BusinessWeek Mindanao (August 1, 2016)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO CREDIBLE

Volume VII, No. 023

Market Indicators As of 6:13 pm july 26, 2016 (tuesday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P47.193

8,024.54

X

1.3 cents

24.59

X

points

Briefly Pinoys’ optimisms FILIPINOS’ optimism about the qual ity o f thei r l i v es and the economy reached new record highs during the second quarter of 2016, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said.

The SWS survey conducted from June 24-25 showed that 49 percent of Filipino adults nationwide were expecting an improvement in their quality of life in the next 12 months. Only 3 percent were pessimistic.

These brought net optimism at “record very high” at +46.

The survey, conducted a week before President Rodrigo Duterte took his oath of office, also indicated that 60 percent of Filipino adults were hopeful that the Philippine economy would be better in one year.

Credit loans SURIGAO del Norte -- To act on the credit needs of agrarian reform beneficiaries, nine Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) here qualified for credit assistance through the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) of the government.

DAR-APCP officer Luningning B. Ycoy said the APCP’s main objective is to provide credit assistance to farmer-organizations not yet eligible for loans under the existing regular lending programs of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).

“The program will likewise address the credit needs of existing farmer-beneficiaries who are not yet accessing production loans from formal credit markets,” Ycoy said.

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Bill filed to establish Mindanao Rail Corp. www.businessweekmindanao.com

By MARK FRANCISCO Staff Writer

Davao region’s economy suffers slack in 2015

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PROPOSED body that will serve as the backbone in establishing the proposed railway system in Mindanao is taking headway with a bill filed by Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny ” Angara creating the Mindanao Railways Corporation (MindaRail).

Responding to President Duterte pronouncement, Sen. Angara filed Senate Bill No. 137 forming a stateowned Mindanao Railways Corporation which he said bill/PAGE 11

P15.00

Monday | August 1, 2016

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV MindaNews

CITRONELLA. Farmers harvest citronella leaves at a cooperative farm in Barangay Impalutao in Impasugong, Bukidnon. Citronella serves as base ingredient for lotion and other body care products. Photo courtesy of Anthea M. Mordeno

Activists say no to US use of Lumbia airport

By FROILAN GALLARDO, MindaNews

THREE American activists had themselves tied to the gates of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) base in Lumbia

Airport Friday afternoon, July 29, 2016, to protest the use of the base by the Americans airport/PAGE 11

DAVAO Cit y -- D avao Region’s economy slowed down in 2015 compared to its performance in 2014, a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

During the 2015 Report on the Economic Performance of Davao Region at the Grand Regal Hotel Thursday, PSA 11 chief Ruben D. Abaro Jr. said the region’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) stood at 7.9 percent. In 2014, the GDRP was 9.3 percent.

But the figure was higher than the region’s target of 7.5 percent, he noted.

Na t i o n a l E c o n o m i c Development Authority 11 director Maria Lourdes Lim explained that the region’s GRDP slowed down due to the deceleration of its three major sectors – agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing sector; industry sector; and slack/PAGE 11

Group helping cacao farmers to expand services to Luzon, Visayas GUARD HOUSE. Fishermen build a guard house beside a fish cage where they grow lobsters off the shore of Mahaba Island in the municipality of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. MindaNews photo by Bobby Timonera

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

DAVAO City -- A group helping local cacao farmers will be re-launched on August

1 to cover other farmers across the country.

The C acao Industr y

Development Association of Mindanao Inc., a nongovernment organization, will be renamed the Cacao cacao/PAGE 9

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Economy

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Statistics office underscores importance of GRDP N

By APIPA P. BAGUMBARAN, Contributor

AT I O N A L a n d regional accounts such as the gross domestic product (GDP) and gross regional domestic product (GRDP) serve as the lifeline of decision-makers

in planning for economic stability and progress.

Dulce A. Regala, assistant national statistician of the Philippine Statistics Au t h o r i t y ( P S A ) s a i d during the GRDP news

conference held on January 28 in Cagayan de Oro, that GDP gives a picture of the country’s overall economic performance.

The GRDP is the counterpart of the GDP at the regional level which gauge the health of the regional

economy, she cited.

Regala said different stakeholders, such as financial analysts, economists, investors and policy-makers, make use of GDP and GRDP to craft sound and effective fiscal policies, development p olicies and prof itable

business plans.

National and regional accounts also tell us whether certain infrastructure projects were able to facilitate trade and commerce or whether an increase in tax rates would have an adverse effect on household consumption,

she further said.

Regala added that GDP and GRDP statistics are important as it indicates how effective the national and regional policies in terms of improving the overall health of the country. (APB/ PIA-10)

encourage consumers to assert their right and also tap government agencies in case of complaints so that businesses can comply with requirements of the law.

DTI MisOr chief of

consumer welfare division Almer Masillones shares that part of the function of the department is regulation that is why they conduct regular

monitoring of products to check whether these are complying with standards set by the law. They look into violations of Consumer

Act and Trade and Industry Laws such as in business name, gift checks/certificates, chain distribution/pyramid, dti/PAGE 9

DTI MisOr holds consumer info campaign

By JASPER MARIE OBLINA-RUCAT, Contributor

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Misamis Oriental led the conduct of consumer information education campaign (IEC) on

28 July 2016 in Cagayan de Oro City together with front line national government agencies as well as its local counterparts in the city to

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During the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) 2016 Recognition and Culmination in Region 10, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy (OLPHA) in Linamon town, Lanao del Norte, a national champion in Gawad KALASAG, presents its DRRM Best Practices, as well as its systematic approaches in the identification, assessment and preparedness of the school in DRR including its active participation in the community to ensure the development of safer and disaster resilient communities. (PIA10)

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

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Opinion

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Being lost in thought

Businessweek Mindanao Corporation Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO

ALLAN mario MEDIANTE

Vice President for CorporateAffairs

Joe felicilda

Vice President for Administration

joe palabao

Vice President for Marketing

NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

Cheng ordoñez

gilbert y. chao

Executive Editor

Motoring Editor JOEL ESCOL

BONG FABE

Feature Editor

Associate Editor

CLIFFORD SANTILLAN Layout Artist

JUN AYENSA

mel-rose codilla

Regional Editor Caraga

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Shortcuts to Paradise Think a minute…A man walked into a bar for a drink and said: “Bartender, I’m in trouble, so make it a double!”

Many of us struggle with painful, real problems: no money, no job, unwanted pregnancies, family violence, unhappy marriages. Many of us are truly desperate, looking for shortcuts to our own paradise! And there are plenty of shortcuts t o p ar a d i s e out t h e re : alcohol, drugs, sex outside of marriage. So we get drunk or “high” and numb our brains with drugs, or find cheap sex to try to forget our problems for a couple of hours. And even though we know that these quick escapes destroy our own body and family, or cause us to lose our job, we keep doing them.

The simple fact of life is that there are no shortcuts to paradise. So when you take that cheap substitute for paradise in that bottle or drug, or have sex with that someone who’s not your wife or husband, you’re walking into a dangerous trap from which you may never get free. It may feel good for a short time, but it will eventually drain and rob you of everything you have, little by little, day by day.

Until you finally realize that

THINK

A Minute

Ver y often - sometimes too often! - the thought is back! If we wake up in the morning (or even many times in the middle of the night), the thought is back.

Sometimes, the thought will not let us sleep. The “act of thinking”. the “reflection”, the “opinion” or the “serious consideration”, no matter, how we describe it - our memory and conscience is a lways wit h us as a permanent companion.

We brood over unsettled problem. Sometimes we bear unfair treatments, arrogance, ignorance, incompetent know-it-all-betters, and unbearable oddballs, who inexorable love to make our life a hell while living themselves a disorderly life.

We would not like to be distracted, but we’re toying with some good ideas how we could throw overboard all that “human garbage”. What

will come next is a matter of conjecture.

Of course, I’ve got my ideas, but I’m not a mind reader. Too many trains of thought make us thoughtless and absent-minded especially in difficult and important daily life situations.

Does waiting and/or sleeping solve our problems?

Or is it just again in time?

Our life’s central idea should not be, that while waiting, time solves all our problems.

Thoughts should intensify, condense and deepen plans follow by actions.

It’s good and helpful to carry thoughts in us all the time. Incomprehensible, or better unfinished and un-matured thoughts, no matter whether positive or negative, should be slept on, before tiredness outstrips us with supersonic speed.

Sometimes we feel that our thoughts and ideas can’t

be fulfilled with life. Where the heart is willing, it will find a thousand ways; but where the hrart is weak, it will find a thousands excuses. If doubts begin to take roots, we should rouse from pink-tinted idealism or wear down and annihilate nightmares and erase and wipe out such thoughts and ideas.

If our thoughts are good and have the chance to be fulfilled in action, especially if “the other side” is prepared and willing to step on to such a bridge of life, we might get a support and words of encouragement.

And, if not? No action?

Maybe it is God’s will to keep and protect us from a careless, rash, disadvantageous and uneasy action. Every new day gives us new inexhaustible possibilities to survive, to bear trials and to start a new beginning. We overlook and

H ave M y Say

Klaus Doring

fail to notice many chances in lie through our sluggishness and laziness while thinking and dreaming of unequaled and unfulfilled ideas.

And, my dear readers: As we all know - our time on earth is limited... . +++ Email: dor ingklau s@ gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com .

Good News for Whistle Blowers That President Rodrigo Duterte urged Congress to pass the Whistleblower Protection Act during his first State of the Nation Address is a great leap. What could have hindered such bill, among related enactments that were stalled, but the culture of corruption that had prevailed in the society? In the previous years, we admit that many are afraid to talk about ills in the society because they would be facing death, loss of their jobs or their ability to get another job knowing that many corporations defend corporate greed.

I s t ar te d an on l i n e campaign at Change.org for Congress to pass the bill for whistleblowers; sadly, I only got 318 signatures and it met a clog. But I am happy now that what I could not do, president Digong prioritizes.

Now, with an atmosphere that

encourages 888 direct dial to report corruption, exposers of anomalies do not anymore curl in intimidation as they realize that the most powerful person in the country backs them.

Corruption thrives in a culture of high tolerance for wrongdoing. It flourishes in environments where people who challenge to stop wrongdoing are “secretly assassinated” and “die without a hero’s burial.” Corruption remains a low-risk and highreward option among many especially the powerful—not until president Digong’s term.

In the Journal of Business Et h i c s ( p e e r- r e v i e w e d i nt e r n at i o n a l j o u r n a l ) dated 2014, Heungsik Park et al. mentioned about the general situation if one confronts wrongdoings: “ Va r i o u s s t r at e g i e s t o encourage employees to

report wrongdoing internally have been recommended, but are potentially undermined by extremely contradictor y attitudes toward whistleblowers who may be viewed either as tragic heroes battling wrongdoing in an organization, or as tattletales and traitors, snitches and betrayers. The Ethics Resource Center (2010) reports that 60 % of employees who reported misconduct experienced a cold shoulder from their c o l l e a g u e s , a n d m a ny experienced more severe forms of retaliation.”

Among private companies in the country, buying over a government official is a common practice to win contracts based on a study made by the Asian Institute of Management. Much worse for some government agencies until the crooks meet their

lucell larawan doom—a “killing” hand that strikes very fast.

Whistleblowers are the public guardians. In public offices, they promote the publ i c i nte re st ; i n t he c o r p o r at e w o r l d , t h e y ensure accountability, high performance levels and sustainability of development which translates to overall societal upward trend. Their larawan/PAGE 9

Fingerpointing is not the way Jhan Tiafau Hurst your paradise has actually turned your life into the worst nightmare.

So do you want a “high” or “buzz” that never runs out? A “fix” that doesn’t steal your life, but instead gives you the satisfying one you’ve always wanted. It’s the right and only cure for your marriage and money problems, and best of all it’s free! If right now you’ll sincerely ask Jesus Christ to forgive you for your wrong living, and to take complete charge of your heart and life, Jesus will give you the strength and willpower to quit those bad habits and stop taking cheap substitutes and shortcuts to paradise.

It simply makes sense that only your Maker can give you the paradise life you were created to enjoy.

Just Think a Minute…

The speech was noticeable for the absence of the usual blame game - in stark contrast with immediately preceding SONAs. President Rody Duterte began his 1 hour 40 minute speech - the longest maiden State of the Nation Address, by far - as follows : “We can not move forward if we allow the past to pull us back……. Fingerpointing is not the way…. Vindictiveness is not in my system…..”

That said, the President proceeded to lay down his roadmap for the next six years. Many of the items in his agenda we heard before.

But the President believed that they deserved to be repeated if only to emphasize their urgency.

Fifteen minutes into his speech, President Rody began showing some discomfort.

Obviously, reading from a teleprompter was not his strong suit. He switched to

his own style, ad libbing.

Speaking straight from the heart, so to speak.

To me, that was when he started to really connect to his audience – not so much those in attendance in the session hall but to the millions outside who have much hope and faith that under this presidency “change is coming”.

The usual Duterte bashers branded the speech as “long and winding” and a “flop”.

The more than 16 million who voted for him and even those who subsequently jumped ship to join the “super majority” gave it a “triple thumbs up”.

Some of his key messages: God and State “While I am a stickler for the principles of separation between Church and State, I believe quite strongly that there should never be a separation between God and State.”

Duterte’s “War” “ The fight against criminality, illegal drugs and corruption will be relentless and sustained.”

“We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier, and the last pusher have surrendered…. or put behind bars …. or below the ground if they so wish.”

“Do your job and you will have the unwavering support of the office of the President.

Abuse your authority and there will be hell to pay. “ “In this quest, I will put at stake, my honor, my life and the presidency itself.”

“Open military camps for drug rehab.”

“We will also intensify the war against human traffickers and illegal recruiters.”

Paris Agreement “A d d r e s s i n g g l o b a l warming shall be our top priority… but upon a fair and equitable equation.

It must not stymie our

SPEAKING

O ut

Ignacio Bunye industrialization.”

Roadmap to peace “All of us want peace… not the peace of the dead…. but the peace of the living.”

“What I see are the widows and the orphans and I feel their pain and grief…..”

“If we can not as yet love one another, then in God’s name, let us not hate each other too much.” “ We w i l l s t r i k e a permanent peace before my bunye/PAGE 9

CorporateWorld Alsons shares fall after Lopez vows to block Tampakan

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LSONS Consolidated Resources, Inc. (ACR) lost its shine among investors on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Thursday, after the Environment chief vowed to block an associated coppergold mine in Mindanao.

Shares in the company that forms par t of the Alcantara Group dropped by 11 centavos or 5.67% to P18.3 apiece, the lowest price the stock has registered since closing at P1.82 on the local bourse on May 17.

The decline follows the remark of Environment Secretar y Regina Paz L. Lopez on Wednesday about an intention to “not even consider” the Tampakan mining project.

“Yes, Ms. Gina Lopez was clearly against the open-pit operations of the Tampakan mines owned by ACR,” AP Securities, Inc. equity trader Frank Gerard J. Barboza said when asked if her statement pulled down investor sentiment toward the stock.

“This could cause further bearish sentiment in the stock,” he noted.

Further delays in the

development of the coppergold mine, however, will have a minimal impact on the company, IB Gimenez S e c u r it i e s , In c . e qu it y research analyst Joylin F. Telagen said, noting that 99.16% of its revenue came from energy segment in the first quarter.

“I think this is just an i m me d i ate re a c t i on of investors to Ms. Lopez’s statement, but at some point, the stock will stabilize because Tampakan has insignificant effect to ACR [in terms of ] revenue generation,” Ms. Telagen noted.

ACR was first incorporated as Victoria Gold Mining Corp. in 1974. The company has since changed its focus to energ y and power businesses as well as property development although it maintains investments in the mining sector through ACR Mining Corp.

Last year, the Alcantara Group consolidated its indirect controlling stake in the proponent of Tampakan -- Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) -- after buying out Glencore Plc, a diversified miner listed on the London alsons/PAGE 9

1 and March 15 next year as a way to introduce the new flight route.

Cebu Pacific’s daily flights between Kalibo and Incheon will make use of its 180-seater Airbus A320 aircraft.

The airline also operates daily flights to Incheon from

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Miss Cagayan de Oro 2016 candidate Karla Estorba carries a Spruce Pink’d bag as she struts the catwalk in a Gil Macaibay during their evening gown competition last Friday at Centrio. PHOTO BY MARK FRANCISCO

Manila and Cebu, and four times to Busan from Manila on a weekly basis.

Earlier, Cebu Pacific said it flew over 10 million passengers from January to June this year, with South Korea as one of its largest short haul international

markets.

The airline offers flights to 36 domestic and 30 international destinations, c ov e r i n g a n e x t e n s i v e network that spans Asia, Australia, and the Middle E ast, according to t he statement.

PLDT, Smart willing to provide free access to hotlines ‘911’ and ‘8888’ TELECOMMUNICATIONS provider PLDT and its mobile subsidiary Smart are willing to provide free access to hotlines “911” and “8888” if the government will require them to do so.

Hotline 911 will be the country’s national emergency hotline number. Citizen’s hotline 8888, on the other hand, will be the public’s hotline to air complaints against government officials or services. Both will be operational starting Aug. 1.

“If the government will instruct us to make it free, no problem,” Ramon Isberto, head of PLDT/Smart Public Affairs, told the Philippines News Agency in an interview.

Isberto said that for the meantime, calls will be charged based on regular

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Algen’s Dive Resort (088) 3872015

Cebu Air adds two more Airbus jets to fleet LISTED Cebu Air Inc., the countr y’s largest budget carrier, has bought two more A330s from French aircraft manufacturer Airbus SAS for $512.8 million (P24.2 billion).

T he j e ts, A330-300, were bought at list prices as of Januar y 2016, the Gokongwei-led airline said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Friday.

They are for delivery between December this year and May 2017, Cebu Pacific Vice-President for Corporate Affairs Paterno S. Mantaring, Jr. said.

“We will b e making announcements on destinations where the new aircraft will fly to, as soon as plans are concrete,” Mr. Mantaring said.

To d at e , t h e f i r m’s 57-strong fleet is comprised of six Airbus A330, seven Airbus A319, eight ATR 72500 aircraft, and 36 Airbus A320.

The fleet optimization program of Cebu Pacific “is conservative but flexible enough to meet the growing travel demand in markets we serve.”

In a separate statement sent to reporters via e-mail late Friday, Cebu Pacific introduced a new route heading directly to Incheon in Seoul, South Korea from Kalibo, Aklan to be launched Oct. 1.

The budget carrier is offering a seat sale of P1999 for Kalibo to Incheon flights, for travel between October

RESORTS, HOTEL & RESTAURANTS

rates, and depending on airtime usage if one will use his/her mobile phone.

He told PNA that PLDT w i l l at t e n d a m e e t i n g Thursday afternoon with government agencies such as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to tackle issues like how prank calls can be avoided.

He said that charging rates for accessing the hotlines might be brought up in that meeting.

Isberto explained that receiving prank calls is the main problem in having a hot line numb er, and providing free access to a hotline actually contributes to the increasing prank calls.

“People think it’s about the money,” he lamented.

He shared that when

the country had the hotline 117 (same function as 911), the access was provided for free in both landlines and mobile phones.

As such, 95 to 97 percent of calls to the hotline 117 were prank calls, according to Isberto.

“So how do you deal with such problem?” he asked.

He emphasized that this issue must be addressed.

“What if someone in need dials 911 and yet he/ she can’t access the hotline because there are many prank callers in the line or trying to access it at the same time?” he said.

Meanwhile, Isberto cited that PLDT is expecting the volumes of calls to increase when the hotlines become operational, as many may test accessing these numbers.

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Feature 6 Volunteerism is a way of life for former missionary Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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“Ang Kalahi-CIDSS maayo kini kay ang isig-katawo sa barangay mu-cooperate gyud ug magpakabana, kung matapok ang katawhan – there is strength (KalahiCIDSS is good because it makes the people in the barangay cooperate and care, if the community gathers – there is strength)” The driving force that Thelma C Paalisbo, 48, from Barangay Libertad, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, has to keep on moving forward in life is dedication, hard work, service for others.

“Sa una, sa gawas ko nagtrabaho, 23 years I joined in a mission outside the Philippines. 10 years mag-raise mi og kwarta para makasuporta sa mission, pagbalik nko diri sa Pinas, nakahunahuna pud ko nga magtrabaho diri o magserbisyo sa komunidad (I worked abroad for 23 years, I joined in a mission outside the Philippines. 10 years we raised money to support the mission, when I returned home, I thought of working here and serve the community)” Thelma said.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) C ommunity Empowerment Facilitator Glenn Uranus Alcoran describes Thelma as a strong-minded woman.

“If she knows she is right you cannot change her mind” continues Alcoran.

Libertad and the Community-Driven Development The Community-Driven Development (CDD) concept in the Philippines is implemented through the DSWD’s Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community Driven D e v e l o p m e nt ( Ka l a h i CIDSS-NCDDP) Thelma narrates how the Kalahi-CIDSS’ community sub-projects helped their barangay and neighboring

communities since 2011.

“Sa PAMANA namo nga project, sa among barangay mabalitok gyud ang mga motor sa una – 2011 nakatabang gyud tag dako ang atong proyekto nga farm-tomarket road, karon naa na ang dalan, hamugaway na ang mga magbiyahe ug magdala sa ilang mga produkto ngadto sa merkado (In the PAMANA project, in our barangay – motorcycles would always meet accidents – in 2011, our farm-to-market road project really helped, now the road is there, traveling through the barangay is now smooth and they can bring their farm products to the market)” enthused Thelma.

PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) is the national government’s convergence program that e x t e n d s d e v e l o p m e nt interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach and conflictaf fected communities, ensuring that they are not left behind.

T h e l m a s ay s “a s a volunteer sa procurement team, you need to find for yourself para pamilite, mangita gyud mi og paagi p a r a m a k ap a n g a nv a s .

Makatabang man gyud ni (Kalahi-CIDSS), pareha anang eskwelahan nga ang gi-fund sa Australia, mapasalamaton kaayo ko nga naay nag fund, kay diri sa Barangay Libertad – ang mga eskwelahan puros daghan guba, paagi aning among gitukod nga eskwelahan, ang mga bata diri karon ug sa uaabot nga panahon makagamit pa ani nga mga classrooms (as a volunteer in the procurement team, you need to find for yourself some money for fare, you need to find ways just to canvas for supplies and materials, Kalahi-CIDSS really helps, just like school we built from the Australia funding, I am thankful for the funding because here

in Barangay Libertad – the schools are damaged.

With this school we built, children now and the next generations can use this).”

In 2015, the community volunteers of Barangay Libertad successfully implemented the construction of a 1 Unit – 2 Classroom School Building funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade/AustraliaAid (DFAT/ AusAID) with a total project cost of Php 1,899,342.00.

“Nalipay ang komudidad kay naa nay eskwelahan diri nga tarong, nagtinabangay gyud ang mga katawhan aron matapos gyud ang proyekto, kung adunay mga buluhaton sa komunidad, karon nakahibalo gyud ang tanan kung nay mga aktibidades sa barangay (The community is happy that a school building is already in place, the community really worked together for this, now everybody knows all the activities we have in the barangay)” Thelma said.

The implementations in the Municipality of Kolambugan, of course, also had their share of struggles.

“Only minor struggles, no

major struggles experienced since the local government units are very supportive in the implementation of the program, the only struggle we had was dealing with the different behaviors of the community volunteers that sometimes would lead to less desirable scenarios, however, this was resolved through close coordination with them, monitoring and sup e r v i s i on w it h regular meetings to report updates and discuss issues and concerns with them” DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS Area Coordinator Carolyn Cawit says.

T h e l m a a d d s “s a construction, nakita nako nga kung maayo ang budget sa proyekto, makapalit gyud ka og de kaldidad nga materyales para ang building pud malig-on, kung barat ang materyales dili gyud lig-on (in the construction, I see that if we have a very good budget, we can purchase quality construction materials for a strong building, if the materials are substandard it’s not strong).”

Volunteers as Partners for Change Thelma sees

volunteerism as a catalyst for change; she sees this first hand in her daily activities with her fellow volunteers in Libertad. “Nausab gyud ang kinaiya sa mga tawo, diri nako nakita nga kung ang komunidad magkahiusa dali ra ang trabaho, nakita pud nako ang kooperasyon sa komunidad, ug ang sa working team namo maayo – maayo pud ang resulta, dili gubot (the attitude of the community changed, I saw that if the community will work together – the work is easy, I also saw the cooperation of the c o m m u n i t y, a n d t h e working team is good – the results are also good and orderly).”

Thelma also expressed her thanks on behalf of her fellow volunteers, “map as a lamaton g yud mi aning mga proyekto, nalipay gyud ang katawhan diri sa among barangay kai niabot ang Kalahi-CIDSS, kung wala ni miabot, walay siguro’y mahitabo nga kalamboan. Maayo usab ang CDD kai diri nato makita nga gatinabangay gyud ang mga katawhan sa komunidad ug gapakabana alang sa isig-katawo (we are

really thankful for these projects, the people in our barangay are really happy that Kalahi-CIDSS is here, if not for this, there could not have been any progress here. CDD is good since it is through this that we see the people help each other in the community and cares for each other).”

“I’m happy serving my country and the people around. I hope nga naa pay daghan proyekto para sa Barangay Libertad ug sa katibuk-an sa munisipyo (I’m happy ser ving my country and the people around. I hope that there will be more projects for Barangay Libertad and the whole municipality)” Thelma concludes.

The community volunteers of Barangay Libertad are currently facilistating the constr uction of a 100 L i ne ar Me te r S e aw a l l with a total project cost of Php 2,471,263.00 from the Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP 2015-2016 cycle.

Written by Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy, DSWD

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Twenty percent of pregnant women in R10 at risk to malnutrition

By Mark D. Francisco

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Pregnant women in Northern Mindanao tend to be malnourished than the rest of the population and are at risk to be energy-deficient although their number has decreased.

In a report released during the culmination of the Nutrition Month celebration observed each July, National Nutrition Council (NNC) 10 coordinator Marissa M. Navales reported that 25.1 percent of pregnant women in the region remain to be nutritionally at risk although this is lower than the 27.2 percent figure in 2011.

Chronic energy deficient lactating women also decreased from 10.8 percent five years ago to only 3.8 percent for this year.

But the number of overweight women jumped from 22.2 percent to 32.2 percent.

Meanwhile, the number of low birth weight infants decreased from 13.5 percent in 2011 to only 6.2 percent in 2016.

NNC 10 also released data for the first time on how many women reported their lactation habits. Among those surveyed, 82.9 percent reported breastfeeding their newborns one hour after birth, 4.1 percent practiced exclusive breastfeeding while 33.1 percent breastfed their children up to two years in age.

“Forms of undernutrition

– underweight, wasting and stunting – continue to be a challenge,” Ms. Navales said.

“All these are considered a problem on malnutrition which continuous to be a publichealth problem in the country despite continuous efforts by the government and its partners to address it.”

It is in this regard that NNC disseminated nationwide The First 1000 Days, a guideline for mothers on how to feed their babies.

Under the guide, both baby and mother are supposed to exclusive-breastfeed within the first hour of birth.

Mothers should be provided with counselling to build their confidence and help them on issues related to breastfeeding such as inadequate milk supply, the guide stated.

The agency also exhorted both government agencies and privately-owned firms to provide paid breastfeeding breaks and have lactation stations to enable mothers to continue breastfeeding even while working.

Ms. Navales pointed out that good nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child prepares him or her for a better quality of life in adulthood. “Actions to prevent undernutrition and overnutrition and delay the onset of noncommunicable diseases should focus on the first 1,000 days of life,” she said.

Lanao Norte school showcases best practices in DRRM OUR Lady of Perpetual Help Academy (OLPHA) in Linamon town, Lanao del Norte vows to pursue to the development of safer and disaster resilient communities in a presentation during the recognition and culmination program for the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) in Northern Mindanao with the theme “Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa” (Preparing for and responding to disasters is everyone’s duty) as it showcased best practices in disaster risk reduction.

OLPHA is a recipient of the 2015 Gawad KALASAG Award, a national search for excellence in disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance, champion in both the regional and national levels.

The school was conferred with the award for its systematic approach to identifying, assessing and in the preparedness in DRR as well as its active participation in the community activities such as cleaning, tree planting and proper waste disposal.

According to them, the school is a densely populated place and has little children, but it has ensured the safety of everyone during a disaster.

OLPHA also created a school DRRM team and now has a direct

access and communication to the local government office in Linamon in terms of unexpected accident and disaster concern.

Further, the school has enhanced its preparedness and resiliency and upgraded its capacities to match the becoming stronger and more life threatening disasters and calamities through latest technology.

For his part, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Assistant Secetary Romulo M. Cabantac, Jr., deputy administrator for administration, who graced the activity, underscored the importance of resiliency and preparedness in DRR. Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno said in his welcome address that the experiences and lessons learned from Sendong have taught them the new meaning of resiliency which is building back better to prevent more disasters and calamities.

Moreno added that disaster preparedness is everybody’s concern.

The city mayor said we have struggled hard with Sendong but have worked together in contributing towards solving problems, coming up with more improved DRR program and certainly become better, livable, competitive and become ‘next wave’ city. PIA

CONGRATULATIONS to

WILLY G. LIMBONHAI President and the Board of Directors of the

Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. on their

64th Induction of Officers and Directors for the years 2016-2018 July 29, 2016, 7:00 in the evening Limketkai Luxe Hotel Ballroom Greetings from:

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KUMBIRA: 20 Incredible Years of Gastronomic Influence in Cagayan de Oro

COHARA, located in the central coast of Northern Mindanao, was actually birthed through the efforts of the Department of Tourism Region X in 1996. Registered

under the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock, non-profit organization, it was first known as Cagayan de Oro Cultural and Culinary Festival

and was patterned after the annual Chefs on Parade in Manila.

Affiliated as a chapter of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines

(HRAP), COHARA aims to boost the morale of the food and beverage community within the hotel and restaurant industry in the city. It has a membership roster of forty-

three (43) members for Hotels, Fourteen (14) members for Restaurants and Fifty (50) for Associate Members (Schools offering Hotel and Restaurant Management courses and

related courses), and 7 Allied Members (Unilever, Nestle Professional, Del Monte, Nature’s Spring , Concorde Foods , A-Max Ventures and Intisari Mulia International, Inc. (Saji Oil) as of January 2015.

Tw e nt y y e a r s l at e r, C O HA R A i s s t i l l t h e association of hotels and restaurants in Cagayan de Oro that holds a culinary festival and live competitions every year now dubbed as “KUMBIRA” (which means feast or a food festival in Cebuano). Celebrated and conducted every August, chefs as well as students coming from different restaurants and culinary schools in the region come to KUMBIRA to showcase their skills and pit their talents that can equal world class standard in cooking.

During KUMBIRA food seminars and trade exhibits are featured, as well as workshops and cooking demonstrations with competent lecturers and professionals in the hotel and restaurant industry. Because of these, COHARA has been recognized until today as a leader in the promotion of Tourism development in Northern Mindanao.

Next month, the association will have again its annual KUMBIRA at the Atrium of Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro on August 17, 18, and 19 (Wednesday to Friday, Mall Hours) with the theme: Cook Local, Taste Global. This will be the 20th KUMBIRA organized by COHARA. Featured Competitions are the following: 1. UCC - Umami Culinary Challenge 2016 (Mindanao Elimination) Winners will compete in the National UCC in Manila on January 2017 2. 10th Mindanao Chef Regional Elimination Winners will represent Kumbira Team and compete in the National Chef Wars in Manila on October 2016 Highlighted Competitions are the following: Del Monte Set Menu Nestle Professional’s Cagayan-on Dessert Buffet Nescafe Alegria Cold Coffee Challenge Winners will win cash Prize (P10,000.00) Happening also are the following: Seminar on Food, Beverages and Hospitality Industry A 3-Day Trade Exhibit of food products, equipment, supplies, educational and employment leads Cooking demonstration K i d d i e a n d Ju n i o r Competitions With its 20th year, this will surely be another amazing display of colors and aromas of food that one should certainly not miss.

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Cacao... from page 1

In du s t r y D e v e l opm e nt Association of the Philippines (CIDAPHIL) beginning next week, its executive director Valente Turtur said.

Turtur said they expect 20 cooperatives in Luzon and the Visayas to enlist the help of CIDAPHIL in marketing and training on cacao growing.

CIDAMI started in 2011 as a “cacao value-chain organization comp os ed of far mers and far mer cooperatives, nurser y operators, traders, processors, input suppliers, and academe.”

Since 2011, it has been receiving funding support f r o m A C D I - VO C A , a private, international de velopment nonprof it organization that helps “to promote opportunities for cooperatives, enterprises and communities through the innovative application of sound business practice.”

CIDAPHIL will support farmers by improving their linkages to the buyers while helping educate growers on the best practices inn cacao farming.

Turtur said satellite offices will be put up in different parts of the country to cater to more cacao farmers, specifically in areas with huge potential for cacao growing such as Negros Island, Bicol Region, Ilocos Region, Palawan and some lowlying areas of Benguet province.

Some existing producers have been operating in Luzon but they lack market links, he added.

“We would like to link them to the buyers because there are processors of cacao in some areas yet buyers there do not know. Many of them would buy cacao beans in Manila but these beans came from Davao. We would like to establish the connection,”

he said.

He s a i d b u i l d i n g a successful market system would entail farmers to produce enough supply of cacao.

He said farmers outside Mindanao are welcome to visit the demo farms in Davao City, the biggest producer of cocoa beans in the country at 6,200 hectares, followed only by Davao del Norte with 5,900 hectares.

Tu r t u r e x p r e s s e d willingness to visit farms in Luzon and the Visayas to give technical training.

“We will emphasize to farmers that we really have to follow the proper protocol in cacao production to make it more sustainable,” he said.

He said they hope to attain the 2020 target of 100,000 metric tons of roasted cacao beans, a challenge posed by the world’s leading chocolate maker, Mars.

DTI... from page 2

mandatory product certification and credit/ debit/ATM surcharge. DTI also looks into violation of price act which involves mandatory price tag in goods, among others.

In terms of online shopping, Masillones said that they are the silent competitors of retail shops. However, she warns consumers to be extra cautious of these online stores since buyers cannot touch, feel and try these products personally before purchase.

In some cases, buyers are not satisfied after purchase.

She said they have received complaints about online purchases in their office and have conducted mediation over these complaints.

Meanwhile, Department of Energy (DOE) Mindanao Field Office Edmar A. Derla warns consumers on the illegal refilling of butane

canister. He says that these canisters are for one time use only and cannot be refilled.

He also urges students to not use them indoors such as in their apartments or pads since they are designed for outdoor use.

He said there are already recorded fire incidents in Davao City due to use of butane canisters.

Moreover, Derla shared that together with the police they have recently busted and confiscated an illegal refilling station in Bukidnon recently.

Derla said only certified companies can refill even Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). He says consumers must be cautious in buying these products and inspect if they are safe to use.

In terms of “bote-bote” or liquefied petroleum product sold in soda liter bottles along the road, Derla said these are illegal and risky to fire.

He said that this is one of the proliferating problems they have right now and are crafting strategies to address it. In fact, he said they are scheduled with a meeting in the coming week with the local government of Cagayan de Oro to craft an ordinance on “bote-bote” which will then be the basis of all other ordinances in the country.

Meantime, he said that residents can report to the local government unit (LGU), local police and even the Bureau of Fire Protection since these are fire hazards along the street and could cause damage if neglected.

In response, Rodulfo Yana of Cagayan de Oro City Economic Enterprise Development says he is open and willing to accompany DOE to personally inspect the markets in the city to put a stop in these illegal trade such as refilled butane canisters, among others.

(JMOR/PIA10)

Larawan... from page 4

bold efforts, however, involve risks that include ruined careers, ostracism, and harassment by superiors and fellow employees.

There are cases where one who is bold enough to expose the anomalies in his current institutions would not anymore be accepted when he applies for a job in other organizations. The reason: many institutions could be protecting corporate greed.

This is time for them to meet the whip if need be.

“ The government needs a new institutional mechanism for integrity and accountability to avoid scandals and restore credibility in the public service…Whistleblowers are the primary vehicle through which misconduct is exposed,” stressed Senator DefensorSantiago. Unless strong institutional mechanisms outside the whistleblowers are in place, there are weighty reasons why exposes will not be made and hideous activities will continue to sprout in our society.

There has been a growing international support for whistle-blowing. The United Nations, for instance, protect whislteblowers in the fight against corruption. Article 33 of the United Nations Convention Against C o r r u p t i o n ( U N C AC ) encourages signator y countries to build into their legal systems measures to protect whistleblowers and witnesses from any retaliatory acts of those they lay bare.

Our country also needs such laws with the purpose of: 1) enumerating corrupt practices and other forms of wrongdoing; 2) encouraging the exposure or elimination of corruption or wrongdoings; 3) making the act of

disclosure of corrupt practices the duty of citizens; 4) strengthening accountability in the corporate sector; 5) protecting whistleblowers, informants and witnesses from harassment; 6) providing rewards to those who expose wrongdoings; 7) providing channels for whistleblowing; and 8) avoiding malicious whistle-blowing.

The desired outcomes of whistle-blowing laws are reduced corruption, improved public and private services, and integrity in our society’s institutions. These outcomes will remain hopes if the bills on whistle-blowing wait a little longer.

Unless mechanisms are in place to protect and encourage whistle-blowing in public and private organizations, many more anomalies will continue unabated. A mere constituent who is honest, competent and god-fearing can be (or should be) a whistleblower.

Bunye...

from page 4 term ends. That is my goal.

That is my dream.”

West Philippine Sea “Philippines-China talks must be based on international law.”

“We strongly affirm and respect the outcome of the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration as an important contribution to

our ongoing efforts to pursue a peaceful resolution and management of our dispute.”

Human Rights “Human rights must uphold human dignity. But human rights must not be used as a shield to destroy the country.” (to be continued next week) Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@gmail. com. You may also like us at Facebook: “Speaking Out”.

Alsons... from page 5

Stock Exchange.

The project spans around 1 0 ,0 0 0 he c t are s across Tampakan in South Cotabato, Columbio in Sultan Kudarat, Kiblawan in Davao del Sur and Malungon in Sarangani.

The mine was expected to produce $37 billion worth of minerals over 20 years.

In 2012, SMI decided to delay commercial operations in the mine to 2019 from 2016 originally, after South Cotabato banned open-pit mining on the eve of then President Benigno S. C. Aquino III’s assumption of office in 2010.

The government issued a provisional environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for the Tampakan mine in February 2013 on the condition that concerned local governments endorse the project, among others.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO Editor: Cheng Ordoñez

Corporate 10

Monday | August 1, 2016

PLDT, Smart provide world-class digital experience thru free wifi Expand Wifi footprint in Mindanao via Davao and Laguindingan airports

L

By CHENG ORDOÑEZ, Executive Editor

AGUINDINGAN, Misamis Oriental -- PLDT and Smart Communications have provided data connectivity with Smart Wifi, Friday, July 29, 2016, at the Laguindingan Airport, here.

The firing up of Smart Wifi is in consonance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call on the country’s Internet networks to improve their connectivity services. Also it is expected improve the experience of travelers using wifi in airports ser ving Northern and Southern Mindanao. Last week, PLDT and Smart also installed Smart Wifi in Davao City’s Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Finina Gorres, vice president for PLDT Enterprise Business, said.

Gorres,during the launching of the free wifi at the pre-departure area of the Laguindingan Airport, said the Laguindingan and Davao airports are among the 21 major transport hubs identified by the DOT for installation of Smart Wifi, as laid out by the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and PLDT and Smart chairman, president and CEO Manual V. Pangilinan.

Gorres said the initial

rollout also includes all four passenger terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as well as airports in Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Kalibo, General Santos, Clark, Laoag, Cebu, Caticlan and Zamboanga. Also in the list are key seaport in Southern Luzon as well as MRT 3 and LRT lines 1 and 2 for Metro Manila.

“Nauna p a nga ang Laguindingan airport kasi ang NAIA is a big challege to us (PLDT and Smart),” Gorres said.

Gorres also said that Smart Wifi’s footprint will also be expanded to cover public areas, such as city halls, schools, hospitals, and establishments such as malls, restaurants and coffee shops, among many others, amid the increasing demand for more public hotspots in the country.

The upgrade of the wireless connectivity in the airport will enavle travellers to maximize their digital experience while surfing the Internet for their

favorite sites, and keeping connected with home and office while traveling. With a bandwith of up to 1 gigabit per second, Smart Wifi promises a world-class digital experience.

“Connectivity is important for a country of many islands like the Philippines. Smart Wifi is just the firt in a series of porjects that the Department of Transportation intends to roll out in the coming days in partnerdhip with PLDT and Smart,”said Transportation Secretary Roberto Lim during the rollout in Davao City’s airport. Ä tourist’s impression of a country will be largely based on the first and last experience of his destination. Smart Wifi contributes to improving this experience and to the success of having them come over and visit again,”added Lim. Laguindingan Airport is one of the busiest regional airports in the country. It serves the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, as well as the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte in Northern Mindanao. It can accommodate 2,000 passengers a day, and up to 1.6 million a year.

“The installation of Smart Wifi in the Laguindingan air p or t is p ar t of ou r commitment to improve Internet access and coverage

PLDT Vice President for Business Enterprise Finina Gorres shows how fast her cellular phone’s speed during a speed-testing, Friday, July 29, 2016, when PLDT and Smart Communication launch its free wifi for travelers at the pre-departure area of the Laguindingan Airport. Gorres is flanked by Assistant Vice President for Customer Operations Management Regina Pineda (right) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) FSIS asst. director general Capt. Don Mendoza. (Cheng Ordoñez)

nationwide. With the data connectivity, travelers will get to enjoy a seamless digital experience for more productive and meaningful journeys,” said Eric Alberto, executive vice president at PLDT and Smart and president and chief executive officer of ePLDT, in a statement.

The rollout is backed by PLDT’s robust and resilient fixed and wireless networks.

(With Smart)

Typhoon-resilient schools for Bukidnon from First Gen, sister companies. This typhoon-resilient school building at the Imbatug Central Elementary School in Baungon can withstand wind velocity of up to 250 kilometers per hour. The buildings feature cathedral-type ceilings, wider windows insulated roofing for better ventilation, concave-design blackboards, wall-mounted electric fans, LED lights, “genderized” comfort rooms and access for persons with disabilities. First Gen, through subsidiary Energy Development Corporation (EDC), arranged and solicited funds from sister companies and affiliates for the construction of two typhoon-resilient school buildings for host communities of its planned hydroelectric power plants in Bukidnon. With EDC as project manager, the school rebuilding program was launched in early 2014, originally, to help in the rehabilitation of areas hit by super typhoon Yolanda. The project was later expanded to other provinces, including Bukidnon, to help alleviate an overall classroom shortage in the provinces.

Cash cards for SSS salary loans attract over 45,000 members, Php 865M disbursed MORE than 45,000 members of the Social Security System (SSS) have benefited from the pension fund’s partnerships with two major banks for the electronic release of salary loans through cash cards issued to borrowers, instead of the usual loan checks sent through mail.

SSS Officer-in-Charge of Member Loans Department Esperanza E. Salvado said the SSS had disbursed a total of Php 865.1 million under its Salary Loan Releases thru the Bank Program, which currently offers the Citi Prepaid Card from Citibank Philippines and Quick Card from Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP).

“D e spite it s li mite d av ai l abi l it y, w it h on l y selected SSS branches in strategic locations offering these multipurpose cash cards at present, thousands of members are already experiencing the convenience and hassle-free transactions afforded by this electronic means of getting their salary loan proceeds,” she said.

The Citi Prepaid Card and UBP Quick Card function similarly to automated teller machine (ATM) and debit

cards, enabling SSS memberborrowers to withdraw their salary loan proceeds from ATMs or use them for instore or online purchases at accredited merchants.

Salary loans are one of the most sought-after SSS services, which prompted the agency to explore better means to expedite the release of loan funds to members.

The loanable amount ranges from Php 1,000 to Php 32,000, depending on the members’ total number of contributions and monthly salary credit.

Salar y loan proceeds are credited to Citi Prepaid Cards and UBP Quick Cards within three to five working days from the date of loan application. In contrast, the process of printing, mailing and clearing salary loan checks can take up to three weeks, delaying the release of funds to members.

Members applying for salary loans coursed through cash cards would receive their Citi Prepaid Card or UBP Quick Card on the same day they submitted their loan application. While salary loan cash cards are issued for free, a replacement fee disbursed/PAGE 11

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Disbursed... from page 10

of Php 150 will be charged if these are lost or damaged.

Salvado said that over 36,800 members at present have received their own Citi Prepaid Cards, with loan disbursements amounting to Php 658.9 million since the facility was piloted in SSS Diliman and SSS Makati-Gil Puyat in March 2014.

“In Decemb er 2015, SSS branches in nine more locations also began accepting applications for the SSS Citi Prepaid Card, specifically in Alabang, Bacoor, Manila, Kalookan, Makati-Ayala, Pasig-Shaw, Cebu, Davao, and at the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency in Mandaluyong City,” she said.

Meanwhile, the UBP Quick Card was piloted at SSS Diliman, Makati-Gil Puyat and Pasig-Shaw in November 2015, and then introduced at SSS Kalookan, Makati-Ayala, Mandaluyong and Manila in June 2016. About Php 206.2 million have been disbursed through nearly 8,700 UBP Quick Cards at present.

“The number of participating SSS branches is the major factor in the i n c r e a s i n g nu m b e r o f cash card enrollees and corresponding loan releases.

Expanding the number of SSS branches offering the Citi Prepaid Card and UBP Quick Card is part of our plans for the coming months,” Salvado said.

To apply for the cash card, members must first get a Member Loan Application form from any SSS branch or download thru the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph).

Applicants must then select “cash card” as their preferred mode of payment or loan

release and submit the filledout application form to any of the participating SSS branches.

“Personnel from SSS as well as from UBP are ready to assist member-borrowers for processing of their applications at our various par ticipating branches.

For more details, they can contact the SSS Call Center at 920-6446 to 55 or email member_relations@sss.gov. ph,” Salvado said.(PNA)

Bill...

from page 1

would lay the groundwork in building a railway in the world’s 10th most populous island.

In his explanator y note, Angara saidr ail is the locomotive that will drive Mindanao’s progress.

It is also a driver for peace because as communities become interconnected, economies are linked, growth spreads, and travel brings cultural exchanges.

The body will have an authorized capital stock of P1 billion, with an 11-person board, all appointed by the President. MindaRail will locate its offices in Davao City.

“Establishing the MindaRail would allow the island’s urban centers and growth corridors such as the cities of Davao, General Santos, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Malaybalay to be linked by rail,” Angara said in a press statement.

He said the train service should be capable of ferrying not just people but cargo as the island is an agriculture powerhouse producing, by last count, half-a-trillion pesos of farm produce a year.

Mindanao accounts for half of the country’s corn

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL SUR 12th Judicial region Branch 8 – Marawi City IN THE MATTER FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF SPL. PROC. NO. 2384-16 LIVE BIRTH OF SAMERA RAMOS AMPATUA IN THE RECORDS OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MARAWI CITY. SAMERA RAMOS AMPATUA, Petitioner,

- versus LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MARAWI CITY, Respondent. x-------------------------------------------------------------/ ORDER Petitioner SAMERA RAMOS AMPATUA filed the verified petition for correction of entry in her Certificate of Live Birth filed with the Civil Registrar of Marawi City, which contained an erroneous entry with respect to gender where a mark “X” is filled corresponding to MALE entry instead of FEMALE which is supposed to be her true gender, which fact was only discovered when the petitioner secured a copy of her Certificate of Live Birth from National Statistics Office, Iligan City.

Finding the petition sufficient in form and substance, set the hearing on August 10, 2016 at 8:30 in the morning and anybody interested in the petition should show cause, if any why the petition should not be granted.

Petitioner must publish this Order in a newspaper of general circulation in Lanao del Sur once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.

Furnish copies hereof unto the petitioner, counsel, respondents, and the Office of the Solicitor General.

SO ORDERED.

Marawi City, this 27th day of June, 2016.

(Sgd.) WENIDA B. M. PARANDAYAN Acting Presiding Judge

BWM: July 25, Aug. 1 & 8, 2016

output, 83 percent of banana production, 61 percent of harvested coconut, 90 percent of pineapple yield, and 67 percent of commercial f isheries catch, and 36 percent of cattle inventory.

Yet despite posting a gross domestic product (GDP) of P1.87 trillion, the island’s 21.9 million population accounts for 40 percent of the country’s poor.

“A train system is the ticket out of poverty for many of them,” Angara said, explaining that cheap, reliable and fast movement of goods would increase incomes and add value to produce.

Angara also noted that the island sits on $310 billion worth of mineral deposits.

“It also has vast potentials for clean energy such solar, w ind, ge ot he r ma l, and biomass.”

The senator, who has been filing a bill on MindaRail since his days in the House of Representatives, said a railway system is not a novel undertaking in the country.

At its peak, the Philippine railway system stretched for 1,140 kilometers in the islands of Luzon, Panay and Cebu.

Mindanao has 2,000 kilometers of gravel roads, Angara said. “There are some sectors who argue that money which will be spent for paving these would be better used in building a railway.”

Airport... from page 1

under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States.

The Americans — human rights lawyer Arturo Viscara, social worker Luis Patterson, and Kelsen Caldwell, leader of the Coalition of AntiRacist Whites in Seattle, Washington— were joined by some 60 local militants when they staged a rally in Lumbia, this city.

“The US military will just turn this beautiful place into a hotspot of glitzy bars. We will petition the US Congress to stop the funding for EDCA ,” Caldwell said.

The militants filed a petition before Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno and the City Council expressing their support for the city government’s plan to ask the national government to convert Lumbia airport into “a community of socialized houses and commercial centers.”

Under EDCA, the military base in Lumbia Airport and three other bases in the country were identified as possible sites to house US personnel on a rotation basis, and to stockpile equipment.

Before its turnover to the PAF, Lumbia was the domestic passenger terminal for Northern Mindanao before it was transferred to

ERRATUM IN THE AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION OR EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE by RODOLFO SIMENE published last May 20, 27 & JUNE 3, 2016 is UNDER NOTARY PUBLIC BRAULIO L. RUGAY JR. and not as Published.

Laguindingan Airport three years ago.

Weldon Barros, secretary ge ne r a l of t he B agong A l y a n s a n g Ma k a b ay a n (Bayan) Northern Mindanao said they asked why Lumbia is selected when it is more than 1,358 kilometers away from the West Philippine Sea, the potential flash point between Philippines and China.

“If the US really wants to help us, why doesn’t it establish a base at the West Philippines Sea or nearby instead? “ Barros asked.

Slack...

from page 1 services sector.

The agriculture, hunting, forestry, and fishing sector saw a 1.4-percent growth rate in 2015, decelerating from 2014’s 2.6 percent.

The industry sector managed to grow at 11.6 percent, lower than the 14-percent performance in 2014, and the service sector slowed down to 7.4 percent from 8.5 percent in 2014.

Agriculture was expected to decelerate last year due to the El Niño phenomenon while more investors in industry and service sectors came in than in 2015.

“The 9.3 percent growth (2014) in energy and logistics was propelled by huge investments in electricity, gas, and water supply and logistics.

That’s a tough act to follow,” Lim said.

The industr y sector decelerated in 2015 with an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED RICARDO B SALUNTAO WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

11.6-percent growth from 14 percent in 2014. Among its four sub-sectors – mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and electricity, gas, and water supply – only manufacturing, which posted a 12.4-percent growth, fell short of exceeding its 2014 performance of 18.8 percent.

Meanwhile, the mining and quarrying sub-sector posted a 25.6-percent growth in 2015, higher by 5.6 percentage points compared to 2014 while construction posted a 7.9-percent growth, or 4 percentage points higher than 2014.

Electricity, gas, and water supply posted a 15.9-percent growth. In 2014, it tallied a 12.8-percent growth.

The service sector slowed down to 7.4 percent in 2015 from 8.5 percent in 2014. Of all its sub-sectors, only transport, storage, and communication, with 9.4 percent growth in 2015, managed to outperform 2014 with 8.8 percent. T Trade and repair of motor vehicles posted a 7.4-percent growth, decelerating by 1.3 percentage points from 2014’s 8.7 percent.

Financial intermediation posted a 5.5-percent growth, slowing down by 2.7 percentage points from 8.2 percent in 2014.

Real estate and renting posted 8.3 percent, lower by 2 percent than its 2014 performance; and public administration and defense/ security at 1.9 percent, down from its 2014’s showing of 7.8 percent.

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS

(Sgd.) ATTY. MARECLINO D. NATIVIDAD. JR.

Clerk of Court-VI

KNOWN BY ALL MEN THESE PRESENTS this EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT made and executed by and among the HEIRS OF RICARDO B. SALUNTAO, namely: 1. LOURDES P. SALUNTAO, of legal age, Filipino, widow, a resident of Igpit, Opol, Misamis , and the surviving wife of the deceased; 2. V INCENT P. SALUNTAO, of legal age, Filipino, single, a resident of Igpit, Opol, Misamis Oriental, and the surviving son of the deceased; That the above-named parties, all of legal age, are the legitimate wife and son and the sole/compulsory/surviving heirs of the deceased RICARDO B. SALUNTAO who died on April 24, 2006 in Cagayan de Oro City; That the deceased, RICARDO B. SALUNTAO, at the time of his death, is the owner of two (2) parcels of land and which are more particularly, Lot 5307-A-2B-1-E, Psd-10-034373, located in the Barrio of Igpit, Min. of Opol, Prov. of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of THREE HUNDRED NINETY ONE (391) square meters or less, AND Lot 5307-A-2-B1-F, Psd 10-024656, located in the Barrio of Igpit, Min. of Opol, Prov. of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY (450) square meters, more or less declared in the HEIRS OF RICARDO B. SALUNTAO is the subject “EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE”. Under Notary Public of ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI. Per Doc No. 422; Page No. 85; Book No. 194; Series of 2016.

KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: This Extra-Judicial Settlement, made and executed in Cagayan de Oro City by: THE HEIRS OF BENITO Jr. & EMILIA ASOMBRADO, namely: 1. M I L B E N M. ASOMBRADO, Filipino, of legal age, married, resident of #75 San Isidro Street, Golden Glow Village, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City; 2.

NEIL M. ASOMBRADO, Filipino, of legal age, married, resident of #285, Zone 9, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City; 3. M I L A N I E M. ASOMBRADO, Filipino, of legal age, married, resident of #285, Zone 9, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City; 4. M I C H A E L M. ASOMBRADO, Filipino, of legal age, married, resident of Rosa Sayson Village, Maningcol, Ozamis City, WITNESSETH THAT: the above named are the children and compulsory heirs of the late BENITO C. ASOMBRADO Jr. & EMILIA M. ASOMBRADO, who died intestate on February 27, 2004 inside Superferry 14 in the vicinity of Mariveles, Bataan and who at the time of their death, left a Parcel of Land known as Lot 9, Block 11, Psd-10-010426 situated in the Barrio of Patag, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FOUR (134) SQUARE METERS, more or less, declared in the Heirs of the late BENITO C. ASOMBRADO Jr. & EMILIA M. ASOMBRADO, is the subject “DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS” Under Notary Public of CASIANO A. GAMOTIN, JR., per Doc. No. 1; Page No. I; Book No. 57; Series of 2016.

BWM: July 18, 25 & Aug. 1, 2016

BWM: July 25, Aug. 1 & 8, 2016

BWM: Aug. 1, 8 & 15, 2016

OUR APOLOGY Republic of the Philippines Regional Trial Court 10th Judicial Region Branch 16, Tangub City IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE BIRTH SPECIAL PROCEEDING CASE RECORDS OF REGINE MAE G. REGIDOR TC-2016-044 June 15, 2004 TO June 15, 1998.

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR REGINE MAE G. REGIDOR, -versus- OF TANGUB CITY, MIS. OCC.

Petitioner, Respondent,

/----------------------------------------------------------------/ NOTICE OF HEARING

WHEREAS, after alleging certain facts in a verified petition filed on June 29, 2016, petitioner prayed that after notice, publication and hearing, an order be issued directing the Local Civil Registrar of Tangub City, Mis. Occ., to make the following correction in her record of birth, to wit: Year of birth from “2004” to “1998”.

WHEREFORE, finding the petition in due form and substance, the hearing of the same is hereby set on August 16, 2016 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at the Session Hall of this Honorable Court, at which date, time, and place, any concerned and interested person may appear and show case, if any, why said petition shall not be granted.

The sheriff of this Honorable Court is hereby ordered to post copies of this Notice in three (3) conspicuous places, preferably in the Bulletin Board of this Court, the City Hall of Tangub City, and the Barangay Hall of Calaparan, Tangub City, Mis. Occ. Moreover, let a copy of this petition and notice be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Misamis Occidental, all at the expense of the petitioner, for the information and guidance of all concerned.

Also, let a copy of this petition and notice be furnished the petitioner, the Office of the Solicitor General, and the Local Civil Registrar of Tangub City. Any person having or claiming any interest under the entry whose correction is sought may, within fifteen (15) days from notice of this petition, or from the last date of publication of such notice, file his opposition thereto.

WITNESS, the Honorable SYLVIA A. SINGIDAS-MACHACON, Presiding/Executive Judge, this 12th day of July 2016.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO www.businessweekmindanao.com

lifestyle 12

Monday | August 1, 2016

The Night Stalker:

Thank You, Clara and Godspeed!

F

riends of outgoing SM CDO Mall Manager Clara G. Elizaga held a surprise despedida and thanksgiving salosalo at Ah Fong Asian Cuisine July 27.

Clara was SM Mall Manager for the last 5 years and with support from the SM Mall Operations Team, hosted landmark events with the local community like the Department of

Trade and Industry’s Kahimunan Trade Fair, the Oro Chambers OroBest Expo, the Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.

(MOFCCCII) Chinese New Year Festival, the Cagayan de Oro Hotels & Restaurant’s Association (COHARA) Sinuglaw Festival, Promote CDO’s Higlaaay Festival, Parasat’s

Discovery Kids Science Fair and core events of major festivals of the Department of Tourism Region 10, City Tourism Council and City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office.

Well wishers galore with the honoree

Making sure everyone has a slice

Asst. Mall Manager Cons Arce has taken over since July 30 for Clara, who will take a two year break for work to pursue her masteral studies abroad.

The salo-salo conspirators wish to express their thanks and appreciation to the following who helped make the despedida a success: Ralph Paguio (Promote CdO); Elpie Paras (Parasat HD); Jeff Ang (Oro Chamber); Dottie Pabayo & Gigi Go (City Tourism Council); Adelfa Sia (MOFCCCII); Butch Chan (DOT-10); Linda Boniao & Lodie Cadiz (DTI-10); Eliz Pabillore (DTI Misamis Oriental); Elmer Wabe & Gigi Lazaga (City Tourism & Cultural Affairs Office), and not the least, Nelia Lee (Ah Fong Asian Cuisine/ COHARA).

HappyBirthday !

August 2, 2016

CATALINO ‘BUTCH’ E. CHAN III Regional Director Tourism Czar Department of Tourism X

Greetings from: