BusinessWeek Mindanao (January 12, 2018)

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Volume VIII, No. 99

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More gov’t aids COTABATO City -- More than 400 villages in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) had availed of health, education, livelihood, peace and governance and synergy (HELPS) program of the regional government, officials said Wednesday.

“As of January 10, we have served a total of 403 villages, a feat never experienced before by poor communities in ARMM,” Anwar Upahm, ARMMHELPS program manager said in a statement.

“Everyone in the community should be involved in the whole process of making the projects – they are the ones who identify the projects,” Upahm stressed, thereby preventing “white elephants projects.”

P10 Marawi rehab AS Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) continues to move forward in rehabilitating Marawi City and restoring the lives of its residents, its member agencies started to list down priority interventions for the year 2018.

Eighty representatives from various government agencies took part in a TFBM programming workshop, organized by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), at the National Housing Authority (NHA) Main Office in Quezon City.

This workshop aimed to facilitate the prioritization of short-term programs, projects and activities (PPAs) for the rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City and other affected localities.

IN-DEPTH

Cagayan de Oro Lapasan Highway, Cagayan de Oro City

Lower airfares along BIMP-EAGA pushed www.businessweekmindanao.com

As of 6:00 pm January 11, 2018 (thursday)

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YOUR Mindanao-wide BUSINESS paper

Friday | January 12, 2018

P15.00

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

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AVAO City – Senior leaders of the Brunei Darussalam, In d o n e s i a , M a l ay s i a , Philippines East ASEAN Grow th Are a (BIMPEAGA) have been urged to relax the travel tax in order to improve connectivity within the four-member sub-economic region.

WOW SIARGAO. Tourists enjoy the turquoise-colored waters of Sugba Lagoon in Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, This quite place, a must-visit for tourists in the islands, can be reached by navigating through a vast expanse of mangroves. mindanews photo by roel n . catoto

In his acceptance speech as new chair of BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) at Marco Polo Davao Tuesday, Vicente T. Lao said they would pressure “our senior officials and ministers that there has to be special rates to be given to airlines flying this route.”

He said the cost to travel within the airfares/PAGE 11

Nabbed architect was designer of all modern buildings inside USTP

By MARK FRANCISCO, Staff Writer

THE man who was caught with multiple unlicensed guns and grenades in his possession is responsible for the design of all the

new buildings inside the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) since it underwent modernization

almost a decade ago.

The late president Ricardo Rotoras steered the institution into elevation to university status, changing names twice.

In parallel, at least seven designer/PAGE 11

Faster paper trail for taxpayers in AgSur seen with new RPTIS tech

By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN Contributing Editors

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur--Taxpayers in this province will soon enjoy a f a s t e r pro c e s s i ng of their documents on real properties as the provincial government introduced the web-based Real Property Tax Information System (RPTIS).

This web-based system was developed by Provincial Information Management Office to be used by the RPTIS/PAGE 11

A staff of the Provincial Assessment Office in Agusan del Sur operating the dry-run of the web-based RPTIS system. photo by clemz aroy , provincial public information office - agusan del sur

JUSTICE FOR ROTORAS. Forty days after the murder of University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) president Ricardo Rotoras, students sign a petition urging President Duterte to speed up the arrest of the perpetrators. The university is targeting at least 5,000 signatures. USTP has a population of around 8,000 students. photo by mark francisco

ARMM targets more investments this year C O TA B AT O C i t y - The Regional B oard of Investments - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-ARMM) is projecting higher investment figures for the region this year.

Larzon Santos, RBOI chief investment specialist, says the agency is set to approve

up to Php1-billion worth of new projects in the first quarter of the year.

Santos said some of the investors signified interest in setting up projects that would assist the government’s rehabilitation program for Marawi City. targets/PAGE 11

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Economy

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friday|january 12, 2018

DCIPC registers P270-B investments in Davao

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AVAO City – The Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) has recorded P270 billion total capitalization of investments in Davao City last year.

The total capitalization indicated an increase from 2016 with PhP230 billion, said DCIPC chief Lemuel Ortonio.

Based on the records of the city’s Business Bureau record, Ortonio said there

were 40,400 registered establishments in the city; although this still needs further validation to include the fourth quarter data.

He attributed the increase to the city’s improved streamlined business processing system, investor confidence, better peace and order situation, and President Rodrigo Duterte, who continues to draw investors to Davao City being his hometown.

Also in 2017, Ortonio reported DCIPC approved six projects that were granted business and tax incentives.

These projects with total investments of P12.9 billion include two feedmills (aquatic and animal feed) of the Davao South Feedmill Company, the Apo Highlands Subdivision and Alteza Grande by Primeland Properties, the Apo Agua Infrastructura, and the Davao Therma

Biotech Corporation for a biodegradable waste fertilizer facility.

Ortonio is bullish on increasing trend this year banking on the continued interest for some nonDavao companies, both new businesses and expansions, to locate here.

DCIPC has projected a five percent increase based on the average growth in the past five years starting 2012 to 2016.

“We have very good climate on investment and we foresee entry of more businesses on agriculture which is one of Davao City’s top industries and also on tourism with more business parks

and specialized health facilities,” he said.

DCIPC also identified possible needs of the city for have more medical facilities as possible areas for investments.

Ortonio said there are already investors complying with the requirements for the fiscal incentive application which is expected to be in during the first quarter.

The projects involved an expansion of a medical facility in the south and two boutique hotels, he said.

Even with a good projection in 2018, Ortonio said the city will continue reaching out to

possible markets.

There is one international mission in Malaysia and Singapore in the 3rd quarter of the year similar to the 2017 mission in Japan. This is to support direct flight to Kuala Lumpur and sustain the Singapore-Davao route.

There is also local road show which would involve visits to embassies and diplomatic offices in Manila to spread information on the opportunities in Davao and to show an aggressive marketing to draw more investors. This will also be complemented with meetings with foreign DCIPC/PAGE 11

Farmers market in Capitol pushed RPN Radyo Ronda Stations Nationwide

CNN Philippines Stations Nationwide CNN Philippines TV-9 Manila CNN Philippines TV-12 Baguio CNN Philippines TV-12 Dagupan CNN Philippines TV-26 Tarlac CNN Philippines TV-10 Iriga CNN Philippines TV-4 Iloilo

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

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

MISAMIS Oriental -Weekly display of local products soon at the Capitol.

Governor Bambi Emano announced during the opening of Kuyamis Festival 2018 that he is pushing for the establishment of a farmer’s market within the Capitol grounds starting next week where local produce of farmers in Misamis Oriental province are displayed, promoted and sold to public fresh and affordable.

He said local products would include organic and inorganic livestock, vegetables and fruits.

“For the first quarter this year (2018), 25 percent of the products to be displayed, promoted and sold would be organic and 75 percent inorganic.

During the second quarter, it would be 50 percent organic and 50 percent inorganic. In the third quarter, would be 75 percent organic and in the fourth quarter, will be 100 percent organic,” the

governor said.

He further said the Provincial Government would be the one to transport the products from the farms to the Capitol.

“I am inviting COHARA (Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association) and the Department of Tourism (DOT-10), especially those hotels and restaurants looking for organic products to patronize our farmer’s market in the Capitol,” Emano said. (PIO)

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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PLDT digital unit eyes deal with foreign firm TELECOMMUNICATIONS firm PLDT Inc.’s digital unit Voyager Innovation is pursuing a partnership with a foreign firm within the year as part of efforts to further improve the delivery of digital services to its subscribers.

This comes as the company prepares for the entry of a third major player in the local telco industry.

“The partnership is strategic and financial. It will excite the market,” PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said in an interview with reporters Wednesday.

Voyager is a digital innovation firm of PLDT which is involved in financial technology (fintech) through PayMaya, e-commerce and digital marketing.

Pangilinan said last November that PLDT was considering to partner with a Chinese firm to strengthen one of its units or to create a new entity.

Its corporate rival Globe Telecom and its fintech firm Globe Fintech Innovations Incorporated (Mynt) has announced a partnership with Jack Ma’s Ant Financial last year.

PLDT is allocating a capital expenditure of more than PHP50 billion in 2018 for network improvements and deployment of facilities for wireless and fixed line businesses. (PNA)

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CorporateWorld

Factory output down in November

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ACTORY output for November 2017 dropped by 8.1 percent, recording a three straight month of decline since September 2017, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Wednesday.

PSA Manufacturing Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI) showed volume of production index (VoPi) recorded a negative growth of 8.1 percent in November last year from

a 15.1 percent increase in the same month in 2016.

This is after six major sectors decreased their production output, even outpacing the increments made by 14 other sectors.

Largest drop in volume of production was recorded in chemical products, down by 62.7 percent. This was followed by tobacco products, whose output declined by 48.3 percent; textiles, down by 33.8 percent; and footwear and wearing

LISTED pizza chain Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. on Thursday said it plans to open 20 new stores in 2018, bringing its total store network to 228 at the end of the year, as part of a continued drive to expand its footprint across the country.

“We will continue to take advantage of the positive consumer sentiment in the Philippines and hope to open even more stores, including those outside the typical first tier cities,” said Shakey’s President Vicente Gregorio.

Shakey’s ended 2017 opening 24 new stores, including those in provincial locations such as Iligan, Puerto Princesa, Antique, Gapan and Palo, Leyte, amid the growing urbanization trend in such areas.

“It has been a banner year for Shakey’s - our maiden year as a publicly listed company - as this is the fastest we’ve grown in terms of store network. We have a strong belief in our brand and our strategy, and are keeping pace with the accelerating growth of our economy,” said Gregorio. shakey’s/PAGE 11

apparel, down by 23.9 percent.

The decrements in VoPi also pulled down the value of production index (VaPi) by 9.3 percent in November 2017 from a 9.6-percent growth in its previous year.

The same major sectors, likewise, contributed to the decline on VaPi, adding decrement in VaPi of rubber and plastic products which went down by 13.7 percent.

Meanwhile, average capacity utilization rate of factories in November last year was at 83.9 percent.

This was slightly higher than the average capacity utilization rate in October 2017 at 83.8 percent.

About 55 percent, or 11 out of 20 major industries operated their facilities at 80 percent or above capacity utilization rates.

These industries include petroleum products at 89.3 percent,

basic metals at 88.8 percent, non-metallic mineral products at 86.7 percent, machinery except electrical at 85.9 percent, food manufacturing at 85.1 percent, electrical machinery at 84.7 percent, chemical products at 84 percent, paper and paper products at 83.5 percent, rubber and plastic products at 83.1 percent, wood and wood products at 81.6 percent, and printing 80.7 percent.

(PNA)

Shakey’s to open 20 new stores in 2018

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) region 10 holds the first Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (RTIPC) Summit with the theme, “Social Collaboration: A Key to Sustainable Development” on 15 December 2017 in Cagayan de Oro City. (Rodolfo Mendoza/PIA10)

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Opinion

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Two little words think a minute

jhan tiafau hurst Think a minute…A husband and wife had not spoken to each other for days. They were still angry at one another since their last fight. By the 5th day, the husband realized he had a problem. He needed his wife to wake him up early the next day to catch a plane for an important business trip.

But not wanting to talk to her and lose the fight, he put a note on the kitchen table. It read: “Please wake me up at 5AM tomorrow morning.”

The next morning when the husband woke up, it was 7 o’clock! He was so angry that he had missed his plane, he was just about to yell at his wife for not waking him when he found a note next to his bed. It read: “Wake up! It’s 5 o’clock!”

Why do we find it so hard to say those 2 little words, “I’m sorry”? If we’re

honest, most of us are better at remembering the people who should tell us they’re sorry than we are at paying our own “sorry” debt. Yet if we would just apologize sooner we could save our friendships, family relationships, as well as a lot of time, energy, even money. A British study showed that 37% of people who had sued doctors or hospitals in court would not have done it if their doctor had simply apologized to them.

Yo u k n ow, w h e n i t comes to taking the blame for something, most people fall into 1 of these 2 groups.

The first group almost never thinks that they caused any of the problem. It’s always someone else’s fault and they should apologize to you. The second group often blame themselves for causing the problem and they apologize quickly. But both extremes of always being a blame taker or a blame shifter are not healthy.

The key in each situation is to be honest. Then admit that since it took both of you to cause the problem of offense or misunderstanding, it will probably take both of you to get out of it. Jesus Christ promises that if we’ll words/PAGE 11

Ruffy magbanua When there is both orderliness and cleanliness, it approaches godliness –Mahatma Gandhi AT the rate Cagayan de Oro is changing its skyline, would it catch up with leading growth centers like Cebu, Davao or even Metro Manila?

With its phenomenal growth, Cagayan de Oro is now ranked fourth among the leading metropolis in

the country. And the good news is that a grand design making Cagayan de Oro as the next metropolitan center by 2025 is in the offing.

But whether this economic forecast will come sooner or later, this city of more than a million people has to address, first and foremost, two of its primary headaches: its horrendous traffic and the swelling garbage problem.

If left unchecked, these domestic concern could falter the city’s unprecedented growth despite its steady climb toward a vibrant and robust economy.

Sans disasters, natural or otherwise, the rise of Cagayan Oro as one of the country’s metropolis seems unstoppable.

And already a development roadmap has been laid out to push the city as one of the country’s formidable regional

growth centers.

Poised to follow the steps of Cebu, Cagayan de Oro is gunning for more investments this year and beyond.

More players in the real estate, BPOs and retail business are setting up, Cagayan de Oro being the logistics hub and education center of Northern Mindanao.

The declaration of Cagayan de Oro as the next metropolis is p ar t of t he D uter te administration’s grand plan to spread resources to the countryside by empowering local governments under a proposed federal system of government that will replace the current centralized setup.

Undoubtedly, Cagayan de Oro has outpaced other cities in Northern Mindanao.

With an average population growth rate of 2.23 percent, Cagayan de Oro is the region’s

melting pot – a favored haven of people in search of opportunities.

Known to be the center of business and commercial hub in the region, Cagayan de Oro’s population rose from 602,088 in 2010 to 675,950 last year, surpassing the population count of Misamis Occidental and Camiguin provinces.

C agayan de Oro is indeed home to world-class shopping malls, high rise condominiums and business process outsourcing hubs, among others.

But sad to note, the city may lose its economic grip of attracting more investments if it fails to address with a sense of urgency the burgeoning traffic mess and garbage woes – a virtual snake pit of physical stress and disorder.

Sigh. (ruffy44_ph2000@ yahoo.com)

Scorching flu killing many in California, USA

Kakampi mo ang batas

Batas Mauricio LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…

However, if you no longer listen to the LORD your God, and no longer obey His commands… all of these curses will come upon you and overtake you…

The LORD will strike you with wasting diseases, with fever and inflammation, w it h s c orch i ng he at …”

(Deuteronomy 28:15, 22, the Holy Bible).

-ooo S C ORC H I NG F LU KILLING MANY IN CALIFORNIA, USA: Fe ar i s g r ippi n g m any parts of California, USA n ow a d ay s , o n a c c o u nt of an “unusually severe”

kind of flu (or influenza, which is often indicated by very feverish or scorching body temperatures) that is afflicting many people in the place. About 27 people have died from this flu since October 2017, compared to three for the same period in 2016.

Hospitals can no longer accommodate the big number of patients sick with flu, which unfortunately includes the teenaged son of a former lady TV anchor from the Philippines who is now based in California.

The known medicines for flu have ran out, preventing panicky patients from buying from any drug stores there (https://www.nbclosangeles. com/…/Packed-EmergencyRooms-Deat…).

If the truth be told, this kind of a dangerous illness was predicted to happen by the Bible, including the death and destruction it will entail. Deuteronomy 28:15, 22, says many will be killed and maimed by scorching fever or flu. The reason?

The Bible says it is because

many no longer listen to, and obey, the commands of God. So, you don’t want this flu to hit you? Listen to, and obey, the Bible, that’s how!.

-ooo O B L I G AT I O N S O F POLICEMEN UNDER R.A. 7438 (IX): Policemen, military men, and other law enforcement officers, have an obligation to allow the persons they arrested, invited for questioning, or are investigating, to be visited, under specific provisions of Republic Act 7438. If this obligation is not complied with by these authorities, they face stiff jail terms and other severe punishments.

Who are the persons authorized by law to v i s i t a ny o n e w h o h a s b e e n a r re s t e d , i nv i t e d for questioning, or are undergoing investigation?

First would be the members of his “immediate family” (which means, his spouse, fiancée, parents, children, sibli ng s , g r andp are nt s, grandchildren, uncles and

aunts, nephews and nieces, or guardian or ward).

Also allowed to visit are the lawyers, doctors, pastors or priests, or representatives from the Commission o n Hu m a n R i g h t s , o r from international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Insofar as t h e r e p r e s e nt at i v e s o f international NGOs are concerned, they can go and visit if their groups have been given due accreditation f rom t he Of f ice of t he President.

-ooo STORIES ABOUT GOD’S COMING TO EARTH, IN THE FORM OF MAN (IV): From the New Testament of the Bible, we can read a lot of stories there that also proclaim the coming down to earth from heaven of God, in the form of man with flesh and blood. Included in these stories from the New Testament is one very imp or t ant matter---t he Name of God. These Bible verses can be found in Matthew 1:18-25, flu/PAGE 11

Happy new year 2018! have my say

klaus doring Sweet words are easy to say; nice things are easy to buy; but good people are different to find. Life ends, when you stop dreaming; hope ends, when you stop believing; friendship stops, when you stop sharing. A good fiend of mine sent me this quotation. I commented back: So very true and very well said!

A ne w year has just

begun. We’re thinking back.

We deleted friends in social networks and dif ferent other connections. Some mutual friends - not only in Facebook - didn’t remain as mutual. Some good new relationships have begun and made possible because of a mutual acquaintance.

Or, we’re looking forward renewing relationships.

S ome s e as on g re e t i ng s brought back special memories.

Keep in mind, our life is borrowed. This is going to be a little bit complicated now, so keep going. No rental charges are collected from us. Many of us have forgotten this and live life at his fullest. Our life is equal to a book from a library that lends one. But how insatiable and unbearable are we in disdainful acting

towards life and therefore to ourselves?

Life seems to be nothing, just being ready to riddle on e w i t h b u l l e t s . L i f e seems to be nothing, just being broken through the indifference and unreliable and immoral behavior. Life seems to be nothing for those people who don’t understand cries from the heart of other people around them - cries for their hearts and families, for justice and for many other things.

Life with all its ups and downs, is just a loan, but for many of our fellow creatures it just seems to be nonsense to be littered like dump. And, if people try to survive, especially during these days, and if they just experienced (once more!) indifference, arrogance, ignorance or cheating by

whomever - they will give up!

I can assure you that every one of us can at first help in prayers and, in reading the bible. “Proverbs” is the probably most downto-earth book in the bible.

Its teachings prepare you for the daily life, the street and the market place, but not for the schoolroom. The book offers warm pieces of advice you get; practical guidance for making your way on earth. Proverbs covers any kinds of questions you might have right now. Anybody can relate to the generalities of Proverbs, because this book simply tells how life works most of the time. +++ Pers onal note: Time f l i e s . It ’s a l r e a d y m y 5th anniversary as doring/PAGE 10

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Banking&Finance

Higher economic growth needs higher state revenues: DOF data

A

S the Philippine economy continues to grow, with economic managers setting a seven to eight percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth goal for 2018-22, so is the revenue goal to provide the necessary funds for the implementation of programs for more inclusive growth.

Economic managers under the Duterte administration vow to hasten state revenues, with its share on GDP pegged at above 16 percent from next year until 2022.

Department of Finance

(DOF) data show that for 2018, total revenues is targeted to account for 16 percent of GDP and gradually increase to 16.4 percent, 16.8 percent, 17 percent and 17.1 percent for 2019-22, respectively.

These growth rates have included the effect of the tax reform program as well as the veto of President Rodrigo R. Duterte on some items under the first package of tax reform that the Bicameral Conference Committee-approved before end-2017.

Under the approved first package of tax reform,

total revenues were set at P2.806 trillion for 2018, up from the P2.387 trillion emerging figures for 2017.For 2019 until 2022, the figures are P3.160 trillion, P3.553 trillion, P3.956 trillion, and P4.414 trillion, respectively.

These figures were higher than the figures set by economic managers during the meeting of the inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) last December.

Under the latest DBCC figures, the proposed revenues were set at P2.788 trillion for 2018;

P3.133 trillion for 2019; P3.530 trillion for 2020; P3.929 trillion for 2021; and for 2022, P4.387 trillion.

Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier said these figures support the current administration’s development objectives, particularly on higher investments on infrastructure and social protection programs.

“We will ensure that all the revenues collected and monies disbursed will be for the benefit of our people,” he said. (PNA)

SEC warns public against investing in virtual currency THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cautioned the public about risks of investing in virtual currency.

In an advisory, the SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department underscored the need for them to take the necessary precautions in dealing with initial coin offerings (ICO) entities.

“If a promoter, issuer, broker or salesman guarantees returns, if a potential investment sounds too good to be true, or if you are pressured to act hastily, please exercise utmost

caution and diligence and be wary of the risk that your investment might be lost,” it said.

The SEC issued the warning after detecting that certain companies, individuals or groups of persons were luring the public, either through popular social media platforms or through their own independent website, to participate in so-called ICO and to purchase the corresponding virtual currency.

An ICO is the first sale and issuance of a new virtual currency to the public usually for the purpose of raising capital for start-up companies

or funding independent projects.

In an ICO campaign, a percentage of the total available virtual currency is sold to interested buyers in exchange for fiat currency, another virtual currency, or another asset or security.

Virtual currency refers to a digital representation of value issued and controlled by its developers and used and accepted among the members of a specific community or users.

The SEC said that while some of these new virtual currencies followed the nature of a security as defined by

2017 forex reserves beat BSP forecast THE country’s foreign exchange reserves rose to a level that surpassed the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ forecast for 2017 on the back of higher gold valuations and higher inflows from the central bank’s investments abroad, data on Friday showed.

Gross international reserves (GIR) totalled $81.467 billion last month, preliminary data from the BSP showed. This is up from November’s $80.309 billion and $80.691 billion logged in December 2016.

The end-2017 level of reserves was higher than the central bank’s forecast of $80.7 billion, Reuters reported on Friday. The BSP expects the GIR to be at $80 billion by year’s end.

Boosting the reserves were “inflows arising from the BSP’s foreign exchange operations, net foreign currency

deposits by the National Government, revaluation adjustments on the BSP’s gold holdings resulting from the increase in the price of gold in the international market, and income from the BSP’s investments abroad,” the statement read.

Value of BSP’s gold holdings rose to $8.336 billion from November’s $8.045 billion and December 2016’s $7.259 billion, reflecting higher gold prices in the market.

Central bank’s foreign investments, which accounts for the bulk of GIR, grew to $65.763 billion, up from $65.178 billion registered in November, but shrinking from end-December 2016’s $68.290 billion.

The BSP’s foreign exchange holdings also rose to $5.742 billion at end-December from $5.445 billion in November and from $3.563 at end-2016.

The central bank

sometimes uses the reserve fund to influence daily peso-dollar trading by buying or selling more units in a “tactical intervention” in attempts to temper exchange rate swings.

The peso averaged P50.379 versus the dollar last month, recovering slightly as the local currency traded between the P50 and P51 level in November.

The country’s special drawing rights — the amount which the country can tap from the IMF’s reserve currency basket — was $1.2 billion.

Amounts in the IMF basket are expressed in US dollar, Japanese yen, euro, British pound and the Chinese yuan.

“The end-December 2017 GIR level remains adequate as it can cover 8.3 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and forex/PAGE 10

the Securities Regulation Code (SRC), these were neither guaranteed by any Central Bank nor backed by any commodity unlike ordinary securities.

It said a security included an investment contract which referred to a contract, transaction or scheme whereby a person invested his money in a common enterprise and led to expect profits primarily from the efforts of others.

The SEC further said there was a strong possibility that the virtual currency was a security under the jurisdiction of the Commission when it was analogous to any of the types of securities under Section 3.1 of the SRC.It thus has to be registered and necessary disclosures have to be made for the protection of the investing public, it added.

When the scheme involves the sale of securities to the public, the SRC also requires that such securities offered are duly registered and that the appropriate license and/or permit to sell securities to the public are issued to the corporation and/or its agents.

Likewise, those who act as salesmen, brokers, dealers or agents of ICO entities in selling or convincing people to invest in the investment scheme being offered by ICO companies must be registered with the SEC. “Accordingly, those who invite or recruit other people to join or invest in this venture or offer investment contracts or securities to the public may be held criminally liable or accordingly sanctioned or penalized,” it added. (PNA)

5 OROBANKERS DIRECTORIES CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

AMANAH/ISLAMIC BANK V. Neri Street Carmen, Cdoc 858988/8587965 / 722274

METRO BANK- COGON Osmeña Hayes St. Cdoc | 726438/8572057

ASIA UNITED BANK Cor.Camp Alagar Road Lapasan, Cdoc 729678 / 8568893

METRO BANK- CARMEN Max Suniel St. Carmen, Cdoc 8581722/ 8585162

BDO – VELEZ Velez-Rn Abejuela Street, Cdoc 2314246/8572075

METRO BANK- LAPASAN CM Recto Lapasan HW, Cdoc 724461/8561721

BDO – SM G/F SM City, Master Son’s Avenue Upper Carmen Cdoc | 8592623/8592637

METRO BANK- OSMEÑA Brgy Osmeña St. Cdoc | 722014 /8800924

BDO – XU XU Lib. Annex Corrales St. Cdoc 8574108 / 8573796

METRO BANK- CORRALES Corrales Avenue, Cdoc | 8572635/728731

BDO – CDO HAYES Trendline Bldg.,Hayes Street, 8568151/727405

METRO BANK- GAISANO 8561720

BDO – COGON Sky hi Bldg JR Borja St. Cogon, Cdoc 8577963/ 725209/ 725203 BDO – OSMEÑA Osmeña corner Ramon Chavez St. Cdoc 724567/8563727 BDO – LAPASAN Lapasan Highway Cdoc 8563233 /8563234 / 725178 BDO – RN- PELAEZ George Town CyberMall Rn Pelaez Blvd Kauswagan Cdoc | 8562617/729052 BDO – CARMEN Maxsuniel cor.V Neri St. Carmen, .Cdoc 8584854 /8581133 BANK OF COMMERCE- VELEZ Akut- Velez St.Cdoc | 8564371 / 726880 BANK OF COMMERCE- LAPASAN

CM Recto Ave. Lapasan, Cdoc, 8563991/727731

BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK RER kauswagan,HW Cdoc 8573733 /722519 BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK Gaston Park Cdoc | 8801518 BPI – LAPASAN Cm Recto HW Lapasan Cdoc 724076/ 8524602 BPI- VELEZ Velez-JR Borja St.Cdoc 8564213/722406 BPI – CAPISTRANO Capistrano St. Cdoc 8574264/8574263 BPI- COGON Osmeña St. Cdoc 8571297/8571298 CHINA BANK –GAISANO 745887/745880 CHINA BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc 8572212/8573274 CHINA BANK- LAPASAN CM Recto Lapasan HW Cdoc 8561325 /722240 CHINA BANK – CARMEN Max Suniel, Cor. Yakal St. Cdoc 8583903/723091 CHINA BANK – DIVISORIA RN Abejuela St. Divosoria Cdoc 8575759/722641 CITY SAVINGS BANK TS Fashion Ave.Justo Ramonal Corner St.Cdoc 2316060/ 2316059 CHINATRUST Suite U&5 G/LGateway Tower Lapasan Lkk Cdoc 8521846/8521844 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK HW. Lapasan Cdoc | 8564201/ 8564201 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK Vamenta Carmen Sts. Cdoc | 8585366 DBP – CORRALES Corrales Ave., St. Cdoc | 8572087/722649 DBP – CAPISTRANO JR Borja Capistrano St. Cdoc 8567776/722819

PBCOM Tiano-HayesSt. Cdoc | 726519/8571558 PLANTERS DEVELOPMENT BANK

Tiano Bros St. Cdoc | 727083 /727082 PHILTRUST BANK Ramonal OsmeñaSt. CDO 8807234/2316694/2316695 PNB- CORRALES Corrales Avenue Cdoc | 729500 / 729723

PNB- LKK MALL NORTH CONCOURSE

LKK Mall N.Concourse Cdoc 8574149/8575682

PNB- CARMEN Elipe Bldg.Carmen, Cdoc | 8583158/ 8584203 PNB- LKK LKK Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564347/722872 PNB CDO– DIVISORIA Tiano Bros.Cruz Taal St., Cdoc 722861 /722816 PNB CDO– LAPASAN LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564732 / 723992 PNB CDO– COGON LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc 8571991/ 723992 PHILIPPINE POSTAL SAVINGS BANK, INC. bels_domingo@yahoo.com.ph Rizal Chavez Cdoc 8572194/725438 PS BANK Velez Corner A. Mabini St., Cdoc 8574183/725184 PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK Tiano-Abejuela St. Cdoc 722644/8573386 QUEEN CITY DEVELOPMENT BANK, INC. Sacred Heart Mont. Cm RectoAve., Cdoc 8562390 RCBC- VELEZ Velez-Borja St. Cdoc | 8564982/8568888 RCBC- COGON Simplex Bldg. Osmeña St. Cdoc 8562888/725863/8521329 RCBC- LAPASAN Cm. Recto Lapasan HW. Cdoc 8561888/722449 RCBC- LKK Gateway, Tower 1 LkkCenter, Cdoc 8563707/722449 RCBC SAVINGS- CARMEN Walingwaling St.,Carmen St. Cdoc 8585793/ 8586248 RCBC SAVINGS- VELEZ Velez St. Cdoc | 729083/8562460 RCBC SAVINGS- AGORA 8807891/8807892 RURAL BANK OF CABADBARAN, Inc.

#58 Tiano FernandezSt.CDO 727215/ 8563552 *805

SECURITY BANK- OSMEÑA Osmeña St. Cdoc | 8563965/ 723411/728774 SECURITY BANK- LKK Limketkai | 8801258/8801625

EAST WEST BANK #5 Juan Sia Bldg. Apolinar Velez St.Cdoc 8578801/720081

SECURITY BANK- VELEZ Velez Montalvan St., Cdoc | 728334/856632

EAST WEST BANK Cogon De Oro Constraction Bldg. LKK Drive 8500339/8500331

STERLING BANK OF ASIA Tiano Velez St. CDO | 8528171/8528168

ENTERPRISE BANK INC. Centro Mariano Bldg Osmeña St. Cdoc 723869/ 3093395 FIRST CONSOLIDATED BANK CM Recto Ave., Cor.Agudo Road Cdoc 8565360/2316678 LBP – CAPISTRANO Capsitrano St. Cdoc | 8565515/727678 LBP – VELEZ LunaVelez St. | 723549/8563198 LBP – PUERTO Puerto Cdoc | 8558858 MAYBANK JR Borja Tiano Cor. Bldg. Cdoc 8574439/726060 METRO BANK- DIVISORIA Pabayo Abejuela St. Divisoria Park, Cdoc 724783/8576999 METRO BANK- VELEZ A. Velez St. Cdoc | 8561724/726054 METRO BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc | 8572999/724415

UCPB BANK- LAPASAN Osmeña Corner Lkk Drive, Cdoc 85771842/ 725135 UCPB BANK- VELEZ Velez Corner C. Pacana St. CDO 8564474/8564527 UCPB BANK SAVINGS-CAPISTRANO

Capistrano Corner CruzTaal St. CDO 8524099/722695

UCPB BANK SAVINGS- OPOL Gf forever Books Bldg.Bulua National CDO 754519/8588063 UNION BANK Lapasan Cm.Recto Cdoc | 8566847/8563805 WEALTHBANK Velez Gomez St. Cdoc | 8568942/722174 1ST VALLEY BANK Vamenta Blvd. CornerLirio St. Carmen, Cdoc 8501871/ 8584146 OROBANKERS CLUB Inc. Pnb Carmen | 09151850242

6

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friday|january 12, 2018

TULA: Teaching life’s lessons to kids in school TULA is one of the five winners of Globe Future Makers Program

Zero Solvent Sniffing Minors. Different barangays, national government agencies, private/non-government organizations attend a stakeholders' workshop on Zero Solvent Sniffing Minors in 2019 held on December 28, 2017 at MASS-SPECC. The activity aims to harmonize the city government's collaboration with the stakeholders to eliminate solvent street children in Cagayan de Oro City, two years from now.(CIO/RTP/PIA10)

Zero Solvent Sniffing Minors 2019 sought CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, January 11 – Barangays, national government, and private and non-government organizations now strengthens the campaign to attain Zero Solvent Sniffing Minors in 2019 after attending recently to a stakeholders’ workshop.

This has also been the aim of the local government to help the minors who are addicted to sniffing

prohibited solvents on the streets.

The city government of Cagayan de Oro believes that with everybody’s help, the city will be able to combat the existence of addicted minors.

Several actions and plans are now undertaken by the local government to fully attain the Zero Solvent Sniffing Minors in 2019.

(GOF/RTP/PIA10)

From L-R: Kickstart President Minette Navarrete, Ashoka Philippines Chairman Rico Gonzalez, TULA teachers Mara Eala and Elise Zulueta, TULA Founder James Centenera, and Globe Telecom Head of Innovation Mikey Garrovillo

While today’s school teachers focus mostly on imparting knowledge, this group of educators thought otherwise. They believe that learning is not just about knowledge but also building character, attitude and skills.

“The impetus behind the creation of our organization is that we recognize, especially in the Philippines, that there is a big achievement gap in school, and the gap exists because kids need more than just academics to thrive and survive in the 21st Century. Unfortunately, kids struggle not only to learn Math and English but also in developing their attitude, character and skills such as strength and resilience, courage and drive,” according to Mara Eala, Content and Learning Manager at The Ultimate Learning Accelerator or TULA. TULA is a chain of after-school centers that aims to provide kids with the support they need to succeed in school and beyond school when they grow into young adults.

Its advocacy won it a place in the recently concluded Globe Future Makers Program where five game-changing digital solutions were picked up among 135 entries.

Elise Montinola, who takes care of TULA Operations and Customer Service, said the team was elated for being chosen as one of the top five winners of GFM. “We know that a big part of GFM is about leveraging the use

of technology. This is why we developed our own TULA app that contains our lessons in ‘gamified’ format that learners can take home and practice. We try to make learning as dynamic as possible, from the teachers to the lessons, to show that learning doesn’t have to be boring,” she explained.

She added: “Technology and the TULA applications and other dynamic teaching techniques are all part of the TULA curriculum to support kids’ learning. We hope our learners and their parents realize that the applications, together with the actual lessons at the centers and with our coaches, are what’s needed to help kids reach their full potential.”

Montinola is confident that GFM will help open more doors for TULA through the use of technology to spread its wings to other areas here and abroad.

“Globe Future Makers was launched to inf luence and build a whole ecosystem of social innovators like TULA and help create a positive impact on society with the help of technology. It serves as a platform to enable the winners to receive coaching and mentorship from some of the best social innovators around the world, gain access to relevant startup workshops, and be connected to possible partners and investors.

These assistance will allow them to build

their products faster and launch sooner to benefit the communities that they aim to serve,” said Chelle Gray, director for Globe Citizenship.

Eala said teaching methods and curriculum in many schools today are still very traditional. ”Rote memorization doesn’t teach kids about analysis and critical thinking.

What’s missing in the curriculum is that it doesn’t teach kids to be curious, how to think, how to work with others, how to work hard, and other essential traits and skills, which kids can use when they grow up and look for a job.”

The youthful mentor said their teaching involves 2-hour learning sessions, with the first hour devoted to Math and English where kids have the most difficulty. The second hour involves “Missions,” or projectbased activities that tackle Science and Technology, Transportation, Medicine, Journalism, and other interesting themes that kids enjoy and are relevant for their future.

“These may seem like adult things but we want to expose kids already to these industries so they get motivated and start thinking what they want to be when they grow up and drive them to succeed in school. We want them to see school not as an end but as a stepping stone to get a clear view of what they want

in life. Essentially we’re teaching them life’s lessons, like life coaching for kids.

When we asked them before what they want to be in life, the most ambitious choice was a soldier or barangay tanod because that’s their world. Our mission now is to change that and expand their world, like in transportation, we tell them you can be a pilot or astronaut. That they can be anything and the sky’s the limit.”

There are currently four TULA centers - two in Pasig and another two in Makati.

There are also plans of scaling up within Metro Manila, around the Philippines, and in other countries like Pakistan. “We’ve already piloted programs in Pakistan, and are looking at other countries. The goal is to help 10 million kids in the next 10 years. It’s not really a low-hanging fruit that we’re after but something that is important for all kids,” Montinola pointed out.

TULA has already gained notice abroad, becoming a winner for “SOLVE at MIT”, a social innovation contest in the US led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Its mission is to identify the best solutions to specific, actionable challenges through open innovation, and build and convene a community of leaders and changemakers committed to partnering together to pilot and implement these solutions.

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Friday | January 12, 2018

7

Isuzu Gencars marks milestone year with the grand opening of Sta. Rosa dealership

A

fter the successful soft opening last year, Isuzu Gencars Sta. Rosa has officially opened its doors to the motoring public in its bid to expand and saturate its market presence in the Southern Tagalog region.

The new dealership, which is part of Gencars Inc., a conglomerate of ALC Group of companies that are engaged in various business activities such

Petron Refreshes Viber with New Best Day Stickers Just in time for the new year, Petron has released a new set of Best Day stickers on Viber to help road warriors communicate with family and friends in new and fun

ways.

In keeping with Petron’s mission to always give customers a Best Day, the stickers are designed to be upbeat and are sure to petron/PAGE 10

as automotive, insurance protection, media, preneed assurance, banking and finance, security, hotels and real estate, is the latest and seventh dealership of Gencars Inc. that covers and caters to the province of Laguna and nearby areas.

Located along the highway of Tagaytay Road in Barangay Pulong Santa Cruz in Sta. Rosa City, Isuzu Gencars Sta. Rosa has a total showroom area of 539-square meters

which can accommodate a total of 10 units display, including Isuzu’s biggest trucks.

Aside from vehicle sales, the Japanese car brand focuses on providing the best customer experience as the showroom houses a complete customercentric approach. The entertainment system, comfort rooms (with PWD assistance) and customer lounge add leisure and comfort to the shopping experience of customers and potential buyers. The façade offers a huge space to walk-in customers, with perfect interior trims that exude a high-quality ambiance.

Leading the ceremonial grand opening of Isuzu Gencars Sta. Rosa were Isuzu Philippines Corporation President Hajime Koso, Isuzu Gencars Inc. President and CEO D. Edgard A. Cabangon, local government officials from Laguna, and select members of the motoring media.

In his welcome remarks, Hajime Koso, President of Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), said that this year is indeed a milestone year

for Isuzu Philippines and Gencars Inc. as both are having a momentous year worth celebrating.

“We are grateful for and honor our partnership with Gencars Inc. Their solid chains of dealership are vital to the growth of Isuzu brand in the country.

Their company (Gencars Inc.) has been with us for long time carrying the brand essence of what Isuzu is–quality products, foundation of partnership and trust to customers,” said Koso.

The new Isuzu dealership in Sta. Rosa will provide a strong alliance for car buyers and entrepreneurs in the growing Southern Luzon.

From their top-selling vehicles such as such as mu-X and D-MAX and trucks line-up, the company vows to delivers quality products and exceptional aftersales service and parts to its market.

“We are confident that Isuzu Gencars Sta. Rosa will dominate and deliver its commitment in the South. Moving forward, customers will also benefit the efficiency of our newly Blue Power engine,” explained Koso.

Mitsubishi Strada GLS 4WD wins 2017 truck of the year Mitsubishi Motors Phils.

Corp. (MMPC) received the top award in the recent Truck of the Year – Philippines (TOTY-P).

The Mitsubishi Strada was hailed as the 2017 TOTY-P and was also recognized as the Best 4WD Pick-up Truck in the country.

Known for possessing the power and reliability of a traditional pick-up while having car-like comfort and ease of handling, the Strada GLS 4WD MT was introduced during the early second quarter of this year to further intensify MMPC’s pickup lineup. With its new 2.4 liter MIVEC Clean Diesel engine, the Strada GLS 4WD brings forth a new level of performance which makes exploring outdoors more convenient and enjoyable. It is now equipped with 6-speed manual transmission which lets the driver feel

in total control of the vehicle with its wide gear ratio and highly efficient clutch operation.

Aside from bagging the top and category awards for the pickup truck, MMPC was also able to secure the Best 4WD SUV under the Car of the Year – Philippines (COTY-P) for the Montero Sport GT. This victory truly attests the Montero Sport’s winning features after it also received several Media’s Choice awards on another car awards program just last month by the Auto Focus People’s Choice.

This year, MMPC introduced several upgrades to its bestsellers to further enhance the features of each model and, at the same time, provide better choices to the market. Major improvements focused on the engine and safety

features and minor aesthetic upgrades.

During the awarding ceremony, MMPC First

Vice President, Mr. Froilan Dytianquin expressed that the company is strada/PAGE 10

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friday|january 12, 2018

UST receives GS equipment to help boost genetic research

U

niversity of Santo Tomas received two genetic sequencing equipment from Genomic Institute of Asia (GINA) which will be used for research and training of faculty and students.

In the Philippines, there is a significant lack of opportunities for aspiring geneticists locally due to the limited availability of these high technology equipment and lack of facilities for hands on training and research, which results to students looking for opportunities to study overseas.

Tom Navasero, founder of GINA and the president and chairman of local healthcare pioneer Philab Holdings Corp., established GINA with the vision for the Philippines to be regarded as a “hub for genetic sequencing.”

He believes that it is important to extend help to educational institutions in order to achieve this

vision.

“Through education, we can hone the raw talent and the vast potential of our students who will fill in the gaps of our need for world-class geneticists, counselors, specialists in this country,” said Navasero.

Recognized as a premier school in medicine with excellent programs in the field of science, UST welcomes the generous and timely donation as its College of Science Dept. is planning to open new tracks under its Biology course.

“Having this in our institution will give our researchers the opportunity to increase their knowledge and level of competence.” said Prof.

John Donnie Ramos, the College of Sciences dean of UST. The equipment is set to cut down time and costs to complete a study, which is advantageous since the department has a lot of genomic projects in the

Donation of genetic sequencing equipment to UST: GINA founder Tom Navasero with Philab team and UST College of Science faculty pose with the deed of donation in a recent turnover ceremony of two genetic sequencing equipment to the university. The equipment is poised to bolster the department’s research and hands-on training on genomics.

pipeline.

Navasero hopes that he can continue to provide more state of the art equipment

to the university in the future, that will help boost the program’s teaching capacity and significantly open world-

Sharing a gift of hope to Marawi As Marawi City gets back on its feet, Hedcor Bukidnon, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, shares in giving hope to those who were displaced by the armed conflict. Through the Department of Health

(DOH), Hedcor handed over a recycled container shipping van converted to a health clinic for the locals of Marawi.

Dr. Dave A. Mendoza, Cluster head of DOH for Research Epidemiology

The container van now being used as a health clinic for the locals in Marawi.

Surveillance & Disaster Response Unit R10 said, “the health clinic van is utilized as a depot for dispensing medicines to medical aid workers then to the families who are prescribed to take medicines.”

This container van was used last year in shipping the electro-mechanical parts of the hydropower turbines for the 68.8-MW Manolo Fortich Hydropower Plant in the province of Bukidnon.

Dan Drave Afasan oversees the 24/7 operations of the Department of Health center and the health clinic van. He also ensures to dispense the medicines to the aid workers accordingly.

GSIS excels in client satisfaction under 2017 ARTA State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) obtained an Excellent rating of 94% in overall client satisfaction under the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) 2017 nationwide Anti-Red Tape Act Report Card Survey (ARTA RCS) covering 43 branch offices and 1,226 survey respondents.

The report card reflected the results in the core areas of overall client satisfaction and compliance with ARTA provisions.

Client satisfaction covers frontline service

provider, service quality, basic facilities, and physical setup, where GSIS obtained scores ranging from 92% to 96%.

In particular, nearly all respondents expressed satisfaction with frontline service delivery as measured by the indicators of fairness and ethical treatment, courteousness, competence, knowledge, and timeliness in attention and response time.

Members and pensioners also affirmed the continuing commitment of GSIS for service excellence as evidenced by the high

scores it obtained in the indicators of “outcome of service” and “overall time to complete the service” (98.69% and 98.37%, respectively).

Respondents gave the highest score of 96.5% to basic facilities and lauded the “clean comfort rooms, convenient waiting areas, and functional special lanes for pregnant women, persons with disability and senior citizens”.

No respondent expressed dissatisfaction on the physical setup of 43 GSIS offices surveyed, citing that they were “wellorganized, comfortable,

convenient and clean.”

In the area of compliance with ARTA provisions, GSIS obtained perfect score in ‘no ‘hidden cost in transactions’ and 98% in “no noon break policy”, the pension fund’s strongest areas in the survey.

Although GSIS and other government corporations were no longer covered by the regular ARTA RCS survey since 2016, the pension fund -- through then Chairman Francisco Duque III-- opted to tap CSC to undertake the excels/PAGE 10

class opportunities for the university students. ”The major backbone of progress is research, and as it continues to

evolve, facilities to support this educational pursuit should continuously be modernized,” said Navasero.

State sponsored food blockade and hunger greet lumads this new year TAGUM CITY – Hunger welcomed the lumads in Davao del Norte and Agusan del Sur this 2018 brought by intensified food blocked implemented by ALAMARA, a paramilitary group, and the 60th and 72nd IB of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

On December 23, 2017, ALAMARA and AFP started to bar the communities in Sityo Mangkay, Lunoluno, Kamunuan, Bugtong Lubi in Barangay Gupitan. While brothers Ungging and Laris Mansaloon ALAMARA leaders in Sityo Patil also warned their community that if they will buy food and other goods they will be ambushed.

“Kini nga panghitabo ug pagpangatake sa batakang katungod namo isip tao, ang katungod sa pagkaon, hugot nga gina-kondena sa KARADYAWAN” (This food blockade is a direct attack on our right to food, and we in KARADYAWAN condemn this in strongest terms) said Datu Mentroso Malibato.

Malibato recalled, “In 2015 ALAMARA and the AFP also did this to us, this prompted us to seek for sanctuary in Davao City as Internally Displaced IPs. Even last 2017, support from government agencies like DSWD were blocked

by ALAMARA and the army.”

“Kining food blockade sugod Disyembre 23

hangtud sa kasamtangan, pagpamatuod sa grabehan nga pagpangharas ug pagpanghikaw sa amoang katungod aron mukaon ug mabuhi. Dugang rason nga daw kung si kinsang gamhanan ang ALAMARA ug AFP ang padayon nga pagpatuman ug pagpalawig sa Martial Law sa Mindanao.”

(This food blockade that started last December 23, 2017 up to now proves intensified attacks against us lumads and a direct violation on our right to life. They further justified these attacks through the extention of Martial Law in Mindanao.), Malibato added.

Aside from food blockade, there are also other forms of harassment being made by ALAMARA, one of which is the assassination carried out by the group of Pendoy Lope, another ALAMARA leader.

More attacks are expected in light of the state program of arming the lumads. Around 300 lumads were trained last month by the 10th ID. KARADYAWAN calls for the immediate pull-out of the AFP in communities on Davao del Norte and Agusan del Sur. Also we call on to disarm and disband ALAMARA as it threatens the life of our fellow lumads. We also call for the scrapping of the Martial Law extension in Mindanao as it serves to justify rights abuses in our communities.

9

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friday|january 12, 2018

Strengthening livestock industry to benefit small farmers, MSMEs-report

M

ore government attention to the Philippine livestock and poultry industry will be a big help to smallholder farmers and micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs), and will boost the sector’s export potentials, according to a new report from a state-run think tank.

Amid a slowly decreasing trend in the production value of agriculture, the livestock and poultry subsector “presents a glimmer of light in local agriculture,” projected to continuously grow in the next decades, said the report entitled “Review of High-Value Agriculture in the Philippines with Comprehensive Subsectoral Focus: Livestock Industries.”

“Focus of development interventions in recent

years [has] been on crops, particularly on the major grain staples.

Shifting attention to more competitive and higher value commodities like livestock would do much in enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, as well as MSMEs within the sector,” said the paper published by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

The report pointed to statistics showing that the livestock and poultry industry has been consistently contributing positively to the economy even with less support from the government compared to other agricultural commodities.

From 1998 to 2016, the production value of the combined livestock and poultry industries grew from P163 billion to P262 billion, with hog and chicken as the biggest contributors, said the

paper.

“The contribution of combined livestock and poultry industry to country’s output is bigger than other agricultural commodities although the sector is private driven with no or little support from the government.”

“There are currently no direct financial infusions to the sector. Furthermore, it was acknowledged that the private sector progresses with less help from the government which probably [is] an indicator as to how good the industry is performing.”

The report offers a number of recommendations to further improve the industry’s performance and competitiveness.

“Though the industry is private-led, there has to be a strong guidance and a functional enabling facility

As the province celebrates it's 88th year founding anniversary and the Kuyamis Festival, Governor Bambi Emano expresses optimism of further support from the people to push forward Misamis oriental and eliminate poverty through his flagship program, tourism development to boost economic advancement, peace, unity and progress. (PIA)

TradeNet in prep stage for launch by July The software for the Philippine government’s online trade facilitation portal, TradeNet, has been delivered and is now undergoing procedures in preparation for going live in July 2018.

The TradeNet software was delivered by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to the Department of Finance (DOF) last December 15, according to a reliable PortCalls source from the finance department, which spearheads the project.

Since it will be a globally available system, the software will be subjected to comprehensive security hardening processes for at least 60 days, said the source, who is involved in the project.

Hardening helps minimize security vulnerabilities by eliminating as many security risks as possible from the system.

DOF will involve the private sector sometime February in comprehensive functional tests, while regression testing and optimization will be performed in April.

If all goes according to schedule, the system will go live in July, the source said.

The online platform will allow traders of commodities to apply for their import and export permits online, securing a faster and more convenient application process. It aims to connect 66 trade regulatory agencies and 10 economic zones involved in approving import and export permits and other trading requirements.

The source clarified that TradeNet is not a customs system but an operations management platform for all things related to trade facilitation. TradeNet will serve as the operations system when it comes to the issuances of import/ export-related clearances and permits across all regulatory, oversight, law enforcement, and border protection agencies.

TradeNet will also serve as the country’s National Single Window (NSW), a prerequisite to connect to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Single Window (ASW), a regional initiative to speed up cargo clearance and promote economic integration by enabling the electronic exchange of border tradenet/PAGE 10

GSIS reminds members, pensioners, beneficiaries to file benefits on time Filing for GSIS benefits within the prescribed period spells the difference between enjoying and losing them.

GSIS thus reminds its active members, pensioners, and beneficiaries to keep in mind the benefits that have deadlines.

FUSS is an acronym that serves as a memory aide: Funeral, Unemployment, Separation, and Survivorship benefits.

They should be filed within prescribed period from the date of contingency.

Separation benefit under Republic Act (RA) 8291 must be filed within four years from date of separation from government service, while that under Presidential Decree (PD) 1146 must be claimed within 10 years from age 60.

Similarly, qualified beneficiaries must file for survivorship benefit under RA 8291 within four years from death of the member or oldage pensioner. The same benefit under PD 1146 has a longer filing period, which is within 10 years from death of the member or old-age pensioner.

Funeral benefit must be filed within four years from the date of death of the member or old-age pensioner.

Unemployment benefit has a four-year prescriptive period as well.

Application for these benefits may be filed at any of GSIS’s 57 branch and extension offices nationwide, including the Head Office in Pasay City. Inquiring members may also visit the GSIS website, www.gsis.gov. ph; call the GSIS Contact Center at 847-4747; or email gsiscares@gsis.gov. ph.

The prescriptive policy has been relaxed as GSIS now treats other claim applications as notices of constructive filing.

A cash surrender value (CSV) claim is now considered constructive notice of application for separation benefit. That way, separation benefit may be applied for even beyond the deadline.

Moreover, if funeral or death benefits have been filed and claimed within four years from the member’s death, the prescriptive policy for survivorship benefit no longer applies to qualified beneficiaries, and vice versa.

RESORTS, HOTEL & RESTAURANTS DIRECTORIES

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

Algen’s Dive Resort (088) 3872015

Pryce Plaza Hotel 8583131 Fax: 726687

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

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

Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin (088) 3871057 / 3870131 Fax: 3870278 Basamanggas Resort 08822-760564 Fax: 760565 Cagayan Riverview Inn 8584245 / 729039 Fax: 8584245 Casa Crystalla 8561704 / 722465 Fax: 722480 Casa Isabella (088) 8564065

Casa Azucena 8563402 / 09236593973

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

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

Kingston Lodge 8585696 Fax: 8585696

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

Dept. of Tourism 723696/726394 / 8564048 Fax: 723696

RESTAURANTS:

Bigby’s Café 72-1071/857-5511/8575836 Fax: 711843 Café Laguna 8582999 Fax: 8567001 DM Villaruy Restaurant 733790

Golden Ajirang I 856-5271 Fax: 727876 Grand Caprice Restaurant 72-6955/856-2302 Fax: 72-4986 Kagay-anon Restaurant 728958 / 8563688 Fax: 8563843 / 729003 La Ilongga Restaurant 72-6183 / 857-3652 Fax: 72-4605 Missy Bon Bon 8566852 / 09228606442 Fax: 8566852 SLERS Ham & Café 8551438

Mapawa Natures Park 8584402 Fax: 725265

Thai Me Up 738424/3108424 Fax: 738424

Mallberry Suites 8541999 / 7249999 Fax: 8544999

Barkadahan Grill 8551234

Maxandrea Hotel 8572244/729943 Fax: 724090

La Tegola Cucina Italiana 8585959

Miami Inn 8581901 to 02 Fax: 725279/728486 N Hotel (088) 8801924 Paras Beach Resort 8568563 Fax: 8568563 Philtown Hotel 726295 / 8564402 Fax: 723104

limketkai luxe hotel 8800000 Dear manok 8564914 / 8573413 LIMKETKAI LUXE HOTEL Landline: (088) 880-0000, Mobile: 0917-312-4563 Email: info@limketkailuxe.com

10 Doring... from page 4

regular columnist in M I N D A N A O D A I L Y, and my 4th anniversar y in BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO while being 3 1 / 2 y e ar s w it h T H E CAGAYAN DE ORO TIMES. My deepest gratitude to Publisher, President and CEO, Dante M. Sudaria and the whole editorial, marketing and production staff. Thank you so much for giving me space in your outstanding publications.

Good bless you all and more power!

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH A DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE OF A PARCEL OF LAND Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the deceased PEDRO J. GARCIA, who died on MARCH 06, 2015 at KALUMIHAN, KITAOTAO BUKIDNON & BEATRIZ ARELLANO GARCIA who died on June 12, 2014 at BLK. 14 LOT 5, VIRGINIA HOMES, IPONAN, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY; That the deceased. At the time of their death left a Parcel of Land situated in KALUMIHAN, KITAOTAO BUKIDNON; CT No. AO-8586, LOT 211-F, CSD10—010350; A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 211-F, Csd-10-010350 (AR), being a portion of Lot 211, Pls-112, Kibawe Public Land Subdivision, situated in the Barangay of Kalumihan, Municipality of Kitaotao, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of TEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FORTY ONE (10, 641) SQUARE METERS, more or less.PEDRO J. GARCIA & BEATRIZ ARELLANO GARCIA is the subject of EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH A DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE OF A PARCEL OF LAND; is made and entered into PERLITO ARELLANO GARCIA, of legal age, Filipino citizen, married to MARY GLYNN Q. GARCIA, with residence and postal address at Blk. 14, Lot 5, Virginia Homes, Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City; JOCELYN GARCIA CARALDE, of legal age, Filipino citizen, married to ARTURO S. CARALDE, with residence and postal address at Brgy. 17, Toto Extension, Gingoog City; and MELBA GARCIA OCAÑA , likewise of legal age, Filipino citizen, married to CESAR L. OCAÑA, residence of Purok 6A, Valencia City Bukidnon, hereinafter referred as the HEIRS/SELLERS/VENDORS; AND PERLITO ARELLANO GARCIA, of legal age, Filipino citizen, married to MARY GLYNN Q. GARCIA, with residence and postal address at Blk. 14, Lot 5, Virginia Homes, Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City; hereinafter referred to as the BUYER/VENDEE; That for and in consideration of the sum of TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS ONLY (Php 200,000.00) Philippine Currency, receipt of said amount is hereby acknowledge by the SELLER/ VENDOR after the amount is paid in hand by the BUYER/S or VENDEE/S the SELLER/S or VENDER/S hereby SELL, CEDE, TRANSFER and CONVEY the above-described properties ONLY PORTION OF FIVE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED TWENTY POINT FIVE (5,320.5) SQUARE METERS, more or less in favor of the BUYER or VENDEE his/her heirs, assigns or successors-ininterest, free from any liens and encumbrances, free from any third-party claimant whomsoever and the same is non-tenanted.

Under Notary Public of EMELITO J. MARQUINO; Doc. No. 431; Page No. 86; Book No. XIV; Series of 2017.

BWM: Dec. 29, 2017, Jan. 5 & 12, 2018

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

friday|january 12, 2018

+++ Email: dor ingklau s@ gmail.com or follow me in Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot. com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

Forex... from page 5

primary income,” the BSP statement read.

“It can likewise pay up to 5.8 times the country’s short-term foreign debt when computed on original maturity, and up to 4.2 times based on residual terms,” International reserves are a key measure of a country’s macroeconomic footing, providing a buffer against external financial shocks.

Petron... from page 7

bring smiles to anyone who will receive them.

Stickers with commonlyused expressions like ‘good morning’, ‘cheers’, ‘u da best’, ‘wow’ and ‘lol’ are given a fresh and more colorful look.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED SPOUSES WITH WAIVER Notice is hereby given that the intestate of estate ALEJO O. SERIÑA and DOROTEA MAAGAD, respectively died intestate inOpol, Misamis Oriental which was their places of residence at the time leaving two (2) parcels of land and all the improvements thereon, situated at Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental (formerly Iponan, Municipality of Cagayan). A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot No. 6417 of the Cadastral Survey of Cagayan), situated in the Barrio of Iponan Municipality of Cagayan, containing an area of TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY TWO (2,962) SQUARE METERS, more or less.

A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot No. 6437 of the Cadastral Survey of Cagayan), situated in the Barrio of Iponan, Municipality of Cagayan, containing an area of THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED TWENTY FOUR (35,224) SQUARE METERS, more or less. ALEJO O. SERIÑA and DOROTEA MAAGAD, is the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED SPOUSES WITH WAIVER; is made and entered into; HERNANDO R. SERIÑA, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Poblacio, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental; Atty. FELIX B. SERIÑA, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of 122 Calbayog Street, Crossing Mandaluyong City; RACIA S. SERIÑA, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Taboc, Opol, Misamis Oriental; TEOGENES M. SERIÑA, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Igpit, Opol, Misamis Oriental; ARTURO U. SERIÑA, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Poblacion, Opol, Misamis Oriental; SOSISO T. SERIÑA, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Poblacion, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental; TERESITA S. GAMOLO, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Poblacion, Opol, Misamis Oriental; JUSTO S. SALVA, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Poblacion, Opol, Misamis Oriental; ALEJO B. SERIÑA, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City; BEATRIZ S. LUZA MAAPE, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Poblacion, Opol, Misamis Oriental; and SALUSTIANO G. SERIÑA, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Poblacion, Manticao, Misamis Oriental; Under Notary Public of CONCHITO J. OCLARIT; Doc. No. 146; Page No. 30; Book No. XX; Series of 2015.

BWM: January 12, 19 & 26, 2018

Motorists, on the other hand, can relate to stickers saying ‘road trip’, ‘labas tayo’ and ‘traffic, bes!’ Meanwhile, those needing encouragement can get their much-needed confidence boost from the ‘kaya yan’, ‘kapit lang’, and ‘tara’ stickers.

The new #PetronBestDay sticker set can be downloaded for free from the Viber sticker market only until March 11, 2018. But once downloaded, the set will stay in your Viber app permanently. You may download the free sticker set at http://bit.ly/ViberPetron2_ ph.

foundation in the automotive technical know-how. CAGI annually conducts consumeroriented testing to give recognition to outstanding new models available in the local automotive market.

Eligible vehicles are subjected to a qualitative and technical tests to fully scrutinize the most deserving vehicle to win the award. After the technical and qualitative tests done by CAGI, the data were handled by the internationally renowned auditing firm, KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. to ensure that all winners are indeed worthy of the awards.

from page 7

from page 8

Strada...

truly honored to receive the top award and the category awards as these awards validate the excellent performance and outstanding features of the Strada and the Montero Sport which are in a way helpful in the decision making of prospective buyers and the market as a whole.

T h e T O T Y- P a n d COT Y-P are among the most anticipated awarding events in the local automotive industry. It is organized by the Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI), composed of journalists with solid

Excels...

survey anew in 2017.

This is in line with the goal of maintaining frontline service excellence through compliance with ARTA provisions.

Of the 43 offices surveyed, 17 obtained a grade of Excellent (90-100%); 25 were rated as Good (80-89.99%).

Collectively, GSIS garnered a rating of Good equivalent to 89.41%.

The high client satisfaction rating of GSIS was confirmed in another customer feedback survey conducted nationwide in October by a third party

TradeNet... from page 9

d o c u me nt s among t he organization’s 10 memberstates.

The source noted that TradeNet is now being tested for compatibility with ASW. Currently, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia are connected to ASW. Other member states are fast-tracking their own RA Form No. 10 (LCRO)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Misamis Oriental Municipality of lAGONGLONG -oOoOffice of the Municipal Civil Registrar

Life as Teacher By: Ely A. Baroro Teacher-1 Lumipac Elementary School Baliangao District Baliangao Misamis Occidental

“It’s not what you do to your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings’’ says Ann Landers. As a teacher we live the half of our lives teaching students. We want to bring the best of them.

Being a professional teacher is not easy because it’s like having in a relationship in your teaching. Sometimes we sleep late at night to finish checking papers, calculating grades and making a Lesson plan.

We teachers also having a night study to prepare for our lessons in the morning, so that if our student has a question we can answer it directly and clear to them.

Though being a teacher has a very long process, but for us being already a teacher is a worth waiting for. It’s like marrying the man of your life, when the day comes you’ll having

the teacher “Oath Taking Ceremony for Professional Teacher”. It’s the most awaited day in our lives teachers.

When we’re in the bad mood, we just remind ours elves t hat “w hy I wanted to teach” and then, everything will turn good.

B eing a teacher is not having the good salary, but it’s the thing that you’ll be part of your student’s success and future. That you’ ll b e rememb ered by students about the thing that you made to correct them and for all the wisdom words that make them realized about a thing.

Te achers play such an i mp or t ant p ar t i n s h ap i n g a n d g u i d i n g students. And it is the biggest accomplishment to us teachers to see our students applying what we have taught them. To teach is to touch your student’s life.

Republic of the Philippines Region X Province of Lanao del Norte Municipality of Kapatagan Office of the Municipal Civil Registrar R.A10172(Month/Date of Birth) NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with the Rule 7 of R.A 10172, A Notice is hereby served to the public that ELMA B. CASPE has filed with this office a Petition for Correction of Clerical Error-Change of Month/Date of Birth from “OCTOBER 10, 1957” to “JANUARY 10, 1957“ in the Certificate of Live Birth of MANUEL GONZALES CASPE JR. who was born on JANUARY 10, 1957 at KAPATAGAN, LANAO DEL NORTE and whose parents are MANUEL MAINAR CASPE and DELECIOSA LIM GONZALES.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than 15 days.

SGD. IVY R. TONGCO

Municipal Civil Registrar BWM: Jan. 5 & 12, 2018

NSWs and connectivity to the ASW platform, expecting to come on board from December 2017 onwards.

DOF earlier said that seven types of commonly traded commodities will be the first batch to be covered when TradeNet is rolled out. These are rice, sugar, used motor vehicles, chemicals (toluene), frozen meat, medicines, and cured tobacco.

Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran earlier said 16 agencies involved in processing the trade permits of the seven commodities are scheduled to be connected to TradeNet before the rollout. These include the Bureau of Animal Industry, National Tobacco Administration, Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau, National Food Authority, Bureau of Plant Industry, Food and Drug Administration, National Meat Inspection Service, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Bureau of Customs.

Other goods will be progressively placed on board TradeNet as other trade regulatory agencies get connected to the system, until all 66 agencies and 10 economic zones are linked.

-- www.portcalls.com

survey firm (Media Blast Digital Corporation), under which the pension fund achieved a 93.22% satisfaction rating from its members and pensioners.

The same survey also showed that nine out of 10 respondents believed that GSIS succeeded in meeting their expectation of achieving their purpose in visiting GSIS. “These excellent satisfaction ratings will only drive us to work even harder for our members and pensioners so we can continue to provide service that is driven by President Duterte’s thrusts of malasakit and tunay na pagbabago (compassion and real change),” president and general manager Jesus Clint Aranas said.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with section 5 of R.A. Act No. 9048, a Notice is hereby served to the public that VENUS AGCOPRA PLANTAS has filed with this Office a Petition for Change of First Name from FELIPE VENUS to VENUS in the Birth Certificate of FELIPE VENUS AGCOPRA PLANTAS who was born on September 20, 1954 at Langonglong, Misamis Oriental and whose parents DIOSCORO A. PLANTAS and REMERIA L. AGCOPRA. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than fifteen (15) days from the start of the first publication .

SGD. REX R. VALMORES

Municipal Civil Registrar

BWM: Jan. 5 & 12, 2018 Republic of the Philippines Province of Misamis Oriental Municipality of Lugait -oOoOffice of the Municipal Civil Registrar

R.A10172(Month/Date of Birth) NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirements and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular no. 2013-1, Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR of RA 10172). Notice is hereby served to the public that ERNESTO VELLANOSA OLIVEROS has filed with this office, a petition for Correction of Entry in Sex from FEMALE to MALE in the Certificate of Live Birth of ERNESTO VELLANOSA OLIVEROS and whose parents are PEDRO OLIVEROS and GREGORIA VELLANOSA.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than JAN. 17, 2017.

BWM: Jan. 5 & 12, 2018

SGD. ALMA MONSANTO-CADILE Municipal Civil Registrar

11

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

friday|january 12, 2018

Airfares... from page 1

BIMP-EAGA area must be lowered by easing out the travel taxes, including the landing rights fees, to encourage more peopleto-people movement in the region.

Lao, also chair of the Mindanao Business Council (MBC), believes the airlines can offer cheaper flights if governments can address concerns regarding the “exorbitant” travel taxes.

“One of our interventions will be to look at tourism industry. We can relax a lot of the rules, make it cheaper to go around BIMP-EAGA. We will look for ways to improve tourism industry,” he said.

He added that by addressing the high travel taxes, the four nations could be more accessible and thus improve the tourism industry.

L ao said he wants travelling around BIMPEAGA to be easier for both businessmen and tourists, which could be made possible if the airlines make airfare affordable.

“If you charge a lot, including landing rights fees in our country, tickets will become very expensive. If it’s very expensive, you cannot entice the tourists to come in,” Lao pointed out.

He added they want the areas in the BIMP-EAGA to have “a big potential for tourism” that can attract a number of visitors.

He adde d t hat t he y understand lowering or lifting some of the travel taxes may result in revenue losses but these can be recovered by getting more tourists to visit the country.

“Even though they lose some revenues in the landing rights fees, it’s going to spur a lot of businesses in the community,” he said.

“We would like to improve connectivity because at the end of the day everybody will benefit from it. We will have to strengthen our strengths and leverage on our weaknesses,” Lao said.

Under his chairmanship, Lao said they will try to develop “complementation” to boost productivity among the four nations. “ These are our core strengths and making use of common infrastructure and natural resources that we share present some opportunities to prove that development does not always have to be on the capital but more on the untapped potentials that BIMP-EAGA possess,” he said.

Designer... from page 1

multiple-storey buildings were constructed over the years inside its three-hectare main campus along CM Recto Avenue in Cagayan de Oro City. All seven buildings carried the same signature – the designer was architect Rey Galua.

Police discovered four pistols, one revolver, one rifle, one shotgun and two grenades in separate raids in Galua’s houses in Cagayan

de Oro City and Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte in a span of two days.

The raid came exactly 40 days after Rotoras was murdered outside his residence in upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

After days of prodding by the media, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 10 deputy chief Supt. Melgar Deveras finally confirmed that Galua is a person of interest in Rotoras’ death.

The relationship between Galua and USTP is lengthy, according to USTP spokesperson Anne Lorraine Sitoy.

When Galua became an instructor at the then Mindanao Polytechnic State College (MPSC) in 2011, Rotoras was his boss as dean of engineering then.

Sitoy added that w he n U ST P we nt i nto modernization mode, Galua was instantly the first choice tapped to be the designer being already a well-known architect not just inside the academe but this part of the country.

The first building that Galua designed was the USTP Gymnasium which burned down in May 2009.

From thence, more USTP projects poured in. Galua was responsible for the design of the eight-storey Engineering Building, five-storey Science Complex, four-storey ICT Building, three-storey Administration Building and one-storey cafeteria.

His latest project was the Student Center which started in January 2016.

This is when things went sour.

Ac c ord i ng t o S it oy, Rotoras ordered the project stopped in January 2017. Sitoy said she has no knowledge on why the late university president ordered the project stopped.

G a lu a a l s o l e f t t h e university as its Department of Architecture chair a month before the Student Center construction was halted. Sitoy also could not answer on why the well-known architect resigned from his post.

G a l u a’s n a m e o n l y resurfaced last week in the news.

RPTIS...

from page 1 Provincial, City and Municipal Assessment Offices to fast track the processing and approval of tax declaration documents.

At the moment, the webbased RPTIS is still in the process of installing and dryrun of the system from the province to the 13 Municipal Assessor’s Offices and City Assessor’s Office to ensure the smooth implementation of the program.

T he ne w web- b as e d system comes in handy for the public clientele since they would no longer need to proceed to Provincial Assessment Office (PAssO) to get approval of their documents as they can only transact with staff from the Municipal Assessor’s Office who will in turn process it

with this technology.

This is a far cry from a slower paced window-based system which PAssO has been using in the last 11 years.

Ac c ord i ng to R o ge r Dellola the in-house programmer of the RPTIS, the web-based system is a much improved technology since this will only need a network connection to directly get to the systems server to conduct maintenance.

“We are thankful that the province has international s chol ars w ho stu dy i n Australia, and they are very eager to benchmark new ideas and ready to implement here in the province together with their staff who are competitive and unafraid to take the challenge to design and introduce new initiatives”, said Engr. Cesar Rufila Jr., the Provincial Assessor.

Even if it is web-based, the page however will be only available for the use of the assessment operations staff from the provincial and municipal offices and not open to the public.

But its operation will result to a more efficient performance among offices and could be beneficial especially to clients since documents such as tax declarations and true copy can be directly requested to specific local office and they will not need to go to the provincial office for approval of document since web-based documents can now be sent online and approval can now be done by the approving officer through online.

This web-based RPTIS was also designed by the programmers to be ready in tablet based field inspection that can be used during the General Revision Project done triennially.

According to Ms Judy Ann Serrano, a staff from the Assessor’s Office in San Francisco town, they were already excited and eager to adopt the newly- improved system.

She said this will speed up t heir pro cessing of document and during the field inspection they can easily input to the tablet even in their android mobile phones the updates of certain parcel of land. ”We may have worries on the utilization of this system but we believe it will be manageable like the window based RPTIS,” Serrano said.

The web-based RPTIS also serves a big opportunity for the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur to showcase its b est initiatives and ensure that it does not let its municipal local government units to be left behind with this new undertakings, Rufila concluded.

Targets... from page 1

The ARMM government is also exerting efforts to convince private investors who can become partners in rebuilding the country’s only Islamic city.

Last year, the region posted PhP3.2-B worth of i nv e s t m e nt s l e d by TierOne Communications

International, Incorporated.

TierOne’s investments included cellular services, broadband connectivity, wireless Internet, and public Wi-Fi in the region.

The company also offered its service facilities to help in Marawi’s reconstruction.

RBOI officials said the agency was committed to assist in the rehabilitation of Marawi and had organized a site visit for investors on January 11.

S ant o s s ai d l e a d i ng investors were also looking into the field of agriculture, considering that Lanao del Sur was an agriculture area.

“We intend to focus more on Marawi City. After the infrastructure, we are also considering the economic side of things,” Santos added.

The list of proposed projects subject for RBOI’s approval included: cacao, pi n e ap p l e a n d b a n a n a plantations, and palm oil refinery.

The requests for such projects were currently under process, Santos said. (PR)

pizza chain categories.

Apart from the Philippines, the company also owns the perpetual rights to the Shakey’s brand for the Middle East, Asia (excluding Japan and Malaysia), China, Australia and Oceania.

It reported that recurring net income for the first nine months of 2017 grew by 15 percent against the comp arable p er io d t he previous year.

System-wide sales also rose by 15 percent, driven by same store sales growth of 6 percent and an expanding local store network. (PNA)

from page 2

from page 4

DCIPC...

chambers of commerce in Manila.

The city officials will also meet with the Center for International Trade Exposition and Mission (CITEM) organizers for participation in events with international exposure. This will be a platform to hold briefings and presentation of business and economic activities to investors.

DCIPC is also eyeing the tourism road show this year to establish direct flights in Davao City. (Digna D. Banzon/PNA)

Shakey’s... from page 3

S h a k e y ’s c u r r e n t l y maintains market leadership in both the full service and

Words... from page 4

give Him total control of our heart and attitude, He will help us to start seeing and understanding ourselves honestly and responsibly, so we’ll know when and how to apologize in each situation.

He’ll help you to forgive those people who wronged you, so you’ll finally be free from the heavy burden of blame. Just Think a Minute…

Flu...

Luke 1:26-37, and John 1:114. In all of these, we can see the clear stories about God’s coming to earth. In Matthew 1:18-25, it is there narrated that Joseph, the boyfriend that was bethrohed to Mary, the virgin, that Mary was already pregnant even if they have not slept together yet.

Jo s e ph t h e n w ant e d to quietly divorce Mary.

However, before Joseph could do that, an angel of God talked to him (the name of the angel was not disclosed but I think it is “Gabriel”) and told him that he, Joseph, must not divorce Mary because the baby in her womb came from the Holy Spirit. Did Joseph believe the angel?

Let’s see what happens next

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Gingoog City OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF

in the succeeding column!

-ooo FOR QUESTIONS, REACTIONS: If anyone would like to ask me any question about what the burning issues of the day mean, or what we have discussed here, or to consult on any problem, whatever it maybe, please call 0917 984 24 68, or email me at batasmauricio@yahoo. com, or post your concerns at w w w. f a c e b o o k . c om / attybatas or www.facebook. c om / ang t ang i ngd a an . .

Promise, I will answer right away. Thank God in the Name of Jesus, Amen!

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE File No. 229-2017

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under ACT 3135 as amended by Act 4118, filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (Pag-ibig Fund) with Branch office address at Pag-ibig Fund Bldg. J.R Borja St., Cagayan de Oro City , represented by its Dept. Manager Reynaldo P. Cue, against ROGELIO Y BAGUIO married to MERLINDA R. BAGUIO, both of legal age, Filipino citizen, resident of Lot 34, PCS-10-001369, Saa State Subdivision Poblacion, Barangay 26, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental to satisfy the Mortgage indebtedness which as of JUne 27, 2017, have amounted to ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY THREE PESOS AND 17/100 (P 1,682,233.17) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and penalty charges as of June 27, 2017, excluding foreclosure expenses and other monetary obligation.

The undersigned Sheriff will sell at Public Auction on January 22, 2018, to the highest bidder for CASH at 9:00 o’clock in the morning to 4 o’clock in the afternoon at the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, F. Dugencio St., Gingoog City, the following properties with all the improvements existing thereon, to wit:` TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-9492 A PARCEL OF LAND, (Lot 34, Pos-10-001369, being a portion of a lots 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,17,18,22,23,24,25,26,27,& 28, PCS-10-000734 & Lot 5 & 7, PCS-10-000852) situated in the Poblacion. City of Gingoog City. Island of Mindanao, Bounded on the SE., along line 5-1 by lot 35., on the SW., along line 1-2 by lot 33, on the NW., along line 2-3 by lot 177., on the NE., along line 3-4-5 by lot 176, all of the Consolidation Subdivision plan Pcs-10-001369.

Beginning at the point marked “1” on the plan being S. 26 deg. 13’E., 2049.32 M. from BLLM No. 1, Cad-295, Gingoog Cadastre.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated date and time In the event the Public Auction should not take place on the said date , it shall be held on the next working day without further notice.

The propective buyer/s may investigate for themeselves the title of the herein described proprty/properties and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Gingoog City, November 20, 2017.

By: SGD ATTY. RHODORA N. RESTITUTO

Clerk of Court VI / Ex-Officio Sheriff

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

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH A DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE OF A PARCEL OF LAND Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of CARLOS MONTANO, who died on APRIL 20, 2009; that the said deceased, at the time of his death, left a Parcel of Land situated in BRGY. MAMBUAYA, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY; CTC No. 46585; Lot No. 58, containing an area of 24, 135 SQAURE METERS, more or less; CARLOS MONTANO is the subject of EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH A DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE OF A PARCEL OF LAND; is made and entered into; HEIRS OF THE LATE CARLOS MONTANO rep. by his legal wife VELLY R. MONTANO; and their legitimate children; ALFREDO R. MONTANO, ROLANDO R. MONTANO, MARILYN R. MONTANO, RENE R. MONTANO, RICO R. MONTANO, BRANDO R. MONTANO, JOENEVIE R. MONTANO, FRANCO R. MONTANO, AND MARY BEA R. MONTANO, all of legal age, Filipino citizens, all single, with residence and postal address at DANSOLIHON, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, hereinafter referred to as the HEIRS/SELLERS; BONN JAYNUS A. LORA, likewise of legal age, Filipino citizen, single, with residence and postal address at Apovel Subd., Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, hereinafter referred to as the BUYER/VENDEE; That for and in consideration of the sum of EIGHTY THOUSAND PESOS ONLY (Php 80,000.00) Philippine Currency receipt of said amount is hereby acknowledge by the SELLER/VENDOR after the amount is paid in hand by the BUYER/S or VENDEE/S the SELLER/S or VENDER/S hereby SELL, CEDE, TRANSFER and CONVEY the above-described properties containing an area of TWENTY FOUR THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE (24,135) SQUARE METERS, more or less in favor of the BUYER/S or VENDEE/S his/her heirs, assigns or successors-in-interest, free from any liens and encumbrances, free from any third-party claimant whomsoever and the same is nontenanted. Under Notary Public of Atty. EMELITO J. MARQUINO; Doc. No. 316; Page No. 63; Book No. XIII; Series of 2017.

BWM: Jan. 5, 12 & 19, 2018 BWM: Dec. 29, 2017, Jan. 5 & 12, 2018

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friday|january 12, 2018

Is it Worth it to Live and Invest in a Green Building?

By Ruby Caberte

O

verseas Filipino Workers are always on the look-out for potential investments back here in the Philippines.

They want to see something tangible for their hard work away from their homeland and the sacrifices they make for their families. Many OFWs realize that they will not be working forever abroad, thus, while they are still strong and able, they must invest and start businesses soon.

One of the most viable investment opportunities available today is thru green and ecofriendly buildings.

According to Yuan Xu, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Country Manager for the Philippines, the country needs more

sustainable building solution to address the growing infrastructure needs and climate challenges. The Philippines has a fastgrowing population and urbanization, thus we need to create

a vibrant market for green buildings to attract private sector investment. “Green buildings should be the new normal for property companies, developers and investors,� he added.

This forecast is a green light for Filipino investors to start thinking about joining the green and eco-friendly game. According to IFC, green buildings are estimated to

achieve as high as 20 to 25 percent of the Philippine market by 2025 especially with upcoming policy support, awareness programs and advocacy, tax benefits and

realized savings on sustainability and energy efficiency.

So if you would ask if it is worth it to live and invest in green building, this might be the best time to do so. As the Philippines continues to grow economically and more aware of climate challenges, the infrastructure and building sector sees strong growth in green designs and projects.

This is where your hard earned money should go now, and by investing, you have a promising business prospect in the future. Try looking into properties such as Primavera Residences, a multiuse eco-friendly building in Uptown Cagayan de Oro. It is the first of its kind and the country and there are only praises and remarkable feedback from investors and clients.