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Monday | February 26, 2018
THE Mindanao State University (MSU) has slammed CNN Philippines over what the university called “unverified and unfounded” news report that the school and its students joined a nationwide mass walkout of students Friday to protest a number of issues like charter change, federalism, tax reform, and martial law in Mindanao. “The MSU academia vehemently denounces CNN Philippines on the unverified and unfounded news re participation of MSU students in the mass walkout,” the state university said in a statement released for “widest dissemination” on the same day of the reported mass student action. “There is no truth to the news report of CNN Philippines tagging the university and her students as participants,” MSU System President Habib Macaayong declared through the statement. “In fact, all students in the campus conscientiously attended their classes and the so-called mass walkout did not happen all throughout the day.”
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By MYRNA M. VELASCO, Contributor
T the initial excise tax rate of P50 per metric ton, the Department of Energy (DOE) is advancing a policy idea that the generation companies (GenCos) will initially absorb the cost impact, instead of passing it on in the bills of the Filipino ratepayers.
TRANSMISSION firmconcessionaire National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has formally filed an application with the Department of Energy (DOE) on getting its P52-billion Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project (VMIP) be covered by streamlined permitting processes under Executive Order 30. It is among the initial 10 projects lodged with the energy department that may be accorded ‘time saving process’ on its required government approvals. EO 30, which was issued by President Rodrigo Duterte in June last year, generally cuts the length of time on approval processes and licensing of projects, including the requirement on environmental clearance certificate (ECC) which is now harmonized with the system of the energy department.
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HIBOK-HIBOK. A tourist on the White Island in Camiguin has the sun and the sea all to herself as she takes a picture of Mt. Hibok-hibok, an active volcano. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo
This is the main reason then why the DOE is requiring data and information submission from coal plants – chiefly on cost impacts that the initial rate of excise tax would have on their operations. The P50/metric ton excise tax is the first phase of the tax impositions under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act of the Duterte administration. That will go up to P100 per metric ton next policy/PAGE 11
Gov. Pimentel to Bishop:
Mining not the cause of Surigao del Sur landslides By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN, Contributing Editor
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur— Surigao del Sur G o v. V i c e n t e Pimentel Jr. lashed
back at Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar saying that mining has n ot h i ng to d o
with the landslides wrought by Tropical Storm Basyang that killed five people in the
two mining towns of the province. “It is unfortunate that instead of helping and comforting the victims as good Christian must do in mining/PAGE 11
SCHOOL BAGS. Students from Consolacion Elementary School in Cagayan de Oro City shield their heads from the searing sun with their new bags from Sen. Sonny Angara. photo by mark doña francisco
Moro CSO leaders acknowledge possibility of ‘watered down’ BBL but… By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS, MindaNews
MARAWI City — Leaders of Bangsamoro civil society organizations acknowledge the possibility of a “watered d o w n” v e r s i o n o f t h e
B angsamoro B asic L aw (BBL) but hope the law that Congress assured will be passed later this month is “still acceptable” or they will
oppose its ratification. “I think people are saying it’s not going to be absolutely t h e BTC ( B ang s am oro Transition Commission)drafted BBL. It will be watered down. The most important
thing we want to see is how much? So the bottomline is, yun bang pag water down is still acceptable in the sense that will it still work for the interest of the Bangsamoro?” asked Guiamel Alim,
Executive Director of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS). “Any law that is not acceptable and will not redound to the benefit of bbl/PAGE 11
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Dads to look into proliferation of advertising billboards in CdeO COUNCILOR Reuben R. Daba, chair of the City Council committee on social services, expressed concern over the proliferation of billboards along main roads and national highways. He said these cause serious urban problems in the city. In his special report during the regular session Monday presided over by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy, Councilor Daba said outdoor advertisements have brought dramatic changes in urban living since they are everywhere. The size and dimensions tend to block or obscure the natural view and scenic
backdrop, skyline and cityscape, he pointed out. “Though we understand the need to aggressively promote product and services, that is, graphic, vivid and bold on a massive scale to make people be aware of them,” he reported. Daba cited the need to regulate advertising billboards for the benefit of small businesses and at the same time, for the city’s revenues. “Dako kaayo og kasubo kay atong mga kaigsoonan nga naa diha sa mga sari-sari store gabayad gayud unya atong mga kaigsoonan nga dagko billboards/PAGE 11
Economy
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Monday|february 26, 2018
Bukidnon farmers to receive free corn seeds, fertilizers
M
ALAYBALAY City — Some 28,900 corn farmers in Bukidnon will start receiving free corn seeds and fertilizers next week. Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr. said farmers who are tilling a total of 26,000 hectares of corn will each
receive a bag of RR corn seeds and 57,800 bags of 1413-14 fertilizers, Alson Quimba, provincial agriculturist, said the beneficiaries are corn farmers who are tilling at least a hectare of land. “The beneficiaries are poorest of the poor corn farmers in the province.
Meaning, corn farming is their only means of livelihood and no other source of income,” Quimba said. “The seeds and fertilizers will be delivered by the suppliers to the city or town gymnasium where the distribution will be held,” Quimba said.
Based on tentative distribution schedule, the distribution will start on March 5 in three towns in the southern part of the province with 3,027 beneficiaries. The rest of the towns in the province will receive their fertilizers and seeds the following day. (Mel B. Madera/PNA)
Joint body tackles proposal to create CDO’s meat inspection div CREATION of Cagayan de Oro City Meat Inspection Services Division of the City Veterinary Office is in the offing as the proposed ordinance creating it was discussed by the joint committees on agriculture
and fisheries and on health and sanitation and health insurance. During its meeting
presided over by Councilors Maria Lourdes S. Gaane, chair of the committee on health and
sanitation, and Councilor Jay R. Pascual, vice-chair of the committee on proposal/PAGE 11
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Accountancy students from Xavier University pose during a black-themed fashion show in the midst of their regional convention, joining eight other schools from Northern Mindanao and Caraga, last Friday. photo by mark francisco
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
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Monday | February 26, 2018
9th Sunggod Ta Kamanga Festival 2018 Quezon, Bukidnon
The Manobo Tribes
“During the 5th Mindanao Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs Awards 2016 the Municipality of Quezon, Bukidnon received from Business Week Mindanao and Mindanao Daily News the Most Outstanding LGU in Mindanao in the Preservation of Culture and the Arts of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) - the Manobos of Quezon.”
O
By JOE PALABAO
ver a thousand IPs, tribal leaders, guests, domestic and local tourists, visitors, local officials, guests and dignitaries witnessed the most authentic cultural IPs festival in the country today 9th Sunggod Ta Kamanga Festival 2018 of the beautiful, progressive and first class Municipality of Quezon, Bukidnon held at Doña Resing Park, Poblacion,. Quezon, Bukidnon last February 19-20. The Annual Festival Sunggod Ta Kamanga is an Annual Grand Thanksgiving Celebration of the Manobos of Quezon, Bukidnon to our Magbabaya for the bountiful harvest, good health and happiness of the tribes experience during the year. KAMANGA connotes “edge sharpener” of their farm implements, bolos
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and “sanggot” they use to prepare for planting. The Department of Tourism X for the last nine years had been supporting the Sunggod Ta Kamanga Festival through the late RD Butch Chan 111 and now the support goes on with the super active Regional Director May Salvana Unchuan. Panagbulagta &
Panampulot Ritual was done by a ritualist prior to land preparation or any prefarming activities vis.a.vis offering of farm products, tools and accessories being witnessed and participated in by guests by putting coins on the table together respective Tribal chieftains. The ritual proper was done by Bae Macaria “Cayang” Bagas & partner. The ritual is one act of the tribe to continually preserve their culture and arts together with their happy, hilarious “Katutuanan Dance participated by the many guests and IPs, municipal officials, guests and dignitaries tribal merry making. “Tampon Ta Balagon-” cutting of bagon was done by the Hon. Mayor Gregorio Lloren Gue and First Lady Carmen Capistrano Gue and guests witnessed by the thousand IPs for
the formal opening of Sunggod Ta Kamanga Trade Fair-Cultural Exhibits, Indigenous Handicrafts & Farm Products. Opening of their Tribal Sportsfest was done through Torch Lighting Ceremony and The Bag-id Fire Activity Building was done to start the fest, Babayo wey Pasiri) lubok producing clean rice. The galing sa bato te Sanley, the Babanlak, The known Kadangkadang/ Askew -walking on stilts and other traditional sports were shown to during the festival. Authentic Cultural Street Dancing and Ground Competition was done with their traditional taste of merry making simple yet so meaningful. Their Search for Laga Ta Kicking and Tribal Concert and Disco with Talahari and Sibannac Tribal Band. At a Glance- with the
"Datu Makapukaw" Hon. Mayor Gregorio Lloren Gue and "Bae Makabulig" First Lady Carmen Capistrano Gue
the National Commission of the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) the preservation of the culture and the arts of the Manobos of Quezon, Bukidnon started in 2008. Then in 2009 and through the years up to now 2018 Sunggod Ta Kamanga Festival continue to thrive now on its 9th year with activities giving importance to the IPs. This is through the leadership of the Man of Vision for the IPs development Hon. Mayor Gregorio Lloren Gue. He built IPs schools in barangays where they live. Give livelihood projects, IP Council and Federation of Leaders were formed to answer the needs of the Manobos and spends around 500 hundred to 600 hundred thousand annual support to the continuous preservation of the Arts and Culture of the Manobos of the area.
In an interview, Hon. Mayor Gregorio Lloren Gue told Business Week Mindanao that he is sending IP scholars, one is now a teacher Mr. Joman L. Man-ampit teaching the young Manobs in far flung Manobo Village. Two IP scholar midwives are about to finish their course to assist the childbirths of the Manobo women in every IPs Village since it is their culture that no Dumagat can see them deliver birth. It’s a unique culture but has to be preserved. The Municipality of Quezon, Bukidnon was an Awardee as Most Outstanding LGU in Mindanao in the Preservation of the Culture and the Arts during the 6th Mindanao Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs Awards 2016 September 25 at Luxe Hotel Cagayan de Oro City. KUDOS!
Happy Birthday Mayor Gregorio Lloren Gue!
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Opinion
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Monday|february 26, 2018
Corruption redux
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A terrible thing to waste think a minute
jhan tiafau hurst Think a minute…Have you heard this expression, “It’s raining cats and dogs?” It was started in Europe in the 1500’s when many European houses had thatched roofs made from straw. At night time the animals would climb up on the roof to stay warm, including cats, dogs, and other small animals. But when it rained hard, the straw became slippery and sometimes the animals slipped and fell off the roof. So they started the saying, “It’s raining cats and dogs.” It’s interesting how many of us go through life saying and doing things that often we don’t even know why we do them. Like superstitions which don’t make any sense, yet many of us still believe them. But as we grow and learn more about life, we slowly begin to understand and change
some of our incorrect beliefs and thinking. We realize that some things we used to think and believe actually are not true, such as superstitions and racial prejudice. It’s so important that we always keep learning, because our mind is a terrible thing to waste! Someone said: “You should always keep an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out!” In other words, we need to use our mind and conscience God gave us to sort through what’s true and what isn’t. We’re responsible to think and find out the truth for ourselves. That way we won’t let others rent space in our heads! As a professor of mine used to say: “If you don’t know for yourself, you’ll get hustled and fooled all your life.” This is why Jesus Christ came: to explain and show us the true way we were made to enjoy the life He gave us. He didn’t create us to stumble through life in the dark, not knowing the right way to live a successful life. So why not ask Jesus Christ to forgive you for your past wrongs? Then ask Him to start showing you His way to true success and satisfaction. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Just Think a Minute…
many, if not most offices in the bureaucracy these days. It all redounds to common sense from common taxpayers like you and me. Case in point is the utter disregard of public safety in national highways where street lights are nowhere to be found like the newly opened coastal road along Macajalar Bay. Also disgusting is the countr y’s traffic mess i n ke y u r b an c e nte rs including C agayan de Oro, so monstrous albeit horrendous, such that it reflects how inept our government in addressing the problem. The Crusade for Clean Government, a volunteer watch dog sees corruption
happening in high places and still lurking into the veins of public service. In fac t, cor r uption remains pervasive as ever despite the effort of the Duterte administration to curb this malpractice in its more than a year of its ascendancy. And Malacanang protégés, lured by the glitters of gold, had betrayed -- one after the other -- their pledged of incorruptibility. Corruption in government is as large as Kong in the movie Skull Island, so packed with immense power and dominance. The f ig ht against corruption is indeed a war within, not without. This is a fight of man’s indefatigable greed, where
power corrupts, and where the powerful is corrupted in high places and down to the last man in public service. The fight against the illegal drug trade continues yet, there is one thing that needs to be addressed in earnest -- fast and furious, and that is the campaign against graft and corruption in all fronts in the bureaucracy. The Crusade for Clean Government is up in arms against these monsters of public funds. Abyss as it were, the fight to clean the bureaucracy is without let up and unabated, yet it remains one of Duterte’s headaches. (ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo. com)
A tribute to Val Araneta, Monetary Board Member Speaking out
ignacio bunye The Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilpinas paid its final tribute last week to one of its own, Valentin A. Araneta, who passed away last February 21 just a week after his 69th birthday. He is survived by his widow Charimen and children Nicole and Robert Boyle, Jose and Michelle and Matthew. A s e a s on e d b an ke r, Araneta joined the Monetary Board in July 2014. At various times, he previously served at PDCP, Bancom, BNP, PNB, RCBC, Metrobank, and PDIC . Araneta’s remains were briefly brought to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas office last Friday for a mass and
necrological rites, attended by incumbent and past members of the Monetary Board, as well as officers and staff of the BSP. In a speech read for him by Deputy Governor Maria Almasara Cyd N. Tuaño Amador, BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla, Jr. that he and his wife Tess were immensely saddened that “ Val was gone too soon. Val passed at 69 … with two more years to go in his term as member of the Monetary Board… a Board that he served faithfully and excellently.” Espenilla said he first had the opportunity and privilege to work and serve with Araneta when they were both members of the PDIC board. At that time Araneta was PDIC president and Espenilla represented the BSP as alternate board member. Espenilla said that he was very impressed by the quality of Val’s reasoning and deep understanding of banking. When the proper time came, Espenilla said he was among those who readily endorsed
Araneta to be considered as a member of the Monetary Board. Current MB members Felipe M. Medalla, Juan D. De Zuniga, Jr., Peter B. Favila, and Antonio S. Abacan, Jr. also recalled their association with Araneta. They all had good words for Araneta, whom they described as a seasoned banker, a strategic thinker, one who had a very good grasp of economics, humble and soft-spoken, a loyal Ateneo basketball fan, a gentle giant in the basketball but who could play the role of enforcer if his team mates got a raw deal from the other team. On a lighter note Favila described Araneta as a very meticulous golfer who could drive the ball 200 yards (when he hits it). One of Araneta’s closest friends in in the MB, Favila choked with emotion when he recalled Araneta’s magnanity. Favila once served as President of PNB where Araneta was then a most senior executive. During his first stint at the MB, Favila was assigned
one of the choicest rooms in the 5th Floor of the BSP 5 Storey Building – Room 510, also known as the Clinton Room. The room was rich in history. Not only was it the room of former Deputy Governor/ later Governor Gabriel Singson. A plaque installed at the ro om’s entrance commemorates its importance, to wit: “ On Novemb er 24, 1996, this room was used by United States President William Jefferson Clinton as his office while waiting for his scheduled bilateral meetings with People’s Republic of China President Jiang Zemin, Jap an’s Pr ime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and Republic of Korea President Kim Young Sam. “President Clinton came to the Philippines to attend the 1996 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit of Leaders.” Araneta joined the MB in 2014, the year Favila finished his term. At that time , Favila welcomed Araneta to the tribute/PAGE 9
Nobody is perfect? have my say
klaus doring Many of us believe perfectionism is a positive. You may count me in. More often than I’d like to admit, something seemingly inconsequential will cause the same feeling to rear its head again. Something as small as accidentally squashing the makeup I was bringing my first girlfriend’s family for Christmas can tumble around in my mind for several days,
accompanied by occasional voices like “How stupid!” and “You should have known better”. Falling short of a bigger goal, even when I know achieving it would be nearimpossible, can temporarily flatten me. When a former agent told me that she knew I was going to write a book someday but that the particular idea I’d pitched her didn’t suit the market, I felt deflated in a gutpunching way that went beyond disappointment. The negative drowned out the positive. “You’re never going to write a book,” my internal voice said. “You’re not good enough.” That voice didn’t care that this directly contradicted what the agent actually said. And, up to now, I didn’t finish my first book, yet... .
That’s the thing about perfectionism. It takes no prisoners. If I’ve struggled with perfectionism, I’m far from alone. The tendency starts young – and it’s becoming more common. Thomas Curran and Andrew Hill’s recent meta-analysis of rates of perfectionism from 1989 to 2016, the first study to compare perfectionism across generations, found significant increases among more recent undergraduates in the US, UK and Canada. In other words, the average college student last year was much more likely to have perfectionistic tendencies than a student in the 1990’s or early 2000’s. It’s heading toward an epidemic and public health issue. It’s a great quotation from Katie Rasmussen. “As many as two in five
kids and adolescents are perfectionists,” says Katie, who researches child development and perfectionism at West Virginia University. “We’re starting to talk about how it’s heading toward an epidemic and public health issue.” The rise in perfectionism d o e s n’ t m e a n e a c h generation is becoming more accomplished. It means we’re getting sicker, sadder and even undermining our own potential. Here is another great example: a perfectionist, French Claude Monet often destroyed his paintings in a temper while saying, ‘My life has been nothing but a failure’. Perfectionism, after all, is an ultimately self-defeating way to move through the world. It is built on an perfect/PAGE 9
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Monday|february 26, 2018
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Banking&Finance
PH’s current account deficit far Landbank books higher income from being worrisome: BSP exec
M
ONETARY officials maintain that the Philippine Current Account (CA) balance, even at a small deficit, remains in a healthy level. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has a P7 million CA deficit assumption for 2018, which accounts for 0.2 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monetary Policy Sub-Sector Managing Director Francisco G. Dakila Jr. said the CA deficit assumption for this year took into account the government’s deficit target, which is set at
around three percent of GDP. He explained that the CA balance “mirrors the savings and investments behavior of the economy.” “Narrowing of the current account balance implies convergence of national savings and total investments,” he said. Dakila said it is not enough to just look at the CA figure per se, which in 2017 is mostly in deficit and a turn-around from the surpluses in the past several years. He said a deficit in the country’s CA does not necessarily mean that the domestic economy is overheating. The country has been
registering negative CA figures because of higher importation to address the rising requirements of the expanding economy and as the government invests more in infrastructure. Dakila said that as the country takes in more investments, it is a plus for the economy and actually what it needs to prevent any overheating. “If there is no improvement in investment you will not be able to accelerate economic growth,” he said. The central bank official said the country lags behind its counterparts in the region in terms of investment, particularly on
infrastructure, thus, “the need to invest is the reason why the Philippines’ CA is narrowing.” He, however, clarified that the country’s import cover “is still on the healthy side”, noting that world standard is only three months import cover. Last January, the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) amounted to $81.2 billion, which is equivalent to 8.2 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. The central bank has an $80 billion GIR assumption for this year. (PNA)
ADB okays $235-M loan for RE projects in ASEAN THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday signed a loan agreement of up $235 million with a Thai firm to develop and enhance renewable energy in the Philippines and other countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ADB’s financing will support B. Grimm Power Public Company Limited’s implementation
(B. Grimm Power) of the ASEAN Distributed Power Project, which will expand renewable and distributed power generation into new markets in the region, also including Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar and Vietnam. The project will involve the execution and operation of distributed and utility-scale solar,
wind, biomass, waste-toenergy, gas-fired power, energy storage, as well as associated infrastructure in ASEAN countries. “The development of renewable energy in Southeast Asia is critical to meet its energy needs and B. Grimm Power is at the forefront of the region’s fast growing alternative energy sector,” Michael Barrow, Director General
of ADB’s Private Sector Operation’s Department, said in a statement. “ADB is proud to once again partner with B. Grimm Power as it continues its expansion strategy in ASEAN member countries,” said Barrow. B. Grimm Power’s total distributed power generation capacity is loans/PAGE 8
LAND BANK of the Philippines (Landbank) saw its net income grow in 2017 on the back of its robust core revenues. In a statement sent to reporters on Thursday, state-owned Landbank said it posted a net income of P14.05 billion, climbing 4% from the P13.58 billion recorded in 2016. Landbank’s net income growth was mainly supported by the doubledigit growth of its core revenues. The bank’s income from loans expanded 12% to P26.8 billion last year from P23.9 billion in 2016. This, as the lender’s loan portfolio expanded by 30% to P674.3 billion last year, the bank said in the statement. Landbank’s deposit base likewise rose 15% to P1.42 trillion from the P1.23 billion recorded in 2016 as it added new branches and automated teller machines and expanded the enrollment of its Internet and mobile banking subscribers. Meanwhile, the bank’s income from investments also expanded 28% to P21.17 billion in 2017 from the P16.49 billion booked in the comparable year-ago period. Landbank’s investment
portfolio rose 25% to P580.65 billion. Return on equity was at 14.8% in 2017, while the lender’s total capital expanded to P104.59 billion by 23%. “With our solid performance in 2017 further reinforcing the [b] ank’s foundation, we are confident with sustaining growth in 2018,” Landbank President and Chief Executive Officer Alex V. Buenaventura was quoted as saying in the statement. “Our core objective is to continuously grow the net income in order to expand support to our priority sectors, especially the farmers and fishers, cooperatives, [and micro-, small and medium enterprises].” Earlier, Landbank said it is eyeing to acquire the 66.67% stake of Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. (PDS) after its board approved the move last Jan. 23. Mr. Buenaventura said the lender’s acquisition of PDS will “increase Landbank[‘s] profits and accelerate development of capital markets in the country.” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III backed Landbank’s planned acquisition of the higher/PAGE 8
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PLDT to open data center in Cebu in April TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant PLDT Inc. is set to open ePLDT’s 10th VITRO Data Center in Cebu in April. This is in line with the company’s initiative to upgrade and provide more secure and flexible data centers that would serve the needs of businesses and government agencies in key areas around the country. “Visayas and Mindanao are homes of the most vibrant industries and business communities who greatly contribute to the country’s economic growth. We’ve seen the traction of data center services being utilized in the operations and business continuity plans of the region’s local enterprises,” PLDT Group
Chief Revenue Officer and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto said in a statement. “Our expansion plans will complement the growing need for data center services in the region and provide a stronger foundation to sustain the momentum of businesses to become more competitive with digital services,” he added. The new facility will provide additional 800 racks capacity, to complement the 8,300 racks that the PLDT Group had put together in different locations, which include Pasig, Cebu, Parañaque, Taguig, Subic, Clark, Davao, and Makati. The 10th VITRO data center follows the state-of-the-art design
and architecture of its predecessors, including 11 layers of physical security and the use of biometric devices equipped with finger vein recognition technology. It will also be equipped with 200 disaster recovery seats to address the business continuity requirements of Cebubased enterprises. “By launching this second data center in Cebu by the second quarter of this year, we can enable more economic growth in the region as companies expand their business with their business resiliency, security, disaster recovery and efficiency in mind,” ePLDT Group Chief Operating Officer Nerisse Ramos said. The VITRO network
of data centers utilizes SDN technology (software defined networking) which allows it to deploy requisite and robust connectivity across different data center sites. Through SDN technology, enterprises are
able to easily manage their data stored on the Cloud without having to worry about online threats. They are likewise able to deliver content and respond to market conditions in a timelier manner. PLDT aims to
achieve higher growth, pioneering and developing technologies around Cloud, Cyber Security, and Managed IT Services to further elevate the country’s digital transformation this year. (PLDT)
Globe deploys mobile network for Internet of Things GLOBE Telecom will deploy its network to support emerging Internet of Things (IoT) services by using its 700 megahertz (MHz) frequency spectrum and other existing LTE spectrum assets. Globe will roll out the Narrow Band-Internet of
Things (IoT) technology due to its long reach and range as it improves mobile services. The telco has enabled NB-IoT as this technology will have far-reaching benefits for many people, industries and communities. Its technology partners
Huawei and Nokia will help ensure network readiness to support new services. “Given new business requirements in a highly digital environment, Globe is gearing up to deploy emerging IoT services relevant to various internet/PAGE 8
Students from the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) from Liceo de Cagayan University sponsor a concert during the institutuion's 63rd Foundation Days last February 23. photo by mark francisco
Biggest export-oriented food expo showcases PH’s ‘best of the seas’ THE International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines 2018 will focus on the country’s seafood products this coming May 25 to 27 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. With the theme “The Best of the Seas”, IFEX Philippines 2018 aims to promote the country’s seafood products to global buyers. IFEX is the country’s biggest export-oriented food show attended by buyers, importers, and retailers in the global market. “Now an annual event, IFEX Philippines continues to be the largest and widely anticipated food trade event in the country,”
DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group Nora K. Terrado said. “For its 12th edition, we will highlight the Philippines’ finest seafood to satisfy the growing global demand for marine product and coastal cuisines, along with other exquisite food products across the globe,” said Terrado, who is also the Officerin-Charge of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for Trade Expositions and Mission (DTICITEM). She said this year’s IFEX will have the Regional Seafood Pavilion to showcase different seafood
products per region. “We are tapping the country’s most marineabundant coastal regions from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. This is where we will bring key suppliers to make it easier for buyers to source in one pavilion the best fish and marine products, such as tuna, milkfish, prawns, tilapia, and other seafood from the Philippines,” Terrado said. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the country’s exports of fresh and preserved fish in 2017 amounted to $294 million; seaweeds and carageenan with $164 million worth of exports; and fresh,
chilled, and frozen shrimps and prawns with exports valued at $56 million. According to Seafood Trade Intelligence Portal, the Philippines is the world’s eleventh largest producer of cultured seafood and third biggest source of seaweeds. Its top aquaculture species include milkfish, tilapia, and shrimps. Last year’s IFEX featured ASEAN food as the country hosted the ASEAN Summit 2017. The food expo attracted nearly 11,000 international and local visitors, which included 2,057 buyers from top global retail giants and supermarkets. (PNA)
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Monday | February 26, 2018
DENR now in full force in Boracay
T
he Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is now out in full force to go after establishments in Boracay Island found violating environmental laws and regulations. Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu on Wednesday sent out “mission teams,” consisting of personnel from different DENR regional offices, to three barangays in Boracay — Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak. Boracay is divided into six operational sectors. Their primary mission is to serve the show cause orders to a total of 842 establishments initially found to have violated environmental laws, particularly the Clean Water Act of 2004 and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. President Rodrigo has given Cimatu marching orders to clean up Boracay within six months, or else the entire island will be shut down. “We will do our best to accomplish this mission. We can and we will do it,”
Cimatu told members of the mission teams during a send-off ceremony held in the town of Nabas in Aklan, which is around 25 kilometers away from Boracay. According to DENR head executive assistant Gen. Mario Chan, there are at least 140 DENR personnel that are being assisted and secured by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the
DENR joins I-ACT in crackdown vs smoke belchers The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the newest member to join the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT), which was created to address traffic congestion and go after dilapidated and smoke belching vehicles in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. In particular, the DENR is taking part in the council’s “Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok” campaign through its own anti-
smoke belching program. Undersecretary for Field Operations-Luzon and DENR Task Force Metro Manila head Juan Miguel Cuna leads the DENR contingent to the I-ACT. With him are members of the AntiSmoke Belching Unit of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the environment department crackdown/PAGE 9
Philippine National Police. The mission teams are also tasked to check if the establishments are properly connected to the main sewer lines or have their own wastewater treatment facilities. They also have to verify which establishments are directly discharging untreated wastewater into Boracay waters. The teams are directed to report to the designated
command center their accomplishment every one hour, particularly on the number of notices served and rejected as well as the names of the recipients or occupants not included in the list. The DENR will conduct regular water testing in Boracay beaches to know if the water quality is within standard limits. Aside from sewage problems, Cimatu said the
DENR will also look into other problems besetting the island paradise such as shoreline easement, forestland encroachment, solid waste management, intrusion in wetlands, and existence of structures along the roads. After the sendoff ceremony, Cimatu conducted an ocular inspection of declared forestlands in Boracay and discovered that hotels are
built on these areas. As of last Monday, 85 establishments were issued show cause orders after they were found occupying forestland areas. The establishments were given 15 days to reply. In Station 1, Cimatu saw the rampant disregard by almost all beachfront resorts of the 25+5 shoreline easement, which is the required distance boracay/PAGE 8
DENR-Region 7 forms investigation team to manage Panglao Island environmental issues To prevent a similar dilemma that is confronting the world famous Boracay, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has mobilized a regional investigating team in Panglao Island in Bohol that would determine the compliance of resorts and commercial establishments on the clean water act and solid waste management act. At the same time,
the DENR is urging the local government of Central Visayas to make the discharge permit a requirement for the issuance of a business permit. “We have learned our lessons in the problems concerning Boracay. We have to strictly enforce environmental laws in order to protect the country’s tourism sites so that the future generations will be able to enjoy them
as well,” DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said. A group of technical personnel from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 7 and provincial environment and natural resources office in Bohol province comprise the Bohol investigation team. First on the list of activities of the regional investigation team is to find out the roster of establishments
in Panglao Bay that are not complying with the Clean Water Act and the Solid Waste management act. Also, the experts will search for businesses that are encroaching on the timberland areas that are no-build zones. “We will comb through all the establishments in Panglao and impose a crackdown on environmental violators. What happened to Boracay panglao/PAGE 8
DENR-Green Convergence all set for 2nd Philippine Environment Summit It’s all systems go for the second Philippine Environment Summit slated for February 20-22 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced on Thursday. Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu will keynote the conference organized by the DENR and Green Convergence Philippines, a large coalition of environmental and developmental organizations, networks, faith-based groups and individuals championing food safety, healthy environment and sustainable economy. Cimatu is expected to report
on the state of the country’s environment, including accomplishments and priorities for the year ahead. “Hopefully, through this summit, our partners from Green Convergence and elsewhere will be guided by our priorities and find further impetus to contribute for the benefit of fellow Filipinos and the environment,” the environment chief said. Deputy Executive Secretary Bradnee Chambers of the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species and Senator Grace Poe are among the resource speakers invited
to the environment summit, with the theme “Mainstreaming innovations for sustainable development.” Aside from Cimatu, the summit delegates will be welcomed by Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Green Convergence president Angelina Galang. Each day of the three-day summit will consist of plenary sessions in the morning and five parallel breakout sessions in the afternoon. On Day 2 of the conference, Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, dean of St. Vincent School of Theology will speak about the
Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change entitled “Laudato Si,” while DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones will discuss the sustainable development goals and the environmental aspects of the Philippine development plan. Development Bank of the Philippines First Vice-President Paul Lazaro will tackle financing environmental investments, while Deputy Ombudsman Gerard Mosquera will give a presentation on the challenges in enforcing environmental laws. The morning session will end with a launching of the
book entitled “Philippine Native Tree 303,” which is an update to the book “Philippine Native Trees 101” that the Green Convergence launched in 2012. Retail giant SM, the Film Development Council, and the French embassy in Manila will sponsor a presentation of the environmental film “Terra” featuring United Nations Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador Yan Arthus-Bertrand. Terra is a 90-minute documentary that shows stunning visual images depicting the relationship of convergence/PAGE 8
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Higher... from page 5
count r y’s f ixe d-income exchange, saying that the Philippine Stock Exchange has taken too long to carry out its acquisition of PDS. Mr. Dominguez said recently that Landbank needs profits to subsidize farmer loans. Landbank is the largest provider of loans to small farmers and fishers, c o op e r at ive s and l o c a l government units. As of September last year, it was the country’s fourth largest bank in asset terms with P1.48 trillion.
Loan... from page 5
expected to increase by over 50 percent to 2,500 megawatts (MW) by 2022, while the renewable energy share in its portfolio will rise from 10 percent to 30 percent. The energy company, a subsidiary of Thailand’s 140-year-old conglomerate B. Grimm Group, currently has a total capacity of 1,779 MW, operating 13 gas-fired plants, with four more under development or construction. In recent years, it has diversified into renewable energy and is operating 15 solar power plants and two hydro power plants. ADB took a 1,968 million Thai Baht ($57.7 million) equity stake in B. Grimm Power as part of the company’s initial public offering in July 2017. (PNA)
Internet... from page 6
enterprises, including the public sector. This is all part of our commitment to enable enterprises to take advantage of the latest technological innovations, which is vital in driving economic competitiveness and growth in the country,” Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu said in a statement. Gl ob e s e e s br i g hte r prospects for emerging IoT services, such as parking sensors, water meter reading, lighting control, garbage collection and flood control, among others, in the country. “Fundamentally, IoT is about creating a digital ecosystem for services that are being used by various organizations. The use of IoTrelated services is growing significantly around the world and it is time that we adopt them in the Philippines so that local enterprises can take advantage of the business benefits derived from these new technologies,” Cu said. Globe has also been aggressively deploying LTE sites nationwide with about 1,750 LTE sites across the country using the 700 MHz band. More t h an 7 0 0 c e l l sites are located in Metro Manila providing LTE mobile connectivity to its customers. It has likewise deployed Massive MIMO, which is the fundamental radio access technology for 5G services. The 5G network targets to have higher speeds, lower
latency and better capacity, enabling higher density of mobile broadband users and supports device-to-device connectivity and massive machine communications. (PNA)
Boracay... from page 7
from any structure along the shore to the seawater at high tide. Cimatu said these “illegal structures will have to go.” The environment chief also visited a wetland in B alabag, w hich is now occupied by houses. According to a map prepared by the National Mapping Res ource and Infor mat ion Aut hor ity, Boracay has nine wetlands but only two are left unoccupied. Cimatu underscored the need to recover the seven wetlands. Cimatu was also disappointed after finding out that the materials recovery facility in Manoc-Manoc that he previouslycleared from garbage is again an open dumpsite. He said garbage collection should be done in the evening and then shipped by barge to mainland Malay to prevent the accumulation of garbage in the island.
Convergence...
from page 7 humans with other species while becoming more and more isolated from nature. On Day 3, Chambers will talk about migratory species and climate change, while Poe will speak about the right of every Filipino to safe food and environment. Former United States Vice President and now Climate Reality Project founder and chair Al Gore sent a video message on significant strides in the climate change movement. The summit will culminate in the symbolic signing of three partnership agreements for the management of Butuanon River Watershed in Cebu; support for the Sierra Madre Biodiversity Framework in Southern Tagalog; and the care for endangered native tree species through the Binhi Program. The first environmental summit, which was held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City in 2016, highlighted “Laudato Si” and the adoption of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Panglao... from page 7
is a wake-up call to others,” Cimatu added. According to DENR 7 Regional Director Gilbert C. Gonzales, the regional team will check the sewage and wastewater facilities including the garbage disposal systems of each establishment operating within the island especially those along the coastal areas. “Also, we have to look into the land classification of these areas to make sure that public owned or forestlands are not occupied by illegal settlers or illegal structures built and
Davao mayor urges communicators to defeat all forms of misinformation By Rom Dulfo
DAVAO CITY – Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio lauded the holding of the National Information Convention (NIC) here as she urged communicators to contribute in defeating all forms of misinformation in the country. Duterte-Carpio expresses hope that the planning sessions would pave the way to encourage communicators to be engaged with the communication policy plan intended to eliminate redundancy and to concentrate information dissemination. In her speech read by Councilor Ma. Belen Acosta, the mayor said such initiative together with the proposed Comprehensive Communications Committee analysing public opinion would once and for all defeat all forms of misinformation. She is hoping that the communicators would help shape a well-informed citizenry. “ To d a y m a r k s a history in the sphere of communications as you make your first installment i n t h e i nve st m e nt of building of a well-informed citizenry,” Duterte-Carpio said. “This is responsible i n f o r m at i o n . T h i s i s effective communication. This is genuine change.” The mayor noted that communication serves as a clutch of the government’s vehicle that allows its advocacies to keep rolling operated by local or foreign business owners. Once the list of erring establishments is formed, we will issue notices of violation to owners and operators of these businesses. Cease and Desist orders will be given to enterprises whose owners fail to take appropriate action,” Gonzales noted. The coastal waters of Panglao is classified by the DENR as ‘class SB’ which is accorded to tourist zones that is intended for Recreational Water class 1 or those used for swimming, ecotourism and other related activities, and for Fishery Water class 3 or those that are considered as spawning area for Çhanos
towards good governance. She, howe ve r, reminded that government communication is beyond informing the public. “It involves advocating t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s t h r ust s and e ng ag i ng the citizens through effective and responsible communication," she added. Meantime, the mayor thanked the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) for selecting Davao City as host of NIC. She also urged participants to experience the city through its wide array of exciting ecoadventure pursuits, gast ronomic delig hts, and shopping and leisure activities. “We i nv it e you t o discover why we say that life is here,” she said. NIC opened in Davao City Monday with close to 2 , 0 0 0 p ar t i c ip ant s from different regions nationwide. Wit h t h e t h e m e, “Spurring Development and Empowering c om mu n it i e s t h rou g h Information”, the event is aimed at strengthening partnership between the public and private sector communicators. This will also serve as the springboard to building a m ov e m e nt w h e re i n communicators model responsible sharing of information and use their platforms to inspire civic engagement. (PNA) Chanos or ‘B angus’and similar species. The DENR Region 7 is appealing to local government leaders to propose Panglao Coastal waters as a water quality management area. A proposal will also be made to business establishments to join the Adopt-a-Waterbody program and to schedule regular cleanup activities along the shorelines of Panglao island. The local leaders are also asked to manage the presence of dogs that are defecating near the shorelines and to designate specific areas for boats to maintain the cleanliness and attractiveness of shorelines.
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Tribute... from page 4
Clinton Room. In 2017, Favila rejoined the MB. Araneta told Favila that the latter could have his old room back anytime Favila wanted it. Favila was so touched by the gesture but he declined the offer. A firm believer and advocate of financial literacy for the grassroots, Araneta, then President of PDIC, caused to be published and circulated, both in print and online, “USAPANG PERA: MGA DAPAT ALAMIN, A PDIC GUIDEBOOK ON BASIC BANKING & FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS.” Written by Elfren L. Cruz for PDIC, the guidebook discusses the basic principles of money, saving, banking investments, and deposit insurance and are meant to guide the average Filipino in making well-informed and effective financial decisions. Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, who sits in the Monetary Board as national government representative, presented to Araneta’s widow a Resolution of Condolence by Members of the Monetary Board. Val’s son, Jose Jorge Carlos S. Araneta, responded for the family. It is said that no amount of success can compensate for failure at home. It was evident from Jose’s testimony that his father succeeded not just outside, but more important, inside the home. Jose recalled that growing up in Pokfulam, Hong Kong, (where Araneta was then an expat for PNB), his father always had time to carry him on his back no matter how tired he was from the punishing HK schedule. Jose also savored those memorable hikes to Victoria Peak with his father. Val will surely be missed by his family, by the BSP, as well as the many institutions that he has served and the many people whose lives he touched in so many ways. Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@gmail. com. You may also “like” us on Facebook at “Speaking Out”.
Perfect... from page 4
excruciating irony: making, and admitting, mistakes is a necessary part of growing and learning and being human. It also makes you better at your career and relationships and life in general. By avoiding mistakes at any cost, a perfectionist can make it harder to reach their own lofty goals. But the drawback of perfectionism isn’t just that it holds you back from being your most successful, productive self. Perfectionistic tendencies have been linked to a laundry list of clinical issues: depression and anxiety (even in children), self-harm, social anxiety disorder and agoraphobia, obsessivecompulsive disorder, binge
eating, anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, hoarding, dyspepsia, chronic headaches, and, most damning of all, even early mortality and suicide. “It’s something that cuts across everything, in terms of psychological problems,” says Sarah Egan, a senior research fellow at the Curtin University in Perth who specialises in perfectionism, eating disorders and anxiety. Culturally, I learned, we often see perfectionism as a positive. Even saying you have perfectionistically tendencies can come off as a coy compliment to yourself; it’s practically a stock answer to the “What’s your worst trait? ” question in job interviews. (Past employers, now you know! I wasn’t just being cute). This is where perfectionism gets complicated – and controversial. Some researchers say there is a d ap t i v e , o r ‘ h e a l t hy ’ perfectionism (characterised by having high standards, motivation and discipline) versus a maladaptive, or ‘unhealthy’ version (when your best never seems good enough and not meeting goals frustrates you). In one study of more than 1,000 Chinese students, researchers found that gifted students were more perfectionistic in the adaptive ways. (Maladaptive perfectionists, on the other hand, were more likely to be non-gifted). And while research shows that maladaptive attributes like beating yourself up for mistakes or feeling like you can’t live up to parental expectations make you more vulnerable to depression, some other studies have shown that ‘adaptive’ aspects like striving for achievement have no effect at all or may even protect you. It is difficult to tell who is motivated and conscientious and who is a perfectionist. In my daily teaching at the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City, I meet the student who works hard and gets a poor mark. If she/her tells herself: “I’m disappointed, but it’s okay; I’m still a good person overall,” that’s healthy. If the message is: “I’m a failure. I’m not good enough,” that’s perfectionism. That inner voice criticises different things for different people – work, relationships, tidiness, fitness. My own tendencies may differ greatly from somebody else’s. It can take someone who knows me well to pick up on them. (When I messaged one of my friends I was writing this story, he immediately sent back a long line of laughing emojis). Perfectionists can make s m o ot h s ai l i n g i nt o a storm, a brief ill wind into a category-five hurricane. At the very least, they perceive it that way. And, because the ironies never end, the behaviors perfectionists adapt ultimately, actually, do make
them more likely to fail. Thinking of perfectionism, makes me think of my own childhood peppered with avoiding (or starting and quitting) almost every sport there was. If I wasn’t adept at something almost from the get-go, I didn’t want to continue – especially if there was an audience watching. In fact, multiple studies have found a correlation between perfectionism and performance anxiety even in children as young as 10. Mental health problems a r e n’t j u s t c a u s e d b y perfectionism; some of these problems can lead to perfectionism, too. One recent study, for example, found that over a one-year period, college students who had social anxiety were more likely to become perfectionists – but not vice versa. When it comes to the most dramatic example, suicide, numerous studies also have found that perfectionism is a lethal contributor all on its own. One found that perfectionism made depressed patients more likely to think about suicide even above and beyond feelings of hopelessness. A recent metaanalysis, the most complete on the suicide-perfectionism link to date, found that nearly every perfectionistic tendency – including being concerned over mistakes, feeling like you are never good enough, having critical parents, or simply having high personal standards – was correlated with thinking about suicide more frequently. (The two exceptions: being organised or demanding of others). Some of those criteria, particularly pressure from parents and perfectionistic concerns, also were correlated with more suicide attempts. In many ways, poorer health outcomes for perfectionists aren’t that surprising. “Perfectionists are pretty much awash with stress. Even when it’s not stressful, they’ll typically find a way to make it stressful,” says Gordon Flett, who has studied perfectionism for more than 30 years and whose assessment scale developed with Paul Hewitt is considered a gold standard. Plus, he says, if your perfectionism finds an outlet in, say, workaholism, it’s unlikely you’ll take many breaks to relax – which we now know both our bodies and brains require for healthy functioning. After all, many of us live in societies where the first question when you meet someone is what you do for a living. Where we are so literally valued for the quality and extent of our accomplishments that those achievements often correlate, directly, to our ability to pay rent or put food on the table. Where complete strangers weigh these on-paper values to determine everything from whether we can rent that flat or buy that car or receive that loan. Where we then signal our access to those resources with our appearance – these shoes, that physique – and
other people weigh that, in turn, to see if we’re the right person for a job interview or dinner invitation. Fear of failure is getting magnified in other ways, too. Take social media: make a mistake today and your fear that it might be broadcast, even globally, is hardly irrational. At the same time, all of those glossy feeds reinforce unrealistic standards. In my opinion, and I am not alone with it, it’s the idea that you don’t have to be perfect to be lovable or to be loved. It’s a work in progress. And, what I’ve noticed too, is that, each time I’m able to replace criticizing and perfecting with compassion, I feel not only less stressed, but freer. Apparently, that’s not unusual. How about you my dear readers? +++ Email: doringklaus@gmail. com or follow me in Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter or visit my www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com .
Crackdown... from page 7
is more than willing to lend to the council its expertise and experience in the crackdown against smoke belchers. “The DENR joins other government agencies in the effort to not only rid our already clogged streets with vehicles that are not road worthy, but are also persistent air pollutants,” Cimatu said. Cimatu noted that the DENR Task Force Metro Manila has the equipment and manpower to conduct smoke emission tests. “This capability improves the standard I-ACT practice of issuing subpoenas to substantard vehicles prior to testing,” Cimatu said. The task force has been conducting roadside smoke emission tests on old and poorly maintained vehicles. The test makes use of an opacimeter or opacity meter to measure the thickness of smoke emission. Vehicles that fail to meet the emission standards are issued traffic violation receipts outright. A recent EMB study showed that around 80 percent of air pollution comes from motor vehicles, while 20 percent comes from stationary sources, including factory smoke stacks and open burning. According to Cuna, air pollution is the cause of one out of four deaths in the country. “This highlights the health risks brought about by smoke belching and the importance of aiming for clean air,” he said. The DENR task force joins I-ACT operations in the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna. I-ACT is also composed of the Metro Manila Development Authority, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Philippine National PoliceHighway Patrol Group, the Land Transportation Office, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and concerned local government units.
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Monday | February 26, 2018
Suzuki Philippines celebrates milestones with growing Team Suzuki PH
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ioneer compact car distributor Suzuki Philippines (SPH) celebrates another successful year packed with strong sales performance and backto-back recognitions and ushers in another exciting year with a gathering of its growing Team Suzuki Philippines (TSP) family. The event, held January 20 at the House Manila, Remington Hotel in Pasay City, brought together SPH executives and Suzuki car club members to celebrate the milestones the company achieved last year and welcome the opportunities 2018 brings. It was also SPH’s way of showing its gratitude for the support and loyalty of the growing TSP family, which now exceeds 4,100 active members. Suzuki’s accredited car clubs consist of Team Alto Pilipinas, Team Celerio Philippines, Swift 1.2 Philippines, Club Ertiga Philippines, Vitara Club of the Philippines, Team Ciaz Philippines and Suzuki Jimny 4x4 Club Philippines. More than 100 TSP Car Club members joined the thanksgiving celebration, which consisted of games, raffles and other activities
aimed to strengthen the bond among car club members. SPH supported a number of the car clubs’ activities last year. These activities included relationship-building and outreach programs that aimed to strengthen the relationship between SPH and car club members. Team Alto Pilipinas organized membership gatherings and outreach programs, one for the Aeta community and a feeding program in Binangonan, Rizal. Team
Celerio Philippines’ annual tree planting went hand-in-hand with its Aeta Livelihood Program and Christmas-in-a-Box project. Team Ciaz Philippines’ activities last year included grand membership EBs and a fun run. The team’s fun run in Mt. Samat in March 2017 allowed Ciaz owners to enjoy the long drive and experience the flexibility and reliability of the fuel-efficient subcompact sedan. In addition to the regular member meetings,
Club Ertiga Philippines, Inc. (CEPI) held its annual summer family get-together last June and tapped Cottolengo Filipino Orphanage as beneficiary. CEPI also had an outreach program last December at the Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan. Members of the Suzuki Jimny 4X4 Club Philippines organized a Mt. Balabag Trail Day for newbie off-roaders. They joined the prestigious Rainforest Challenge Philippines 2017 as Official Marshalls. They
also donated 23 personal computers and a generator to the Sitio Cuccong Elementary School in partnership with Teletech. Meanwhile, Swift 1.2 Philippines joined last year’s JSK Fun Run and held outreach programs, including one in partnership with No One In Need organization. The Vitara Club organized several day trips and overnight campings at the Jungle Base, Mt. Balabag, Manipo Falls and Treasure Mountain, all in Rizal, for its members and
their families. The team’s activities also included a 4x4 clinic, 4x4 outdoor challenges, tree planting and an outreach Christmas party for the kids of Sitio Maysawa, Tanay, Rizal. Team Suzuki Philippines, established in 2015, is a non-profit organization that aims to foster camaraderie and support among owners of the different Suzuki vehicles and SPH executives. Wellrepresented by different groups, it now consists of seven car clubs. SPH lauds the unceasing support given by the car clubs as contributing to the successes the company achieved last year, noting in particular how feedback from members helps in improving products and services. At the same time, SPH reiterates its continued support to the different car clubs and their activities for the year. “United in one team, one spirit, one goal, our continued strong partnership with the Suzuki car clubs, collectively called Team Suzuki Philippines, is one of our major achievements Suzuki/PAGE 11
photos by Kit Pilla
One Suzuki for Marawi launched at the Raider R150 Summit 2018 Over 10,200 Suzuki riders filled the World Trade Center Manila on January 28, 2018 at the annual gathering of the legendary Raider R150. A new story of supremacy unfolds as the whole Team Suzuki Family come together to help in the fast rehabilitation of Marawi for the One Suzuki for Marawi donation drive in partnership with ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya, Inc. (ALKFI). Year on year Suzuki, through the Raider R150 Summit, is committing itself to do an advocacy campaign as part of its cmyk
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. In 2017, Suzuki focused in underscoring the importance of road safety awareness to its riders through a road safety lesson which has inked the country in the Guinness World Records as the host for the Largest road safety lesson with over 4200 participants. This year, the brand and Suzuki Foundation Inc. (SFI) focused in rebuilding Marawi. Everybody is well aware of what happened in Marawi and Suzuki Philippines understands that they need
the biggest aid. The damage to property and the people, needless to say the trauma is huge that the rehabilitation will certainly take long. Suzuki Philippines, together with its riders, dealers, trade partners and employees joined together as one family to fast track rebuilding Marawi. Suzuki and ALKFI placed a donation station during the Raider R150 Summit wherein members of Team Suzuki family were encouraged to place their cash donations. The brand alongside its thousands of riders, dealers,
trade partners and employees were able to pull together a total of over 2.6M pesos during the event. Proceeds of these donations will be used in ALKFI’s Sagip Kapamilya operations which will be dedicated this time in the longterm rehabilitation in Marawi. The donation was turned over by SPH executives led by its President Hiroshi Suzuki, SFI President and SPH Managing Director Norminio Mojica and SPH Motorcycle Sales and Marketing General Manager Mr. Jun Bulot. Accepting the
pledge were ALKFI’s Managing Director Susan Afan and Marketing’s Rino Ramos and Sheryl Gabuya. Kapamilya stars and Team Suzuki’s Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil were also present in the gathering. Special guest and calendar girl Myrtle Sarroza was also present and gave a song and dance number to the delight of the audience. Completing the pool of guests were LTO Director for Law Enforcement Service Francis Rey Almora and Suzuki Philippines Marketing Manager Mr. Monch Bontogon.
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Monday|february 26, 2018
Italian... from page 12
Residences offer efficient, affordable and functional contempor a r y It a l ia n architectural design within short distance of the Light I ndu s t r y S c i e nc e P a r k (LISP) III. This makes the property ver y accessible to industrial parks such as the Filinvest Technology Park Calamba, Carmelray Industrial Parks, Calamba Premiere Industrial Park a n d L i m a Te c h n o l o g y Center, as well as schools, offices, commercial centers a n d g o l f c ou r s e s . T h e project is targeted towards businessmen, entrepreneurs and OFWs looking to invest and those who work inside LISP III and its neighboring industrial parks, including foreign nationals. IDC President Jose D. Leviste III also shares that as Italpinas Development Corporation is known for its eco-friendly mixed-use buildings with top class yet affordable units, they will be tapping the marketing services of JLL to ensure that those who will benefit the most from investing in Miramonti will be reached. JLL is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. “We always tap a wide ne t work of re a l e s t at e brokers when we market our projects, and we believe we took that one step higher by partnering with JLL.” Leviste adds, “They have the experience, the network and the credibility that will complement this project successfully.” For his part, JLL Philippines Country Head Christophe Vicic is very bu llish on t he potentia l of M i ra mont i. “At J LL , we’ve always believed the future of real estate lies in emerging sectors outside of Metro Manila. Miramonti is t he perfect avenue to prove just that. There is so much business being conducted in this part of the country, and it’s the perfect time to develop a mixed-use condominium project that will ref lect the investment value attraction of this area.”
Policy... from page 1
year; and to a higher P150 per metric ton in 2020. “Our questions are: what is the cost impact of the P50/ metric ton to the operation of the coal plants? So can they absorb that cost and will just merely offset the cost by improving the efficiency of their operations?” the energy chief queried. He indicated that the idea of the DOE is to possibly forego the tax cost pass-on in the initial year of the TRAIN implementation, but the final decision will only come once the GenCos turn over all the data and information being mandated by the DOE for submission. Based on initial calculation of power utilities, the P50
per metric ton excise tax will result in R0.01 per kilowatt hour (kWh) hike in the generation cost of the coal plants – which to the government is a very measly amount compared to the so-called externalities and assault to the environment that they have been causing. Cusi, nevertheless, noted that “we don’t want to preempt anything. I will wait for their submissions first. Although what I can say is: the DOE already has its own calculations, so we have basis of assessing their cost impact submissions.” He added “I want to check what their computations are and then from there, we will assess what they can do on absorbing the cost.” The countr y’s power mix thrives on coal-fired generation for baseload c ap acit y, and w it h t he intensif y ing deb ate on ‘dirty versus clean energy’ technologies, coal plants are already being pressured on embracing carbon tax impositions. Had the TRAIN excise taxes not been designed for pass-on to consumers, that could have served as the country’s initial foray into enforcement of carbon taxes directly impacting on the coal plants operations. But that goal is negated because the law still inflicts upon the Filipino public to shoulder such charges via their electricity bills.
BBL... from page 1
the Bangsamoro should be opposed. Why should we allow a law that is not good for us? Alim told MindaNews. “The most important thing is that we put up our position. Whether it will be watered down or not is no longer in our hands,” Alim said, but added that they will continue to appeal to Congress that the BTC-drafted BBL be passed as this was drafted by the Bangsamoro. “That’s the most important thing. This is for the Bangsamoro and residents of the Bangsamoro.” Alim and other leaders gathered here from Sunday to Tuesday for the Bangsamoro CSO Leaders’ Peace Summit where they pushed for the passage of the BTC-drafted Bangsamoro law and for national government to ensure Meranaws are consulted in the rehabilitation of Marawi. The two houses of Congress had announced they would pass the BBL on third and final reading before Congress goes on break from March 24 to May 13. The House of Representatives is consolidating four Bangsmaoro bills, including the version drafted by the 21-member Bangsamoro Transition C ommission (BTC) while the Senate is also consolidating four bills, including the BTC version. At the press conference that followed the Solidarity Peace Walk for Marawi last Monday, Alim said that “if civil society sees that it does not respond still to the
needs (of the people) in the Bangsamoro then we might be inclined to oppose it.” He said civil society organizations are doing their share in pushing Congress to pass the BTC-drafted version, through lobbying and conversations with members of Congress. ‘Not lower than ARMM’ The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has repeatedly said that the Bangsamoro should “not be lower than the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” (ARMM) that it seeks to replace, and should comply with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the peace agreement that it signed with government on March 27, 2014. President Rodrigo Duterte and members of Congress say the proposed law should not have provisions that raise constitutional questions. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo under whose administration the gove r n me nt and M I L F initialled the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in late July 2008 but whose formal signing on August 5 was stopped by the Supreme Court a day earlier, told the public hearing in Cotabato City on February 15 that the law that they will pass should be one that will bring lasting peace and “papasa sa Supreme Court” (will pass the Supreme Court). “Yung BTC version, hanggang kaya, pero yung version na papasa sa Supreme Court” (We’ll work on the BTC version as much as possible, but it should be a version that will pass the Supreme Court). Alim told MindaNews that among the non-negotiables that should be retained in the Bangsamoro law are the provisions on basic rights, territory – the six municipalities of Lanao del Norte and 39 barangays in North Cotabato that voted yes to inclusion in the ARMM in the 2001 plebiscite, and the whole of ARMM. The present ARMM comprises Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan. The CAB also provides that the cities of Cotabato and Isabela be part of the proposed Bangsamoro. Alim told t he press conference that the law must ensure the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro, the issue of identity and Shariah. Rufa Guiam, an anthropologist and retired professor told MindaNews the other non-negotiable is fiscal autonomy since there is no fiscal autonomy under the present ARMM. “We c an’t have re a l autonomy without fiscal autonomy. Otherwise we will still be kowtowing to Malacanang for everything,” she said. P rof . Ru f a C a g o c o Guiam says the Bangsamoro law that will be passed by Congress should ensure fiscal
autonomy, as she noted that there is no genuine autonomy without fiscal autonomy. MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO On the proposal of some lawmakers to include in the Bangsamoro law a ban on political dynasties, Alim said, “we want to see a national law first on anti-dynasty.” He said the Bangsamoro parliament can pass a law on that but it will be good if the national government sets the example. Guiam noted prejudice on the part of those pushing for an anti-dynasty provision “targeting only the ARMM but the dynasties exist everywhere, including Davao City.” Acceptable to the people Ghazali Jaafar, the MILF’s 1st Vice Chair and concurrent BTC chair, told MindaNews after the public hearing on the BBL in Cotabato City on February 15 that they expect a BBL that is “acceptable to the Bangsamoro people.” “What k i nd of BBL will you not accept?” MindaNe ws asked. His reply: “If not acceptable to the Bangsamoro. Lower than ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). And watered down.” But Jaafar is optimistic the BTC draft will not be watered down. “The government will not give us BBL which is not complaint to the CAB,” he said, adding the President and Congress know “that the Bangsamoro people will not accept watered down BBL. And so they will try their best to give the Bangsamoro people BBL which is not watered down because all these people now, especially our President gusto niya tahimik na itong lugar natin” (wants our area to be peaceful). “What if it’s a little bit more than ARMM but not in accordance with the CAB?” MindaNews asked. Jaafar’s response: “Let the people decide,” but added, “I think they (Congress) will not give us BBL not compliant with the CAB.”
Mining...
from page 1 times like this, the church chose to amplif y and speculate on baseless and unfounded accusations,” Pimentel said in a statement. The governor was reacting to a pastoral letter of Odchimar read in Sunday mass e s i n Febr u ar y 1 7 which cited in rhetorical question: “Could the reason be due to massive mining operations that denuded forested mountains and critical watersheds in C arras cal and C antilan (towns)?” Odchimar said the prov i n c i a l gove r n m e nt made no mention on the e x te nt of t h e e f fe c t of the calamity of the storm let alone its root cause but rather cited its relief a n d r e s c u e o p e r at i o n s with the help of mining companies some of which were believed to be owned by “high tanking officials
of the province.” But Pimentel, feeling alluded that he was the“high ranking official” in the Bishop’s statement, categorically denied he owned any mining company in Carrascal and Cantilan even as he admitted that he is into hauling business of nickel ores transported from the mining areas. He maintained heavily affected villages in Carrascal town where massive landslide occurred are “comfortably” far from the mining areas and the particular damaged sites are landslide and flood-prone areas based on the geohazard map of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. Pimentel cited a report from the weather bureau which said that Basyang dumped 239 millimeters of rainfall in a span of seven hours which is equivalent to a month-long continuous rains. “Just like any other flood, running water or surface run-off will bring with all the debris along its path including uprooted trees, deads trees and logs from kaingin system,” Pimentel said in a press statement. He also debunked reports about the collapse of siltation ponds of the mining companies saying all these facilities are still intact based on the drone videos of the cameramen he had tasked. Odchimar said evidence of logging activities had been uncovered during the floods, citing logs swept downstream by heavy current which rammed into houses, bridges, village halls and other structures. “ We c a l l f o r a n immediate and independent investigation on the flooding in C ar ras c a l, C ant i l an, Madrid, Carmen and Lanuza [towns],” Odchimar said in the Feb. 17 pastoral letter. “Many residents whose lives and livelihood have been severely affected want to know the reasons why the flood came so fast, and in some areas, why a number of logs and felled trees were swept downstream, destroying houses and other … structures,” he said.
Suzuki... from page 10
this past year. The support and loyalty of the car clubs to the Suzuki brand motivates each and every one of us to work harder,” said Assistant General Manager for Automobile Cecil Capacete. Shuzo Hoshikura, General Manager for Automobile, said: “We look forward to further growing Team Suzuki Philippines this year and reaffirm our commitment to supporting all their activities. As we gear up for an even more fruitful 2018, we are excited to further act on our mission to transform the automotive industry by delivering only quality products and services to better serve the Filipino people and bring to them the Suzuki Way of Life.”
Billboards... from page 2
kaayo ang signage medyo dili kaayo sufficient sa atong panudlanan.” he stressed. “Ug makahatag sila give and take lang kay dako kaayo na’g tabang sa atong social services,” he added. As this developed, Councilor Daba proposed the amendment of the existing billboard ordinance. “But at the same time take advantage of whatever revenue the city might derive from them as they undeniably have become a big industry,” he added. Vice Mayor Uy referred the special report to the joint committees on ways and means and on finance, budget and appropriations chaired by Councilors George Goking and Edna Dahino, respectively. (JBD)
Proposals... from page 2
agriculture, Dr. Darryl Rasay of City Veterinary Office said personnel needed for the creation of the said division are already in place. The Meat Inspection Division is already functional, he added. It w a s l e ar n e d t h at t he prop o s a l to c re ate the division was not yet submitted to the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO). Sharona Mangahas of the HRMO said the technical working group must first submit the organization structure of the proposed division, including vacant and existing positions for review. The joint committee created a Technical Working Group (TWG) to study and finalize the draft of the ordinance. The TWG is still reviewing the proposal and scope of the proposed division. INSPECTION CODE Rubiconceasar Agcopra of the Department of Interior and L o cal G over nment (DILG), member of the TWG, said before creating a division, the TWG agreed to first draft a Meat Inspection Code. The proposed inspection code is needed to support the creation of the division, he explained. In response to the query of councilor Gaane, lawyer Vladett Castro of City Legal Office said the inspection code is necessar y to incorporate provisions such as functions and personnel, among others. “Didto na ibutang ang functions sa division kay existing man ang personnel pero dili kafunction because w a l ay o r d i n a n c e k u n g unsa gyud ilang function (It is where to indicate the functions of the division as the personnel are existing but could not function because there is no ordinance on how it should function),” she stressed. Dr. Rasay said the TWG would submit the draft of the proposed inspection code by the third week of March. (JBD/SP)
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cmyk
Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776
Monday|february 26, 2018
Italpinas and JLL seal the partnership with (standing left to right) JLL Senior Manager for Investment Sales Dino Palanca,JLL Local Director for Capital Markets Raymond Velasquez, IDC Senior Vice President / Head of Banking and Business Operations Management Harold J. Dacumos and JLL Assistant Manager for Capital Markets Pedro Picornell; (seated left to right) JLL National Director and Head of Capital Markets Ryan Isip, JLL Country Head Christophe Vicic, Italpinas Chairman and CEO Romolo V. Nati and Italpinas President Jose D. Leviste III.
JLL, Italpinas Development Corporation to Bring Italian Living to Batangas with Miramonti Green Residences
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talpinas Development Corporation (IDC) is known for its tremendous success in discovering and developing sweet spots in emerging cities in the country. IDC is a design-driven developer of sustainable properties which, unlike the majority of real estate developers, do not just concentrate in the metro, but also goes beyond it. Known for its
flagship projects such as Primavera City and Primavera Residences in Cagayan De Oro, both are eco-friendly projects that offer Italianinspired design and world-class construction standards. IDC is now ready to replicate its CDO success in Sto. Tomas, Batangas with Miramonti Green Residences, the first mixed-use condominium project in this area with commercial offices and
serviced apartments. According to IDC Chairman and CEO Romolo V. Nati, Batangas is ripe for a project such as this. “As a first-class municipality, Sto. Tomas is part of the Philippines’ new beltway of economic growth. Its location is very strategic too, being along the expressways connecting the capital region with Batangas port.” Miramonti Green italian/PAGE 11