passing grade, but, like all the topics outlined, they will always be planted as an integral factor in a student’s learning. Even a little goes a long way.

That sudden burst of harsh comment to the seventh grader might have bruised her and her attitude towards Math, but someday, probably another person – another teacher, perhaps – will boost her confidence back up. This could be our little reminder that the details matter. And you, teacher, and how you do, matter more.

of Transformation

By RENE B. EDULLANTES Teacher III Ozamiz City School of Arts and Trades

TEACHERS are inde e d pr ime movers of t r an s f or m at i on of students most importantly at the elementary level.

Psychologists will attest that the ages between eight and 12 are the formative years of a person and will make a difference on how he carries himself or herself as an adult later on. The idea that teachers are prime movers of transformation comes from renowned psychologist John Dewey.

Dewey was instrumental in lobbying for teaching as a formal profession.

He b e l i e ve s t h at t h e successful classroom teacher must possess a passion for knowledge and an intellectual curiosity in the materials and methods they teach. The classroom teacher does not have to be a scholar in all subjects, rather a genuine love in one will elicit a feel for genuine information and insight in all subjects taught.

Utilizing Electronic Media in Facilitating Learning

By HELDALYN P. CLEMENA

AS late as 20 years ago, teachers and students f rom k indergar ten to college still use pen and paper, paperbacks and chalkboards to learn. Then the Internet came in 1995 in the country. By 1998, almost all the Fortune 500 companies in the world have websites. Web-based email was introduced. Text messaging in cellphones was likewise introduced.

By 1996, blogging or online diaries were invented. (By substitution, this can also be a venue for students to post essays for their professors to check. Besides, checking essays online is more convenient because there will be no hassle at all to read one’s unique penmanship.) By 1998, YouTube became a platform

even for teachers to post their instructional materials and for students to learn them. Of course, students also YouTube to post their video assignments for their instructors and teachers to check and evaluate. After YouTube, social media was introduced. Aside from being used by the general public, this medium is being used by teachers and students to interact in real time so they can correct their assignments in a faster way.

At t he s ame t i me, universities and colleges int ro duce d t heir own intranet system for students to log in. In this era of Information, we can say that electronic media has indeed facilitated speedy learning among students.

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VISIT THE PHILIPPINES YEAR 2015

Globe Telecom boosts tourism campaign GLOBE Telecom, through its International Business Group, has partnered with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) of the Philippines to support the Visit the P h i l ippi n e s Ye a r 2 0 1 5 campaign which aims to promote the country as Asia’s top tourist destination. Globe is TPB’s first Philippine telco partner to offer affordable communication services to millions of tourists and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning to the country.

According to a recent report by the Department of Tourism, the Philippines registered a total of 2.23 million international visitors from January to May 2015 alone, an 8.15% growth from the previous year. The same report also revealed that the average length of stay of a tourist is 10 nights and has an average daily expenditure of P4,583.29, bringing total earnings generated from tourism activities to P93.907 billion for the first five months of 2015.

The report also showcased Korea as the country that led the top 10 visitor countries in the Philippines with the United States of America and Japan ranked 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Other countries which had notable presence in international arrivals are China (4th), Australia (5th), Singapore (6th), Canada (7th), Taiwan (8th), the United Kingdom (9th), and Malaysia (10th).

With the steady growth of international visitors (Non-Philippine residents) in the country as well as the increasing number of OFWs returning home to spend time with their families and loved ones, Globe collaborated with the TPB to drive its Visit the Philippines Year 2015 campaign by offering its Globe Traveler SIM for free and give tourists and OFWs worr y-free connectivity during their stay in the Philippines.

The Globe Traveler SIM

is a local prepaid SIM card that offers local rates for calls, texts, and mobile data services, giving tourists and visitors a more convenient and af ford abl e w ay to reach their contacts from around the world from the Philippines. Getting a local SIM will afford the user a more cost-efficient way to connect than using an international number which charges international call, text and browsing rates.

With the Globe Traveler SIM, users can receive calls and texts from abroad for free and cut costs on mobile data by subscribing to TravelSurf, which allows them to surf the Internet on mobile for an affordable rate of US$11 for seven (7) days or US$23 for 30 days, giving them access to e-mails, social networking sites, apps, and travel blogs and reviews for a worry-free stay in the Philippines. Users can also call abroad for as low as US$0.40 per minute.

Tourists and OFWs can claim the free Globe Traveler SIM by presenting their nonPhilippine passport, foreign resident card, Seaman’s book, or OFW E-card at any of the Globe booths located at NAIA, Cebu, Davao, Kalibo, Iloilo, and Clark International Airport starting July 30, 2015.

“We are happy to be the first telco partner of the Tourism Promotions Board in their thrust to make the Philippines the ultimate destination hub for tourists worldwide. Offering free SIMs is our way of helping travelers fur ther enjoy their stay by enabling easy, affordable and hassle-free communications,” shares Globe SVP for International Business Rizza Maniego-Eala.

“Staying connected is a priority for the millions of travelers who visit our country. They use mobile data to find information and share memorable experiences, while calls and SMS are still important tools to keep in touch. Our Traveler SIM gives them access to all these and

(L-R) Launching the partnership between the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and the country’s number one mobile brand Globe Telecom to further boost Philippine tourism and promote TPB’s Visit the Philippines Year 2015 campaign are TPB Chief Operating Officer Ramon Domingo C. Enerio III and Globe Senior Vice President for International Business Rizza Maniego-Eala. Globe is offering its Globe Traveler SIM for free to millions of international tourists and returning OFWs so they can enjoy seamless connectivity with affordable call, text and mobile browsing rates while in the Philippines.

gives us the privilege of being their connectivity partner in the Philippines,” adds Eala.

“It is a privilege to be partnering with Globe in our endeavors to promote the country as a top tourist destination in Asia. Visit the Philippines Year 2015 aims to excite and encourage local and international visitors to actively participate in the year-long calendar of tourism activities that we have in the pipeline. By working with Globe, we are optimistic that more tourists in the Philippines will enjoy seamless connectivity to share wonderful moments to their friends and families anywhere around the world,” stated Domingo Ramon C. Enerio III, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board.

PAL sustains profitability in first six months PAL Holdings Inc., Philippine Airlines’ parent company, on Friday posted a 14 percent increase in profit to P55.94 billion for the first half of the year from P48.95 billion in the same period last year.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange ( P S E ) , PA L H o l d i n g s attributed the higher profit to an increase in passenger revenues.

The company said the number of passengers rose by 37 percent mainly for the Americas, Australia, Japan

and Middle East routes.

It said the effect of interlining arrangement with PAL Express in the domestic

sectors also contributed to the favorable revenue performance for the period. pal/PAGE 9

K to 12 Basic Education Program (BEP): Respond to the Pressing Needs of Today

By Teresito A. Magtabog, School Principal II Kalilangan Central School

The only permanent thing is this world is change. One of the man’s greatest challenges is change.

Change could be a modification of a certain thing or incident.

K to 12 BEP is a change for Filipino people in the educational system. With affirmation of the legislators and approval of the president, this was made into a Law under Republic Act No. 10533 (other known as Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013) and R.A. 10157 (Universal Kindergarten Act). K to 12 covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education, where in 6 years of primary, 4 years of Junior High School and 2 years of Senior High School. Is it empirical and practical to change the Department of Education’s Curriculum?

With the implementation of K to 12 BEP, numerous complaints were heard with the teachers, the pupils, and the parents. Before, we commonly hear the statement that goes, “Hilaw pa ang Pilipinas for K to 12 BEP. It is a reality that in the first year of implementation, instructional materials, facilities and equipment were insufficient.

There were a number of people who were not able to conceptualize and internalize the program leading to misconceptions. All along they were resistant to change. A present scenario of change has been experienced yet we fail to appreciate the effort of the people behind this change for they opted to transform our educational system into the better. Filipinos must cope with the demands of the society and the world to be globally competitive.

For Filipinos must upgrade the educational system for the next

generation’s welfare. And now, our government is allocating big amount of budget for the preparation and implementation of this program to address the pressing needs of the current time.

K to 12 BEP is not a new term in the Philippine education. In history, studies have been made since 1925 about the educational system of the Philippines. This was followed by numerous bills in its implementation. And yet, only in this year, K to 12 was reborn, finally implemented and turned into laws.

Enhancing the quality of education in the Philippines is urgent and critical today. The poor quality of basic education is reflected in the low achievement scores of Filipino students. A recent test result conducted by the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) revealed that Philippines ranked 3rd from the bottom in Mathematics across Asia, in so manner, in Science, we ranked the lowest. This calls for a reform in our educational system. The congested curriculum partly explains the present state of education. This quality of education is reflected in the inadequate preparation of high school graduates for the work or higher education. For high school graduates have mediocre skills needed to meet the demands of the society and in the world.

Considering the present status of today, Department of Education developed and implements the K to 12 BEP to address present situation. The current educational system clarifies misconceptions cognizant to the urgent and critical

concerns of education in compliant to the priorities of the President Aquino’s Administration therefore, DepEd through the leadership of Sec. Bro. Armin C. Luistro, FSC is taking bold steps enough to enhance the education. K to 12 BEP is foreseen to be the answer to DepEd’sadversities.

The Kto12 BEP will be instrumental in achieving the nation’s vision, mission and core values and goals of the graduates. The benefits of the K to 12 Program far outweigh the additional costs that will be incurred by both government and families. The enhanced curriculum will decongest academic workload.

And we will produce graduates with competencies and skills relevant to the job market who are equipped for higher education. That will lead to an economy with accelerated growth in the long run.According to the Human Capital Theory, the economic development of a country is the result of its quality education.

In adherence to K to 12 BEP, Education For All Program (EFA) of DepEd aims for a Functional Literacy For All Filipinos. “No child must be left behind “is the dream of our President Aquino to all the children and his challenge to all implementers of the new curriculum. Everybody must have the basic literacy needed to cope with the trends of the society. K to 12 BEP builds a foundation of quality education that could yield to quality graduates who are functional literate individuals.

“For our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

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Bunye... from page 4

gentleman. I already filed the bill converting Muntinlupa into a city!”

T he re st is h i stor y.

President Fidel V. Ramos signed the Muntinlupa Cityhood Law on March 1, 1995.

Roco – together with Alfelor, Paredes and Lopezwas later conferred the status of “Adopted Son of Muntinlupa” by a grateful Sangguniang Panglungsod.

Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@gmail. com.

the deadline shall no longer be valid,” she said.

Martin said the conversion program shall be voluntary to planters, millers and traders holding Class “A” raw sugar quedans issued in crop year 2014-2015.

She, however, stressed that US sugar quedans that were unverified before July 31, 2015 shall not be eligible or accepted for conversion.

The sugar regulator will also charge a fee of Php10 for every kilo of US sugar converted into domestic sugar. (PNA)

DENR... from page 5

Sugar... from page 5

produced Class “A” sugar in crop year 2014-2015, would be subjected to certain conditions.

“Conversion rights for crop year 2014-2015 can be sold, assigned or consolidated.

However, the rights covered by the order must be exercised no later than Aug. 28, 2015.

Those who failed to exercise the conversion rights after

593 million seedlings.

DENR als o awarded agreements to other groups such as San Joseph Punlaang Bayan Agro Rainforetation A s s o c i at i o n I n c . ( 1 0 0 hectares); Pinagsama-samang Grupong Magbubukid ng Casunugan Inc. (50 hectares); Malayang Samahan ng mga Katutubo ng Antipolo City Inc. (200 hectares); and Kapisanang Balik Kalikasan Inc. (150 hectares), all located

Why study Tech-Voc Education in Senior High School?

By Lindo M. Cayadong, Ph.D Senior Education Program Specialist-Planning and Research Department of Education Division of Misamis Oriental 9000 Cagayan de Oro City

Te c h n i c a l - v o c a t i o n a l education is an essential c o mp o n e nt i n t h e K to 12 Basic Education Program. It is one of the answers to what career in the future that Grade 10 completers could go into.

The Philippine government through the Department of Education takes it share in preparing for its take-off comes June 2016. DepEd has undertaken steps for its implementation. With these initiatives, Tech-Voc Education takes a bigger share in the choices that Grade 10 completers might consider.

DepEd is exploring p ar t ne r i ndust r i e s i n c o op e r at i on w it h t he students’ parents, graduates and the local government units. Through its Senior High School Task Force, s e veral industries are visited and interviewed their managers to identify

employees’ competencies and p ossible j obs for year 2018 onwards that Tech-Voc graduates may be accommodated. As a result, industry-partners visited require effective communication skills and the ability to create good relationship with superiors and co-workers.

For food industries, hygiene comes as a basic concern which should be considered. Schools should give more attention to promote students’ practical skills along with positive and proper attitude to work.

In turn, teachers for the Senior High School need to connect what the students learn for their future jobs.

Know i ng Te ch - Vo c Education in the Philippines could offer to the would-be graduates and to the country as a whole would lead to a healthier and wealthier Philippines.

in Barangay Sta. Ines, Tanay, Rizal.

The DENR also inked agreements with MakinafaMananta Kinapuin Anono Farmers Association Inc. (150 hectares); Calawis Punlaang Bayan Inc. (150 hectares); and Apia United Farmers Association Inc. (200 hectares), all located in Barangay Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal.(PNA)

PAL... from page 8

Total operating expenses for the period went up by 5.5 percent or P2.63 billion , over the previous year’s P47.97 billion, due to higher expenses

related to maintenance, passenger service, reservation and sales and general and administrative, which were offset by the reduction in flying operations.

Flying operations expenses meanwhile decreased to P223.3 million, or 21.3 percent, from last year’s P19.24 billion due to the decline in average jet fuel price per barrel.

The additional nine A321s and seven A330 HGW to PAL’s fleet resulted in higher lease charges by P2.6 billion.

Transportation expense also grew by P934.3 million caused by the increase in number of domestic flights, it said.

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Advantage of the K-12 Curriculum for Filipino Students

By RHEA KRISTINE J. GULDBOG

THE K-12 curriculum is more than just adding years to the schooling of children in the country.

For instance, the longer educational cycle in the K-12 curriculum creates a situation where Filipino students are guaranteed higher quality of education. Prior to this, we only have four years in high school. With the introduction of the K-12, we will have two additional years. That means we decongest some subjects and inject more content in their syllabuses as a result, particularly in the areas of math, languages and

science which are used globally. This is especially relevant in our times because it cannot be denied that we are competing our manpower with other nations. We need our students to be prepared for jobs which are needed all over the world and therefore coveted by all other nationalities elsewhere.

The new curriculum is aimed to fix the congestion of math, languages and science at the high school level. That is why it is an advantage to Filipino students the implementation of the K-12 curriculum in our basic education system.

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LifeStyle

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

R.O.X. launches Trail Run in CDO Aiming to push for better environmental awareness, Recreational Outdoor eXchange (R.O.X.) is all set for one of the most exciting outdoor events of the year – the Mapawa Trail Run to be held in Cagayan de Oro on October 25.

Set in the beautiful Mapawa Nature Park, the trail run encourages all participants to be more mindful of what they bring to the venue as well as how they make use of the place. As such, runners are required to being their own hydration since disposable cups are not allowed in any hydration station/aid station.

The “green race” aims to gather 700 participants – which will make up the 42K, 22K, 11K, and 6K race levels. Registration starts on August 8 up to September 30, 2015 at selected R.O.X. branches and through runnersrunner. com. The event targets both Elite Runners (seasoned, well trained and competitive athletes) as well as Trail Running newbies to participate and have fun.

The run will highlight the scenic beauty of the Mapawa Adventure Park, one of Cagayan de Oro’s most popular tourist attractions.

Aside from promoting the beauty of Mapawa Adventure Park as well as the various activities that can be enjoyed here, R.O.X. also wants to showcase the beauty of Cagayan de Oro as a premiere travel destination especially for those who love the outdoors – and for those who haven’t been there before, then it might just spark your interest in finally going outside, and explore.

As the country’s top outdoor, R.O.X. is excited to continue have this prestigious event and being optimistic that this would definitely not be the last given the strong support that they have been receiving from clients, sponsors, and of course, the local running community.

As the event is not just for Elite Runners, R.O.X. will be holding a special Trail Running 101 session on September 25, 2015 to help people prepare better for the race.

Event is made possible by the following Salomon, Municipal of Cagayan de Oro, Ayala Centrio, Simon Designs, Nathan, Black Diamond, C3Fit, Sea to Summit, Headware, M Magazine, and Magic 89.9 Should you wish to learn more about the upcoming Mapawa Trail Run, please visit http://www.runnersrunner.com/ roxmapawatrailrun2015/ or send us an email at roxph.events@gmail.com R.O.X. is owned and operated by the Primer Group of Companies, Asia's next retail giant.

About R.O.X. Recreational Outdoor eXchange (R.O.X.) is creating raves in the outdoor industry with its unique concerns on people and environment. It is currently the largest outdoor sports and recreation superstore in Southeast Asia. It derives satisfaction in providing the tools of trade for the outdoor enthusiast, and subsequently provides outdoor experience to sustain consciousness of people on issues pertaining to environment.

What R.O.X. wants is to get everyone outside and experience firsthand the outdoors, outlive every exhilarating moment and embrace the adventurer in each one!

Like us on Facebook: (R.O.X. Philippines) E-mail us: rox.cs@primergrp.com

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Tobacco... from page 1

in order to achieve full operations. At present, there are about 650 to 680 hectares planted to tobacco in Claveria alone.

Lumunsad said the company is confident of reaching production of over one million kilos this year for tobacco farmers to qualify for the 15 percent share from revenues collected under the sin tax law.

“Last year, we were able to hit 900,000 kilos. At present, we are now at 600,000 kilos with about 700 hectares, and we are confident that we can hit the one million mark by end of the year for the benefit of our tobacco farmers,” he said.

In 2012, PMFTC invested some US$50 million for its Virginia tobacco nursery plantation and curing facilities located in Barangay Ane-i, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

Most tobacco plantations in the country are located in the provinces of Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union, growing the Virginia, Burley, Turkish and native tobacco.

Part of the US$50-million investment of PMFTC was the establishment in January 2012 of its first Virginia tobacco experimental farm, covering 10 hectares in Barangay Ane-i.

The initial result of the trial was very promising, so PMFTC proceeded to the precommercialization phase. Some 113 farmers representing a total area of 58.27 hectares were involved in the second phase, which ended October 2013.

After seeing promising results from its pre-commercial launch, National Tobacco Administration (NTA) chief Edgardo Zaragoza said most farmers in Claveria were willing to shift to tobacco farming as they can avail of production assistance from PMFTC. According to the farmers, they no longer worry about their post-harvest activities since the company buys the freshly harvested tobacco leaves from them.

PMFTC also extended production assistance, including tobacco seedlings. After harvest, the company bought the fresh tobacco leaves from the farmers, and did the flue curing.

Aside from having bigger income from tobacco farming, the farmers were also optimistic about the employment opportunities provided by the tobacco firm’s expansion program.

“Though Ilocos region has a vibrant tobacco industry, private tobacco firms continue to search for areas to plant tobacco, particularly the Virginia type,” Zaragoza said.

Tobacco produced in Claveria contributes five-percent to the total production in the country.

“Apparently, one good choice is Misamis Oriental in Northern Mindanao, chosen for its vast fertile land and good climatic condition,” said Zaragosa.

Before, traditional tobacco farmers in Misamis Oriental -particularly in the municipalities of Opol, El Salvador, Alubijid, Laguindingan, Gitagum, Libertad and Initao -- have been growing

the Batek/native variety only.

With the area expansion for Virginia tobacco, the NTA chief expects to improve the quality of tobacco leaves, adding that enhanced quality would make Philippine tobacco very competitive in the world market.

Lumunsad said the quality of Virginia tobacco produced in Claveria is the same as that in the United States and Brazil.

(PNA)

Resilience... from page 1

institutionalize sustainable and climate resiliency practices,” the New York-based professional services network Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited said in its report.

Deloitte, a provider of audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, and similar services to industries, stressed in its 24-page report released last June entitled Competitiveness: Sustainable and Inclusive Growth – The Philippines the urgency of building resilience to counter the effects of climate change such as productivity losses, loss of lives, and environmental destruction that will derail the country’s economic progress.

The Philippines is the most climate change-affected nation in 2013 when Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) struck, causing damage estimated at US$12.9 billion and killing around 6,000.

Economists the world over hail the economic policies of the Aquino administration that made the country become the second fastest-growing economy in the world.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in its April 251-page report Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India 2015 forecasted that the Philippines and Indonesia will lead the continuing growth of the ASEAN economies until 2019.

“The large ASEAN-5 economies — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam — will sustain their growth momentum in the medium term, led particularly by Indonesia and the Philippines with an average annual growth of 6.0% and 6.2%, respectively,” the OECD said.

This was the first time in the history of the OECD publication that the Philippines had the best growth forecast among the ASEAN-5 countries.

“Despite missing its gross domestic product (GDP) growth target in 2014 – 6.1% instead of the government’s official goal of 6.5% to 7.5% – the Philippines remains a bright spot in the region and is expected to continue outpacing its neighbors into 2016. Accelerated government spending, strong domestic consumption, and improving exports prospects are expected to drive growth anywhere from 6.2% to 6.7% this year before slowing slightly in 2016,” the Deloitte report said.

But this growth is unsustainable in the long term as it relies on strong remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). According to the World

Bank, the Philippines was the third largest remittance recipient in the world in 2014, with cash flows accounting for 8.5% of the country’s GDP for that year.

This prompted Socioeconomic Planning Sec. Arsenio M. Balisacan to say early this year of the need for a “re-balancing” of the economy, one that is driver more by investments and by the manufacturing and agricultural sectors to pave the way for the creation of more investment opportunities and jobs for lowskilled workers.

However, the sectors that Balisacan hinge the economy’s re-balancing act is prone to climate change impacts. In a briefing marking the close of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Roadmap for Resilient Economies Meeting on Disaster-Risk Finance in Bacolod City last April, Finance Undersecretary Gil S. Beltran said that the Philippines loses as much as 1.1% of its GDP each year to disasters such as typhoons.

Although the Philippines has ramped up its climate change and disaster risk reduction efforts in recent years with the enactment of such laws as Climate Change Act in 2009 and Clean Air Act in 1999, among others, they are not fully implemented because of corruption, according to Deloitte’s report, The report noted that studies showed that the rise in global temperatures due to environmental pollution has significant economic consequences. According to the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), in the year 2055, when global temperatures would have risen by 1.3°C, “workers in tropical countries who are employed in the industry sector will lose 2.7% of their work hours, while those employed in the agricultural sector will lose nearly double that, 4.9%, because of the hotter temperature.”

“Considering the continuing rise in temperatures, developing countries such as the Philippines will have to spend about US$300 billion a year by 2050 in order to adapt to a warmer world,” the Deloitte report said, citing estimates by global research organization World Resources Institute.

“This just adds to the already compelling case for the country to make sure that laws designed to manage climate change are strictly enforced and that the private sector is at least encouraged, if not incentivized, to adopt sustainable practices,” it added.

The Philippines is visited by at least 20 typhoons annually and is sitting on the Ring of Fire, a vast region of the Pacific Ocean where many of the Earth‘s earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

The country’s vulnerability to earthquake came to the fore following the one that hit Nepal.

“Should the country experience a quake of similar intensity to the one that hit Nepal, which state geologists have warned could happen any time, deaths could reach 37,000, with US$51.7 billion worth of structural damage,”

the report said.

Thus, for the Philippines, “there is an urgent need to institutionalize sustainable and climate resiliency practices,” Deloitte said.

Project... from page 1

(ARMM) and Lanao Del Sur Mamintal Adiong Jr. signed in Kapai, Lanao del Sur last Friday the memorandum of agreement (MOA) allowing the provincial government to implement the project starting this year, with the concreting of the road from Kapai to Tagoloan, also in Lanao del Sur, the last ARMM town en route to Talakag, Bukidnon in Region 10.

Groundbreaking rites were also held for the Phase II of the Kapai-Tagoloan road.

Kapai town is 30 minutes away from Marawi City and is the gateway to secluded Tagoloan town, the last frontier in the tri-boundary of Lanao Del Sur, Bukidnon and Cagayan De Oro City.

“This road project is part of the vision of Gov. Mujiv Hataman to open a ‘short cut’ that will allow residents of Lanao del Sur to reach urban centers like Cagayan de Oro at the shortest time possible, no longer passing through Iligan City,” said Engr.

Don Loong, Secretary of the ARMM’s Department of Public Works and Highways.

Loong stressed that for

decades, farmers travel for half a day before reaching the town center of Marawi City to bring their agricultural goods, paying excessive transportation fare.

At worst, some travel on foot for almost a day, he said.

“The impact of this now is cheaper transport cost and faster transactions for farmers to bring their goods to the market, Hataman said in his speech after the signing of the MOA. He added that the project will also open up vast tracts of potential agricultural land for more rural development initiatives including the attraction of tourism for Lake Lanao.

“Soon we can have trucks to bring the goods to the people, easy access to urban trading, health facilities, government offices and education for children” Hataman said.

A press release from the DPHW-ARMM quoted District Engineer Luzvimin Sani as saying the province’s first district engineering office had earlier determined the capability of the provincial government to implement the project in terms of human capacity, equipment and other resources.

Once completed, the new road will shorten travel distance and time from Marawi City to Wao, Lanao del Sur from 10 to three hours.

At present, residents of Marawi travel around ten hours to get to Wao, Lanao

11

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del Sur passing through Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.

From Kapai to Tagoloan, travelers can either turn left in Talakag, Bukidnon to Cagayan de Oro City, or turn right to connect to other parts of Bukidnon, to Wao, the press release said.

Sani told MindaNews in a telephone interview that the road from Kapai to Talakag, a former logging road, is around 50 kilometers The ARMM’s P220-M fund this year is for the concreting of 11 kilometers. Sani said this “will complete the more or less 15 kilometers of the Kapai portion because there are sections of the road that are already concrete.”

The Tagoloan portion, covering around 15 kilometers, will be concreted by the 2016 funding but here are still some 20 kilometers that would need funding.

Loong said a proposal in the 2017 budget will be needed to ensure full access to Cagayan de Oro and Wao by 2017 from Tagoloan.

Kapai resident Georgina Dao hailed the leaders for the project. “Aside from transporting our goods, this will make it more comfortable for some of the schoolchildren who walk for kilometers to reach the schools,” she said.

Gov. Adiong said that in the past, they could only get P30 million a year budget for infrastructure development in Lanao del Sur from the ARMM.

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Big prizes await winners in 2nd OPS Higalaay Festival Photo Contest A total of PhP40,000 cash prize await winners of the 2nd Oro Photographic Society Higalaay Festival Photo Contest this August as Cagayan de Oro City marks its fiesta celebration this year.

According to OPS President Lauriel dela Cruz, the contest is divided into two categories to widen participation from the public.

In the Conventional Category, participants can use cameras, such as the Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras and the like, while in the Mobile Category, smartphones, pads or tabs.

Winners in the Conventional Category will get P15,000 for the first prize, P10,000 for the second prize, and P5,000 for the third prize.

In the Mobile Category, winners will get P5,000 for the first prize, P3,000 for the second prize, and P2,000 for the third prize.

The contest is open to anyone

12 years old and above.

A registration fee of P200 entitles an entrant the official Higalaay Photographer’s ID and the submission of two entries.

Only photographentries bearing any of the Higalaay Festival 2015 activities taken from August 1 to 31, 2015 in Cagayan de Oro City will qualify Entries should be submitted in printed form sized 8”x12” at Ana’s Kitchen, Xavier University Gym, along Corrales Street, on or before the September 4, 2015 deadline.

Registration starts from August 1 to 31, 2015.

Entry forms are available at Limketkai Center’s Rotunda, Ana’s Kitchen, Casa Crystalla along Pabayo corner Chavez Streets, and Ateneo Camera Club Office inside the Xavier University campus.

For more details, visit the Facebook page of the Oro Photographic Society Inc.

Photographers converged at the Marco Hotel - Alwana Business Park as the Oro Photographic Society hosted the 1st Mindanao Photo Summit in Cagayan de Oro City, July 31-August 2. The venue also served as the photoshoot site. The summit is in preparation for the 2nd Higalaay Festival Photo Contest, where participants learned basic photography from travel and underwater photographer Annaliza Barrera, portrait and product photography from Canon ambassador Ibarra Deri, landscape photography from Canon ambassador, Edwin Martinez as well as from Francisco Mark Floro, also a Canon ambassador. Photo by Shaun ALEJANDRAE YAP Uy