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Market Indicators As of 5:54 pm feb. 20, 2015 (friday)
FOREX
PHISIX
US$1 = P44.24
7,825.39 points
11 cents
X X Briefly 21.94 points
Go Negosyo DAVAO City -- Go Negosyo Centers will be rolled out this year in Davao City and four provincial centers in Davao Region as part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) major support programs for micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs). The establishment of the centers is provided for under Republic Act 10644, a law passed in July 2014 to promote employment generation through the development of the MSME sector. The corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Go Negosyo Act were issued by DTI in January this year. Under the IRR, a multi-phase plan for the establishment of the Go Negosyo Centers nationwide will be approved by the DTI within the next six months.
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House Bill filed to form Mindanao Power Corp.
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By Philippine News Agency
O help ensure long-term adequate p ower to supp or t Mindanao’s economic development, Zamboanga City Representative Celso L. Lobregat has proposed the creation of the Mindanao Power Corporation, or MinPOW.
Lobregat’s House Bill 2621, or the proposed “Charter of the Mindanao Power Corporation,” is now pending with the House committee on government enterprises and privatization. “ This bi l l s e eks t he non-privatization of the Agus-Pulangui hydropower complexes, located in Lanao del Sur and Bu k i dnon provinces, which are considered the crown jewels of the Mindanao power industry,” as part of efforts to find a viable way to operate
and maintain these assets that provide most of the electricity requirements of Mindanao at lower rates, Lobregat said. Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, which liberalized and allowed the privatization of the p ower industr y, was aimed at securing the country’s power supply and reducing cost of electricity through greater competition and efficiency. “However, more than a decade after the law’s bill/PAGE 11
Vegetable Congress THE Department of Agriculture - (DA) region 10 through the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) continues to support the vegetable sector as it partners with the northern Mindanao Vegetable Producers Association, Inc. (NorMin Veggies) Marketing Cooperative in preparation for the 14th National Vegetable Congress which will be held in Cagayan de Oro City, September this year. The event which targets to convene 1,000 vegetable growers throughout the country is seen to brace the collaboration between the government and the propellers of the agriculture industry in boosting the potentials of the vegetable sector in meeting local and export market demands. It also aims to forge recommendations to develop programs, strategies and legislation to bolster the vegetable value chain thereby attaining food security and sufficiency targets, reduce poverty incidence and increase farmers’ yield and income.
Fri-Sat | February 20-21, 2015
CHINESE NEW YEAR. Filipino-Chinese residents in Surigao City celebrate the New Year on Thursday, February 19, with a dragon dance along city streets, where they give away free tikoy and ice cream for Surigaonons. mindanews photo by roel n. catoto
STEAG’s shutdown seen to have minimal impact on Mindanao Grid By MIKE BAÑOS, Editor-at-Large
PHOTO EXHIBIT. A lumad of the Banwaon tribe from San Luis, Agusan del Sur looks at a photo exhibit featuring alleged human rights violations in the Caraga Region displayed at the Libertad sports complex in Butuan City on Thursday. The exhibit, part of the week-long protest staged in the city, was mounted by the Kahugpungan sa Lumadnong Organisasyon (KASALO), Karapatan-Caraga and other human rights groups. mindanews photo by erwin mascarinas
THE committee charged with monitoring the power situation in Mindanao says the planned power outage by Mindanao’s first coal-fired power plant this month will not have a significant impact on the island provided no other power generating plants cease operating during the shutdown period. “The scheduled preventive maintenance shutdown of STEAG is expected to have only a slight impact, roughly 9 percent gridwide,” said Romeo M. Montenegro, the Investment Relations and Public Affairs Director of Mindanao Development Authority (Minda), in a text message to BusinessWeek Mindanao. “In addition, several coops now have embedded capacities such as modular gensets that can be tapped in the unlikely event of a shortfall,” he added.
Steag’s preventive maintenance of its two generating units may have adverse effect to the Mindanao grid, but its impact is seen to be just minimal.
Mr. Montenegro said the committee will meet next Tuesday, 24 February 2015, for updates on the Mindanao power situation and measures to deal with any contingencies. In a public advisory dated 16 February shutdown/PAGE 11
Database for family businesses pushed By MARK FRANCISCO, Staff Writer
PREMIER Family Business Consulting is embarking on a new endeavor – to create a database for family businesses in Mindanao. D ur ing a lunche on
interview recently, Premier CEO Jonathan Ramos said the need for a database of sma l l and me dium enterprises (SMEs) in the island is high time now that
the country is bracing for Asean economic integration. Premier Family Business Consulting is a private outfit established in Cebu City in 2010 solely for assisting SMEs which are classified database/PAGE 11
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4Ps beneficiaries assured of speedy health services By ERCEL MAANDIG, Philippine News Agency
BENEFICIARIES of the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” (4Ps) are assured of speedy health services, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday. Oliver Inodeo, DSWD spokesperson in Northern Mindanao, said that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has given the assurance that all 4P-members of PhilHealth would be extended speedy health services. “For a s l ong a s 4 P beneficiaries would present the authentic and official identification card issued by the regional DSWD office, their health claims would be processed immediately,” PhilHealth officer Alfredo T. Magno said. Magno, however, said that the submitted health claims should also come from the PhilHealth accredited hospitals so that the processing will not be delayed. Inodeo said that the 4Ps
beneficiaries have a Member Data Record and PhilHealth Identification Number which serve as a pass to avail of health care services in any accredited health facilities in the country. He said that 4P members are entitled to full benefits i nclu d i ng t he re c e nt ly introduced case rate payments for 23 medical and surgical cases wherein they no longer need to pay in excess of the PhilHealth set benefits in government facilities. A 4P member can also avail of the “Z” benefit package for illnesses such as childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia, breast and prostate cancer, and kidney transplant, with a financial coverage of P 210,000, P100,000 (each), and P600,000, respectively. PhilHealth has initially partnered with selected reference and contracted government hospitals nationwide to provide the “Z” benefits, Inodeo said. He s a i d t h a t a 4 P beneficiar y also enjoys
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primary care benefits such as consultations, regular blood pressure monitoring, health education on breastfeeding and counseling on lifestyle modification and smoking cessation. The medicines for
diseases like asthma and acute gastroenteritis with no or mild dehydration, upper respiratory tract infection/ pneumonia and urinary tract infection are also provided for by accredited healthcare providers, Inodeo said. (PNA)
CCC, GIZ build eco-town in Siargao SURIGAO City -- In consonance with the National Climate Change Action Plan for this year 2 0 1 5 up u nt i l t he ye ar 2028, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) has identified pilot areas for the implementation of the Eco-town Framework in Siargao Island. T h e f r a m e w o r k ’s objective harmonizes with t he v ision of G over nor Sol Matugas in line with her environment advocacy dubbed “Kalimpyo, K a h a p s a y S u r i g a o” t o build adaptive capacities of communities and ecosystems by ensuring ecological stability and economic resiliency. Pover t y incidence, presence of climate related risks, and the presence of key biodiversity areas are the three criteria set for the selection of areas for the implementation of the framework. Meeting the criteria, Siargao Island, specifically the municipalities of Del Carmen, Pilar, San Benito, and San Isidro have been identified as pilot areas
for the implementation of the Eco-town Framework and were g rante d lo c a l subsidies from GIZ ( D e ut s che G e s el l s chaf t für Internationale Zusammenarbeit). The eco-town framework component includes resource assessment, vulnerability assessment, environment and natural resources accounting, enhancement of existing plans, application of climate adaptation support service, d e s i g n i ng of f i n an c i ng schemes, and application of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. The project activities for eco-town framework implementation will start with the Project Or ient at ion and Public Hearing of the Municipal Fishery Code, Procurement of E q u ipm e nt , C o a s t a l Fisheries and Marine R e s ou rc e s As s e s s m e nt , Social Preparation: Participator y Rural Appraisal and Community Organizing, Formulation of Municipal Fishery Code, Harmonized Fisheries Ordinance.
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DAR-AgNor inks MOA to provide production credit BU T UA N C it y - - T h e Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Agusan del Norte signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Land Bank of the Philippines Butuan Branch to approve the proposed “Rice Production” of Baleguian Organic Farmers Ir r i g at or’s As s o c i at i on (BOFIA) in Jabonga under the DAR’s Agrarian Production
Credit Program (APCP) in a ceremony held recently at BOFIA Multi-Purpose Bui lding in B a legui an, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte. B OFIA chairman Wenifredo Maldo lauded DAR for the opportunity in accessing credit with LBP under DAR-DA-APCP program. “We are thankful inks/PAGE 11
Factors to Attain Quality Education RAQUEL P. CAGULADA TEACHER III Barangay 9 Elementary School Malaybalay City
It has been the battle cry of the Department of Education to provide school children with quality education.Every school is then mandated to deliver the best education to their clientele-the pupils. But how do we achieve quality education? There are some factors to consider in attaining quality education. 1.School Head Factor:A school head who has the skills in proper management and good leadership can improve academic achievement.An excellent school head is someone who uplifts the spirit of his subordinates and inspires them to a high level performance.As an instructional manager,he should continue to upgrade himself as a leader,he s h ou l d k n ow h ow to work hand in hand with other stakeholders in the community to improve
the physical as well as a academic status of the school. 2.Teacher Factor:It has always been said that you cannot give what you do not have,thus,a teacher should continue to learn,attend seminars and trainings to improve his teaching skills.A good teacher must know how to manage his class to fully deliver the knowledge he wants to impart to his pupils.He must be flexible and knows what his pupils need. 3.Pupils Factor:Even if the teacher is the best teacher,if the pupil himself is not interested to learn,then quality education cannot be achieved.These pupils should attend school and avoid getting absent to have continuity in their learning.They should be aware of the value of being educated to motivate them to go to school,to learn and participate in school activities. 4 . P a r e n t F a c t o r : Mo d e l l i n g o n the part of the parent is very important.In value formation thus,as parent they should be one to motivate their children to go school.they should cooperate with the teacher on how to improve their child’s performance.They must work with the school head to make the school a conductive place to learn.
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Fairytale or Fact?
hink a minute…There was a man who thought he was going crazy, so he went to the doctor for an expert opinion. The doctor examined the man and told him: “I have to agree with you. You’re crazy.” But the man got angry and said: “I want a second opinion!” So the doctor said, “OK, you’re ugly too.” Sometimes we don’t want to hear the facts. A survey in America showed that 90% of Americans say they believe heaven is real, but only 25% of those same people say they believe hell is a real place. That’s like saying you believe there is light but no darkness, that there is right but no wrong. Common sense tells you that doesn’t make any sense! Just saying a place is not real doesn’t make it true. It’s like saying the North Pole is not real just because we don’t think so. The fact is Jesus Christ talked about hell much more than he did heaven. He said hell is a real place that’s full of the worst pain and endless suffering for everyone who rejects His good life by choosing to live their own way instead of the true way He created us to enjoy. Jesus repeatedly explained that the reason He came to give His innocent life was to pay the penalty for all our sins. God the Son came to save us from suffering in hell forever, even though it cost Him His own divine life. You see, we can’t say we believe Jesus Christ spoke the truth about some things, but
T
he use of solar energy in government offices and other governmentowned establishments could generate savings and is a great asset in protecting the environment. A lawmaker says that utilizing solar energy is more beneficial considering that it has almost no impact on the global climate unlike electricity generated by power plants, which produces carbon dioxide emissions that are harmful to the environment. Since its main source is the sun, using solar energy will lessen pollution, unlike coal
THINK
A Minute
By Jhan Tiafau Hurst
editorial plants and diesel turbines which cause damages to our environment and are tagged as culprits of global warming. Solar energy is limitless and will always be available for use unlike non-renewable resources like coal, oil and gas which can only be used once as they do not replace themselves. It is thus timely that House Bill 5319 be made into law mandating government
offices and governmentowned institutions to utilize solar energy for at least 30 percent of their electricity and/or t her ma l energ y consumption of their dayto-day operations. Laudable. The bill also requires all government agencies and establishments to install solar panels unto their buildings for the efficient conversion of solar energy into electricity that they need. Although the
use of solar energy could costly the long-term benefits of tapping solar energ y outweighs the expenses that the government may incur. By utilizing solar energy, we can also preserve our nonrenewable power sources for use by the future generation. We believe that not only government offices, but private companies as well should be encouraged to use solar energy in their operations. Without counting the cost, all of us would be able to meet our present electricity needs without compromising the needs of our future generations.
At breakfast with Leo
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I
n recent years, I have met several interesting and prominent guests visiting Cagayan de Oro. The city attracts visitors from all over the world proving its growing charm as business and investment hub. Recently, I had breakfast with a very special person and interesting character, Leo Gough. He is a prominent financial journalist since the 1980s with over 35 published books. Leo was born in Britain but grew up in Turkey, the US and in Spain. He has now settled down in Singapore. While he was staying at Primavera Residences in Uptown CdO, I took advantage of his visit to question him about his work and his latest book. Much of his work involves traveling in different parts of the world and he has a particular liking to Asia and Asia Pacific region in which, he says, he has a strong faith in a positive long term growth all over the region.
His latest book’s title is “The Con Men, a history of financial fraud and the less ons you can learn” published by Pearson and the Financial Times. “Leo, what is this book about?” I asked. He said, “This book wants to explain to ordinary investors why scandals in the financial markets occur. My mission in this book was to demonstrate to those who do not have great experience that there are many things we can do to protect ourselves. I try in the book to discuss openly why such things happen, and how to spot the ‘red flags’, the signs of potential fraud.” C it i n g s om e w e l l known scandals like the Enron collapse , the dot. com boom and the Bernard Madoff fraud, he argues that danger signs often appear years before the losses occur. “For example, in 2001, 7 years before the Madoff debacle, two articles were published q u e s t i o n i n g M a d o f f ’s investment methods, one in a specialist journal MarHedge,
and another in the better known magazine, Barron’s. I don’t believe anyone who had read these articles at the time would have felt safe keeping their money with Madoff afterwards.” . He adds, “I have been writing about investments since the 1980s and every few years there is a scandal or a series of major scandals, often associated with a stock-market crash.” “As Warren Buffet has said , “when the tide goes out you see who is swimming without their underpants.” Leo further explained to me that during boom times,regulations, due diligence, official supervision and all the other checks and balances tend to become progressively more relaxed. aThen, as soon as there is a stock market bust everyone seems to be shocked to discover that there have been some large frauds. “Market professionals know all about this phenomenon, so they are in a sense shedding crocodile tears, but politicians and the media should do more
O ut
of
The B iz B ox
By Mr. Lorens Ziller
to educate people about investment in general, and in particular how to protect themselves from the crooks. I was amazed by the deep knowledge Leo had about these subjects and was actually intrigued about his investigative journalism style focusing on financial frauds. One figure he gave was that an estimated ½ billion people around the world own publicly listed shares either directly or through collective vehicles such as mutual funds. ziller/PAGE 11
Who stopped SAF 300 from helping SAF 44? that He lied about other things like hell. He can’t be God and be a liar too. Remember, since God is perfectly good and pure, it’s simply not possible for Him to live together with any kind of wrong or evil. Otherwise, He wouldn’t be God! Just like light and darkness cannot be in the same place together. But if we want God to leave us alone, He will. After all, He’s the One Who gave us our freedom to choose in the first place. He will never force us to love Him and live the way He created us to enjoy. Jesus said that even though our body dies, our soul will live forever—either in heaven or in hell. So it’s up to us to choose whether we want Jesus’ gift of forgiveness and way of living, or our own way. Heaven or hell. But you’re the only one who can send yourself to hell, because God’s already done everything He possibly can so you don’t go there. The choice and risk is yours. Just Think a Minute…
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IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… The Lord says: `These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me’…” (Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8, the Holy Bible). -ooo W HAT A N I M A L REPRESENTS 2015 IN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR? What animal are the Chinese celebrating this 2015? I ask this because of conflicting media advertisements coming f rom wealthy FilipinoChinese businessmen on Februar y 19, 2015. One businessman noted for his supermalls says it is the year of the goat, while another businessman associated with banking says it is the year of the sheep. Which is which? -ooo NEW YEAR PRACTICES AND BIBLICAL TRUTH: It is amusing how Filipinos and Chinese are celebrating the Chinese New Year in terms
of feng shui advices and predictions of things that are to happen in every new year. The fact is that, Filipinos and the Filipino-Chinese are now sporting the Christian faith, which prohibits divination or for tune-tel ling (s e e Deuteronomy 18:10 of the Bible), and which demands complete submission to God. It i s a m a z i n g t h a t while Filipinos and the Filipino-Chinese profess Christianity as their faith, they nevertheless hold on to practices and traditions that are completely un-Christian, or diametrically opposed or violative of Christian teachings. Indeed, these are the people who “honor (God) with their lips, but their hearts are far from (God)”, as Isaiah 29:13 and Matthew 15:8 jointly condemn. There is a great penalty from God for this spurious faith, and it is found in Deuteronomy 18:15 which says, in so many words: if
we no longer listen to God, and no longer obey His commands, He will afflict us His curses until we all perish. Well, may God have mercy on all of us! -ooo MORE INFO DISCLOSED ON WHO IS LIABLE FOR MURDER OF SAF 44: As the days are passing by since January 25, 2015, the day that 44 officers and men of the Special Action Force were slaughtered and murdered by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, it is becoming increasingly clear that there was no other official who should be blamed for this deadly operation to kill terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan. From bits and pieces of information that are now surfacing from many quarters, it is clear that the Mamasapano, Maguindanao SAF operation involved big contingents---392 or so
K akampi
Mo A ng Batas By Atty. Batas Mauricio
police officers and men in all---from the Philippine National Police, which only a very high official---higher than excluded OIC PNP chief Gen. Leonardo Espina and Secretary Mar Roxas---can mobilize. It would also appear that at the time the SAF officers and men were being mercilessly killed by the enemy, the entire carnage was being seen by top government officials who were gathered in Zamboanga City batas/PAGE 11
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Pinoy SMEs urged to sight overseas markets Filipino small and medium-sized enterprises will do well to train their sights further than the Philippines following a report saying SMEs that carve a niche in overseas markets have the greatest chances of survival. According to a new survey from The Economist Intelligence Unit, a forecasting and advisory service within The Economist Group, SMEs in developed and developing countries expect to derive up to half of their revenues internationally by 2019. While 40 percent of respondents currently earn zero revenue from international operations, a clear majority-72 percent-expect to derive between 11 percent and 50 percent of their revenues internationally in five years’ time.
“International expansion is increasingly necessary for 21st century SMEs. Transformational change stemming from advancements in technolog y and communication is creating opportunity like never before-SMEs can either grab such opportunities, or give them away to a competitor,” said the report. “Gone are the days when ambitious SMEs could sit back and simply own a slice of their home markets,” it emphasized further. “Now they must think about the world at large, and engage a range of clients, suppliers, and contractors in multiple countries to survive.” Ho w e v e r, e x p a n d i n g internationally does not come easy, according to the paper, which is
based on results of a survey of 480 SMEs spread across 12 countries and 20 industries. SMEs polled pointed to unreliable infrastructure, prohibitive setup costs, political instability, and the inaccessibility of local business networks as the biggest obstacles to international trade. “ They find it particularly difficult understanding local business environments which are different to their home market, as well as navigating through unreliable infrastructure and unstable political environments,” said Charles Ross, the editor of the report. “Still, they clearly see the potential with a majority of companies viewing international trade as vital to their survival.”
PSALM sabotaging power plants - BAYAN MUNA BAYAN Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, the other day, questioned the supposed impending power rate hike this month being supposedly due to many plant outages. “This type of power rate hike is exactly the type which we have warned about and may just be a prelude to higher power rate hikes during the summer months. Synchronized power plant shutdowns like the one in 2013, whether they be scheduled or unscheduled is a sure fire way to jack up power rates. Why should the pr ice of elec tricity
go up because of plant shutdowns?” said Senior Deputy Minority Leader Colmenares. “Add to this that we have received reports that the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) entered a questionable deal concer ning t he Ma laya T h e r m a l Pow e r P l a nt , which is currently managed under an Operations and Maintenance Ser vice Contract (OMSC) by STX Marine Service Co. Ltd, a Korean company whose main experience is shipping
and not maintaining power plants,” said the progressive solon. “Based on reports, PSALM awarded the OMSC agreement for one year duration to STX even though they have no track record in handling a power operation and maintenance. After the awarding of OMSC to STX, PSALM conducted another separate bidding for Maintenance or Overhaul of Malaya 1, Turbine, a Siemens HP barrel type Turbine. The overhaul and maintenance of Malaya psalm/PAGE 6
Veterans Bank’s VP for Corporate Communications is re-elected BMAP president (Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines) 2015 Officers & Directors are inducted by BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. From L-R (seated): BSP Consultant Manong Max Edralin, BSP Director for Corp. Affairs Tita Fe dela Cruz, BSP Gov. Tetangco, Mike Villa-Real (President/Veterans Bank), Allan Tumbaga (Director for Industry Relations/ East West Bank)). Standing: Yayu Javier (Elecomm Chair/Avanza), Estela Calderon (Director for Banking Code/Metrobank), Bennett Zerrudo (Secretary/Bancnet), Belen Lim (Auditor/Security Bank), Ann Ducanes (Vice-President/Chinabank), Carmina Marquez (Director for Programs/BPI) and Em Valdez (Treasurer/RCBC). Not in the photo are Jean Abiera Ibuna (Director for Banking on your Future/BDO), Janette Santos (Director for Membership/PNB) and Peewee Villanueva (Director for Ways & Means/Landbank
The Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines or BMAP is an organization of banking institutions which seeks to upgrade the practice of bank marketing in the country.
The study, entitled “Breaking Borders: From Canada to China, Barriers Overshadow Growth for Expanding SMEs,” showed that one of the ways forward-looking SMEs are creating openings in overseas markets is by tapping into established local networks and finding reliable distributors in order to limit the costs of expansion. Rather than establish operations or joint ventures abroad, these SMEs “prefer to work with distributors, resellers and other companies with established networks to keep their costs down as they fight to gain traction in a new market.” These enterprises that are actively seeking partnerships with foreign companies “tend to feel less equipped to incur excessive
administrative costs, suggesting companies with strained budgets look to partners to share the burden,” it added. Despite the perceived hurdles to achieving international growth, “SMEs in general remain confident that they are equipped to overcome key hurdles to successfully grow their businesses in new markets,” the study said. “As many SMEs have found, risks, and costs, can be reduced by sealing effective partnerships, whether with well-established local vendors or local governments. Those SMEs who prove the most adept at forging alliances may be best positioned to capitalize on the increasingly international nature of business going forward.”
Income tax relief for calamity-stricken taxpayers Two lawmakers are batting for the granting of income tax relief to individual taxpayers earning purely compensation income who lost their homes due to natural calamities. House Bill 5400, or the proposed “Calamity Income Tax Relief Act,” aims to lend a helping hand, especially to people who are most vulnerable to disasters. It targets those earning purely compensation
income since this class of individuals are currently not spared from the burden of their loss as they cannot claim any deduction or any relief whatsoever despite the occurrence of such total loss of their belongings. Sy -A lv ar ad o s ai d i n cases of extreme and severe suffering of the people, there is a need to balance the government’s primordial need for funds, for instance tax money, and the people’s
right to life, liberty, and property. “The country has suffered a lot from natural calamities – those we encountered in recent memory grew even stronger and more destructive due to climate change and extreme weather patterns. Unavoidable and inevitable due to the location of the country, it still pains our people with the brunt of destruction and widespread tax/PAGE 6
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PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM AND ITS PERFORMANCE By Krystel Joy B. Temario
ISKOLAR KO NI BAMBI. Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano sits together with the province’s scholars while he asks each of them about their school whereabouts during the 8th IKNB General Assembly last February 14 at the Capitol grounds. The province has now 1, 810 scholars under the IKNB program. Photo courtesy of Misamis Oriental Provincial Information Office Facebook page.
PSALM... from page 5
Turbine were participated in by three (3) bidders namely; Weir Engineering Services Limited, a British company with experience of turbine overhaul, a Chinese company with unknown maintenance exposure, and STX Marine Service Co. with no experience on overhaul of turbines. After post evaluation of Bids, PSALM awarded the contract to STX Marine Service Co., even though STX was not able to provide the list of similar projects concerning overhauling of turbines, especially on Siemens HP Barrel Type Turbines,” added Rep. Colmenares. “D u r i n g t h e i mpl e m e nt at i on of t h e contract starting December 03, 2014, it was noticed that STX sub-contracted the opening of HP Turbine to IWHA, a Korean company again without experience in major overhaul of turbines. Then it was again sub-contracted to SHILOH, a Korean formed company in the Philippines to supply local manpower and some tools needed for turbine overhaul. After 1 month of overhaul practice by IWHA, the HP Turbine Overhaul is now delayed in its implementation and because of IWHA’s inexperience on HP Barrel Siemens Turbine, some parts like coupling bolts were also damaged. The fact that the subcontractor company subcontracted the job several times only shows that they are incapable of doing the job,” he said. “This is very alarming considering that this inexperience will cause delay in the overhaul. And if no remedies are done by STX or its Korean partner contractor, all expected start up at Malaya 1 Turbine overhaul will not materialize and possibly the turbine itself will also be damaged,” Colmenares explained. “ This is ver y critical because the overhaul of Malaya 1 is expected to back up power in the Luzon Grid, will not be completed in the summer months of 2015.
PSALM should think twice in awarding a contract to an inexperienced contractor. Also why did PSALM awarded the contract to the OMSC operator, which is STX, which is the same STX contractor that is managing the overhaul. In this case, the activities under the overhaul will be biased since there is no check and balance between managing and overhauling. Lastly, this is very dangerous because it would imperil the power supply of Luzon and in essence PSALM is sabotaging our country by this deal. If brown outs take place the Department of Energy (DOE) and PSALM must be held accountable for their failure to revive Malaya which could have provided more than 600 MW to our power supply,” ended Rep. Colmenares.
Tax...
from page 5
loss of life and possession,” said Sy-Alvarado. Sy - A l v a r a d o, a v i c e chairperson of the Ho u s e C o m m i t t e e s o n Appropriations, and on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development, said on the part of the State, there should be a recognition of the plight and need of calamity-stricken income taxpayers. “We must be ready to uplift them in the speediest manner. The benefits of granting these people tax relief is most apparent ---- these are productive citizens who pay religiously their income taxes, and the sooner we can put their lives in order again, the sooner it is that the State canCAGAYAN expectDE them to partake ORO MAIN BRANCH in paying forward the help P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., they receive in the form of Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 their return to productivity in workCAMIGUIN and their civic duty BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion,she Mambajao, of paying taxes,” said. Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 Cortuna said through their CORRALES BRANCH proposal, those who have Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City lost everything may find hope DIVISORIA BRANCH again, especially in knowing Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez Cagayan de Oro City will that theTel.St.,government # (088) 857-3631 never abandon them. “They LAPASAN BRANCH willLapasan maintain the de dignity Hi-way, Cagayan Oro City of Tel. 231-6739 their lives# (088) since the relief is not aCARMEN dole BRANCH out and the Vamenta Blvd.,get Cagayan Oro City money they to de keep is the Tel. # (088) 231-2011 product of their hard work
and perseverance. Yet, at the same time, they are able to recover faster despite the total loss of their property,” she said. Cortuna, a vice chairperson of the House Committees on Civil Service and Professional Regulation, and on Higher and Technical Education, said it is a common Filipino virtue not to fight someone who is already down. In fact, she said the Bayanihan spirit compels Filipinos to help these people get right back up. “In the same vein, the government must be compelled to do its part to help people get back right to their feet. A one-year income tax relief to those who lose all of their belongings is sought by this Act to be the right stimulus by putting money in their pockets, enabling them to recover the fastest way they may see fit,” said Cortuna. House Bill 5400, now pending at the Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Rep. Romero S. Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City) provides the Act shall cover all individual citizens of the country residing in a certain area declared to be in a state of calamity, earning purely compensation income, and who are subject to individual tax as defined under Section 24 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC). It provides that a result
of a calamity, the house, apartment, dwelling, or any other structure serving as the primary residence of the aforesaid taxpayer has been totally lost or destroyed. The aforesaid primary residence is not under any insurance coverage or other means that allows the taxpayer recovery or compensation from his or her loss, the bill further provides. Moreover, the bill provides that a locality shall be considered under a state of calamity when it is declared to be under such state by the proper authorities. To be entitled to tax relief, the primary residence of the taxpayer concerned must be within the locality declared as under a state of calamity and is the same primary residence as declared by the concerned taxpayer to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in his income tax, or shown in his or her records with the BIR for three years next preceding the date of total loss or destruction of the residence. All individual taxpayers earning purely compensation income covered under the Act shall be granted an Income Tax Relief for the taxable year of the total loss or destruction of his or her primary residence. In no case shall the taxpayer may claim the Income Tax Relief oftener than once every 20 years, the bill provides.
CDO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947
DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631
CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491
LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739
CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City
CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd.,Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011
In the past four years of Aquino administration there has been a great turnover of events from alleged corruption, disasters and to other injustices. To sustain the country’s momentum, the Aquino administration has been continuously improving upon the good governance reforms it has established, which includes strengthening the mechanisms necessary for the swift and efficient delivery of services to Filipinos. The government has reformed its procurement and budgeting processes to promote efficiency and reduce opportunities for corruption, preventing the waste of billions of pesos in taxpayers’ money. This, in turn, has allowed the national government to channel funds to the most immediate needs of the public— into programs that include massive investments in social services, health, and education, in order to enhance and empower our human capital, which then encourages expansive, equitable growth. In spite of publ i c presentations of positive developments by the government in domestic and foreign investments – based on declaration of intentions, memoranda of understanding, applica-
tion for investment projects and in some cases on approvals of projects - the reality of the real money flow from foreign investments shows a stagnation or even reduction on a very low level. However, President Aquino cited the acceptable results of good governance that could promote the influx of more investors in the country resulting to more jobs and economic opportunity for the people. Thus, Planning and decision making competences have to be handed down to strong and democratically controlled province governments – still to be created – which after being equipped with the necessary power and budgets could push forward the customized socio-economic development of the respective regions based on the analysis of its strengths, potentials and specific problems. All these changes established in the past years, and all that have been achieved from them, make up the mere foundation. The gains of good governance and sustained investment in the welfare of our citizens will build on the Philippines’ momentum, to beyond the end of President Aquino’s term come 2016.
The implementation of Early Registration in schools By LUCITA O. SUAN Teacher II Secondary Central Elementary School District of Salvador Division of Lanao del Norte
Education is considered a truly significant element in the society. It is one foundation that builds a nation. Moreover, among members of the society, education is something that they could call as their property which no one can overtake. Thus, it is just proper that even the processes involving the deliver y, access, organization or similar matters pertaining to education should be in order to push efficiency and effectiveness. T h is is t he re as on that DepEd encouraged all elementary and high school students nationwide to register early for the next school year. The implementation aims to achieve universal completion of basic education and make school opening as smooth as possible and as well universally participated in as possible by everyone. It i s i mp l e m e nt e d through efforts coming from
the school, local government units, Parent-Teachers Associations, barangay of f icials, civil s o ciety groups, civic organizations, and the business sector. E a r l y R e g i s t r at i o n implementation also aims to bring all school-aged children to school and outof-school youth back to the classrooms, and as well youths from disadvantaged groups, including street children aged 5 to 18. The marginalized individuals can get their preferred education delivery system, which could be formal through alternative delivery mode (ADM) or alternative learning system (ALS). T he st ar t at t i me s parallels the midpoint and the beginning. Thus, beginning a school year with organization is equal to a complete achievement of vision, mission and goals of an institution in the entire year. For DepEd, implementing Early Registration is the start of the whole process.
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Chinese culture among Filipinos remains intact By Lady Marie dela Torre
Kiong Hee Huat Tsai! ( Happy New Year!). In the Hokkien language that most Chinese Filipinos speak, Kiong Hee Huat Tsai is the Chinese New Year greeting. The Cantonese version dominant in Hong Kong is Kung Hei Fat Choi and the Mandarin is Gong Xi Fa Cai which means “Congratulations and Be Prosperous.” This year’s Chinese New Year celebration, Feb. 19 declared by Malacañang as a national special (non-working) day in the Philippines, is as “one of the most revered and festive events celebrated not only in China but also in the Philippines by both ChineseFi lipinos and ordinar y Filipinos as well.” Brother B en B orras, Feng Shui practitioner of Yin Yang Charms and Feng Shui Stores located in Sta. Cruz, Manila, said that Chinese-Filipino (Tsinoy), a Filipino of Chinese heritage, consider Chinese New Year (Chinese Spring Festival) as a family reunion “a must do dinner” where family members shared meals, most significantly a Feast on New Year’s Eve. “In Manila, because the house is not so big so most of the time they will eat out in Chinese restaurants,” Borras said, noting that Tsinoy (who are not 100 percent full blooded Chinese) do not religiously practice the 15-day festival tradition. While New Year’s customs vary or others may have gone what remains is that Chinese celebration of Chinese New Year is the same -- a sincere wish for peace, happiness and prosperity for family members and friends and respect for the elders, Borras said. In welcoming this year’s Chinese Spring Festival Year of the Goat many Chinese, Tsinoy and even Filipinos cleantheir houses before the New Year, one of the traditions in Chinese culture. The house is given a thorough cleaning, on the belief that it will sweep away any misfortune or bad luck during the departing year and make way for the incoming good luck and good fortune that will surely arrive during the new year. As part of cleansing the house, doors and windows are given new coats of paint, and paper cutouts with the themes of ‘happiness,’ ‘wealth’ and ‘longevity’ are used as decoration around the home. After cleaning, people will go shopping and buy new clothes and even red underwear for the festival. Chinese people believe that since this is a year anew they should buy a lot of new things. Purchasing new items symbolizes welcoming new things and getting ready for
a new start. Red is considered the luckiest color and everyone tries to dress in it and have red things all around. Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year’s sets the tone for the rest of the year. Gold is another suitable color; try combining the two for a festive look. Avoid wearing too much black dur ing t he celebrat ion period. Black symbolizes bad luck and even death. Making sure there are healthy, preferably blooming, plants around the house as they symbolize life and renewal. Other traditions that have been imbedded in the Chinese culture include shooting off firecrackers on New Year’s Eve, the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the New Year. On the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, every light in the house is supposed to stay lit, the door in the house, and even windows, have to be open to allow the old year to go out; Planning out the food : Fruits like oranges are good, for it has golden color and homophone with the word “Ji” in some dialects (means good luck in Chinese). Fish is also traditionally served (the Chines e charac ter for fish sounds the same as that for ‘abundance’.). Chicken with its head and feet intact, which symbolizes prosperity. Noodles should be left uncut for it symbolizes a long life. Candy is good for it symbolizes a “sweet” year. Plants and flowers also play a significant role in symbolizing rebirth and new growth. A home is thought to be lucky if a plant blooms on New Year’s Day, as this foretells the start of a prosperous year; and Gift giving: Nian Gao or tikoy is a popular gift item during the New Year. The traditional Nian Gao is round to look like money hence means wealth. It is sticky rice for luck to stick to you. It also pulls everything that is dear to you together. The red-colored packaging is believed to drive away evil; The Chinese culture also has some prohibitions which include:Do not use knives or scissors on New Year’s Day as this may cut off fortune; No cleaning of homes on the first day of Chinese New Year. You don’t want to risk sweeping away the good luck of the New Year; All debts had to be paid by this time. Nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so will be lending all the year; Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words.
Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning. If you cry on New Year’s day, you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not spanked, even though they are mischievous. It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and to sit in the living room. Early in the morning, after sunrise, the children receive the red packets, often containing money from their parents. Then the family visits door-to-
door to exchange New Years’ greetings-- first to relatives, then to neighbors. In some Chinese neighborhoods, mandarin oranges are also exchanged as offerings of good will and good fortune. Lucky money is prepared for children by adults and the elderly and given after the reunion dinner. In folk culture, the children will live safe and sound for the whole year if they get lucky money. This custom still remains and the amount of money is increasing. Children use their money to buy books or other school supplies. Some families also save the money for future use or use it to help cultivate in their children the habit of saving. Many companies use this opportunity to offer a set of
The Year of the Goat souvenir sheets issued by PHLPOST in time for the Chinese New Year. (PNA)
red packets to customers who buy their products or patronize their services. C h i n e s e N e w Ye a r celebration in Binondo District, Manila (the primary Chinatown) and even in
a few other cities in the Philippines where there is a sizable Chinese presence, features a parade of dancing lions or a dragon. Lion dance is a remarkable culture/PAGE 11
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Evacuation starts in Japan’s Aomori prefecture following Tsunami warning T O K YO - – Jap a n e s e authorities are evacuating people in the coastal areas of the Aomori Prefecture where a tsunami warning was issue d fol low ing a 6.8-magnitude earthquake, local media report, citing the country’s seismological service. The quake was also felt in the Iwate prefecture, where a tsunami warning was issued. Some tremor was reported in the Miyagi and Akita prefectures and Japan’s capital Tokyo. There
have been no reports of casualties or damages. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at 23:06 on Monday off the east coast of Japan’s largest and most populous island of Honshu. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the qu a ke’s mag nitude was 6.9, but did not issue any tsunami warnings. According to the Richter scale, magnitude 6.0-6.9 earthquakes are considered
to be strong and can lead to casualties and moderate to severe damage. Japan suffered from a devastating 9.0 earthquake in March, 2011. The quake caused a major tsunami that led to a partial meltdown of several reactors at t he Fu kushima D aiichi nuclear power plant. The catastrophe claimed more than 15,000 lives. The nuclear disaster is c ons i d e re d t he worl d’s worst since Chernobyl. (PNA/Sputnik)
A person walks past an overturned squid-fishing boat tossed onto land by a tsunami in this file photo. (courtesy of www.telegraph.co.uk)
Marine scientists study Burias Pass biodiversity Foreign and Filipino marine scientists are closely studying the importance of the biodiversity in the Burias Pass, home of rare and endangered species in the world. T h e B u r i a s Pa s s i s located between Albay and Masbate provinces where a rare megamouth shark was trapped and fished out by fishermen from Marigondon, Pioduran town on Jan. 28. Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, an Italian marine scientist and director of Large Marine Ve r t e br at e s Proj e c t i n Philippines, said Monday they are studying the biodiversity of the Burias Pass as this area is a very important biodiversity in the country. Ponzo, along with Dr. Aa Yaptinchay, Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines director, flew in to Legazpi to lead the necropsy of the rare megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) found dead in Catandulan Point near Donsol, Sorsogon, where it accidentally got entangled in a net and believed to have died prior to being caught. The necropsy of rare m e g am out h s h ar k w a s also participated by Dr. Florencio Adonay, Albay provincial veter inar ian officer-in-charge, and Dr. Evelyn Saberon of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The Manta Bowl is found in the Burias Pass, known for its plankton-rich water and constant current. Such traits make the waters as an alley for other pelagic sea life like the whale shark, thresher shark, hammerhead shark and tiger shark. The w ha le shark or butanding -- the world’s gentle giant fish in the world, dancing dolphin and mantra ray are sighted in the Burias Pass during the months of October to May. Nonie P. Enolva, team le ad e r of BFA R Bi colFisheries Regional Emergency Stranding Response team and chief of the Marine Fisheries R e s ou rc e Ma n a g e m e nt Section, said the Burias Pass is highly diverse -- meaning the Burias-Ticao Pass fishing
ground is very important in the biological diversity of the region. “The Burias-Ticao Pass is considered a very productive fishing ground and home to a rich assemblage of some important apex species like sharks, rays, dolphins and whales but ironically is heavily exploited and an identified area of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) -- not to mention the old practice of butchering and eating protected fish species by the local folk,” Dennis V. del Socorro, BFAR Bicol regional director, said. According to Del Socorro, there is a need to enforce stricter fishery laws and regulations through regular sea patrolling, monitoring, control and surveillance to curb illegal fishing practices in the Bicol waters. “Considering that we have these planktivorous megafauna -- along with the whale sharks and manta rays, especially in the Burias-Ticao Pass -- makes us conclude that the fishing ground is very important in the biological diversity of the region,” Enolva said. The recent Asia-Pacific E conomic C o op erat ion (APEC) Oceans and Fisheries Working Group meeting highlighted how fisheries and sustainable aquaculture are critical in ensuring food security, sustainable livelihood and economic prosperity worldwide. Fish are a critical source of protein for many, particularly in the APEC Region. One way of achieving food security in the coastal and marine environment is to combat IUU fishing, improve biodiversity of all supportecosystems, and create wellmaintained ecosystems that provide more ecological goods and better ecological services. Del Socorro, who also serves as chairperson of the sub-committee on Fishing and Marine Environment Protection of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating C om m itte e a l ong w it h burias/PAGE 11
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Manulife Philippines celebrates Sinulog and Dinagyang 2015
Manulife Philippines joined merrymakers at the Sinulog and Dinagyang, two of the country’s major cultural and religious festivities held in Cebu City and Iloilo City. Manulife officials, advisers and clients participated during the fun and exciting activities at the Sinulog and Dinagyang festivals. Highlights were the “Tribu Manulife” at the Sinulog Grand Parade; awarding of “Miss Manulife” at the Sinulog Festival Queen Grand Coronation Night; sponsorship of “Tribu Ilawudnon” performance at the Dinagyang Grand Parade; a Facebook photo contest; and raffle of cash prizes and freebies for Manulife booth visitors. The company’s participation in the Sinulog and Dinagyang festivals is its way of thanking the people of Visayas - considered the fastest-growing region of Manulife Philippines today. Manulife has doubled the number of Visayas branch offices from 4 to 8 in the last two years. Besides those in Cebu and Iloilo cities, Manulife offices are also in the cities of Bacolod, Dumaguete, Lapu-Lapu, Tacloban, Tagbilaran and Ormoc to readily serve the financial protection and investment needs of local customers.
Tigerair Philippines’ Summer Lovin’ Seat Sale Tigerair Philippines with its network made wider with Cebu Pacific holds a seat sale from 20 February 2015 to 22 February 2015 or until seats last. Travel from Manila to Kalibo and Cebu to Cagayan de Oro or Davao for as low as P788! Enjoy the summer with our low fare of P988 from Manila to Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tacloban, and Tagbilaran; and P1388 from Manila to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and General Santos. Travel
period is from 01 March 2015 to 14 June 2015. Meanwhile, enjoy 50% discount on our Clark to Hong Kong flights from 01 March 2015 to 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) 702-0888 and (032) 2308888. 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.
DOLE orients Camiguin tourism industry on Labor Laws Compliance System Through an orientation conducted by four Labor Laws Compliance Officers (LLCO), the Department of Labor and Employment – (DOLE) region10 continues to emphasize its developmental approach of the new Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS) to the Hotel and Resorts Industry Tripartite Council (HRITC) in the province of Camiguin. LLCS is a reform that eventually benefits workers and enterprises in the HRITC by explaining to its members the importance of the program for them to be productive; competitive by conducting an industry-wide joint assessment as a mode to determine companies’ compliance on labor standard laws. These modes are undertaken by the Labor Laws Compliance Officer together with the workers’ and management representatives. This developed after the Technical Supervision and Services Division (TSSD) conducted the LLCS for 30 HRITC members represented
by management and labor sectors from all over the province including five local chief executives and municipal treasurers at a consultative meeting in Villa Paraiso Hotel, Mambajao last February 12. The one-day activity highlighted with the presentation of the general labor standards; occupational safety and health; barangay micro business enterprise; and the incentivizing compliance program. In his rationale, TSSD chief, Atheneus A. Vasallo explained that the legal framework of the LLCS aims to encourage voluntary compliance in all private establishments using a combination of developmental and regulatory approaches towards full and voluntary compliance with labor laws and occupational safety and health standards. During the open forum, HRITC management sector vice-chairman, Susan Sykes of the Camiguin Golden Sunset Resort expressed gratefulness over DOLE’s effort with the hope that
the province will be recognized as compliant in the tourism industry. Camiguin, which enjoys tripartite support by the provincial Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC), harmonizes and sets in place rules and regulations on these programs to comply with DOLE’s mandate as to LLCS. With the deployed, DOLE Camiguin seeks to assess 113 establishments including hotels, resorts and restaurants by the end of February 2015 and hopes to achieve 100 percent compliance, competitiveness, and productivity. Deployed LLCOs include Bernadtette Y. Hallazgo; Rommil M. Cagas; Brix A. Merlin and Elna B. Seguiro. The HRITC was created on October 1, 2013 through DOLECamiguin chief, Jose Errol A. Natividad and TIPC regional focal person, Glenford C. Labial. After determining its industry compliance, the Province of Camiguin shall be declared as the first in northern Mindanao to be a Labor Law Compliant Tourist Destination. (G. Labial/DOLE-X)
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 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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Bakbakan sa Kagay-an:
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Undefeated Meralco Bolts vs. winless SMB Beermen in CdO Live By MIKE BAÑOS, Editor-at-Large
C
urrent PBA Commissioner’s Cup leader Meralco Bolts face off versus the winless PBA Philippine Cup champs San Miguel Beermen thisSaturday, 21 February 2015 3PM at the Xavier University Gymnasium in Cagayan de Oro City. Hopefully, former Rain or Shine import Arizona Reid can already suit up for San Miguel Beer to make this a really interesting match-up. The Beermen are hugging the cellar with zero wins after four games, a mere three weeks after being crowned Philippine Cup champions. Reid, a two-time Governor’s Cup Best Import, will replace Ronald Roberts Jr. as SMB’s import this conference. "Arizona Reid will play in our next game," San Miguel coach Leo Austria told reporters Tuesday following SMB’s 107-100 loss to Alaska. "He’s supposed to for our third conference, but the situation needs him." SMB is in a funk, even losing to expansion teams Kia and Blackwater, the kulelats in the last Philippine Cup. Their other losses were to Barangay Ginebra and injury-struck Alaska, both of which have also struggled in their previous games. Elimination is a very real possibility for the Beermen since only the top 8 teams advance to the quarter finals and they face top teams in their
next seven matches. "It's really hard for us but hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa dahil hanggat merong chances puwede 'yun," Austria said. Austria hopes Reid can pull SMB out of its funk with his leadership and influence on SMB's decision-making capabilities. Reid averaged 29.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, and four assists in his previous stints under Rain or Shine, better than Roberts' 23 points, 16.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in four games for SMB. Meantime, the Meralco Bolts have streaked to five straight wins, the latest a heart-stopping 86-84 cliff
hanger against GlobalPort Batang Pier last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Their whirling dervish import Josh David racked up an eye-popping 33 points, 24 rebounds, five steals, three assists, a block, including the winning shot as time expired. Gary David was also huge off the bench with 22 points in 29 minutes of play. "Josh was the hero. Great game. Josh is not really an outside shooter; he told me, coach, run the play for me and I'm gonna hit the shot and he did," said Meralco head coach Norman Black. "GlobalPort played very well; they didn't give up. Meralco remains as the only unbeaten team with a 5-0 win-loss slate.
HAPPY Chinese New Year from BDO Rewards! Get P200 discount for a minimum P2,000 single-receipt purchase on regularpriced items upon presentation of BDO Rewards card at The SM Store from February 16 - 20. Get a chance to win up P1,000 shopping money - INSTANTLY! everytime you use your VISA at The SM Store. Now until March 31. #WinEveryday Say yes to forever at the SM Accessories Fine Jewelry Sale from February 9-28! SMAC members get an additional 20% off on precious jewelry. DTI#0436 Avail great savings up to 50% off for SM Men's Underwear Sale from February 1 - 28. LOVE To Shop at SM Woman's Underwear Sale now until March 1. Great savings up to 50% off on wide variety of underwear to choose from. Prepare to go to places with The SM Store's Luggage Sale happening until February 28. Score amazing discounts up to 50% off on widest selection of travel bags, backpacks, suitcases and travel accessories
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Meralco import Josh Davis hits a floater at the buzzer against hard-luck GlobalPort to keep the Bolts unbeaten in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. PBA Images/Nuki Sabio
What’s In Store at The SM Store Cagayan de Oro this February
ALL THESE AND MORE AT THE SM STORE CAGAYAN DE ORO! FOR INQUIRIES PLEASE CALL THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TRUNKLINE THROUGH 859-1188.
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fri-sat|february 20-21, 2015
Bill...
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enactment power outages, particularly in Mindanao, continue to be experienced by consumers,” Lobregat noted. He recalled that the creation of the MinPOW was first proposed by the Mindanao Development Authority during the 2012 Mindanao Power Summit. While the Agus and Pu l angui hydro ele c t r ic power complexes in Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon, respectively, were exempted from privatization for the first 10 years of EPIRA, the law provides that they eventually be transferred to the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., the state agency created to handle the privatization of the National Power Corporation’s assets. But, Lobregat said, “There are calls to stop the sale of the Agus and Pulangui complexes since these are sources of cheap power in Mindanao that should not fall into the hands of profit-driven private interests.” He noted that the two power generating facilities are inherently profitable and will need no government subsidy to operate, maintain and expand.
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2015, STEAG State Power Inc., owner and operator of Mindanao’s first coalfired power plant, said it has scheduled a planned preventive maintenance schedule for the 210 MW (net) Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant, as follows: Unit 1: February 19 to March 2, 2015 and Unit 2: February 21 –March 16, 2015 Dr. Carsten Evers, plant manager said that the units will be on planned outage to allow SPI to carry out the needed unit inspection and appropriate maintenance activities. “ Thes e maintenance activities are part of the company’s commitment to sustain quality customer service by way of ensuring that the power plant is able to optimize its long-term operations and produce the power needed to sustain Mindanao’s growth and development” he said. Dr. Evers also explained that the maintenance schedule has been carefully planned and closely coordinated with the National Power Corporation (NPC) and approved by the grid operator, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). “ We h a v e c l o s e l y coordinated this schedule with our partners in the power industry in order to minimize any impact on the island’s volatile electric power supply condition” Dr. Evers explained. “We hope to complete the maintenance activities as planned and within schedule and to bring the units back to the grid as soon as possible” he added.
L ast We d ne s d ay, 1 8 February 2015, the Cagayan de Oro E le c t r ic Power and Light Company, Inc. (CEPALCO) said it has prepared contingencies to make up for any possible p ower supply shor t age brought by the planned shutdown even when both units are off-grid starting February 21, 2015 resulting to a total reduction of 210 megawatts (MW) for 10 days in the Mindanao Grid. In a public advisor y, Marilyn A. Chavez, senior manager of CEPALCO’s customer and community relations department said they are coordinating with their embedded Independent Pow e r Pro du c e r ( I P P ) Mindanao Energy Systems Inc. (Minergy) and other IPPs to cover any shortfall. Minergy’s diesel power plants, two mini hydroelectric plants and a solar PVpower plant operated by CEPALCO together can generate an additional 50 MW. It can further activate its Interruptible Load Program (ILP) which can harness an additional 29MW during peak hours from 2:00 to 8:00PM from its industrial partners enrolled in the ILP which calls for them to run their standby gensets during the period to allow CEPALCO to distribute their allocated loads elsewhere in its franchise area covering Cagayan de Oro and the Misamis Oriental municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva and Jasaan. Thus, CEPALCO can generate power within its franchise area that can provide up to 66 percent of its peak power demand of 120MW. This is enough to offset any power shortfall within its franchise area even if its power allocation from the state run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) were slashed in half, a company official who requested anonymity said.
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as family businesses. According to Ramos, family businesses are the most successful form of business ownership in the SME category as far as the Philippine business climate nowadays is concerned. “There is a need now for family-owned businesses to strategize so they won’t go bankrupt. For instance, there must be no co-mingling of funds. The line between personal family money and money set aside for business must be clear. There is a need for financial planning,” he said. One of the concerns that Premier has identified in their advocacy campaign so far is the disinterest of the heirs and heiresses of these family-owned businesses in succeeding or inheriting their parents’ ventures. “S o m e o f t h e n e x t generation in line tend to sell their businesses and venture on new ones because
either they don’t have the technical capacity or they’re not interested at all. I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think any successful business should be preserved by the heirs,” Ramos said. It is in this mindset that Oro Chamber, the biggest organization of SMEs in Northern Mindanao, invited Premier to assist the chamber members on how to optimize t heir resp ec tive family businesses. During the oneday seminar last February 18m, best practices and insights on how to perpetuate the business venture across generations were discussed. Ramos vowed that they will monitor the results of the family enterprise planning program that they had initiated and will be back here in the city to inject more inputs.
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to DAR and its partner agencies for allowing us to avail its credit program. We are looking forward in doing our best to be a borrower with good standing with LBP,” chairman Maldo said. Beneficiaries Development and Coordinating Division (BDCD) officer-in-charge chief CARPO Raul Hermoso urged the BOFIA members to pay diligently and make use of the loan to increase its income by improving productivity in the farms. Hermoso disclosed that the Agrarian Production C re d it Pro g r am is t he special program of DAR to help the farmers for crop production to the qualified ARB organization. LBP lending department manager Engr. Jimmy P. Arco said the production loan will benefit BOFIA and some of its farmers-beneficiary members whose agricultural-land was awarded under the DAR’s land distribution program. APCP is the convergence initiative of DAR, DA and LBP to pool resources and expertise to assist ARBs in the form of credit, development assistance and marketing support. This program is in line with the national government’s init iat ive to uplif t t he economic condition of the farmers in the agricultural sector.
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Leo’s thought was very clear. One of the things he noticed was that when countries grow in their prosperity and economy, at particular stages they encounter certain specific types of fraud and bad investments which other people who are more experienced can immediately spot unlike people in newer economies. He really hopes this book will help to educate people about how to be more careful when investing. Then I asked him what he was doing here in Cagayan de Oro: “This is the first time I have come to CdO or Mindanao and I am favourably
impressed. It is a city with a lot of hope and potential. I am considering making some significant investments here. I love the people and the food and it is very pleasant to be here. I hope that the Laguindingan Airport becomes an international airport in its true sense very soon as it will do a lot for the growth of the province.” We definitely want more of Leo’s to come to Cagayan de Oro since the best way to promote a city is to invite prominent people and let them travel back and be the city’s brand ambassadors.
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upon the instruction of the highest officer of the country, through cameras installed in a drone (or unidentified flying object) owned by the US and which flew right on top of the battlefield where the fighting raged. -ooo WHO STOPPED SAF 300 FROM HELPING SAF FALLEN 44? Then, as clear as the rays of sunshine coming through the mist of the dawn while the night is dissipating on January 25, 2015 is the truth that the 300 or so colleagues of the fallen SAF commandos failed or refused to help them at the time they were already shouting for help from their superiors. One Army soldier interviewed by media claimed that these 300 SAF elements could have saved the 44, yet they were found simply lying on the road which
was just a stone’s throw away from the farm where they were being sniped at. This refusal to act on the part of the 300 is now being attributed to an order from a very high official not to help the fallen 44 so as not to jeopardize the peace process with the MILF. -ooo PLEASE LISTEN:1062 kHz Manila, 1080 kHz Dagupan City, 711 kHz Naga City, 1260 kHz Lucena City, 1224 kHz Davao City, and www.eaglenews.ph Mondays to Fridays, 6 a.m.; 801 kHz Panay Island, Yes Radio 88.3 FM, Barobo City, Surigao del Sur, Yes Radio 93.9 FM, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m.; 92.7 Smile FM, San Francisco, Agusan Del Sur, Kiss 101.1 FM, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, Mondays to Fridays, 12 noon. 107.5 Win FM, Roxas, Isabela, Saturday, 5:30 a.m., Sunday, 7 a.m. Additional broadcast at Yes Radio 88.3 FM, Barobo City, Surigao del Sur and Yes Radio 93.9 FM, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, Mondays to Fridays, 5 p.m.; and 92.7 Smile FM, San Francisco, Agusan Del Sur, and Kiss 101.1 FM, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, Mondays to Fridays, 9:30 p.m. -30-
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piece of folk performance art and sports. The lively display of the lion dance animates the air of festivity in Chinese New
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Year celebrations. The New Year is considered a time of reconciliation. Old grudges are set aside, and the atmosphere is marked by warmth and friendliness. To pray in a temple during the Chinese New Year is said to be blessed, and will lead to a smooth coming year. Most temples welcome participants not of Chinese descent. Fifteen days after New Years’ Day, the celebration’s end is marked by the Festival of Lanterns. It is a time for lantern shows and folk dances. Borras said that some of these traditions and customs by our ancestors are still practiced, whether you believe or not, to provide continuity with the past, family identity, family bonding together, and even good for business. (PNA)
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other 20-member national government agencies, said they are determined to enhance their strategies to address massive unabated illegal fishing challenges. The official said their office prioritizes stricter enforcement of the fishery laws by allocating funds for the logistics, procurement of patrol boats and other floating assets and by continuously implementing capability-building programs for fishery law enforcers in the entire country’. Through strong governmentprivate sector partnership, the government can hopefully help address the pressing fisheries issues in the region. (PNA)
Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL Cagayan de Oro City OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given to the general public that last January 30, 2015, at about 9:34 P.M., a fire broke out inside the Hall of Justice Building, located along Archbishop Hayes Street, Cagayan de Oro City. Pending investigate and considering the extent of the damage physically perceived, the losses on property, documents, records and physical evidence for and in all actions , proceedings and other cases pending in the herein below listed branches of the Regional Trial Court of Misamis Oriental, and to the Office of the Clerk of Court, holding offices thereat, are namely:
Branch 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 37 38 39
Presiding Judge Hon. Florencia S. Abbu Hon. Dennis Z. Alcantar Hon. Evelyn Gamotin Nery Hon. Bonifacio M. Macabaya Hon. Gil G. Bollozos Hon. Richard D. Mordeno Hon. Vincent F.B. Rosales Hon. Henry B. Damasing Hon. Arthur L. Abundiente Hon. Jose L. Escobido Hon. Emmanuel P. Pasal Hon. Marites Filomena Rana-Bernales
Are considered TOTAL. This Notice is in compliance with Section 2 of Act No. 3310- entitled AN ACT TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE PROCEDURE FOR THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE RECORDS OF PENDING JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND BOOKS, DOCUMENTS, AND FILES OF THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS, DESTROYED BY FIRE OR OTHER PUBLIC CALAMITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Further take notice of the following provision of the above-mentioned statute –
Sec. 29. In case the parties interested in a destroyed record fail to petition for the reconstitution thereof within the six months next following the date on which they were notice in accordance with section two hereof, they shall be understood to have waived the reconstitution and may file respective actions a new without being entitled to claim the benefits of section thirty-one hereof. Counsels and all interested parties are hereby directed to apply for reconstitution of the records of their proceeding within the periods prescribed under the law.
Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, February 09, 2015.
Atty. DICK CARLO J. CABANLAS OIC-Clerk of Court V BWM: Feb. 13 & 20 2015
VIBE
BusinessWeek MINDANAO FRIDAY| FEBRUARY 20, 2015
editor: SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY
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Adorable sheep plush toys from the Children’s Accessories Department at The SM Store!
LUCKY SHEEP AT SM CHILDREN’S ACCESSORIES
P
eople born in the Year of the Sheep are good natured, kind hearted, polite, clever, and easily taken by sympathy. They work very hard to accomplish their goals, and
are good team workers. It is said that Sheep have fantastic luck. They usually meet the ones who will assist them and will care deeply for them. They obtain their wishes without force, they
are the masters of soft sell techniques. Sheep are artistic, talented, and have a great sense of fashion. They are generous to share what they have, and thus have close
friends and families. SM Children's Accessories celebrates Chinese New Year with a collection of cute, lovable, and huggable sheep plush toys that will make playtime
and sleep time lots of fun. Bring home hugs, joy and luck with these cute little sheep plush toys, available in SM Children’s Accessories department of The SM Store in SM City Cagayan de Oro.
21-year-old Davaoeña champion of SM Bowling Millionaires Cup – Tessa Dianne Galendez (4th from left) – receives her P2 million cheque with her parents, Arthuro and Bernandita Galendez, at the SM Bowling Center at SM Lanang Premier. Together with them are SM Bowling Center’s mascot Pin-pin, SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. (SMLEI) Regional Operations Manager for Mindanao Edgardo Bayani, SMLEI Lanang Branch Head Noelle Martin, and SM Lanang Premier Mall Manager Engr. Mary Therese Lapeña-Manalo.
SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. Regional Operations Manager (Mindanao) Edgardo Bayani and SM Lanang Premier Mall Manager Engr. Mary Therese Lapeña-Manalo present the P2 million cheque to Tessa Dianne Galendez (center), grand champion of the 1st nationwide SM Bowling Millionaires Cup, at the awarding held at SM Bowling Center Lanang on February 17. They are joined by the center’s official mascot, Pin-pin.