BusinessWeek Mindanao (February 24, 2015)

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2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting

Volume V, No. 108

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As of 6:05 pm feb. 23, 2015 (monday)

FOREX

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US$1 = P44.27

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Panguil Bay bridge

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Tuesday | February 24, 2015

P15.00

As demand increases, power supply assured D

By IRENE DAYO, Staff Writer

UE to the expected power supply shortfall in the next few years, major power producers serving the Mindanao grid have assured additional capacity to come in 2016 but stressed conservation to counter the region’s declining electricity reserves.

TANGUB City -- The Panguil Bay Bridge (PBB) project, that will connect Tangub City, Misamis Occidental to Tubod town, Lanao del Norte, has been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board.

Aimed to enhance connectivity and spur economic development in the area, the PBB, with an allocation of P5.087 billion to be taken from the General Appropriations Act (GAA), was approved during a recent meeting of the NEDA Board presided by President Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacaňang.

The PBB’s scope of work includes the construction of the approach roads in both sides of the bridge, involving a length of 1,240 meters or 1.24 km., each, and the bridge itself involving a length of 2,360 meters or 2.36 kilometers.

Aboitiz Power Corp. chief executive Erramon Aboitiz said while there would be new supply coming in the first half of 2015 from their power generation facilities, conservation remained an effective measure to thwart

threats of a decreasing reserves.

“Conservation is one.

Also, what we’d like to ask all the consumers is to be pragmatic and to realize that if we do want adequate supply/PAGE 11

Agusan’s biomass plant to start operation in 2017 EASTERN Petroleum Corp will start construction of its maiden power project in Mindanao by January next year.

Fernando L. Martinez, Eastern Petroleum chairman, told InterAksyon.com that the company is finalizing local

166-MW ready for ILP ABOITIZ Power Corporation and its customer-partners could free up about 166 megawatts of capacity in Luzon grid on next year’s critical summer months with the participation-commitment it secured from partners for the government-underpinned interruptible load program (ILP).

In a statement to the media, the company noted that it “enlisted 70 customers to the program” – the bulk of which are contestable customers under the charge of the Aboitiz group’s retail electricity suppliers.

The capacity de-loading anticipated from the RES customers of Aboitiz Power had been placed at 96 megawatts involving 38 REScovered entities.

On the conglomerate’s distribution segment, the ILP capacity committed had been set at 70MW for 34 customers of its Visayan Electric Company (VECO) and Subic EnerZone.

C.M. Recto Avenue, CDO 0917-851-4308

permits before proceeding with initial site clearing for the 23.5-megawatt (MW) biomass plant in Agusan del Norte.

“Site mobilization na kami January 2015 so first quarter 2017 we expect completion,” plant/PAGE 11

SPARKS. Sparks hit the pavement as a worker welds a part of the building being built on J.C. Aquino Avenue in Butuan City. mindanews photo by erwin mascarinas

XU justifies peace award for Iqbal

By MARK FRANCISCO, Staff Writer

THE management of the oldest-running university in Northern Mindanao defended yesterday its earlier decision to confer an award to Moro Islamic Liberation

Front (MILF) Peace Panel chair Mohagher Iqbal when he comes to the city next month in time for the annual graduation season.

In a statement released

yesterday, Xavier University president Fr. Roberto Yap said the decision to confer the award to Iqbal and two others was made in a November 29, 2014 meeting – or two months before the award/PAGE 11

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BAKWIT FAMILY. A family rests at the day care center in Barangay Inug-ug, Pikit town in North Cotabato where they fled to escape the fighting between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamo Islamic Freedom Fighters. Frequent evacuations have become a fact of life for several residents affected by the conflict in Southwestern Mindanao. At least 15,000 persons are now living in evacuation centers in Pikit. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

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Economy

ARMM introduces green super rice to farmers M A R AW I C it y - - T h e Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) introduced the Green Super Rice (GSR) to farmers in the region for commercial production following a successful har vest at a 2-hectare demonstration farm in Maguindanao.

ARMM Agriculture Secretary Macmod Mending Jr. said they are pushing for the commercialization of this variety for increased productivity and better income for local farmers.

The GSR has been developed by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to be climate resilient and resistant to rice diseases such as sheath blight, bacterial leaf streak viruses and false smut.

The GSR variety can lead to more stable yield with lesser fertilizer and pesticide inputs.

ARMM currently ranks 18th in terms of rice production in the country

with a 3.1 metric tons per hectare yield.

Mending said they expect to increase this to 7.7 metric tons per hectare with the introduction of the GSR. The region’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has distributed GSR seeds to 500 farmers during the rice farmers’ field day and harvest festival held in Sultan Mastura town, Maguindanao last week.

The GSR is p ar t of DAF-ARMM’s P3-million technology-driven programs that include the Rice Crop Manager (RCM), Philippine Rice Information System (PRISM) and the Next Generation (Next Gen). The programs are designed to help increase the productivity of rice farmers in the region with the use of modern technology in farming.

The RCM is an internetb as e d appl i c at i on t hat provides recommendations on nutrients, pest, weeds, water management based on the variety of input and sitespecific conditions. PRISM

0935-160-0668 HERMILINO VILLALON

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

is a system provides data and maps out rice growing areas affected by natural calamities and pest outbreaks.

The NextGen project involves the introduction and adoption of high-yielding rice varieties and hybrids, such as the GSR, with tolerance to biotic and abiotic strain in rice production.

DAF-ARMM also provided a P1.6 million-

worth combined harvester to the farmers in Sultan Mastura. The machine can simultaneously reap, harvest and thresh rice.

“ARMM aims to address the challenges on farming by taking advantage of new technologies that increases farm pro duc tivity, and making them available even to the poor farmers in the region,” said Mending.

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CDO dad tackles honorarium of day care teachers THE Cagayan de Oro City Council favorably endorsed the increase of the monthly honorarium of day care teachers here, City Councilor Prexy Elipe said Wednesday.

Elipe, chair of the city c ou n c i l c om m itt e e on finance, ways and means, said that the City Council now works to increase the monthly honorarium to P5,000 from its current monthly honorarium of P2,400.

“Actually, the day care teachers have already received a monthly increase of P2,600

from the month of June to December 2014,” Elipe said.

However, the Commission O n Au d i t ( C OA ) h a s disallowed the payment since the budget for the increase was taken from the Special Education Fund (SEF), Elipe said.

According to Elipe, his committee would first invite the city accountant and the budget officer to determine the possible source of the funds so that an Ordinance for the appropriation of the fund could be approved.

(PNA)

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will provide free services to the public every third Saturday of the month beginning this February as part of the People’s Day initiative of Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman.

The program was officially launched on February 21 at the ARMM compound in Cotabato City with the participation of different line agencies.

Hataman said it is part of their commitment to pursue a revitalized and reformed ARMM and help rais e awareness on the services and different programs of the regional government.

“Dapat umabot sa grassroots ang ating serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan (The services we provide should reach the grassroots),” he added.

The free services included legal services and medical services like diabetes and hypertension screening, urinalysis and pneumococcal vaccination.

A supplemental feeding and psychosocial briefing to a group of children affected by recent conflicts in Maguindanao were also held.

ARMM also hosted a jobs fair for domestic a n d i nt e r n at i o n a l j o b opportunities, a session on mine risk education (MRE) and recreational activities like sports, film showing, puppet show and storytelling.

Similar activity will likewise be held in each of the region’s five provinces in the coming months.

The agencies that participated in the People’s Day were Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Regional Sports Coordinating Office (RSCO), Office of the Attorney General (OAG), ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM HEART) and the Regional Library. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/ PIA-10)

Funds for new Hall of Justice People’s day offers building in CDO sought free services to public

CAGAYAN de Oro City’s second district representative on Monday appealed to the Secretary of Justice for the release of funds for the construction of the new Hall of Justice here.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, in his letter of appeal to Secretary Leila M. Delima, said that Cagayan De Oro City needs a four-storey (earthquake and fire proof ) building for the new Hall of Justice to house more than 20 offices and courts under the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Rodriguez said that the Hall of Justice in this trading hub is one of the busiest Hall of Justice buildings in Mindanao that handles high profile cases on top of thousands of pending cases.

The lawmaker also asks Secretary Delima for the immediate release of the

funds for the payment of rentals for the temporary offices of the City Prosecutors Office, the Public Attorneys Offices, computers, tables a n d c h a i r s , a n d ot h e r equipment.

A fire of undetermined origin razed the Hall of Justice in Cagayan De Oro on Jan. 30, 2015 which resulted in the burning of all records of the court and the killing of two persons.

The Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) has placed the damaged to properties and building to about P 28 million.

A r s o n i nv e s t i g at or s from Manila have yet to release their findings on the probable cause of the fire that burned about 22 court offices, including the “salas” of the 19 Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) here.

(PNA)

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Do Yourself a Favor

hink a minute…When was the last time you do yourself a favor? You got a new job, lost weight, or quit a bad habit. There is another big favor you can do for yourself that will make your life so much happier and healthier. Do yourself a favor and forgive that person who wronged and hurt you.

My aunt lived with a selfish, critical husband for over 50 years. She was a nice, f riendly person on the outside; but inside she was full of anger and unforgiveness toward her husband. As a result, she b e c ame ve r y si ck w it h arthritis, asthma, and diabetes and eventually died from it. Doctors say these are just some of the illnesses that often come from years of bitterness and anger in a person. It actually releases a deadly poison in our body.

My aunt was the one who suffered and paid the highest price for refusing to forgive her husband.

When we refuse to forgive that person who has wronged and hurt us, we’re really hurting ourselves. That’s why Jesus that if we will forgive others, then we will free ourselves from the prison and pain of unforgiveness.

You see, “When we refuse to forgive others, we block off the same bridge we need to cross to receive our own

THINK

A Minute

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst

forgiveness from God.” Jesus Christ warned us: “If you refuse to forgive others, I cannot forgive you.” So we not only pay the price of physical sickness and suffering, but far worse, Jesus said we will keep ourselves out of heaven and suffer forever in the most painful place that exists.

So do yourself a favor today and forgive that person who has wronged and hurt you. Maybe it’s a brother or sister. Your wife or husband.

Your father or mother. Your boss or an old friend. Just ask Jesus to forgive you for all of your wrongs and hurts against Him. Then He can help you with His love and power to forgive those people who’ve wronged and hurt you. It’s the only way you can finally be free from the prison and poison of your own bitterness and anger.

Just Think a Minute…

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The Dark Side of Boracay

B

oracay is a beautiful hol i d ay p ar a d is e i n the Philippines. Locals are friendly and the food is great. Its delightful beaches and resorts make it a very popular destination for travelers to unwind and relax. However, Boracay has a very dark side according to Change Org. Using rabies as an excuse, the Mayor and council have unleashed cruel and poorly trained dog catchers upon the stray dogs. Once caught, dogs are confined to t he notor i ous “D o g Pound” where they receive no care, water nor food.

The dogs experience no form of human kindness.

We obt ai ne d f i rst hand reports corroborating these unacceptable conditions.

As the practice goes, the dog catchers intimidate the locals, coercing them to pay higher reclaim fees and thus increasing the dog catchers’ income. Some fortunate dogs are nevertheless claimed by their human companions.

But, most dogs remain unclaimed because they are

editorial homeless or their humans cannot afford the inflated fees.

Change. Org says they want to compel the Mayor to revise his cruel policy by showing him that people care about the humane treatment of animals, that abusing animals will lead to a loss of income and respectability for Boracay. The town will acquire a reputation for hideous animal cruelty and tourism will decline.

The cruel and inhumane conditions in Boracay are, in fact, a violation of the laws of the Philippines as stated in Republic Act (RA) 8485 aka “The Animal Welfare Act” and its amendment RA 10631.

SECTION 6 of the RA 8485 states: “. It shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animals or

to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horse fights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal welfare.

The killing of any animal other than cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabao, horse, deer and crocodiles is likewise hereby declared unlawful except in the following instances: ….2. When the pet animal is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarians; 3. When the killing is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered by the animal as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian; SECTION 3. The Director of the Bureau

of Animal Industry shall supervise and regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance, of pet shops, kennels, veterinary clinics, veterinary hospitals, stockyards, corrals, stud farms and zoos and any other form or structure for the confinement of animals where they are bred, treated, maintained, or kept either for sale or trade or for training purposes as well as the transport of such animals in any form of public or private transportation facility, in order to provide maximum comfort while in transit and minimized, if not totally eradicate, incidence of sickness and death and prevent any cruelty from being inflicted upon the animals.

Municipal dog pounds fall under these laws. Republic Act 9482 mandates the role of a Local Government Unit (such as the Mayor Yap’s office) on population control and recognizes the provisions of RA 8485. Therefore, the Mayor is legally required to uphold animal welfare.

A Big Crises and a Better 2016!

H

e let the cat out of the bag. In a public p ro n o u n c e m e nt w h i c h surprised even the closest advisers, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said, he is willing to run for President of the Philippines “if only to save the Republic”. Yes, I believe him. I also can imagine a federal system here such as in my home country the Federal Republic of Germany.

Yes, the good mayor is right and is just voicing out the opinion of many people: Filipinos, possible foreign investors and many more.

Of course, these are strong words of Rody Duterte: “If only to save this republic, I could run for President!”

I stepped on Philippine soil for the first time in 1976. We all remember that time. Regular visits of mine followed since 1982 especially visiting Mindanao.

Since that time, I tried to understand the situation in Mindanao. For a foreign journalist it wasn’t easy.

Let’s jump to the present

L

situation of my second home, this wonderful countr y Philippines. Dozens of police officers were killed in an anti-terror raid that has dented the popularity of Philippine President Benigno Aquino, rendering major reforms unlikely during the rest of his term, says analyst Alecia Quah.

Terming it as a show of goodwill, the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), returned firearms of the police commandos killed in an assault at the end of January. MILF military chief Von Al Haq was quoted by local media as saying that his group’s members got hold of the weapons after their encounter with the police, which left 44 officers dead.

The number of casualties government forces suffered was the biggest single-day combat loss in recent past.

The p olice were killed by members of the MILF and its breakaway group - the Bangsamoro Islamic

Freedom Fighters (BIFF) - when they entered rebelcontrolled territory in the country, while conducting an anti-terror operation seeking two suspects.

The incident has imperiled the government’s peace talks with the rebels.

The att ack has ero de d political backing for President Aquino to continue to engage in negotiations aimed at bringing lasting peace to the country, 40 years after the outbreak of a Muslim s eparatist conflict in Mindanao, the country’s second biggest and southernmost major island.

Public opposition to the granting of further concessions to the MILF has also stiffened. At the same time, calls have been growing for Aquino to step down.

Well, let’s think about, who can show the way - who can guide - who is able to direct - who precede - who really play the first card in a round - who outstrip - who go in front? Who don’t tire

H ave M y Say

By Klaus Doring

us with empty words? Who is the one who do not only the votes of the people but also the support of everybody - down the last barangay captain and surroundings.

A Federal Republic of the Philippines? Good deeds shine as stars from heaven.

A democratic government elected by the people for the people. Nothing else. Really nothing else! +++ Email: doringklaus@ gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com.

Revolutionary gov’t in 2016

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our ancestors did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the statutes you warned them to keep…” (Nehemiah 9:34, the Holy Bible).

-ooo “NO EL” 2016 BEING COOKED UP BY MALACANANG: A repost from August 25, 2014: “The statement of Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda that there may be no elections

in 2016 was not accidentally made. It was deliberately spoken, and the objective was to test whether Filipinos would come out in support of a `no election scenario’ in 2016, to pave the way for President Aquino’s second term.

-ooo STAYING IN POWER AFTER 2016 IS PNOY’S GOAL: “Fact is, that is what we have been saying all along here. President Aquino and his trusted cohorts have learned their lessons

well from the experiences of President Estrada and President Arroyo, who were forcibly imprisoned after they stepped down from Malacanang.

“Aware t hat Aquino will suffer the same fate no matter who gets elected in 2016, he and his subalterns are now exploring possible alternatives to enable him to st ay in p ower e ven after his term ends. The proposals for granting him emergency powers to address the looming energy crisis in

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

By Atty. Batas Mauricio

2015, for Charter change, and even for a term extension, batas/PAGE 11

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Rigid controls on pesticide residue threaten PH banana exports BANANA exporters and the trade department should look into reports that South Korea is tightening its safety standards for pesticides used in bananas entering the South Asian country.

In a recent advisor y, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul said South Korea has lowered the allowed amount of pesticide residue on its banana imports, and reportedly intends to apply the same policy to other pesticides used on the fruit.

It stated that Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) reduced on August 28, 2014 the maximum residue limit (MRL) for iprodione, a fungicide used to control a wide variety of crop

diseases, from the previous 5 milligrams per kilogram to 0.02mg per kilogram.

The reduced MRL, noted the report, is lower than Japan’s MRL of 10mg per kilogram imposed over the last 20 years for Philippine bananas exported to the country. Moreover, it is lower than the MRL of 10mg per kilogram that South Korea imposes on its domestic apples and pears.

Furthermore, the advisory cites information of government plans to progressively apply lower residue limits to other pesticides, which it said would “(significantly limit) the range of viable options” for P h i l ippi n e b an an a growers.

The report also mentioned of an MDFS c om mu n i c at i on to t h e embassy in Seoul saying that when it notified the World Trade Organization of the S outh Korean government’s decision to reduce the residue limit for iprodione to 0.02mg per kilogram, “it appeared that no opposition was registered by the Philippine side.”

More ove r, it share d receiving claims of a proposal to raise the amount of the chemical Vapormate, a non-residual fumigant used to protect post-harvest produce, in fumigating bananas.

“The Korean government has proposed increasing the ratio of the required

chemical (vapormate) used in the fumigation per volume of bananas inspected. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has set the tentative date of implementation as early as 2015,”said the embassy.

It s ai d t h at t h e s e developments involving t he t wo che m i c a ls are e x p e c te d to “s e r i ou sly affect the viability of banana exports into Korea, with the fumigation requirement significantly impacting on the fruit’s ripening process, taste and appearance.”

Local exports of bananas to South Korea average around US$250 million annually, with the Philippines accounting for at least 97% of the market.

Money politics and ‘High rollers’ rule Senate

By PCIJ

WHILE MOST of the tycoons who bankrolled candidates and political parties in the 2010 Presidential elections were curiously absent, the 2013 midterm elections still had high-roller donors who accounted for the bulk of the campaign donations made to the 12 winning senatorial candidates and their political parties.

Only 2,368 donors – 2,174 persons and 194 corporations – contributed the P1.69 billion that went to the campaign purses of the 12 winning senatorial candidates and their political parties, according to the Statements of Election Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Of the total contributors, only 421 comprise what could be called the “Millionaires Club” who gave P1 million to P4.9 million each.

At the top rung of the money pyramid, however, is the “High Rollers Club” of only 90 donors. They contributed at least P5 million to at most P63.2 million to their favored candidates and political parties.

In contrast, what might be called the “Taumbayan” categor y, or those who donated from P500 to less than a million constituted 78.4 percent of total donors.

This large group, however, accounted for less than 13 percent of total donations, or only P223.9 million.

This situation indicates that while elections are supposed to be an exercise in representative democracy, only a select few really bother to gamble – and gamble big – in those who offer themselves in elections. More importantly, this also means that those who run and win in the elections now tend to owe more and more to fewer and fewer people.

Granting that the SOCEs filed by the winning senatorial candidates are accurate, it appears that only a handful of the 52,745,861 registered voters believed in their candidates enough to make a donation to the campaign.

In fact, only 10 individual donors account for P315.8 M or 18.6 percent of the total contributions the winning senatorial candidates and their political parties received in May 2013.

“A donation to a political campaign is really a bet on a candidate that you think is deserving of that position,” says Comelec Commissioner Luie Tito Guia. Unfortunately, he says, many Filipinos are averse to the idea of donating to a candidate’s political campaign. This leaves the door wide open for other political or economic interests to take over in the competition to be heard and represented.

“People here see elections differently, they have such a cynical view of the elections and the political process,” Guia says. “That view is that politics is only for the politician. They do not see the relationship of the elections to their daily lives.”

Millionaires & others For purposes of this research, and to better illustrate the profile of those who gave money and services to t he camp aig n, PCIJ classified the individuals who donated P1 million up to P4.9 million under The Millionaires’ Club, while the High Rollers gave P5 million and higher. The Taumbayan category is composed of those who gave less than a million.

I n t e r e s t i n g l y, t h e Millionaires’ Club, or those who gave from P1 million to P4.9 million, makes up 17 percent or 421 of the total

donors.

This small percentage — only around one out of every six donors — gave 39.7 percent or P671.4 million of all the donations to the political parties and the winning candidates.

The even more elite group of High Rollers, or those who could afford to give P5 million or more, shows the disparity in even starker relief. The High Rollers are composed of 90 individuals or entities, or just 3.8 percent of the total donors. But this tiny group donated almost half or P795.2 million of the total amount given to the winners and their parties.

In contrast, those in the Taumbayan categor y, or donors who could afford to give less than a million, account for eight out of every 10 campaign fund contributors, or 78.4 percent of the total. Yet this large group raised only P223.9 million, or roughly P13 out of every P100 donated in 2013.

In contrast, the Taumbayan categor y, or those who could afford to give less than a million, account for 8 out of every 10 donors, or 78.4 percent of the total. Yet this large group raised only P223.9 million, or roughly P13 out of every P100 donated in 2013.

“Of course,” says Guia, “the ideal is that small donations are made by more people. The best concept of donations is the piso-piso or pass-the-hat donation, where you see a broader support for one candidate. An election is basically one person, one vote. Theoretically, the boss of the winner is the voter, and all their votes are equal.

But the money upsets the balance.”

“It is not farfetched to think that many of those who donate large amounts, the high rollers, want to protect their investments,” he

continues. “And conversely, as a candidate, you will have s e cond t houg hts ab out questioning a contributor who gave you a large donation in the elections.”

“That,” says Guia, “is the prevailing perspective of those who donate in elections — that there is a large expectation of a return of investment.”

5

SoCot town gets P30M for tourism dev’t

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY— The Department of Tourism (DOT) is investing some P30 million this year for the development of various tourism-related infrastructure in Tupi town in South Cotabato.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said such investment is part of the DOT’s continuing efforts to develop new tourist attractions and destinations in the countryside, especially in parts of Mindanao. “ This is a f inanci a l grant for the construction of tourism facilities like cottages and tourist or visitor information centers as well as the improvement of road networks,” she said.

The governor said the project will be implemented in Barangay Linan in Tupi, which hosts a tarsier sanctuary.

She said the funds will be drawn from the P30-million allotment earlier approved by t he D OT ’s Tour ism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) for tourism projects in Lake Sebu town.

She said they asked TIEZA to realign the funds to Tupi town following the approval last month of a P120-million grant for the development of

a road network within Lake Sebu’s “eco-tourism circuit.”

Tupi Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo said they are pushing for the utilization of the TIEZA funding for the improvement of the road from the tarsier sanctuary in Barangay Linan to the national highway.

He said they are eyeing for possible additional grants from the agency to further boost the development of the town’s tourist attractions.

The mayor specifically cited the town’s hot and soda springs, cold springs, waterfalls, tarsier sanctuary, among others.

“We need to work for the inclusion of Tupi into TIEZA to fully develop the tourism potentials of our municipality,” Tamayo said.

B ar ang ay L i nan has emerged as one of the province’s top attractions in the past several years due to the discovery of the tarsiers in the area.

California-based conservation group Endangered Species Int e r n at i o n a l ( E S I ) i s currently conducting field studies regarding the primate, especially its habitat.

The ESI team, which is headed by its founder and tourism/PAGE 11

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RABIES SITUATION - GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR RABIES CONTROL

‘CDO holds highest animal rabies cases among cities nationwide’

T

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat, PIA

he 2014 Rabies Situation presented by the Bureau of Animal Industry during the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), Communicating Health Advocacy Mentorship Program (CHAMP) in Tagaytay revealed that CDO holds the highest animal rabies cases among cities in the entire country.

O ut of t h e 6 2 tot a l samples submitted in 2014, 32 were positive with rabies.

Me anw hile, Misamis O r i e nt a l r an k s s e c on d among provinces, where CDO is under, out of 88 samples submitted, 48 cases were positive. Region 10 on the other hand is fourth among regions wherein out of 106 samples submitted last year, 57 were positive of rabies.

A c c o r d i n g t o D r.

Emelinda L. Lopez, Rabies focal person of the Animal Health and Welfare Division in the Bureau of Animal Indust r y, t he i r proj e c t i s on Ac c e l e r at i ng t h e Achievement of RabiesFree Philippines (AcARP) through Dog Vaccination.

She said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Health (DOH) are partners.

They intend to fast track working toget her for a Rabies-free Philippines by 2020; be rabies free by 2016; hold yearly mass rabies vaccination for the three cons ec utive years f rom 2014-2016; targeting at least 70% of the total dog population; and focusing on high risk areas.

Animal Rabies Situation in CDO In an inter vie w, Dr. Perla T Asis, CD O city veterinarian said that there is no change from 2009 to 2013. The numbers are constant.

For the past five years

from 2009 to 2013, positive cas es for animal rabies were 34, 39, 32, 33, and 33 respectively. And recently in 2014, there were 32 positive rabies cases in animals here.

She said that for the past five years (2009 to 2013), there had been no intervention.

Budget for animal rabies vaccines was very low. Dr. Asis said that in 2013, they have only vaccinated 55% of total dog population, below their target of 80% with just P700,000 budget for animal rabies vaccines.

Further, in September 2011, the dogs impound facility in barangay Indahag was abolished for social housing. Since then, the City Vet Office has not conducted city impounding anymore.

However, in 2014 the budget has augmented to P1.6M. She said that in 2014, they have vaccinated 31,000 dogs in the city which is 89% of total dog population. She added that currently, there is an estimated 35,000 dogs in the city.

According to the study of Dr. Asis, that from 2009 to 2013 while the number of dogs impounded decreases, the number of dog bite increases. There is a bloat of the dog bite victims, she said.

She also said that stray dogs are rampant in the city because dogs multiply easily and pet owners are not responsible to have their dogs caged or leashed in their backyards.

Barangays with highest number of incidence of animal rabies from 2009 to 2013 are Carmen with 21 cases; Patag, 12; Camamanan, 11; Lapasan, 11; Tablon, 11; Kauswagan, 10; Balulang, 9; Bulua, 8; Agusan, Bugo, Cugman, Gusa, Iponan and Macasandig with 7 cases.

However, one of their accomplishments she said that from 2013 to 2014, there were no human rabies cases in the city, a result from their strong Information Education Campaign (IEC) in schools.

Plan of Action in 2015 Dr. Perla Asis said the city is creating a Rabies action plan of for the next five years. “It’s a big challenge for us,” she said.

They have plotted strategies particularly in 2015. Dr. Asis said, rabies vaccination in animals must

WE CARE, YOU MATTER. Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano together with capitol department heads and employees participates in a bloodletting activity initiated by a media outlet here and the Philippine Red Cross at Pilgrim Christian College Auditorium on February 13. It is the advocacy of the Governor under his flagship “We care, You matter”, to support bloodletting activities as bags of blood donated can help save lives.

Photo courtesy of Governor Bambi Emano’s Facebook page

continue to reach target dog population of 80% or more; implement city ordinance of P20 dog registration in the city vet office where owners will also be given certificate of rabies vaccination; and resume city impounding and build city impounding facility.

Although their budget proposal for 2015 which was P2.4M for the facility was cut significantly by the city council, she said they will find ways to still pursue the project and this time they will also follow the rules made by Animal Welfare Committee on proper dog euthanasia.

Further, Dr. Asis said that cooperation is still key. Implementation of city ordinance must be applied at the barangay level.

Barangays should create their own rabies barangay ordinance and assign their barangay rabies coordinator to monitor dog vaccination in the area and make sure residents are compliant to Republic Act 9482 (AntiRabies Act of 2007) and its pet owner penalties.

She said, although CDO has the highest number of rabies cases in animals, there has been no case of rabies in humans for the last two years from 2013 to 2014. This is because of the massive Information and Education Campaign (IEC) in schools.

In 2014, Dr. Asis said that they have campaigned in schools per barangay.

About 80 schools and total of 12,000 schoolchildren have been given orientation on rabies and what to do when bitten by a dog, proper washing and to go directly to the Animal Bite Center.

She also said that rabies can be eradicated through anti-rabies vaccination.

They vaccinate 20 to 30 dogs per day.

Communities and homeowners can request

vaccination schedule from t hem s o t he y c an v isit personally in their homes.

The City Vet Office can be reached through telephone number 857-2185.

Republic Act 9482 (Anti Rabies Act of 2007) Dr. Asis enumerated some of the salient points under RA 9482 or the AntiRabies Act of 2007. She emphasized that there are penalties for pet owners who will not follow these rules.

One is that pet owners who fail or refuse to have their dog registered and immunized against rabies shall be punished by a fine of P2,000.00 Pet owners who refuse to have their dog vaccinated against rabies shall be liable to pay for the vaccination of both the dog and the individual bitten by their dog.

Moreover, pet owners who refuse to have their dog put under observation after said dog has bitten an i n d i v i du a l s h a l l b e meted a fine of P10, 000.

Meanwhile pet owners who refuse to have their dog put under observation and do not shoulder the medical expenses to the person bitten by their dog shall be meted a fine of P25,000.

Further, pet owners who refuse to put a leash on their dogs while they are brought outside the house shall be meted a fine of P500 for each incident.

Mo r e o v e r, D r. A s i s s ai d s ome t h i ng shou l d be done and cooperation from the barangays and the community is needed. The law must be implemented at the barangay level and pet owners must be responsible to make sure their dogs are vaccinated with anti-rabies every once a year starting from three months of age and make sure their dogs do not become stray. (JMOR/ PIA10)

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

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7

Isuzu to grow PH sales by more than a quarter in 2015 THE local unit of Japan’s Isuzu aims to grow sales by more than a fourth from last year.

During the launch of the 2015 model of the Crosswind, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) president Nobuo Izumina said the company plans to sell 18,000 units this year, or 27 percent more than the 14,134 sold in 2014.

Of the total, 12,000 units will be assembled in the company’s Sta. Rosa,

Holcim records double-digit profit growth on strong sales LEADING cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines Inc. booked a 12.9-percent increase in profit in 2014 on strong sales bolstered by robust construction activity.

In a statement, Holcim said its profit rose to P5.15 billion last year from P4.56 billion in 2013.

Cement sales volume rose 12.3 percent year-on-year to help the company achieve revenues of P32.6 billion, which is 13 percent higher than the P28.9 billion in 2013.

“The healthy economy continues to provide opportunities for our business to thrive. Last year, with the sustained construction boom,

the challenge was ensuring that there is enough supply so these projects are completed on time and on budget,” said Holcim Philippines president and chief executive officer Eduardo A. Sahagun.

For 2015, the company will focus on continuing to improve its ability to supply the market through efficiency initiatives in manufacturing and logistics, Sahagun said.

He said the higher government budget for infrastructure, sustained private sector expansion and faster implementation of publicprivate partnership projects will provide the cement industry with numerous opportunities.

STI files foreclosure suit vs PWU property in Davao STI Educations Systems Holdings, Inc. is seeking the foreclosure of another asset of the Benitez family as their squabble over Philippine Women’s University (PWU) continues.

The Eusebio H. Tanco-led firm told the stock exchange it filed, on Feb. 18, a petition for the extra-judicial foreclosure of real estate mortgage with the Regional Trial Court of Davao City of a parcel of land registered under the name of Unlad Resources Development Corp., a sister company of PWU. The property was mortgaged in favor of STI and Attenborough Holdings Corp. (AHC) as security under the omnibus agreement in 2012. The listed company recently gained full control of AHC. The foreclosure suit is the last petition initiated

by STI, on its own or

together with AHC, for the satisfaction of Unlad’s obligations amounting to P294.07 million and PWU’s obligations amounting to P702.45 million, the listed firm said.

STI earlier moved to foreclose the PWU campus in Manila and the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School (JASMS) in Quezon City.

In December, STI issued notices of default to PWU and Unlad for allegedly failing to meet its obligations.

The Tanco group required the Benitez family to pay nearly a billion pesos in debt, which also covers interest, penalties, lawyers’ fees and value-added taxes within seven days.

The Benitez family failed to meet that debt deadline, prompting STI to wrest control of PWU -- a move that the family challenged in court last month.

Laguna plant, according to IPC executive vice president Takashi Tomita.

Isuzu ass embles the Crosswind, D-Max and some other trucks in the Philippines, and imports the rest.

“We will continue to produce the current models in the Philippines but new models, maybe we will not invest anymore in new models without any support from government,” Izumina said, adding that the company

is awaiting the auto industry road map before deciding on any expansion of its local assembly operations.

Izumina said the company plans to sell 4,000 units of the new Crosswind, which is Isuzu’s Asian utility vehicle (AUV).

The new model, which will retail for P750,000 to P1.195 million, is aimed at customers looking for a durable and fuel-efficient everyday vehicle. isuzu/PAGE 11

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ABE-FAP (Agri Business Enterprise-Farmers Assistance Program) is one of the beneficiaries during the mass distribution and turnover of the PhP64 million worth of farm machineries and project grants from the Department of Agriculture Region 11 to farmers groups and local government units held at Davao City.

In photo are Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala (3rd from left) and Regional Director Remelyn Recoter (extreme right) with (from L to R) Davao del Norte 2nd District Congressman Antonio G. Del Rosario, Asuncion Mayor Joseph Nilo Fareñas and ABEFAP Project Manager Cipriano Balove. (PNA photo courtesy of DA)

Zambo Sur town receives Gawad Kalusugan Award Cabilan said the town of D u m i ng a g re c e i ve d the award after achieving 100 percent smoke-free municipality.

He s a i d D u m i n g a g municipality has also been inducted into the Hall of Fame 2014 Awardees since it was the third time the town received the Gawad Kalusugan Award.

He said the P500,000 prize will be used to purchased equipment for the hospital of Dumingag town in compliance to the DOH guidelines.

Dumingag, which comprises of 44 barangays, is a second class municipality of this province. The town has a population of 46,500 as of the 2010 census. (PNA)

People’s organizations, peace advocates hold dialogue to defy extremism

Dance, musical extravaganza showcase teachers’ talents

PAGADIAN CITY --vThe D e p ar t m e nt of He a lt h (DOH) has awarded the town of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, the Gawad Kalusugan Award for effectively implementing the smoking ban in offices and public places.

Dumingag Municipal Administrator Richard Butch Cabilan said Saturday they

Women peace advocates, both national and international, gat here d in t he Nor t h Cotabato provincial capital of Kidapawan City on Saturday to conduct dialogue to counter extremism which has become a global issue threatening many nations.

Spearheaded by Jennifer Freeman, Senior Program Officer of Joan B. Croc Institute for Peace and Justice (IPF) of the University of San Diego, talked about “Defying Extremism: Asian Dialogue.”

It was p ar t icip ate d by representatives of Magungaya Group, United Youth for Peace and Development, Inc. (UNYPAD) and Balay Mindanao.

With Freeman are groups composed of active women peace advocates from the US, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma and counterparts from Pakistan and Nigeria.

Local officials said the dialogue was timely as it came while Moro bandits are locked in skirmishes in North Cotabato and Maguindanao and while the country was still reeling from the January skirmishes in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

In the dialogue, the discussions were focused on the roots of conflict in Mindanao and what are the peace initiatives done to respond to the ill effects of war, especially by PO’s.

North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza lauded the initiative as supportive

received a plaque and a check worth P500,000 during the DOH Red Orchid Awards 2014 ceremony held Friday at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Cabilan said that Dumingag Mayor Nacianceno Pacalioga and five of his department heads atte nd e d t he aw ard ing ceremony.

of the peace efforts of her administration.

Mendoza hosted the dialogue at the provincial capitol building where the international peace advocates and lo cal counter par ts reported about their experiences in conf lict situations in which one way or another brought about by extremism and their insights in promoting peace.

An open forum followed where anyone was given the chance to air views on the current situation of peace and order in Mindanao and the country as well.

Freeman emphasized the need to put in all efforts to promote and maintain peace, address conflict with the right perspective and suppress religious extremism as an international threat.

Junalyn Sumlay, Executive Director of Magungaya, a peoples organization, narrated her group’s peace initiatives in conflict affected areas in Mindanao.

Sumlay admitted women peace advocates have been exhausted and tired of the long drawn armed conflict affecting Mindanao and it’s high time to end all of the misunderstanding and live in peace and harmony as Mindanaoans.

“It’s been quite long already that the people of Mindanao suffers from the adverse effects of war and just like me, I know you are all tired of war therefore let’s

end it and live peacefully,” Sumlay told the forum.

Rahib L. Kudto, Program Director of UNYPAD and Rosario Balderia, Project Assistant Manager of Balay Mindanao, also recounted on the peace initiatives and rehabilitation they were doing for many Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) in Mindanao in many years.

Ku d t o p a r t i c u l a r l y reported on “Rido” or clan wars which greatly affect the peace and order situation in many areas of Mindanao.

“These clan wars have caused the death of thousands and destruction of properties as well as livelihood thus preventing the opportunity of economic growth and sust ainabi lity, we have to strengthen our peace initiatives to settle and possibly end these in the near future,” Kudto said.

Balderia appealed for everyone to double their efforts in bringing back peace in Mindanao.

“Because of conflict, many children were displaced and not able to go back to homes and schools. We put them in new communities and let them continue their education,” said Balderia.

In her message, Mendoza said her administration continue to provide basic ser vices and implement much-needed programs and projects in many villages.

She pointed out that in dialogue/PAGE 11

A five-hour dance and musical extravaganza showcasing the teachers’ talents was featured on the “Educators’ Night,” of the “67th Araw ng Calamba,” at the Municipal Gym, here, celebrated Feb. 9-14, this year.

A 15-minute fireworks display at the Municipal Quadrangle preceding the extravaganza was witnessed by people from all walks of life, who came to view the teachers’ creativity through choreography and song performances, mayor Ezel T. Villanueva said.

Villanueva who welcomed the guests talked about this year’s celebration theme: “ Tungo d s a Gug ma ug Panaghi-usa, Nagpadayong Ni l amb o ang C a l amb a (Because of Love and Unity, the Development of Calamba Continues).”

She also led the local government officials in rendering a special dance number, along with vice mayor Jesus C. Enerio, the Sangguniang Bayan Members (SBM), and the District Super visors and School Principals from the different schools in the municipality.

Villanueva said the crowd enjoyed the impressive music and ext ravagant choreography and creativity in the rendition of cultural, pop and modern dances, as well, as song performances showcase/PAGE 11

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FRIDAY| FEBRUARY 20,24, 2015 tuesday|february 2015

16th Cebu Franchise Expo For more than a decade, the Philippines has been witnessing the continuing growth of the franchising industry, which has proven its effectiveness favorably increasing the numbers of franchised outlets all over the country. Along with this boost, franchising created more job opportunities for people and produced additional profits for the owners of franchised outlets and the franchisor.

With these developments happening, the Visayas and Mindanao investors and companies would surely benefit from the upcoming 16th Cebu Franchise Expo, which will be held on March 6-8, 2015 at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall, organized by Filipino International Franchise Association (F)FA) during mall hours and offers free entrance to all interested parties.

The 3-day event features at 80 booths established Franchisors offering more than 200 Franchise Opportunities in the field of Food and Restaurants, Beauty, Convenient stores, Cafes, Pizza, Pet Care, Printing, Laboratories, Water stations, Gasoline stations, and support industries to Franchising and business in general.

The Expo is brought to you by RK Franchise Consultancy, Inc.; Verband Management; O’hair

Salon, Myfacen’Mynails Salon; The Realmed Pharmacy; GLADC Construction, Penong’s Barbeque Seafoods & Grill; Beanleaf; PTT Petroleum; AMA Education System; Julies Bakeshop; Promate; 2go Express; and New Datche.

The official hotel partners of the expo are Hotel Pier Cuatro and Crown Regency Hotels & Resorts.

Media partners are Sunstar Cebu, The Freeman, Cebu Daily News, Businessworld, and Malaya Business Insight. All visitors get a free copy of FranchisingPH Magazine, the leading industry publication in the country.

Rudolf Kotik, founder of RK Franchise Consultancy Inc. will conduct a seminar “All About Franchising” on March 7, 2015 at 1:30PM at the SM City Cebu Meeting Rooms beside the Tradehall at the fourth floor. He will cover topics such as: What is Franchising, History of Franchising, Defining Franchising, Franchising 101, What Does a Franchise Provide, Benefits of Buying a Franchise, How to Select a Franchise, Advantages and Demands of Franchising, Mistakes

by Franchise Buyers, Buying a Franchise, Franchising Your Business, Development of a business into a Franchise, Legal Franchise

Requirements, Franchise Operations Manual, Franchise Disclosure Information and The Future of Franchising.

Trademark specialist Nedjet C. Capuno will speak about the importance of Trademark Registration. Guest speakers will include various business owners from select industries, such as from 2go Express, Promate, GLADC Construction, AMA University,

Flawless, Julie’s Bakeshop, Penong’s Barbeque Seafoods & Grill, Beanleaf; PTT Petroleum, and The Realmed Pharmacy.

A special participation rate is given for early birds and group bookings.

For reservations and inquiries, please contact (032) 253-5010 or 254-0473, 0922-537-6979, 0917-8609329, 0908-869-4250 or log on to www.cebufranchise.com or facebook. com/cebufranchise.

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tuesday|february 24,2015 2015 FRIDAY| FEBRUARY 20,

Be among the first to own an Android One device with a Sun Plan 399

G

oogle’s highly anticipated Android One is finally here in the Philippines and Sun Cellular subscribers can be among the first to experience it with a value-packed Sun postpaid plan.

Android One is Google’s initiative to fuse Android’s pure and optimized operating system with impeccable hardware, devoid of the usual platform modifications by phone manufacturers.

Sun Postpaid subscribers can now experience the Android One, which comes with the latest Android Lollipop mobile operating system. Google’s Lollipop version comes with a suite of enhancements to the Android operating system, including a new design language called “Materials Design�, notification improvements, a battery saver function, and multiple-user capability that allows for separate user accounts for friends or family members, among other exciting features. “We are proud and excited to be at the forefront of bringing the Android One experience to the Philippines. Bundled with our value-packed Sun Plan 399, our newest offer underscores our commitment to provide good and practical

months.

Customers who are interested to get their hands on the Sun Cellular’s latest offering can sign up on the Sun-Android One interest page at http://suncellular.com.ph/personal/android-one.

Once registered, they will receive a call from Sun Cellular for information on how to be the first to claim and experience a Sun-powered Android One device. The most awaited Android One device is

choices to Filipino mobile users,� said Joan Dueùas, Sun Cellular's Vice President for Postpaid Marketing.

For its maiden Android One offer, Sun Cellular is unveiling the Cherry Mobile One. With its dual microSIM capability, 4.5-inch scratch resistant capacitive screen, 1.3 GHz Quad core processor, and a 5 megapixel back and 2 megapixel front camera, Sun Postpaid subscribers can definitely make the most of their Android One experience.

Powering the Cherry Mobile One is the Sun Plan 399, packed with Sun Cellular’s best value inclusions for optimal mobile experience and connectivity. These include unlimited Sun calls and texts, 250 texts to other networks, unlimited Facebook, and free mobile data allowance for app and software updates for first six months.

Meanwhile, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), is also bringing the Android experience to its subscribers. Initially available to prepaid customers, Smart Prepaid SIMs will come bundled with the Android One-powered MyPhone Uno. Free mobile data allowance for Android OS updates and Google Play app downloads will also be made available to Smart Prepaid subscribers for first six

expected to hit Sun Shops on the last week of February.

To know more about Android One or other products and services of Sun Cellular, visit www. suncellular.com.ph or Facebook page www. facebook.com/suncellularph and follow @ suncelldeals on Twitter and @suncellular on Instagram.

Globe Telecom invades PH Social Media Congress

Yoly Crisanto, SVP for Corporate Communications at Globe Telecom and Abe Olandres, Nuffnang Philippines Country Manager share the vision of enlightening today’s leading and upcoming digital influencers on new social media trends and developments through the recently held Philippine social media congress “Blogopolis: Shifting Gears� last February 21, 2015 at Dusit Thani Manila. Globe, the leader in Postpaid and innovation and purveyor of the digital lifestyle, lent its expertise to the congress through the introduction of its new myLifestyle Plan, invitation to be a member of growing Globe Community, and the exhibit of the aptly-themed Wonderfilms.

FEBRUARY 23 & 24, 2015 8:00 AM-5:00 P.M.

2ND FLOOR, NORTH ACADEMIC CLUSTER LICEO DE CAGAYAN UNIVERSITY

This event is open to the public

Partners: JOB PLACEMENT BUREAU

Sponsors:

Kathryn’s Bakeshop

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tuesday|february 24, 2015

Supply... from page 1

and reliable power, then we have to be willing to pay the price of reliable and quality power,” Aboitiz said during the Energy Forum hosted recently by BDO Unibank Inc. in Davao City.

“We always say that the most expensive power is no power. If subsidies or lower cost of power is something that we expect, then I think we stand the risk [of] supplies not coming in as needed.”

ST E AG St ate Powe r Inc. president and chief executive Bodo Goerlich, meanwhile, raised concern on the possible onset of the El Niño phenomenon at the start of next year. Despite the looming threat, he said his company’s 210-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental would exert effort to run at full capacity.

Plant... from page 1

he said.

The company will invest $100 million for the biomass plant, which marks its initial foray into the power generation business.

Martinez said the company is also preparing for the possible expansion of the plant but would likely wait till it is completed before proceeding.

“This is the first phase and will decide on expansion once it’s installed,” he said.

The company is also exploring investments in “several [biomass projects] but it is still too early to tell how our assessment of feedstock will play,” Martinez said, referring to the fuel source of the renewable energy plants.

One of the companies that set up shop following the deregulation of the downstream oil industry, Eastern Petroleum has about 50 retail outlets on top of its EC Gas liquefied petroleum gas brand.--InterAksyon

Award... from page 1

Mamasapano tragedy in Maguindanao. The rest of the would-be awardees are presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Deles and GPH Peace Panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer.

“Then Mamasapano. After Mamasapano, some have asked, should XU still proceed in conferring the awards?

We believe that answer should be yes. Despite their shortcomings, the leaders on both sides are clearly committed to peace. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has come to the table not seeking independence but with substantial compromis es. And t he Aquino administration is willing to test the boundaries of its powers to enact a new law that would give the Bangsamoro meaningful autonomy in a limited territory while preserving national sovereignty and

national integrity,” Yap said.

“Our three leaders are partners in peace who eschew the ways of extremism and terrorism. They are for a negotiated political solution.

They continue to work hard to build mutual confidence and trust, coupled with mutually agreed upon processes and mechanisms. They endeavor to keep alive the hope that dialogue, negotiations and kept agreements replacing guns, violence and war,” he added.

“As a Jesuit university, X av i e r p a r t i c ip at e s i n t h e Je s u i t m i s s i o n o f reconciliation with God, with others and with creation; it seeks to serve the faith, promote justice, dialogue with culture and religions and protect the environment.

More than ever especially af te r t h e Mam a s ap an o tragedy, Xavier University signifies its support for staying the course in pursuing peace by honoring three leaders: Teresita QuintosDeles, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Mohagher Iqbal, for their commitment to peace based on truth and justice,” he concluded.

Deles who will also be the commencement speaker during the annual graduation rites of Xavier University this March, will receive a doctorate in humanities (honoris causa) while Ferrer and Iqbal will receive jointly the Fr. William F. Masterson SJ Award “for contributions to social development.”

A date is still to be set.

Batas... from page 4

are all geared towards this objective.

“Many of his advisers are telling Aquino that he can pull off any or all of these alternatives successfully, on the theory that he continues to enjoy a huge amount of support from the people.

These advisers are saying that all that Aquino has to do is to say what he wants, and Filipinos will blindly do his bidding.

-ooo R EVOLU T IONA RY GOV’T IN 2016: “Among the many options that would enable Aquino to continue being the President after 2016, the most appealing now to those who really want him to stay on is the staging of his own coup against his own government, by declaring a revolutionary government where all existing political and democratic institutions will be abolished.

“This would not be martial law, because a declaration of martial law would be subject to the final conformity of Congress. It would be a pure and simple power grab, just like what happened at the so-called EDSA Revolution of 1986, where all powers of government would become concentrated in himself.

“This kind of a power grab would not be subject to the 1987 Constitution b e c aus e, pre c is ely, t he installation of a revolutionary

government by Aquino would require the abrogation of t hat C onst itut ion, and t he est ablishment of a revolutionary constitution which would become the new standard of legality in the whole country.

-ooo “NOYNOY FOREVER”: “When the revolutionary gover nment sha l l have been announced and then established with the cooperation of police and mi lit ar y aut hor it ies, it would follow that the 2016 p re s i d e nt i a l e l e c t i o n s , which is a political exercise under the abrogated 1987 Constitution, would no longer push through.

What is more, since it would be a revolutionary government which is subject to no other rules except those promulgated by the revolutionary government where Aquino is to be the revolutionary leader, there is going to be no time limit for its existence. Indeed, as Vic Somintac, my co-anchor at the Mondays to Fridays 6 a.m. program “Tambalang Batas at Somintac” at DZEC 1062 kHz, is saying, it is really going to be “Noynoy Forever”.

-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 Nor te, 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-

Tourism... from page 5

president Dr. Pierre Fidenci, launched the tarsier research in December 2011 in two sites within the he Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL).

The municipal government of Tupi had endorsed ESI’s research project as part of its efforts to tap the tarsiers and its habitat for ecotourism development.

In 2009, the indigenous people of Sitio Bagong Silang in Barangay Linan captured a tarsier along with three grass owls.

The Philippine tarsier, which has brought fame to Bohol, is one of the country’s primary flagship species for conservation.

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) has been classified as “near threatened.” (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Isuzu...

four-wheel-drive; Power: 140kW at 3750rpm; Torque: 450Nm at 1500-2500rpm; and Weight: Approx 1800kg.

With the rapid growth and increasing demand for vehicles in the Visayas an d Mi n d an a o re g i on ,

11

Nissan sees great potential in boosting its share in the market. Fortifying its presence in central and southern Philippines, Nissan proves that it is one of the key players in the growing local automotive industry.

from page 7

“Isuzu believes in continuously improving its products, so we have decided to give it an upgrade, keep it up to the existing market trends to make our customers’ everyday drive more special,” Izumina said.

Besides the Crosswind, IPC also expects its sport utility vehicle (SUV), the mu-X, to contribute to sales growth this year. Launched in September last year, the mu-X has seen strong demand with 2,000 orders so far.

“Last year was Crosswind.

This year, we are expecting it will be the mu-X,” IPC marketing head Joseph Bautista.

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

Dialogue... from page 8

the process of delivering service to the constituents, the Provincial Government of Cotabato does not favor any particular group and maintains to provide equal opportunity to everyone.

“As your governor, it is my duty and responsibility to ensure that my people are provided with tangible proj e c ts and prog rams that will uplift their living conditions,” she said.

The “Defying Extremism: Asian Dialogue” held in the provincial capitol is part of the series of dialogues and discussions conducted in many countries. (PNA)

Showcase... from page 8

by the teachers from the following schools: Calamba Comprehensive National Hi g h S c h o o l ( C N H S ) , Southwestern Poblacion Elementary School (SPES), Singalat, Mamalad, Siloy and Bonifacio ES, Philippine Independent School (PIS), and Liberation Institute (LI).

Sacred Heart College (SHC), Mauswagon, Langub and Calaran ES, College of Communication, Information and Technology (CCIT), Calamba Central School, and Pestañas, Sulipat, San Isidro, Bunawan, Dapacan Alto, Dapacan Bajo, Libertad, Magcamiguing, and Salvador ES. (Nora Bagundol/RCA/ PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Navara... from page 12

Navara is also described as a vehicle used as family cars as well as workhorse, and is, therefore, suited for both at work and play.

Stable through the bends, the new Navara's specifications are as follows: Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder twin turbo diesel; Transmission: 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic,

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

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Main: Osmeña-Cogon Market, Cagayan de Oro Branch: Ipil,Carmen , Cagayan de Oro NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE Starting March 6, 2015 at 9:00 A.M. to 5P.M., this establishment will set an Auction Sale on all pledges since October 2014. Patrons are enjoined to verify their receipts.

MANAGEMENT PAHIBALO

Sa Marso 6, 2015 sa may 9:00 sa buntag paingon da alas 5:00 sa hapon, ang Tanan nga penirenda nga wala malukat sa bulan sa Oktubre 2014 maapil sa subasta.

Giawhag ang tanan suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo.

BWM: Feb. 24, 2014

ANG TAGDUMALA

VIBE

BusinessWeek MINDANAO FRIDAY| FEBRUARY 20, 2015

editor: SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

PAGE 12

(from left) Jefferson Rolida, President of Nissan Cagayan de Oro; Antonio Zara, President of Nissan Philippines, Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Beja Emano and Cagayan de Oro Councilor President Elipe pose for posterity with the All-New Nissan Navara NP300 during it’s launch at the activity center of Centrio Ayala Mall, February 21.

Photo by SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

Nissan launches new Navara NP300

benchmarks for toughness, versatility and running costs. Backed by 80 years of global ute knowhow, it’s as practical as it is powerful, whether "The Year 2015 is Nissan Year!" you’re transporting bricks, the kids or your favourite toys – be it your boat, bike or caravan," Thus, declares Antonio Zara, Nissan runs a promotion for the new Navara.

Philippines president and managing director, Power, comfort, innovation, multi-engine during the launching of the All-New Navara suspension, innovative-wise and first to introduce NP300, on Saturday, February 21, 2015, at the automatic transmission, Zara said Nissan wants to activity center of Ayala Centrio in Cagayan de continue the momentum and will be back to CDO Oro City. soon for other launches.

"With proven reliability in the most Nissan launched on October 16, 2014, the third challenging conditions," Zara said it took Nissan's generation Nissan X-Trail, making its remarkable Navara 80 years to be molded as a "tough and debut by showing off its style and muscle that the smart" ute automobile these days. testosterone-driven machine has, and it has been "The All-New Nissan NP300 Navara sets new well-received during its launching.

By CHENG ORDONEZ Associate Editor

Antonio Zara, President of Nissan Philippines formally intrduces the All-New Nissan Navara NP300 during it’s launch at the activity center of Centrio Ayala Mall, February 21.

Photo by SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

Misamis Oriental Governor Bambi Emano graced the launching last Saturday led by Jefferson Rolida, president, Nissan-CDO. Rolida said a series of launches for the AllNew Navara will follow at Limketkai Center and SM Mall, both in CDO. A first-drive review describes the new Navara as offering "50mm shorter between the axles, which Nissan credits with a 70 kilogram drop in kerb weight as well as a 20 centimetre narrower turning circle and slightly lower centre of gravity."

Dual zone climate control, rear-air conditioning vents and an impressive array of cupholders and cubbyholes make the new Navara comfortable.

NAVARA | Page 11

Jefferson Rolida, President of Nissan Cagayan de Oro welcomes the crowd and special guests during the launch of the All-New Nissan Navara NP300, activity center of Centrio Ayala Mall, February 21.

Photo by SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY