BusinessWeek Mindanao (December 5, 2013)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

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Volume IV, No. 26

Market Indicators

As of 5:45 pm Dec. 4, 2013 (Wednesday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P43.87

6,105.23 points

15 cents

X

74.27 points

X

Briefly Palay procurement MARAWI City -- The National Food Authority (NFA) here is intensifying its local palay procurement program to help the government attain its goal of self-sufficiency when it comes to rice.

NFA Information Officer Khayamera Dialem said they are now implementing several strategies to encourage more farmers to sell their produce to the NFA. She said NFA Provincial Manager Sittienaidah Sampaco is closely monitoring the palay production in the province and has deployed several mobile procurement teams to go to the places of farmers.

She said they also simplified the requirements for the issuance of individual farmers passbook adding that the farmers passbook and taking of its ID picture is now free of charge.

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Shell infuses P6B to upgrade Oro facility

By GRACE BEBER, Reporter

The new investment is part of Pilipinas Shell’s P12 billion facility upgrade which would also include its refinery plant in Batangas.

Shell Companies country chairman Edgar O. Chua, in his acceptance speech as awardee of the “Management Man of the Year 2013” conferred by the Management

Association of the Philippines in Makati City on Tuesday, said the company will develop its Cagayan de Oro refinery into a Northern Mindanao Import Facility that will spur development in Mindanao.

“We just broke ground on a P6-billion import terminal in Mindanao and we are waiting for the approval of

P6 billion to upgrade our refinery,” Chua said.

“The country is growing and I think we need to spur the economy in Mindanao [which] I think is actually a good place to put an investment in,” he said,.

He said the Mindanao facility will be built for shell/PAGE 11

MARSH LAND. A boatman paddles through water hyacinths on the Agusan Marsh, in Sitio Panlabuhan, Loreto town in Agusan del Sur in this file photo taken in February this year. Behind him are two floating houses that are a common sight in this wetland where hunters caught “Lolong”, the world’s biggest crocodile in captivity that died at the eco park in Bunawan town. mindanews photo by erwin mascarinas

THE local government of Balaoi, Lanao del Norte has given the state-owned Na t i o n a l Po w e r C o r p (Napocor) the green light to proceed with a flood control project that will increase Mindanao’s electricity from hydro sources.

In a press statement, Napocor said it turned over P16.7 million worth of checks for the residents affected by the 2004 and 2008 flooding in the plains of Baloi.

The financial assistance is a condition for the issuance of the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and local government endorsement

for the Baloi flood control project along the Agus River.

The project is estimated to cost P1.9 billion and is expected to maximize the generating capacity of the Agus 2 hydroelectric power plant.

Agus 2 is among the six cascading hydroelectric plants of the 727-MW Agus-Pulangi power complex operated and maintained by Napocor. The facility generates more than half of Mindanao’s electricity supply.

Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita, Napocor president, said the project, once implemented, napocor/PAGE 11

P

ILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. is infusing a fresh P6 billion for the rehabilitation and upgrading of its oil refinery located at the Cagayan de Oro City port as part of the company’s continued expansion binge amid the country’s growing economy.

Relief operations MORE cities and municipalities are being reached by the relief operations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) by ensuring proper coordination with the different Local Government Units (LGUs) affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

DSWD is working double time in sending food packs and non-food relief goods (tents, mattresses, mosquito nets, blankets, towels and hygiene kits) to different municipalities in aid of the internally displaced families either in evacuation centers or the different barangays.

Relief goods are either delivered by DSWD workers and turned over to proper authorities at the LGU level or are requested directly and obtained by the LGU through the different operation hubs all over Region 8.

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Napocor gets Lanao Norte LGU’s approval to hike hydropower capacity

NGCP starts reforestation South Cotabato to review open-pit projects in Bukidnon, MisOr mining ban in environment code

By JASPER MARIE OBLINA-RUCAT Contributor

THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) through its Reforestation Launching Ceremony on Dec. 3 started its reforestation project by turning over check worth P7.8M to its stakeholders.

Its stakeholders include the local government of Impasug-ong in Bukidnon w it h sup e r v is i on f rom Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesC it y E nv i ron me nt and Natural Resources Office

(DENR-CENRO) Manolo Fortich, Naawan in Misamis Oriental with DENR-CENRO Initao, the academe Central M i n d a n a o Un i v e r s i t y (CMU) with DENR-CENRO Pangantuc an and nongovernment organization Pe o p l e’s O r g a n i z a t i o n MISFAMILDA in Miaray, Dangcagan with DENRCENRO Don Carlos.

According to NGCP Head of Environmental Management Division ngcp/PAGE 11

By MINDANEWS

GENERAL Santos City – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of South Cotabato will review next year the province’s environment code in a bid to “enhance and amend” some of its provisions, including the controversial ban on open-pit mining.

South Cotabato Vice Gov. Cecile Diel said Tuesday they have started initial discussions and consultations regarding the code’s

Mindanao Daily NEWS

planned review, which will mainly focus on “answering some legal questions” that hounded it since it was enacted three years ago.

She was referring to Section 22, Paragraph b of Ordinance No. 4 or the Provincial Environment Code that sets the ban on the use of the open-pit mining method in any part of the province’s 10 towns and lone city. mining/PAGE 11

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NGCP: About 72% ‘Yolanda’-affected Basic Energy, Trans-Asia sign MOA on geothermal projects Visayas areas now with electricity MANILA -- Seventy-two percent of power in areas hit by Typhoon “Yolanda” has been restored, more than three weeks after the super typhoon lashed and devastated Eastern Visayas.

In a st ate me nt , t he National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said its linemen along with augmentation forces from the private sector continue with the rehabilitation works to meet the December 24, 2013 deadline set by the D ep ar t ment of Energ y (DOE) for full restoration

of transmission lines.

The grid operator said that as of November 28, five of the eight priority transmission lines in the Visayas, particularly in the islands of Leyte, Samar and Bohol, have been energized.

These are the two 230-kilovolt (kV) lines and three 138-kV lines in Leyte

island, two 138-kV lines in Samar island, and one 138kV line in Bohol.

“They transmit electricity to substations that will allow the energization of the said islands,” NGCP said.

Similarly, the grid operator said 14 69-kV lines in Leyte, Samar and Panay islands have also been re-energized.

“The recently energized transmission backbones of NGCP has brought power back to key cities in the Visayas badly hit by Typhoon

Yolanda, including Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Roxas City, Capiz, and Catbalogan City, Samar,” the statement said.

“However, NGCP would like to clarify that, though our transmission facilities are restored, some municipalities may still experience rotational brownouts because of supply deficiency due to isolation of several power plants affected

by Typhoon Yolanda,” said NGCP spokesperson lawyer ngcp/PAGE 10

MANILA -- Basic Energy Corporation and Trans Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation on Tuesday signed an agreement for both companies to jointly explore and develop the geothermal service contracts (GSCs) granted earlier to Basic by the Department of Energy (DOE).

In a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed Tuesday by Basic CEO Oscar L. de Venecia, Jr. and Trans Asia CEO Francisco L. Viray, Trans Asia acquired a 10 percent stake in Basic’s

Mabini GSC located in Mabini, Batangas.

The MOA also gives Trans Asia the option to boost its stake in Mabini to up to 40 percent.

Additionally, the accord gives Trans Asia the option within six months to acquire up to 60 percent of Basic’s other GSCs in Mariveles Bataan, East Mankayan in Benguet, West Bulusan in Sorsogon, and Mt. Iriga in Camarines Sur. After its signing, Basic expressed confidence that projects/PAGE 10

Weather Forecast News Feature:

DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program

By Admeela Cyndy E. Padilla II and Marko Davey D. Reyes

TUDELA, Misamis Occidental -- Poverty is never a hindrance to success. One can succeed no matter what his/her status is in life. The state of being in poverty does not necessarily mean all hope is lost. All one needs is perseverance, hard work, and a crack at that opportunity that would lead you to success.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, with its three core anti-poverty programs; the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the KapitBisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social S er vices (C ommunity Driven Development), and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (formerly SEA-K) provides such opportunity.

The programs provide everyone that opportunity of breaking away from the cycle of poverty. For instance, the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the department aims to

deliver opportunities for groups to improve their socio-economic capacity by providing capital seed funds for new entrepreneurs, thus improving their standard of living.

One fortunate group who availed the program’s seed fund is Sinuza 4Ps SKA. They were fortunate enough to be a beneficiary of the program.

The group originated in

Barangay Sinuza, Tudela, Misamis Occidental. The group is composed if 30 members, all of them coming from marginalized families.

The problem of scarcity and financial difficulties in providing for their family’s needs was the force behind their determination to be part of the Sustainable Livelihood Program. The 0% interest rate for the loan scheme was

very enticing that is why the group chose to go with the Sustainable Livelihood Program.

They presented their proposal for the project, and fortunately, they got the loan. After receiving the loan, they immediately went to work.

They attended workshops conducted by dswd/PAGE 10

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subsidiary says IT services Go Hotels franchisee to PLDT compliant with bank standards build 5 branches in 2 yrs ROBINSONS Land Corporation (RLC), one of the country’s leading real estate developers, is expanding its Go Hotels chain of value hotels through franchisee Vanguard Hotels Pte. Ltd. which is building five branches over the next two years.

In a statement, RLC said Vanguard will be opening the five hotel branches through its joint venture with ROXACO L and C or p orat ion , t he property development arm of Roxas and Company, Inc. The partnership aims to build a minimum of 5 Go Hotels over the next 2 years in key strategic locations.

In 2010, Robinsons Land Corporation launched the first hotel/PAGE 10

Newsweek to resurrect print edition – New York Times NEW YORK – International current affairs magazine Newsweek plans to relaunch its print edition in early 2014, just over one year after ceasing publication to focus on its website, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

Newsweek editor in chief Jim Impoco was quoted as saying that the magazine,

which was last printed in December 2012, would aim to become a subscription-based outlet akin to The Economist rather than its traditional rival Time Magazine.

“We see it as a premium product, a boutique product,” Impoco was quoted as saying of the magazine’s relaunch, which is expected in either

January or February.

The return of Newsweek’s pr i nt e d it i on m ar k s a turbulent few years for the title, which was first published in 1933.

At t h e st ar t of t h e 1990s, the magazine had a worldwide circulation of 3.3 million readers, but sales declined steadily over the

next two decades, slipping to 1.5 million by 2010.

The magazine was sold to the billionaire investor Sidney Harman three years ago, merging with The Daily Beast website.

The venture was largely seen as being a failure, and the decision to scrap the print/PAGE 10

T H E C O R P O R AT E ENTERPRISE arm of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) on Monday said its information technology (IT) services have met bank and finance industry standards.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) last August approved the enhanced Information Technology Risk Management framework covering banks, nonbank financial institutions, electronic money issuers and nonbank entities to align local standards -- including those for IT outsourcing -- with international regulations.

PLDT ALPHA Enterprise offers corporate clients telephony and managed services, wireless solutions, data services, managed IT solutions and cloud services, among others.

In a statement, PLDT ALPHA said that it “has issue d f u l ly compli ant measures in security and privacy, continuity, and monitoring and audit that would aid the banking industry’s implementation of IT outsourcing.”

“We fully support BSP’s move for innovation, and we look for ward to not only complying with these guidelines, but also to

collaborating with them as well as with industry leaders in adopting emerging technologies that can help serve our enterprises better,” PLDT ALPHA Head Juan Victor I. Hernandez said in the statement.

“PLDT has heavily invested in its infrastructure and advanced IT systems not only to meet... standards, but also for local enterprises and critical industries to enjoy the benefits of global innovations.”

The statement said PLDT’s IT infrastructure and systems have been developed and are deployed in accordance with ISO 27001:2005 certification for Information Security Management for sensitive data and applications through multi-layered physical and virtual security, in addition to stringent data access policies. “ P L D T ’s b u s i n e s s continuity measure also holds strong in BSP’s requirements for integrating a service provider’s business continuity plan to ke ep f inanci a l institutions fully operational despite calamities or other incidents, as IT services are housed in the country’s first purposely built, industrialstrength data center, the PLDT VITRO Data Center,” the statement read.

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Banking&Finance

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Seoul provides Insular Life resumes operations in Tacloban and Ormoc cities $500-M credit line SOUTH Korea has extended a $500-million credit line to the Philippines under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for 2014-2017.

“The topped up EDCF provides additional funding option for items outlined in our Public Investment Program (PIP). This should allow us to ensure execution of priority programs and projects in the next few years,” said Deputy DirectorGeneral Rolando Tungpalan of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

For the period 2011-2013, four infrastructure projects with loan requirements totaling about $335.78 million were committed for funding under the EDCF. These projects are the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project, Stage II, the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in L ow-Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay, and the BalerCasiguran Road Improvement Project.

“South Korea is interested in infrastructure projects especially in agriculture, energy and transportation.

Their expertise in these

areas could be beneficial to the country as we address infrastructure backlogs to accelerate development and recovery from recent calamities,” Tungpalan noted.

The S outh Korean government has also expressed interest to fund disaster prevention and rehabilitation projects in light of damages brought by typhoon Yolanda.

The sectors in which South Korea has expressed interest on are aligned with credit/PAGE 10

INSULAR Life announced that it has resumed operations in Tacloban and Ormoc after being shut down by super- typhoon Yolanda, which devastated parts of the Visayas when it hit the region on November 8.

The company’s Tacloban City office opened its doors to policyholders and their beneficiaries on Nov. 26 amid piles of debris, intermittent communications connection, and crippled basic facilities.

“We would have wanted to open earlier because our building sustained only minor damage. However, the city was virtually a war zone

– residential houses were blown away, roads unpassable due to debris and fallen electric posts, no electricity, w at e r, t r a n s p o r t at i o n , communication and government services,” said Insular Life Chairman of the Board and CEO Vicente R. Ayllon.

C ompany employees and agents in Tacloban also suffered some personal losses, and needed to be given time and assistance to attend to their concerns, he said in a statement. “A team from our head office and Cebu was deployed to provide the much-needed services

to our policyholders,” he added.

Its of f ice in Or mo c resumed operations last Monday (Dec 2).

In Tacloban, Insular has been able to service death claims, policy loans and dividend withdrawals, and even accepted premium and policy loan payments.

But due to the absence of stable communications, electricity, water and other vital facilities, its workers are only able to provide limited services and operate on shortened business hours.

Company officials, said however, this is temporary

and they will try to be fully operational as soon as it is feasible.Policyholders are advised to visit the Insular Life Office, 2/F, Insular Life Bldg, Avenida Veteranos, Tacloban City from 9 am to 3 pm, Mondays to Fridays.

In Ormoc, policy-holders are advised to visit the 2/F, Ormoc Centrum Building in Aviles Street.

Insular Life policyholders may also go to any of the company offices nationwide including offices in Cebu, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Kalibo and Roxas cities for policy servicing needs.

Landbank offers scholarships for agri courses STATE-owned Land Bank of the Philippines on Tuesday launched an education assistance package for poor students taking up agricultural studies.

Called Gawad Patnubay, the scholarship program offers both formal and informal education scholarships to develop skills in modern agriculture, renew enthusiasm for the sector, promote sustainable development, and reduce poverty in the countryside.

Landbank has set aside P5 billion for the first four years of the scholarship program, which provides

an allowance of P4,000 for monthly expenses and P2,500 for every quarter. Upon their graduation, Landbank will assist the students in job placement.

An initial batch of 52 students won scholarships, of whom 28 enrolled in the second semester in five universities, namely the University of the PhilippinesLos Banos, Central Luzon landbank/PAGE 11

ROTARY CLUB OF CAGAYAN DE ORO RI DISTRICT 3870 Meeting at Seda Hotel, Executive Club Lounge, 11th floor

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Opinion

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DOLE-awardee firms - Most Compliant to Labor Standards in Region 10

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NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

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Shaun Uy

cHENG oRDOñEZ

Lifestyle Editor

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T

A Sinking Ship THINK

hink a minute…Imagine we are on a large ship out A Minute on the ocean.

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst The captain knows that there is a hole in the boat and we’re sinking, but he does not tell us passengers.

Instead, he invites us all to go up to first class. All the beer and liquor is free.

We’re allowed to party and do basically anything we want on the ship.

Naturally, we passengers are loving our freedom. But all the time we’re partying and getting drunk, the ship continues to sink. Each minute brings us closer to our death.

So what? Let’s eat, drink and be merry for we’re all going to die anyway, right? We might as well go out in style and have fun while it lasts.

This is actually the way many people live. They think they’re free—through alcohol, drugs, sex with anyone they want, cheating for more money or status, and anything else that makes them feel good for awhile. But their life is a sinking ship! Instead of being truly free, they’re actually slaves to their own appetites and uncontrolled physical desires for pleasure. Their life is empty and they’re desperately trying to fill it with all kinds of pleasures, prosperity, or power.

Yet, even though they know in their conscience that none of these things satisfy them for long, they keep doing it.

Jesus Christ did not come to bring us a lot of strict, boring rules that take all the fun out of life.

He actually came to save us from hurting and destroying ourselves, so we can finally be free from our own greed and uncontrolled physical urges.

As the Maker of life, Jesus’ commands are simply life’s principles for real satisfaction and success. His ways are like wings to a bird or sails to a ship. So why not finally get yourself free from your uncontrolled physical pleasures or greed?

Just ask Jesus to forgive you and start changing you daily. Then you can begin to get the real satisfaction that lasts, not to mention be saved from sinking.

Just Think a Minute…

CONGRATULATIONS to Cag. de Oro’s N-Hotel, Del Monte Philippines, Inc., Nestle Phils, Rural Transit (Mindanao) Inc. , Pilipinas Kao, Inc., and BagongLipunan Transit, Inc., of Gingoog City, for being Northern Mindanao’s most compliant in labor standards.

- BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO, December 5, 2013 CONGRATULATIONS to Cagayan de Oro’s N-Hotel (manage d

by Bonne Business C or p or ati on), Del Monte Philippines, Inc., Nestle Phils, Rural Transit (Mindanao) Inc. , Pilipinas Kao, Inc., and BagongLipunan Transit, Inc., of Gingoog City, who were among the 12 private companies cited by the DOLE-X as most compliant to labor standards, occupational safety and health standards.

The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office X (DOLE-X) awarded Tripartite Certificate of Compliance with Labor Standards (TCCLS) to 12 private companies in the region.

Congratulations too to the other awardees, namely: Busco Sugar M i l l i n g C o. In c . , Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon; Dole Phils.

Inc. –Valencia City, Bukidnon; Super 5

Transport, Integrated Bus Terminal, Iligan City; Elim Agricultural Supply, Ozamiz City; Medina College, Inc. (General Hospital), Ozamiz City; and Risa Traders Marketing Corporation, Ozamiz City.

Editorial

Kudosto DOLE-X Director Alan M. Macaraya, for leading the event on November 26 at the DOLE-X office, this city.

Establishments verified by the Tripartite Certification Committee (TCC), composed of DOLE, Management, and Workers sectors representatives, as compliant with labor standards, occupational safety and health standards are given the award from time to time. The award’s assessment provides that the nominees should have no record of violation on General Labor Standards for the past three (3) years and there is no fatal accident or serious occupational illness within one (1) year.

This a very laudable government-sponsored recognition program because it complements the development approach of the L abor agenc y in the enforcement of standards. The program too is laudable as it allows the management of private companies to self-assess its compliance to standards and that Government will only intercede if there are requests for assistance”, according to the organizers.

A salute to DOLE for recognizing not only the awardees’ efforts but other establishments as who voluntarily comply with labor standards and other statutory which in the end will prevent labor disputes and would enhance productivity.

Aside from the TCCLS award, DOLE-X says it is also pushing the 12 companies to aspire for the Secretary’s award and the Seal of Excellence of the President of the Republic.

M a y t h e b e s t establishments win!

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PDIC raises P56.9-M from public bidding of closed banks’ assets The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) successfully sold 23 properties collectively worth P56.9 million during its November 19 public bidding held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) office in Legaspi City, the fourth to be conducted this year.

The assets sold are closed banks’ properties and the aggregate bid offers generated a premium of P8.9 million for the various closed banks against the minimum disposal price of P48 million. The PDIC bidded out a total of 158 real properties for a combined minimum disposal price of P90.04

million. The properties are located in the various cities and provinces of the Bicol Region including Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon.

The regular conduct of public biddings is in line with the PDIC’s strategic direction to expeditiously dispose non-financial assets. When closed banks’ properties are sold, the proceeds are automatically added to the funds held in trust for the closed banks and are used to help settle claims of uninsured depositors and creditors.

As mandated by law, payment to these parties is subject to the rules on

concurrence and preference of credits.

As i d e f rom pu b l i c biddings, the PDIC disposes non-financial assets through negotiated sale. Interested buyers who were not able to participate during the public biddings may still avail of the assets for sale posted in the PDIC website, www. pdic.gov.ph. Prospective buyers are encouraged to use the PDIC’s Property Finder in its website for information on available inventor y of assets for disposal. They may also call the Asset Management and Disposal Group (02) 841-4650 for inquiries on assets for sale.

Barba graces Educ Summit Calls on teachers to put their best foot forward in realizing dreams of school children

COUNCILOR Adrian L. Barba, chair of the City Council committee on education, appealed to teachers to put their best foot forward in helping school children realize their dreams in life.

During the 1st Education Summit held at the City Tourism Hall, the councilor cited the role of teachers in achieving high academic performance of students though the increase in teacher’s performance level.

EDUCATION SITUATION During the activity, City Schools Division head Elena M. Borcillo presented the situation of education in the city’s school district, which indicates that the National Achievement Test results in both public and private elementary schools fluctuated from School Year 2010-2011 to SY 2012-2013 from the Mean Performance Scores of 69.36 to 60.94. It increased in SY 2012-2013 to 64.77 but it was still below the Education for All Target of at least 75-percent.

Meanwhile, in the secondary level, the National Achievement Test Results decreased from 47.4 and 46.39 from SY 2010-2011 to SY 2011-2012, respectively. It however, increased to 49.07 in SY 2012-2013, but still below the

Education for All Target.

According to Ms Borcillo, aside from the NAT Results, the Division performance on efficiency could also be measured through the dropout retention, and cohort survival rates.

Dropout rate among elementar y pupils increased to .78-percent in SY 2012-2013 from .23-percent in SY 20112012. This means that out of 78,852 elementary pupils, 612 dropped out in SY 2012-2013.

In the secondary level, the dropout rate in 2012-2013 was 4.06-percent, which means that out of 30,289 secondary students, 1,230 dropped out in SY 2012-2013.

Based on the retention rate provided by the DepEd, 8.14-percent or 5,368 of 65,948 total population of the Division in the elementary level were not able to proceed to the next grade level.

Meanwhile, 9.54-percent or 2,215 out of 23,218 of the secondary students were not able to proceed to the next year level.

Councilor Barba is hoping that the DepEd will be able to attain all its targets and achieve a high performance level, even as he expresses support for all programs and projects towards this end.

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Lifestyle

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PAINTED THE TOWN RED

A

fter more than a month in the making, Pagbantog-HIV’s Openshoot project “Hulagway” closes off with 68 total participants soon to be seen in printed black, white, and - RED. Artists, celebrities, professionals, even advocate students come together and prove how pictures could paint more than a thousand words to boost the campaign for the World Aids Day, December 1, 2013.

The Hulagway sub-project of the PagbantogHIV strengthens the crusade for HIV and AIDS global awareness.

As in recently taking Northern Mindanao by its clutches, HIV and AIDS has claimed lives and will soon be taking more if not for supportive plans that would prevent if not entirely stop its increasing number.

This is where Pagbantog Kagay-an advocates against social terrorism, the collective group of artists, celebrities and professionals in Cagayan de Oro City saw it fit to battle artistically with HIV and AIDS as it did a few months ago against the most recent bombing in the City of Golden Friendship.

The 68 photos were unveiled during the opening programme in the morning of December 1 at the Limketkai Rotunda.

Kagayanons not au fait to the spotlight of the media have bravely stepped up to the challenge to express their support for the message that Pagbantog-HIV is preaching and will surprisingly be seen posing a la professional models.

Thanks to the volunteer photographers; Glenn Palacio, Jessie Villegas, Ed Abella, and Bon Jumawan, makeup artists; Dandy Roa and Ryan Sy and prime movers/conceptual stylists Steven Quilacio and Arlyn May Baqui-Bongay, this is a dream-come-true.

All of these prints have gone through meticulous procedures behind the camera, to the printing and then to the assembly of the exhibit.

Rest assured with the reception that it has been receiving, like Pagbantog Kagay-an, Hulagway is set to paint Cagayan de Oro City with even more colors after it has painted the town red.

Pagbantog -HIV advocates opens the “Hulagway” photo exhibit with Attorney Sam Tan and CdeO Fashion designer Benjie S. Manuel, December 1, Limketkai Center. Photo by Glenn Palacio

(left photo) One of the “Hulagway” Exhibit panels featuring different personalities of CdeO who advocate in HIV awareness, (right photo) Attorney Sam Tan and Owen Jaen pose for a photo-op in one of the exhibit panels featuring Joseph Cezar’s (right) “Hulagway”. Photos by Glenn Palacio

VIP Hotel’s Christmas Village opens

Photos by MIKE BAÑOS

Don’t miss the chance to see VIP Hotel’s Christmas Village @ The VIP Hotel Don A. Velez - JR Borja Sts. Cagayan de Oro City

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Environment

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Aquino: Lacson’s no-nonsense approach to speed up recovery from ‘Yolanda’ M A N I L A - - Pre s i d e nt Benigno S. Aquino III said Tuesday his appointment of former Sen. Panfilo Lacson to head rehabilitation efforts after super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) will speed up the recovery process.

Speaking at the Christmas gathering of the BulungPulungan forum in Pasay City, the President said Lacson strikes him as a no-nonsense person who can focus on the rehabilitation process.

“Now, having Ping Lacson at the center wherein he’s a nononsense guy, focused solely

on Yolanda’s rehabilitation will undoubtedly achieve the targets sooner,” he said.

Besides, he said the other members of his Cabinet also have their daily duties to attend to.

A l s o, t h e Pre s i d e nt reiterated the government’s efforts toward ensuring transparency in harnessing international aid to help those affected by Yolanda recover.

Yolanda had blown through the Visayas and Southern Luzon last November, leaving behind at least 5,500 dead.

Meanwhile, the President

9

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maintained he does not let himself get affected by survey approval ratings, saying he thinks more of what is right for the people.

“At the end of the day, the only criteria I have is: Did I do right? And sometimes the right decision may be unpopular. Sometimes ... conversely the wrong decision is immensely popular,” he said.

“But I really have to stick with doing what I believe is right. Our people, I believe, are fair judges,” he said. (www. pcoo.gov.ph/PND)

DENR, partners to hold SMV workshop for Lake Mainit Key Biodiversity Area BU T UA N C IT Y – The Department of Environment and Natura l Res ources (DENR) – Protected Areas Wi l d l i f e a n d C o a s t a l Zone Management Sector ( D E N R - PAW C Z M S ) through the Biodiversity Partnerships Project (BPP) in partnership with Lake Mainit Development Alliance will be holding the Spatial Management and Visioning Workshop for Lake Mainit Key Biodiversity Area on December 9-11, 2013

at the Gazeebo Pools and Restaurant, Cabadbaran City.

“The three-day activity is aimed to finalize the vision, mission and goal of the Lake Mainit Plan Transboundary; to come up with the alternative land and water use management options; to select preferred land and water use management options; and to formulate spatial and land-water use policy,” said DENR-Caraga OIC Regional Executive Director Nonito Tamayo.

Lake Mainit is the fourth largest lake in the country.

It has a total area of about 17,060 hectares and its lakeshore has total length of 62.10 kilometers.

T he l a ke is d iv id e d almost equally between the provinces of Agusan and Surigao del Norte.

It is most known for its rich fish resources. There are 31 barangays in the municipalities of Mainit, Alegria, Kitcharao and Jabonga. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel, Davao Oriental on a rainy Thursday noon (28 November 2013). Though not completely back in form, it is no longer a sorry sight as it was after super typhoon Pablo battered the town on December 4, 2012. mindanews photo by gregorio bueno

Contractor says oil WV sustains P1.5B agri damages, spill containment thousands of farmers affected 54,536 farmers in Western Visayas were work slow but sure Some affected by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ with an ILOILO CITY – The work may appear slow for the affected areas, but the Kuan Yu Global Technologies, Inc. contracted by the Napocor to contain the oil spill in Estancia said they are making sure the work is done efficiently.

Karl Ignatius Young, president of the Kuan Yu said in a radio interview that

the equipment they will use has already arrived and is being assembled.

Their M/V Obama Barge can siphon at least 850,000 liters of bunker fuel from the damaged Napocor barge, Young has assured.

Philippine Coast Guard-6 Commander Athelo Ybañez oil/PAGE 10

estimated damage of P1,562,897,038.34 to the region’s agriculture sector as of the latest report of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 6 (RDRRMC 6).

According to the RDRRMC 6 report as of 5 PM, December 2, more than half of the affected farmers were from the province of Capiz numbering to 26,070

who are engaged in palay and corn productions.

The number of affected farmers in the other provinces of the region such as in Antique reached 13,772; Iloilo, 8,244; Negros Occidental, 4,730; Aklan, 1,646; and Guimaras, 74.

Of the over P1.5 billion damages in agriculture brought by the super typhoon as of Monday, the palay sector incurred the biggest losses at P763,868,647.16.

Damages in the corn sector are now pegged at P68,366,276.87, cassava at

P121,500.00, and other crops at P520,314,835.11.

Some P 137,425,779.20 were also lost in poultry and livestock and P72,800,000.00 in the abaca industry.

RDRRMC 6 said the province of Capiz suffered the most devastation in agricuture in the region with 671,950,668.86 worth of damages in its palay, corn, other crops, abaca and livestock and poultry sectors.

Iloilo province lost about P481,848,581.24 worth of crops, abaca and livestock and poultry.

The typhoon also left damages to the agriculture sector of the following provinces: Negros Occidental worth around P 2 4 4 , 2 2 1 , 6 7 4 ; Ant i qu e around P85,049,920.79,

Aklan around P78,967,197.00, a n d Gu i m a r a s a ro u n d P858,996.25.

The Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division of the Department of Agriculture 6 reported that Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala recently assured farmers in the municipality of Libacao, Aklan of the government’s long-term solutions and relief assistance to the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

One of the interventions cited among others is the giving of insurance benefits to affected farmers by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

Alcala was in Libacao, Aklan on November 23 to attend the Farmers’ Forum.

(JCM/LAF/PIA6)

UN chief eyes agreement at 2014 climate change talks in Lima Solar-powered generators, with an output of 300 watts, are sold at P30,000 each along Maharlika Ave. in Tacloban City. The generator is capable of powering electric fans and charging cellular phones and laptops. Solar panels (inset photo) are also on sale at affordable prices. As the concerned government agencies race to repair the typhoon-damaged power infrastructure in Tacloban City and other parts of Eastern Visayas, residents unable to wait anymore for the restoration of electricity supply are now buying solar-powered generators to light up their homes and recharge their gadgets. pna photos by ben briones

LIMA -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday voiced the hope that next year’s global climate change talks in Lima could produce a legal document and other joint measures.

The climate conference, to be held in the Peruvian capital on Dec. 1-12, 2014, will seek a global agreement in the fight against environmental degradation among officials and delegates

from more than 190 countries.

“I hope that with the support of the Peruvian government, President Ollanta Humala and Environment Minister Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, we can adopt a legal document on climate change,” said Ban, who is attending the 15th General Conference of the UN Industrial Development Organization here.

Ban made the comments as he visited a reforestation project

in the east part of the capital, which aims to benefit more than 35,000 people.

The UN chief hailed the project, which is implemented with UN support to transform the banks of the Rimac river, which crosses Lima into a green area.

Ban pledged to help expand the Peruvian project, which is designed to establish a 2,500-tree forest on 17,900 square meters.

(PNA/Xinhua)

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NGCP... from page 2

www.johndprovoice.com

Cynthia Perez-Alabanza.

NGCP said more than 2,000 transmission structures of 34 transmission lines and 23 affected substations were affected by the cyclone, which is considered one of the strongest in the world.

And since there are still lots of works to be done, NG C P is u rg ing l and owners where the destroyed transmission facilities are “to allow authorized line personnel to enter and repair the lines traversing their land properties.” (PNA)

Projects... from page 2

the MOA will augur a firm and mutually-profitable partnership in the geothermal energy field.

“We welcome Trans Asia’s intention to potentially become our major partner in t he de velopment of Basic’s various GSCs. We will work for a resultant synergy to more quickly develop the geothermal power requirements of our growing economy,” said de Venecia.

De Venecia said the MOA can give Trans Asia major participation on a groundfloor basis in Basic’s GSCs, and allows it to have first call on purchasing the power to be generated by the Mabini GSC, and in the construction of the required power generation plants for Mabini.

“This will hopefully result in significant income streams for both our companies and other partners who may join our consortium, as we go through the development of the Mabini geothermal steam fields and then to power generation and supply,” said de Venecia.

Under the terms of the MOA, Trans Asia will fund the onshore gravity program for the Mabini GSC, and upon its completion, elect its final participating interest in the project of up to a 40 percent stake.

Both Basic and Trans Asia also agreed on the sharing costs for the drilling of exploratory wells for the Mabini project. The GSC calls for the first exploratory well to be drilled by July 2015.

For Mabini, Trans Asia will have the right to be first in negotiating a purchase accord with the consortium for all the electricity output to be generated by the project, at commercially-competitive rates. (PNA)

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several agencies, but it was one of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) trainings which aims to encourage displaced workers and unemployed persons to engage in their own business and learn different skills in crafts amid the global financial crisis. Tea making (out of Luyang Dilaw) it is.

The project grabbed their attention. It was something they wanted; something they saw themselves successful in.

The group attended the Luyang Dilaw Tea Livelihood Training last March 2012 held in their own Barangay, and in no time, they were able to master the craft. Starting with P 6,000.00 as capital, the group tried saving as much budget as possible.

Fortunately for them, the main ingredients for the Tea are native to their area, making them save some of their budget. Today, the group supplies different organizations, stores and municipalities with their products. Their products are reaching as far as Lanao del Norte, and even the DSWD Regional Office in Cagayan de Oro City.

Their success from scratch is a story worth telling. Now, they are able to provide their families with the basic needs they were unable to provide before. They owe their success to themselves; for dreaming and for persevering. The DSWD and its programs are only channels for success.

It instills one’s heart and determination to ensure success. The DSWD core anti-poverty programs are the citizen’s partners; the aid in progress and growth.

This success story of the Sinuza 4Ps SKA are among the many success stories the Department is proud to have.

The Department is willing to be of help to everyone who dreams of making it big in their own craft. The Sust ai nabl e L ivel i ho o d Program is always available for service.(Admeela Cyndy E. Padilla II and Marko Davey D. Reyes/RTP/PIA10)

She added that “these are exciting times for the Philippine tourism as the hospitality business open more outlets, especially in Metro Manila, in anticipation of the arrival of more tourists because of the government’s focus on the industry.”

Gregorio noted that Go Hotels’ expansion is carefully carried out with the needs of the traveller as its top priority.

Thus, Go Hotels Iloilo and Butuan are located within a Robinsons Malls complex while the Ortigas branch is just a couple of minutes walk or stone’s throw away from Robinsons Galleria.

All three new branches will have restaurants, spa services, transport service and convenience stores to cater to the needs and comfort of guests.

Go Hotels Ortigas Center will have 198 rooms opening this quarter while the Butuan branch will have 102 rooms available in the fourth quarter of 2014.

from page 4

from page 5

Hotel...

Go Hotels in the Philippines, the newest venture of its Hotels Division.

The first of its kind in the Philippines, Go Hotels aims to redefine the hotel industry with the introduction of the value hotel concept, in the same way that its affiliates Cebu Pacific and Sun Cellular have changed the Philippine airline and telecommunications industry, respectively.

Go Hotels has steadily increased its presence in the Philippines with six operational branches, offering a total of more than 700 rooms, in strategic cities across the country: Mandaluyong (Metro Manila), Tacloban, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa and Otis-Manila (Metro Manila).

It is ramping up its expansion program as plans are underway for Robinsons Land to expand the brand all over the Philippines to respond to the national demand for quality accommodations at better prices.

It is planning to open of three new branches to bring the total number of rooms in the chain to over 1,200. “ We a r e b u i l d i n g strategically-located branches in t he O r t ig as ce nt ra l business district, in Iloilo and in Butuan,” said Go Hotels general manager Elizabeth D. Gregorio.

Print...

from page 4 print edition was announced in October 2012, saving the company an estimated $40 million in overheads a year.

The magazine continued in an online-only format called Newsweek Global, and was bought again by digital media company IBT Media in August.

Impoco told the New York Times it was hoped Newsweek could build circulation of its print edition to 100,000 in its first year. – Agence FrancePresse

Credit...

the priorities of the updated Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and are opportunities for further deepening Philippines-South Korea collaboration.

Tungpalan emphasized, however, that the revised framework in financing national government projects will maximize the use of ODA for projects requiring foreign content, expertise and technology.

ODA will be utilized if there are inherent advantages an d v a lu e - a d d e d f rom tapping the prospective ODA funding source, and if the said funding source can assure timely project implementation and completion.

The government’s priority projects are identified in the PIP. Based on this, NEDA determines the projects that require financing in the short- to medium-term and validates their required

foreign content, technology or expertise.

T h e D e p a r t m e nt o f F i n an c e , on t h e ot h e r hand, determines the most appropriate financing mode and source for the projects.

“While we appreciate development agencies offering financing assistance, we are firm on focusing these on the identified priority areas or sectors outlined in the PDP. We also would like to make sure we get high-quality, high-impact projects at the least cost” Tungpalan added.

Oil...

from page 9

said some 865,000 liters of bunker fuel have spilled into the shores of Bgy. Botongon in Estancia from Napocor Power Barge 103, when it was washed ashore by Typhoon Yolanda.

Ybañez said the Kuan Yu has to transfer some 220,000 liters of usable bunker oil from Power Barge 103 in Estancia to Power Barge 101 located in Iloilo City

by December 6.

Napocor Power Barge 103 contained about 1.4 million liters of bunker fuel and is capable of generating 35 megawatts of power.

The cleanup cannot start unless the remaining bunker oil inside the barge is all siphoned.

On the other hand, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor said that it is important for the Napocor and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) to compel the contractor to speed up the cleanup.

Kuan Yu’s Young has appealed for patience during media interviews, saying that they want to do an efficient job that may seem slow.

He added that they are capable, as the company was also the one hired to contain the oil spill in Guimaras and the Semirara Island in Antique in 2006.

PSALM Chief of Staff Atty. Danielle Anne Rubinos said they are taking full responsibility for the clean-up operations and will impose sanctions in the event of failure of the contractor to do the job.

Meanwhile, the more than a thousand families from the affected barangay in Estancia have already been fully evacuated and are supported by the Iloilo Provincial Government, some of them hired to help in the minor clean-up activities in order to earn some amount to augment daily needs.

(JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

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Shell... from page 1

products like “mogas (motor gasoline), diesel and even probably jet fuel.”

Currently, Pilipinas Shell facility at the Cagayan de Oro port serves the fuel requirements in the region.

The port, owned and operated by the Philippine Por ts Authority (PPA), meanwhile, has been almost idle the past couple of years after most of its cargoes shifted to nearby Mindanao Container Terminal run by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. “ T h i s i s a wel c ome development for PPA,” PPA General Manager Juan C. Sta. Ana said. “PSPC already made a presentation to the Board and we are now just finetuning their rental rates and the length of the contract.”

“PSPC is looking at Cagayan not just as a support investment but a major facility as they are planning to bring in import products directly to Cagayan de Oro and distribute it from there as they expect their Batangas production to be short to support the fuel needs of the country by 2016,” Sta. Ana added.

PSPC, for its part, said the new investment will guarantee the smooth and enough fuel supply within the country by 2016.

“If the Batangas refinery is inaccessible, the rest of the country will suffer, but by putting another hub in Mindanao, PSPC will be able to secure the fuel requirement of the region,” PSPC said in its presentation to the PPA Board.

Based on the plan, PSPC will upgrade and invest the amenities and convert it into an airport-like facility as well as refurbish their crane facility into a MR import capable facility. PSPC also wants a continued access to berths 11 and 13, which they are currently using and is likewise proposing a long-term lease of about 7,400 square meters in the waterfront area to allow them to put their equipment as well as for their pipeline system.

The structures to be built will be movable and will hot hamper future expansion in the area considering that the designated berthing for passenger vessels is about 300 meters away.

In terms of port development, PSPC is willing to put up about P180 million to improve some parts of the port and some P140 million to improve and install the firefighting capabilities, l i g ht i ng , b e r t h i ng and security systems, including the upgrading of the fenders where they will be berthing their vessels.

The PPA, meanwhile, will greatly benefit from the new investment with the expected increases in leases, port dues and wharfage fees when the facilities become operational by 2016 from the current P1.8 million per annum to about P32 million per annum and

projected to increase steadily as fuel growth in Mindanao is expected to be significant.

A couple of days ago, Pilipinas Shell donated about P6 million worth of fuel to be used at the Tacloban port or about P1 million a month to sustain the operation of the port for at least six months.

The agency has likewise sponsored a training program for PPA employees on cargo handling, maritime safety and environmental protection.

–with PR

for up to three years with a survival rate of at least 80%.

F u r t h e r, t h e M O A states that there should be monitoring and reporting established by a third party that is Global Positioning System (GPS) based. This should be certified or crossverified by the academe, nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and local government units (LGUs) and to be reported with DENR Forest Management Bureau (FMB) Central Office.

from page 1

from page 1

Napocor...

will result in an additional 60 megawatts of capacity to the Mindanao grid.

The project will also prevent the overflow of the Agus River, thus averting potential damage to the crops in the lowlands.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) 52nd Engineering Brigade began the Baloi flood control project in 2003, but suspended it in 2008 after failing to secure endorsement by the Baloi.

After a series of dialogues with Baloi, Napocor, and the Departments of Energy (DOE) and of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the parties agreed to come up with a memorandum of agreement that will facilitate i mpl e ment at i on of t he project.

NGCP... from page 1

Julia W. Echavez, NGCP’s reforestation program covers a total of 138 hectares of land area and budget allocation worth P7.8M. These areas are hosting their two transmission line projects, Kibawe-Davao 138 KV rerouting project and Kirahon-Maramag KV project.

The Kibawe-Davao 138 KV transmission line rerouting project which was commissioned on September 18, 2012, traversed private lands in Barangays Marapangi, Natulongan and Balintawak in the municipality of Kibawe, Bukidnon.

Meanwhile, the KirahonMaramag 230 KV transmission line which is targeted to commission this month will traverse municipalities of Villanueva and Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental, Sumilao, Manolo Fortich, Impasugong, Maramag, Malaybalay, Valencia and Lantapan in Bukidnon.

According to Echavez, this reforestation project aims not only to protect and preserve the environment, but also as source of livelihood to local farmers such as in planting rubber trees and so on. This should also contribute to poverty alleviation, food security and climate change adaptation, she said.

According to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in compliance to the condition no. 7 of the Special Tree Cutting permits, they need to plant 100 indigenous seedlings to replace each tree cut and should have maintenance of the same

11

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Mining...

The national government, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government ( D I L G ) h a d c ont e s t e d such provision, citing it contravenes with Republic Act 7492 or the Philippine Mining Act that allows openpit mining.

“We need to revisit and refine the code to answer its legal questions. There’s the pending question of ultra vires or whether we had gone beyond our authority in passing the code that must be settled once and for all,” Diel said in a media forum.

The vice governor said the code’s critics had raised jurisprudence and even court decisions that questioned the legality of the open-pit ban.

She said there were also the Supreme Court principle that sets the capacity or the power of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to legislate vis-à-vis a national law or a policy.

“We should have decided on these matters before and answered all issues that were raised squarely,” Diel said.

Aside from the open-pit ban provision, the official said the review will cover several other provisions that need to be updated and enhanced.

She specifically noted portions of the code that dwell on the measures addressing concerns on climate change and related issues.

“We should refine our policy on environmental protection and include in the code some measures that will address the foreseen effects of climate change in the province,” she said.

As to the code’s mandatory review provision after five years of implementation, Diel said such is not absolute based on the principle of lawmaking that legislative bodies cannot pass laws that cannot be repealed.

She pointed out that laws are dynamic in nature and no timetable should be set with regards to its updating or fine-tuning.

“The Constitution has even set provisions on how it can be amended so that principle should apply to local ordinances as well,” she said.

The national government, business groups and several g ov e r n m e nt a n d n o n government agencies had opposed the inclusion of the ban in the environment code

and called for its immediate review and amendment.

The pre vious s et of Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial board members initiated in 2011 an initial review of the code but eventually called it off late 2012.

Foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), which has been working on largescale copper and gold mining project in the hinterlands of Tampakan town in South Cotabato, had signified to utilize the open-pit method for its US$5.9-billion venture.

In August, SMI’s parent f i r m G l e n c ore X s t r at a announced a major downsizing of its spending and overall operations, leading to the reduction of 85 percent of its work force or equivalent to 920 jobs.

In December last year, the company announced that it was moving the target date to start its commercial operations by three years or to 2019 due to problems with regulatory and community approvals, among them the open-pit mining ban.

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Landbank... from page 5

State University (CLSU), Visayas State University, University of S outhern Mindanao, and C entral Mindanao State University.

“We are confident that the program will help more you ng F i l ipi no s f i n i sh their education and go into agribusiness. We expect that this program will produce promising individuals who will contribute to the growth of our economy through agriculture and agri-preneurship,” Landbank president Gilda Pico said.

Agriculture hardly grew at 0.3 percent on account of 10 tropical storms that entered the Philippines in the July to September period that undermined farm production.

Landbank had P280 billion worth of loans outstanding in the January to September period, higher than the P241.9 billion in the same nine months of last year.

Its net income rose 36 percent to P10.4 billion from P7.6 billion in the same nine months last year.

The bank ascribed the improvement to the increase in its investment income to P19 billion from last year’s P11 billion on the back of active trading activity.

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