BusinessWeek Mindanao (February 1, 2017)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

YOUR Mindanao-wide BUSINESS paper

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Volume VII, No. 106

Market Indicators

As of 5:45 pm January 31, 2017 (tuesday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P49.81

7,251.83

6.9

X Briefly

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X

-84.88 points

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Trade visits THIRTY trade attachés from Asian and Middle East countries are currently here in the city for official visit and to seek market opportunities for Davao City to their respective countries.

Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) chief Lemuel Ortonio told reporters here on Thursday that the 30 trade attachés will also see potentials for investments in Davao City as a potential destination for business, trade and investments from the countries they represent.

“The 30 trade attachés are here in the city to check the investment concerns of Davao.

They will serve as our indirect marketing officers for investments in the international market,” Ortonio pointed out.

P15.00

Wednesday | February 1, 2017

Lopez on mining ops in Caraga:

‘It’s absolutely crazy’ S

By ROEL CATOTO, MindaNews

URIGAO City — Horrified by what she saw during a two-day aerial survey of mining operations in Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Dinagat Islands.

‘Halal hub’ COTABATO City -- To meet the growing demand for a “halal” port in the country, especially in Mindanao where the Muslims reside, Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has officially declared the Polloc Freeport and Ecozone in Maguindanao as “halal hub”, the first truly halal ecozone in the country.

The freeport is located in Barangay Sarmiento, Parang, Maguindanao. “ T h e A R M M government is continually working to open the possibilities to the halal market in the region as well as in the country that serves as a gateway to the multi-trillion dollar halal industry,” Gov. Hataman said in a statement. (PNA)

IN-DEPTH

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez told MindaNews upon arrival at the airport here: “Oh my God. Grabe.

It’s absolutely crazy.”

Lopez was aghast at the massive siltation wrought by some large-scale mining

operations in the areas she visited.

The Environment S ecretar y did an aerial survey of mining operations in Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur on Thurdsay and in Agusan del Norte and Dinagat Islands on Friday.

“Parang nighmare. Sabi ko…aaahhh,” said Lopez as lopez/PAGE 11

FUMING GINA. Environment Secretary Gina Lopez arrives at the Surigao City airport last week, after a two-day aerial survey of mining operations in the Caraga region.

(MindaNews photo by ROEL CATOTO)

WB targets new agri projects for M’danao THE World Bank (WB) i s l o o k i n g t o s up p o r t agricultural development projects in Mindanao after the implementation of the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development

Project (DA-PRDP) in 2021.

In a recent meeting with top DA officials, the WB also expressed its interest for smaller interventions that may be immediately projects/PAGE 11

SanMig eyes ecozone locators as off-takers of its Davao power plant

By MYRNA M. VELASCO, Contributor

TWO major locators at its self-developed economic zone in Davao will soak up a significant pie of the generated electricity of the 600-megawatt Malita power plant of SMC Global Power Holdings Corporation, an

energy subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation.

According to SMC President Ramon S. Ang, a steel mill plant will be locating at their Davao ecozone and that will be in need of 130 sanmig/PAGE 11

RESCUE BOAT. A privately-owned amphibious rescue vehicle ferries stranded commuters along a flooded section of C.M. Recto Avenue in Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. Heavy rains triggered flash floods in some parts of the city. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

Bangsamoro invites Duterte to international confab on Islamic economics

By ERCEL MAANDIG, Reporter

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is expected to be the guest of honor of the two-day international summit on Bangsamoro economy and

finance on Feb. 17 and 18 here, organizers said Monday.

Esmail Amanoding, summit and conference organizer, said that the

summit aims to address issues on the promise and viability in Bangsamoro through the introduction and practice of Islamic economics and finance.

He said that the summit

is organized to examine opportunities and challenges surrounding the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Amanoding said that the gathering would also bring

together and provide toplevel corporate executives and investors, economic stakeholders and the local government officials across the country. economics/PAGE 11

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Economy 2 ARMM declares Polloc Freepor, Ecozone as halal hub Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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MARAWI City -- Governor Mujiv Hat aman of t he Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has officially declared the Polloc Freeport and Ecozone in Parang, Maguindanao as ‘halal hub’, the first truly halal ecozone in the country.

“The ARMM government is continually working to open the possibilities to the halal market in the region as well as in the country that serves as a gateway to the multi-trillion dollar halal industry,” Hataman said.

The declaration of a halal economic zone will attract local and foreign investors to export and import halal products and services.

Aleem Guiapal, ARMM’s economic zone authority (REZA) executive director, said a declared halal ecozone

becomes halal-industry ready and industry investments would be fully supported.

Guiapal noted that REZA continues to forge stronger partnerships with potential investors.

Halal is an Arabic word meaning permissible based on Islamic Sharia law and the term can cover both goods – such as foods, drinks, medicines, clothing and cosmetics – and services as well as places.

“We see tremendous opportunities here in the region. So now, we want to differentiate our market on the other economic zones in the Philippines,” Guiapal said.

He said the declaration is considered a medium to attaining the vision of a sustainable ARMM economy.

“We, in Muslim Mindanao, should seize the opportunity as the halal market worldwide is continuously growing,” he said .

Ecozones are selected areas with highly developed, or which have the potential to be developed into, agriindustrial, industrial, tourist/ recreational, commercial, banking, investment and financial centers. Having h a l a l e c o z on e s i n t h e ARMM means it would open opportunities to the region as well as to the country for the growing global halal industry.

A worldwide study conducted two years ago

by Thomson Reuters in collaboration with Dinar Standard noted the global halal market in 2018 would reach $1.6 trillion with an

annual growth rate of 6.9 percent.

Among the potential markets for Mindanaoproduced halal foods are Middle E ast countries, Singapore as well as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines under the East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMPEAGA).

Wit h t he s e e xc it i ng opportunities, Guiapal said the region is still facing challenges. “We still need to continually capacitate our experts, the halal-certifying bodies and in terms of technical know-how and operations to run a halal hub,” he said.

In the region, outside of the Polloc Freeport, REZA’s list also included the facility of B.J. Coco Oil declares/PAGE 11

NFA to ensure accessibility of rice during disasters MALAYBALAY City -- The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bukidnon has strengthened its provincial technical team to ensure readiness and accessibility of rice for distribution in relief operations during disasters.

Provincial Manager Gil G. Tabor said the technical team’s role is vital in assessing the volume of rice needed in calamity-stricken areas.

“This is part of NFA’s crisis and disaster plan because we need to ensure the readiness and accessibility of the agency’s rice stocks in order to immediately respond to the local governments’ ‘distress call’ for food during

disasters,” he said.

At pre s e nt , N FA i s processing the documents for signing of additional Local Government Unit (LGU) applicants and renewal of the memorandum of agreement by 10 LGUs, including the provincial government, for rice loan under the Disaster P re p a re d n e s s P ro g r a m (DPP). This allows them to acquire rice on credit for relief operations in case of disasters.

Chaired by NFA provincial manager, the technical team includes the enforcement and investigation services officer, the designated information ensure/PAGE 11

RPN Radyo Ronda Stations Nationwide

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CNN Philippines TV-8 Bacolod CNN Philippines TV-9 Cebu CNN Philippines TV-5 Cag. de Oro CNN Philippines TV-5 Zamboanga CNN Philippines TV-7 GenSan CNN Philippines TV-9 Davao

DZBS 1368 Baguio DZRL 639 Batac DZTG 621 Tuguegarao DZKI 1332 Iriga DYKW 936 Binalbagan DYKB 1404 Bacolod DYKC 675 Cebu DXKO 1368 Cagayan de Oro DXKS 1080 Surigao DXKD 1053 Dipolog DXKP 1377 Pagadian DXXX 1008 Zamboanga DXKT 1071 Davao DXDX 693 General Santos

Northern Mindanao police regional director PCSupt Agripino Javier issued order on Jan. 28 morning for the deployment of PNP Search and Rescue team as flooding hit anew Cagayan de Oro for precautionaru measures and assist P/CDRMMOs on preemptive evacuation as well as managing traffic. (PRO10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

CorporateWorld Globe blocks over 165M spam messages in 2016

3

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

wednesday|February 1, 2017

F

OLLOWING an accelerated campaign versus unwanted spam/scam messages, Globe Telecom blocked more than 165 million of such messages in 2016, aided by the use of a comprehensive and fully automated mechanism to rid its network of unwanted and unsolicited text messages.

In parallel, Globe also disconnected from the network last year around 1,700 prepaid numbers found to have been used as a source of spam/scam messages.

“O u r n e w b l o c k i n g mechanism has proven to be ver y effective in preventing transmittal of unwanted spam and scam messages. We are now closer, more than ever, to having a spam-free network and the combination of technology, skills, and malasakit to customers made this possible. Notwithstanding the significant progress we have achieved in our anti-spam campaign, the company remains committed in further stepping up our drive against spammers to

keep our network consistently free of these annoying and unwanted messages,” Globe Chief Information Security Officer Anton Bonifacio said.

The company’s currently blocking mechanism, which was established in February last year, involved the establishment of a new hardware and software solution that can filter up to 1 billion SMS a day.

With the new anti-spam solution, Globe is now able to prevent transmittal of spam/scam messages being sent to the Globe network but

are originating from other networks.

Following the expansion of the company’s anti-spam/ scam campaign to include similar messages coming from other networks, the average number of blocked messages rose to 1.1 million/ day in November. About 75% of such messages originated from spammers using other networks (35% Smart, 40% Sun) while the remaining 25% were sent thru the Globe network, Bonifacio said, adding that the mechanism blocks/PAGE 11

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Apple Tree Resort & Hotel 735411 / 754525 Fax: 754497 0917-7144040 / 0923-3269366 / 0939-9076948

Prawn House (088) 3095992 Fax: 8519219 Ridge View Chalet 8588946 / 8587946 Fax: 8588946

Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin (088) 3871057 / 3870131 Fax: 3870278 Basamanggas Resort 08822-760564 Fax: 760565 Cagayan Riverview Inn 8584245 / 729039 Fax: 8584245 Casa Crystalla 8561704 / 722465 Fax: 722480

JETTI VISIT. Business Week Mindanao VP for Corp Affairs and Editor In Chief, Allan M. Mediante Jetti Petroleum Inc. in Pasay City, with Jetti Corporate Affairs Manager Leo P. Bellas and Communications Manager Ms. Dominique T. Lopez.

Jetti inks deal with MDN on Journalism Awards ‘17 PASAY City -- In a bid to bolster the successful holding of the 3rd Mindanao Journalism Award this year, project director Allan M. Me d i a nt e s u bm itt e d a proposal to Jetti Petroleum I n c . , at i t s c o r p o r at e headquarters, this city.

Mediante had a brief conference with Jetti C or porate Af fairs Manager Leo P. Bellas and

Communications Manager Ms. Dominique T. Lopez.

Mindanao Daily which i s h o s t i n g t h e an nu a l Journalism Awards for 3 years now expressed gratitude for Jetti’s support to Business Week Mindanao projects.

The journalism awards is also supported by Phinma Education Network who offered scholarship grants to the winners.

Launched last December 10, 2016, the awards will culminate on March 22, 2017.

There will be contests on NewsWriting, Feature Writing, Photo Journalism, Sports Writing, Science Reporting and Business writing, and Civic Journalism.

Contestants are divided into 4 categories: High School, College, Govt. information officers and private company

writers.

Other companies who have expressed their willingness to support the project are Veterans Bank, Ay a l a C or p. , E ast West Bank, Holcim Philippines and Contempo Property Holdings of Cebu City.

Provincial contests are slated to start next week and will wind up on March 5. 2917.

Holcim gets DPWH nod for quick road repair CONSTRUCTION solutions company Holcim Philippines, Inc. has secured government accreditation for its one-day concrete technology ideal for quick road repairs in highlyurban areas, continuing the company’s diversification of its offerings beyond cement to better help local builders amid the construction boom.

Under Department Order 235, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) approved the use of Holcim Philippines’ road solutions technology SF-Crete or SuperFast -Crete for road projects.

D esig ne d to rapid ly gain strength and harden, SF-Crete was successfully used during the Holy Week break in March 2016 to repair sections of EDSA and make these passable after one day instead of the usual three to seven days. These properties make SF-Crete ideal for cutting the repair time of roads in highly-urban areas to benefit traffic-burdened motorists and commuters.

Ho l c i m P h i l i p p i n e s COO Sapna Sood thanked the DPWH for trusting

Casa Isabella (088) 8564065

Casa Azucena 8563402 / 09236593973

Chali Beach Resort 732840 / 8552108 Fax: 8555941 Chananthon Bed & Breakfast 8568189 / 3093095 Country Village Hotel 8583004-06 Fax: 8583006 D’Budgetel 8564200/726643 Fax: 8564300 Dahilayan Forest Park 8568562 to 63

De Luxe Hotel 8572144 / 724548 Fax: 724563 Discovery Hotel 727814 / 8563896 Fax: 8563897 Duka Bay Resort (088) 3312290 Fax: 725265 Dynasty Court Hotel 8574802 Fax: 857900 Grand City Hotel 8571900 / 728469 Fax: 723718 Hotel Conchita 8563856 / 727355 Fax: 8563857 Hotel Koresco 8589749-50 Fax: 8589748 Hotel Sogo 8520383

Kingston Lodge 8585696 Fax: 8585696

Our SF-Crete technology was successfully used during the Holy Week break in March 2016 for faster repairs of parts of EDSA, quickly setting in less than a day.

the company to bring in construction solutions that can help the Philippine building sector put up better structures.

Sh e a d d e d t h at t h e company plans to introduce more innovative products like SF-Crete, which is part of an integrated road building technology that can help

builders lower project costs and increase durability of structures.

“As a member of the L a f a r g e Ho l c i m G roup, Holcim Philippines has access to a wide range of proven construction solutions that have helped builders all over the world. We believe that the Philippines will benefit from

these innovative offerings especially at a time when the government and private sector are building the needed structures to sustain the country’s growth,” she said.

The government reportedly plans to spend 5.4% of GDP for infrastructure this year and repair/PAGE 11

Seda Centrio Hotel 3238888 / 0917-577-5910 Southwinds Hotel 724803 / 8562036 Fax: 8562036 Stargate Dream Vacation Resort 8515003 / 8509999 The VIP Hotel 726080 / 8562505 Fax: 726441 RED PLANET 8800888/8801306 Travelers Pod 8518988 Uptown Condotel 8511800 Villa Paraiso Apartelle 3870419 Fax: 3870429 HONORARY MEMBERS:

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Mapawa Natures Park 8584402 Fax: 725265

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Opinion

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wednesday|February 1, 2017

Breaking point

Businessweek Mindanao Corporation Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO

ALLAN mario MEDIANTE

Vice President for Corporate Affairs

Joe felicilda

Vice President for Administration

joe palabao

Vice President for Marketing

NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

Cheng ordoñez

gilbert y. chao

Executive Editor

Motoring Editor JOEL ESCOL

BONG FABE

Feature Editor

Associate Editor

CLIFFORD SANTILLAN Layout Artist

JUN AYENSA

shyne campaner

Regional Editor Caraga

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Cell No: 09352379999

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Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Make Someone Happy Think a minute…There were two ver y sick men who shared a room in a hospital. The man whose bed was by the window was allowed to sit up for an hour each day to help drain the fluid from his lungs. But the other man, who was not able to sit up, spent all his time laying flat on his back. The two men talked for several hours each day.

They talked about their wives and families, their jobs and life’s experiences.

Every day when the man by the window sat up on his bed for an hour, he told his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. He told him about the park with its lovely lake and gardens. It made the other man so happy because he could not sit up to look out; so he looked forward to that one hour every day as he listened to his roommate talk about the people and beauty of the world outside their hospital window.

One night, the man by the window died in his sleep. The other sick man who shared his room was ver y sad. He missed his roommate who had told him about the beautiful world through their hospital window. Then one day he

THINK

A Minute

Jhan Tiafau Hurst asked if his bed could be moved to the window where his friend had been. He couldn’t wait to finally see the beautiful world outside.

But when he turned his head to look out the window, he was shocked to see nothing but a dirty blank wall!

When the man told the nurse all the things his roommate had seen through the window and told him about, the nurse said to him: “Your friend who sat by the window was blind!

He could not even see that wall! I think he just wanted to make your life happy.”

Jesus told us that the only way to be truly happy is to make others happy.

The only way to find your real, satisfying life is to give it away by loving others. hurst/PAGE 11

Sometimes, we feel our life is turning miserably. Our negativism doesn’t allow us to keep our eyes, ears - and, most important! - our minds, hearts and souls opened. We are reaching our breaking point!

But, this breaking point can be the prelude to our strongest moment. It is when we reach our breaking point, that we discover our real strength. Allow me to ask you, my dear readers; “What happens to you or with you when you reach your breaking point?” Do you face it or do you run away? I’ll be giving you a very simple answer: If you face it - you break it. If you run away (and/or close your ears, eyes and mouth) - it breaks you!

Everyday - a dull reality!

Many of us will answer this question with a big YES! Actually we like to cover a newborn day already with grey veil? Each day has a new face, but sometimes we don’t

Blue eyed or ver y philosophical but so very true: If the world is to be brought to order, my nation must be first changed. If my nation is to be changed, my home town is to be reordered and must be first set be right, my dear brothers and sisters.

And, one step further: If my family is to be regenerated, I MYSELF MUST FIRST BE! And here is one more thing: Af fection is the humblest love - it gives itself no airs. It lives with humble and private things: soft slippers, old clothes, old jokes, and the thump of a sleepy dog’s tail on the kitchen floor. The glory of affection, the disposition of mind, the good will and tender attachment, is that it can unite those who are not “made for one and another’, people. Who, if not out down by fate in the same household or community, would have nothing to do with one and another.

For me life has been a

have the strength to watch its countenance. Of course, not every day has adventures and highlights.

Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that, at the same time, seemed especially desolating and painful with a particular satisfaction.

Indeed, everything I have learned, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness.

If it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from your earthly existence, the result would not be make life delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable.

By observation, we can feel that many of us need help to manage the everyday life. We need something that would keep us going as we journey through life.

Many times we can also learn from other people and their experiences.

H ave M y Say

Klaus Doring

thing of ups and downs in approximately equal measure.

I don’t have something sensational to report every day about my progress. Often, I wonder if fulfillment in life is necessarily tied to change for the better. +++ You can email me: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit one of my websites www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com .

Filipinos go to church, but nothing is changed LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… `Is not God in the heights of heaven? And see how lofty are the highest stars!’…”

(Job 22:12, the Holy Bible).

-ooo THE BIRTH OF JESUS F E AT U R E D A “S TA R” IN THE SKIES: Still on t he bi r t h of Je sus : d i d you know that for people w ho did not b elong to the Israelite nation---or those considered to be the people of God---it was a star that told them Jesus was already born? In fact, it was this star that Magi f rom t he e ast (le ar ne d and intel l ige nt p e opl e, scientists, or astrologers) followed to find Him? -ooo FILIPINOS GO TO CHURCH BUT NOTHING IS CHANGED: I chanced upon this Internet post from one Jaeyoun Kim, at the blog “Philippines Online Up d a t e” ( p i n o y s p e a k . info) and I am reprinting some parts because what is written represents my ow n s e nt i m e nt s : “ T h e Philippines is the most `religious’ country in Asia, they say. But there are too many poor people here.

People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

“My parents came to the Philippines last week

and s aw t his situation.

They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there are so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pagsanjan, I forced my p are nt s to t a ke a b o at because it would be fun.

“However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small frame.

Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.

-ooo CHURCHGOERS WHO DO NOT CHANGE THEMSELVES ARE FAKE CHRISTIANS: “My mother who has been working for a church since I was very young told me that if we just go to church without changing ours elves, we are not Christians indeed.

Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God. “I want Fi lipinos to love their neighborhood

and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off.

I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos s h o u l d r e m e m b e r. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody, in a small scale and have to grow.

“A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let’s put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country. That’s all I really want to ask you Filipinos.”

-ooo A STAR GUIDED THE MAGIS SEARCHING FOR JESUS: Here is the story of “star” that guided the Magi to find Jesus, found at Matthew 2:1-2, and 9-11: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, `Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him’…

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star

The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.

-- Bill gates ,

business magnate

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

Atty. Batas Mauricio they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him…” I am wondering: is not this star another proof that Jesus is God and Savior, and is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

-ooo PLEASE LISTEN: “Ang Tanging Daan” (The Sole Way): a Bible Exposition and prayer session online, could now be heard 24/7 (24 hours a day), in the Philippines and the world at w w w. f a c e b o o k . c om / angtangingdaan. Phone: 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0977 805 9058. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com.

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wednesday|February 1, 2017

5

Banking&Finance

DTI identifies 7 conduits for P3 microfinance facility

T

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) i d entif i e d seven microfinance instituti ons (MFIs) as

conduits for its ‘Pondo s a Pa g b a b a g o at Pa g asenso,” or P3 Program, a microfinance program for micro, small, and medium

enterprises (MSMEs).

The P3, a P1-billion microfinance program of the Duterte administration, aims to provide affordable

loan program for MSMEs for this sector to shun loan shark such as 5-6 money lending scheme.

Under t he prog ram,

A B O I T I Z - L E D Un i o n Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) is looking into entering bancassurance b u s i n e s s , t h e b a n k ’s executive said, with the collaboration to be formally announced in a couple of months.

UnionBank President and Chief Operating Officer Edwin R. Bautista said the bank is currently looking at partnering with an insurance

comp any to jump-st ar t its bancassurance venture, although it has yet to ink any formal deal.

“Yes, we will announce s o on . In t h e n e x t f e w mont hs,” he s aid w hen asked if the bank is looking into any bancassurance partnerships.

Bancassurance refers to the selling of insurance policies within banking branches. Under Republic Act 10607 or the amended

Insurance Code, banks are no longer required to have a 5% equity in insurance companies to enter into a bancassurance deal.

Any lender can enter the bancassurance business as long as the bank complies with the requirements set by the Insurance Commission and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Asked if UnionBank’s par tner insurance f irm is foreign or local, Mr.

Bautista said: “Hindi pa kami nagkapirmahan (We haven’t signed anything yet), so [it’s] still open.”

He declined to give other information on the deal.

The listed lender’s net income in the nine months ended September 2016 was at P8.1 billion, soaring by 122% from the P3.7 billion recorded in the same period the year prior, driven by the lender’s robust customer acquisition.

THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY is expected continue growing in the near term on the back of sustained economic expansion, with t h e s e c t o r ’s r e g u l a t o r looking to push for greater microinsurance coverage in undeserved areas. “ We w i l l p u r s u e continued growth through microinsurance. We will reach those in the provinces, the poor people... so we’ll continue to promote that,” said Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa in a chance interview on Friday.

Mr. Funa said that the

latest insurance penetration rate -- or premiums generated from the insurance industry compared to gross domestic product (GDP) -- is at 1.75%.

“It has been increasing for several years. It continues to increase. It was 1.5% three or four years ago.”

Although Mr. Funa did not set a target for insurance penetration-to-GDP ratio, he remained confident that the digits will continue to grow.

“Definitely it will go with the projected increase in GDP…s o t here is a correlated growth, in terms of premiums generated,” said

Mr. Funa. “The prospects for the insurance industry are good. We are optimistic of the industry’s continued growth.”

M r. F u n a s a i d t h e Insurance C ommission (IC) will push for higher insurance coverage through the microinsurance industry, since it “contributes a lot” to premiums generated.

The IC previously said it is positive on having 48.7% of the Filipino population covered by microinsurance by 2022.

Currently, microinsurance p enetration as of end-

September 2016 was at 25.4%, equivalent to covered 26 million of the country’s total population.

Me anw h i l e, F i nanc e Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III lauded the efforts of the IC and its private industry partners in expanding microinsurance coverage in rural areas. “[T]hat (microinsurance) i s v e r y i mp o r t a nt f o r inclusivity and coverage of their risk,” he said.

“The [insurance industry] can only expect more dramatic growth,” Mr. Dominguez added.

UnionBank plans to enter bancassurance business

Insurance sector to sustain growth

the government will roll out P3 through wholesale funding via DTI’s financing arm Small Business (SB) Corp., which will do the retailing to MFIs. These MFIs, on the other hand, will roll out the fund to MSMEs. For P3, DTI approved s e ve n c ondu it s for t he program including Lagunab a s e d C A R D Mutu a l l y Reinforcing Institutions; Leyte-based Omaganhan Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative and Libercon Multi-purpose Cooperative (MPC); Bohol-based Zaragosa Agrarian Reform Cooperative; Samar-based Lanang MPC; Iloilo-based

Ta y t a y s a K a u s w a g a n ; Biliran-based Sapari MPC. On Jan. 25, DTI started to roll out the P3 in Tacloban.

The launching of P3 in Tacloban was led by President Rodrigo Duterte, DTI Secretar y Ramon Lopez, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating C ou n c i l S e c re t a r y Ju n E v a s c o, a n d Ta c l o b a n Mayor Cristine Gonzales Romualdez.

“We are continuously improving the access to our financial support system for the MSMEs to continue our vision of creating an inclusive industry growth,” Lopez noted. (PNA)

Philippines launches 1-Piso Commemorative Circulation Coin for the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2017 The 1-piso ASEAN 2017 commemorative coin was officially unveiled by President Ro drigo Roa Duterte and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. during the launch of the Philippines’ ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship on 15 January 2017 in Davao City.

The obverse side of the coin bears the various elements of the logo of the Philippines’ chairship of ASEAN in 2017. It includes ten stars representing the ten member states with their names engraved in micro text on the right side. On the edge is the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World”.

The ASEAN emblem is at the center with the images of the sun and dove symbolizing prosperity and peace; while the Filipino ancient alphabet baybayin mintmark of the BSP Mint appears at the

bottom.

The reverse side depicts the relief of our national hero Jose Rizal’s monument, the Filipino symbol of courage and patriotism. The seal of the BSP appears on the right side with the micro text “ASEAN 2017” filling the background.

The markings “REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS” are engraved on the upper right. The coin’s denomination appears in the lower side of the coin and below it is the list of the ASEAN member states.

The issuance of the coin aims to memorialize the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017.

Additionally, the coins, being legal tender, can easily reach the public and promote greater awareness of the ASEAN cooperation. The BSP will produce 10 million pieces of the commemorative coin for general circulation in 2017.

Billboard 6 Students troop to US embassy to protest against Trump’s Muslim ban and EDCA Y Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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outh protesters led by the League of Filipino Students (LFS) trooped in front of the Embassy of the United States of America (US) in Manila on Monday morning to protest against US Donald Trump’s immigration ban and the continued US basing in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

“Trump’s executive order that bans immigrants from seven Muslim countries is the height of bigotry and xenophobia.

It is unreasonably hypocritical for Trump to forbid people from these Muslim countries to enter America when US imperialist government was the ones responsible for attacking and dragging them into the chaos of wars,” said LFS National Spokesperson JP Rosos.

Trump signed an executive order on Friday that bans all people from Syria, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Iran, Sudan,

and Yemen to enter US for 90 days and suspends the entry of refugees for 120 days. According to news reports, there are about 134 million people affected by the ban order of the US president.

“It is ridiculous that Trump banned people from these seven countries because he tagged their countries as nations with proven history of terrorism against US and its allies.

His claims are not backed with any data or scientific basis,” said Rosos.

The youth leader pointed out that American think tank Cato Institute even noted that these seven countries did not produce any terrorists that attacks anyone in US territory.

According to Rosos, the ban is only another step taken by the US imperialist government to take its aggression even further.

“Trump is banning immigrants from the countries that is being destroyed and destabilized by the US imperialist government.

We want to remind him that the US imperialist government have been conducting wars of aggressions in these countries. Syria, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen have suffered several bombings executed by US while Iran and Sudan were punished with heavy sanctions,” said Rosos.

According to Rosos, the war on terrorism is an old excuse for US wars of aggressions in Muslim countries. US imperialism, Rosos added, have been wanting to control these countries for their rich oil supply and other natural resources.

“Trump wants to fuel the hatred of the people against Muslims.

His immigration ban is a foreboding act. It is a prelude that US imperialism wants to launch another all-out military offensive under the guise of war against terrorism. It is a prelude to grave human rights violations caused by another round of US wars of aggressions,” Rosos

Powleean Electronics On 29 September 2016, the AMLC was able to secure a six-month Freeze Order against the bank accounts and monetary instruments of Powleean Electronic Marketing (“Powleean”) and several individuals who directly controlled the operations and affairs of Powleean. The total amount frozen amounted to Php183,733,370.51.

The bulk of the amount subject of the Freeze Order involves cash and monetary instruments.

Corporate documents showed that Powleean is engaged in the trading and

marketing of surveillance cameras and other computer peripherals.

AMLC’s investigation was triggered by a confidential report as well as a request from Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Chief, Philippine National Police, to conduct money laundering investigation regarding the bank accounts of Powleean and several individuals whose accounts are allegedy being used in illegal drug trafficking/ money laundering.

Investigation disclosed the PDEA recovered

several bank deposit slips, made out in favor of Powleean, from separate anti-illegal drug operations. AMLC’s initial investigation showed that Powleean made over the counter bank withdrawals amounting to a total of more than two (2) billion pesos for a period covering only eleven (11) months.

These amounts were clearly beyond Powleean’s financial capacity leading investigators to believe that Powleean is being used as front to launder the proceeds of drug trafficking.

said.

“While Trump is being hypocritical in his so-called protection of his country’s borders and territories, US imperialism continues to violate our national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is the height of irony that Trump bans people from entering America but US imperialist government continues to assert building their military bases in the Philippines,” said Rosos.

According to Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the Pentagon gave the green light to start the building of US bases under EDCA this 2017.

“This is unacceptable.

We must not allow the construction or upgrading of US bases

in the Philippines. It is wanton violation of our national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also places the lives of the Filipino people at great risks,” said Rosos.

According to Rosos, EDCA guaranteed the unimpeded access, full control, and unencumbered rights to the so-called Agreed Locations. The youth leader also pointed out that the agreement states that the US has “exclusive use” and “full title” over the prepositioned equipment, supplies, and materiel. He said that these provisions reflect how US intends to make the Philippines their own military base to pursue their interests.

“There are several compelling reasons to abrogate EDCA. It is a lopsided agreement

that will only allow the continued domination of US imperialism over our country. We refuse to see our country being used for Trump and the US imperialist government’s fascist interests,” said Rosos.

“The American people is already showing signs of growing discontent over Trump’s pronouncements.

The Filipino people should also unite and stand against the US imperialism and its fascist attacks to the people of the world. We should not take a blind eye to the atrocities that US imperialism has committed against the Filipinos and the rest of the world. With our strength in collective action, let us defeat imperialism,” Rosos ended.

Fifteen-yearold Claire Go joins the Chinese New Year cosplay competition over the weekend at Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City. PHOTO SUPPLIED

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7

Opinion

H ammer

and

A nvil

By Mike Baños

Fishing using electric rods in Maguindanao province. Photo by Froilan Gallardo

You got it right the first time Mr. Cusi

W

e hope Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi remains firm about his earlier decision to allocate the cheap hydroelectric power from the AgusPulangi Hydroelectric Complex to the island’s poorest of the poor.

That’s because former Rep. Charito Plaza, recenty appointed to head the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), plans to usurp it for big business by allowing the payment of lower power rates in Mindanao’s economic zones in the Davao (Region 11), Caraga (Region 13) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and is even now drafting a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Energy.

As quoted in a national broadsheet, Plaza claims Cusi wants her to recommend the subsidized power from Agus-Pulangi be made available in the three regions first “because there are existing industries there, and all other regions in Mindanao will follow.”

President Rodrigo R. Duterte is from Region 11 and Plaza is from Caraga.

The subsidized power rates of P2.75 per kilowatthour will ostensibly attract more investments in Mindanao by reducing the cost of doing business.

Excuse me Mam, but aren’t you forgetting Northern Mindanao (Region 10) is Mindanao’s industrial hub so why is it excluded when there are more industries there than in Caraga, Davao and ARMM combined?

Second, why should the subsidized rates be made available to industrial firms who could very well afford the more expensive electricity of which Mindanao now has a surplus?

Your staff can tell you that while Mindanao has a peak requirement of about 1,300 to 1,400 MW, supply will almost double, with 1,000 MW more of additional capacity as new power plants come online. These will add to Mindanao’s installed capacity of 2,414 MW as of 2015, of which 2,044 MW are dependable.

We hope Mr. Cusi

hasn’t forgotten his earlier plan to set aside the hydropower capacity for the island’s poorest.

Last 16 November 2016 he reportedly asked the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Corp. (PSLAM) to study allocating the output of Agus and Pulangi to the poorest of the poor in Mindanao, specifically in the ARMM, the Lanao provinces and Maguindanao.

The Agus hydropower complex is a series of seven facilities using the water from Lake Lanao that flows along the Agus River and discharges into Iligan Bay. It has an installed capacity of 900 megawatts (MW) while the Pulangi hydropower plant in Maramag, Bukidnon has three units each with an installed capacity of 255 MW. However, we aren’t sure if the good secretary is aware that eleven of the 20 poorest provinces in the Philippines are located in Mindanao! According the ranking of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) these are Lanao del Sur (74.3%); Sulu (65.7%); Sarangani (61.7%); Maguindanao (59.4%); Bukidnon (58.7%); Sultan Kudarat (56.2%); Zamboanga del Norte (56.1%); Agusan del Sur (54.8%);Lanao del Norte (50%); North Cotabato (48.9%); and Zamboanga Sibugay (44.9%).

Eight of the top 10 poorest provinces are in Mindanao, and 11 of the 20 poorest provinces in the whole country. And that’s not even counting all those families living below the poverty line in the other provinces of the island which are not counted

among that list.

Mam-Ser, encouraging investments in Mindanao by using the output of Agus and Pulangi to encourage industrial development and help create jobs will perpetuate an injustice that has pervaded the island since the first Agus VI plant at the Maria Cristina Falls was set up in 1950.

You are correct in saying the output of the hydro complex as the cheapest source of power in Mindanao. But who has benefited from the country’s industrialization track using the cheap hydroelectric power plants?

Surely, not the people of Mindanao, but foreign investors and carpetbaggers from the North who pillaged the island’s patrimony which rightfully belongs to its people, and stashed the profits they reaped because of it somewhere else.

Your noble idea to share the cheap electricity of Agus-Pulangi to the poorest of the poor most probably stems from the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO) proposal to reduce the cost of electricity for residential households in Mindanao by allocating the entire output of the Agus-Pulangi for residential consumers.

Instead of being allocated to directly connected industries and the systems operator, the cheap hydro power should be exclusively allocated to distribution utilities (DUs) because they are serving the poorest of the poor, who are the targets of your boss, Pres. Duterte’s administration for the reduction of electricity rates.

The carabao remains the preferred farm animal for Mindanao farmers too poor to afford tractors. (photo by Froilan Gallardo)

TOO HUNGRY AND WEARY TO STAND, a farmer’s wife squats in the crowd as their leaders negotiate with DSWD officials for the release of their rice subsidy. Photo by Froilan Gallardo

Mam-Ser, your boss, the President can order the PSALM-NPC to make the allocation, which should be implemented asap, and stay in perpetuity, for as long as the Agus and Pulangi are generating electricity.

The hydro plants generated 3,858 gigawathours (GWH), or 38% of the total generation of all power plants in Mindanao (10,000 GWH) in 2015. Under favorable weather conditions, power generated by the hydros can exceed 4,500 GWH. Since residential consumers only used 3,151 GWH in 2015 (31% of total consumption, including system loss, in Mindanao) there is still sufficient electricity from the hydro plants to supply the present and future power needs of residential consumers in Mindanao.

Residential consumers stand to have their electric bills reduced by P1.20 per kWh (and save P120

on the monthly bills of indigent households that consume an average 100 kWh monthly) once this is implemented.

But not to worry. You can still provide cheap electricity to attract industries to set up plants in Mindanao once the Agus-Pulangi is taken from the power mix and allocated exclusively to residential users.

That’s because once the AMRECO petition is approved by the president, bulk electricity prices from thermal power plants in Mindanao would inevitably fall given the increased competition for the surplus electricity that would be made available from the grid (300MW), plus another 700MW that would be freed up by DUs from their contracts with private power generating companies, making available a total of 1,000 MW to benefit industrial users and the systems

operator.

Power generation companies have long been harping about taking the cheap prices offered by the Agus-Pulangi out of the Mindanao bulk power market so prices are not skewed and can “reflect their true levels.”

So let’s have your boss take out Agus-Pulangi out of the power mix by making it exclusively available for residential users, and let prices from the geothermal, coal-fired, and oil-based thermal power plants seek their true levels in the market.

You can even bring in your beloved Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) to sell all that excess power so long as you don’t include Agus-Pulangi and allow the common tao (who are the true owners of the island’s patrimony), for once, benefit from it.

Indeed, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

8

LifeStyle

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‘Balot. Penoy. Asin.’, ‘Moru: No Man’s Land’ win best Cinemagis films C

By Stephen Pedroza

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — The ninth installment of C i n em a g i s D i g i t a l Sh or t Fi l m Festival successfully concluded on Saturday, January 28 with an awarding ceremony held at the SM City Event Center. “Balot.

Penoy. Asin.” by Julienne Anne Ilagan and “Moru: No Man’s Land” by Edmund Telmo emerged as top victors from the roster of official entries.

The event’s guest of honor, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairwoman Mary Liza Diño-Seguerra, in her message for Cinemagis, said: “The FDCP is proud to be a first-time partner for the 9th Cinemagis Digital Short Film Festival in Northern Mindanao! We are ver y happy to support Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan in their celebration of filmmaking frontiers that capture the voices, aspirations, stories, and lore of Northern Mindanao.”

In line with FDCP’s goal of developing and empowering regional film festivals, Diño shared, “With a focus on themes of peace, gender, d e v e l o p m e nt , c u l t u r a l s o l i d a r i t y, p r o m o t i o n of heritage and histor y, doing more and caring for others, and life’s funny contradictions — Cinemagis is a great avenue of exhibiting the lives of those in Northern Mindanao.”

Cinemagis and Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) director Hobart Savior seconded Diño’s message, adding that this season reaped “new e x p e r i e nc e s t hat voi c e the terrain of Northern Mindanao’s sentiments and

sensitivities.” “ The films this year tackled issues from the personal to a more collective experience where social issues could either be clearly seen or implied to magnify tension and to ‘problematize’ the mundane,” Savior said.

Keeping its promis e of improving year after year, Cinemagis has been a platform for young and professional filmmakers in Northern Mindanao and by extension this season, the Caraga Region, to pour out their passion, stories, and filmmaking skills, and for cultivating the experience and growth of local film audiences.

Breaking the façade T h i s y e a r ’s f e s t i v a l shortlisted five professional entries, 12 student films, and seven special film features, which were screened at the Xavier Ateneo Little Theater and SM Cagayan de Oro Cinema 1 from January 25 to 28.

“Balot. Penoy. Asin.” by Julienne Anne Ilagan was hailed as the Best Short Film in the professional category. It also won Best Cinematography and Best Story.

Ilagan’s film follows the story of 47-year-old street

food vendor named Fredo who doubles as a drug dealer at the wee hours in the city, reflecting on the bloody campaign of the present administration against illegal drugs.

The f ilmmaker, who said during her speech that she didn’t expect to get the top prize of this year’s Cinemagis, dedicated the award — besides her cast and crew — to the people who encouraged her to produce a film with social relevance, particularly, the Imoortals Productions led by Kagayanon filmmaker Joe Bacus.

The vanity project patterned after the story of Orpheus, a legendary

musician and prophet in Greek mythology, “Orpheus”

by Orpheus Nery won the 2nd Best Short Film award, along with Best Director for Nery, Best Sound Scoring for John Uy, Best Editing, and Best Art Direction. “Orpheus” served as Nery’s third film in Cinemagis, following his “En Pace” (Cinemagis 2015) and “The Barrel” (Cinemagis 2016).

The 3rd Best Short Film went to “Ang Ikaduhang Pa g b a l i k ( T h e S e c o n d Coming)” by Jeffrie Po. His f i l m a ls o won t he Sulyap Kultura Award for its portrayal of indigenous traditions and for its exploration of man’s faith and determination.

C l o y d Wi n s t a n l e y ’s “Libra,” a film about the dark secrets of a young couple, Paolo and Ellie, won the Audience Choice Award and SM Choice Award. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the Oro Integrated Cooperative for producing his film and he encouraged everyone to work together to develop the filmmaking industry of our region.

“Bandana” by Adrian Rey Manapil, a film on friendship and resilience, got the Best Trailer Award this year.

There were no nominees for Best Actor and Best Ac t re s s aw a rd s i n t h e professional category.

Film language from young filmmakers “Moru: No Man’s Land”

by Xavier Ateneo’s Edmund Telmo was awarded the Best Student Short Film and Best Cinematography.

In “Mor u: No Man’s Land,” Julius, an artist with a de-realization tendency, struggles to come back to reality after getting into a

surreal world caused by his psychological disorder and an enchanted encounter in the forest. Telmo, a theater actor of The Xavier Stage, also starred in Winstanley’s “Libra” as Paolo, together with his girlfriend, Jean Stefani Obsiana as Ellie.

“Penp en ho d (L ove)” by another Xavier Ateneo student, Rod Villegas, landed 2nd Best Student Short Film.

It also won Best Director for Villegas and Best Actress for Friah Pagaduan. This film challenges the audience to examine a reckless love story of Willie and Louisa and its consequences to a tribal community.

Leading the nominations earlier, “Subang” by Christian Alan Toring from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technolog y (MSU-IIT) won the 3rd Best Student Short Film, Best Art Direction, and Best Editing. Toring also got the Male Star of the Night Award, together with the director of “Katapad,” Cindy Obeñita from Liceo de Cagayan University as the Female Star of the Night.

The Best Actor Award was given to Carlos Peñaloza of “Ilad,” a film which navigates t h rou g h a probl e mat i c father-and-son relationship.

Francis Cang of “Para sa mga Nibiya (For those Who Left)” by Mac Kianro Maki Calo won the Best Sound Scoring while the Best Poster Award went to “Mama” by Carlo Pailagao.

Special citations were also given Camiguin-based Vic Acedillo’s featured film “L ando at Bugoy” (one of the full-length films during the 11th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival of the Cultural Center of

the Philippines), Rodiell Veloso’s “Ang Wa’ Damhang Importansya sa Teleserye,” Daniel Clark Cabantan’s “Handuman,” Aubrey Rocin Llamas’s “A Fading Heritage,” Joe Bacus’s “Tanya,” Jeffrie Po’s “The Soil of Dreams,” and Acedillo’s “Kakampi.”

Celebration of filmmaking frontiers The top winners will be featured at Cinema Rehiyon 9, the national film harvest dubbed as “a detour from the Manila-centric movies,” to be held in Tagum, Davao del Norte later this year.

A total of 18 awards were given during the ceremony, attended in by the members of the judging panel, namely, FDCP National Film Archives project development officer Quintin Cu-unjieng, Cinema Rehiyon 9 festival director Atty Karen Malaki, and La Salle University - Ozamis’s Teatro Guindegan director Felimon Blanco.

O n t h e m or n i n g of January 28, Zamboangabased filmmaker Ryanne Murci a held a t a l k on pro duc t ion desig n and shared her experiences in making LGBT-themed films.

More than the giving of awards, the festival aims to promote local talents, voices, and culture. To this end, the Cinemagis jurors and guests shared some insights on ways to improve their cinematic language and aesthetics.

“Cinemagis fosters more opportunities for students and aspiring filmmakers in Cagayan de Oro to hone their filmmaking skills and share them with an eager and equally passionate audience.

Bravo to another successful event and many more to come!” FDCP chairwoman Diño said.

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DTI-10 bats for ‘Mentor ME’ program CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - “I was grappling my way into what I [was] doing, and because of the help of the ‘Mentor ME’ program, n a s ay u n ; n at a g a a n o g kahibalo(things became easier when I learned more about the process) and then with that, dako kaayo ang tabang sa ako sa pagpadagan sa among Negosyo (this helped me improve the way I run our business),” expresses Jamie Contreras, the owner of Contreras Soy Store.

Contreras has recently graduated from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) “Mentor ME” program on 6 December 2016 in Cagayan de Oro. Along with her are 21 other entrepreneurs who went through two phas es of seminars and trainings under the “Mentor ME” program in Misamis Oriental.

DTI selects and informs clients from the provincial offices’ existing portfolio to join trainings under “Me ntor M E” P h a s e 1 which comprises courses on entrepreneurial mind-setting

and values formation. The participants also acquires learnings on market trends, basic accounting and are introduced to the different ways to develop products.

Subsequently, consultations are made by the provincial offices to decide who among the participants will get to join the next phase.

In Misamis Oriental, 22 entrepreneurs were selected and had the privilege to move on to Phase 2, the final stage of “Mentor ME” series of trainings which has advanced modules on operations management, human re s ou rc e m an a g e m e nt , taxation, supply and value chain, financial management, contracts and obligations, and business plan development.

The Mentor ME (micro entrepreneurs) falls under D T I’s Ne go s yo C e nt e r programs. With a principle that entrepreneurship is the best alternative to job seeking, unemployment as well as working abroad, the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) partners with DTI to achieve

the goals of the “Mentor ME” program. PCE pushes through their advocacy of building an enterprising n at i o n b y c o n d u c t i n g summits, workshops, media fora, and producing books for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

PCE and DTI works hand in hand in looking f or A n g e lpre n e u r s , or leaders and motivators who are experts in their chosen fields, to provide skills and expertise training to DTI’s selected participants.

In L anao del Norte, 1 6 me nte e s c ompl e te d all 11 modules under the “Mentor ME” program. Fe Suico Melmida, the owner of Feh’s Sweet Products in Lanao, can only utter good words for her “Mentor ME” experience. She specifically pointed out how the “variable and fixed costs” course has positively helped her assess the financial clauses in her business.

DTI’s Regional Operations Group (ROG) Assistant Secretary Blesila Lantayona conveyed her highest hopes

for the program through a speech delivered during the "Mentor ME” culminating activity in Lanao del Norte. “I have been to six (6) business improvement plan presentations and nakita nako nga ver y organized ang Region 10 (I saw how organized DTI Region 10 was). I am sure that the next batches will be more organized, given the experience and the systematic approach done by DTI Region 10,” Lantayona exclaimed.

Me a nw h i l e , o n e o f Cagayan de Oro’s mentees, Nenette Tan of Bestfriend Goodies, was all smiles when she conveyed her appreciation towards the “Mentor ME” program. “I'd like to thank DTI for giving me the opportunity to be part of this program. I'm willing to share all my learnings to beginners. I would also like to encourage all the beginners to have the courage to step up, move forward, and be brave enough if you have plans to expand your business,” Tan said.

DOLE-10 joins MASA MASID launch in Misamis Occidental PLARIDEL, Misamis Occidental - In its adherence to good governance and support to

President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs and corruption, the Department of

Labor and Employment (DOLE)- Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang 10 participated in the first MASA Ayaw Sa Illegal na Droga) grand MASID ( Mamamayang Ayaw launching in the province last Jan. 20 with this town as host.

DOLE-10 Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante, who represented Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III who is now in Rome for the third round of peace negotiation with the National Democratic Front (NDF), expressed his appreciation of the said program.

“This is the first in the province to have actually held this crime watch scheme of the government involving every citizen, regardless of the cultural backgrounds as well religious beliefs,” Agravante said.

Aside from DOLE, the event was attended by DILG-Napolcom, Office of the Presidential Affairs for Peace Process, provincial government of Misamis Occidental, personnel from the Department of Education (DepEd) and others.

In his message, Mayor Diego C. Ty stressed that the President’s goal to eradicate drugs in six months is impossible because “the drug problem is widespread and he cannot do it alone. So, he needs the support of the mayors and barangay officials to finally end this problem.”

As agent of change, DOLE also committed to help the present administration in curbing criminality, drugs as well as graft and corruption.

Moreover, Agravante shared DOLE’s eight-point policy agenda involving employment promotion, human resource development, workers’ protection and welfare, and creating a sound, stable, and dynamic industrial environment.

(Jasmin L. Vicente/DOLE 10 Misamis Occidental PFO)

11

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wednesday|February 1, 2017

Lopez... from page 1

she showed this reporter the videos and photos she took using her mobile phone.

“What is that? That is Surigao. Ano yan. Grabe di ba?” she said.

Lopez along with former Mines and Geosciences Bureau director Leo Jasareno and MGB-Caraga Region director Roger De Dios flew over the mine sites on a helicopter.

“Ang mamasabi ko is bawal ito. (What I can say is this is a violation). It’s against the law,” she said.

“Look at that, Lopez said, pointing to the images on her phone. “It’s crazy. Hindi naman umuulan. (It’s note even raining). It’s crazy,” she said.

L op e z s aid she w i l l make an announcement on February 2 about her visit here.

“My over-all assessment ang Surigao at Dinagat ay maganda at kung alagaan ang kalikasan ay may pagasa. Malaki ang potential sa eco-tourism. If sisirain at a few lang ang nag benefit, kawawa ang mga tao. Ang taga Surigao at Dinagat ay dapat makinabang sa resources hindi dapat mga taga labas,” (My overall assessment is Surigao and Dinagat are beautiful and if we can take care of our environment, there is hope. The potential for eco-tourism is huge. If the environment is destroyed and only a few benefit, the people will be disadvantaged. Those in Surigao and Davao should benefit from the resources, not those from outside), she said.

She said thsoe who are benefiting from the resources in Dinagat are not from Dinagat. Lopez noted that those who are benefiting are businessmen but those who suffer are residents of Dinagat.

De Dios, MGB Caraga director said some mining companies will be punished.

“I don’t want to mention these mining companies because I got an instruction from Ma’am Lopez not to tell yet because she will announce it next week,” de Dios said.

De Dios said most of the mining companies here are not complying with the rules.

“Mga badlongon kasagaran ning mga kompanya diri sa mina” (Most of the mining firms are violators), De he said.

In Caraga region, 10 m i n i ng c omp an i e s are operating in Dinagat, all mining nickel ore; seven in Surigao del Norte, six of them into nickel mining and one in gold and silver; two nickel mining firms in Agusan del Norte and two gold mining firms in Agusan del Sur. Rev. Pio Mercado, chair of Caraga Watch, an anti-mining group in Caraga region earlier said mining companies should stop operations.

“They have been wantonly destroying the environment in the region. Their permits must be cancelled,” Mercado said.

Dulmar Raagas, President

of the Chamber of Mines in Caraga Region could not be reached for comment despite several calls and text messages. (Roel N. Catoto/ MindaNews)

Projects...

from page 1 implemented in addition to subprojects currently being implemented under the PRDP. T he B an k is e yei ng Mindanao as the pilot area for this new engagement with the Philippine government, following the steps taken under the Mindanao Rural Development Program, the PRDP’s precursor.

WB countr y director Mara War wick said her team had earlier met with the Department of Finance and discussed engagement that would focus on comprehensively improving agricultural productivity along key value chains, hence strengthening production, connectivity and logistics, including human capital.

On top of the PRDP, War wick said the Bank considered exploring new program models that might be more community based.

These may not also necessarily follow the requirements observed under the PRDP. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol believes that Sulu is a particular province in Mindanao that needs immediate response because of security-related issues.

“The government cannot win this ‘war’ by killing the Abu Sayyaf but by addressing poverty in the province,” he said.

For the war against poverty in Sulu to be effective, the agriculture chief added there was a need to put up a barangay center, a post-harvest facility, a water system, and introduce livelihood projects after liberating a village.

The World Bank plans to conduct field scoping missions with various teams looking into possible engagement areas like trade, connectivity, human development, road network and logistics, and agricultural productivity.

(PNA)

SanMig... from page 1

megawatts of electricity.

Another anchor and major off-taker (capacity buyer) of the power plant’s capacity will be the cement manufacturing-affiliate firm of San Miguel that would be needing another 30MW of power supply.

He emphasized that the demand of these two bigticket locators will be met by the next two blocks of the Malita coal-fired power plant, which will be another 300MW capacity.

Steel mill facilities could be a production line for rolled products from iron ore, or could also be engaged in the design of semi-finished casting products.

The first two units of the Malita power plant, he said, have already been on commercial operations since last year – and capacity offtakers were mostly electric cooperatives in Mindanao.

Ang noted for the next units that are targeted on stream next year, locators in the San Miguel-developed economic zone will b e considered its key markets.

Asked on what are being eyed on this sphere, Ang indicated that “these are heavy industries,” but he kept their identities under wraps for now because of the non-disclosure agreement that the relevant parties have entered into.

“Our ecozone has been attracting a lot of attention now,” he stressed, adding that despite the very tough competition in Mindanao due to the grid’s over-supply state, the company still logs comfortable margins on its power generation ventures.

The Ma lit a co a l-fe d plant comprises of four generating units at 150MW each and is also equipped with circulating fluidized b e d (CFB) combust ion technology.

The Davao power generating facility forms part of the San Miguel group’s greenfield power developments that have been comfortably cementing it at

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT 10th Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL Cagayan de Oro City OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE JUDGE NOTICE OF HEARING Notice is hereby given that a summary hearing on the petitions for Notarial Commission of the following Notaries Public shall be held on February 6, 2017 at 3:00 in the afternoon at the Office of the Executive Judge. Any person who has any cause or reason to object to the grant of the petition may file a verified written opposition thereto, received by the undersigned before the date of the summary hearing.

1. ATTY. FULGENT THOMAS TECSON GARAY 2. ATTY. RAUL M. LLACUNA 3. ATTY. PERSEVERANDO L. ARAÑA, JR. 4. ATTY. FELIX P. SAARENAS 5. ATTY. ANTONIO S. SORIANO Let a copy of this notice be published once in a newspaper of general circulation prior to the hearing, per A.M. No. 03-8-02-SC, at the expense of the petitioner/s.

Given this 25th day of January 2017 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

BWM: February 1, 2017

(Sgd.) DENNIS Z. ALCANTAR Executive Judge

the top spot when it comes to capacity count in that segment of the energy sector.

Economics... from page 1

One of the most important subj e c t s wou l d b e t he issue on fast tracking the economic development of the Bangsamoro under a federal set up and maximize financial support from foreign especially Islamic countries.

He said that discussion would also focus on the role of the federal state in the local economic development, the Halal science and technology a s b a s i s for e c on om i c development and peace in the region, and creating an ideal Bangsamoro region.

(PNA)

Declares... from page 2

Mill, a firm operating in ZambongaPeninsula and in Sulu, as an ecozone.

C o c o O i l M i l l ’s p o r t , however, is currently not operating.

Other planned ARMM ecozones are located in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; Jolo, Sulu; Malabang; Lanao del Sur; Marawi City in Lanao del Sur ; and in Basilan.

REZA is mandated to oversee the integration, co ord inat ion , pl an n ing and monitoring of special economic zones, indust r ia l est ate/p arks, export processing zones and other economic zones in the ARMM. (BPI/PIA10)

Ensure... from page 2

of f icer, and warehous e supervisors involved in the release of rice for distribution to disaster-stricken areas.

Tabor said the technical team has been tasked to review, identify, and consolidate reports in order to increase number of LGUs that could avail of the program.

“A s a g o v e r n m e n t entity, NFA continues to be at the forefront in food distribution during disaster relief operations, which is in full support to the government’s food security programming and disaster risk management,” Tabor said.

(Maria Socorro S. MellomidaPIO, NFA/RLRB-PIA10, Bukidnon)

Blocks... from page 3

now covers majority of the company’s postpaid and prepaid customers totaling 65.4 million at the end of September 2016.

To keep its customers from receiving spam and s c am m e s s a g e s , G l o b e operationalized in September 2014 an automated filtering functionality that reduced the number of such messages going through the Globe network. Such mechanism has since been upgraded and expanded to effectively pre ve nt t r ans m itt a l of spam and scam messages coming from other networks. By design, the filtering mechanism can

be reconfigured to address the kind of spam and scam messages that goes through the Globe network.

Aside from blocking spam and scam messages from going through the Globe network, the telecommunications provider also blocks from the Globe network prepaid nu m b e r s f o u n d t o b e consistent source of spam and scam text messages. Some of these numbers were subject of complaints reported through the http://www.globe.com.ph/ stopspam where customers are simply required to provide all the details of spam and scam messages they received on their mobile devices.

Numbers that are verified to be a constant source of spam messages are then disconnected from service.

Repair...

from page 3 steadily increase this up to 7.4% until 2022, with total expenditures reaching Php 8 trillion. Private construction is also expected to sustain its growth due to the steady expansion of the outsourcing, tourism, retail and real estate industries.

“The sustained growth of the country has also changed the construction industry. There is a growing segment of the building sector with more sophisticated needs. These provide us with a tremendous opportunity to show that aside from being a reliable supplier of cement, we are the best partner to support them with our building solutions,” she added.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF FILE NO. 2017-014 Upon extra-judicial for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES (SSS) mortgage against NONIA O. AKUT, as mortgagor, to which the indebtedness as of JUNE 30, 2016, amount of SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT PESOS AND 83/100 (P653,658.83), inclusive of interest and penalty charges, attorney’s fees and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned will SELL TO PUBLIC Auction on FEBRUARY 27, 2017 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning at the entrance door Regional Trial Court Branch-23, City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidder for cash or manager’s checks and in Philippine Currency, the following described properties, to wit; TRANSFER CERTIFICATE TITLE NO. T-34639 A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 6, Block 33 of the subdivision plan (LRC) Psd-131075, being a portion of Lot 1-D-2-F-1, Psd-9225, (LRC) Rec. No. 1003). Situated in the District of Bugo, City of Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of Two Hundred Ninety Two (292) sq. meters more or less.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the abovedstated date, time and place.

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

Prospective buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves the title herein above-described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Done this January 21, 2017 in the City of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines.

BWM: Feb. 1, 8 & 15, 2017

(Sgd.) RICO A. REMALIG Sheriff IV

BusinessWeek MINDANAO www.businessweekmindanao.com

Feature

Wednesday | February 1, 2017

12

Take A Peek: Pasalamat Festival 2017 Street Dancing and Festival Queen Competition Article by: Clement Dampal II (www.bestspotsph.com) | Photo courtesy by: Al-Rashid Ahadain (with permission)

The City of Pagadian successfully showcased the annual celebration of the Pasalamat Festival last January 15, 2017 filling the city’s streets leading to Plaza Luz with vibrant hues of participants performing their distinctive yet synchronized dances while singing “Viva! Senyor Sto. Niño! Pit Senyor!”.

Pasalamat Festival is an annual celebration of the locals of Pagadian City giving thanks for the bountiful and fruitful harvest in honor to its patron saint, Sto. Niño (The Holy Child Jesus), which coincides with the feast-day of Cebu City. The festivity celebrated every third Sunday of January.

Accordingly, the origin of the Pasalamat Festival was meant to honor the folklore god of agriculture.

“The locals had to go to Mt. Kanlaon to honor the god and to give their gratitude from an abundant harvest. But as time had passed, it was transformed into far more colorful and exciting event to be in.”

One of the highlight events during the Pasalamat Festival are the Street Dancing, Ritual Showdown, and the Festival Queen Competition participated by thirteen public secondary schools in the city.

Sta. Lucia National High School was announced as the Champion for the ritual showdown competition bagging the grand prize worth P200,000.00. The Pagadian City Science High School garnered the

Second Placer receiving P100,000.00 while Co Tek Chun National High School placed on the Third Placer receiving P75,000.00.

For the Street Dancing Competition, Pagadian City Science High School announced as the Champion receiving the cash prize of P100,000.00 followed by Zamboanga del Sur National High School (San Pedro Annex) as the 2nd Placer

with P75,000.00. Napolan National High School was announced as the 3rd Placer receiving P50,000.00.

On the other hand, Ms Shiela Mae Navaro, an 18-year old student of Co Tek Chun National High School was announced as the Festival Queen 2017.

All winners received trophies while non-lucky contingents received consolation prizes.