BusinessWeek Mindanao (February 18, 2015)

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Wednesday | February 18, 2015

Mindanao execs seek investments in Dubai

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

D

AVAO City -- Top government officials and business leaders in Mindanao are preparing to join the Philippine delegation to the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai on March 30 to April 1 in a bid to bring in investors from the Middle East to the southern island.

COMMUNITIES in northern Mindanao are getting better services from the centers and institutions run by Department of Social Welfare and Development here.

This was issued by Undersecretary Angelita Y. Gregorio-Medel of the DSWD Central Office, after these facilities have been declared to have higher level accreditation.

The Regional Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), a residential facility for children aged 0-7 years old who were declared abandoned, neglected, and abused; Home for Girls, also a residential facility for maltreated and abused female minors; and the Regional Haven for Women, for abused women, were all declared to have third level accreditation.

Coal plant AFTER logging more than one million safe man-hours or “zero accidents” since the start of construction, the Balingasag Thermal Power Plant of Minergy Coal Corporation (Minergy Coal) in Misamis Oriental is now 42.1 percent complete and set for its targeted inauguration in 2017.

Composed of three 55MW coalfired power units, the project will feed the power requirements of Cagayan de Oro Electric Power and Light Corporation (Cepalco), whose franchise area covers the City of Cagayan de Oro and adjacent municipalities.

Minergy Coal is 40% owned

by Vivant Integrated Generation Corporation (VIGC) together with Mindanao Energy Systems, Inc. (Minergy). VIGC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vivant Energy Corporation which, in turn, is 100% owned by publicly-listed Vivant Corporation.

P15.00

A man sits on the roof of a motorcycle as it travels along the alternate highway in barangay Mahay, Butuan City. mindanews photo by erwin mascarinas

Romeo M. Montenegro, Mindanao Development Authority (MindA) public affairs head, said among the investment areas that will be promoted are agribusiness, the Halal industry, tourism, power and energy projects, and infrastructure.

“This is a good venue for us to promote Mindanao to investors in the Middle East who are looking for opportunities,”

M r. M o n t e n e g r o t o l d BusinessWeek Mindanao.

Groups that have expressed interest to participate in the event include the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport, the province of Davao del Sur, the Davao City government through its Davao City Investment Promot ion C enter, t he Mindanao Islamic Chamber of Commerce, the Regional investments/PAGE 11

editorial

Going corporate, going daily

BusinessWeek Mindanao is once again taking a step forward as we go daily from now on.

This new development follows the approval of

BusinessWeek Mindanao Corporation as a corporate entity which is the managing company of Mindanao Daily News and BusinessWeek Mindanao newspapers.

With this, we thank our partners and readers, our sincere gratitude for supporting us through all these years, as we take off editorial/PAGE 11

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Bottom up budgeting projects set for NorMin A TOTAL of 873 projects under Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) program will b e implemented in Region 10 for the year 2015.

Nine cities and 84 municipalities in the region have been given fund allocation amounting to P1,337,017,357.50 from p a r t i c i p at i n g n a t i o n a l government agencies

(NGAs), this year, for their respective BUB projects.

Around 164 of these proj e c t s are u nd e r t he Department of the Interior and L o c a l G over nment Region 10 (DILG 10) with a total budget allocation of P391,320,994.75.

These are as follows: P61,571,600 for Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management (DRRM) related projects such as construction/rehabilitation of evacuation sites flood cont rol inf rast r uc tures and re s c u e e qu ipme nt ; P207,176,720.83 for w at e r s y s t e m proj e c t s ; P42,890,500 for local access roads; and P79,682,173.92 for other BUB projects.

A c c o r d i n g t o At t y.

Rene K. Burdeos, regional director, DILG 10 ensures the continuous implementation of these various poverty reduction projects under the BUB process.

T h e BU B pro c e ss i s a grand design of the Aqu ino ad m in ist rat ion in attaining the Philippine Development Plan’s goal

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to open 100 Negosyo Centers nationwide this year as one of the salient features of the Republic Act 10644 known as “Go Negosyo Act.” In an interview during the Philippine Information Agency’s radio program dubbed Lambo Dyes on February 13, 2015, senior trade specialist Jesse M. Abear of DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Office said that through the enactment of the “Go Negosyo Act” on July 15, 2014, DTI has been making strides and pushing to open 100 more in the country this year to provide ease of doing business and

facilitate access to services for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

In fact, Cagayan de Oro was the first ever in the country to open a Negosyo Center on November 13, 2014 which was graced by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, author of the law, RA 10644. This was followed

by Iloilo which opened just last week.

She added that region 11 or Davao region also visited the CDO Negosyo Center recently to do benchmark.

So far, since its opening here there had been 640 clients who were served in business registration and business coaching.

DTI has already scheduled trainings for the whole year. Abear said they have identified their trainings according to “would-be” entrepreneurs and “existing” businesses.

She said that for start-ups, they have Entrepreneurship D e v e l o p m e nt S e m i n a r wherein they talk about the characteristics of an Entrepreneur and business options. They also offer bookkeeping and financial analysis, pricing and costing of products, and business plan writeshop.

For those with employees, DTI has also set training for basic benefits, including the different Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) forms, among others.

Further they also offer Design Techniques training especially for crafts-based businesses and product trends and forecast.

Abear said that they have recently forged a Memorandum of Agreement ( MOA ) w it h t he C D O IC T B u s i n e s s C ou n c i l to partner with them in terms of Information

Communications Technology especially that businesses are now web-based.

Their partners include Phi lippine Inst itute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), Xavier University (XU), Cagayan de Oro C ollege (CO C), People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) CDO chapter, Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Misamis Oriental Multi Fiber Cluster, Inc. (MOMCI) among others.

DTI is also encouraging the Out of School Youth (OSY), and women sector to avail of these trainings to be empowered. Abear said, if you have passion and determination, then the business industry might be for you.

These trainings are free of charge but with limited slots. DTI-Misamis Oriental Provincial Office may be reached at (08822) 71-2473 or email at negosyocenter10@ d t i . g o v. p h f o r m o r e information or visit them at ground floor, Antolin Building Tiano-Akut Sts.,

of inclusive growth and p over ty reduc tion, and promoting good governance at the local level.

Since 2012, and after five Joint Memorandum Circulars, it has expanded its coverage and is now on its 4th run as a banner Budget and Governance Reform program.

It a i m s f u r t h e r t o contribute to making gove r n an c e re s p ons i ve to t he lo c a l ne e ds and making public resources allocation more efficient and effective by engaging and empowering communities in designing the NGAs’ budget, with ne e ds ident if ie d at t he grassroots level.

DTI to open 100 Negosyo Centers in 2015 Weather forecasts not absolute

0935-160-0668 HERMILINO VILLALON

22nd/31st Nazareth, Cagayan de O ro Cit y

* DOST exec says knowing uncertainty of typhoons will help prepare for disasters better Department of Science and Technology Assistant S e c re t ar y R ay mu n d E .

L ib oro, a ck now l e d g i ng that weather forecasts are “not abs olute”, adv is e d disaster management agencies to focus more o n “c o m m u n i c a t i n g uncertainty” in understanding and appreciating the science behind weather forecasts and typhoon warnings issued by DOST-PAGASA. Sp e a k ing at a p anel discussion in a seminar hosted by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) at Discovery Suites Ortigas, Liboro underscored that laymanizing weather updates involved more than their translation into the vernacular. “ T h e key to communicating typhoon warnings is communicating uncertainty. And the most essential part there is the

implicit understanding that forecasts are not absolute and cast in stone. This time, for Typhoon Ruby, DOSTPAGASA presented a variety of scenarios to impress upon the public the many possible ways a typhoon can move, like it has a mind of its own,” he explained.

Assistant Secretary Liboro also discussed the urgency to come up with ingenious and creative approaches in dealing with emergency situations such as rescue and recovery operations. He recounted the experience in Japan after the great earthquake of 2011, wherein road-clearing crews were accompanied by deputized audit personnel to hasten the process of issuing fuel vouchers for their trucks and heavy equipment.

“Nowhere is it more crucial to be able to think out-of-t he-b ox t han in disaster risk reduction and management. Buhay kasi ang nakataya dito, (Lives are at stake) and this ability quite literally spells the difference between life and death,” he said.

The Final Seminar on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Capacity Enhancement Project was organized by OCD and JICA to share to stakeholders the final outputs of the three-year project, designed to boost the conduct of DRRM planning and implementation activities along the four thematic areas of prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery/reconstruction.

(S&T Media Service)

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CorporateWorld

Globe links up with Japan’s Brastel on co-branded call card

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Japan-based Filipinos get more affordable IDD calls to Globe, TM

GLOBE Telecom marked the launch of its partnership with leading Japanese telco Brastel with the introduction of their co-branded reloadable calling card. The product was developed for the 250,000 overseas Filipinos in Japan and offers calling rates to Globe and TM in the Philippines that are as low as half the cost of other offers in the market.

“Globe is starting 2015 with a great proposition for our kababayans in Japan whether as residents, temporary workers, students or visitors. We have forged

ties with a respected company such as Brastel in order to provide Filipinos abroad with more affordable means to communicate with their loved ones back home,” said Globe

EVP & COO for International and Business Markets Gil Genio.

“Japan has always been an important market for Globe because of the hundreds of thousands of Pinoys based there. This partnership with Brastel gives us an opportunity to offer good quality calls, superior rates and a widelyaccessible reloadable card product available in over 44,000 outlets across the said country,” added Globe SVP for International Business Rizza Maniego-Eala.

Carmina Velayo-Villo - Head of Marketing for Globe International Business; Rizza Maniego-Eala, Senior Vice President for Globe International Business; Jorge Tatsuki Takata - General Manager for Carrier Operations & Support, Braste.

“Since our founding in 1996, we at Brastel aim to give our customers a voice by providing them with the best packages and offers. Through our partnership with Globe, we are delighted to enable stronger connections between overseas Filipinos in Japan and their family and friends

back home,” noted Brastel CEO Wilson Kendi Kawai.

The Globe-Brastel card is available for free at Filipino stores across the Land of the Rising Sun. To make a call, dial the access number, country code, area code and phone number from any landline, mobile or payphone.

Reloading the card is easy via the widely-accepted Smart Pit payment gateway at partner convenience stores such as Family Mart, Mini Stop, Circle K and Lawson. It can also be reloaded via the Brastel website using a credit card in denominations of 2,000 yen up to 10,000 yen.

Tigerair’s ‘Love-A-Fare’ seat sale TIGERAIR Philippines with its network made wider with Cebu Pacific holds a seat sale from 16 February 2015 to 18 February 2015 or until seats last.

Travel from Manila to Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tacloban, and Tagbilaran for as low as P988 and Manila to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and General Santos from P1388 for travel between 01 March 2015 and 14 June 2015.

As part of the strategic alliance of Tigerair with Cebu Pacific Air, Tigerair Philippines introduces promotional seat sales.

Aboitiz unit fined over rules infringement A SUBSIDIARY of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower) was fined over P200 million after a probe by the operator of the country’s electricity trading platform found it to have withheld capacity, contributing to spikes in power prices over a year ago.

Therma Mobile, Inc. (TMO), the AboitizPower unit, said it will seek legal remedy to contest the move of Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC), arguing that it did not commit any infringement of electricity market rules.

Ab oit izPower adde d that the penalties could put financial strain on the listed parent company.

In a disclosure yesterday, Ab oit i z Powe r s ai d t he penalties were in relation to the investigation involving the dispatch of the output of TMO’s power generating facilities during the November and December 2013 supply months.

Prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) spiraled during those months amid tight supply, forcing distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)

to seek higher tariffs.

“As a result of the Meralco price hike case brought before the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court ordered t he Energ y Regu lator y C om m i ss i on ( E RC ) to investigate anti-competitive behavior and abuse of market power allegedly committed by some WESM participants,” AboitizPower noted.

TMO owns and operates four power barges in Navotas City with combined rated capacity of 234 megawatts (MW).

P E M C ’s initial investigation showed TMO violated the market’s “mustrun” and “must-offer” rules since the generation company withheld its capacity during the period covered by the probe.

Under those two rules, power generators are required to offer all their available capacities at WESM when called to do so by the market operator.

“In its letter dated January 30, 2015, the PEM Board imposed financial penalties amounting to P234.9 million on TMO,” AboitizPower said in the disclosure, adding that

the board said the penalties will be collected via WESM’s settlement process.

“The financial penalties imposed on TMO will have an adverse effect on the financials of AboitizPower,” the listed parent added.

The Ab oitizPower subsidiary argued that it “did not withhold any capacity for the period covered, as it was physically impossible for TMO to transmit more than 100 MW.” “ TMO is currently studying its legal options to protect its rights,” it said.

While acknowledging that the power barges have a combined net capacity of 234 MW, TMO said it could only deliver the 100 MW “safely, reliably and consistently” given limitations of the engines and the 115-kilovolt transmission line.

“This temporary limitation of TMO’s plant was confirmed during a dependable capacity testing conducted on November 21, 2013,” the company said.

During that period, TMO’s engines and the transmission lines were still undergoing aboitiz/PAGE 11

Meanwhile, those traveling from Clark to Hong Kong may avail of our low fare of P1488 for travel between 01 March 2015 and 14 June 2015.

Hurry! Seats are limited so book now! For bookings and inquiries, please log on to www. cebupacificair.com or call our reservation hotlines (02) 7020888 and (032) 230-8888. Our latest seat sales can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook

pages and on Tigerair Philippines’ official Twitter (@tigerairPH) and Facebook (tigerair philippines) pages.

With the new routes, Tigerair Philippines now offers over 240 weekly flights. It flies to Hong Kong via Clark and 13 domestic destinations: Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Manila, Roxas, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban and Tagbilaran utilizing a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft.

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BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Requiring retail stores to implement plastic bag use and recycling program

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bi l l h a s b e e n f i l e d requiring retail stores to provide plastic bags to consumers and implement a plastic bag collection and recycling program.

Un d e r t h e p r o g r a m proposed in House Bill 5379, a plastic carry-out bag collection bin shall be placed in each store and should be visible, easily accessible to the consumer, and clearly marked that the collection bin is available for the purpose of collecting and recycling plastic carryout bags. These plastic bags shall then be collected, transported and recycled.

No one should be exempted in this measure.

C oncer ned government a g e n c i e s mu s t e n f o r c e compl i ance. Eve n s ar isari and other retails stores should toe the lines.

Sporadic inspection must be undertaken to see to it that stores are maintaining records of their collection, transport and rec ycling of plastic carry-out bags.

T his is to help prote c t

L

Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Temper Your Temper

T

hink a minute…There’s a story about a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he got angry and lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the fence. The first day, the boy hammered 37 nails into the fence! But over the next few weeks, as the boy was learning to control his temper, the number of nails he hammered each day gradually became fewer. Soon the boy discovered that it was easier to hold his temper than hammer nails into the fence.

Finally the day came, when the boy did not lose his temper one time. He went to his father and proudly told him that he’d finally learned to control his anger. His father was very pleased. Then he told his son to go back to the fence and start pulling out one nail each day that he continued controlling his temper. Many days later the boy was so proud of himself the day he announced to his father that he had finally been able to pull out all the nails in the fence.

His dad said: “Son, you’ve done so well in learning to control your anger. I’m very proud of you. But now look at all the holes in the fence from your nails. This fence will never be the same! It’s like that when you get angry and say hurtful things to people. Your angry words

THINK

A Minute

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst

leave scars just like the holes from these nails. Afterwards it doesn’t matter how many times you say ‘I’m sorry,’ that wound and scar you made in people’s hearts is still there.”

Sometimes the hurts and wounds we make with our angry words are the worst kind. Yes, we should always apologize and tell others we’re sorry when we hurt them.

But our families and friends would be much happier if we simply learned to control our anger in the first place. Think how much more peaceful and happy our life would be.

So if you have trouble controlling your anger, you can give your heart to Jesus Christ today. It’s with His help and power you can start changing. You might start with small steps and control your temper one hour at a time. But the most important step is the first one. So why not take it now?

Just Think a Minute…

editorial our environment because plastic bags undeniably contaminate the soil and waterways and are harmful to humans and animals alike, especially when accidentally ingested.

Plastic bags have b e en around for ha lf a c e ntu r y, an d n o d ou bt one of t he most us ef u l inventions of our time.

This time, however, the dis advant age ous us e of plastic bags has outweighed their benefits.

According to studies, ever y year, four to f ive trillion plastic bags are used worldwide, with billions of bags ending up as garbage. About 430,000 gallons of oil are needed to pro duce 100 million non-biodegrable plastic bags and these bags take hundreds to thousands of years to disintegrate.

Plastic bags contribute,

or sometimes even magnify, t h e d a m a g e c au s e d by natu r a l c a l am it i e s t hat hit the country. One of the major causes of the massive flooding that is experienced by the country during the rainy season is the huge amount of garbage that block water drainage.

O n c e ap p rov e d , t h e “Plastic Bag Recycling Act,” would require stores that provide plastic carry-out bags to consumers as part of a purchas e at ret ai l, to establish an in-store recycling program. This will provide an opportunity for consumers of the store to return to the store the plastic carry-out bags used for their groceries.

A retail establishment t hat do es not me et t he def inition of a store as proposed in the measure that provides plastic carryout bags to consumers at

the point of sale may also adopt an in-store recycling program.

As defined under the bill, store means a retail e s t abl i s h m e nt t h at h a s gross sales of over P100, 000.00 each month that prov i d e s pl ast i c c ar r y out bags to its consumers as a result of the sale of a product.

Under the bill, an instore recycling program provided by the operator of a store shall include a pl ast ic c ar r y-out b ag provided by the store shall have printed or displayed on the bag, in a manner visible to a consumer, the words “PLEASE RETURN TO A PARTICIPATING STORE FOR RECYCLING.” T he op e r ator of t he store shall make reusable bags available to consumers within the store, which may be purchased and used in lieu of using a plastic carry-out bag or paper bag.

No w, t h i s i s a r e a l workable environmentprotection strategy.

Coup? Yes, but by Aquino gov’t!

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IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons…”

(1 Timothy 4:1, the Holy Bible).

-ooo CORY CONSTITUTION S AYS PNOY IS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF: Is President Aquino the commander-in-chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP)? The answer is clearly a resounding yes, he is the commander-in-chief of the PNP, and this is according to the very Constitution which his mother, former President Cory Aquino, crafted and approved in 1987.

So the public may know, here is w hat t he C or y Constitution says about this, in its Section 18, Art. VII: “The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion…”

Take note that the Cory Constitution referred to a generic body when it said that the President shall be the commander-in-chief of “all armed forces” of the Philippines, which means that the Chief Executive is the top commander, not just

of the entity name Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), but of any and all state forces which bear arms in the Philippines, like the PNP. -ooo AS COMMANDER-INCHIEF, PNOY IS LIABLE FOR SAF 44 MURDERS: In view of this provision of the Cory Constitution, the claim that the present President Aquino can not have any liability over the murder of 44 officers and men of the PNP Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015, because t here was no chain of command showing he was the ultimate commander of the PNP at the time, is pure hogwash and dung.

Since Aquino, according to the Constitution of his own mother, is the commander of all arms-bearing units like the PNP, and the SAF is under the PNP, and since the PNP officer-in-charge G e n . L e on ard o E spi na and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas did not have anything to do with the Mamasapano operation, all responsibility and liability naturally fall on Aquino’s head, not anyone else.

The blood of all those who died in Maguindanao, including civilians who were caught in the crossfire, are therefore all in the

hands of Aquino. He has no one else to blame for this, especially if reports claiming he actually watched, in real time, through US drones, how the SAF 44 were mercilessly butchered by the Moro Independence Liberation Front and by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, are true.

-ooo ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN CAN NOW USE PA’S SURNAMES: Lito A., an overseas Filipino worker based in Hong Kong is asking: “I have a child out of wedlock, who is using the surname of his mother. Can I do something so that the child can immediately use my family name? Thank you and more power to your columns and radio programs.” My answer is yes, Lito A. and any other father of illegitimate children can allow the kids to use their family names immediately.

All that is needed is for Lito A. or any other father, to write a letter to anyone in the Philippines, admitting that he is the father of the illegitimate child. That letter can then be submitted to the Local Civil Registrar where the child was born, together with an affidavit requesting that the child’s surname be changed to follow the surname of his father.

-ooo COUP? YES, BUT IT IS

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

By Atty. Batas Mauricio

BY THE AQUINO GOV’T: I am convinced a coup is going to happen, if not soon, later, but not beyond June 30, 2016. It is not going to be by any enemy force, or by the political opposition, but by the forces loyal to President Aquino. I stand by what I have been saying all along: the body language of the Aquino government indicates Aquino is not stepping down, he will continue being president after 2016, as head of a revolutionary government.

-ooo REACTIONS? Please call me at +63 917 984 24 68, +63 918 574 0193, +63 922 833 43 96, or Skype (batasmauricio), Viber (+63 918 574 0193) and Line (+63 917 984 24 68). Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, melaniolazomauriciojr@ o u t l o o k . c o m , mmauriciojr111@gmail.com.

-30-

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CDO emerging as business leader in Northern Mindanao CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY Ranked as the country’s most competitive city in 2013, Cagayan de Oro continues to attract investors with a booming BPO sector that is set to foster the city’s overall sustainable and eco-friendly economic development.

This has been the overall sentiment of economists, government officials, business leaders and investors who attended the recent ‘’Connect and Do Business in Cagayan de Oro’’ investment forum in Makati City.

Ayala corporation supports Ayala Land’s equity placement Ay a l a C o r p o r a t i o n announced that it assisted its real estate unit, Ayala Land, Inc. in raising funds through a placement of 399,528,229 common shares at a price of P30.50 per share. The placement was conducted via an overnight bookbuilt offering structured as a topup placement with all the proceeds to be received by Ayala Land.

The equity placement is expected to raise an aggregate of P12.2 billion in proceeds which Ayala Land intends to use for its next phase of expansion. Ayala Land has set aside P66 billion in planned capital expenditure this year for its various projects.

Ay a l a C o r p o r a t i o n Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said: “This second round of equity placement will

further provide Ayala Land the flexibility to pursue its growth plans as it continues to build a robust development pipeline moving forward. We are delighted to assist Ayala Land in this transaction and once again encouraged by the support of the investing community.”

As a re s u lt of t h i s t r a n s a c t i o n , Ay a l a Corporation’s holdings in ALI common shares will be reduced to 49.0% from 50.4% but it will retain voting control at over 70% ownership of the voting shares.

Ay a l a C or p or at i on’s share price last closed at P586 per share reflecting a 13% increase year-to-date.

Ayala Land’s share price has likewise increased by 24% year-to-date, closing at P32.85 per share yesterday.

Del Monte acquires Del Monte U.S. food business C AG AYA N DE ORO Singapore Mainboard and Philippine Stock Exchange du a l l iste d D el Monte Pacific Limited (Bloomberg: DELM SP, DMPL PM) (the “Company” or “DMPL”) has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire, through a new subsidiary, the consumer food business of Del Monte Foods (“DMF”), a privatelyowned U.S. corporation, for US$1.675 billion (subject to certain adjustments at closing). The closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

DMF owns the Del Monte brand rights for processed food products in the United States and South America.

DMF’s consumer business has a strong portfolio of leading brands, with seasoned employees, healthy cash flows and US$1.8 billion of sales and US$178 million of adjusted EBITDA in the fiscal year ended 28 April 2013.

Adjusted EBITDA excludes one-time items that are not expected to recur.

The business is centered

on the iconic Del Monte brand and further includes the Contadina, S&W and College Inn brands. The consumer business enjoys leading positions in large and profitable categories that include #1 branded market share positions in the U.S. in major canned fruit and vegetable categories and #2 positions in canned tomato and broth categories.

This leading branded market position in the canned fruit and vegetable segments provides DMPL with significant scale and reach and, the Company believes, an opportunity to unlock meaningful potential synergies.

Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the Company will purchase the brands and certain assets, and assume certain liabilities related to DMF’s consumer food business in the U.S., as well as equity interests in certain South American subsidiaries from DMF. “This landmark transaction offers DMPL greater access to a welldel monte/PAGE 8

C ayet ano Paderanga Jr. , economist and former director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said that Cagayan de Oro‘s BPO sector has much room for growth,with the city’s five IT parks and two IT buildings. He adds that the city has a very good chance to become the new business and financial center of Mindanao. Its thriving economy is sustainable over the long run because it had robust fundamentals: peace and order, stable power, very

good human resource and enough investors,’’Paderanga said.

Romolo V. Nati, executive chairman and CEO of ITPI Corp. (ItalpinasEuroasian Design and Eco-Development C o r p. ) a l s o s a i d t h a t advancing CDO’s BPO sector will also be a sustainable and eco-friendly growth driver because BPO operations produce less greenhouse gases and pollutants than manufacturing, especially if they are located in truly green buildings. emerging/PAGE 8

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Community

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DSWD community centers get higher level accreditation Communities in northern Mindanao are getting better services from the centers

and institutions run by Department of Social Welfare and Development here.

T h i s w a s i s s u e d by Undersecretary Angelita Y. Gregorio-Medel of the

DSWD Central Office, after accreditation. these facilities have been The Regional Reception declared to have higher level and Study Center for Children (RSCC), a residential facility for children aged 0-7 years old who were declared abandoned, neglected, and married to Jainal Antel Sali, abused; Home for Girls, a.k.a. Abu Solaiman, while a also a residential facility for third sister, Norain, is wife of maltreated and abused female Ahmad Santos, founder of the minors; and the Regional Rajah Solaiman Movement Haven for Women, for abused (RSM) Abu Tariq who was women, were all declared to an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) have third level accreditation. member killed when the bomb According to Atty. Araceli he was holding went off.

F. Solamillo, regional director Dongon avoided arrest by for DSWD Field Office 10, authorities in Marawi City, the third level accreditation watch/PAGE 11 means that the centers have satisfactorily complied with

Police enlist communities’ help for terrorist watch The Ozamiz City Police Station (OCPS) has enlisted the active participation of the public in its “terrorist watch” for Rener Lou Pidoy Dongon, also known as (a.k.a.) RenRen and Kudri.

Dongon, was a student of Marwan in making bombs and one of the suspects in the bombing of Maxandria Hotel and Rosario Arcade,

both of Cagayan de Oro City, in Oct. 2012 and July 2013, respectively.

“His picture is now posted in commercial establishments, city malls/eateries, piers and other public areas, such as transport terminals and public markets, so his presence in the city can be reported to us immediately, either by calling us at

telephone nos. 521-2201/5860211/166 or through email: ozamizcps@yahoo.com,” p o l i c e s u p e r i nt e n d e nt Micahel Cadiogan Bawayan, Jr., OCPS chief said.

A resident of barangay Tinago, in Baroy, Lanao del Norte, Dongon has a sister, Zainab, who is married to Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

Another sister Aminah, is

the appropriate standards in the implementation of Residential-based programs and services for its clients in compliance with the provision of Section 23, Republic Act 4373, an “act to regulate the practice of social work and the operation of social work agencies in the Philippines and for other purposes.”

Second level of accreditation was declared recently for Regional Reception and Study Center for Children, which caters to children in conflict with the law by providing them rehabilitation and counseling.

(CSLPT/PIA10)

Gingoog lauded for upholding good public service GINGOOG CITY -- Civil Service Commission chairperson Dr. Francisco D uque III commende d the city government of Gingoog for helping change the landscape of human resource management and organization development in the country.

“You have been truly a valuable partner to CSC. Your effort and support has helped us in our transformation journey from transactional to strategic human resource,” Duque expressed to the city via his “thank you” card.

The city government of Gi ngo o g u n d e r t h e administration of mayor Marie de Lara Guingona i mpr i nte d a re c ord a s an awardee of the Level II Accreditation of the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in the Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) in which the city’s honor has been conferred by CSC. According to mayor Guingona, the award is due to the collaborative effort in complying the requirements and implementing standard operating procedures in establishing a PRIME-HRM which is consolidated and spearheaded by the local government unit’s (LGUs’) HRM division under Jessie Reyes with her dedicated personnel: Sheila Canosa, Marilou Bacasnot, Cresencio Mangubat, Marjorie Adolfo among ot hers w ho are focusing on salient elements in civil service.

The city has been recognized as well by the

agency’s regional office under director Adams Torres during CSC’s Parangal at Pasasalamat.

“We in the CSC have expressed our appreciation for your continued support to the agency’s programs, in upholding good public service, implementing reforms and continually improving the delivery of services with the sphere of your office in line with the promotion of good governance of our administration,” Torres said.

Guingona said that their HR division under the Office of the City Mayor has always been coordinating with other offices in the local government as the city aspires to level up human resource as encouraged by CSC in its advocacy, “In a RACE To Serve: Responsive, Accessible, Courteous and Effective Public Service.”

PRIME-HRM integrates and enhances the Personnel Management Assessment and Assistance Program (PMAAP) and the CSC Agenc y Accre dit at ion Program (CSCAAP). It is a mechanism that empowers government agencies by developing their human resource management comp etencies, systems, and practices toward HR excellence.

Further, PRIME-HRM entails greater engagement not just of the human resource management officer (HRMO) but also of the officials and the rank-and-file employees of the agency. (Edmar C. Pabia, Gingoog city media bureau/PIA)

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Pag-IBIG Fund reaches out to OFW nurses Pag-IBIG Fund recently sealed an understanding with the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) to promote Pag-IBIG membership and programs to member-nurses based abroad.

Pag-IBIG President and Chief Executive Officer Atty.

Darlene Marie B. Berberabe and PNA National President Dr. Roger P. Tong-an led the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

“With the passage of Republic Act 9679 in 2009, the mandatory membership coverage of Pag-IBIG was expanded to include the OFWs. This gives them an equal opportunity as the locally-employed workers to b enef it f rom PagIBIG’s various programs.

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, who is also the Pag-IBIG C hair man of the Board,reminds us to recognize and honor the great contributions of our OFWmembers to the economy,

and, thispartnership with PNA is one such concrete way by which we will be able to reach out to more nurses working outside the country. Our International Operations Group and 21 overseas posts located in key cities around the world will able to assist them when they avail of our programs. We hope that this accord will be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with the PNA and its members,” said Atty. Berberabe.

The Pag-IBIG President also discussedwith the PNA the improvements in PagIBIG programs that directly benefit OFWs, including the increase in the maximum loanable amount for housing loans from P3 Million to P6 Million, the much-improved life mortgage redemption insurance for housing loan borrowers that offers almost 50% decrease in premiums pag-ibig/PAGE 11

TOYOTA MOTOR PHILIPPINES STARTS STRONG IN 2015 Based on the most recent CAMPI report, the number one automotive company in the country, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), starts 2015 strong with 8,709 units in January garnering a 46.7% share of the automotive market. The said manufacturing-automotive company experienced a 23% increase versus its sales last January 2014 outpacing the industry’s growth of 19%. The robust sales performance can be attributed to the continuous high demand for its locally manufactured models the Innova and Vios as well as other vehicles in Toyota’s strong line-up.

Moreover, TMP’s luxury brand Lexus, recorded its highest sales in a single month with 67 units sold and now is the #1 luxury brand in the market. With a 91% growth versus the same period of last year, this only shows that there is more to come for Lexus this 2015.

In a statement, TMP President Michinobu Sugata stated “It is encouraging that Toyota started the new year strongly. Coming from a good performance last month, we are optimistic that demand will continue to be favourable because of positive economic outlook and confident consumer spending.”

Overcoming differential challenges in school setting

By ELIZABETH G. AGTA

Teachers nowadays could o b s e r v e s e v e r a l g ap s existing in the classroom. cultural gaps is just a kind. These are results of a communication barrier, specifically cultural barriers, brought about by cultural differences.

Example of this is the usual problem that exist among different cultures, t h e l ang u a ge b ar r i e r.

Language, in order to be simply understood, should delivered in proper tone, diction and pronunciation.

However, people from different cultures deliver words in differently compared to others. In result, their statements c ou l d me an d i f fe re nt interpretation leading to misunderstanding.

In a classrooms as such, teachers during discussion could say something in a

manner that might not b e understo o d by the students. It is perhaps because there are terms in her discourse which are strange to students.

Furthermore, it could create misinterpretation and miscommunication.

It should be realized that in order to truly engage students, teachers must reach out to them in ways that are culturally and linguistically responsive and appropriate.

Molding pupils to be something is a challenging mission. Teachers should be able to deliver lessons that are culturally parallel to students level of learning. In addition, cultural assumptions and stereotypes brought into the classroom that may hinder interconnectedness should properly examined.

ORO CHAMBER

BULLETIN Dear Members, We are pleased to inform you of our upcoming events & activities in February and March, as well as the endorsed activities and business opportunities from our local & international networks and family chambers for your ready reference.

All the best in 2015, ENGR. CERAEL C. DONGGAY President

C

HAMBER EVENTS

February 18

Family Focused Discussion Series

   

It has always been our chamber’s goal to help build society through the business growth and development in our locality. Family businesses constitute the majority of businesses in any economic region. Hence, strengthening the family business is of great value to our chamber. Participants of this discussion would be able to know the: Best Practices in bringing out the best in your family business, Insights on how to perpetuate the family business across generation and How to harness your key advantage as a family.

1:00PM – 5:00PM Mallberry Suites Business Hotel, Osmeña St., Cagayan de Oro City

 

February 20-21



Mindanao Chamber Presidents/Regional Governors Strategic Planning Workshop

Mindanao Chamber Presidents and Regional Governors are given the opportunity to renew the oneness in Mindanao and look beyond the present through a workshop where they can plan strategically for the benefit of the chamber and their community in which they we serve.

Venue: Berjaya Hotel, Metro Manila

March 6

ISO 9001 and Food Safety Seminar

8:00AM – 5:00PM

Oro Chamber PUM Conference Room, Cagayan de Oro City

March 11-13

Building SMEs Capacity to Access







This training aims to provide technical assistance to SMEs with their expansion plans, in crafting or improving their respective business plans, a necessary requirement to access financing. This technical assistance will be in the form of a live-in interactive workshop, where SMEs will be guided through the process of crafting and improving their respective business plans and presenting it to a panel of experts, including account officers of partner banks and other financial institutions.

8:00AM – 5:00PM Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City

March 27

 

Happiness in the Workplace Seminar

In this two-day workshop, participants will learn some basic tools to increase their happiness and well-being – enabling them to move from a negative and restrictive mind-set to a flourishing and growth-oriented life.

8:00AM – 5:00PM Oro Chamber PUM Conference Room, Cagayan de Oro City

        

L

OCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

    

February 19

CHINESE NEW YEAR

February 25

EDSA REVOLUTION ANNIVERSARY

March 14

CONFRONTING CORRUPTION

7:00AM – 11:00AM

The VIP Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City

“Changing Our Business, Changing Our Lives”

TAX CONCERNS AND ADVOCACY OROBEST EXPO MINDANAO FOOD CONGRESS MEMBERSHIP AND CHAMBER DEVELOPMENT & PROMOTION MSME DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS RESEARCH AND POLICY ADVOCACY FAMILY HEALTH AT THE WORKPLACE INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP WITH FOREIGN MARKETS FOR LOCAL BUSINESS GENERATION ORO CHAMBER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

AMERICAN-FILIPINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA AMERICAN –FILIPINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF HAWAII AUSTRALIAN-FILIPINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CANADIAN CHAMBER CEBU CHAMBER DIPOLOG CHAMBER EUROPEAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF THE PHILIPPINES HANDWERKSKAMMER KASSEL OF GERMANY ILIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE KAAMULAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY MANDALUYONG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY MISAMIS ORIENTAL FIL-CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OZAMIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OROQUIETA CHAMBER TAINAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF TAIWAN VIETNAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY-HO CHI MINH BRANCH

Office Address: CAGAYAN DE ORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY FOUNDATION, INC. ORO CHAMBER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

PN Roa Avenue, Pueblo de Oro Township, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines Tel.No. 088 858 4073/858 4068/309 0951; Mobile No. +63 0920 951 0998 (smart) Email: orochamber@gmail.com Website: orochamber.net

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Winners of the 2015 Smart ‘Doon Po Sa Amin’ competition announced Wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) presented the best local stories from among the entries submitted to the 7th Doon Po Sa Amin (DPSA) competition, the biggest and longest-running online local content activity that encourages Filipinos to join the digital conversation about the nation.

The awarding ceremony was held in Raffles Hotel in Makati to coincide with the 11th SWEEP Innovation and Excellence Awards, another grand annual event of the telco which recognizes student teams with the best technology innovations.

DPSA is an annual search for the best hometown stories that showcases the best of history, traditions, festivals and activities, places to visit, notable people, unique plants and animals, special delicacies, and local products. This year’s local stories are presented through a music video, documentary, and animation. These are all mapped online via the DPSA website.

As a crowd-sourcing activity, DPSA is able to engage Filipinos to participate in the digital conversation to boost Pinoy Pride.

“Generating more than 1,500 hometown stories, DPSA allows Filipinos to take part in documenting Philippine culture and history using technology for all the world to see,” said Smart Public Affairs Group Head Ramon Isberto.

Initially launched exclusively for schools in partnership with the Department of Education, Smart has included an open division for this year’s run.

Domingo Yu Chu National High School bagged the grand prize for the student division with the documentary on the discovery of fossils of Ammonites in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.

Ammonite is a type of mollusk that lived during the Mesozoic era, along with the dinosaurs.

This is why Mansalay is called the Jurassic Park of the Philippines.

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo National High School, which featured the life of Lirio Salvador—the sound artist who

Tuslob Buwa, which literally means “to dip in bubbles”, contains liver, pig’s brain, meats, and other spices. Puso (cooked rice wrapped in coconut leaves) is usually paired with it.

Emerging... from page 5

ItalPinas, one of the biggest investors in CDO, specializes in sustainable property developments and green building design. Since it was formed by Nati, an Italy national and Filipino partner, Jojo Leviste in 2009, the company has taken a lead role in creating sustainable property developments in the country’s secondary cities.

Nati also emphasized the wealth of CDO’s human capital. Four of the biggest universities in Northern Mindanao are in CD O: Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan de Oro, Liceo University, Capitol University and Mindanao University of Science and Technology. The city also attracts graduates from eight universities, 70 colleges and six computer technology institutes throughout Region X, or Northern Mindanao. In 2013, these educational institutes produced a total of 23,000 graduates.

“The city also has a rich source of human capital, and the BPO sector takes advantage of this at the same time that it develops this resource even further to help optimize the country’s young educated population as a

prime asset,” Nati said.

During the forum, Cagayan de Oro mayor Oscar Moreno invited businesses to locate to the city and neighboring areas, even as he said it was his administration’s goal to make the city Mindanao’s future economic powerhouse.

“That’s our dream, that’s our objective, that’s our mission,” Moreno said.

To boost CDO’s sustainable growth, the local government is seeking private sector partnerships and investments in key agricultural and environmental developments.

Priority environmental projects include the improvement of the Carmen dumpsite, the new sanitary landfill in Pagatpat, the Agusan solid waste transfer station, the septage treatment p l a nt i n Pa g at p at , a n interceptor and sewer system, an eco-tourism park, urban catchment ponds and the reforestation of CDO river banks.

The city government is also seeking public-private partnerships in the following agricultural projects: a livestock auction market, an airport shuttle terminal, the expansion of Mindanao Container Terminal, Class AA poultry dressing plant, a meat processing center, a vegetable processing center,

makes instruments out of scrap metals—was the 1st runnerup. Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High School placed 2nd runner-up, with their entry about Eugenio Daza E. Salazar, a teacher who joined the revolutionary forces and lead the Balangiga attack in Eastern Samar during the PhilippineAmerican war.

In the open division, a team from Rizal took home the grand prize. The team showed why Angono, Rizal is considered the Arts Capital of the Philippines.

Entries from Iloilo and Albay were 2nd and 3rd placers, respectively.

Iloilo team featured the historical significance of Sampaw Bato in San Joaquin, Iloilo, while team Albay provided a virtual tour around the must-visit places in Camalig.

An entry about Panagdadapun Festival in Quirino Province created by Maddela Comprehensive High School won the People’s Choice Award for student division, while a team from Cebu who featured an exotic dip called Tuslob Diwa won in the open division. The teams got the most number of votes in the Facebook poll conducted by Smart. Emerging as the best music video entry, Ilocos Norte National High School bagged the SPINNR Award with their video entry about the cultural heritage of the Ilocanos.

To view all the entries, visit the DPSA website at www. doonposaamin.ph. You may also follow DPSA on Facebook at www. facebook.com/DoonPoSaAmin or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ doonposaaminph for more Pinoy local stories.

DPSA is supported by media partners Manila Bulletin,

Philippine Star, Mindanao Times, Sun.Star-Cebu, Sun. Star CDO, BusinessWeek Mindanao, Mindanao Goldstar Daily, Magic 89.9, and RMN (Cebu, Dumaguete, Davao,

an A R A BIC A C OFFE E plantation and an oil palm plantation.

With 600,000 inhabitants with an annual growth population of 2.54 percent, CDO is the ninth most populous city in the Philippines.

The features that make it friendly to investors include strategically located international seaports, the prime location of costeffective air, land and sea transit, a steady supply of cheap and abundant power, modern telecommunication facilities, adequate infrastructure, business support facilities, clearly delineated areas for industries and urban amenities.

The booming Northern Mindanao city is one of three Philippine cities being supported by the USAID under the Cities Development Initiative (CDI), which aims to empower secondary cities as engines of national growth.

Company did not have a direct presence nor have its own brands,” stated Rolando Gapud, Chairman of the Board of DMPL. Furthermore, Mr. Gapud a d d e d : “ T h e C omp any expects to generate significant value creation opportunities in the U.S. market through the expansion of DMF’s current product offering to include beverage and culinar y products. We also believe t h a t D M F ’s c o n s u m e r fo o d business provides an attractive platform to of f e r c e r t a i n pro du c t s appealing to the large and fast growing Hispanic and Asian American population in the U.S. We are ver y excited about this historic transaction which reunites a substantial portion of the Del Monte brand family.”

DM PL op e r ate s one of the largest pineapple plantations in the world and e x p e c t s to b e ne f it from much wider access to the processed pineapple business in the U.S., one of the largest packaged fruit segments in the American market. With greater access for its products, DMPL expects to realize synergies by leveraging its vertical integration, benefitting from economies of scale

Del Monte... from page 5

established, attractive and prof it able brande d consumer food business in the world’s biggest market.

Prior to this acquisition, the U.S. was one of few ke y markets w here our

Iligan) and community partners Google Business Group-Baguio, Cebu Blogging Community, Iloilo Bloggers, Davao Bloggers, CDO bloggers, and Soccsksargen Bloggers.

DPSA is aligned with Smart’s Internet for all advocacy that aims to make information available and accessible to more Filipinos through web and mobile technologies.

Lirio Salvador, the sound artist from Cavite, creates instruments out of scrap metals.

Fossils of Ammonites, a type of mollusk that lived during the time of the dinosaurs, can be found in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro—the Jurassic Park of the Philippines.

and value-added expansion, and optimizing operations over time.

In addition to thes e anticipated synergies with DMPL, DMF’s consumer foods business itself will build on its core business and leading market share in the U.S. across its canned fruit, vegetable, tomato and broth businesses. Its largely untapped S outh America business also has the potential to expand over time across new markets and product categories.

The acquired consumer food business will be managed under a separate platform and will be led by a U.S.-based CEO and management team. It is expected that the operating org an i z at i on of DM F ’s consumer food division will largely transfer to the Company together with the assets and operations of the business.

The transaction is valued at US$1.675 billion and will be financed through a combination of approximately US$745 million of equity in the Company’s new acquisition subsidiary, as well as longter m debt f inancing of ap prox i m at e l y U S $ 9 3 0 mi l lion t hat have b e en committed by a syndicate

of bank lenders. As part of the equity financing, the Company plans to issue common and prefer re d shares in the market.

The transaction is subject to receipt of regulator y approvals and other customar y closing conditions, and is expected to close not later than the first quarter of 2014. In accordance with Singapore Exchange rules, the Company will submit the transaction to its shareholders for approval, with majority shareholder Nut r i As i a Pa c i f i c Lt d . having committed to vote to approve the transaction.

P e r e l l a We i n b e r g Partners LLC ser ved as lead financial advisor, and Citibank as a f inancial advisor to the Company, in connection with the transaction. Citibank and Morgan Stanley are providing committed f i n a n c i n g t o D M P L’s a c qu is it i on sub s i d i ar y, while two leading Philippine banks, BDO Capital and Investment Corp. and Bank of the Philippine Islands, are providing committed financing to DMPL, to fund the transaction. Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP is acting as legal advisor to the Company.

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PhilHealth Iligan marks 20th year with tree planting

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Stakeholders/partneragencies join Local Health Insurance Office-PhilHealth Iligan/Lanao del Norte in a Tree Planting activity in celebration of PhilHealth's 20th Anniversary, at Kalubihon High School, Dalipuga, Iligan City, Feb 15, 2015. (Photos by Philippine Information Agency-Lanao del Norte)

By LORRY V. GABULE ILIGAN CITY -- The Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) in Iligan city and Lanao del Norte commemorates PhilHealth’s 20th anniversary with tree planting of 1,000 fruit bearing seedlings surrounding the school premise of Kalubihon High School in Dalipuga, Iligan city.

This is simultaneous with the ‘PhilHealth Nationwide Run’ in other regions outside Mindanao on February 15.

Christine Mae M. Garcia-Magno, chief social insurance officer, LHIO Iligan and Lanao del Norte, said they have invited the Barangay Council of Dalipuga, non-government organizations, civic clubs, different city government offices and other national government line agencies, students and parents of the said school, and other youth in the community.

They also invited the Kapagintaw Band of the Iligan Medical Center College, to make the activity meaningful with their songs about environment.

Further, Magno said in pursuit of its corporate social responsibility, PhilHealth regional offices in Mindanao planted 20,000 trees as it commemorates its anniversary this year.

PhilHealth anniversary falls every 14th of February of every year, but we conduct the activities on the 15th of February considering that it’s a weekend, said Magno.

She added the tree planting activity is part of PhilHealth's contribution to the nation's effort of protecting and preserving the environment, thus, we eagerly look forward to a partnership with our organization. (LVG/PIA-10 LDN)

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DTI to open 100 Negosyo Centers in 2015

By JASPER MARIE OBLINA-RUCAT

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to open 100 Negosyo Centers nationwide this year as one of the salient features of the Republic Act 10644 known as “Go Negosyo Act.” In an interview during the Philippine Information Agency’s radio program dubbed Lambo Dyes on February 13, 2015, senior trade specialist Jesse M. Abear of DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Office said that through the enactment of the “Go Negosyo Act” on July 15, 2014, DTI has been making strides and pushing to open 100 more in the country this year to provide ease of doing business and facilitate access to services for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

In fact, Cagayan de Oro was the first ever in the country to open a Negosyo Center on November 13, 2014 which was graced by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, author of the law, RA 10644. This was followed

by IloIlo which opened just last week.

She added that region 11 or Davao region also visited the CDO Negosyo Center recently to

do benchmark.

So far, since its opening here there had been 640 clients who were served in business registration and business coaching.

DTI has already scheduled trainings for the whole year.

Abear said they have identified their trainings according to “would-be” entrepreneurs and “existing” businesses.

She said that for start-ups, they have Entrepreneurship Development Seminar wherein they talk about the characteristics of an Entrepreneur and business options. They also offer bookkeeping and financial analysis, pricing and costing of products, and business plan writeshop.

For those with employees, DTI has also set training for basic benefits, including the different Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) forms, among others.

Further they also offer Design Techniques training especially for crafts-based businesses and product trends and forecast.

Abear said that they have recently forged a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the

CDO ICT Business Council to partner with them in terms of Information Communications Technology especially that businesses are now web-based.

Their partners include Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), Xavier University (XU), Cagayan de Oro College (COC), People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) CDO chapter, Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Misamis Oriental Multi Fiber Cluster, Inc. (MOMCI) among others.

DTI is also encouraging the Out of School Youth (OSY), and women sector to avail of these trainings to be empowered.

Abear said, if you have passion and determination, then the business industry might be for you.

These trainings are free of charge but with limited slots. DTI-Misamis Oriental Provincial Office may be reached at (08822) 71-2473 or email at negosyocenter10@dti.gov.ph for more information or visit them at ground floor, Antolin Building Tiano-Akut Sts., Cagayan de Oro City.

B3

Panaghugpong 7 and Saysay: Lumad Myth and Epics Exhibit Launching of Panaghugpong 7 January 30; 4PM Museo de Oro Grounds and Fr Francisco R Demetrio SJ Art Gallery No Probs, Its Improvs

By Dulaang Atenista February 3, 5 and 6; 7PM XU Little Theater English Month Celebration 2015: Empowering the Youth, Enhancing Language Competencies

By XU High School English Department February 3-23 Litrato (for the Lourdes College High School Batch 1975)

By XU Cultural Dance Troupe February 6; 4PM N Hotel Brewing the Theater Basics

By Xavier English Language and Literature Organization February 11; 8AM-12NN XU Little Theater Aeromarathon Para sa mga Puso By the Physical Education Department February 14; 4AM XU Soccer Field Sulong: Dangal ng Wikang Filipino 2015 – Palihan sa Ortograpiyang Filipino at KWF Manual sa Masinop na Pagsulat By the Filipino Department February 12-14; 8AM-5PM XU Little Theater Lost and Found Concert

By Xavier Philharmonia February 16; 7PM XU Little Theater Hearts: Love of Arts and Art of Love

By Xavier University Glee Club February 18; 6:30PM XU Little Theater Mebuyan Concert Brought to you by XU-NSTP and XCCA February 18; 7PM XU Covered Courts Spring Film Festival 2015 Brought to you by Lim Ket Kai Center and XCCA February 20; 1-4PM Lim Ket Kai Rotunda Cagayan de Oro Arts Forum

By XCCA February 21; 9AM-12NN SEARSOLIN

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) region 10 Western Misamis Oriental Provincial Field Office (WMO PFO) in partnership with DOLE-10 CARES Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) through its Angel Tree project provides gift bags containing school supplies, toiletries, and goodies to some 100 children living in Calaanan relocation site, Cagayan de Oro City. (JMOR/PIA)

Dial M for Murder

By The Xavier Stage February 23 -28 XU Little Theater Gregorian Chant of Paris Performance OICN and XCCA February 25; 10AM XU Immaculate Conception Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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wednesday|february 18, 2015

Investments... from page 1

Board of Investments in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Philippine Confederation, Inc., and member-companies of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

T h e Mi d d l e E a s t i s currently one of the export markets for Mindanao’s agriculture products such as banana and black rice.

Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino, MinDA chair, will be presenting the overall investment opportunities in Mindanao and MinDA will organize the businessmatching between local representatives and potential Middle East investors.

Mr. Montenegro also said the Dubai meet will be an opportunity to promote Mindanao in light of the Mamasapano incident that has shaken ongoing peace efforts in the proposed new Muslim territory.

Killed in the encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25 were 18 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), four civilians, and 44 members of the police Special Action Force which was in pursuit of two highvalue terrorist targets.

T he M I L F s i g ne d a peace agreement with the government last year, which has become the basis for the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. “We need to continue working for p eace and economic development by participating in events like this,” he said.

The Annual Investment Meeting, according to its Web site, is a venue for promoting foreign direct investment and allow the Middle East markets to link up with developing regions.

The event is expected to attract about 500 exhibitors from 140 countries as well as gove r n me nt l e a d e rs from 70 countries who are participating in the government-to-business meetings.

Editorial... from page 1

with a big leap towards higher standards of newspapering starting this year.

Going daily has been a challenge. But BusinessWeek Mindanao is gladly taking

the challenge. We’ve been humbled by the recent distinction accorded by the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) being the Best Weekly for Business & Economy Reporting in 2013, thus this served as our inspiration to move ahead without losing grip of our guiding principles.

Likewise, we feel indebted to Mindanawons more, and we must satisfy with more service to our clients and supporters.

We feel that BusinessWeek Mindanao coming out as a weekly business newspaper is not enough to serve the business communities in Mindanao. We have to come out daily to be more effective in covering the surging economic development of our competitive cities.

In particular, Cagayan de Oro is dubbed as the country’s most competitive city in terms of business and economic development. We have to complement this status, and that of Davao, Gen. Santos, Zamboanga and Butuan cities’ rise to prominence as outstanding business hubs of the country.

It could be an uphill climb for us, but the nobility of public service far outweighs t he business r isks. We believe we could surmount any obstacle because you Mi nd anawons and ou r corporate friends are behind us.

Toget her, let’s make Mindanao a real haven of blessings and opportunities.

Aboitiz... from page 3

rehabilitation since the barges did not operate for the past five years.

COLLUSION TMO President and Chief Operating Officer Jovy P. Batiquin said in a separate statement that forcing the facilities to deliver more than 100 MW could cause a collapse of the line and could trigger a much bigger problem for the Luzon grid.

“We are very concerned that the decision of PEMC’s investigating unit did not consider the realities that TMO faced to deliver the much needed 100 MW for its customer, Meralco,” Mr. Batiquin said.

Shares of Aboitiz lost 90 centavos or 1.99% to close at P44.40 apiece yesterday from Tuesday’s closing price.

TMO’s case is related to an

Publication Notice R.A. 10172 Republic of the Philippines Province of Misamis Oriental Municipality of Initao -oOo-

Date: February 17, 2015

In Compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that MEDER B. GO has filed with this Office, a petition for change of first name from “MERIEL” to “ MEDER” and correction of entry in sex from “FEMALE“ to “MALE“ or correction of entry in the date of birth from “JANUARY 14, 1960”to “JANUARY 15, 1960” in the certificate of live birth of MERIEL B. GO at Initao, Misamis Oriental and whose parents are JENNY J. GO and ANITA C. BATALLA.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than March 10, 2015.

(Sgd) ISAIAS A. JARALES Municipal Civil Registrar BWM: Feb. 18 & 25, 2015

offered at the WESM. The ERC in March last year voided the market prices for the November and December 2013 supply months and ordered PEMC to adopt regulated rates for the December and January billing periods.

High WESM prices have been blamed for the P4.15per-kilowatt-hour (/kWh) rate hike that Meralco was supposed to have started implementing in December 2013.

The adjustment is currently the subject of a Supreme Court-issued indefinite restraining order, which prevents PEMC from issuing a revised bill for Meralco’s December rate.

A P5.33/kWh increase was also sought for January last year but Meralco slashed this to P0.45/kWh after PEMC revised WESM prices for the December supply month.

The ERC has yet to rule on the revised petition.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT).

“Or he could easily take the ferry boat service in Barangay Mukas, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, that travels to Ozamiz City, and vice-versa,” the OCPS chief added. (RCA/ PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Pag-IBIG... from page 7

and the deletion of additional premium for OFWs, PagIBIG’s Short-term Loan (STL) Programs, the PagIBIG “BalikSavings 65” campaign which exhorts members who are 65 years old and more towithdraw their total savings plus earned dividends with the Fund under the mandatory retirement provision that they can now use for their needs.

Dr. Tong-an, meanwhile, expressed his support for the newly-formed partnership.

“Our collaboration with PagIBIG will help our members

dwell on what benefits they can take. We are excited to help each other on this,” he said.

PNA is one of the biggest and most organized groups of professionals abroad with approximately 18,000 members. It has 11 chapters abroad located in Europe and the Middle East.

The nurses’ association will provide Pag-IBIG access to its events, meetings, and other similar activities to promote Pag-IBIG programs among members. They will also endorse the Fund to its affiliate organizations abroad.

As of November 2014, there are 14.6 million PagIBIG members, four million of which are OFWs. From January to November last year, around 10,000 overseas worker-members have availed of the Housing Loan program, while more than 4,400 members have enjoyed the benefits of the STL program.

Watch... from page 6

who found among his things a certification of a drug test he took from the Mehakans Drug Testing Center, at the Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal (IBJT) Building, in barangay Maloro, Tangub City.

“This only proves that Dongon freely enters the province of Misamis Occidental through Tangub City, which is located just across Panguil Bay, and can be reached easily using a motorized banca, either from Baroy, itself or through the wharf of its adjacent town in Tubod,” Bawayan said.

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official probe being conducted by the ERC on suspected trading irregularities at the WESM. ERC’s investigation started early last year amid allegations of collusion among power generators that could have driven up prices at WESM, from which Meralco sources part of its requirements.

Isabelo Joseph P. Tomas, head of the ERC investigating unit and director for the Office of General Counsel, said in November last year that results of the probe may be released this year.

Mr. Tomas said the results would determine possible market abuse and anticompetitive behavior but noted that all concerned parties will be accorded due process before they are penalized.

The official also noted that ERC investigations took into consideration the report of PEMC on the violation of market rules.

In its Aug. 14 investigation report, the PEMC Board found that apart from TMO, 10 other power firms violated the must-offer rule in the November and December supply months.

The other erring companies were earlier identified as: 1590 Energy Corp.; AP Renewables, Inc.; CIP II Power Corp.; TransAsia Power Generation Corp.; Undenna Management and Resources Corp.; Strategic Power Development Corp.; Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.; PANASIA Energy, Inc.; GNPower Mariveles Coal Plant Ltd.; and SEMCalaca Power Corp.

PEMC was not immediately available when sought for further details.

The Energy department in February last year said that its investigation showed that around 2,300 MW were not

11

DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

VIBE

BusinessWeek MINDANAO WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 16, 2015

editor: SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

PAGE 12

The Xavier Stage presents

Dial M for Murder F

rederick Knott’s Dial M for Murder caps the 4th Theatre Season (20142015) titled Misteryo of the Xavier Stage – a resident repertory company of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.

The company presented Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians in September 2014 and Joseph Kesserling’s Arsenic and Old Lace in December 2014 with a re-staging last January 5 to 7 due to a command performance.

Playwright Don Pagusara adapted Ten Little Indians while resident playwright and actor Roger Garcia adapted Arsenic and Old Lace.

Both plays were contextualized and translated to Cebuano.

To celebrate the National Arts Month, the company premieres Dial M with a fresher adaptation by contextualizing the play in a contemporary Cagayan de Oro setting.

Though some might take the play’s plot as unimaginable to happen, The Xavier Stage makes sure to portray mistaken opportunity and greed for money, power, contempt and suspicion for these are dominant themes that determine the characters’ motives and intentions in the play.

The characters are entangled with

1/4 AD MARIWASA

the mystery of solving who imposed the perfect crime to an ‘endangered woman’ whose string of power is the source of love, infidelity and betrayal.

The play somehow presents a ‘hyper-macho world,’ where a woman has to stand firm to triumph her femininity.

Despite her flaws and weaknesses, her nature befalls much sympathy, compassion and love offered and rendered to her advantage.

Palanca winner Don Pagusara adapted the play. Carl Cyril Manere, Tracy June Dy, Rosell Velez, Roger Garcia, Noli Paglinawan, Lila Gianneli Ang, Edmund Telmo, Simon Pierre Salera, Ken Francisco

DIAL M FOR MURDER Main/Senior Cast

and Ryan Ilogon compose the cast who are from the actors’ pool of TXS. The play premieres on February 23, 2015 at 7:30 pm at the XU Little Theater.

The play runs through February 28, 2015.

For seat reservations, please call the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts office at 858-3116 local 2059.

Dial M for Murder is a production

by The Xavier Stage supported by Xavier University, Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts, the Office of Mission and Ministry of XU and the National Commission for Culture

DIAL M FOR MURDER Junior Cast