BusinessWeek Mindanao (December 17, 2013)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

www.businessweekmindanao.com

Volume IV, No. 36

Market Indicators

As of 6:12 pm Dec. 16, 2013 (Monday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P44.15

5,812.54 points

X X Briefly

unchanged

45.41 points

More interventions DAVAO City -- Farmer groups in the city admitted the apparent lack of awareness of the sector when it comes to the Asian Economic Integration which is set for full implementation by 2015.

And unless they get more intervention programs to help them understand the effects of the AEC, then they are at the losing end.

“We have to train farmers to become sustainable first before they can compete in the global market,” City Agriculturist and Fisheries Council (CAFC) chair Dan D. Mitchao said, adding that “teaching them to be sustainable requires the collective intervention of nongovernment organizations and various government agencies.”

He said on top of the agenda is the construction of more efficient farm to market roads to make the farmers more competitive.

Lantern contest OROQUIETA City – The Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental (PGMO) launched a Christmas Parol/ Lantern Display Contest to raise funds for the Typhoon Yolanda survivors in the Visayan region.

With the central theme of “Pag-inambitay, Paghinigugmaay, Atong Kalipay!

(Sharing and Loving: Our Happiness),” the contest is open to individuals, organizations, business establishments, schools, etc. in the province.

Governor Herminia M. Ramiro said participants of the contest are encouraged to donate a minimum of P300, as registration fee, all proceeds of which will be donated to the survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda and to use materials at their expense and choice.

The main body of the display entry must be not less than one meter long and not more than three meters wide and displayed at the designated areas identified by PGMO.

www.businessweekmindanao.com

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

FREE TV CH. 21 SkyCable Ch. 16 | Global Destiny Ch. 28 Cablelink Ch. 14 | Cignal Ch. 10

Tuesday - December 17, 2013

P15.00

Consumer group seeks lower ceiling for IMEM

A

By MIKE BANOS, Editor-at-Large

COALITION of Mindanao consumer groups is asking government to lower the ceiling price for the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market to make it a more viable solution to ending rotating brownouts in the island.

During presentations made to Iligan City officials on December 3 & 7, the Mindanao Coalition of Power Consumers (MCPC) said the present IMEM ceiling price of P32.00 per kilowatt hour (kWh) has no factual basis and would result in a rate impact to consumers of up to P20/kWh, especially for distribution utilities with significant shortfalls in their present energy supplies.

Simulations presented by the MCPC show that from the P2.79/kWh blended rate now being supplied by the PSALM/NPC in Mindanao

to DUs, a supply mix of 40% from PSALM and 60% from the IMEM would result to a generation rate of P15.31/ kWh or an increase of P12.51/ kWh (assuming a load factor of 100% for PSALM and 50% for IMEM using the price cap of P32/kWh).

T h i s w o u l d h av e a rate impact to residential consumers of as much as 226% (equivalent to a P13.40/ kWh increase), from an allPSALM rate of P5.93/kWh to P19.33/kWh. In its petition, MCPC proposed the deferment of the IMEM/PAGE 11

Mindanao Coalition of Power Consumers (MCPC) stalwarts Engr. David Tauli and Atty.

Conchito Oclarit in a huddle with Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez during the privilege speech of Abamin Rep. Maxie B. Rodriguez, Jr. last month calling for the deferment of the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM). photo by mike baños

LGUs urged to avail of Marawi Solar PV Power Park gets going PPP internship program Biggest in Asia outside China:

By TITING ATAR and DAVE TAULI

MARAWI City – Asia’s largest solar power plant outside China moved closer to reality Monday, with the signing of a Public Private Partnership Agreement by the Islamic City of Marawi with a US-based integrator at the Marawi City Hall.

The PPP agreement was signed by Mayor Fahad Panarigan Umpar Salic in behalf of the Islamic City of Marawi (ICOM) and Lim Solar Philippines by Winston Mendoza, chair man and CEO. The project will be implemented as an economic enterprise undertaking of the LGU solar/PAGE 11

DAVAO City -- The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center is encouraging local government units(LGUs) to take advantage of the internship program they are offering so they can encourage private investors to finance projects that will help with the development of their areas.

Winston L. Mendoza, CEO of Lim Solar Philippines and Marawi City Mayor Fahad P.Umpar Salic sign a Public Private Partnership Agreement 16 December 2013 at Marawi City hall for the construction and operation of a 35MW solar PV power plant that will make it the biggest such facility in Asia outside China and give Marawi consumers the lowest electricity rates in the entire country when it goes into operation in the first half of 2015. photo by mike baños

“We want to capacitate LGUs and we can train their people on how to set up a PPP project,” PPP CenterC ap acit y Bui ld i ng and Knowledge Management Service Director Eleazar E. Ricote said Monday.

However, he added, they need the LGU’s commitment avail/PAGE 11

Poor infras displace corruption as threat to competitiveness

By ROMELDA ASCUTIA, Contributor

AN economic expert is urging the allocation of more funds for infrastructure development, saying the sad state of the country’s transport system is now the leading threat to sustained

national growth and global competitiveness. “ T h e P h i l ippi n e s i s the only ASEAN country where inadequate supply of infrastructure has emerged infras/PAGE 11

Editorial and advertising email : businessdailymindanao@gmail.com • Cell Number : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

2

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

www.businessweekmindanao.com

tuesday - december 17, 2013

Economy

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

Tagum gears to become business-friendly city CITY OF TAGUM, Davao del Norte — Mayor Allan L. Rellon last week bared his administration’s ultimate goal of making this city a premier business hub that is friendly to businessmen and investors so as to provide more jobs for Tagumeños.

The local chief executive shared this thought in the sidelines of the blessing and inauguration of the newest Toyota Store in the Philippines, which is located along National Highway, Barangay Canocotan, this city, on December 11, 2013.

Mayor Rellon said it’s important for the local

government to package the city as a good place for business, citing it would flourish the economic activity and would drum up the employment opportunities for Tagumeños.

The 6th City Council under the leadership of Vice Mayor Geterito Gementiza is currently working on the

City Investment Code that will give leeway for potential investors such as tax holiday and tax incentives, among others.

Infrastructure development will also be prioritized by the local government so as to complement its objective of a viable city for business.

On the other hand, Mr. Michinobu Sugat a, t he president of Toyota Motor Philippines, said they see Tagum as one of the emerging cities to do business with, stating its prime location as gears/PAGE 10

Mayor Allan L. Rellon strikes a pose with the top executives of Toyota Motor Philippines led by its president Mr. Michinobu Sugata (third from left) during the formal opening of Toyota Store in Tagum City on December 11, 2013, located along National Highway in Barangay Canocotan. (Photo courtesy Leo Timogan of CIO Tagum)

Bank of Japan doubles bilateral swap with BSP MANILA -- The Bank of Japan (BOJ) recently doubled the amount of peso the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas can swap to dollars with Japan’s Minister of Finance from USD6 billion to USD 12 billion.

On the other hand, the agreement wherein the BOJ can swap USD 500 million worth of US dollars using yen was retained.

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said this decision is in line with the bilateral swap agreement (BSA) under the Chang Mai Initiative

Multilateralization (CMIM).

Conditions for the expanded amount is the same as that of the original bilateral agreement although there is a precautionary portion that stresses on crisis resolution, he said.

The central bank chief explained that the p r e c au t i o n a r y p o r t i o n allows one party to tap the agreement even if it still do not see a balance of payment (BOP) crisis but sees signs that it might experience a crisis.

Doubles/PAGE 10

Trillanes wants DOE to counter impact of power rate hike Businessmen gather for the opening of Toyota Store in Tagum City on December 11, 2013, along National Highway in Barangay Canocotan. (Photo courtesy of Leo Timogan of CIO Tagum)

No.: 09161714813 (GLOBE)

MANILA – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Sunday called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to come up with strategic plans on how to lessen the impact of the P4 per kilowatt-hour increase in electricity bill beginning this month. ” They (DOE) should explain. What they are doing to lessen the impact of the power rate hike,” Trillanes said in radio dzBB interview.

Tr i l l a n e s s a i d t h e gove r n me nt shou l d b e demanding for more compassion from the power producers instead of giving go signal to the power rate hike. ”It’s so easy for them to pass on the burden to the people. The DOE should have alarmed President Aquino about this power rate hike,” the senator said.

Trillanes said he would demand concrete explanation

from the DOE on Wednesday when the Senate conducts its first inquiry into the alleged collusion among power producers that resulted into power rate increase. ”I want to know what are plans of the energ y department to bring down the cost of power. What are their plans in the next three years,” he said.

Trillanes said if the DOE has no plan to cut down prices of electricity, then “let’s ask the presidential aspirants in 2010 what are their long term plan for power sector.” ”Let’s ask those who are planning to run for president in 2016 what are their strategic plans for energy sector,” Trillanes said.

He vowed to apply “as much as political pressure” to force energy department to stop the impending power rate hike. (PNA)

Ayala Land eyes P70B capex for 2014 MANILA -- Property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) will earmark around P70 billion for capital expenditures (capex) next year as it intends to roll out more projects to cater to strong

demand fuelled by a robust Philippine economy.

ALI chief operating officer Bobby Dy said the money will be spent to continue to grow the ayala/PAGE 10

MANILA -- Property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) will earmark around P70 billion for capital expenditures (capex) next year as it intends to roll out more projects to cater to strong demand fuelled by a robust Philippine economy.

ALI chief operating officer Bobby Dy said the money will be spent to continue to grow the company’s hotel, office, residential and shopping business segments as well as to beef up land banking activities.

“We have to take a look at where the opportunities are,” he told reporters.

Dy said the country’s st rong m a c ro e c onom i c fundamentals are encouraging the firm to launch more projects next year.

He c i t e d t h e g r o s s domestic product (GDP) which expanded by 7 percent in the third quarter, the robust construction activities, the rising business process outsourcing (BPO) revenues, and increasing tourists’ arrivals in the country.

“I think we have very, very solid fundamentals for us to be able to grow the business,” he noted.

Dy said the over 5 percent growth in consumption

i s e x p e c te d to b e ne f it the company’s retail and shopping centers business, high tourist arrivals will boost its hotel business, while the 20-percent BPO revenue growth augurs well for its office portfolio.

“If you look at all the (business) segments that we are in, the drivers in the economy are basically in line.

We just have to continue the expansion in the coming years,” he added.

As it also ventures into healthcare business, Dy also bared that ALI will break ground next year on four hospital projects, located in its housing development Nuvali in Laguna; San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan; Iloilo City; and Trinoma mall in Quezon City.

“This is part of the joint venture with the Mercado family. We are rolling out the partnership. The first that will open will be the one in Trinoma,” said ALI Asst.

Vice President Catherine Bengzon.

In July this year, ALI had entered into an agreement to acquire Mercado familyowned Whiteknight Holdings Inc. which held a 33-percent equity in Mercado General Hospital Inc. (PNA)

3

www.businessweekmindanao.com

tuesday - december 17, 2013

THE ret ail arm of t he G okong we i f am i ly h a s ventured into the cosmetics business with the acquisition of the company that sells Shiseido and Benefit products in the Philippines.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc said its wholly owned subsidiar y Robinsons Specialty Stores Inc acquired the assets of Beauty Skinnovations Retail Inc (BSRI), which operates eight Shiseido and two Benefit stores in shopping centers in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao.

“The acquisition includes the right to sell Shiseido robinsons/PAGE 10

Aboitiz unit bags new geothermal deals AP RENEWABLES, Inc. (APRI) has bagged two new service contracts covering geothermal concession areas in Mindanao, an official from the Energy department said on Friday last week.

“Two geothermal service contracts were awarded to APRI,” Ariel D. Fronda, t he dep ar t ment’s chief for Geothermal Energ y Man age m e nt D iv i s i on ,

said. “These are KapataganSibulan and Talomo-Tico projects. Both in North Cotabato.”

Besides APRI, the department had also awarded a service contract to Basic Energy Corp. for a geothermal concession area in West Bulusan, Sorsogon, the company disclosed last week. The area hosts Mt. Bintacan, Mt. Tabon-Tabon,

ADVERTISE NOW!!! >>> >>> We have the right newspapers for your target market from Class A-E type readers

BUSINESSWEEK

GROUP OF PUBLICATIONS CONTACT US:

09478935776, (088)856-3344, (08822)72-33-44 Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa St., Consolacion Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CALL:

PROVINCIAL CAPITOL Bangko Sentral

ng Pilipinas PROVINCIAL CAPITOL

Mt. Sisigon, Mt. Malobago, Mt. Calomoutan and Mt. Sujac.

Energy Undersecretary Ramon Allan V. Oca had said in April that geothermal service contracts involve a five-year pre-development stage.

Afterwards, the developer has to declare commerciality to proceed to development phase.

SABAL Hospital

SABAL Hospital

C.M. RECTO Fly-over

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

ABELLANOSA ST., CDO

C.M. RECTO Fly-over

SHELL Station

T he s ai d phas e c an run from 25 to 50 years depending on the result of the exploration.

APRI is a unit of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower).

The firm acquired the TiwiMakBan geothermal plants -- located in Albay and Laguna -- through a bidding conducted by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities aboitiz/PAGE 10

VISIT US! NOW A BIGGER PLACE TO SERVE YOU BETTER VISIT US! NOW A BIGGER PLACE TO SERVE YOU BETTER

UCCP

ABELLANOSA ST., CDO

CAPISTRANO ST. CAPISTRANO ST.

By Leslie D. Venzon

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

Robinsons acquires Shiseido, Benefit cosmetic products

VELEZ STREET VELEZ STREET

Ayala Land eyes P70B capex for 2014

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

CorporateWorld

JULIOST. PACANA ST. JULIO PACANA

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

>>> >>>

MARCOS BRIDGE TO BRGY. CONSOLACION ---->

MARCOS BRIDGE

TO BRGY. CONSOLACION ---->

Church

DANTE - 09177121424

UCCP SHELL Church| 856-3344 | 74-53-80 | 857-8447 StationUS: 72-33-44 CONTACT

www.businessweekmindanao.com

CONTACT US: 72-33-44 | 856-3344 | 74-53-80 | 857-8447

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

www.businessweekmindanao.com

AgriBusiness

4 ‘Bangus’ production boosts fishers’ income tuesday - december 17, 2013

By EMMYLOU T. PRESILDA Contributor

Members of the San Agustin Fisherfolk Association Inc. (SAFAI) show their bountiful bangus harvest together with MAO Nimfa Fernando (left) and Project Coordinator of PLGU AdNorte Alvin Aclan (right).

SAN AGUSTIN, Carmen, Agusan del Norte—Fishers here used to catch only a handful of tamban and squid, giving them a meager income, which usually is not enough to meet their daily needs.

The opp or tunity for San Agustin Fisherfolk Association Inc. (SAFAI) to boost their income came through a bangus (milkfish) fish-cage project they have availed themselves of from the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).

With the help of the municipal and provincial facilitators, the SAFAI was organized comprising of 15 households and eventually availed itself of the program’s “big ticket” project under the Community Fund for Agricultural Development bangus/PAGE 10

AR distributes 13,500 hectares of land in Caraga THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed 13,541 hectares of agricultural lands in Caraga Region (Region 13) this year, surpassing the region’s target of 11,088 hectares.

The latest tranche of farmland was distributed last week with a total of 860.1465 hectares to 491 farmers in Jabonga, Agusan

del Sur. DAR-Caraga regional director Faisar Mambuay led the distribution of the certificate of land ownership awards (CLOAs) covering packets of landholdings in barangays Bangonay, Libas and Cuyago.

Mambuay said the distribution of lands is the DAR’s commitment to

the farmers in the hope of improving their living condition and spurring rural development.

“The government also implements various support services to ensure economic improvement in the farming sector. These services come in the form of credit assistance, crop insurance and trainings,” Mambuay said.

Danilo Dayong, a 50-yearold famer and a recipient of a three-hectare lot from Barangay Bangonay, described it as an early Christmas gift from the government.

“There is never too late for a blessing like this. I was a farmer since childhood, now I am a landowner,” Dayong said. land/PAGE 9

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

BIR tasked to help accredit rice importers FINANCE Secretary Cesar V. Purisima has ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to help in the accreditation process for rice importers who are currently being regulated by the National Food Authority (NFA).

Purisima said he asked his legal team to review the operations of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and they found that there were rice importations in 2012 that were made by importers who were not even permitted to import by the NFA. Purisima said there were 149 importers of rice in 2012, and out of this 149, only 98 were accredited to import under the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme of the NFA. Out of these 98, nine importers did not record any importation at all in 2012.

The other 60 importers are not accredited to import rice.

Internal Revenue C om m i s s i on e r K i m S .

Jacinto-Henares said the BIR and the BOC will coordinate with each other to ensure that the importation of rice into the country is aboveboard and is undertaken by duly authorized entities.

Henares said in compliance with the secretary’s directives, the BIR will check whether the importers of rice have actually

been paying the correct taxes to the government.

E ar l i e r, Ag r i c u ltu re Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has reiterated that any rice importation without a permit from the NFA is illegal, citing Republic Act (RA) 8178, which provides the NFA the power to “establish rules and regulations governing the importation of rice and to license, impose and collect fees and charges for said importation for the purpose of equalizing the selling price of such imported rice with normal prevailing domestic prices.”

The law, in effect, allows the NFA to regulate the importation of rice upon the assessment that such importation is needed by the local market.

Alcala said the powers granted by RA 8178 to the NFA, such as the authority to “undertake direct importation of rice”; or “allocate import quotas among certified and licensed importers, and the distribution thereof through cooperatives and other marketing channels,” are still in effect despite the expiration of the quantitative restriction (QR), which is a protectionist policy allowed to be imposed by the World Trade Organization (WTO). bir/PAGE 10

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

Banking&Finance

Remittances hit fresh record above $2-billion at start of 4Q REMITTANCES of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) breached the $2-billion mark to hit an all-time high at the start of the fourth quarter, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said yesterday.

BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said remittances grew by 8.8 percent, the highest annualized monthly growth recorded this year, to $2.3 billion in October.

This brought the 10-month tally up 6.8 percent to $20.5 billion.

“Sustained demand for skilled and professional Filipino manpower [fueled] remittances for the first 10 months of the year,” Tetangco said.

The sustained rise in personal remittances was driven mainly by the 5.5 percent increase in money sent home by land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more. This group accounted for more than three-fourths of total transfers for the first 10 months of the year.

The major sources of cash remittances were the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, United Arab

Emirates, Singapore, Canada, and Japan.

Transfers from sea-based workers and land-based workers with short-term contracts likewise rose by 7.5 percent.

Cash remittances alone that are coursed through banks grew by seven percent to a record $2.1 billion in October. For the first 10 months, the amount sent home rose seven percent to $18.5 billion.

Cash transfers from landbased workers rose by 5.5 percent to $14.2 billion, while money from sea-based workers

grew a faster 7.5 percent to $4.3 billion.

Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) indicated that approved job orders totaled 675,966 at end-October.

About two-fifths or 39.7 percent were processed job orders mainly for services, production, professional, technical, and related workers.

The main countries of destination were Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Qatar.

Philam Life to construct P2.1-B ultra-modern tower in Cebu PHILAMLIFE, the country’s premier insurance provider, is building a P2.1- billion corporate center in the heart of Cebu City’s business district that is primed to become the most modern landmark in the entire Visayas and Mindanao.

When completed, the twin tower 20-storey structure will be a Grade A building, the highest rated in Cebu, and is expected to receive at the minimum the LEED Silver Core and Shell Certification.

The certification rates a structure according to design, construction, operation and maintenance of environmentfriendly buildings.

Based on the plan, the ground floor and mezzanine le vels w i l l b e op en to commercial and retail shops.

About 60 to 70 percent of the building will be up for lease and the rest will be for company use. It will have a provision for a roof deck garden.

Located in the Cebu Business Park rig ht in front of retail hub Ayala Terraces, Philam Life’s corporate center is part of an ongoing transformation program which has seen the company streamlining its business centers and offices throughout the country.

Through this program, Philam Life aims to provide better access, convenience and quality service to its customers with top-of-theline facilities.

“The soon-to-rise Philam Life corporate center in Cebu City is a symbol of

our commitment to invest in the economic progress of Cebu and the Visayas. This region has been through a lot of calamities and trials this year but we believe the Visayas will not only recover and rebuild, it will also thrive as a main cog in the country’s economy,” said Rex Mendoza, Philam Life president. “ Un f o r t u n at e l y, t h e region has borne the brunt of climate change in recent years. In order to protect our employees and the people in the area where our building stands, we are making sure that we adhere to the existing building codes and beyond. We hope that this will pave the way for more safe and environment friendly buildings in the construct/PAGE 9

Bank of Japan doubles bilateral swap with BSP THE Bank of Japan (BOJ) recently doubled the amount of peso the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas can swap to dollars with Japan’s Minister of Finance from USD6 billion to USD 12 billion.

On the other hand, the agreement wherein the BOJ can swap USD 500 million worth of US dollars using yen was retained.

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said this decision is in line with the bilateral swap agreement (BSA) under the Chang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM).

C on d it i on s f or t h e expanded amount is the same as that of the original bilateral agreement although there is

a precautionary portion that stresses on crisis resolution, he said.

The central bank chief explained that the precautionary portion allows one party to tap the agreement even if it still do not see a balance of payment (BOP) crisis but sees signs that it might experience a crisis.

He said the expanded amount has the same rate as the original swap agreement, which is based on London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).

“We can renew but when you renew the rate go up,” he said.

As k e d w h e t h e r t h e expanded amount of swap is

related to the looming tapering of the Federal Reserve’s stimulus program, the central bank chief said he does not think that “this tapering would lead to crisis.”

Any cut in the Fed’s monthly US$ 85 billion bond purchases is projected to encourage capital flight to the US. Tetangco said the issue now is not the cut per se but the timing and amount of the cut.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will have its policy meeting this coming week, from December 17-18, and some analysts expect the Committee to announce a cut in the stimulus program after the two-day meeting. (PNA)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

5

www.businessweekmindanao.com

tuesday - december 17, 2013

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

6

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

www.businessweekmindanao.com

tuesday - december 17, 2013

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

www.businessweekmindanao.com

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

Opinion

Napocor’s first lady president visits Mindanao Generation Plant

DANTE M. SUDARIA Publisher ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, Ph.D. General Manager

NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

ALLAN MEDIANTE Executive Editor

Shaun Uy

cHENG oRDOñEZ

Lifestyle Editor

Associate Editor

CLIFFORD SANTILLAN RONALD B. MASTAIL

SHIELA gosanes Advertising

Layout Artists

ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI

Cris diaz mike baños Uriel quilinguing EditorialConsultants

Cell No: 09352379999

Juni Law Office Cruz Taal St., Cag. De Oro City Legal Counsel

The BusinessWeek Mindanao is published by BusinessWeek Mindanao Advertising and Promotions every Friday to Sunday with office address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certificate No. 00875701, and with Business Permit No. 2013-10946, TIN No. 946396-807 – Non VAT. Tel. Nos.: (088)8578447, 74-5380, 0923-432-0687, 0917-7121424

Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Member: Philippine Press Institute

Mr. Nice Guy

T

THINK

hink a minute…Bram Stoker was a successful theatre A Minute manager in England during

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst Queen Victoria’s time. Everybody who knew him said he was the most easy-going, kindest man they knew. Bram’s wife, Florence, was a beautiful woman who had been courted by wealthy men of high social status, including the famous Oscar Wilde. But she chose to marry this exceptionally kind gentleman, Bram Stoker. The Stokers were seen at all the highsociety parties and important events. Later, when their child was born people said their marriage and family was perfect.

Bram Stoker continued to be known as Mr. Nice Guy. He often gave money to his friends without even asking for anything in return. Bram and his wife had many famous friends like Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, and the President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt. No one ever suspected that this nice, kind man actually lived a double life. They didn’t know that at night after work and all his proper, social appearances, Bram Stoker became someone else. In fact, he was also a writer. You see, he wrote the famous story, Dracula, based on his own real life at night, and all the evil things he did with prostitutes.

Bram Stoker, this nice man by day and immoral monster by night, eventually died from the sexually transmitted disease of syphilis.

You know, Jesus Christ said that there are many nice, religious people who live double lives. They do all the good, right things on the outside for people to see, but inside they’re proud and live their own way for their own immoral pleasures. But even if we fool people, we can never fool God. Jesus said every human being needs His gift of forgiveness, because we’ve all done many things wrong. Jesus also said that we all, including nice, religious people, need His power to change our proud, wrong hearts and character.

That’s why God the Son had to become a human being: being: to die and pay the penalty for all our wrongs. It was the only way we could be forgiven by our perfect Maker and start a new life living His way. So won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you and help you start changing today? Jesus will give you real satisfaction and peace, and the power to live His right way both in public and in private, night and day every day.

Just Think a Minute!

One of the perks of having an executive for a father is meeting important people. On December 3, 2013, I had the opportunity to meet the most amazing lady executive of National Power Corporation, the largest provider and generator of electricity in the Philippines for 77 years. By far, she is the nicest woman executive I ever had the privilege of meeting. She is none other than the first woman appointed as President of National Power Corporation, Ms. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita, a woman of humility and intelligence, an epitome of simplicity and brilliance.

It was in August of this year when President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, through the endorsement of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, appointed Ms. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita as President of National Power Corporation, replacing Former President Froilan Tampinco. Seeing a gem in the lady from Bulacan, Secretary Petilla said that Sta. Rita characterized the President he had in mind: “a people-person and a systemsperson capable of navigating the intricacies of the government bureaucracy and corporate governance”.

A Bachelor of Arts graduate from the University of the Philippines in 1984, PGSR obtained her Masters in Economics in the same institution two years thereafter.

In 2002, she went to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she finished a Certificate Program for Senior Executives at the John F. Kennedy School for Government in Harvard University. Later on, she took her Masters in Public Administration at La Consolacion University of the Philippines in 2006.

In 2011 to July 2013, she was member of the Philippine National Oil Corporation Motherboard from 2011 and concurrently served as Director of PNOC Renewables Corporation. It was in October 2012 when President Benigno Simeon Aquino III also appointed her as Chairman of the PNOC Development and Management Corporation alongside her membership in the PNOC Motherboard.

PGSR intended to visit Mindanao Generation during the 77th Anniversary of National Power Corporation last November. Finally, she arrived on the 2nd of December this year belatedly greeting everyone a happy anniversary.

Incidentally, her visit included the turnover of financial assistance to the Municipality of Balo-i, Lanao

SPECIAL FEATURE

by Maelyn Brioso-Roa

del Norte, to implement a Php 1.9 Billion Flood Control Project to benefit the the communities within the municipality, not only in regard to flood prevention but that such project would open gates of employment to interested and able-bodied workers who are residents of the municipality of Balo-i. It has been the municipality’s request for many years now but to no avail. The municipality, represented by its Mayor Hanifa P. Ali and other Balo-i officials, conveyed their gratitude for the fulfillment an “overdue” request.

As they say, better late than never.

At the press conference held shortly before the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between President Gladys Sta. Rita, Mayor Hanifa P. Ali, VP for MinGen Rudy P. Brioso and Engr. Rey Peter Gille of DPWH Lanao del Sur, Councilor Rasul Ali voiced out the concern of the municipality regarding a stable electric power source, on whether National Power Corporation can directly provide the supply since the stability of Lanao de Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. or LASURECO is dubious.

That the essence of the project would be nugatory if there is no stable supply of power in the area.

In answer, PGSR deemed it logical to have a stable power supply when the project commences. However, she stressed that Napocor cannot directly supply power to the municipality. Rather, it shall course through LASURECO. Further, she assured that constant communication with the manager of LASURECO will be made to accord solution to this concern.

In the program which immediately followed the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between Napocor executives and Balo-i public officials, PGSR tackled the concern of privatization which has been a controversial issue for the past decades. When asked on her stand concerning this matter, she points out that regardless of her stand on this trite of an issue, any mandate by the National Government shall be accorded respect. Being the “mother” of the corporation, allowing privatization of any of the

plants of Napocor is tantamount to an assent of giving away one of her children, which she finds distressful. Nevertheless, National Power Corporation shall continue to shine and shall deal with the present concerns. In her speech, she recalls a quote which her father shared with her when she was young, that which she can never forget for it made a great impact on her life and career: “I had the blues because I had no shoes, until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet.” Filipinos naturally remember adverse occurrences and fail to retain profitable ones. PGSR contends that “in everything that happened in our lives, we tend to remember what is lacking and not focusing on what we have achieved so far.” Further, she challenges the employees to think positive, to work together to give significance to the accomplishments made within the first 90 days of her assumption of office in order to grant success in the coming months or years.

PGSR initiated a strategic communication plan, the PGSR communicator, a confidential text messaging system which provides the employees of National Power Corporation a direct link to her, encouraging the former to voice out any concerns with the assurance that such concern, if found relevant, shall be heeded accordingly.

Addressing the employees of National Power Corporation, President Gladys Sta. Rita said, “This is my commitment to you: I promise to hold dear in my heart this company which I consider my family bearing in mind that I come here not only as your company president but also your mother.

As President, I shall steer this organization to its utmost efficiency, effectiveness and competitiveness.

We shall all serve as an inspiration to the other employees of National Power Corporation. We shall do our best to prove to the leaders of this country that Napocor remains to be an important pillar in the business of electricity and that the role Napocor plays remains relevant to the present and future of the energy sector. And like a mother ever prepared to run in aid of her child, so shall I run to you when you need me. But as a matriarch of a family in need of guidance, I too shall use every opportunity to straighten the path of those astray and draw the line between rescue, reprimand and punishment when the occasion so demands.”

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

Billboard

Globe Telecom addresses RFID interference case in Makati

G

lobe Telecom has recalibrated the high-power radio frequency identification (RFID) system in several posh subdivisions in Makati, effectively minimizing its adverse effect on the company’s cellular services in the area. This recalibration was done without any impact on the overall effectiveness of these RFIDs for its intended use in the subdivisions.

The RFID system, used by several subdivisions in Makati to monitor vehicles entering and leaving village premises, had previously caused signal interference that affected cellular services in the areas of Guadalupe all the way to Magallanes including the stretch of EDSA along these two areas. Radio frequency identification, or RFID, is a non-contact radio technology with a special tracking tag containing

electronically-stored information that uses radio waves to automatically identify people or objects.

An interference scanning test conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) confirmed that the RFID systems used by the four identified villages were utilizing frequencies outside the NTC-allowed bandwidth. This triggered discussions between Globe Telecom and homeowners representatives from North Forbes, South Forbes, Dasmarinas Village, Urdaneta Village and BelAir. Village representatives eventually agreed to have the RFID system recalibrated to minimize signal interference to the Globe cellular network.

“Globe Telecom's modernized network uses state of the art infrastructure and as such

are also sensitive to interference-causing elements.

Such devices like the RFIDs should be regulated more in terms of frequency spectrum and other operating parameters, otherwise they will cause interference,” said Emmanuel Estrada, Globe Head of Network Technologies Strategy.

According to Estrada, scanning tests are currently being conducted in other exclusive villages and other areas to ascertain whether their respective RFID systems also causes network interference making subscribers experience garbled lines and weak signal.

He added Globe Telecom will continue to intensify its campaign against network interference to ensure subscribers are able to maximize the benefits of the company’s network modernization initiative.

TEACHERS TRAINING ON DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: STEAG State Power Inc. Plant Manager Dr. Carsten Evers speaks on the importance of adequate planning and preparation in mitigating the impact of disasters during the recently concluded teachers training on disaster management. The activity, which was participated by more than 400 public schools administrators and coordinators in Misamis Oriental, aims to strengthen the capability of teachers and school administrators in planning and coordinating disaster risk reduction efforts in their respective school localities. The seminar is a collaborative effort between Steag, DepEd, OCD, DILG and Xavier University.

C O N TA C T U S :

businessweekmindanao@gmail.com (088)856-3344 / (08822) 72-33-44

www.businessweekmindanao.com

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

7

www.businessweekmindanao.com

tuesday - december 17, 2013

DAVAO FIRM CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS BY DONATING PARTY, PERSONAL FUNDS TO YOLANDA SURVIVORS

T

here is reason to rejoice! Christmas celebration brought a deeper meaning to employees and management staff of JEWM Agro Industrial Corporation, a PBSP member company based in Davao; when they decided to forego their annual Yuletide gathering and merrymaking, and instead; give the party budget, augmented by personal donations to survivors of Super storm Yolanda.

“This is our own way of bringing the joy of Christmas to our brothers and sisters who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda in Visayas,” Willie Tan of JEWM Agro said during a simple gathering recently together with em-

ployees at their agro-industrial farm in Davao City’s Bunawan District.

“Whatever amount we raised, big or small; personal money and donations from partners were pooled together to help needy survivors of Yolanda,” Tan added.

Earlier on, as immediate response to dire need of food for Yolanda survivors; JEWM Agro also gave at least 120,160 pieces of fresh farm eggs. The relief response was jointly coordinated through the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Archdiocese of Davao, Dana Foundation of NEH Philippines and Mindanao Corrugated Fibreboard, Inc. (MinCorr).

Ailyn Tan (5th from right), wife of Willie Tan of JEWM Agro (1st, left) hold the check replica of their donation for Yolanda Survivors.

Part of the fresh farm eggs being packed at the relief headquarters of the Archdiocese of Davao located at the Ascension of the Lord Parish in Matina, Davao City.

Queries may be addressed to: Philippine Business for Social Progress Corporate Affairs Department PSDC Building, Magallanes corner Real Streets Intramuros 1002 Manila Tel: 527-3741 to 48 loc 102 Telefax: 527-3741 Email: pbsp@pbsp.org.ph Please visit our website www.pbsp.org.ph Find “pbsporg” on: Facebook and Twitter

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

8

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

www.businessweekmindanao.com

tuesday - december 17, 2013

HEALTH IN FOCUS

by DR. MARY JEAN LORECHE

H

Money and Health

ealth as defined by the World Health Organization is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.

We have embraced this definition even in our trainings and studies as medical professionals. When dealing with patients, we hear the word “holistic approach“, which is being practiced these days.

Simply put, it means the addition to the original definition, to include also the spiritual well being. Gone was the old concept even of building hospitals.

What we see in these modern days are HOSTELShospitals that look like hotels, services that are world class, where patients get treated like guests.

But, let me not digress from what I would like to share this month of merriment and festivities, celebrating Christmas and the coming new year, where people, whether engaged in government or private corporations receive additional compensation.

Money is a tool that can be used for good or evil. And, is as important to one’s health.

The lack of money to send one’s child to school, or, to pay the medical bills of a spouse admitted or checked for an illness, to buy the needed medicines or to rebuild homes that have been destroyed by natural calamities, can cause so much worry that it can affect one’s health as well.

Where exercise and a healthy lifestyle keeps one from getting a physical ailment, and feeding the minds with beautiful and good thoughts, as well as keeping love, peace and harmony in the hearts to keep one’s mental and social part of his being safe from disorders, and the keeping of one’s faith in HIS MAKER, ensuring a healthy spiritual life, so, it is important to be reminded of what one can do to be financially healthy too.

I am no expert with money matters, as there are financial gurus in a better position to discuss it. But, one thing I know, which I would like to share to the readers this time of merriment: that, money truly matters, even in health.

Experience has taught me that money should be handled with care: there must be a balance between spending and saving.

But before this, one must earn in order to have that which he/she can spend and save. Strike while the iron is hot, is an adage that is one basic guide.

It simply means, that while one is able and capable to earn, one should, and to live below one’s means is another important step to becoming money healthy.

One must spend only after one has set aside the savings for the month.

There are some who would say that at least 10% of one’s income be placed aside for the rainy days, but, if you can set more than that , then, it will be to your advantage.

Spending on the needs and not the wants is another important tip. How often do we get into a buying spree especially during the sale season, and then regret the unnecessary purchases?

A shopping or grocery list is good practice, as this will do away with that impulsive pick- up of not so needed things.

Earn, save, spend on necessities and yes, planning an investment is good money sense. When considering investments, it need not be big, to start with.

Find what you can before entrusting that hard earned money learn and get information that will help you in your decision.

Since we are all but stewards on whatever is placed in our hands, it is good to render what is for Cesar and the Lord.

One other thing I have learned in money matters is this: money is like fertilizer that needs to be shared, to those who need help (legitimate of course).

Financial independence, can help build better futures, and is like a cycle that always goes back to where it started. Health and wealth, together, it can create a better tomorrow...

Lifestyle

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

CINEMAGIS 6TH DIGITAL Short Film Festival in Northern Mindanao

CINEMAGIS is the region’s first short film festival which aims at encouraging our film making enthusiasts to address and ref lect on Mindanao experiences, voices, aspirations and issues. Filmmakers are also encouraged to draw inspirations from any local lore or any pressing realities that capture the essence of MAGISa take on doing more, leaping extra mile, or to have more care for others, doing better things for the greater glory of God through renewal of the self.

CINEMAGIS aims at recognizing and strengthening the skills of our filmmakers to come up with significant body of works that will lead them to national recognitions and contribute to the rising Mindanao Film Industry.

This year, CINEMAGIS suggests the following themes: • Peace Themes (Inner Peace, Cultural Solidarity, Human Rights, Gender and Development, and Harmony with the Environment); • Governance • Environment • Health and Sanitation • Food Security • Cultural Understanding and Awareness and • Life’s funny and subtle contradictions.

CINEMAGIS CATEGORIES

CINEMAGIS AWARDS

STUDENT CATEGORY Requirements - Currently enrolled in any school or university in Northern Mindanao; - Resume or Bio Data with two 2x2 ID pictures; - 1 page synopsis of the film; - Certification from any authority or professor who attests the originality of work and photocopy of resident certificate; - 3 copies of the Short Film Entry only in DVD format, 3 copies of short film entry with trailers in Data Format, and 3 copies of trailers and teasers in DVD format only and - Filled out application form.

Major • Best Art Direction • Best in Cinematography • Best Story • Best in Editing • Best Sound Scoring • Best Actor • Best Actress • Best Director • Best Short Film

SENIOR CATEGORY Requirements - Resident of Northern Mindanao; - Resume or Bio Data with two 2x2 ID pictures; - 1 page synopsis of the film; - Certification from any authority or professor who attests the originality of work and photocopy of resident certificate; - 3 copies of the Short Film Entry only in DVD format, 3 copies of short film entry with trailers in Data Format, and 3 copies of trailers and teasers in DVD format only and - Filled out application form.

Minor • Male Star of the Night • Female Star of the Night • Breakthrough Film Material • Special Citation on Animation • Audience Choice Award DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES: December 27, 2013 until 9:00 pm Submit all entries to Mr Hobart P Savior

Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts 3rd Floor Museo de Oro Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City 9000 Telephone Number 8583116 Local 2059 Mobile Number 09053034377 email hsavior@xu.edu.ph

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

PNoy receives donation for ‘Yolanda’ victims from Filipino community in Japan TOKYO, Japan -- President Benigno Aquino III received Y1 million (or P426,007) donation for the victims of super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) during the meeting with the Filipino community (FilCom) here Thursday.

The symbolic check was handed over by Ms. Jenavila Shigemizu, Chairperson of the Philippine Barrio Fiesta Executive Committee and Ms. Olive Akatsu to the President at the FilCom event held at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center.

According to Philippine A m b a s s a d o r t o Ja p a n Manu el L op e z, t he Y1 million was the profit from the Philippine Barrio Fiesta Festival in Yokohama held last September which attracted

more than 100,000 visitors.

“Hindi lamang po mahusay ang mga Filipino sa Japan, sila rin po ay may gintong puso at tunay na nagmamalasakit sa kapwa (Filipinos in Japan are not only good, they also have golden heart at truly care for others),” Lopez said.

In addition to their donation, Lopez said the collections during the mass for the traditional Simbang Gabi at Meguro Catholic Church, which will be organized by the Philippine embassy here with the support of the Filipino Community organizations, will also be donated to the Yolanda victims through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. donation/PAGE 10

Environment

Aquino calls for mechanism to combat Climate Change Speaking at the session o f t h e A S E A N Ja p a n Commemorative Summit here, the President said the consequences of global climate change do not discriminate between economic powerhouses and developing states.

“It is incumbent upon all of us, especially for the countries that have the capacity to contribute significantly in combating climate change, to come up with an equitable mechanism that every nation, every corporation and every individual will adhere to. I have personally witnessed the degree of devastation brought

by Haiyan. And it is my belief that we all have a crucial role to play in ensuring my nation

or any nation for this matter does not once more suffer through a tragedy of this scale,” he said.

Yolanda tore through the Visayas and Southern Luzon last Nov. 8, leaving more than 6,000 dead in its wake.

While President Aquino thanked the ASEAN and Japan leaders for the help they extended to those affected, he also lamented less industrial nations such as the Philippines “bear a disproportionate amount of suffering from the effects of climate change.”

“As we all know, our respective nations cannot be caught in a vicious cycle of preparation, devastation and reconstruction. Haiyan is a reminder to all of us that just as

we are determined to safeguard the interest and welfare of our peoples by improving our capacities to prepare for and respond to natural calamities, we must also commit ourselves to dismantling the conditions that enhance the effects of these disasters,” he said.

Still, he said the solidarity that ASEAN and Japan showed for Filipinos in the wake of Yolanda “reflects your people’s sincere and genuine regard for the welfare of my country.” “ The support of the international community, particularly of Japan and our brothers in ASEAN, tells us the Philippines is not alone in confronting the many different concerns of our time, one of which is the need to effectively manage and prepare for natural calamities,” he said.

On the other hand, the President stressed the need for connectivity, not just for trade but also for saving lives and ensuring a reliable and

consistent flow of information, goods and persons.

He thanked Japan and the Philippines’ fellow ASEAN members for allowing the use of their aircraft, ships and other vessels to deliver goods and humanitarian teams to affected areas.

Als o, he s aid t he Philippines is hopeful for the continued support of Japan in implementing maritime infrastructure connectivity projects under the master plan for ASEAN connectivity.

Meanwhile, the President said the Philippines looks forward to the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015 here in Japan.

He said this gathering will provide an opportunity to develop concrete steps towards not only building more resilient communities but also in addressing climate change and natural disasters.

PND (jl)

UNFPA official highlights urgent needs of women, girls in Yolanda-hit Visayas T A C L O B A N C I T Y, L eyte – Dr. B abatunde Osotimehin, United Nations Undersecretary General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will be in Eastern Visayas on December 14 – 15, 2013 to visit the Yolanda-devastated areas in Leyte and Eastern Samar and at the same time to raise awareness of the urgent needs of women and girls.

The UNFPA is prioritizing reaching the areas hit hardest

by Yolanda to address these needs and other health

needs.

The UNFPA estimates that there are currently 270,000 pregnant women in the affected areas, about 1,000 of who are giving birth every day. Around 15 percent of them are experiencing complications during delivery.

Because of these, during his visit on Saturday, December 14, Dr. Osotimehin will hand over to the local authorities of Palo, Leyte the first of three Hospitals in container to be provided by UNFPA in the

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

9

www.businessweekmindanao.com

tuesday - december 17, 2013

Dr. Alessandro Ponzo of LAMAVE (in black shirt) inspects the carcass of a sperm whale that was found floating off the shores of Dauin, Negros Oriental. (PNA photo by Judy Flores - Dumaguete bureau)

In wake of ‘Yolanda’

TOKYO, Japan (via Smart/PLDT) – To avoid a repeat of the devastation brought by super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan), President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday called for an international mechanism to combat climate change.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Region.

Such facilities will provide emergency obstetric care including caesarian sections, a first in the Philippines. The hospitals will be strategically placed in key areas identified in close coordination with the Department of Health.

Moreover, UNFPA has als o conduc ted s e veral reproductive health missions reaching pregnant women and lactating mothers in evacuation centers and affected communities.

According to UNFPA, based on national data in

eight affected provinces prior to the disaster, an estimated 375, 000 women and girls in their lifetime, between the ages of 15 to 49, would have experienced sexual violence. Without adequate protection measures, this number could increase by 75,000, UNFPA said.

As such, in partnership with the Department of S o c i a l We l f are an d Development, UNFPA is setting up Women-Friendly Spaces in evacuation centers and affected communities.

(PIA 8)

PH, Japan sign bilateral swap arrangements MANILA -- The Philippines and Japan agreed on a bilateral swap arrangement through the B angko S entral ng Pilipinas and Japan’s Ministry of Finance to create a financial buffer for disaster response, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

“Ang kasunduang ito ay para magkaroon ng liquidity buffer ang pamahalaang Pi l ipi n a s n a m a a ar i ng kailanganin sa pagharap sa malaking gastusin bunsod ng malawakang rekonstruksyon p ar a s a mg a lu g ar n a nasalanta ng sunud-sunod na kalamidad,” Coloma said during an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday.

Coloma was part o f P r e s i d e nt Aq u i n o’s entourage for his attendance to the 40th ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit last week.

Aside from the bilateral swap arrangement, Coloma said Finance S ecretar y Cesar Purisima signed the $184 million JICA Official

Development Assistance loan, which will be used for the purchase of 10 coast guard vessels.

The Philippine government will shell out P1.3 billion counterpart fund for the acquisition of the new sea crafts for the coast guard, Coloma said.

In his arrival speech, the President said the Japanese government has raised the $100 million standby loan to $500 million for the recovery of the Visayas region.

Prior to the President’s Japan visit, Japan extended more than $50 million aid to the Philippines. In his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the President said the Japanese leader pledged additional $66 million for the rehabilitation of typhoon-ravaged areas in the Visayas.

The Philippine government eyes to raise P130 billion to rehabilitate devastated communities in the Visayas region, the President said.

(PCOO)

Construct...

events.

“As the premier life insurance company, we want to make sure that everyone hears our message and that they understand the importance of insuring their lives and those of their loved ones. Through this new center, we can further spread this message and help Filipinos prepare for any calamity or crisis,” Mendoza said.

from page 5

future,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said Philam Life is setting a trailblazer in highsafety standards, adhering to strict earthquake and typhoon resistance codes, designed to withstand winds with a speed of 300 kph which was the speed of typhoon Yolanda, the strongest typhoon ever recorded in the planet.

The new office’s visibility is important to help Filipinos prepare for emergencies.

Citing a recent nationwide study commissioned by Philam Life in 2012, he said that of the 325 respondents, 84 percent admitted that they resort to borrowing money and selling properties when confronted with a crisis, an alarming fact in light of recent

Land... from page 4

Jabonga Vice Mayor Glicerio Monton said the DAR’s continued implementation of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in his municipality is a big help in uplifting the lives of his constituents, particularly the farmers.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

10

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

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

www.businessweekmindanao.com

tuesday - december 17, 2013

ABELLANOSA Lechon House Gears... from page 2 Corner Magsaysay Abellanosa St., Cag. de Oro City MANAGED BY :

KUYA ABS CDO EAGLES CLUB WE ACCEPT ORDERS: LECHON, HALANG-HALANG or SAMPAINA

FREE DELIVERY WITHIN CITY PROPER Contact:

09353742908 / 09265949729 / 0883091150

a crossroad in the northern part of the Davao Region.

Toyota Tagum is a worldclass full dealership facility that will cater the needs of Toyota owners in Northern Mindanao and is actually the third facility to rise in Mindanao, following the stores in Davao and General Santos City.

As of press time, big investments are already pouring in the city such as the one-billion peso international port in Madaum that is expected to generate 500 jobs by next year as construction begins.

B oth Robinsons and SM Malls have also showed their interest in investing in Tagum. (CIO Tagum)

Doubles... from page 2

LOTS FOR SALE! AVAIL OF CHRISTMAS PROMO & SAVE! VERY AFFORDABLE TITLED LOTS COUNTRY LIKE SETTING – 1 KM BEFORE SM BUY ANY SIZE 100 M2 – 5 HECTARES IN HOUSE FINANCING @ 10% DOWN PAYMENT LOW MONTHLY PAYMENTS, FLOOD FREE!

CONTACT NO. 09263922933 MDN: DEC. 17, 2013 – JAN. 16, 2014

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

---------------------------------

CHANANTHON BED & BREAKFAST CM Recto Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. #: 856-81-89 / 309-3095 / 231-2103 Email ad : chananthonbb@yahoo.com Room @ P800.00

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT

CONTACT PERSON: RAYLYN LANTACA

---------------------------------

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

He said the expanded amount has the same rate as the original swap agreement, which is based on London Interbank Offered R ate (LIBOR).

“We can renew but when you renew the rate go up,” he said.

Asked whether the expanded amount of swap is related to the looming tapering of the Federal Reserve’s stimulus program, the central bank chief said he does not think that “this tapering would lead to crisis.”

Any cut in the Fed’s monthly US$ 85 billion bond purchases is projected to encourage capital flight to the US. Tetangco said the issue now is not the cut per se but the timing and amount of the cut.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will have its policy meeting this coming week, from December 17-18, and some analysts expect the Committee to announce a cut in the stimulus program after the two-day meeting. (PNA)

Ayala... from page 2

company’s hotel, office, residential and shopping business segments as well as to beef up land banking activities.

“We have to take a look at where the opportunities are,” he told reporters.

Dy said the country’s st rong ma c ro e c onom i c fundamentals are encouraging the firm to launch more projects next year.

He c i t e d t h e g r o s s domestic product (GDP) which expanded by 7 percent in the third quarter, the robust construction activities, the rising business process outsourcing (BPO) revenues, and increasing tourists’ arrivals in the country.

“I think we have very, very solid fundamentals for us to be able to grow the business,” he noted.

Dy said the over 5 percent growth in consumption is expected to benefit the company’s retail and shopping centers business, high tourist arrivals will boost its hotel

business, while the 20-percent BPO revenue growth augurs well for its office portfolio.

“If you look at all the (business) segments that we are in, the drivers in the economy are basically in line.

We just have to continue the expansion in the coming years,” he added.

As it also ventures into healthcare business, Dy also bared that ALI will break ground next year on four hospital projects, located in its housing development Nuvali in Laguna; San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan; Iloilo City; and Trinoma mall in Quezon City.

“This is part of the joint venture with the Mercado family. We are rolling out the partnership. The first that will open will be the one in Trinoma,” said ALI Asst.

Vice President Catherine Bengzon.

In July this year, ALI had entered into an agreement to acquire Mercado familyowned Whiteknight Holdings Inc. which held a 33-percent equity in Mercado General Hospital Inc. (PNA)

Robinsons... from page 3

an d B e n e f it c o s m e t i c s products under a distribution agreement with Luxasia Inc, a leading distributor of world renowned fragrance and cosmetics brand in the Philippines and L Beauty Luxury Asia Inc, distributor of prestigious LVMH beauty brands in the countr y,” Robinsons Retail said.

S h i s e i d o C o Lt d , a Japanese hair care and cosmetics producer, is the largest cosmetics firm in Japan and the fourth largest cosmetics company in the world. Shiseido has 25,000 stores worldwide.

Benefits Cosmetics LLC is a US-based manufacturer of cosmetics. It was initially founded as a beauty boutique that specialized in quick-fix products for beauty dilemmas but has grown into a global beauty brand now selling at over 2,000 counters in more than 30 countries.

The acquisition is in line with Robinsons Retail’s strategy of expanding into new retail segments, the c omp any s ai d. T he 1 0 cosmetics stores will add to the firm’s network, which now totals over 1,000 stores once the deal is sealed.

Robinsons Retail is the country’s second biggest m u l t i - f o r m a t r e t a i l e r, operating 10 formats under six business segments.

From 912 stores at endDecember 2012, Robinsons Retail eyes to raise its store count to 1,400 by end-2014.

The company recently raised $620 million from a maiden share sale, considered as the country’s biggest initial public offering in history, to primarily bankroll its expansion.

Aboitiz... from page 3

Management Corp. in 2008 after it posted the winning bid amounting to $446.888

million. The company also owns the Negron-Cuadrado geothermal service contract which covers an area that straddles the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga.

Basic holds geothermal service contracts in Mabini, Batangas; Iriga, Camarines Sur; Mariveles, Bataan; and East Mankayan -- which cuts across three provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region (Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao).

AboitizPower is the power generation and distribution arm of Aboitiz Group. Its net income declined 22.26% to P14.6 billion in the nine months to September from P18.78 billion in the same period last year. Basic, which is also involved in oil exploration in Mindoro and Sulu Sea, saw its bottom line swing to a P9.31-million net loss as of September from a P187.66-million net income in the same nine months last year.

Bangus... from page 4

(CFAD), amounting to P5 million where P800,000 came from the Agusan del Norte provincial office as counterpart fund.

The funding was used to construct six fish cages and finance the first stocking and feeding of their bangus production.

Technical training on a qu a c u ltu re, i nclu d i ng financial management, was conducted to equipped beneficiaries on bangus production and enterprise.

While other residents continue to live in the cliché “to see is to believe,” the 15 household-members started to labor voluntarily to start establishing their Bangus Mariculture Liveliho o d Project.

In May this year the association started stocking each cage on a one-week inter val with 16,500 fingerlings. The members took turns in taking care and feeding of the stocks, which run for four months.

For only five months, initial har vest from the project yielded 6.1 tons and grossed P450,000. Selling their bangus is not a problem as they have a marketing tie-up with Ocean Deep, a fish trader from Butuan City, which regularly supplies fish products to Cebu City.

“We are looking forward to a bigger harvest and better income with our six fish cages.

Hopefully, we cannot only meet our daily sustenance but also send our children to school,” said SAFAI Chairman Peter Felicilda said.

Municipal Agriculturist Nimfa Fernando said the project aims to help not only the 15 members but to also expand to other households who are not only interested to benefit from the project but, more important, can willing to help for the project to be sustained.

“Fifty percent of the net income shall be divided among the members and the other fifty percent shall be

put in the association funds to finance other next-in-line beneficiary,” she said.

Fernando said they will be also training housewives on bangus processing to have value-adding activities, especially if there will be surplus in production.

BIR...

from page 4

But t h e QR for r i c e ha d a l re a dy e x pi re d i n Ju n e 2 0 1 2 , p r o m p t i n g Vietnamese rice exporters to question the requirement for an import permit required by the NFA before rice importations can be done. Their argument is that with the expiration of the QR, any rice importation that will fall outside the MAV would only require a higher tariff of 50 percent, but such rice importation cannot be precluded by the government altogether.

According to a letter by the state-run Vietnam Food Association (VFA) to the B OC in October, the expiration of the QR meant that the Philippines has “lost its right to impose the restriction on rice.”

Under the MAV, a total of 3 5 0 , 0 0 0 me t r i c tons (MT) of rice is allowed access to the Philippine m ar ke t at a t ar i f f r at e of 4 0 p e rc e nt . O ut s i d e of this volume, the rice i mp or t at i on i s sl app e d with a 50-percent tariff. In 2012 the rice importation of the Philippines reached 688,559 MT. T h i s y e a r, t h e N FA imported 205,000 MT of r i c e, but bi d out an a d d it i ona l 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 M T of rice importation under a governmentto-government contract due to losses brought about by super typhoon Yo l a n d a ( i nt e r n at i on a l code name Haiyan) The NFA, incidentally, was the w inning bidder for t he additional rice importation.

Donation... from page 9

Super typhoon Yolanda caused massive destruction to some parts of the Visayas and Southern Luzon last November 8, leaving behind nearly 6,000 dead and more than P35-billion in damage.

President Aquino was joined by Finance Secretary C e s ar P u r is i ma , Tr a d e Secretary Gregory Domingo, Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya, Presidential Management Staff Chief Secretary Julia Abad and Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma during the FilCom event.

It was the first event of President Aquino upon his arrival here Thursday afternoon to participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)Jap an C om m e m or at ive Summit. (PCOO)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

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

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

tuesday - december 17, 2013

IMEM... from page 1

commercial operations of the IMEM until the true capacities of PSALM-managed plants are established and validated; the requisites for a real competitive spot market are in place; and after urgent concerns of power consumers are addressed.

“However, IMEM trial operations may be allowed to continue for purposes of load dispatch, monitoring, nomination and training for WESM,” the coalition said in its presentation.

Meantime, MCPC proposes PSALM procure from IMEM the aggregate deficiency requirement of all its customers (DUs, ECs and Industries) instead of PSALM c ustomers indiv idu a l ly transacting with IMEM with the IMEM ceiling price set no higher than 120% of ERCregulated rates for bunkerfired generators. “ This would provide adequate control over IMEM power pricing, blend and share the cost grid-wide while mitigating the rate impact to the Mindanao consumers,” the group said.

Simulations made by the group under the proposed scheme with PSALM as the central buyer (at a rate of P12.00/kWh plus 20% premium) would only result in an increase of P0.97/kWh in generation rates.

Thus, instead of a rate increase of as high as P13.40/ kWh to residential consumers under the present IMEM, Mindanao consumers would just incur an increase of P1.04/kwh under a modified IMEM, as proposed by the MCPC. Upon the instance of Councilors Ariel P. Anghay, chairman of the Committee on Energy and Alfredo R. Busico, chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, Franchise, Permits and Licenses, the Iligan City council passed a resolution s upp or t i n g t h e MC P C petition which has been forwarded to the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission and the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC), and other related government agencies.

In a separate meeting with the MCPC last week, Iligan City Mayor Celso G. Regencia also committed to support the MCPC petition. Earlier, three of the biggest industry associations in Cagayan de Oro also expressed their support for the petition.

The MCPC has requested the Oro Chamber to set a meeting with Energy Sec. Carlos Jericho L. Petilla and Mindanao Development Authority Sec. Luwalhati R. Antonino on Dec. 17 at Cagayan de Oro City to discuss the petition to defer/modify the IMEM and other urgent issues affecting electricity in Mindanao.

Solar... from page 1

Marawi in partnership with Lim Solar Philippines, an

integrator of solar PV power plants with headquarters in California, U.S.A. The signing of the PPP agreement will kick off the implementation of the Marawi City Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Park with the construction of the P700-million initial five (5) megawatt (MW) solar PV power plant at Barangay Malimono.

The 5-MW solar PV project will be followed by the construction of an additional thirty (30) MW of solar PV power plants costing some PhP 4-billion. This will give the ICOM Solar PV Power Park a total output of 35MW costing some PhP4.7-billion.

Construction will start on April 2014, and the e nt i re 3 5 M W c ap a c it y should be commissioned and commercial operations started within the first half of 2015.

The ICOM Solar PV Power Park will provide an income to the Marawi LGU of around PhP50-million per year for 20 years which would supplement the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) the ICOM is receiving from the national government.

More important, the ICOM Solar PV Power Park would provide the entire energy requirement of electricity consumers in Marawi City, now being supplied by the PSALM-NPC. The 35MW generated by the solar PV plants would displace all generation now coming from PSALM-NPC plants.

Since the project would be entitled to receive Feed-In Tariff (FIT) payments from the national government under the Renewable Energy Law, consumers in Marawi City will be exempted from paying the purchased power component of their monthly power bills that the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (LASURECO) is collecting at present in behalf of PSALM. This t ranslates to a reduction in the electricity rate of Marawi consumers from the present P6.00++ per kilowatt hour (kWh) to only PhP3.00/kWh. Upon the full commercial operation of the 35MW solar PV power plants, the people of Marawi City will be paying the lowest electric rates in the entire Philippines.

Avail... from page 1

especially when it comes to finishing what they have started.

Ricote said LGUs are required to set up their own PPP sub-committees based on Memorandum Circular 2011-16 of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The MC is very broad so the DILG is set to issue a clarificatory Memorandum which will guide the LGUs on how to operationalize it.

He said the LGUs have to very serious in honoring their commitment to the private partner because the PPP agreement is legally binding.

11

www.businessweekmindanao.com

The local government s h o u l d a l s o pre s e nt a conducive and friendly business climate to encourage private partners to go into PPP projects with them, he added.

The LGUs do not have to spend anything to get their people trained on the PPP process because the Center can pay for the travel cost of their trainors.

We only ask that they feed our people during the training as the counterpart of the LGU, he added.

“Some projects in the local level can be proposed, approved and implemented in the local level so it is important that the local PPPs are well-equipped to handle the process,’ he said.

It is imp or t ant t hat the City Councils pass a resolution creating the local PPPs so they can already move forward with their own projects, he added.

There are many types of eligible project under the PPP scheme including power plants, road construction, education, health and tourism facilities.

However, most agriculture projects are not viable unless there is a stable financial structure and stable demand which will give the private partners a chance to get their return on investment (ROI).

Engr. Gil M. Dureza, Officer-in-Charge of the Board of Investments said there are many investment opportunities in the Davao Region that can be the focus of PPP projects.

There is a huge potential for hydropower in New Bataan in Compostela Valley and in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. The tourism prospects of Governor Generoso are also great with over 60 kilometers (kms)of white sand beach compared to Boracay’s four (kms).

Dureza said outsourcing is also one of the most promising sectors for local PPP-- contributing more than 20,000 employment opportunities in the Davao area.

He said the production and processing of agricultural products has also great potentials, citing the success of the Olympics official drink, the Zico coconut water product from Davao del Sur’s Franklin Baker. (PNA)

Infras... from page 1

as the top problematic factor for doing business, d i sl o d g i ng c or r upt i on , which has historically been the biggest drag to our country’s competitiveness,”

said Roberto de Ocampo, chairman of the board of advisors of the RFO Center for Public Finance & Regional Economic Cooperation.

In a recent talk on his growth forecasts for the Philippines in 2014, he echoed the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) warning that the country cannot remain c ompl a c e nt “g ive n t he dire strait of its transport infrastructure.”

T h e W E F ’s G l o b a l Competitiveness Report 2013-2014 has placed the countr y’s infrastructure system at a low no. 96 out of a total of 148 surveyed economies.

Among the 10 membereconomies of the ASEAN, the Philippines is only ahead of Cambodia and Myanmar in overall infrastructure ranking, he continued.

For a start, he suggests the reprogramming of resources for the rehabilitation of damaged public facilities and the construction of climatechange resilient structures in the Visayas that were affected by this year’s disasters and natural calamities.

“Given that the Priority Development Assistance Fund has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme C ourt, a supplement a l budget measure should be passed by the legislature without delay in order to accelerate reconstruction activity,” he recommends.

In his lecture, De Ocampo forecasts Philippine economic growth in 2014 “at the low end of the government’s 6.5 to 7.5 percent target,” adding that the devastating impact of super typhoon Yolanda would still be felt going into a new year.

His forecast is close to the average international forecast of 6.4 percent. IMF projects 2014 GDP expansion of 6 percent, ADB 6.1 percent, World Bank 6.7 percent, Standard and Poor’s 6 percent to 6.5 percent, and Moody’s 6.5 percent to 7 percent.

But he pointed out that most of these expectations have not yet taken into account the impact of this year’s typhoons on the domestic economy next year.

“It remains to be seen whether the robust and abovetrend growth momentum of the Philippine economy at above seven percent in the previous four consecutive quarters could be sustained or thrown off track.”

For full year 2013 Philippine GDP growth is estimated to be within 6.8 percent to 7.2 percent, still in the upper end of government target.

READ!

www.johndprovoice.com

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10TH JUDICIAL REGION MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN In the matter of the Petition for Adoption Of Twin Minors AKEESHA C. MAMADRA and FAYESHA C. MAMADRA, SPOUSES ABUBACAR MAMADRA and GERTRUDES B. MAMADRA.

Petitioners, X------------------------------------------------------/ ORDER

This petition seeks for the adoption of twin minors Akeesha C. Mamadra and Fayesha C. Mamadra by petitioners, Spouses Abubacar Mamadra and Gertrudes B. Mamadra.

Finding the petition sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby given due course. Let the hearing be set on March 31, 2014 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon before this Court.

At the expense of the petitioners, let this order be published once a Week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Camiguin.

The Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Region X, Cagayan de Oro City, is hereby directed to assign a Social Welfare Office to conduct a home and child study on the adopting parent, the natural parent and the child to be adopted. She is also directed to conduct counseling sessions with the biological parent of the child to be adopted. The reports thereof shall be submitted to this Court Sixty ( 60) days from the receipt of this order.

Petitioners are directed to make arrangements with the assigned Social Welfare Officer for the Scheduling and incidental expenses in conducting the case study.

Let copy of this order and the petition be furnished upon the Local Civil Registrar of Mambajao, Camiguin, the Solicitor General and the Provincial Prosecutor of Camiguin, for their appearance in behalf of the state.

SO ORDERED

Mambajao, Camiguin, November 20, 2013

www.businessweekmindanao.com

SPL. PROC. NO. 481 FOR: ADOPTION

BWM: Dec. 10, 17 & 24, 2013

(Sgd.) JEOFFRE W. ACEBIDO Acting Presiding Judge

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

12

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

www.businessweekmindanao.com

tuesday - december 17, 2013

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

Feature

Local champions compete for Pasko na CdeO singing contest T

by Irene Joy B. Dayo

en contestants coming from various places of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City clashed for Pasko na CdeO Battle of Local Champions Minus 1 singing contest hosted by Radio Philippine Network (RPN) Cagayan de Oro City headed by its station manager, Ms. Gin B. Serohijos and through the partnership of Limketkai Center.

The singing competition which was jampacked by a number of onlookers and audience took place at Limketkai Activity Center last December 12, 2013.

All contestants presented were of ages 15 and above. They were required to sing Christmas songs as this event was held also to celebrate Yuletide season. The judgement of their performance will be judged through a criteria where 40% out of 100 is the Voice Quality, Timing is 20%, Diction is 20%, 10% for both Stage Presence and Audience Impact.

The panel of judges assigned for adjudicating the contest were composed of Mr. Jay Roa Pascual, main proctor of St. Mary’s School; Mr. Dante M. Sudaria, media man and publisher of BusinessWeek Mindanao Group

The jam-packed crowd during the event.

Grand Champion Liza Neri sings “Araw ng Pasko” heartily during the Pasko na CdeO Minus-one singing contest held at Limketkai Activity Center last December 12, 2013.

of Publications; music conductor and singer from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Mr. Rolando Montefalcon; singing enthusiast and Public Relations Officer of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Ms. Beth Anaviso Ladaga; and music man Mr. John Mark Virtudazo.

Thereafter the contest, a contestant from Tablon of this city, Ms. Liza Neri emerged as the grand champion. She got 94.75% after her performance singing “Araw ng Pasko” song.

Following her place are Ms. Meriely Bation of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental who got second place, gaining an average score of 93.5% and Mr. Ian Vincent Uba of Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City who, on the other hand, garnered third place having the average score of 92.75%.

The contest held was a follow up contest after the recently concluded “Boses Tinig Pinoy” where Mr. Michael Aput of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental emerged as champion.

He will be representing RPN Cagayan de Oro City for the grand finals search this coming March 2014 to be held at Mega Manila

where the grand champion will win one million pesos plus a recording contract.

The finish of the “Boses Tinig Pinoy” will then be the start of “Boses Tinig Pinoy” Season 2. In addition, there would be also Hiphop dance contest to be launched by RPN nationwide.

“Hopefully, this is an avenue for the youth to be discovered in their talents sa sayaw ug sa kanta, especially on acapella (Hopefully, this is an avenue for the youth to be discovered in their talents when it comes to dancing and singing, especially on acapella),” Ms. Serihijos said. She viewed acapella as a good one because according to her, this time it seems that the real voices of the singers cannot be noticed anymore because of the accompaniment.

This is the reason why they chose acapella for the next season.

Ms. Serihijos also added that there are more RPN programs that would be coming up.

One of that is the quartet category for the contest that they will be introducing, aside from trio and duet categories.