BusinessWeek Mindanao (February 15, 2016)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

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YOUR Mindanao-wide BUSINESS paper

Volume VI, No. 099

Market Indicators

As of 6:10 pm February 12, 2016 (friday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P47.567

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13.6 cents

X

8.98

X

points

Briefly Peace efforts THE Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), together with the various peace structures working under the Bangsamoro peace process, are meeting in the city to re-assess means of moving forward in light of the 16th Congress’ failure to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) before it adjourned last week.

“Today could have been a much happier occasion, if only we had the law that would have moved our road map forward in leaps and bounds,” GPH chief negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said. “But we do not have the law – yet. Despite the extraordinary efforts of our teams and all the other tireless peace advocates and congressional allies who traveled with us in this difficult journey of a thousand miles, we saw the session days in Congress wither away, without a BBL in sight.”

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have recessed last February 5 up until after the May 9 national and local elections without passing the BBL. The proposed law would have established a strong autonomous regional parliamentary government that would replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

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By JUZEL L. DANGANAN, Philippine News Agency

P

OWER-grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said Friday has asked the Regional Trial Court in Marawi City to restrain Sambitory family from refusing entry of NGCP and its representatives to Tower 25 in Lanao del Sur.

In a statement Friday, the grid operator bared the filing of civil case against the Sambitory family, praying

for issuance of a Writ of Preliminary Injunction or Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against what it claimed

as uncooperative landowner.

The tower was bombed last Dec. 24 and affected Mindanao’s power supply, as it carried the Agus 2-Kibawe 138-kilovolt (kV) line. It links the Agus 1 and Agus 2 hydropower plants to the grid.

NGCP noted the denial of access hampers it from performing its mandate to repair and ensure the stability ngcp/PAGE 7

One of fallen NGCP towers bombed by lawless elements. photo by ferdinandh cabrera, mindanews

Two Mindanao regions post P366-B investments in 2015 THE Board of Investments (B OI) repor ted a P366 billion-worth of investments cornered by regions 11 and 12 last year.

Gil Dureza, BOI chief of investments for Regions 11 and 12, said there was an increase in investments investments/PAGE 7

Banana growers lash at group over aerial spraying

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

ComVal tourism COMPOSTELA Valley -- The Provincial government under Gov. Arturo Uy through the Tourism Office projects high potential for tourism and investment in Compostela Valley.

The office based its optimism on the annual growth of the industry since Governor Arturo T. Uy assumed office in 2007. It is seen as one of the major economic drivers in the province with various eco-tourism destinations such as beaches, caves, waterfalls, hot and cold springs, and vast mountain ranges.

“We strengthen our tourism promotion and marketing program by organizing our resorts industry, holding highland and coastal tourism activities, promoting our destination sites, and enacting our 2014-2019 Tourism Investment Development Plan,” said Tourism Officer Christine T. Dompor.

P15.00

NGCP sues landowner who bars tower repair www.businessweekmindanao.com

THE Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) hit an environment group for “recycling” issues against

the use of aerial spraying in banana plantations without “scientific basis.”

Reacting to reports on spraying/PAGE 7

CHILD’S PLAY. A boy happily dips in the exposed drain along CM Recto Avenue in front of Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) campus Friday. photo by mark francisco

Mindanao can overcome challenges: MinDA MINDANAO always has what it takes to emerge from challenges, according to Mindanao Development Authority chair Luwalhati Antonino in a statement over the weekend.

“There is no island-region in the Philippines more intensely challenged then and now than Mindanao, but its resiliency always allows it to make headways at every turn,” said Antonino, head

of Malacanang’s think tank in the south.

T he Mi n DA chai r issued the statement amid perceptions of uncertainty arising from recent realities minda/PAGE 7

Aerial spraying of a banana plantation in Davao province.

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Task force, association to Feature: relocate 53 Badjao families SOME 53 Badjao families who temporarily lived in Tabaco, barangay Puntod in Cagayan de Oro City will soon be transferred to a new and comfortable place where they call their own.

The Badjao families’ relo c at ion at b arangay

Bayabas is an initiative of the Badjao Task Force (BTF) and Psychosocial Association of the Philippines (PSAP) led

by Merlie Adaza.

The present area where the Badjao families live is not a suitable place for dwelling as relocate/PAGE 7

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Pantawid opens opportunities to grantee, now a teacher CAMIGUIN -- A beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) is now a part time teacher of the state-run college in the province of Camiguin.

Maria Melina Rodriguez, 30, of sitio Tapon, Poblacion, Mambajao here handles Science subjects of Camiguin Polytechnic State College.

Rodriguez, who has three children, claimed she was unemployed when she and her family where placed under Pantawid Pamilya under Set 7 implementation.

Demolished Rodriguez used to live in sitio Balintawak, Poblacion, Mamabajao town. But, in

Rodriguez said.

The FDS is a monthly session where the partnerbeneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya are required to attend as part of their coresponsibilities. Through the FDS, parent/s or guardians are educated about personality development which includes proper grooming and hyg iene; st rengt hening family relationships; and fostering respect by inculcating one’s rights, roles, and responsibilities within the family and their community. Parents also discuss disaster preparedness, financial literacy, and other topics that may be helpful to the family.

2004, her house was one of the units that were demolished and eventually drove them away to sitio Tapon.

At first, she rented a house.

Later, she built her own house near to her parents.

As a beneficiary, she learned from the Family Development Session (FDS) the importance of preparing for the brighter future of her children.

As it is, Rodriguez claimed she exerted more efforts to find a job.

“I was not really concerned before that, but, because of the FDS, I learned the importance of providing their needs, aside from maintaining good relationship with them,”

More opportunities Rodriguez passed the LET examination in 2008 before she became a beneficiary of the program.

Knowing her low selfesteem, Rodriguez decided not to apply at the Department of Education. She focused on rearing her children after her marriage in 2004.

Also, she was engaged with activities in her community and availed of the programs and services ofthe Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other national government agencies.

Rodriguez enrolled and finished Front Office Services pantawid/PAGE 6

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Give peace a chance!

I am a real peace-loving person. I am always looking for peaceful solutions. I support peace conferences and peace talks. Living at peace and freedom - a desire of millions of people worldwide. Making one’s peace with the world - also a desire of millions of people worldwide!

Reality looks ver y different as we all know.

But the yesterday’s Munich deal in Germany represents a glimmer of hope for Syria.

The deal for a cessation of h o s t i l it i e s i s v ag u e but also the best hope to end the carnage in Syria.

Regardless of whether the agreement becomes reality, one countr y has shown its strength, commented German National Television columnist Michael Knigge.

Major powers, led by the United States and Russia, agreed to end hostilities in Syria and allow humanitarian access to besieged areas of the country. But, as diplomats said Friday (yesterday - I write this piece on February 13, 2016!), whether the deal holds is still wide open.

Going into the Syria talks, US Secretary of State John Kerry had demanded an immediate ceasefire while his German colleague Frank-

Wa lter Steinmeier had hoped for a breakthrough.

What come out of t he negotiations, which lasted far longer than expected, was neither. Instead the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) agreed to humanitarian access to besieged areas this week and to work out “modalities” for a “nationwide cessation of hostilities” within one week. The latter is the job of a newly formed taskforce jointly led by the United States and Russia.

If this sounds rather vague, that is because it is.

The details of how all of this is supposed to happen within such a short time are still sketchy at best. As is the term “cessation of hostilities,” a much less defined concept than ceasefire, as Kerr y himself acknowledged, says also Michael Knigge, who covers transatlantic relations.

The big remaining problem is when - and if Russia - will halt its airstrikes, for instance those taking place around Aleppo. An end to bombing will prove to be a key condition to allowing humanitarian aid to be delivered to suffering civilian populations around the country. What’s more, even if this deal can be

translated into reality on the ground, it does not mean, as we have seen in the Ukraine conflict, that it will hold for long or that a sustainable political solution will be reached. In addition, an end of hostilities simply freezes the conflict - and the current power constellation on the ground. That’s an unsavory prospect considering not only Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad but also most other actors in the country.

But even having said all that, the tenuous agreement reached Friday is still the best and only deal around when it comes to trying to end the carnage in Syria. Given the current geopolitical circumstances surrounding the Syrian conflict - with a reluctant US providing ample space that an assertive Russia has been eager to fill - the deal hammered out in a late night session looks like the most realistic option for success.

Whether what has been put on paper will became reality, one party has already scored a big point in Munich: Russia.

By co-chairing the task force on ending hostilities together with Washington, the Kremlin has achieved what it has always wanted,

H ave M y Say

Klaus Doring

namely being perceived as an equal to the United States on the international stage, at least when it comes to Syria.

Judging from the outcome of the talks, Washington has accepted that status.

Let’s hope for the sake of the Syrian people that it is a price worth paying.

Give peace a chance! Let’s give each other freedom from war, disturbance, or hostilities! Reflect for a moment. Matthew 5:19 says, “ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God! +++ Email: dor ingklau s@ gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

The love letters of Elpidio Quirino

Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Just a spoonful Think a minute…In 1919, just after World War I, the cholera disease broke out all over Europe killing many thousands of people. The British government sent doctors all over the world to find a cure for cholera. These doctors later came back and said that the Chinese did not get cholera because they boiled their water before they used it. Soon all the radios and newspapers in England were telling everyone to boil their water before they drink it. They even sent this message to the Pacific Islands since they had British soldiers there. Yet later, they heard that the cholera disease had still broken out in the islands killing many thousands of Islanders. The British leaders questioned the people in the island villages and asked them if they were boiling their water?

The Islanders answered yes, they definitely were boiling their water to drink.

But this is how they did it. They boiled just a small amount of water and put it in a bottle. Then only once or twice a day, they would get the bottle and drink a small teaspoon of the boiled water, like taking medicine. Then they would put the bottle away again and the rest of the day they drank unboiled, dirty water. No wonder people still

Opinion

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THINK

A Minute

Jhan Tiafau Hurst got cholera and died!

Yet many of us do that with Jesus Christ. We don’t want to live Jesus’ way every day, so we go to church one day a week to feel better about ourselves.

Then we go back to living our own way the other 6 days of the week. Or, if we’re not religious church people, we think that if we’re a good, kind person, then God will accept us into heaven after we die.

But just like 1 teaspoon of clean water a day will not keep you healthy, only 1 day a week of living for Jesus Christ, or just trying to be a good person, is not even close to our Maker’s standard of pure goodness. The only kind of goodness God can live together with is perfect, pure goodness of all our thoughts, motives, words, and actions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Think a Minute…

Long before email, facebook, twitter and instagram, our lolos and lolas communicated via snail mail. Letters and postcards sent across the oceans took months to deliver. Of course, local mails were delivered much faster but never, as today, at the speed of light.

The bulk of the mail for delivery within Luzon was carried by trains of the Philippine National Railways and the rest of the way by buses.

Young readers may not believe it. But back in the 1920s, we had an efficient rail system (which doubled as mail carrier) that ran from Manila to Pangasinan and years later from Manila to Bicol.

Visayas- and Mindanaobound mail were carried by inter-island ships.

L ong b efore inst ant messaging, very short and urgent messages were sent via telegram.

Letters and telegrams were finally delivered to their intended recipients by uniformed carteros.

In the 1920s, Filipinos were already schooled in English. But most citizens, natural-born or otherwise, still preferred to speak and write in Spanish. A husband would thus write to his wife as “Mi Querida (..Name)”. I am not sure if a husband can do that now and get away with it.

That was the situation in the Philippines in the 1920s wherein Elpidio Quirino

found himself.

Quirino would rise to become the 6th President of the Philippines. But back then, he was a struggling young lawyer in Manila. He had to temporarily leave behind his very young bride (barely 17) and his young son to seek his fortune in the big city. In a sense, Quirino was very much like a lonely OFW. His wife Alicia - scion of the very wealthy Syquia family – stayed behind in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Once, or at most twice a month, Quirino would visit Vigan.

They had a whirlwind courtship if you can call it that. According to one anecdote, Quirino was in the house of the Syquias one evening when all of a sudden the lights went out. When the lights were restored, Quirino and Alicia were found in each other’s arms.

To cut a long story short, Elpidio and Alicia were married soon after. But Quirino had to leave shortly for Manila. Separated by distance, Elpidio and Alicia began a “proper courtship” through letters.

The newly-published book “ Elpidio and Alicia – The Love Letters “ (written by Rene E. Guatlo and published by the President Elpidio Quirino Foundation and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines) is a very interesting read.

It incorporates texts of the letters of the Elpidio and Alicia to one another. They

were translated from the original Spanish by Conchita Razon.

Through the letters, one could feel the love, during difficult times, of Alicia and Elpidio for each other.

Very much felt was the pain of their involuntary separation. The letters not only touched on family life but even mundane matters such as problems of a new law office, politics, price of tobacco, request for pasalubongs, hospitalization of a relative, sales at the Ilocos Sur Pavilion, etc.

Two years into their marriage, Alicia turned 18.

On that day (October 20, 1924) Elpidio wrote: “ Today is your birthday.

I deeply regret that my duties here have prevented me from joining in the celebration of your coming of age and gaining your complete independence.

“I expected to touch your fresh young cheeks with my kisses, your last kisses as a minor.

Yes, Alicia, you are a woman now, respectable and respected. On this day, you begin a life that is broader and more sober than you have known, with a more complex and nurtured sense of responsibility.”

On one New Year’s Eve, (December 31, 1925) Elpidio wrote: “My dearest Alicia, “Now I am alone at home while the whole world makes noise on the streets at this moment because it is

SPEAKING

O ut

Ignacio Bunye midnight and the New Year has arrived. This is when I long to be with my children and you, all of us together.

That would such a wonderful beginning of year for us. We would start the year kissing one another, the four of us.“ On another lonely night (August 24, 1926), Elpidio wrote: “I am extremely eager to see you and kiss the children.

Last night, in my nostalgia, and even after dinner, I had to go bowling just to get my mind off these things. A house without the wife and children, even when it has everything one needs cannot be a happy home. I need to have you with me.”

Letters were exchanged between Alicia and Elpidio.

But they could very well have told, as author Rene Guatlo wrote , “the story of every Filipino living in their times – facing the difficulties of the day, yet looking forward to the future – a bright and promising era of plenty, and love and happiness.” bunye/PAGE 6

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Aboitiz Group allots P58.4B capex in 2016 Bulk allocated for power generation projects

H

IGH hopes on promising growth prospects for the year led Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) to allocate Php58.4 billion in capital expenditure (capex) in 2016, bulk of which will be used for its power expansion projects.

“Each of our businesses has the potential for higher financial return and growth, as well as sufficient scale and capability to deliver long-term value for all our

stakeholders,” said AEV President and CEO Erramon Aboitiz.

Comprising about 75% of the Group’s business, Ab oit i z Powe r c ap e x i s pegged at P52 billion for the year and remains committed, along with its partners, to increase total capacity to 4,000 MW by 2020.

AboitizPower aims to launch its first solar power project in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental within the first quarter of 2016.

L a s t J a n u a r y, i t inaugurated the 300-MW Therma South, Inc. baseload plant in Davao, providing the much-needed capacity to the Mindanao Grid.

Unit 1 started operations in S eptemb er last ye ar while Unit 2 started full commercial operations last Tuesday.

Other ongoing construction projects include the 68-MW Manolo Fortich hydropower plant i n B u k i d n on , 8 . 5 - M W

hydropower plant in Isabela, 300-MW Therma Visayas baseload plant in Cebu, and the 400-MW Pagbilao III expansion in Quezon Province.

Ab oit izPower a ls o identified roughly 200MW of potential run of river power projects located across the archipelago for the next five years.

M e a n w h i l e , A E V ’s b an k i n g an d f i n an c i a l ser vices companies will have a combined capex of

P968 million – P871 million allocation for UnionBank’s initiatives geared to push growth in customer businesses supported by loan expansion, P97 million for its newest remittance business PETNET for its branch network expansion, and full-blown execution of the loan origination program on behalf of CitySavings Bank.

The Group’s food unit Pilmico is expanding its customer reach in ASEAN

while diversifying operations in the country. To this end, it has allocated P2.3 billion for the year in support of various initiatives for its f lour, feeds, and farms divisions, as well as pursuing opportunities in the region.

O n t he ot he r hand, AboitizLand is spending P2.7 billion to acquire more industrial and residential land, as it continues to expand its business outside of C ebu, and onto t he national arena.

AUTOMOTIVE firm Ford Philippines is gearing for faster expansion this year to sustain its growth, which has gone to a record level during the month of January.

A statement showed t hat t he c omp any w as able to extend its positive performance up to month of January, recording an all-time high monthly performance after it sold 2,459 car units, a jump of 50 percent compared to the same period last year.

As a result, Ford Philippines plans to continue the expansion of its nationwide dealer network to support its ongoing growth

and fast-growing customer base.

“Ford plans to continue enhancing its customer and ownership experience across the country this year.

This includes the official inauguration of Ford Marilao in Bulacan later this month as it further expands its authorized dealer network to even more key locations across the Philippines,” the company said.

F o r d ’s January performance in the Philippines was led by the allnew Everest, which delivered retail sales of 1,144 units, the second highest total ever for

the nameplate.

“It’s a fantastic start to 2016, and we’re extremely proud of how the Ford brand continues to connect with our fast-growing base of Filipino customers,” said Lance Mosley, managing director of Ford Philippines.

The EcoSport compact SUV continued as one of Ford’s top-selling models in the Philippines with January sales of 551 units. Built on Ford’s global B-segment platform, the EcoSport continues to delight customers with its combination of small-car practicality and agility of an expansion/PAGE 6

DRIVEN by solid growth in data consumption and the consolidated performance of Bayan Telecommunications, Inc. (Bayan), Globe Telecom, Inc. posted its highest fullyear consolidated service revenues yet, P113.7 billion, 15% higher than the same period in 2014.

The telco netted P16.5billion earnings, 23% higher, driven by Earnings Before Income Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) growth, with lower nonoperating expenses.

EBITDA for the full year of 2015 was P45.8 billion,

up 17% from a year ago.

EBITDA margin was at 40%, at par with the previous year’s margin.

Excluding the impact of Bayan’s results for the last two quarters of the year, consolidated EBITDA for the year would have reached P44.8 billion, still 14% more than the previous year.

The growth in net income was also aided by one-time gains coming from the sale of 51% equity stake in Yondu, Inc. (“Yondu”) and the acquisition of a 98.6% stake in Bayan.

Globe’s core net income

likewise grew by 4% yearon-year to P15.1 billion from P14.5 billion in 2014.

Excluding Bayan’s results, Globe’s net income and core net income as of endDecember of 2015 still grew robustly by 22% and 5%, respectively, compared to 2014.

Globe cited the robust subscriber growth for both mobile and broadband as well as increasing demand for mobile data and highspeed Internet connectivity for consumer and corporate clients, for its “continued globe/PAGE 6

Ford pursues PH expansion after record January sales

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Globe earns P16.5B, up 23%

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Pantawid... from page 2

NC II and Cookery NC II in 2010 at the TESDA-accredited technical institution, Camiguin School of Arts and Trade in 2010.

T he f re e vo c at i ona l course, she said, had been instrumental in developing her self-confidence.

Through the Sustainable Livelihood Program, she claimed that she was able to hone her skills.

“SLP and Pantawid were a blessing to me. Imagine, I had nothing at first. Now, I survived my family alone because of these programs,” said Rodriguez, who was surviving her children alone until recently when she found her new partner.

“More than the financial help, t he prog ram has improved my knowledge and capacitated me to fully develop my potentials through the trainings I attended,” she added.

Health benefits Rodriguez recalled that bringing her children to the hospital for medication had been a nightmare to her because of the hospital bill and cost of medicines.

Now, she is not afraid of bringing her children to the hospital because it’s free.

“I feel we are loved by the government because of the zero billing policy,” she said in vernacular.

Rodriguez hoped that beneficiaries like her will religiously follow their co-responsibilities of the program.

Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program that invests in the health and education of poor households’ primary of children aged 0-18.

It utilizes the conditional cash transfer scheme where the partner-beneficiaries receive their grants provided that they fulfill their coresponsibilities, including sending their children to school, availing of health ser vices, and attending the monthly FDS.(Oliver B.Inodeo/DSWD/PIA10)

Bunye... from page 4

Elpidio Quirino went on to become congressman, senator, department secretary, Vice President and President.

The Quirino years spanned t h e p e r i o d w h i c h s aw post-war rebuilding of the country, the establishment of the foreign service, the establishment of the Central Bank and the strengthening of the education system.

Alicia did not live long

enough to see Quirino ascend to the Presidency. She and three of her children were killed by the Japanese during the Battle for Manila.

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

Expansion... from page 5

SUV. Strong demand for the class-defining Ranger pickup, the second best-selling pickup truck in the Philippines last year, also helped the company achieve additional retail sales of 543 units.

Ford Philippines’ lineup of North American SUVs available in the Philippines also contributed to the strong start to the year, including the premium Explorer which delivered sales of 95 units, while the sporty Ford Fiesta delivered sales of 71 units, The iconic Mustang, equipped with either a V8 5.0L or EcoBoost 2.3L variants engine, delivered January sales of 10 units.

Ford Philippines is the local subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, a global automotive and mobility firm based in Dearborn, Michigan.

Wit h ab out 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s

core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles.

Globe... from page 5

success.”

Even excluding Bayan’s re venues in the s econd h a l f o f 2 0 1 5 , G l o b e’s consolidated ser vice revenues grew to P110.8 billion, up a solid 12% from the same period last year.

Mobile revenues grew by 9% year-on-year, reaching P85.1 billion in 2015 from the P78.1 billion reported a year ago, driven by strong revenues across all mobile brands.

Globe Postpaid revenues posted a 7% growth from the same period of 2014 with its continued leadership in this segment as evidenced by the significant customer base expansion year-on-year boosted by the strong take up of the new myLifestyle Plans.

T M , t h e C o mp a ny ’s mass-market brand, likewise increased revenues by 14% year-on-year while Globe Prepaid revenues posted a solid growth of 8%.

At the end of December, 2 0 1 5 , G l o b e’s m o b i l e subscriber base fur ther breached the 50-million milestone, reaching 52.9 million, up 20% from the 4 4 m i l l i on s u b s c r i b e r s reported in 2014, driven by the record-level gross acquisitions during the year and lower churn rates in both prepaid brands.

The sustained upsurge in mobile data revenues led to the mobile business’ continued growth trajectory.

Mo bi l e d at a s e r v i c e revenues reached P22.1 billion in 2015, 55% higher t h an t h e P 1 4 . 3 bi l l i on rep or ted a year ago, as Globe continues to be the brand of choice for the Filipinos’ digital lifestyles.

T h i s w a s d r i v e n by sust aine d improvement i n t h e C o mp a ny ’s 3 G , HSPA+ and LTE networks,

and various data product launches and promotions throughout the year, such as Free FB + Viber with prepaid & Gosurf promos, Spotify with free games and FB and GoSurf offers with bigger data volume allocation and free games.

To c o mp l e m e nt t h e g row t h i n mobi l e d at a s e r v i c e s , m o bi l e v oi c e i n c re a s e d 6 % ye ar- on -

year, despite the challenges posted by the declining international voice business, partially offsetting the 10% decline in SMS revenues.

T h e G l o b e G r o u p’s broadband business, which now includes Bayan, likewise sustained its g rowt h momentum, increasing both in revenues and subscriber base by 38% and 55% respectively.

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NGCP... from page 1

the country’s transmission facilities.

The transmission firm further said the situation would likely lead to a power supply shortage, which could lead to massive blackouts and power interruptions.

The grid operator bared the Sambitorys’ demanded a payment of P40 million from the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) for the rightof-way (ROW) to the area.

It also stressed it is prepared to repair the tower after access is granted.

NGCP also warned the bombings and ROW violations might affect the power supply deficiency for the 2016 local and national elections.

The power company is a consortium of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., Calaca High Power Corp. and the State Grid Corp. of China.

(PNA)

Investments... from page 1

value last year with the entry of Enfinity Philippines for renewable energy for the development of 33.56 megawatts solar power project in Digos, Davao del Sur. The total investments last year was about 3.38 percent higher than that of 2014 when the registered total investments was at P354 billion.

In an inter view with Dureza at Habi at Kape in Abreeza Mall, it was learned that that there were 15 listed projects last year some of which already went on commercial operations while others expanded their existing businesses.

He said the projects were of mixed categories from real estate to manufacturing, transportation and storage, accommodation and food service.

Among the investors listed under real estate were Davao Joyful Homes Realty Corporation, J o h n d o r f Ve n t u r e s C orporation, Mountain Haven Development, Inc., Communities Pampanga, Inc., Filinvest Land Inc., and 8990 Housing Development Corporation.

One ICT project was listed under Cybercity Teleservices (Phils), Inc. with a capacity of 2,012 employees.

Under manufacturing, the players were Starbridge Global Corporation an export producer of wood pellets, C on s o l i d at e d P l y w o o d Industries, Inc., producer of wood products, decking, T&G flooring and pallets parts, Palm Asia Milling Corporation, production of crude palm oil, palm kernel oil, and by-product palm kernel oil, Sammito Packaging Corporation, export producer of plastic products, vacuum packs and poly bags.

Another project in the list was on transportation and storage with Panabo Trucking Ser vices, Inc.

expanding as provider of logistics services to exporters thru bulk handling and cold storage while the Filsure Enterprise Corporation will be on marketing of liquified petroleum gas (Sure Gas and LPG Bottling Plant).

The Gohotels Davao, Inc. with type of product on accommodations and food services activities will operate its new hotel in Lanang, tis city with 198 rooms.

On t he ot her hand, Dureza said the foreign direct investments (FDI) contributed to the rise in investments value. He said 61 percent of the investments were on FDI mostly on Business Process Outsourcing and the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector, which has become a top priority industry.

In the Philippines, he said among the top 5 countries that engaged in FDI were India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan.

As this developed, he said they will again be talking to Makati based big BPO companies this year. “But we will do it on a one-on-one discussion with big BPOs already operating in Metro Manila,” he added.

He said their first session with the CEOs last year was of a general presentation about Davao’s resources including available spaces in the city where they could possibly locate through the Ciudades Eco-Zone.

“This time we will do it one-on-one and go to specifics and details and if we could get at least 5 of the 20 that we are targeting during the Makati talk this quarter it would already be a good batting average,” he said. (PNA)

Spraying... from page 1

Friday, PBGEA executive director Stephen Antig said the issues hurled against the banana industry were not new, as the groups opposing it have been recycling issues to attack the industry.

Last Monday, Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (MAAS) president Dagohoy Magaway appealed to the Supreme Court to decide on the seven year-old case involving an ordinance banning aerial spraying in Davao City.

Magaway issue d t he appeal after receiving reports that large banana companies in the city were using planes to spray fungicides on their plantations.

“We appeal to the Supreme Court to treat this as urgent,” he said.

He claimed the chemicals have also affected the health of the residents living near these banana plantations in Calinan, Brgy. Dacudao, and Callawa in Buhangin.

He said there are banana companies that have discarded aerial spraying like in Toril, Baguio, and Marilog.

“If these companies are able to do away with aerial

spraying, why can’t others do it?,” he said.

In 2007, the city council passed Ordinance 0309-07, a measure known as “An ordinance Banning Aerial Spraying Practice in all Agriculture Entities in Davao City.”

In 2009, the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a petition filed by banana growers to declare t he ordinance unlawful.

Mag aw ay s ai d s ome farmers noted a 60-percent reduction in their yields on some crops allegedly due to the chemicals used by the banana companies.

In their farm in Calinan, he said some of the banana plantations have gone to elevated areas, and the chemicals they use would go down and and affect their crops such as cacao and coconut.

‘Let SC decide’ Asked to comment, Antig said: “We cannot talk about that… It’s already there. Let the Supreme Court decide.”

“Dili na nato samukon.

Magpa-abot na lang ta og decision (Let’s not disturb the proceeding. Let’s just wait for the decision,” he said.

But the PBGEA official refuted claims that aerial spraying has caused health problems and reduced the productivity of the farmers near the plantations.

He s ai d t h e G l o b a l Positioning System device installed on the aircraft makes the spraying more targeted, removing the risk that the chemicals may drift towards the direction of the nearby communities.

“Our planes are equipped with GPS, a mechanism that will open and shut off when near the buffer zones,” he said.

He added they don’t want to waste investment on agricultural chemicals, saying that it will cost the company about P100,000 per hectare a year.

“How can you afford to waste such money?” he said.

Antig added the allegations of some farmers that the use of banana oil to make the chemicals more adherent to bananas reduces the productivity of the nearby crops.

He said the oil would melt away when exposed to the extreme heat of the sun.

He also said that the suggestion of Department of Agriculture to use drones instead of agricultural aircraft will incur more costs on the part of the big companies and will take more time.

An agricultural aircraft would cover 200 hectares per hour while a drone would cover only 2.2 has per hour, he said.

PBGEA has 27 company members, covering 40,000 has. of the 83,000 has. planted to bananas in Mindanao.

Banana exporters produced 85,324,491 boxes from January to September 2015, or 5.35-percent lower compared to 90,147,480 boxes for the same period in 2014.

MinDA... from page 1

affecting Mindanao, which a major national broadsheet’s recent editorial has cited as “series of unfortunate events.”

Among the pressing concerns it said that confront the island include impact on the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, rotating brownouts caused by transmission-related problems and low hydropower output due to El Nino, which is also wrecking havoc on Mindanao’s agricultural yield.

“We recognize these challenges as affecting our dogged efforts to accelerate M i n d a n a o’s o v e r a l l socioeconomic growth, but are in no way keeping us out of focus,” Antonino stressed.

She said that despite the impasse on the BBL, there is a demonstration of commitment from various stakeholders to pursue lasting peace, in which everyone can move forward for sustained development.

“What is important is we find means to interface and coordinate on development initiatives, including private sector investments so as not to derail delivery of benefits especially to conflict-affected communities,” she added.

According to MinDA, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) posted sustained investment growth in the last three years of the Aquino administration, with P1.4 billion in 2013 and doubled to P3.86 billion in 2014.

“ARMM investments are on the upswing, jumping 60 percent growth last year at P6.5 billion pesos inflows from bigticket investments,” according to Atty. Ishak Mastura, chair of ARMM Regional Board of Investments.

On the power situation, Antonino said a Task Force was created recently by President Aquino to address long term security of transmission assets in Mindanao, and complement ongoing government and private sector efforts to improve the power supply situation.

“Addressing the Mindanao power situation through long-term measures is a demonstration of President Noy Aquino’s commitment, such as allocating nearly P4 billion for Agus-Pulangi rehab.

No administration has ever invested this much to make Mindanao’s cheapest source of renewable energy reliable again,” Antonino pointed out.

Wi t h t h e e x p e c t e d completion of initial phases of several baseload power plants this year having combined capacity of over 600MW, the Department of Energy expects Mindanao to enter into a regime of supply excess for the first time since 2009.

While conceding that E l Nino w i l l cer t ain ly have significant impact on Mindanao’s agriculture output, MinDA said the island’s diversified economic makeup keeps the region moving along growth path.

In 2015, six Mindanao provinces made it to the top

10 of the 2015 Cities and Municipalities Competitive Ind e x of t he Nat i ona l Competitiveness Council (NCC), reflecting economic dynamism, government efficiency, and infrastructure growth.

Under the Mindanao Development Corridors Program being coordinated

by MinDA, Mindanao has able to get between 25-30 percent of national public works budget over the last three years, reflecting a steady hike in Aquino government’s infra spending for the region.

M i n d a n a o ’ s competitiveness is also seen playing a critical role in its contribution to the national growth. The island’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) has many times outperformed national average.

Its economy grew by 7.4 percent last year, from 6.3 percent recorded in 2014, and contributed 14.4 percent to country’s overall growth.

“Mindanao’s real progress is hinged on the unity of all its peoples, amid diversity,” Antonino said. (MinDA/PIACaraga)

7

2014 ppi’S Best in ENVIRONMENTAL Reporting

Relocate... from page 2

it is located near the seaport.

For her part, Sorayma Aralpani, who represented the Badjao community, is very thankful to the local government unit and PSAP for addressing their sad plight.

The Badjaos are the usual beneficiaries of PSAP’s activities like gift-giving last Christmas, values formation, feeding program and many others.

In addition, some 16 Badjao unmarried couples will tie the knot on February 13 in a mass we dding ceremony through Badjao rituals at Sonresa Beach in Bayabas, this city. (CIO/ PIA10)

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region BRANCH 26 Medina, Misamis Oriental IN RE: CHANGE OF NAME OF SP.PROC. NO. 326-M ABDUL SALEM C. MAGALLANES TO NEIL HENDRY C. MAGALLANES SPOUSES HENDRICK AND NANCY MAGALLANES,

Petitioners, -versusLOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MEDINA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL Respondent.

X------------------------------------/ ORDER Petitioners’ through counsel filed a Petition for Change of Name of Abdul Salem C. Magallanes to Neil Hendry C. Magallanes.

The Petition being sufficient in form and substance, let the hearing of the same be set for April 28, 2016, at 8:30 a.m.

The Petitioners are directed to cause a copy of this Order to be published before the date set for hearing at their own expense, at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a duly accredited newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Misamis Oriental.

Let a copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General, through the Provincial Prosecutor.

SO ORDERED

Done this 13th day of January, 2016 in Medina, Misamis Oriental.

BWM: Feb. 1, 8 & 15, 2016

(SGD.) DAN R. CALDERON Presiding Judge

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Miss Earth – England 2015 visits CDO Story by MARK FRANCISCO

R

EMEMBER Miss Earth – England 2015 Katrina Kendall? She was featured in Mindanao Daily News last September after word came out that her mom is a Cagayanon.

Well she is currently in her hometown of Cagayan de Oro spending her Valentine here before flying back to the United Kingdom.

It’s not exactly a Valentine soiree because she busied herself in various environmental outreaches since she stepped into the city a week ago.

Last February 5, Kendall went to Boys Town orphanage in Lumbia and distributed around 40 toiletry kits.

“I don’t want to give out food.

Other benefactors can take care of that. I want to hand out something that will last and that is really needed by the kids,” she remarked in a face-to-face interview with this writer last Tuesday afternoon at Café Figaro in Limketkai Mall.

Each toiletry kit contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, razors, nail cutter, shampoo, bath soap and laundry soap.

Kendall also lectured the kids basics in solid waste management focusing on anti-litter.

A day later, the beneficiaries from Boys Town as well as a dozen volunteers from Bayabas National High School took time planting around 30 trees in Kendall’s ancestral farm in barangay Mambuaya.

After the activity, there was a face painting event and both the

tweens from Boys Town as well as the teens from Bayabas enjoyed the activity thoroughly.

On Wednesday, it was the turn of the Bayabas National High School campus to be planted with trees.

Kendall’s trip here was actually the last leg of her 2016 Southeast Asian tour which took her to Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar.

She joined other Miss Earth 2015 winners from the United Kingdom – Wales, Scotland and Ireland – to the finals last December in Austria where she said it was a memorable experience of a lifetime for her.

A chemist by profession, Kendall worked for a while in the financial industry in Singapore.

But the Miss Earth experience changed all that.

Kendall now says she will be embarking on working in the environmental sector beyond her Miss Earth – England reign.

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Freemasonry holds 60th Mindanao Masonic Confab Editor: Cheng Ordoñez

monday | february 15, 2016

B1

‘2 Mindanaoan brethren vie for nat’l post in April’

C

By Cheng Ordonez, Executive Editor

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Masonic District RX A and B hosted Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, the 60th Mindanao Masonic Convention, at Limketkai Luxe Hotel, here, attended by officers and members of, at least, three multi-districts in Mindanao.

“This convention is very significant, because all the three multi districts in Mindanao are gathered

here before we attend the national convention in Tagaytay,” MW Tomas G. Rentoy III, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, said.

Some 70 lodges have participated in the 60th Mindanao Masonic Convention, whose officers and some members will attend the National Masonic Convention set on April, this year, at Tagaytay City.

VW Jeoffre W.

Acebido, junior grand lecturer, Northern Mindanao, and presiding magistrate of grand tribunal in Mindanao,

welcome the delegates while VW Caesar M. Ortega rendered the 3rd Quarter Report of the Grand Historian.

Following the formal event, a fellowship followed.

Rentoy announced that, at least, two

candidates from Mindanao will vie for the Junior Grand Warden post in the national convention. confab/PAGE B2

From L-R VW Rey Jampit, VW Eugene Unabia, VW Erwin Bollozos District Deputy Grand Master, MW Tomas Rentoy III Grand Master GLP , Bro. John del Bando of BusinessWeek Mindanao VP for Events & Promotions. photo by cheng ordoñez

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

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Two CDO schools assisted by Ayala Foundation, Globe Telecom

By MARK FRANCISCO

TWO public elementary schools in Cagayan de Oro City have received the honor of being called Global Filipino Schools

and are on their way into becoming 21st century-ready educational institutions.

Indahag Elementary School

and Fr. William F. Masterson, SJ Elementary School are the first two schools in the city to benefit under the expanded Global Filipino School program of Globe Telecom this year.

GFS is a long-term educational initiative that seeks to transform select public schools into centers of excellence in innovative teaching methods and information and com-

UNAHCO UNIT, KOREAN FIRM SIGN DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT – Univet Nutrition and Animal Healthcare Company, Inc. (UNAHCO), a leading Philippine agribusiness conglomerate, recently formalized its partnership with Korean feeds ingredient manufacturer CJ Chiel Jedang Bio (CJ Bio) through a distribution agreement that will allow the Korean firm to capitalize on UNAHCO’s extensive farm and distribution network. CJ Bio is the world’s number one amino acid producer while UNAHCO is a highly diversified conglomerate with market-leading hog and poultry feeds, organic fertilizers, veterinary and pet products, among others. The agreement was entered into

by CJ Bio and UNAHCO’s United Agrivet Distribution (UAD) for the distribution of CJ Bio products such as amino acids, L-Lysine, and L-Threonine to commercial farms and feed mills under UNAHCO’s Commercial Farm Group (CFG). Shown in photo during the contract signing are (from left) CJ Bio Regional Marketing Manager Young Shin, CJ Bio Managing Director Harry Jang, UNAHCO President and COO Ricardo C. Alba, and UNAHCO CFO Luis Miguel Vaca.

Confab... from page B1

They are Agapito Suan, Jr. of the Macajalar Lodge 184 and Atty. Nabil Tan of Jolo, Sulu, and an undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

A total of 15 candidates will vie for the JGW post during the national convention. they will, then, be trimmed down to 12, from whom the Junior Grand Warden will be chosen.

The JGW will later become master warden a year after.

MW Rentoy said Philippine Freemasonry are prohibited to get involve in two aspects into the Freemasonry. These are on matters of religion and in politics. Hence, they are not bound to support neither a political party or candidate this coming elections.

For his part, District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District RX-B Erwin Pio Bollozos of the host district and plenary presiding officer, said, “the Mindanao Masonic Convention is purposely held annually to strengthen the bond among the brethren in the

munications technology.

In his remarks during the turnover ceremony, Mayor Oscar Moreno dubbed the event as a “first small step of a long journey.”

“No one can imagine what will happen in the information and communications technology sector ten years from now – the innovations that will come our way. What we’re doing is capacitating our young to be global players,” Moreno said.

A total of 24 computer units were turned over in the ceremony that marked the start of the partnership between Globe and Ayala Foundation for GFS. AFI now serves as lead implementer for the program which also now includes a teacher-training component.

There are 11 GFS schools in the pipeline for AFI. “Globe believes in the importance of providing quality education to the Filipino youth to give them a brighter future.

Thus, in bringing innovative education to public schools through GFS, we could help both teachers and students further improve their skills and be globally competitive,” Yolanda Crisanto, SVP, Globe Corporate Communcations, said.

For his part, Ayala Foundation president Ruel Maranan said “empowering communities

has long been at the heart of Ayala Foundation and education is one of the ways for us to do this.”

Maranan recalled that it was also in Cagayan de Oro when AFI’s LeadCom project was introduced to the public two years ago.

GFS seeks to provide public schools with support systems that meet global standards.

These include sustainable ICTproficiency training for teachers, an ICT-equipped school environment and committed education stakeholders.

Part of being a GFS is for the school to be fully utilized as a teacher training hub for the corresponding division in the Department of Education (DepEd) it is under. Both the selected school and DepEd are tasked to conduct teacher training to neighboring public schools within their division.

Each school has a collaborative learning area for group activities and is also provided with a newly constructed ICT laboratory equipped with computers, Internet connectivity and other multimedia tools.

City schools division superintendent Elena Borcillo also graced the event.

Global Filipino Schools is also being supported by Mitsubishi Corporation and Far Eastern University.

fraternity.”

Bollozos said it is also done to extend brotherly love, relief and truth.

“The objective of the fraternity is to make good men better, and that’s a lot for nation building,” he added.

This year’s theme is “A Revitalized, Relevant

and Revered Philippine Freemansonry: Our Commitment, Our Covenant.”

The following day, Saturday, the Grand Line Officers of the fraternity did a floral offering at Divisoria Plaza and blessing of ‘Library in a Box.’

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FINALS & AWARDING -February 27, 2016 Centrio Mall - Cagayan de Oro City

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