BusinessWeek Mindanao (August 30 - Sep. 1, 2013)

Volume IV, No. 11

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August 30 - Sep. 1, 2013

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

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Market Indicators

As of 6:10 pm AUG. 29, 2013 (Thursday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P44.56

5,903.71 points

19 cents

X

X

165.65 points

Briefly Housing loans DAVAO City -- While accessing loans for real estate in the country continue to increase, the housing sector faces major challenges, according to Atty. Wendel Avisado, deputy secretary general of the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Avisado said real estate loans now pegged at P154 billion in 2008 to P250 billion in June 2012.

“As we start to enjoy the harvest, a lot still has to be done and the task is not easy as these challenges could not be resolved in the short term,” he said.

Tax review ZAMBOANGA City -- The local government is set to review the existing revenue ordinances after it was noted the tax collection of this city is “quite low” and may not be sufficient to sustain next year’s proposed budget of P2.169 billion.

Vice-Mayor Cesar Iturralde said the existing revenue ordinances should be amended to ensure high collection of taxes to sustain the local government operations and to be able to finance the proposed projects for 2014.

“Iturralde said the city government must increase its revenue collections since the 2014 proposed budget of P2.169 billion is higher than this year’s budget.”

P15.00

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DESPITE SLOWDOWN

PH’s Q2 7.5% growth outpaces neighbors

B

U O Y E D - U P largely by robust manufacturing and construction industries coupled with strong services sector, the Philippine economy grew faster than its Asian neighbors and on the same pace with the emerging world economic giant China.

National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Secretary General Jose Ramon Albert said the Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 7.5 percent in the second quarter, above the 6 to 7 percent growth goal this year.

The latest figure is higher than the revised 6.3 percent posted in second quarter of 2012, but slower than the revised 7.7 percent recorded in first quarter of 2013 which was the fastest in Asia. outpaces/PAGE 15

FACE OF POVERTY. A waste picker at the landfill in Zayas in Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro on July 25. Braving foul smell, a waste picker earns an average of P300 a day from the garbage at the dumpsite. mindanews file photo by froilan gallardo

SM expands in CDO, Butuan Construction confab to explore new opportunities for growth MALL giant SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) is building its second mall in Cagayan de Oro City and a new one in Butuan City to take advantage of the region’s strong economic growth.

Debby Go, assistant vicepresident for Mindanao operations of Shopping Center Management Corp., said that new shopping malls would start contributing expands/PAGE 15

DAVAO City – The 4th PhilConstruct Mindanao slated on September 5-7 here is expected to bring about new opportunities for the construction industry growth on the island, an industry official said.

Engr. Ramon Allado, event chair and past president of explore/PAGE 15

Mindanao’s robust construction industry.

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Economy

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Muslim leaders oppose ‘pork’ abolition

By Ali G. Macabalang

COTABATO CITY—Anything linked to pork is haram or forbidden in Islam, but elected executives in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have expressed opposition to popular calls for abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), more known as “pork” subsidy.

Elected Muslim leaders led by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, a former threeterm partylist representative, asserted that abolishing PDAF would not solve corruption and that the fund can instead be restructured with “safety nets” because it augments subsidies in the impoverished autonomous region.

Hataman believed that scrapping the fund would only worsen poverty in ARMM, which covers the poor provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said PDAF subsidies should focus on gray areas of community development such oppose/PAGE 11

PHL economy posts 7.5% growth in Q2 BSP holds learning THE domestic economy accelerated in the second quarter of 2013 to 7.5 percent from 6.3% recorded the previous year boosting the 2013 first semester growth to 7.6% from 6.4% in the first half of 2012, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) said.

The second quarter growth is the fourth consecutive GDP growth of more than 7.0% under the Aquino Administration, according to Jose Ramon Albert, NSCB director-general.

The resilient services sector, which grew by 7.4%, remained the main driver of the country’s growth supported by the 10.3% and 17.4% growth of manufacturing and construction, respectively boosting the industry sector to grow by 10.3%.

On the demand side, the growth came mainly from consumer and public spending buttressed by increased investments in fixed capital. External trade has been lackluster.

The growth in the Net Factor Income from Abroad at 2.7% together with the impressive growth in the domestic economy pushed the Gross National Income (GNI) to grow by 6.8% from 6.5% 2012.

For the first semester of 2013, GNI grew by 7.3% from 6.1% in the first semester of 2012.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, GDP grew at 1.4% but this was slower than the previous quarter’s growth of 2.3%. Similarly, GNI grew by a slower pace of 1.2% in the growth/PAGE 11

outreach activities

MALAYBALAY CITY—The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) conducted the third leg of its Economic and Financial Learning Program (BSPEFLP) for 2013 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on August 28-29.

The BSP-EFLP consolidates the educational outreach activities of the BSP under one flagship program.

It includes a series of learning sessions and activities, which aim to promote greater public awareness and understanding of key economic and financial issues.

T h e B SP- E F L P a l s o embodies the goal of the BSP to promote economic and financial education among its stakeholders, who can then become more effective partners of the BSP in maintaining stable prices as well as in ensuring a stronger and safer banking and payments system.

BSP/PAGE 12

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AboitizPower to uprate geothermal plant output MANILA – The TiwiMakBan geothermal plants can now produce more electricity each year with less disruption after Aboitiz Power Corp put in $150 million to upgrade the facilities.

In a statement, Ab oit i z Powe r s ai d t h e a d d i t i o n a l i nv e s t m e n t increased the Tiwi and MakBan geothermal plants’ availability factor by 25 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

Availability factor pertains to the number of hours a power plant produces energy out of the total number of hours in a year.

CorporateWorld

The investment also brought down the forced outage rates of the Tiwi and MakBan plants to 1.7 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively.

The rates stood at two percent and 3.8 percent before the upgrade.

Forced outage is the shutting down of a plant for emergency reasons or any condition in which it is unavailable for load due to unanticipated breakdown.

Today, the power plants are running at a combined 400 megawatts.

On top of the upgrade, AboitizPower said it has aboitiz/PAGE 12

RCBC board okays early redemption of P4-B debt RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) will redeem P4 billion worth of unsecured subordinated notes four years ahead of maturity.

In a statement, RCBC said its board of directors approved the early redemption of the IOUs, which qualify as lower tier 2 capital. They mature on May 15, 2019 but have a call option allowing the bank to buy back the debt instruments

on May 15, 2014. The notes pay 7.75 percent.

The lender however has yet to secure Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas approval of the early redemption.

RCBC earlier announced that it sold a 10 percent stake in RCBC Realty to House of Investments for a total consideration of P1.3 billion.

The bank also agreed to sell to RCBC/PAGE 12

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Jollibee to open more stores JOLLIBEE Foods Corp (JFC) plans to expand its store network in the Philippines and overseas next year.

At the sideline of the ING-Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines forum on Wednesday, JFC chief financial officer Ysmael Baysa said the company has opened new stores by a tenth every year.

“The trend is to grow the [new] stores and capital expenditure by the same pace,” Baysa said.

The Jollibee group is

spending P5.5 billion to open 200 stores this year, evenly distributed in the Philippines and overseas.

However, the planned capex could accommodate 300 new stores.

“200 is the realistic target although we hope we will be able to exceed that,” Baysa said.

JFC will open bulk of the jollibee/PAGE 12

Cebu Pacific lobbies for ‘open skies’ policy with Japan THE operator of Cebu Pacific wants the government to push for “open skies” with Japan as the Philippines’ biggest budget airline wants to speed up its expansion amid rising tourism and trade between the two countries.

“An open skies agreement with Japan will benefit local tourism and trade, especially since we believe Japan can rival South Korea when it comes to foreign tourist arrivals,” Candice Iyog, Cebu Air Inc (CEB) vice president for marketing and distribution said.

The Philippines and Japan are set to hold air talks on September 11-13 in Tokyo.

At present, Cebu Pacific

flies between Manila and Osaka thrice a week, whereas rival Philippine Airlines (PAL) flies to and from Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka and Tokyo.

PAL controls 43 percent of total seat capacity in the Philippine-Japan route, while Cebu Pacific has less than three percent.

Once one of the most protective aviation sectors in the world, Japan has signed “open skies” agreements with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, France, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Mexico.

“Cebu Pacific plans to aggressively expand into Japan

in the future. We fully support the [Civil Aeronautics Board] in its efforts to further boost tourism and the Philippine aviation industry. Aside from Japan being one of the Philippines’ biggest trading partners, it is also home to 350,000 global Filipinos.

Cebu Pacific’s expansion in Japan will allow us to offer our trademark lowest fares to the Philippines to boost business and leisure traffic,” Iyog said.

Data from the Department of Tourism showed that visitors from Japan reached 412,000 last year.

Between 2013 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 15 more Airbus A320s, 30 A321neos, and five A330s. CEB

operates 10 A319s, 27 A320s, one A330 and eight ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 46 is one of the most modern in the world.

Cebu Pacific flies to 22 international destinations, namely B ali, B angkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Phuket, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Xiamen.

The budget airline also operates the most extensive network in the Philippines with 34 domestic destinations and hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, Kalibo, Iloilo and Davao.

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CongressWatch

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‘Napoles’ surrender, first step in solving pork barrel scam’

IRA to barangays created by local sanggunian sought

By BONG FABE

CENTRIST Democratic Party (CDP) president, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the first congressional district of Cagayan de Oro City yesterday said that the surrender of Janet Napoles is the first necessary step to get to the bottom of the P10 billion pork barrel scam.

Rodriguez, who was implicated in the scam along with other 22 lawmakers, had earlier urged Napoles to surrender and clear her name in court, noting that her hiding after a court ordered her arrest was “an admission of guilt.

“If you are guilty, you run away from a case,” he said.

He also maintained innocence against allegations he gave P3 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to bogus organizations run by Napoles.

“My P3 million was given to the Technical and Livelihood Center which for the past 30 years has been engaged in livelihood programs. We did not know that it went to the fake NGOs,” he said, saying that he learned from the Commission on Audit (COA) as early as October 2012 that his signatures and the signatures of his PDAF beneficiaries were forged by the NGOs chosen by the implementing agency where he entrusted his PDAF. Rodriguez had earlier said that he is willing to face any investigation to clear his name and help solve the scam.

With Napoles’ surrender to President Aquino Wednesday night, the necessary step

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and CDP Chairman Lito Monico Lorenzana explains their position on the PDAF and pork barrel system.

has finally been taken and it is now up to the Justice department and other agencies investigating the scam to do their mandate and solve the “mother of all scams,” he said.

The Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 ordered her arrest on August 14 for alleged serious illegal detention of Benhur Luy, a whistle-blower in the pork barrel scam. She then went into hiding on the same day.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, said that he is in “favor of abolishing the lump sum PDAF and have a transparent line item budgeting for the needs of our constituents.”

CDP Chairman Lito Monico Lorenzana said that the party is calling for the abolition of the whole pork barrel system, not just the PDAF, as the “system is prone to corruption and used by the unscrupulous to diver public funds for personal gain.”

Lorenzana also said that the pork barrel system is being used to perpetuate the politics of patronage, which the CDP abhors as it is in contravention of all the principles of

Kaka: Gender bias must be penalized

A MEASURE was filed in the House of Representatives prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender of an individual.

House Bill 110 of Dinagat Island Rep. Kaka Bag-ao also provides a penalty ranging from a fine to a jail term for violators.

Bag-ao said that the measure was in compliance with numerous international agreements—where the Philippines is a signatory—that seek to ensure respect for the human rights of all persons regardless of sex, sexual orientation or any other condition.

“These international human rights instruments have consistently been interpreted by international institutions, bias/PAGE 13

the party.

CDP, however, acknowledged that many legislators “have used major parts of their pork barrels to address social problems to help the poor and disadvantaged of the population and to develop health and education infrastructure. As many of these urgent needs are not addressed adequately, meantime, by the national and local administrations, the PDAF is often used to fill these gaps with meaningful projects.”

The CDP also called on the Department of Finance to “come up within 90 days with a complete, detailed and transparent list of all existing funds similar to the congressional pork barrels not under the ordinary procurement and bidding procedures for public projects at different government units, local administrations and local elected officials.”

“All of these special funds, for which no clear and convincing justification can be presented, have to be abolished too.”

A MINDANAO lawmaker has proposed a bill granting the internal revenue allotment (IRA) to barangays created by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Panglungsod.

House Bill 65, filed by Rep. Anthony del Rosario of the first district of Davao del Norte, aims to help these political units perform effectively and implement poverty alleviation activities in their respective areas.

The bill also seeks the amendment of Section 6 of Republic Act (RA) 7160, on the Authority to Create Local Government Units (LGUs), by providing that an LGU may be created, divided, merged, abolished or its boundaries substantially altered only by law enacted by Congress in the case of a province, city, municipality or any other political subdivision subject to such limitations and requirements prescribed in the Local Government Code.

The bill also seeks the amendment of Section 285 of RA 7160, on the Allotment of IRA Taxes, so that the share of LGUs in the internal revenue allotment shall be allocated thus: provinces, 23 percent; cities, 23 percent; municipalities, 34 percent; and barangays, 20 percent.

The bill provides, however, that the share of each province, city, and municipality shall be determined on the basis of the following formula: population, 50 percent; land area, 25 percent; and equal sharing, 25 percent.

The bill further provides the share of each barangay with a population of not less than 100 inhabitants shall not be less than P80,000 per annum chargeable against the 20-percent share of the barangay from the IRA, and the balance to be allocated on the basis of the formula: On the first year of the effectivity of this Code: population, 40 percent; and equal sharing, 60 percent.

On the second year, population 50 percent; and equal sharing, 50 percent. On the third IRA/PAGE 12

Gov’t urged to prioritize indigenous energy sources E X P L O R AT I O N a n d development of indigenous sources of energy should be given priority by the government to reduce the cost of electricity in the country.

House Bill 1909, authored

by Reps. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo of Camarines Sur and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Pampanga, seeks to adjust the current tax impositions that tend to prejudice the indigenous energy sector.

“The proposed Electricity Rate Reduction Act of 2013 also seeks to maintain and uphold the competitiveness of indigenous sources of energy vis-à-vis imported fuels thereby increasing the country’s energy self-

sufficiency,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo said the objective of the bill is to lower the government share in the exploration, development and production of indigenous energy resources other than those already covered by the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

Arroyo said the government should also set its share at the level that maintains the relative preference to indigenous renewable energy resources and still provide for a substantial revenue for the State and remove the disparities in tax and royalty treatment between indigenous energy resources sources/PAGE 13

A run-of-river hydropower plant of Hedcor, Inc., a subsidiary of the Aboitiz Power Co.

Legislator wants to criminalize prod’n of defective textbooks TO advance the right to quality education in the country, a party-list lawmaker has filed a bill that would criminalize the production of defective textbooks.

House Bill 293, to be known as “Defective Textbook Crime Act,” filed by Rep. Eulogio Magsaysay of Alliance of Volunteer Educators (AVE) partylist, is seeking to prevent the use of error-filled textbooks in schools.

Under the measure, passing and causing the recommendation for approval of any reviewed or evaluated manuscript intended for adoption as textbook, in gross negligence or disregard of procedures and standards set for the review or evaluation of such material, are punishable.

Selection and approval of any manuscript, intended for publication and adoption as

textbook, that is filled with factual errors, biases and conceptual omission; publishing, printing or distributing of any selected or approved manuscript that is defective; and engaging in any syndicated act willfully disregarding or violating the established rules, procedures or standards in the screening, review and evaluation related to textbook publishing are also punishable.

It also orders the National B ook Development Board, with the Department of Education (DepEd), to include in the guidelines and rules in the implementation of textbook publishing program more objective and transparent evaluation and review of textbook manuscripts by designating two evaluators from the private sector and two wants/PAGE 13

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Motoring

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Mitsubishi recalls Montero Sport, Strada models MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corporation has ordered the recall of thousands of Montero Sport and Strada due to possible welding concerns.

Toyota joins Daimler in boycotting coolant FRANCFORT — Japanese aut om a ke r Toyot a h a s decided to join German rival Daimler in boycotting a new air-conditioning coolant deemed more environmentfriendly in Europe, Toyota’s German unit told AFP on Friday.

Toyota will revert to an older coolant for its Prius Plus, Lexus GS and GT86 models in Europe, said a s p oke s m an for Toyot a Germany.

Since January 1, EU norms demand that car makers use refrigerants that are more environment friendly in new

types of vehicle and European automakers decided to that one called R1234yf meets those standards.

But Daimler is sticking to an older coolant, called R134a, as it claims studies have shown that the new gas catches fire more easily and puts cars at a greater risk of explosion in case of a crash.

The makers of R1234yf reject Daimler’s claims.

“Toyota regards it as the duty of individual companies w it h i n t he automot ive industr y to ensure that vehicles meet current safety standards,” Toyota Germany

Nissan plans to begin selling self-driving cars by 2020

IRVINE, California — Nissan Motor Co Ltd said it will be ready to bring fully self-driving vehicles to market by 2020.

The Japanese automaker said it plans to offer “multiple, commercially viable” vehicles that are capable of autonomous operation without driver input.

The self-driving vehicles will be sold “at realistic prices for consumers,” the company said at a media event in Irvine, California.

Nissan said its goal is to offer autonomous cars “across the model range within two vehicle generations” – about 10-12 years after the projected 2020 launch.

The company said it has been researching and developing autonomous vehicles “for years” with such top universities as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford, Oxford, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Tokyo. It is building a dedicated test track in Japan for autonomous vehicles that will be completed by next spring.

Google Inc, the Internet search leader, launched an autonomous car program in 2010 and has built and is testing several different versions, including one based on Toyota Motor Corp’s Prius.

Based on a statement, MMPC would be conducting a safety inspection campaign to check the welding condition of the front propeller shaft for the four-wheel drive models and the front suspension lower arm for both the two and four-wheel drive variants.

The MMPC stated the the welding bead dimension of the front lower arm and the width of the welding bead between the tube and stub shaft might break while the vehicle is in use.

The coverage for the weld condition of the front lower arm are the 11,403 Montero Sport (2WD and 4WD) and 4,050 Strada (2WD and 4WD) units sold from 2011 to 2012 while for the front propeller shaft, 66 Montero Sport 4WD and 13 Strada 4WD units rolled out in 2012.

The inspection procedure for the front lower arm would

likely to take less than two hours at the most and when needed, replacement of both front lower arms is estimated at around six hours, and welding bead between the tube and stub shaft might likely take 12 minutes at the most and when needed, replacement is estimated at 36 minutes.

The MMPC would also be checking the possible powerassisted reclining switch for the Montero, saying that the switch might get stuck during usage and could result power seat motor overheating.

Further, replacing the reclining switch could take 18 minutes and replacement of power seat motor should require a total of two and a half hours.

Those covered in the checkup are 8,059 Montero Sport four-wheel drive models (GLS SE and GT-V) units sold

from 2009 up to present.

S o far, there are no reported failures or incidents nationwide that came from the possible faulty parts areas but the proactive move was made as the Japanese carmaker’s commitment to quality and consumer safety, according to the statement.

Customers could check on the MMPC website if their vehicle is included in the recall through their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

The statement claimed that affected customers will be notified via email.

For his part, MMPC President and CEO Hikosaburo Shibata extended is apologies to “all affected customers for the inconvenience caused by this safety inspection.”

He stated that MMPC has already mobilized its Customer Service Operation to communicate to all the affected customers and that all their service centers have been prepared to do the necessary inspection.

said in an emailed response.

“Unfortunately, there is no consensus on this issue on the European market. For this reason, we have decided, as a temporary measure, to use R134a so as to dispel any possible concerns our customers might have,” it said.

Toyota had conducted internal tests with the coolant R1234yf and found “no safety concerns,” it said.

The sale of vehicles with R1234yf had only begun after “complete confirmation of their safety.” toyota/PAGE 13

Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz to outline strategic plan for China DAIMLER AG’s MercedesBenz will launch about 20 new or upgraded car models in China over the next two years, part of a broader turnaround effort aimed at reversing the brand’s recent struggles in the world’s biggest auto market.

The plan, a key component of Mercedes’ broader “2020 initiative,” aims to boost sales of Mercedes-Benz cars in China by a third to more than 300,000 cars a year by 2015, according to two individuals familiar with the matter.

Daimler’s new China chief, Hubertus Troska, and his management team are expected to unveil details of the plan, which also includes expanding manufacturing cap acit y and t he s a les network, in Beijing and Chengdu this week.

If the sales target were achieved it would make China the brand’s biggest market globally, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Last year Mercedes-Benz sold slightly more than 200,000 cars in China, currently its No. 3 market behind Germany and the United States.

Troska’s tur naround

initiative will kick off with the China launch of a significantly redesigned E-class sedan on Friday at an auto show in the southwestern city of Chengdu.

That will be followed quickly by a China launch of the overhauled flagship S-class sedan during the third quarter of this year, as well as a more affordable small sport-utility vehicle (SUV) called the GLA next year.

Struggling for traction Me r c e d e s - B e n z h a s struggled in China since the start of 2012, when overall demand for luxury cars began weakening amid an economic slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy that affected luxury car brands in general.

Mercedes fared worse than most because of a dearth of new or redesigned models and what industry insiders and key operators of Mercedes-Benz dealers described as a short-sighted volume grab that hit the brand’s profitability.

Mercedes-Benz’s sales rose just 4 percent to 206,150 cars, last year. By contrast, sales of Audi cars rose 32

percent to 407,738 cars, while BMW’s volume increased 41 percent to 313,638 cars, according to consulting firm LMC Automotive.

BMW and Audi posted impressive gains, but they were also accused by dealers and analysts of boosting sales through heavy discounts and other costly incentives.

With China’s economy still slowing compared with the breakneck pace of expansion over the past 15 years, there remains some doubt over whether Mercedes-Benz is going to be able to boost its sales by a third by 2015.

But Yale Zhang, head of Shanghai-based consulting firm Automotive Foresight, said he believed the objective was “doable,” partly due to the array of “strong new products they are planning to put in play over the next year.”

Aside from the slew of new products, Troska aims to make Mercedes-Benz cars more affordable by producing significantly more of what it sells in China.

The turnaround plan envisages seven out of 10 cars it sells in China will

be made in the country by 2015 — up from around half now — a move that would allow the company to avoid the high tariffs and taxes levied on imported cars.

The primary lever to boost in-China production is the new compact GLA SUV that the German carmaker plans to produce at its factory complex in Beijing, which is jointly run with state-owned auto group Beijing Automotive Group, the sources said.

The GLA, which is intended to be a more affordable luxury car, is due for a launch in China next year.

German precision, made in China “The days when Chinese consumers thought Mercedes is Mercedes only when they are made in Germany are long gone,” a Mercedes-Benz official told Reuters. “If you can deliver German precision and quality in products you produce here, Chinese buyers have no problem at all with them and consider them genuine Mercedes.”

It was not immediately clear whether the move to daimler/PAGE 13

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Stories Straight From the Art

by Xyla Mercedita E. Gualberto, Contributor

“Eagle, kasi nakakalipad siya at natatanaw niya lahat ng bagay. Gaya niya, gusto ko rin matanaw ang mundo”, says Cokie, a 15-year old Sendong survivor, when asked what his life symbol is.

Just like Cokie, most artists take inspiration from one's dreams and aspirations to create masterful art pieces.

That is why Ms. Rosalie Zerrudo, facilitator of the Arts and Handicrafts, Environment and Art Workshop held at Xavier Ecoville on August 11 to 13, opens her sessions by encouraging her participants to share pieces of their life story among one another.

“Your story is your legacy to the world,” she says -- a legacy worth sharing through art forms.

The participants take pieces of scrap cloth to create artworks with the following themes: life before, during and after Sendong.

As they stitch and cut, they share their individual experiences- some with a dose of drama, some with a punch of humor.

A mother shares the tragic tale of losing her 8-year old daughter; another woman shares of her new found friends at an evacuation center.

Lives intertwined.

Individual stories made one.

Meanwhile, the younger participants are making mandala artworks, a type of artwork expressing what is within a person and manifesting it outside, through communal and concrete artwork.

As they share their life symbols to the group and make their mark in the mandala art, they get a better grip of the meaning of one’s life experiences -- such as that of Sendong and its relation to the environment.

The children and youth now take organic materials and create pictures of birds, trees, mountains and people as they interpret an environmental story through their own artworks.

The activity, called Kanta-Storya, speak of their relationship with Mother Earth and how human race can both be the destroyer and savior of the Earth’s existence.

With what they have been through coupled with their inventive nature, they are able to create works of art that unleash their artistic

An exercise for the life tapestry artwork

skills and deepen their appreciation of the environment.

Through the art workshop, they are able to share their community’s story – a story of environmental respect and healing. Every shape and color speaks of the community’s rich history, hopeful present and bright future.

Through art, Cokie’s

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the university-wide celebration of the XU Festival Days to take place in November. Come and enjoy the participants’ proud display of artistic spectacle and be a part of their colorful story as survivors.

Xavier Ecoville is the XU-led resettlement community for Sendong survivors in Brgy. Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City.

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can creatively express their emotions and tell their stories to the world.

The program aims to provide the youth with a venue for healing through art therapy, to develop appreciation for culture and arts and to introduce them to possible livelihood ventures with their handmade products.

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life story and those of the other participants can now fly like an eagle. They can reach other communities and inspire people with their sense of hope and resilience.

The art workshops are initiated by the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) through its program Sining Galing, a Xavier Ecoville Arts Program for the Youth.

It is funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through its Cultural Education Committee's Bugkusan.

Sining Galing will run from August to November this year. The program also offers recurring workshops on: cultural dance, children and teen’s theater, guitar, teen chorale, photography, visual arts and storytelling.

It involves the Xavier University (XU) students, giving them an opportunity to reach out to the Sendong survivors by sharing their artistic talents and skills.

These students, who are also official talents of the XCCA, help the community’s youth find their artistic side so they

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August 30 - Sep. 1, 2013

SKK Mobile Android Frenzy SKK Mobile Phones – Gadget that fit the Budget

SKK Mobile, one of the country’s emerging providers of high-quality but affordable mobile smartphones and gadgets, unveils its product line for the Pinoy smartphone and gadget lovers with its promo SKK Mobile Android Frenzy.

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2013, buyers of SKK Cellphones and tablets at SKK Stores, Kiosks and Dealers will enjoy amazing discounts plus freebies on devices ranging from dual-SIM phones, touch-screen phones, Jelly Bean Android phones and tablets giving the budget-minded Pinoys a true value-for-money.

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OROBEST EXPO 2013 LAUNCHING. Oro Chamber Officers posing with City Mayor Oscar Moreno during the OROBEST trade fair launching last August 19, 2013 at N Hotel. OROBEST is the event highlight of the city’s Business Month celebration in October. (LEFT-RIGHT) ED Lords Enjambre, Engr. Dodong Donggay, Mayor Oscar Moreno, Pres. Efren Uy, OROBEST Chairperson Jeffrey Ang, PP Tony Uy, PP Rudy Meñes and PP Bob Togle.

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August 30 - Sep. 1, 2013

Procrastination is a Thief of Dreams

To Die For

T

THINK

hink a minute…This is a true story about an American A Minute teenager named Leo Carter. Leo

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst was from the most dangerous part of the big city of Chicago. He was only 17 years old when he saw another teenager named Elijah shoot and kill a businessman.

Elijah and his gang decided to kill Leo so he could not testify against them in court. One day they caught Leo, dragged him behind a building and shot him in the head. It was a miracle that Leo did not die. Yet even after that, Leo still had the courage to testify against Elijah for murdering that businessman. Elijah is now in prison, because Leo stood for what he knew was the truth no matter what it cost him.

There are many people who would rather stay alive than die for the truth. There’s a saying: “If you don’t have anything to die for, then you don’t have anything to live for.” Sometimes we pay a big price for being honest and standing up for the truth. We can make some real enemies, even lose our job or position of respect and power, just because we were honest and stood for the truth. The question is: Who are you more afraid of? People and what they think or can do to you? Or God, your Maker and Judge?

Jesus Christ said that you and I must decide if we truly believe He is Who He said He is: the only true and living God Who came to die for all our wrongs so He could forgive us. Since Jesus proved He’s God the Son by coming back to life from death, we must live His way everyday of our life. We can’t say we believe in Him and then keep living our own way instead of changing to live His way.

That’s why Jesus said everyone must be born again. We must die to our past life of living our own way so we can start life all over again with His life and character changing us everyday to reach our potential He created in us. It’s kind of like being pregnant: either you have another person’s life in you or you don’t. You cannot be just a little pregnant. Neither can you have Jesus living in you only part-time once or twice a week. So today, won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you and take full charge of your heart and lifestyle every day for the rest of your life?

Jesus is both to die for and live for. Just Think a Minute…

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“Whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Colossians 3:23).

W

hen I open my eyes to a glorious new morn, I take a few more luxurious minutes in bed stretching & anticipating my day. I always face the day excited and happy. I take my time browsing over some spiritual reading, then on to a slow breakfast & idle chatter with members of the family.

These rituals are enjoyable & harmless by themselves.

But before I know it, my morning is gone. The tiny minutes frittered away on some pleasant indulgences soon add up to huge chunks of valuable time lost. The sad part is, they have become a habit with me, and have set the standard of a pampered life. I didn’t realize it, but I have become a slothful person.

I can argue that I deserve this. That I am just enjoying the well-earned fruits of my labor. Didn’t I work myself to the bone for the past 3 decades?

The sluggard will find nothing wrong with a lifestyle of comfort & ease. But for a person with a purpose, for a worker in God’s vineyard, this is disgraceful behaviour.

I will not call myself lazy. I can be counted on to deliver a good job. The problem is, I know I can do better. The good job can still be transformed into a masterpiece. And I

W

B

should not just deliver, I should usiness yield an abundant harvest.

O f H appiness If we are not giving our By Girlie Gualberto-Suan very best to our work, to living a life of victory, then we have to concede that we are slothful people. We can do more, but we are procrastinators.

I’m not talking about being busy. There are countless persons who have their nose relentlessly on the grindstone.

For them, life has become a never-ending drudgery of toil and work. A donkey’s world.

I’m talking about the majority who can’t seem to harness their time, energy and willpower for greatness. Your dreams are too wonderful to dump in the garbage bin of procrastination.

How do you know if you are a procrastinator? If you are just taking tiny baby steps toward your dream, making soft little decisions, never straying from your comfort zone, and easily cast down by excuses, you are a procrastinator.

Be bold. Ride life like a bull. Take it by the horns. suan/PAGE 13

The Universal Call to Sanctity

e need to understand this truth well. For a long while in the history of the Church and of the world in general, the usual idea about holiness, and all the gamut of implications it contains, is that sanctity is reserved only for a few and that it can only be achieved through certain acts and states of life.

Yes, sanctity has often been associated with priests and nuns and others who by some peculiar circumstances prefer to lead a religious or consecrated life practically spent in churches or some isolated or special places like caves, deserts, mountains, convents, monasteries, hermitages, mission areas, foreign lands, etc.

As a consequence, the ordinary people who stay at home and work in the fields or schools and offices, or those who simply find themselves in the middle of the world, are often considered out of contention for sainthood. At best, they can aspire only to be helpers and assistants to priests and religious men and women.

We need to correct this attitude because it is not quite correct. While such conception about sanctity contains a lot of truth and many good things, it however does not capture many other elements through which holiness can be worked out and achieved.

Everyone is called to holiness, because everyone is a creature of God, and as such is therefore created in the image and likeness of God, adopted a child of his, and meant to participate in the very life of God. There is a basic and inalienable equality among all of us insofar as we are God’s creatures and children

HINTS

called to holiness. Regardless of our position and state in and Traces life, whether we are priests,

By Fr. Roy Cimagala religious men and women, or ordinary lay faithful, we have the same calling and purpose in life.

Corollary to this truth is that there is also a basic and inalienable quality of everything in the world to be an occasion and means for our sanctification. To be holy does not mean that we only spend time praying, going to church, availing of the sacraments, etc.

To be sure, prayer, the sacraments, the doctrine of our faith, obedience to the Church hierarchy are important, even indispensable, but these would hang on thin air if they are not supported and made as the goal and expression of a sanctified life that is consistent to the teachings and the spirit of God. To be holy also means that we have to use our ordinary work, all the things of the world, like the sciences, arts, politics, technologies, etc., properly purified, and all the other circumstances that define our daily life as an occasion and means to look for God, then find, love and serve him.

There’s a need to cultivate a unity of life that is inspired cimagala/PAGE 13

Janet Napoles Maybe Granted Bail

L

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… for you are all one in Christ Jesus…” (Galatians 3:28, the Holy Bible).

-ooo JANET NAPOLES MAYBE GRANTED BAIL: Many are asking what will happen now that Janet Lim Napoles is already in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) after surrendering to President Aquino Wednesday night, August 28, 2013. The answer is simple and quite clear. Henceforth, it is now going to be a battle of lawyers, and the lawyer who will prove to be the best will of course prevail.

My guess is that, it won’t be long before Janet may be granted bail, and may be released while the serious illegal detention or kidnapping case which her erstwhile assistant, Benhur Luy, filed against her is being tried by the Makati City Regional Trial Court. She cannot be detained in connection with the P10 billion pork barrel scam---not yet anyway, since there is still no case against her over that issue.

Now, why am I saying that Janet may be granted bail?

The reason is this: as of the moment, the only case against her is the Luy serious illegal detention case. Serious illegal detention is a non-bailable crime alright, but when the accused in a case like that, like Janet and her brother Rey, will ask for bail, and during the bail hearing it would be proved that the evidence of guilt is not strong, there is no other way but for the accused to be set free in the meantime.

-ooo-

K

SURRENDER IS PART ak ampi OF LEGAL MANEUVER: I Mo A ng Batas am sure all these angles have

By Atty. Batas Mauricio been taken into consideration by whoever has or have been advising or counseling Janet and her brother before she finally surrendered to the President. I am sure that this supposed “surrender” is part of a calculated risk, a legal maneuver as it were whose objective is to bring Janet safely out of hiding, and face her accuser in court, to resolve once and for all the serious illegal detention case.

And because it was the President himself who accepted Janet’s surrender and later accompanied her to the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the message is quite clear: nobody should try to pull a fast one over Janet and the cases against her, for there is a big brother watching what is happening to her.

With one fell swoop, as it were, the problem of Janet’s safety and well-being while trying to hide from those who were sent out to arrest her especially in the light of the P10 million reward money for her arrest, as well as the problem of notifying the whole world that Janet is a “special” woman batas/PAGE 13

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

Travel&Tourism

Puning Cave: A path to prosperity Puning Cave is one of the most visited caves in Central Luzon. It is situated along the hilly barangay of Bayabas in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan. The location makes it a dream destination for bikers as well as local tourists who are into rest and recreation.

Upon reaching Bayabas, one needs to trek through a river to reach the site. For so many years this had been the only way there.

Visiting bikers have pitched the idea of possibly having a concrete pathway by the riverside to make it easier for them to bring their bikes up to the mouth of the cave. Their sentiment reached barangay authorities, and the village’s tourism council heeded their call.

Barangay Bayabas is a Pantawid Pamilya implementation area. The program has covered it since 2011 under Set 4B. There are 60 household grantees residing there; some of them find livelihood as cave guides.

The engagement of Pantawid Pamilya in community development projects prompted barangay officials to forge partnership with beneficiaries.

Initially, they presented the idea of building a pathway going to Puning Cave to Municipal Link Joanna Marie Victa; she in turn relayed this to her three groups in the barangay.

During a consultation with beneficiaries, there were those who were adamant about the idea. However, they eventually collectively agreed citing long-term benefits the village will gain from the project.

If the pathway will be built and the number of tourists increased, this will generate livelihood opportunities.

For one, the already identified guides will have more customers, which translates to P100 more for every tourist that they will assist in exploring the cave. Also, there will be demand for bottled mineral water, cold drinks, food and souvenir items, which spell out sources of income.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Rowena Castillo, 29, is secretary of the barangay tourism council and a Parent Leaderbeneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya. “I do not have salary in the council. What I receive is from a percentage of the total income of the council,” she said. “We charge P10 for a bath in the river and P100 for cave visit.”

She added that 50% of the total revenue goes to the barangay; the remaining 50% is divided among the six members of the council.

Barangay Bayabas receives an average of 500 visitors every month. Most of the visitors are river bathers and only 20% go to visit the cave.

Puning Cave reached a milestone last January 22 when Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries started constructing the pathway.

The blueprint for the pathway stretches 250 meters. Four groups of beneficiaries take turns in doing the construction. Their schedule goes for four successive days in a month wherein a group is in charge for a day. The beneficiaries are expected to finish the entire stretch by the last quarter of the year.

The village government takes charge of the construction materials. For a day’s work, the barangay provide each member with two snacks and lunch. And just like ordinary workers, they too had their time in and time out during work.

“We have members who are already senior citizens; they can no longer participate in the community development project. We have agreed that for households headed by senior citizens, they can elect replacement for the construction,” Castillo shared. “We see the importance of our efforts; it is our contribution for the development of our community. We know that beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries alike we will all benefit from the way we have developed our place.”

(CLJD/RBRP-PIA 3)

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Feature:

Moro women weave buri bags for a living KABACAN, North Cotabato – Underneath a mango tree stands a wooden kiosk that serves as a weaving area for the Moro women in Bai Matabay Plang Village (BMPV).

Using dried strands of buri (Corypha Elata), these women manually weave bags and other accessories for wedding and other special occasions.

Buri is a large fan palm commonly found in tropical countries. Its leaves are sliced into strips, sundried and dyed.

E l ma Gu i amb ang an, a day-care teacher who serves as the leader of the women in the community, told MindaNews that she organized the women in the village to learn the craft of hand-weaving bags.

Though most of the women already know how to weave sleeping mats, Guiambangan said only six of them, including her daughter, know how to weave bags, pencil cases, pouches and other accessories.

There are 25 members of their group known as the Moro Women of BMPV. The village is located at the

Moro women weave handbags made from dried buri leaves in Bai Matabay Plang Village, Kabacan, North Cotabato on 28 August 2013. mindanews photo

periphery of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) campus.

“Most of the Muslim women already know how to weave because they learned it from their ancestors. But they mostly weave sleeping mats,” said Guiambangan, a mother of three.

One of the weavers, Fatima Taha, said that she used to work in someone else’s farm just to earn money. But when she learned how to weave bags, she stopped working in the farm.

Taha, 37 and a mother of eight, said she learned to weave sleeping mats from

her grandmother.

Literacy program Then, last year she learned to weave bags through the literacy program of the Moro People’s Core (MPCore).

Z aynab Ampatuan, executive director of MPCore, said the literacy program started in Barangay Pisan here.

She said the bag-weaving lessons were also first initiated in the same barangay, then they expanded to Barangay Kuy ap on an d to s om e communities in the town proper.

But for now, only the feature/PAGE 14

They comfort the forlorn.

They soothe out to the weary.

They sing for the hopeless.

They work for the needy.

They love the unloved.

All this they do without an ounce of regret.

The Mission

Now they need you. Reach out to the Philippine Jesuits in need by reserving a copy of the

“Jesuits in Mindanao The Mission”

Every step counts.

Preserve the Jesuit Legacy.

Reserve you copy now.

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“JESUITS IN MINDANAO The Mission”

coffee table book and help us continue our mission for the formation of priests, caring for the elderly priests and support for the apostolic works of the Jesuits in the Philippines.

Please contactFr. Herb Schneider, SJ (632) 426-6101 · 585-8531 · mail: hschneider@admu.edu.ph · pjaa@phjesuits.org

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Environment

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Climate change seen behind ancient civilizations’ fall

WASHINGTON DC—A cold, dry spell that lasted hundreds of years may have driven the collapse of Eastern Mediterranean civilizations in the 13th century BC, researchers in France said.

In the Late Bronze Age, powerful kingdoms spanned lands that are now Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Syria, Turkey, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, but they collapsed suddenly around 1200 BC. Archeologists have long debated the reasons behind their fall, often citing economic factors.

But in the past few years, more research has come to light indicating that natural factors, including a wintry drought, may have dried up agriculture, caused famine and forced people into war.

The latest findings, published in the open-access journal PLoS One, are based on an analysis of sediment from an ancient lake in southeastern Cyprus by lead researcher David Kaniewski of the University of Paul Sabatier in Toulouse.

Kaniewski found evidence of a 300-year drought beginning around 3,200 years ago in pollen grains derived from sediments of the Larnaca Salt Lake complex.

Changes in carbon isotopes and local plant species suggest that the series of four lakes were once a sea harbor at the heart of trade routes in the region, offering a new piece of the puzzle that suggests a history of environmental changes drove the region into a dark age.

“This climate shift caused crop failures, death and famine, which precipitated or hastened socio-economic crises and forced regional human migrations at the end of the Late Bronze Age in the Eastern Mediterranean and southwest Asia,” the study said.

Other researchers have found related evidence of a climate shift in sea surface temperatures and a two degree Celsius drop around the same time in the northern hemisphere.

Just why these changes occurred remains a matter of debate.

Some scientists suggest they may have been caused by a period of increased solar activity, which shifted the jet stream in the North Atlantic and led to drought by cooling the oceans and decreasing rainfall.

A similar climate event is believed to have happened in medieval times.

“The jury is still out on that one,” said Lee Drake, an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico whose own research has shown a drop in sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean coincided with the Greek Dark Ages in the same period.

“If sea surface temperatures drop, then less water evaporates and less water precipitates over land. This period of cooler temperatures seems to be consistent with the Greek Dark Ages of about 400 years,” he said.

“If you can imagine this complex Greek civilization sitting on top of a bucket, then climate came and kicked it out from under them, and there was really nothing that they could have done,” he said.

“You have got cities full of people and now you can only feed half of them. Go.” Drake said the latest research helps explain the mythology of the Sea Peoples, or raiders who invaded land, and offers a fuller picture of what happened and why. seen/PAGE 14

PHL needs climate change awareness campaign

By Elga Reyes

THE Philippines needs a strong national response to climate change, something that is lacking despite the fact that it is acutely vulnerable to its effects, said experts at the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Manila on Thursday.

Speaking about the work of the Climate Change Commission, vice chairperson Secretar y Lucille Sering said, “We’re supposed to be in-charge of probably the biggest awareness campaign our country will ever face, and yet I couldn’t even get our national government to sit on a meeting so we can understand how we could get our people involved.”

She said a majority of Filipinos have personally felt the effects of climate change, and yet most have done nothing to reduce it.

Worse still, a portion of the population do not know what climate change is. The lack of knowledge and confusion is mirrored in other sectors of society, including some businesses, local public offices, and journalists who report on the issue.

“The need to discuss climate change and how to mitigate its effects have become more urgent now,” said Ging Reyes, head of integrated news and current affairs of ABS-CBN, one of the country’s main media companies.

Reyes, along with Sering and other experts, shared their perspectives at a oneday seminar called, “Building Critical Mass Awareness of Climate Change – engaging Media, Advertising and Entertainment Sectors.”

The talk was organised by the Singapore-based AsiaPacific Media Alliance for Social Awareness, also known as The Media Alliance, with the support of the ADB. The seminar comes after Manila suffered its worst flooding yet for the year due to Tropical Storm Trami. The

thirteenth tropical storm to hit the Philippines this 2013, Trami intensified the seasonal southwest monsoon rains, leaving at least 17 people dead and over one million people affected. It has cost the country over $1.7 million worth of damages, in both infrastructure and agriculture.

Media has a part to play: Satinder Bindra, principal

3,000 Mahogany trees Most mining firms planted in Davao Oriental in PHL have no EWP CHIEF Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has slammed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for failing to ensure that mining firms in the Philippines have measures to protect the environment from their mining activities.

Sereno, reading from a list submitted by the DENR to the high court, revealed that most of the 350 registered mining companies in the country apparently do not have or have not indicated any “environmental work program” (EWP) in their mining concessions with the government.

Sereno added that for the small number of mining firms that have EWPs, the budgets allotted for them have had “minuscule” discussion.

For instance, Sereno cited the Nationwide Development Corporation (Nadecor), which only has a budget of P765,000 for environmental protection.

Celestial Nickel, meanwhile, only has a P20,000 environmental protection budget for the 2,800 hectares of land it is mining.

The chief justice slammed the DENR for being “an agency which is not even able to share to the court how much is being spent to protect the environment.” mining/PAGE 14

DPWH set to start flood control projs in CenMin COTABATO CITY—If a major plan pushes through, floods in Cotabato City and Maguindanao would be a thing of the past.

This as national government announced it is set to implement multi-billion flood control projects in Cenral Midnanao that could help alleviate flooding in areas around the Mindanao River Basin (MRB).

The so-called Mindanao River Basin is found in the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City which had been at the receiving end, for centuries, of the floodwater from the mountains of Agusan, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato and South Cotabato.

As catch basin, Cotabato City’s low-lying villages have been regularly flooded, the worst was in 2008 and this year when 32 of 37 villages were submerged by flood water, for several weeks.

The recurring floods in the city, Maguindanao and North Cotabato have already resulted in losses amounting to billions of pesos.

Region 12, also known as Central Mindanao

director for external relations at ADB, opened the session and said, “There is a need for change and inspiration at this moment.”

Experts said the media and advertising industries have a key role to play since it can shape people’s perception. The rest of the private sector, likewise, can help reduce climate change campaign/PAGE 14

and SOCCSKSARGEN, is composed of the provinces of North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani Province and the cities of Koronadal, Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong and Gen. Santos.

In a statement, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson has made a commitment of funds for major projects that include dredging, construction of dikes, and widening of cut-off channels

in the river basin to save lives, properties and government infrastructures.

“The projects must be implemented the soonest to mitigate recurring flooding that has been displacing thousands of residents and damaging livelihood and properties in the area especially during torrential rains,” MinDA quoted Singson as saying.

The Mindanao River Basin is the second largest river basin in the country with its DPWH/PAGE 14

BA NAY BA NAY, D av a o O r i e nt a l — Government employees and students planted around 3,000 mahogany seedlings in the four-hectare Baltic Tree Park in Barangay Pintatagan here.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer-in-Charge Dante M. Ganir said the activity marked the continued public support to the provincial government’s advocacy on saving the forest and preserving the environment.

Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon founded in 2009 the Million Trees Movement which has, since then, been adopted by provincial offices, national line agencies, local government units, the military and the police forces based in the province, and academic institutions, as part of their set annual activities.

“This activity is not just the gauge of our support to Gov. Malanyaon’s leadership and a present for her birthday (this week), but this also brings into action her vision to preserve and conserve the forest canopy through the Million Trees Movement,” said Ganir.

Ganir cited the Million Trees Movement as a strategy which heightened people’s awareness on the importance of forest to human survival.

Meanwhile, the Million Trees Movement is expected to play a significant part of the Provincial Development Agenda of the Provincial Government in building back the typhoon Pablo-devastated towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston.

The Provincial Information Office said that the province had set plans to adopt and implement “green projects” to include watershed rehabilitation, replanting activities, mangrove rehabilitation, and coastal cleanup, among other environmental activities which will integrate tree planting.

Aside from tree planting and greening projects, other programs included in the Provincial Development Agenda are Safe Scenic Highway, Environmental Protection Program, Mangrove Rehabilitation and trees/PAGE 14

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Oppose... from page 2

education, which his office has been addressing alone sans any counterpart from allotments coursed through congressmen.

So far, he said, past PDAFs had helped link up his province to the global internet network.

The governor is elder brother of Maguindanao second district Rep. Sajid Manguadatu, who had pledged in the last election campaign to “spend every penny” of the PDF to priority projects including infrastructure and education development initiatives.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Alonto-Adiong Jr. expressed similar sentiment, saying PDAF has been effectively

complementing development efforts in his province. One thing he objected is the use of term “pork,” suggesting its replacement by a tag inclusive to all religions.

Adiong is son of the late undefeated Lanao del Sur governor and former threeterm Rep. Mamintal Adiong Sr. and is elder brother of former acting ARMM Gov. Ansaruddin, now a neophyte congressman of the province’s first district.

Earlier, elected officials o f P DA F - b e n e f i c i a r y communities in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi were reported as expressing concern against compounded “deprivation” in their villages if the widely reviled fund is scrapped.

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Both provinces now have two neophyte congressional representatives.

For her part, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, a former three-term member of the House of Representative, expressed neutral stand.

She said Congress should “listen” to the call of anti-PDAF protesters, adding though that any group or individuals involved in the misuse of the “accommodation” fund should be dealt with in “due process.”

North Cotabato second district Rep. Nancy Catamco, meanwhile, explained that a P13-million portion of her PDAF allocation had not been spent due to disagreements in its implementation for

reforestation.

Local militant groups claimed that P9-milion of Catamaco’s PDFA had been downloaded to the Philippine Forestry Inc., a foundation they suspected to be inexistent or associated with her. (MB)

Growth... from page 2

quarter of 2013 compared to 2.2% in the first quarter of 2013.

With projected population reaching 97.2 million, per capita GDP accelerated to 5.8%. Similarly, per capita GNI upped its growth by 5.0% while per capita Househo0ld Final Consumption Expenditure (HCFE) slowed down by 3.5%. (NSCB)

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August 30 - Sep. 1, 2013

APPSCO is our partner – Moreno

FIRE PROTECTION & PLUMBING SERVICES “Dedicated to Quality, Commited to Service.”

Gaabucayan Extension, Agora Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City

09269678094 / (088) 3092357 Services Offered: > Wasteline Installation > Leak Pipe Repair > Water Pump Installation & Automation > Downspout Installation & Repair > Waterproofing > Accept Plumbing Estimates > Water Tank Installation > Fire Suppression Installation > Gas Burner Cleaning & Repair > Pull-out Wasteline system Clog-up > Sprinkler Installation > Painting > Window Grill Making > Welding > FREE CHECK-UP w/in 5km radius

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

City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno has exhorted the Association of Private Secondary Schools in Cagayan de Oro (APPSCO) for more collaborative efforts as his co-worker in the development of the city in his talk during the APPSCO General Assembly recently at the Liceo de Cagayan University. “Our partnership has even become more relevant in the light of our reinvigorated educational agenda which the private schools have jointly undertaken with the city government along good governance.”

Moreno said. He cited the remarkable standards and opportunities which the

BSP...

students have availed of as offered by the private schools.

The General Assembly also served as the Turn-Over Ceremony of the outgoing officers to the present officials headed by Mrs. Suzette C. Maandig of the Bright Rock School (5th from left in photo above) from Mrs. Isabelle C. Salcedo of Merry Child School. Part of the turn-over rite was the Reports of Accomplishment and Presentation of Plans by both the outgoing and incoming Presidents, respectively.

The Oath-Taking of the new set of Officers for the school year 2013 – 2014

displays and interactive activities that will help from page 2 participants become self The following programs reliant in promoting their were being conducted:”Be up financial welfare. to SPeed on BSP, “Information Two separate sessions of Campaign on the Role of the Financial Empowerment the BSP in the Economy”, Course, which is an integral August 28, Wednesday, 9 part of the Expo, will also a.m. to 12 noon (for students) be conducted for students and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (for and members of the work professionals), Pine Hills force. The learning sessions Hotel, P & T Town Center, will present the importance Fortich St., Malaybalay City, of financial education, the Philippine financial system, Bukidnon; Financial Education Expo basics of budgeting, saving, for Students and Members investing and borrowing, of the Academe, August 28, financial planning for lifeWednesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., cycle events, and credit card Loiza’s Pavilion, Casisang, awareness.

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; O f f i c i a l s f r o m t h e “Paghahanda sa Kinabukasan,” BSP, as well as from the Financial Learning Campaign Department of Trade and for Overseas Filipinos and Industr y (DTI) and the their Beneficiaries, August Department of Agriculture 29 Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 (DA) will give briefings on p.m., Pine Hills Hotel; and topics such as the importance Financial Education Expo for of remittances, financial the Working Sector, August p l a n n i n g , i nv e s t m e nt / 29, Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., business options and agribusiness opportunities.

Loiza’s Pavilion.

The “Be up to SPeed on M e a n w h i l e , t h e BSP” information campaign “Paghahanda sa Kinabukasan” covered topics on recent Financial Learning Campaign economic developments and for Overseas Filipinos and the role of the BSP in the their Beneficiaries (FLCeconomy, with emphasis on OF), which is organized CDO in coordination with the the three pillarsMAIN of centralBRANCH Welfare banking,Pi.e., stability, & price J Lim Bldg.,Overseas TianoWorkers Brothers (OWWA), financialKalambagohan stability and efficient Administration Sts., payments and settlements aims to educate participants 727-829 * of using the importance system. Tel. # (08822) on to build up Tw oTelefax s e s s i o n s# w(088) e r e remittances 856-1947 conducted, one for students savings and directing these and another for professionals into investments in financial pro du c t s and bus i ne ss including representativesBRANCH CAMIGUIN from government agencies, ventures.

B. Aranas St., Poblacion, business sector, and banking Through this learning Mambajao, Camiguin advocacy, the BSP hopes to community. help overseas Filipinos and The Financial Education Tel. # (088) 387-0491 Expo offers various financial their beneficiaries achieve education activities for financial security, bring them into the fold of the formal students,CORRALES professionals andBRANCH others from the public and financial system, and enable Ave., them to participate more private Corrales sectors. It features meaningfully learningCagayan booths with audiode Oro City in the country’s visual presentations, graphic economic development. (PIA)

was conducted by Mayor Moreno. The Officers are: President - Suzette Caeline R. Maandig, Vice President – Ma. Kristine M. Lasque, Secretary - Ma. Isabelle C. Salcedo, Treasurer – Lettie Mae S. Damasing, Auditor - Sheila Marie S. Racaza, P.R.O – Palaran C. Algar/ Sarah S. Cutamora. District Leaders: Evangeline E. Rabanes (Central), Ana Liza E. Cabang (East I), Jesus B. Apepe (East II), Herculano S. Patindol (North II), Floriza M. Besana (West I), Reuben C. Flores (West II), Emmanuel Joseph Innis (South), Ma. Luisa B. Detablan (Southwest).

Jollibee...

RCBC...

new stores in the second half, Baysa said, adding, “We hope we will be able to catch up.”

JFC operates the largest food ser vice network in the Philippines with 2,671 stores at end-June. It had a network of 2,102 stores in the country comprising the flagship Jollibee as well as Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal and Burger King. It had 569 stores abroad, including Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, San Pin Wang and Chow Fun. JFC has a 50 percent interest in joint ventures for Highlands Coffee (Vietnam, Philippines) at 75, Pho 24 (Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan) at 60, and Sabu (China) at 3.

JFC grew its earnings by 32.7 percent to P2.11 billion in the first half from P1.59 billion in 2012 on higher sales and margin improvements.

RCBC Land Inc (RLI) a 7.34 percent stake in RCBC Realty for a total consideration of P959.071 million. Both RCBC and House of Investments are controlled by the Yuchengco family.

RCBC had reported net income rising 5.18 percent to P3.17 billion in the first half from P3.01 billion a year ago as a result of lower trading and foreign exchange gains.

RCBC closed the first semester with a capital adequacy ratio of 18.09 percent and a tier 1 ratio of 16.19 percent -- both above the regulatory minimum of 10 percent.

The bank opened six branches and 97 ATMs in the first half, bringing its network to 424 branches and 1,107 ATMs.

from page 3

from page 3

IRA... from page 4

and every year thereafter: population, 60 percent; and equal sharing, 40 percent.

The bill also provides that all barangays created by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan from page 3 and Sangguniang Panlungsod BRANCH spentDIVISORIA P80 million between pursuant to Section 9 of RA 7160, B.s Damasing 2 0 1 0Atty.

- 2 0 1 2 Erasmo for v ar i ou as amended, shallBldg., be entitled to corporate social responsibility anSt., IRA share in accordance with #61 Don A. Velez (CSR) projects in the host the formula prescribed under Cagayan City 285 of the Code after the communities of de the Oro two Section plants. effectivity of the proposed Act. Tel. # (088) 857-3631 The company yesterday The bill, however, said launched the Cleanerg y barangays created by LGUs which Center at the MakBan BRANCH power failed to meet the population LAPASAN facility. The exhibit, which requirement under Section 386 Lapasan Hi-way, cost P50 million, provides a of the Code shall not be entitled Cagayan Oro to City venue for studentsde to learn the benefit under the proposed the benefits of renewable Act. Tel. # (088) 231-6739 energy.

On his part, del Rosario AboitizPower subsidiary said that he saw it relevant to AP Renewables Inc acquired re-introduce the proposal filed CARMEN BRANCH the Tiwi-MakBan geothermal in the 14th Congress to avoid Vamenta Blvd.,Cagayan de Oro City plants for $446.88 million in further financial deprivation of Tel. # (088) 231-2011 a government bidding back non-IRA barangays and likewise in 2008. accord them full autonomy. (BM)

Aboitiz...

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Bias... from page 4

such as the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,” Bag-ao said in the bill’s explanatory note.

“Unfortunately, reality has still to catch up with the noble intentions of these numerous l aws and inter nat iona l agreements,” she added, noting that “lesbians and gays continue to be oppressed by the iniquitous treatment of society at large, primarily because of misconceptions and ignorance.”

Even in schools, workplaces, commercial establishments, and public ser vice, particularly the police and military, Bag-ao said “prejudicial practices and policies based on sexual orientation and gender identity limit the exercise and enjoyment of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Bag-ao’s proposal declares illegal any actions “barring lesbians and gays from public service, including the militar y and police; access to medical and other health services; access to education and membership in groups; and access to the use of establishments, facilities, utilities and other services.”

(MST)

Sources... from page 4

and imported fuels. “ The State to utilize its share in the discovery, exploration, development and production of indigenous sources of energy to lower electricity cost,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo said the government impositions rel at i ng to i nd i ge nous sources of energy “shall be effectively at par with or more favourable than analogous impositions on imported fuels in keeping with the Constitutional precept of preserving the benefits of national patrimony to the Filipino people.”

“Though Congress has taken the right direction on renewable sources of energy, much is still left to be desired with respect to other indigenous sources of energy,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo said government i mp o s it i ons a ss o c i ate d with making available such resources for electricity generation are even more burdensome than those applied on imported fuels resulting in higher prices of electricity generated from indigenous sources.

Arroyo said the government royalties or share on indigenous natural gas was around P1.46/kWh, which was 5 to 8 times more than the taxes imposed on imported fuels like coal (P0.17/kWh, oil (P0.20/kWh) and liquefied natural gas (P0.29/kWh).

A 2008 study by UP Professor Dante Canlas, former Director General at the National Economic Development Authority, has shown that a reduction of

the natural gas royalties to lower the cost of electricity to industrial loads would induce economic output g row t h on a c c ou nt of greater competitiveness and productivity of Philippine industries.

“Incidentally, the study also concludes that the reduction of these royalties will provide government additional tax and non-tax revenues that would be more than sufficient to offset the foregone royalties collection in less than two (2) years from implementation,” Arroyo said. (HoR)

Wants... from page 4

and two reviewers from the DepEd, whose identities must be revealed, to establish the non-relationship among them and any of the authors or publisher of the book they are evaluating or reviewing.

DepEd personnel are not allowed to become reviewers.

The bill provides for the modification of the present standards of textbook review and evaluation rating, where all textbooks approved by DepEd should contain no more than 20 major or grave errors, rationalization of the ranges of the presently adopted “1-6 Rating Scale,” and formation of a monitoring body outside the DepEd’s own Bids and Awards Committee to secure the bidding and awarding of contracts during textbook procurement.

Under the bill violators may face up to five years imprisonment and a fine ranging from P100,000 to P700,000. If the offender is a government official, the fine could be doubled and the maximum period of imprisonment shall be imposed. Magsaysay said the textbook program of the country has been tainted with controversies and criticisms on the issue of the so-called defective textbooks.

“Defective textbooks are still prevalent that can jeopardize quality education.

It is about time for a law that has teeth to go after those who are responsible and hold them liable for offenses they commit,” he said.

Magsaysay added that the defects specifically point to the accuracy and validity of contents as the textbooks contain factual and conceptual errors, or even grammatical errors, as well as biases and prejudices that can cause undue influence and negative effect on the value system of students and other individuals who read them.

“Such error-filled textbooks may redound to an even bigger error— teaching students things that are wrong,” Magsaysay said.

(BM)

Toyota... from page 5

Nevertheless, “it is of the highest priority for us that our customers feel safe in their vehicles. As soon as the situation has been clarified and a consensus found, we

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will comply with outcome,” Toyota said.

The spokesman declined to say how many Toyota cars might be affected.

Daimler... from page 5

cut prices by boosting local production was in any way a response to a wave of Chinese government investigations into possible anti-competitive violations in the way that global companies, including car makers, price their products in China.

Mercedes-Benz hopes to respond more quickly to chang ing consumer preferences, which often lead to swings in demand for different types of vehicles, by producing more cars locally.

Cutting prices “is not a bad idea given China’s economic growth slowdown,” said Jeff Chung, a Hong Kong-based auto-sector analyst for Japanese brokerage Daiwa Securities.

Nonetheless, demand for luxury cars in China is likely to reach 2.7 million vehicles a year by 2020, displacing the United States as the world’s biggest luxury car market.

As the economy slows, “even wealthy consumers are likely to shift to more affordable luxury cars, most of which are produced locally in China rather than being imported,” Chung said.

That’s how Volkswagen AG’s Audi, the No. 1 luxury brand by volume in China, stays ahead of its German rivals that together dominate China’s top-end market. Audi produces more than nine out of 10 cars it sells in China, according to Daiwa’s Chung. — Reuters

Suan... from page 6

Procrastination is not only a thief of time, it is also a stealer of dreams. The longest job to finish is the one that took you too long

to start. The work you keep postponing, is the work you won’t finish.

A work once begun, is already half done.

Everytime you plan to do your work tomorrow, or next week, or very soon, your dream is sailing farther away from you. The best time to build your dreams was a decade ago; but the next best time is right now!

So how do we demolish o u r t e n a c i o u s e n e my, Procrastination?

Focus all your attention and determination in doing the work that needs to be done at hand. Do it immediately. Instantly.

Right away. Without delay.

Pronto! Don’t wait until some conditions have been met, or some other chore has been accomplished first, or when you are feeling good, or in the mood. Just jump right in. Attack the task.

When you feel overwhelmed at the enormity of your goal, ask yourself, what’s the next step? Then just take that one step. You only need to take the next step. You are not required to jump to the top of the mountain of your ambition in one single leap. You are asked to climb the mountain only one step at a time. Easy does it. Steady as she goes.

Work smarter, not harder.

Using the “right now, pronto” approach will knock down procrastination, before it can rob you of your lofty ambition!

Cimagala...

from page 6 inspired by love of God and neighbor and oriented toward the definitive eternal life with God in heaven. We cannot divide our life in two disparate parts-one meant for holiness, and another meant only for some

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF 2ND NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF File No. 2010-607 Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act No 3135 as amended

by Act No. 4118 by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (PAG-IBIG), against ALAN BERONIO DAIGDIGAN married to MELODY SIVILLA DAIGDIGAN, with residence and postal address at Lot 19 Blk. 14 KISANLU/ PAG-IBIG CITY BRGY. IPONAN, Cagayan de Oro City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of September 10, 2010 amounts to THREE HUNDRED SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED THIRTY THREE and 83/100 PESOS (P365,133.83), including of interest, penalties and other charges , the undersigned or her duly authorized deputy will sell at public auction on September 26, 2013 at 10:00A.M to 4:00 P.M. at the Regional Trial Court, Office of the Clerk of Court, Hall of Justice, Hayes-Mortola Streets, Cagayan de Oro City to the highest bidder, for cash or manager check and in Philippine Currency, the following property described below including all existing improvements found thereon, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-196730 A parcel of land (Lot 19, Block 14, Pcs-10-002661, being a portion of Lots 3594, 3596, 3597, 3598, 35600, Cad-237 & Lot 3591-I, (LRC) Psd128619), situated in the Barrio of Iponan, City of Cagayan de Oro , Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY ONE (121) SQUARE METERS, more or less, registered in the name of ALAN B. DAIGDIGAN married to MELODY S. DAIGDIGAN. All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date.

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

Prospective buyers may investigate for themselves the title hereinaboved described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Cagayan de Oro City, August 5, 2013.

worldly affairs.

We only have one life that is both human and meant to be supernatural with God. We just have to learn how to blend the different aspects of our life without erasing the l e g it i m at e d i s t i n c t i on s among them.

What is material and n at u r a l s h o u l d re m a i n material and natural. But we need to know how to infuse them with the spiritual and the supernatural proper of us as God’s creatures made in his image and likeness and meant to share in his divine life.

We c a n d o t h i s spiritualizing and supernaturalizing of what is material and natural in us by simply sanctifying the latter, that is, offering them to God since they all come from God and also belong to him. Because of that, we do them as best as we c an at any g ive n moment, even if our best can always be made better later on.

A work sanctified in this way always sanctifies us and the world itself as well. Obviously, to sanctify our work by offering it to God and by doing it very well involves uniting our work wit h t he supreme sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.

We just cannot sanctify our work by having the best intentions and doing it well. That work has to be made an integral part of the supreme offering of our Redeemer, Christ himself. Otherwise, that work would not be truly sanctified.

That is why, we need to unite our work with the doctrine of our faith, with the sacraments, and with our active participation in the life of the Church.

Aug. 23, 30 & Sept. 6, 2013

from page 6

of sorts, have been resolved in her favor.

-ooo NAPOLES TRUSTS ONLY PNOY: In the interest of public service, I am reprinting here a portion of the statement of Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Napoles’ surrender, as printed by the Official Gazette, the official government publication.

Read on: “SECRETARY L AC I E R DA : I f y o u’r e interested to know the chronology of events, we might as well start out with the chronology of events, or the timeline. “ `In the morning, when the President announced in his interview there was a tenmillion peso bounty—after that, there was subsequent ne w s t h at Att y. L or n a Kapunan mentioned on TV, or there was a crawler on ANC, that there was a statement coming from Atty.

Kapunan that her client was willing to surrender.

“I think around 12:37—I don’t recall if I called or Lorna called—but we discussed, I think I called, and I inquired and we discussed and verified: Was your statement that I saw on TV true or not, that her client was willing to surrender? And she said, yes. `I said, `So what do you want? Do you want to surrender?’ She said at that point, `We would like to surrender, if at all. Let me confirm with my client, but we would like to surrender to the President.’ `Why the President?’ `Because he’s the person that we trust.’

-ooo REACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193 0922 833 43 96.

Email: batasmauricio@yahoo. com, mmauriciojr111@gmail. com.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region Branch 16, Tangub City OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT AND EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF-2013-004

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed

by PEOPLES BANK OF CARAGA INC. OROQUIETA BRANCH OROQUIETA CITY, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL against APRONIANO B. GULBE to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of July 23, 2013 amounts to Four Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty Eight Pesos Only (Php 425,728.00) excluding interest, attorneys fees, and other lawful fees for the service of foreclosure, the undersigned Sheriff will sell at public auction on September 23, 2013 at 10:00 O’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Br. 16, Tangub City, to the highest bidder in cash, Philippine Currency the herein mortgage properties to wit: KATIBAYAN NG ORIHINAL NA TITULO BLG. P-37568 TAX DECLARATION NO. 03-0019-00319

“A parcel of land Lot No. 7, Gss-10-000159, situated on the Bario of Mapurog; Municipality of Bonifacio; Province of Misamis Occidental; Island of Mindanao. Bounded on the NW., along line 1-2 by lot 8, Gss-10-000159; on the NE., along line 2-3 by lot 12, Gss-10-000159; on the SE., along line 3-4 by road; on the SW., along line 4-5 by Lot 5 Gss-10-000159; on the NW., along line 5-1 by lot 6, Gss-10-000159.

Containing an area of TEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR (10,944) SQUARE METERS more or less.

KATIBAYAN NG ORIHINAL NA TITULO BLG. P-37570 TAX DECLARATION NO. 03-0019-00365

“A parcel of land Lot No. 23-H, Csd-10-017375, identical to lot No. 42, Gss10-000167, situated in the Bario of Mapurog, Municipality of Bonifacio, Province of Misamis Occidental, Island of Mindanao. Bounded on the NW., along line 1-2 by lot 3, Gss-10-000167; on the NE along line 2-3 by lot 4, Gss-10-000167; along line 3-4 by lot 6, Gss-10-000142; on the SW., along line 4-5 by lot 5, Gss-10-000142; along line 5-6 by lot 24, Gss-10-000142; on the SW., Along line 6-7 by lot 25, Gss-10-000142; along line 7-8 by lot 23-D, Csd-10-017375; along line 8-1 by lot 23-B, Csd-10-017375. Containing an area of THIRTY EIGHT THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY NINE (38,429) SQUARE METERS more or less.

All sealed bids must be submitted to teh undersigned on the above stated time, date and place of auction sale.

In the event that the public auction should not take place on said date or there is only one bidder, it shall be held on September 27, 2013 at the same time & place without further notice.

Bidders are enjoined to investigate for themselves any encumbrance on the herein properties if any there be.

July 24, 2013, at Tangub City, Philippines.

(Sgd.) ANTONIO A. CAGULANG, JR.

Sheriff IV

Batas...

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF:

By:

(Sgd.) WILLIAM C. ARANIEGO Sherif BWM: Aug. 16, 23 & 30, 2013

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Feature... from page 9

women from BMPV and Pisan are producing the buri-made bags, she added.

“It was one of our colleagues who already knew how to weave bags, she was the one who taught the women. Then Ma’am Elma is now the one in-charge of improvement,” Ampatuan said.

Guiambangan, who is also a volunteer literacy teacher for MPCore, said she has been encouraging other women to learn bag weaving so they don’t have to work hard in the farms.

“In a way, this is helping the women in our community.

They don’t have to go to other places to earn money. But with this craft, they can just work at home and take care of their kids,” she added.

Guiambangan said she works half-day as a day-care teacher then the rest of the day with women weavers.

“I’m an education graduate but I did not take the licensure exam because I’m happy to teach the children, and I’m happy to spend my time with the women,” she said.

Small financial help For now, Guiambangan said they are getting small financial help from MPCore, a people’s organization. She said the MPCore only relies on donations from different individuals and not from any funding agencies.

Guiambangan admitted that she too is shelling out her own money to buy raw materials. Part of her P4,000 monthly salary as day-care teacher goes to the materials for the crafts.

The buri leaves are bought in other villages here and in Pikit, she said. Some P500 worth of buri leaves can already make bags and accessories worth P10,000.

They are using ribbons as accents, but cost is very minimal, said Guiambangan, an Ilocana who is married to a Maguindanaon.

The women weavers, who can produce at three or more bags a day, usually earn a daily income of at least P150, she added.

“Of the total cost of a bag, we deduct the cost of materials, then 20 percent goes back to our women’s group, then the remaining 80 percent goes to the weaver,” Guiambangan said.

The 20 percent serves as seed money of the organization, she said. “So that if someone need medical assistance or in times of emergency, then we have something to give.”

Local market The bags cost from P200 to P500 depending on the size and style, Guiambangan said.

Most of the orders, she said, are from the local market in Kabacan, from nearby towns, and their friends. “Sometimes we produce giveaways for weddings and other occasions,” she added.

“Since we have just started producing a much better quality of bags, we are slowly getting orders. For now, we have an average of 15 bags per month,” she disclosed.

When they started to weave bags last year, she admitted that

the quality was not yet good enough. “But today, we can say that our products can now be sold outside of Kabacan. We are already exploring a possible market in Davao City.”

Campaign... from page 10

influence on public consumption.

The question is, according to the organisers, “How do they, and can they, work together to address critical mass awareness for a rapid national, regional and global response to climate change?”

For O scar M. Lopez , keynote speaker and chairman emeritus of the Lopez Group of Companies, which owns the Manila Electric Company and the Energy Development Corporation, part of the solution is acknowledging that carbon emissions contribute to climate change and a multi-sector approach is needed to address it.

He said, “The Philippines releases an insignificant percentage of the greenhouse gases compared to tha t generated by industrial countries.” And yet, even if the Philippines was a carbon-neutral country, it would still be one of the most affected countries due to climate change.

He added that this is also because of the country’s geography, located in the world’s Ring of Fire, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent, and being in the InterTropical Convergence Zone, or the area where the northern and southern hemisphere winds meet.

Little knowledge of climate change in the Philippines: Apart from this, Sering said the many other challenges facing the country’s climate change mitigation efforts. The reality is that while 85 per cent of respondents have suffered from climate change based on a recent survey commissioned by the World Bank, about 38 per cent have ‘only little’ understanding of the issue.

The rest, or 12 per cent, said they had ‘extensive’ to ‘partial but sufficient’ (35 per cent) knowledge and those who have ‘almost no understanding’, which figured at 14 per cent.

The findings are not surprising, said Sering and Lopez. Both mentioned a lack of dialogue, research and a deep disconnect between the national and local levels of government.

Creating mass awareness is difficult when the leaders themselves cannot be an authority on the matter, said the secretary. Even Filipino journalists need training on the subject, admitted news chief Reyes.

Voltaire Tupaz, multimedia reporter at news social media site Rappler, revealed that he has to make his stories ‘sexy’ to generate views. Otherwise, the most number of hits relating to climate change would be mostly on the suspension of school classes due to typhoons and floods, he said.

Role of the private sector: Jones Campos, executive director of the Advertising Board of the Philippines, added that companies must be sustainable to address climate change.

Instead of “fire-fighting” and

being “always reactive” to natural disasters, companies can help by advocating conservation.

Sustainability, he defined, is when companies become financially viable, socially responsible and caring for the environment all at the same time. He cited firms like Metro Pacific Investment Corporation, which conducts environmental initiatives such as mangrove planting and coastal and underwater clean up.

Amor Maclang, founding director of Geiser Maclang Marketing Communications, said that “endemic to our day-to-day work should be the consciousness about the environment and being able to do good and do well at the same time.”

Climate change mitigation is not a typical campaign. It is not about sending press releases or creating catchy taglines, she said. Companies have to realise that communicating is finding out what is best for everyone involved. For instance, there was a push for mining in Palawan last year, but they were able to help ban mining on 78 ecotourism sites.

“The mineral wealth of the Philippines is $840 billion and we assisted advocates like Gina Lopez, for example, and everyone from indigenous people to lawmakers to leave it in the ground because ecotourism is a better economic alternative to communities than mining,” Maclang shared.

Accountability was part of the reason this campaign was successful, and it has to be the same with any type of business or organisation.

Fast-moving consumer good companies and real estate firms, she said, must be challenged to be more accountable, since their industries greatly affect land and resource use, which have environmental consequences.

Full disclosure is a necessity.

As she puts it, share of the market means share of the responsibility.

In the same vein, Reyes said that media agencies have to provide substantial information to raise climate change awareness as this helps avoid loss of lives in times of natural disasters. It is also about giving a face to climate change to make the story more relatable to the public or using citizen journalists to provide a layman’s point of view, added Tupaz.

As example, he presented video clips of footages given by concerned citizens showing raging floods in hard to reach, rural communities. He also showed a video report of local residents in Cateel, Davao Oriental, who were trying to rebuild their town that was ripped apart by Typhoon Bopha late last year. According to Tupaz, “The Filipino spirit is resilient, but infrastructure is not.”

Seen... from page 10

“We have pieced together from Hittite texts and Egyptian texts an idea of the world that existed then but it was really an entire civilization, a state-run society with kings, vassals, serfs, armies that disappeared with very little trace at the end of the Late Bronze Age,” he said.

“It adds a tremendous amount of weight to the argument that what ended these civilizations was climate change.”

Drake said it is still unclear why, if the temperature change was global, the Mediterranean responded so dramatically.

“That is something I think it very important to understand because it is not inconceivable that it could happen again.”

(Interaksyon.com)

Mining...

from page 10 “Data submitted to us [so far] does not give this court comfort that the posterity of the country is being taken care of [sufficiently],” Sereno told Assistant Solicitor General Magtanggol Castro, who is representing the government in the case.

The oral arguments stemmed from separate petitions filed by former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño and Akbayan Rep. Risa Baraquel-Hontiveros in March 2008, contesting Sections 80 and Section 81 of the law on the government’s share in mining operations.

DPWH... from page 10

21,502 square kilometers covering the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City.

Within the river basin are tributaries known as the Libungan, Pulangui, Ala, Malitubog-Maridagao, Buluan, Mulita, Kabacan, Banga, Mlang, Dalika, Malasila, Tigua and Kulaman Rivers.

Antonino said public works officials are now laying down the foundation of the project and the whole flood control project expected to be completed before President Aquino steps down from office. (PNA)

Trees... from page 10

Development, Coastal Resource Management Program, Protected Area Development, Communitybased Forest Management, Operation of Environmental Special Bodies, Forestry Law Enforcement, Enforcement of Mining Laws, Environment Ordinances, Provincial Environmental Code Formulation, Solid and Liquid Waste Management Program, L a n d U s e P l a n n i n g , a nd Watershed Management. (PIA)

Pryce Plaza Hotel Carmen Hill, CDO, Tel. No.722791 to93/858-4537 E-mail:reservations@pryceplaza.ph

--------------------------------NEW DAWN PENSIONNE Velez-Macahambus Sts, CDO Tel Nos. 8571776, 721776 email : gchreservation@yahoo.com

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Outpaces... from page 1

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan noted “this is the fourth consecutive quarter in which the Philippine economy grew above 7 percent.

“This only confirms the economy is now at a higher growth trajector y... The most important one, the components of our economy show that we are moving to investments from services,” Balisacan added, noting that growth in manufacturing has outpaced services.

Balisacan said that the Philippine economy bested Southeast Asian neighbors and grew at the same pace as China in April to June.

Indonesia grew by 5.8 p e rc e nt ; T h ai l and, 2 . 8 percent; Vietnam, 5 percent; Singapore, 3.8 percent; Malaysia, 4.3 percent; Hong Kong 3.3 percent; Japan, 2.6 percent; Taiwan, 2.5 percent; and South Korea, 2.3 percent.

B enjamin Diokno, professor of economics at the University of the Philippines and former Budget Secretary, note d t he hig her t han consensus growth still failed to surprise on the upside.

“It is in accordance with expectation that growth will be slower though it remains strong because of election spending,” he told GMA News Online in a text message.

Bede Lovell Gomez, First Metro Investments Corp. assistant vice president and deputy group head of investment advisory, said the slower second quarter output is still above the consensus and above the target of 6 to 7 percent of the government.

“This should differentiate us f rom other markets where growth rate is below 5 percent,” he said.

NSCB’s Albert said that second quarter GDP is not

bad and could have been better if not for the 0.03 percent clawed out by the agriculture sector.

The second half is expected to be slower than the first in the absence of election spending and because of seasonality.

“How much slow remains to be seen in the light of damaging typhoons and the ongoing unwinding of hot money which would have impacts on the stock market and the peso,” Diokno said.

Purely on seasonality, Gomez said the third quarter output might be slower than 7.5 percent. “It should go back to around 7.5 percent in the fourth quarter or even higher. We are confident this will be sustained for the next three years,” he added.

Expands... from page 1

additional revenues next year while convention centers are already under study, officials said.

“In Mindanao, we have expansion in Cagayan de Oro and Butuan,” Go said.

“Mindanao doesn’t have as much competition, not as competitive as Manila. There’s a lot of cities to expand to,” she said.

SM Butuan will start commerci a l op erat ions next year while the new SM Cagayan de Oro will open late 2014 or early 2015.

The increasing number of shoppers, backed by economic developments in Butuan and Cagayan de Oro, is enough to support a new mall, Go said.

“The second Cagayan de Oro mall is at the heart of the city. We’re expected to get the downtown area market,” Go said, adding that the existing mall in the area currently serves the uptown and nearby upscale subdivisions.

For Butuan, Philippines’

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region Branch 16, Tangub City OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT AND EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF-2013-002

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by PEOPLES BANK OF CARAGA INC. OROQUIETA BRANCH OROQUIETA CITY, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL against LUCIA A. TURQUEZA to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of July 23, 2013 amounts to One Hundred Twenty Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty Pesos Only (Php 120,920.00) excluding interest, attorneys fees, and other lawful fees for the service of foreclosure, the undersigned Sheriff will sell at public auction on September 23, 2013 at 10:00 O’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Br. 16, Tangub City, to the highest bidder in cash, Philippine Currency the herein mortgage property to wit: KATIBAYAN NG ORIHINAL NA TITULO Blg. P-37545 TAX DECLARATION NO. 03-0019-00317

“A parcel of land Lot No. 17, Gss-10-000159, situated on the Barrio of Mapurog; Municipality of Bonifacio; Province of Misamis Occidental; Island of Mindanao. Bounded on the NE., along lines 1-2-3 by lot 19, Gss-10-000159; on the SE., along lines 3-4-5 by lot 17548, (portion) Cad. 271, Tangub Cadastre; along line 5-6 by lot 43, Gss-10-000142; on the SW., & NW., along line 6-7-8 by lot 16, Gss-10-000159; along lines 8-9-10 by lot 16, Gss-10-000159; on the NE., along line 10-1 by Lot 20, Gss-10-000159. Containing an area of THIRTEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR (13,144) SQUARE METERS. All points refered to are maked on the ground as indicated on the plan.

The property is situated in the Barangay Mapurog, Municipality of Bonifacio, Province of Misamis Occidental and all improvements are found thereon.

All sealed bids must submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time, date and place of auction sale.

In the event that the public auction should not take place on said date or there is only one bidder, it shall be held on September 27, 2013 at the same time & place without further notice.

Bidders are enjoined to investigate for themselves any encumbrance on the herein property if any there be.

July 24, 2013, at Tangub City, Philippines.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF:

By:

(Sgd.) WILLIAM C. ARANIEGO Sherif BWM: Aug. 16, 23 & 30, 2013

15

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largest mall operator and developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. is building a community mall with a sky garden and outdoor dining options, Go said.

To date, SM Prime has four shopping malls in Mindanao: SM City Davao, SM City Cagayan de Oro, SM City General Santos and SM Lanang Premier with a total gross floor area of 430,000 square meters (sqm.)

The Davao operations of SM Prime, through SM Lanang and SM Davao, account for roughly 80 percent of total revenues for Mindanao, Go said.

Mindanao operations account for around four to five percent of the topline and bottomline of SM Prime, which has 47 shopping malls nationwide, Go said.

For new malls, SM Prime is looking at the occupancy rate of existing malls and community developments like the opening of business process outsourcing offices.

SMIC subsidiar y SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.

(SMHCC) is also planning to expand its portfolio in Mindanao.

“Our vision in SMX is to be the top of mind venue and meeting facility in key strategic destinations in the Philippines,” said SMX Convention Specialist Corp. general manager Dexter Deyto.

Deyto said the company is looking for opportunities to introduce the convention center in General Santos and Cagayan de Oro. It is also putting up a new convention center in Cebu and Pampanga.

To date, SMHCC’s unit SMX Convention Specialist owns and operates SMX Convention Center Manila, SMX Convention Center Davao, SMX Convention Center Taguig, the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall and

the Cebu Trade Hall, making it the largest convention center space provider in the Philippines with 67,709 sqm. in gross foor area and 35,223 sqm. in gross leasing area.

SMX Convention C enter is a beneficiar y to the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibits) campaign of the Department of Tourism that targets to bring more multinational firms’ events to the Philippines.

“A MICE delegate has an expenditure that is six to seven times more than a leisure traveler. This generates sales for hotels, restaurants, shops, transportation providers and tour operators,” Deyto said.

Aside from malls and conventions centers, SMIC is also into retail (SM Retail Inc.), condominium development (SM Development Corp.) and banking (BDO Unibank Inc. and China Banking Corp.).

Explore... from page 1

the Davao Constructors Association, said more than 180 exhibiting companies are attending the fair to showcase the latest products in building and construction industry.

He said the Philconstruct Mindanao 2013 will comprise of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and providers of top brands in heavy equipment, hardware products, paints, cements, air-conditioning, power tools, safety and security systems, water treatment facilities and more.

Allado said contractors, architects, engineers, interior designers, property developers, specifiers, consultants and consumers are also invited to witness the world-class construction exhibit. “ This show is about supporting the local industry.

It is taking us a step closer

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region Branch 16, Tangub City OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT AND EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF-2013-004

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by PEOPLES BANK OF CARAGA INC. OROQUIETA BRANCH OROQUIETA CITY, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL against ALLAN A. ALJAS to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of July 23, 2013 amounts to Two Hundred Five Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Three Pesos Only (Php 205,743.00) excluding interest, attorneys fees, and other lawful fees for the service of foreclosure, the undersigned Sheriff will sell at public auction on September 23, 2013 at 10:00 O’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Br. 16, Tangub City, to the highest bidder in cash, Philippine Currency the herein mortgage property to wit: KATIBAYAN NG ORIHINAL NA TITULO BLG. P-38272 TAX DECLARATION NO. 03-0019-00325 “A parcel of land (Lot No. 6, Gss-10-000159, situated on the Barrio of Mapurog; Municipality of Bonifacio; Province of Misamis Occidental; Island of Mindanao. Bounded on the SE., along line 1-2 by Lot 7, Gss-10-000159; along line 2-3 by lot 5, Gss-10-000159; SW., along line 3-4-5 by lot 4, Gss-10-000159; on the SW., along lines 5-6-7-8 by Dugoc Creek; on the NE., along lines 8-9-1 by lot 8, Gss-10-000159. Containing an area of NINETEEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED TWENTY TWO (19,622) SQUARE METERS. All points referred to are marked on the ground as indicated on the plan.

The property is located in the barangay Mapurog Municipality of Bonifacio, Province of Mindanao, Island of Mindanao and all improvement are found thereon.

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

In the event that the public auction should not take place on said date or there is only one bidder, it shall be held on September 27, 2013 at the same time & place without further notice.

Bidders are enjoined to investigate for themselves any encumbrance on the herein properties if any there be.

July 24, 2013, at Tangub City, Philippines.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF:

By:

(Sgd.) WILLIAM C. ARANIEGO Sherif BWM: Aug. 16, 23 & 30, 2013

to truly making the regions construction industr y globally competitive,” he said.

Teolulo Pasawa, city director of the Department of Trade and Industry welcomed the holding of the exhibition citing that indeed Davao City is a construction market.

He said Davao City offers a lot of opportunities for the construction industry with many factors ranging from being one of the competitive

cities in the country; No. 1 for two consecutive years as cited in the study by the Asia Institute of Management, very large land area which is seven times larger than Cebu and three times larger than Manila, reliable power supply, reliable water supply, internet connection and highly skilled manpower.

“I c o n g r at u l at e t h e Philconstruct for organizing and holding the exhibition,” Pasawa said.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region BRANCH 24 Cagayan de Oro City HDMF (PAG-IBIG), FILE NO. 2013-228 Mortgagee,

FOR: EJF OF REAL -versus- ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER ACT 3135 MA. LUISA Y. REYNALDO married to GALO P. REYNALDO,

Mortgagors. x-----------------------------------------------/ SHERIFF’S NOTICE OF SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under ACT 3135 as amended filed by HDMF (PAG-IBIG) mortgagee, against MA. LUISA Y. REYNALDO, married to GALO P. REYNALDO mortgagor, resident of Block 24, Lot 28 PN Roa LCHP P- II, Barra Opol , Misamis Oriental, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of July 19, 2013, amounts to ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED EIGTHY TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED TWENTY ONE and 71/100 (P 1,182,921.71) excluding penalties, charges , attorney’s fees and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned Sheriff will sell at Public Auction on September 30, 2013 at 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Hayes Street, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidder, for CASH and in Philippine Currency, the properties with all its improvements to wit : TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-30221

A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 28, Block 24, Psd-10-020903, being a portion of Lot 5237, Cad-237, Cagayan Cadastre) situated in the Barrio of Barra, Municipality of Opol, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao. Bounded on the NW., along line 1-2 by Lot 6236; Cad-237; on the NE., along line 2-3 by Lot 29; on the SE, along line 3-4 by Road Lot 24 (8.00 m. wide) on the SW., along line 4-1 by Lot 27, all of the subdivision plan. Psd-020903 Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED FORTY TWO (142) square meters more or less.

Prospective buyers may investigate for themselves , in the event of Auction Sale can not take place for whatever legal reason the sale will proceed on the following day, without further notice , posting and publication, the title here in above describe and encumbrance thereon, if any there be.

Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, August 13, 2013.

(Sgd.)TERESITO C. ESTENZO Sheriff IV BWM: Sept. 2, 9 & 16, 2013

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