BusinessWeek Mindanao (January 16-18, 2016)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

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YOUR Mindanao-wide BUSINESS paper

Volume VI, No. 087

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Sat-Mon | January 16-18, 2016

Power line woes, X X El Niño tighten Briefly M’danao supply

P15.00

Market Indicators As of 6:21 pm january 15, 2016 (friday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P47.722

6,449.50

4.3

cents

40.74 points

Microfinancing

AGUSAN del Sur -- The Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of Buenasuerte Multi-Purpose Cooperative with the assistance from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Los Arcos Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAMPCO) recently launched the microfinance program in the province.

The program aims to help the local farmers foster its credit program.

The DAR tapped LAMPCO of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur to train the officers and members of BUENASAMCO. LAMPCO manager Luciano Rensulat shared the center of Agriculture and Rural Development, INC (CARD) technology to the ARBs for them to ensure better performance in managing microfinance program and avoid default on payment.

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

T

HE supply of power in Mindanao continues to be low due to the El Niño-spawned dry spell and the still unresolved right-of-way issues that isolate some hydropower sources.

Davao Light and Power Co. (Davao Light), the biggest buyer from the main grid with a 289 megawatt (MW) contracted load, issued a statement late Thursday announcing that it may have power/PAGE 11

Optimism in tourism TANDAG City -- Caridad Rosina Ronquillo, acting provincial tourism officer here, expressed optimism that the local tourism industry would reach new heights this 2016.

Citing lots of accomplishments for the last semester of 2015, she pointed out to fellow capitol employees in a flag ceremony program they hosted recently there would still be more wiggle rooms for opportunities.

Ronquillo recited a litany of successful events the tourism office had spearheaded and/or participated in the municipal, provincial, regional as well as national fronts.

SEAWALL. Locals take advantage of the abundant supply of rocks to establish a seawall at the coastal village of Hayanggabon in Claver, Surigao del Norte. The town is known for its rich supply of minerals where mining companies operate and a take-off point by both island residents and tourists by boat to the island of Siargao. photo by jun ayensa

NGCP’s tower restored

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, Mindanews

DAVAO City -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) restored Tower 63 on at 2 p.m. on Saturday, two days after it was bombed by unidentified men past 11 p.m. last Thursday.

In her Facebook post late

Saturday evening, NGCP Mindanao spokesperson Milfrance Capulong said they completed the repair works on Tower 63 at Purok 4, Barangay Pagangan in Aleos an town, Nor t h Cotabato, along the Kabacan-

Sultan Kudarat 138-KV line. “ R e p a i r f o r t u n at e l y pro c e e d e d u n h i n d e re d a s N G C P e n c ou nt e re d no resistance from the landowners,” she stated.

This was the 17th tower bombed since 2015 and the first this year. tower/PAGE 11

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Economy

ARMM starts another anti-poverty program COTABATO City -- The D e p a r t m e nt o f S o c i a l Welfare and DevelopmentAutonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has launched another antipoverty program in selected underprivileged communities in the region.

Called “Apat Dapat” program, the anti-poverty project is part of DSWDARMM’s efforts to combat poverty in the five-province region.

The program’s pilot run is set to last until December 2016, and will cater to the

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40 poorest families in 15 select ARMM municipalities, according to DSWD-ARMM Secretary Rahima Alba.

Alba said the “Apat Dapat” program supplements the ongoing poverty alleviation initiatives both of the regional and national government.

She said the program would follow the ‘four for the poor formula,’ which zeroes in on the four most basic needs of a family, namely food, water, light, and shelter.

The four basic needs were determined by a study regarding poverty incidence

in the region, conducted by the Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO).

Alba said in a statement that major interventions included ensuring families were housed in secure homes with its own water and sanitation system and

a basic lighting facility, while providing them with the means to expand their livelihood and achieve food sufficiency along the way.

“Combating poverty has two phases, the long-term and the short-term. While anti-poverty/PAGE 11

ILIGAN City -- The Department of Labor and E mpl oy me nt , R e g i ona l Office No. 10 (DOLE-10) Lanao del Norte (LDN) Provincial Field Office (PFO) and its Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) will start its series of Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) orientation, Labor Market Information,

Employment Coaching and Career Guidance to students, teachers, staff and out of school youths in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte.

The series of activities will start on 19 January 2016 in St. Michaels College, 21 January 2016 in Iligan Capitol College, and 26 January 2016 in Alrose Food Corporation (Jollibee Main), Gen. Aguinaldo St.,

Iligan City.

D OLE-10 LDN PFO head, Remegio D. Cabañog rep or te d t hat t he s aid activities will benefit some 200 students, teachers, and staff and out of school youth for this month alone.

DOLE-10 Regional Director R aymundo G. Agravante said that the DOLE program on SPES aims to

help poor but deserving s t u d e nt s p u r s u e t h e i r education by encouraging their employment during summer and or Christmas vacations for high school students while whole year round for college and techvoc students and out of school youth for a period of 52 days.

The program is for poor but DOLE/PAGE 11

DOLE Lanao Norte to start year with job facilitation activities

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Mixed Message At Foxconn-- a Taiwan-based multinational at Shenzhen, C h i n a - - t h e c o m p a ny handbook was reportedly replete with clichés: “Hurry toward your finest dreams.

Pursue a magnificent life…

Your dreams extend from here until tomorrow.” The working reality, however, has been a troubling paradox— even an eloquent sarcasm of that statement—as the company was dubbed as “an express suicide train” by international journalists in 2010. Few in our country could have known about the tragedy of Foxconn: during 2010, eighteen of its young workers attempted suicide; fourteen of them died. As the media uncovered, the tragedies rooted from a harsh production regime, militaristic discipline and a “massive place of strangers” that discourages meaningful ties.

I remember the almost monumental open secret because of President Benigno Aquino’s decision to keep Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya as head of the Department of Tr ansp or t at i on and Communications (DOTC)

despite the public outrage about the ser vice—este, disservice—of the MRT and the questionable deal he made with the Filipino-Korean firm tasked to maintain such service. That makes MRT a morphed phenomenon-monumental return to trash (MRT). Yes, monumental return to trash.

With his stubborn resolve to keep a family friend hounded by (perceptions of ) mad tricks and pranks, Aquino gave a mixed message about his “daang matuwid” (righteous path). Aquino’s stand actually lowers his platform as the local version of Foxconn’s rosy ride to the heavens when what the firm’s management really meant was an express ride to hell.

“All Cabinet secretaries s e r v e at t h e p l e a s u r e of the President and their performance is continually being assessed by the President as Chief Executive,” avers Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. This statement seems to offer a slippery slope for the obvious failure of the DOTC to solve the transport

problem. Don’t expect too much from the upright: even Homer sometimes nods.

“Pertaining to the dayto-day problems faced by commuters in Metro Manila, the President has tasked the DOTC and other concerned agencies to address these problems with effective solutions,” Coloma added.

And the public should add: that issue has been a perennial problem for a long time; if good governance is real at the moment, the time for heads to roll is already overdue.

Likewise, Aquino should remember that administrative culture is defined by a leader’s tolerance with the worst actions/inactions of subordinates. This cannot be more emphasized.

Abaya, on the other hand, could have been less modest with his weak rhetoric as he texted reporters: “As I have repeatedly said, it is a mere privilege for me to be serving our people”. His nonverbal cues seem to tell us that he really meant “preying our people.”

Do not misconstrue my intentions: I have been a

lucell larawan believer of Aquino’s righteous indignation towards the corrupt. In fact, some of my articles focused on how his administration changed the administrative culture of the country. If there are opposers to Aquino’s “righteousness” mantra, obviously they are the disenfranchised unbelievers who approved Christ’s crucifixion—those who frantically wear fireproof suits and welding googles w hen a litt le she en of godliness comes to the fore with a 50-watt illumination.

We cannot just talk about political correctness on this matter for the objective truth is overwhelming: many larawan/PAGE 11

******************** ******************** ******************** ******************** The author is a free-lance business mentor, researcher and entrepreneur-artist. He is one of the editors of international peer-reviewed journals run by the American Research Institute for Policy Development--The Journal of Finance and Bank Management and Journal of Business Law and Ethics; the International Journal of Social Sciences and Arts, and the Journal of Harmonized Research in Management. He is also a peer reviewer of the Journal of Literature and Art Studies (US-based), Larawan does not see the need for less credible doctoral degrees around; but he received a Ph.D. in Social Science and Fine Arts (Honoris Causa) based on his contributions to the fields.

Political suicide or political will?

Oro Chamber

Make Someone Happy Think a minute…There were two very sick men who shared a room in a hospital. The man whose bed was by the window was allowed to sit up for an hour each day to help drain the fluid from his lungs. But the other man, who was not able to sit up, spent all his time laying flat on his back. The two men talked for several hours each day. They talked about their wives and families, their jobs and life’s experiences. Every day when the man by the window sat up on his bed for an hour, he told his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. He told him about the park with its lovely lake and gardens. It made the other man so happy because he could not sit up to look out; so he looked forward to that one hour every day as he listened to his roommate talk about the people and beauty of the world outside their hospital window.

One night, the man by the window died in his sleep.

The other sick man who shared his room was very sad. He missed his roommate who had told him about the beautiful world through their hospital window. Then one day he asked if his bed could be moved to the window where his friend had been.

Opinion

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THINK

A Minute

Jhan Tiafau Hurst He couldn’t wait to finally see the beautiful world outside.

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

When the man told the nurse all the things his roommate had seen through the window and told him about, the nurse said to him: “Your friend who sat by the window was blind! He could not even see that wall! I think he just wanted to make your life happy.”

Jesus told us that the only way to be truly happy is to make others happy. The only way to find your real, satisfying life is to give it away by loving others. This is how God Himself lives.

He loves us so much that He gave His one and only hurst/PAGE 11

“Ibi-veto din namin ang mga kandidato ninyo sa darating na eleksiyon!” (“We will likewise veto your candidates during the elections!”)

“Tingnan natin kung hindi pulutin sa kangkungan ang mg a k an d i d ato n i PNoy.” (“Just wait and see if his candidates don’t get a thrashing.”)

“Ang bilis niyang magapprove ng bilyon-bilyon para sa PDAF at DAP pero yung kakarampot na dagdag sa aming pensiyon, hindi niya mapagbigyan?” (“He is quick to approve billions for PDAF and DAP, but he could not grant us our measly increase.”)

These are just some of the reactions of men-inthe-street, many of them SSS pensioners, following the Presidential veto last week of the proposed P2000 increase for SSS pensioners.

Legislative proponents of the SSS pension increase were both surprised and dismayed. Cynthia Villar, main sponsor of the bill in the senate, had hoped that PNoy would , at the very least, allow the legislative measure to lapse into law. So the Presidential veto almost on the eve of the deadline for presidential action came as a shock.

Wit hout any d oubt , P N o y ’s v e t o i s q u i t e unpopular, if not outright

politically suicidal. For his anointed candidates, that is.

But PNoy did have strong reasons for thumbing down the proposal.

PNoy b elie ved his advisers when they told him that the Social Security System would have have been bankrupted by 2029 if he had allowed the P2000 increase. For PNoy, it was a choice between long term survival of an institution versus short-term political gain.

If that were the reason, then PNoy should at least be credited with political courage. It indeed takes guts to deliberately come up with a decision that is expected to have huge political fallout in an election year.

Senator Cynthia Villar is not convinced. The demise of SSS would become a reality if it continues on its current 33 per cent premium collection efficiency rate. But aren’t we paying the SSS managers good money to improve the system’s efficiency? Also, if worse comes to worst, can we not divert P4B yearly of the P65B Conditional Cash Transfer to subsidize the SSS? Observers tend to agree with Villar. Any future subsidy to SSS pensioners would benefit deserving and clearly identified retirees who have religiously paid for their dues.

In contrast, beneficiaries of CCT have not paid a single centavo premium to earn their benefits. Worse, some CCT beneficiaries are reportedly picked out because of their connections with the local powers that be.

T h e o r e t i c a l l y, b o t h houses of Congress can override the Presidential veto by a 2/3 vote. But given the absenteeism in the Lower House, which often finds it difficult to even muster a quorum, the chances of an over-ride are close to nil. xxx To everybody’s relief, all is quiet in the Comelec front. At least for now.

The Comelec en banc has come up with a winwin situation that appears to have salved the egos of the contending parties concerned and to project the Comelec, once again, as a strong institution capable of holding free, honest, peaceful and credible elections.

Voting en banc, the Comelec decided to ratify a previously “unauthorized” submission by Commissioner Rowena Guanzon to the Supreme Court. This was in the matter of the TRO issued by the SC in the Grace Poe disqualification case.

Thus ende d days of public controversy between Guanzon and Chairman And re s B aut ist a . T he

SPEAKING

O ut

Ignacio Bunye conflict threatened to turn uglier by the hour as the two traded barbs over the other’s alleged political bias.

You are not my boss.

We only have one vote each in the Comelec. This was the gist of Guanzon’s reply when Bautista asked her to explain in writing why she failed to seek clearance from him and the Commission en banc before going straight to the Supreme Court.

Given the time constraint, Guanzon may be credited, at least, with good faith when she acted fast to represent the Comelec. The Solicitor General had earlier declined to represent the Comelec.

But Guanzon may have overlooked the concept of “primus inter pares” which is recognized both in the House and in the Senate and in the Supreme Court and other collegial bodies.

Legal experts, including bunye/PAGE 11

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AgriBusiness

monday|January 18, 2016

5

PHL additional rice imports this year may hit 400,000 MT THE Philippines is likely to import an additional 400,000 metric tons (MT) of rice this year to ensure that the National Food Authority (NFA) would have enough stocks, especially during the lean months.

NFA Administrator Renan B. Dalisay said that the food agency is just awaiting the Food Security Committee’s (FSC) release of a resolution to formally declare its final recommendation on the additional rice imports for 2016.

Dalisay also said the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), which chairs the FSC, is already okay with the importation of 400,000 MT of rice in the first semester of this year.

“Neda told me that the final recommended volume [for rice imports] is 400,000 MT. That’s their calculation [of the volume needed] for the first semester, in preparation for the lean months. I’m asking for an FSC resolution to make the recommendation

DOT encourages Zambo folks to venture into farm tourism ZAMBOANGA City -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) has encouraged local folks to venture into farm tourism business.

Mary June Bugante, DOT regional director, said on Saturday that farm tourism attracts people, especially nature lovers, to visit a particular place.

Bugante said this city has the potentials to venture into farm tourism as there are areas that can be developed.

Bugante said these include flower farm in Barangay La Paz; durian farm in Barangay Patalon; and, dragon fruit farm in Barangay Cacao. There are also aquaculture sites that could be developed.

“Farm tourism is a good way of attracting people to visit the place and when well managed,

farm tourism has a bright future in Zamboanga,” Bugante said.

She said a well managed farm would entice tourist to experience farm life and “personally experience harvesting fruits or vegetables themselves.”

In the region, she said that so far the municipality of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur has already taken steps to develop farm tourism.

Meanwhile, the City Tourism Office said the NJB farm in Barangay Ayala can served as a model for those interested to venture into farm tourism.

The NJB farm processed and bottled cow’s milk and maintains different kinds of farm animals. They have also mango orchard, mini forest and natural swimming pool. (PNA)

formal,” he said.

Dalisay said the NFA Council is waiting for the resolution before it finalizes its rice-import plan for the first semester. He said the council will meet within the

month to assess the required volume.

He a d d e d t h at t h e council will also have to deliberate on the mode of procuring the additional volume. The Philippines

usually buys rice via the minimum-access volume scheme or government-togovernment transaction.

The administrator said the additional imports may be procured in the second

quarter of 2016, as the agency is still expecting the arrival of the 500,000 MT it purchased last year.

L a s t m o n t h Communications Secretary imports/PAGE 11

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Great Taste White brings a cup of change in the life of loyal patron Housewife and mother of four, Alicia Obispo, couldn’t hold back her tears when she received one of the greatest surprises of her life. She is now P3-million richer after her entry was drawn as the Grand Winner of the Great Taste White Choose Great, Win Great Raffle Promo.

“My dream is to have our own house and lot. I don’t want to worry that one day we’ll be forced out from our home.” says Alicia who resides in a rural farmlandwith her husband and children. “If our land owners asked us to leave, we have to evacuate right away - that’s why if we have enough money, we’d build our own house.”

Every day is a challenge for Alicia who,aside from not having a permanent shelter, strives to make ends meet from tending livestock. Alicia, with

her daily cup of coffee, faces each day with strength and determination—little did she know that it would also bring the life-changing reward she has been hoping for.

What could have been an ordinary day turned into something great as the Great Taste White team surprised her with a P3-million cheque.

She was flooded with joy as she realized that her dream of having their own house and lot can now be fulfilled. In addition,she can pay for her youngest daughter’s education and other expenses.

It was truly an unexpected blessing for the Obispos, as they joined the raffle with hopes of winning only an iPad, a luxury they knew they couldn’t afford.

Aside from the cash prize, the Great Taste White team also gave Alicia and her youngest

daughter Cherielene an exclusive PinoyBig Brother experience. The two ladies enjoyed VIP tickets to the PBB: 737 Big Night anda tour in the PBB house. To top this off, they were treated to a meet-andgreet session with PBB All-In Big Winner Daniel Matsunaga.

Just like Alicia, Filipinos from all over the country received amazing prizes after joining the Great Taste White Choose Great, Win Great Raffle Promo. This is Great Taste White’s way of thankingFilipinos for making them the number one white coffee brand in the country.

The raffle had twenty regional draws across GMA, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and one National Grand Draw, which saw Alicia bagging the grand prize of P3 million.

GREAT SURPRISE.53 year-old mother of four, Alicia Obispo (left) couldn’t contain her emotion after Great Taste White Brand Manager Baron Magtanong (right) surprised her with a P3-million chequefor winning the Grand Prize at the Great Taste White Choose Great, Win Great Raffle Promo.

Gardening is Good for You

By Mary Rose T. Carillo

Last January 9, during the Culmination night of the 3rd Kuyamis Festival, Governor Bambi Emano awards certificate and cash incentives to the Top 5 performing capitol employees for the year 2015, namely Mylene D. Madera, Charlie S. Nacaya, Nilo C. Oco, Feliza V. Abao and Val I. Verdadero. The governor hopes that they will become inspiration to other government employees when it comes to job efficiency,diligence and dedication. photo courtesy of governor bambi emano’s facebook page

After a busy, stressful day it is always good to have a great escape to come home and potter about in you garden. Most of us would agree that gardening is truly a rewarding work and guess what, researches have shown that gardening may even provide better exercise than going to the gym. If you dig and use the rake, you will burn more calories than cycling. Very interesting! Gardening is truly beneficial to your health for it can reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure and can definitely help you to live longer.

It is also interesting to note that gardening can also help the elderly. When an elderly patiently wait for a new shoot or bud to appear, the waiting gives them an attitude to look ahead positively. In addition, the garden provides an antidote to the pain and frustration of old age. The elderly often feel discouraged b e c a u s e o f a n in c r e a s i n g dependency on others. As Dr. Boardman notes, though, "the need to be in control is met by our control of what we plant,

how we plan the garden, and how it is tended. And the need to care is again fulfilled.

Those suffering from mental-health problems often feel relaxed when workin in a beautiful, peaceful environment.

Further, growing flowers or food for others may help such individuals to regain confidence and self respect.

However, it is not just gardeners who benefit from greenery. According to one experiment with a group of people who had been subjected to a stress-inducing test. It has been found out that those who were taken to a green space surrounded by tress enjoyed a speedier recovery--as measured by heart rate and blood pressure---than did those not exposed to a natural setting.

A similar test found that patients recuperating in the hospital after surgery benefited from staying in rooms that overlooked trees.

Compared with other patients, they "recovered quicker, went home sooner, needed less pain relief and complained less."

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Banking&Finance

Asian shares skid as crude oil plumbs 12-year lows ASIAN shares skidded on Thursday in the wake of steep losses on Wall Street, while a rout in oil and commodities prices, with crude plumbing 12-year lows, heightened fears about the global economy.

US crude prices CLc1 were last down slightly at $30.47 a barrel, not far from Tuesday’s nadir of $29.93, which was their lowest level since December 2003.

Global benchmark Brent LCOc1 tumbled 1.2 percent to $29.94, after marking fresh 12-year lows.

London copper fell to its lowest since May 2009, compounding worries about the effect of China’s waning growth on demand for commodities. Copper CMCU3 fell 0.1 percent to $4,386 a ton after earlier dropping as low as $4,330.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Jap a n . M IA P J 0 0 0 0 P U S extended early losses and was down 1.7 percent.

China’s main stock indexes fell, with the Shanghai Composite Index trading down 1.2 percent and the CSI300 index off 0.8 percent.

South Korea’s KOSPI was down 1.2 percent, after the country’s central bank kept interest rates unchanged for a seventh straight month

as exp e c te d. The b an k said it will monitor recent market turmoil sparked by developments in China as well as the effects of the US Federal Reserve’s December rate hike.

Japan’s Nikkei cratered 3.9 percent, as downbeat domestic data added to the gloom.

Japan’s core machinery orders fell 14.4 percent in November from the previous month, down for the first time in three months and marking a bigger decline than economists’ median estimate for a 7.9 percent drop.

“Investors are increasingly worried that the (US) market is not strong enough to withstand an initial view that the Fed would hike rates four times this year,” said Masashi Oda, senior investment officer at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank.

Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren sounded a cautious tone overnight, saying global and US economic growth may be slipping and could force the Fed into a more gradual course of rate hikes than officials currently expect.

On Wednesday, betterthan-expected China trade data lifted Asian sentiment and g ave e qu it i e s and crude/PAGE 9

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Foreign portfolio investments post net outflows for 2015: BSP

FOREIGN portfolio investment recorded net outflows of US$600 million in 2015, almost twice the US$310 mi l lion f igure recorded a year earlier, the central bank said Thursday.

While net cumulative inflows reached US$1.8 billion in the first two months of 2015, these inflows were fully offset by net outflows in the succeeding months (except for the small net inflow of US$28 million in October), due mainly to profit taking in the local stock

market, as well as concerns on the then-imminent interest rates lift-off in the United States and slowdown of the Chinese economy.

Registered foreign portfolio investments for 2015 aggregated US$19.9 billion or 8.6 percent lower than the US$21.8 billion level the previous year.

On a monthly basis, inflows ranged from US$1.1 billion (November) to US$2.5 billion (Februar y). The highest inflows were recorded during the first quarter of the

year (aggregate of US$6.8 billion or 34.3 percent of total for the year), which may be attributed to investor optimism arising from fullyear (2014) positive corporate earnings and upgraded growth outlook for the country by the International Monetary Fund, coupled with higher investments in PSE-listed shares due to: (i) a top-up offering of a property corporation’s shares; and (ii) sale of a universal bank’s and holding firms’ shares.

Outflows of US$20.5

billion were likewise lower compared to US$22.1 billion a year ago when investors reacted to the tapering of the quantitative easing program of the United States. The bulk (US$18.6 billion or 90.5 percent of total) of outflows represented withdrawals from interim Peso deposits, which were for the following: (a) capital repatriation – US$14.7 billion from PSElisted securities, US$3.4 billion from Peso government securities (GS), and US$51 outflows/PAGE 9

Growth in life insurance sector premiums expected THE LIFE insurance sector is seen to have grown its total premiums in 2015 from the year prior, a top official of a life insurer said, citing growth in both regular and single pay premiums.

“Definitely there’s gonna be growth compared to 2014... there’s gonna be growth last year compared to 2014,” Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Philippines), Inc. (Manulife Philippines) President and CEO Ryan Charland told reporters when asked for his outlook on

the performance of the life insurance industry last year.

“I actually think you’ll see pick up in regular and single pay [although] regular is up in the second half compared to single pay,” he added.

The Philippines’ insurance industry reported a total premium income of P188.96 billion in 2014. The life insurance sector booked P157.83 billion in total premiums while the non-life sector posted P31.13 billion in total net premiums written during the period.

The industr y’s total income from premiums for the January to September period jumped 29.75% to P172.40 billion. The life insurance sector showed a strong performance in the first nine months, with total premiums expanding 33.16% to P145.48 billion, while the non-life sector saw total net premiums for the nine-month period at P26.92 billion, up 13.97%.

Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel F. Dooc earlier said the industry could post a

“P240-250 billion” premium income in 2015, a little over the P200-billion target earlier set by the regulator -- which was the highest premium production of the industry thus far -- given the encouraging figures seen in the first half of 2015.

Given the current trend, the industry could also grow its premium income to P300 billion by this year and to around P500 billion in 2019.

Moving for ward, the Manulife executive noted insurance/PAGE 9

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CorporateWorld

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Toyota eyeing 10% sales growth

T

OYOTA MOTOR Philippines Corp. targets to increase car sales in 2016 to reach 1 3 7 , 0 0 0 , or h i g h e r b y 10% compared with the 125,027 sold last year.

“We have to ramp it up.

We are optimistic about the Philippine economy.

T h at w i l l b e t h e m a i n d r i v e r,” To y o t a Vi c e -

C hair man Alf re d V. Ty said Wednesday night on the sidelines of turnover ceremony of the company’s presidency at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

He described the fundamentals of the economy as “very strong, ver y much in place” and that this will drive demand for automobiles.

The automotive manufacturing company, which is a joint venture between the Ty family’s GT Capital Holdings, Inc. and Japanese companies Toyota Motor Corp. and Mitsui and Co. Ltd., welcomed a new president, Satoru Suzuki, who will replace Michinobu Sugata, who was president for six years.

During the same event, Kyoichi Tanada, Toyota’s managing officer and chief executive officer for Asia, Middle East and North Africa, said that the Philippine unit would have a sales target of 200,000 units by 2020.

Mr. Ty said: “200,000 sounds big where we are today but in the Southeast Asian region and considering the number of population we have, we believe it’s achievable,” he said. “ T h e C A R S (Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence St r at e g y ) pro g r am w i l l play a big role. The support of the parts manufacturers will be very important to realize that,” he said, referring to the government scheme that offers incentives for car manufacturers that move production capacity to the

Philippines.

“The requirements have been studied for so many ye ars ,” he s ai d, a d d i ng consultations have been conducted with the Trade department, the company and industry participants.

“We believe we have a strong model to register for t h e C A R S pro g r am -- the Vios,” he said.

To enroll a car model under the program, a company should have a planned output volume of at least 200,000 vehicles over the model life up to a maximum of six years.

“The IRR (implementing rules and regulations) just came out. We’re definitely eager to comply and register our interest right away,” he said.

S h o u l d i t q u a l i t y, To y o t a’s t a r g e t s w i l l rely g re at ly on it s ne w president Mr. Suzuki, who had a stint in the local

unit from 1997 to 1999 as vice-president for vehicle sales operation.

I n h i s s p e e c h , M r.

Suzuki said he felt a “great s e ns e of re s p ons i bi l it y to sustain the company’s momentum for growth.”

“R e st assu re d t hat I shall continue your legacy of excellence and relentless p assion for cont inuous improvement,” he s aid, referring to departing president Mr. Sugata.

The company is c ur re nt ly t he lo c a l top seller in passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Toy o t a’s S a nt a R o s a industrial complex is home to its manufacturing plant and head office, as well as a number of investors performing strategic roles in the manufacture and export of automotive products. It was declared a Special Economic Zone in 1995.

PAL set to seal $1-B deal for 6 long-range, wide-body jets Nickel Asia shipments up PHILIPPINE Airlines is set to seal a $1-billion deal with an aircraft manufacturer for six long-range, twinengine wide-body jets in February, its top executive said Thursday.

Jaime J. Bautista, president and chief operating officer, said the deal involves six “ultra long-range aircraft,” adding that “we’ll make the announcement when we sign the purchase agreement.”

He did not name the aircraft manufacturer, but had said earlier PAL was

looking at either Airbus 350s, or Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The purchase contract amounted to about $1 billion, covering six long-range, twinengine wide-body jet, aircraft parts and support equipment, Bautista said.

“It’s an ultra long-range aircraft that can fly non-stop from Manila to New York.

The airplane can be used to other destinations also,” Baustista said.

PAL has been using Boeing 777-300 ERs for Manila to New York flights

since October last year, replacing Airbus A340.

“The Filipino passengers like it [Boeing 777], it’s a new plane,” he said.

PAL also uses Boeing 777s in operating daily flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto and London.

The airline is aggressively expanding its international destinations, and last year launched flights to Port Moresby as well as Cairns in Australia and Auckland, New Zealand.

On January 17, PAL will mount flights from Manila to Dubai to Kuwait.

Bautista said previously PAL is also spending $500 million to acquire seven brand-new aircraft this year as part of a refleeting program.

He expects to take delivery of five Airbus 321s and Two Boeing 777 this year that would be used for regional and long-haul destinations.

The airline, now whollyowned by Lucio Tan after pal/PAGE 9

N IC K E L A SIA C or p. incre as e d its 2015 ore shipments by a tenth from the previous year.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the country’s largest listed nickel producer said it shipped 19.7 million wet metric tons (WMT) of ore last year, a 10% increase from the 17.9 million shipped from the Zamora-led company’s four mines in 2014.

Exports comprised bulk of the shipments at 11.88 million WMT last year, up

from 10.47 million in 2014.

The balance of 7.80 million WMT of ore produced last year pertained to ore shipped to the company’s two highpressure acid leachate (HPAL) facilities.

The ore shipped to the Taganito and Coral Bay HPAL plants was higher than the 7.41 million in 2014. The Taganito shipment drove the increase, as the plant marked its first full year of operations in 2014 and operated at 80% capacity for the period. shipments/PAGE 9

MAKING KIDS SMILE THROUGH CHRISMILES On December 16, 2015, SM workforce across the nation simultaneously held “ChriSMiles,” a volunteerism activity that has become a yearly Christmas tradition, aiming to benefit kids in need.

In Mindanao, volunteer employees of SM City Cagayan de Oro, SM City Davao, City General Santos and SM Lanang Premier gave donations in cash and in kind and shared their time to give joy to over 200 child beneficiaries.

SM City Cagayan de Oro went the extra mile by granting kids of the mall’s agency personnel and from

DSWD Center for Children a wonderful time in the mall.

The kids enjoyed free train rides and received goodies from the employees.

SM City Davao gave kids from Isla Swerte Day Care Center a fun-filled morning.

Kids were able to showcase their dance talents, meet and greet with Christmas characters - Christmas tree and candy cane mascots – and rode the mall’s kiddie facilities for free. They also received gifts and shared meals with mall administration employees.

Meanwhile, in SM City General Santos, children

SM City Cagayan de Oro employees and kid beneficiaries spend a fun time on a train ride

from St. Agnes Orphanage, Substitute Home for Girls and Gensan Center for Boys and the kids of agency personnel, were treated to mall rides, gifts and snacks. The appearance and dance number of wellloved mascot, Hamburglar, also delighted the said beneficiaries.

SM Lanang Premier offered a special Christmas celebration to children of the mall’s security and janitorial personnel. During the ChriSMiles activity held at the SMX Lobby, employees gave the kids gifts, and hearty meals. The kids also

Children from St. Agnes Orphanage receive their early Christmas presents

played games and had a meet and greet with Manna Restaurant’s adorable official mascots. Parents of the said beneficiaries also participated in the games during the ChriSMiles activity.

ChriSMiles is an annual project under the Employee Volunteerism Program of SM Supermalls. It encourages employees to find the deeper meaning of Christmas by sharing their blessings with the needy sectors of the society. For the past years, ChriSMiles has brought smiles to thousands of Filipinos nationwide.

A kid smiles while on the train ride at SM City Cagayan de Oro.

SM Supermalls VP for Mindanao Operations Oliver Tiu hands a gift to a ChrisSMiles beneficiary

Kids enjoy hearty meals at the ChriSMiles activity

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PAL... from page 8

the tycoon bought back a 49-percent stake that San Miguel Corp. had bought from him in 2012, reported a comprehensive nine-month income in 2015 of P6.55 billion, from P169.1 million in the same period in 2014.

PAL Holdings said strong

revenues accounted for the sharp increase in comprehensive income during the period.

Revenues rose 10.8 percent to P81.98 billion from P73.98 billion from 2014.

PAL’s passenger revenue was at P68.37 billion from January to September 2015, up 12.5 percent from P60.78 billion in the same period in 2014.

Managing a School Community

By Lydia Dagatan Linggolinggo Principal II District of Lala North Division of Lanao del Norte

Managing a school is not that easy. As a school head, there are several things to consider.

First is that a head should be inspiring and effective, so that his staff and the entire school community will follow easily. It is through being a good inspiration and a model. Remember, it is a fact when one say that an organization that is able to perform and achieve its vision, mission and goals and has meet the challenges of time.

Handling a school community is a tough job and time-consuming.

It includes teacher evaluation, student discipline and several others.

Moreover, in order to manage a school effectively, the following key responsibilities should be performed by the head.

He should shape a vision of academic success for all students.

Studies revealed that effective school heads are responsible for establishing a schoolwide vision of commitment to high standards and the success of all students.

A school head should create a climate hospitable to education. They ensure that

their schools allow the entrance of both adults and children to be able to put learning at the center of their activities. Healthy school environment should also be established inside through assuring everyone the safety and orderliness, supportive and responsive attitude toward children, and the sense that making them feel that they are part of a community.

Effective heads also take the main role of cultivating leadership in others. For instance, he should urged teachers to work with one another and with the administration on a variety of activities, including developing and aligning curriculum, instructional practices, assessments, problemsolving, and participating in peer observations.

A school head’s tasks are extended even outside the school premises. In order to succesfully perform all these, he should be balanced in doing his roles and should work hard to ensure best results for all of his constituents.

He should remember that a progressive school is a product of an effective school head.

Shipments... from page 8

Of its four mines, the Taganito mine shipped the most and comprised 39% of the company’s total shipments in 2015. The Rio Tuba mine contributed another 33%. Nickel Asia’s two other mineral production areas are the Hinatuan and Cagdianao mines.

Last year’s performance marked the 7th consecutive year of higher production. The record shipment however wasn’t enough to offset the continued fall in nickel prices.

Export contract prices averaged $22.66 per WMT, below the average of $45.10 in 2014. Prices applicable to ore sold to the HPAL plants were pegged to the London Metal Exchange and averaged $5.36 per pound of payable nickel last year, also lower than the $7.69 in 2014.

The higher prices in 2014 stemmed from expectations of tight supply resulting from Indonesia’s export ban, which however didn’t materialize.

As a result of the lower prices, the value of shipments fell by 39.24% to P14.4 billion last year from P23.7 billion in 2014.

Gerard H. Brimo, president and chief executive officer of Nickel Asia, said the slowdown in China’s economic growth, coupled with a strong US dollar, has clobbered metal prices, resulting “to a steep reversal of the strong prices [of nickel] [we] experienced in 2014.”

“In spite of the current low

prices, our operations continue to remain profitable,” he said.

“Our position as a lowcost producer in our mining operations will help the Company ride-out the challenges in the current down cycle” he added.

Crude... from page 7

commodities prices a muchneeded boost. But those gains unraveled later in the global session, and major US stock indexes finished with sharp losses.

“Despite improved sentiment after the better-than-expected trade balance report in China, risky assets were hit by more evidence of a supply glut in the energy markets that pushed oil prices back to multi-year low levels,” strategists at Barclays wrote in a note to clients.

The benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield plumbed its lowest levels since late October as investors sought safety in government debt. It stood at 2.068 percent in early Asian trade, compared with its US close of 2.066 percent on Wednesday.

Undermined by lower US yields, the dollar lost ground to the perceived safe-haven Japanese counterpart. It was buying 117.45, down about 0.2 percent. The euro edged up about 0.1 percent to $1.0884.

Market participants continued to keep an eye on China’s yuan.

China’s yuan weakened at its open on Thursday even after the central People’s Bank of China set its midpoint rate at 6.5616 per dollar prior to market

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2014 ppi’S Best in ENVIRONMENTAL Reporting

open, firmer than the previous fix of 6.563.

The PBOC has held the line on its currency in the past few days, calming fears of a sustained depreciation.

investor can still repatriate capital and remit earnings on his investment but the foreign exchange will have to be sourced outside the banking system.

from page 7

from page 7

Outflows...

million from Peso time deposits (TD); and (b) remittance of earnings – US$395 million from PSE-listed securities, US$78 million from Peso GS, and less than US$1 million from Peso TD. Registered portfolio investments were mostly in PSE-listed securities (77.5 percent) and Peso GS (21.7 percent).

Transactions resulted in net outflows for PSE-listed securities (US$650 million) and other peso debt instruments (US$40 million), while net inflows were realized for other instruments (Peso TD – US$52 million; Peso GS – US$25 million; and unit investment trust funds – US$13 million).

Registration of inward foreign investments with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is voluntary under the liberalized rules on foreign exchange transactions. The issuance of a BSP registration document entitles the investor or his representative to buy foreign exchange from authorized agent banks and/or their subsidiary/ affiliate foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment. Without such registration, the foreign

Insurance...

that health-related products are seen increasing their contribution to total premiums earned by insurers.

“I absolutely think the takeup of health products will increase its share in premiums,” Mr. Charland said.

For Manulife in particular, he said the launch of its ManulifeMOVE -- a program that rewards customers with discounted premiums for living a more active lifestyle -- is seen to start contributing to its sales this year.

The new approach to insurance is designed to appeal to an increasingly techsavvy customer base who are conscious about staying active and healthy, he noted.

“ManulifeMOVE can make contribution to us this year that’s why we launch it this early,” Mr. Charland said.

For his part, Jason Dehni, Chief Marketing and Distribution Officer of Manulife Asia was quoted as saying: “Across Asia, Manulife is focused on helping its customers live a more active lifestyle in an accessible, simple and engaging way.”

“We are excited to launch ManulifeMOVE in the Philippines on the heels of its successful launch in Hong Kong and Macau,” he added.

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Power... from page 1

to impose rotating brownouts again if the situation does not improve.

“Rotating power interruptions may be implemented again if power supply remains to be lower than the franchise’s demand despite optimizing its contingency measures,” said the company, whose franchise areas cover Davao City and parts of Davao del Norte province.

T h e Ab o i t i z - o w n e d distribution firm said its allocation from the National Power Corp.-Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (NPCPSALM), the agency that manages the Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric complexes, has gone down further to 108 MW from the 140 MW it was allocated during the initial reduction late last year.

“The reasons cited were due to the reduced capacity of the Agus and Pulangi plants due to low water inflow,” the statement said.

Based on the forecast of the country’s weather bureau, the prevailing El Niño that started last year will continue until the middle of this year. El Niño is the large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate interaction linked to a periodic warming in sea surface temperatures across the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific (http:// oceanservice.noaa.gov/).

As of yesterday, the Mindanao grid’s system capacity was 1,571 MW while peak demand was 1,501 MW, leaving a minimal reserve of 70 MW, based on the monitoring of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

Davao Light said it is currently maximizing its contracts with sister companies to augment its supply, including: 100 MW from the newly inaugurated coal-fired plants of Therma South Inc.; 30 MW from Therma Marine Inc.; 52 MW from Hedcor Sibulan; and 4 MW from Hedcor Talomo.

It is also sourcing 18 MW from the Alcantara-owned Western Mindanao Power Corp.

TRANSMISSION The company also said that two of the hydroelectric plants of Agus, with a combined capacity of 260 MW, remain isolated as the right-of-way issue has yet to be settled.

In his visit to the city last week, President Benigno S. C. Aquino III announced that he was calling a meeting to discuss the problem.

Earlier this month, officials of the Lanao provinces where the facilities are located and NGCP representatives met to discuss the problem -- the grid operator has threatened to continue filing expropriation proceedings should the owners of the properties where the towers are located continue to refuse to give way.

Based on Section 4 of

Republic Act 9511, the NGCP, being the franchisee in transmission operations, is granted with “the right of eminent domain insofar as it may be reasonably necessary for the construction, expansion and efficient maintenance and operation of the transmission system and grid.”

“The grantee may acquire such private property as is actually necessary for the realization of the purposes for which this franchise is granted: provided, that the applicable law on eminent domain shall be observed, particularly, the prerequisites of taking of possession and the determination and payment of just compensation,” the provision specifies.

The grid operator has also sought the help of local government units in the area, where there are 147 claimants, to create an ordinance that criminalizes the setting up of structures near the towers.

A Lanao del Sur official, who was present during the meeting, told BusinessWeek Mindanao on condition of anonymity that the NGCP, i ns t e a d of u s i ng l e g a l remedies, should pursue other measures such as providing livelihood to the communities to encourage them to protect the towers.

“NGCP should not antagonize the communities because this will be a long fight if that is the case,” the official said.

Tower... from page 1

According to Capulong, seven tower bombings were recorded in December 2015 alone: Towers 25, 19, 20, 95, 68, 168, and 153.

Support from the public, local government, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, local community leaders was encouraged to help monitor “the safety of the towers so that transmission services remain uninterrupted.”

Last January 6, the grid operator placed Mindanao under red alert status after the island’s power reserves went zero and warned of possible grid collapse due to the insufficient power supply and the bombing of Tower 25 in Lanao del Sur on December 4 which isolated Agus 1 and Agus 2.

But it was back on yellow alert level again the following day.

The transmission company usually declares yellow alert status when “contingency reserve is less than the capacity of the largest synchronized unit of the grid.”

Capulong added repair of Tower 63 was facilitated immediately because there is no land dispute between the landowners and the National Power Corporation (Napocor).

She said Agus 1 and Agus 2, with combined installed capacity of 150 MW, remained isolated from Mindanao because landowners Johnny Intan and Naguib Sambitori

refused entr y to NGCP personnel, pending unsettled claims by the Napocor.

She said NGCP “awaits re s olut i on on r i g ht of way between landowner Sambitoris and governmentowned National Transmission Corporation (Transco)”.

“The dispute remains unresolved to this day,” she added.

Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada, told reporters during the inauguration of Therma South Inc.’s (TSI) 300MW coal-fired power plant in Binugao, Toril, Davao City last January 8, that they were verifying whether some of the claimants have been paid for the right of way.

She said most claims have already been paid, but they are still looking for the records for those who have not been paid yet.

“We still have to check if the claims are still valid, and as to how much, and if the amount is reasonable,” she said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

DOLE... from page 2

deserving students, ages 15 – 25 years old and enrolled or intending to enroll in any educational institution for secondary, tertiary, vocational or technological education.

On the other hand, the Labor Market Information (LMI) focuses on the operations of labor demand and supply; wages, hours of works; employer hiring practices, worker job preferences; and many other factors which shape employer - worker relationship, policies and programs of government, investment decision by employers, and job selection by workers among others.

The data users can access to a wider range of labor market-related statistical i n f o r m at i o n , c o v e r i n g mainly the following data comp onents: Economic Structure; Demography ; Labor and Employment; Income, Wages and Salaries; Education and Manpower Development; O verseas E mpl oy me nt ; F i l ipi no s Overseas; Investments; DOLE Administrative Statistics; Employment Opportunities; and APEC-LMI data.

Furthermore, Cabañog also advocated the Career Guidance and Employment Coaching (CGEC), which aim to guide students and

jobseekers with appropriate education and career paths.

He also stressed that the establishment of Networks of Guidance Counselors (NGCs), has helped the Department in boosting employment facilitation.

At the same time, it is a measure to augment the limited number of Registered Guidance Counselors (RGCs) in the countr y in providing education, personal/motivational, and career guidance counseling to students and jobseekers.

The provision of the Career Guidance and Employment Coaching and the services offered by the GCs are medium for sharing relevant labor market information (LMI), trends, and issues which will guide the clients in choosing a career. (Joseph Nathan Fabrega/DOLE-X LDN PFO)

Anti-poverty... from page 2

the ‘Apat Dapat program’ is initially a short-term program, gradually we’re expecting that we’ll earn the necessary experience and milestones for the continuity and expansion of the program into a long-term solution to poverty,” Alba said.

To e n s u r e t h at t h e program will meet its goals, the DSWD will oversee the conduct of case management of every household. It also hopes to coordinate with the Department of Health’s rural health units and its nutritionists in monitoring the health.

Three towns in f ive provinces of the region comprised the 15 pilot areas.

These are the towns of Matanog, Barira and Datu Ang ga l Midt imb ang in Maguindanao; Balindong, Lumba-Bayabao, and Taraka in Lanao del Sur; Tuburan, Tipu-tipo, and Sumisip in Basilan; Talipao, Parang, and Pandami in Sulu; and Tandubas, Simunul, and Sibutu in Tawi-Tawi. (PNA)

Larawan... from page 4

corrupt activities cannot just endure during Aquino’s administration unlike his predecessors’. (For instance, behold what happened to senators Estrada, Enrile and Revilla who were imprisoned for plunder. Although Enrile had been questionably bailed,

Republic of the Philippines Province of Misamis Oriental Municipality of Initao NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CFN-0001-2016

Date January 15, 2016

In Compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No.1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A.10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that BEULAH D. ECHAVES has filed with this Office, a petition for change of first name from “VIOLA” to “BEULAH” and correction of entry in sex from “ “ to “ “ or correction of entry in the date of birth from “ “ to “ “ in the certificate of live birth of VIOLA D. ECHAVEZ at Initao, Misamis Oriental and whose parents are FORTUNATO E. ECHAVEZ and LUISA D. DANDASAN. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than February 9, 2016.

BWM: Jan. 18 & 25, 2016

(Sgd.) ISAIAS A. JARALES Municipal Civil Registrar

that was the act of the weak judiciary, not Aquino’s.)

But still, Aquino needs to make things right and avoid throwing his legacy to the dominion of darkness after he advocated the reign of light (?) He can still follow what his conscience dictates like what he did to his close ally, Purisima.

May God enlighten and guide you, Mr.President.

Bunye... from page 4

former Comelec Chairman Brillantes, were one in expressing grave concern over the controversy.

How can we have peaceful elections if none exists among the Comelec Commissioners, observers asked. Already, men-in-the-streets have started to refer to the Comelec as “Commotion on Elections”.

But as they say, all is well that ends well. Following the intervention of the other Comelec Commissioners, the protagonists were convinced to bury the hatchet (hopefully, not in each other’s back.)

Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@gmail. com.

Hurst... from page 4

Son, Jesus, to die for all our wrongs and sins. So today, you yourself can ask and receive His forgiveness and new life. Jesus will give you the power to start changing into a new person who learns to love and make others happy just Jesus does. Just Think a Minute…

Imports... from page 5

Herminio B. C oloma Jr. announced that the government is planning to import up to 400,000 MT of rice on top of the 500,000 MT it initially procured in view of the threat posed by the prolonged dry spell. The volume is lower than the FSC’s initial recommendation of 1.3 million MT (MMT).

“We have new data from the PSA showing that the expected production for [the last quarter of 2015] and the first semester of [2016] is likely going to be more favorable than expected,” Neda Director General Arsenio M. Balisacan earlier said.

The drought caused by

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2014 ppi’S Best in ENVIRONMENTAL Reporting

El Niño made it difficult for rice farmers to increase output in 2015. “[Based on the 2015 projected rice production at] 18.9 MMT, my barometer [for the rice-import volume] is 1.7 MMT. We need a buffer stock of almost 1 MMT, and the gap between production and demand is 700,000 MT. If you will recall, production declined to 18.3 MMT last year, from 18.97 MMT [the previous year],” Dalisay said.

“Hopefully, rice output this year will be higher to reduce imports. But until we produce all our requirements, including the buffer stock of NFA, we would have to import what we need,” he added.

According to data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the current El Niño episode is expected to persist until the first half of 2016. “ The chance of El Niño is greater than 95 percent through Northern Hemisphere winter [December to February], with the event slowly weakening during spring [March to May] 2016,” Pagasa said, quoting the Climate Prediction Center and International Research Institute consensus as of October 15.

Experts said the weakening of El Niño and the increase in the water level of major dams following the onslaught of Typhoon Nona (international code name Melor) in Luzon could help ensure that the Philippines would be able to boost rice production this year.

Dr. Rolando Dy, executive director of the University of Asia and the Pacific’s Center for Food and Agribusiness, said the additional volume of rice, which the Philippines plans to import, “appears to be adequate” However, the economist warned the government against importing more than the needed volume, as it might affect the supply and price situation of rice in the global market.

“We need not overimport, since world stocks are ample, and rice prices in Thailand and Vietnam are low—way below $400 per MT [freightonboard]. We have to play the market well. Importing large volumes can perk up world prices to our detriment,” Dy said.

12

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Little Me Academy breaks ground for new building and new campus Architect’s Perspective of the new Little Me Academy Building at its new campus in Robillo Subd., Manuel Vega St., Consolaction, Cagayan de Oro City

T

he only school in Cagayan de Oro which guarantees ‘your child reads at 3’ breaks new ground for a new and expanded campus and school building today.

The one hectare lot in Manuel Vega Street, Robillo Subdivision will be initially occupied by a 3-storey building which will be developed in phases. The ground floor will house offices and 14 classrooms for Grades 1-10, while the second floor will have 20 classrooms to house the expected enrollment increase of multiple

Consolacion Campus to be ready by June, 2016

sections as the K-12 curriculum continues to be implemented. The third floor will be developed as demand dictates.

The new campus will accommodate the new and expanded sections of the grade school and high school while the pre-school and other elementary sections will remain in the original Little Me Campus in Kauswagan.

Expected to grace the ground breaking at the new site and project presentation later in the afternoon at the Centrio Mall Activity Center are the regional and

city education officials and heads of school associations.

Among them: Dr. Elena M. Borcillo, CESO VI, Dept. of Education (DepEd) Cagayan de Oro Schools Division

Superintendent; Dr. Jean S. Macasero, DepEd Private Schools Division Supervisor; Dr. Mary Ann Allera, Sr. High School Chief, Dr. Rogelio Evangelista, DepEd-X QUAD Chief and Mrs.

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Ma. Dulce T. Potenciano, head for the academe of the Cagayan de Oro Local School Board.

Also invited to join are Ma. Kristine M. Lasque, President of the Cagayan de Oro

Association of Private Elementary Schools (CAPES); Suzette Caeline Maandig, President of the Association of Private Secondary Schools in Cagayan little me/PAGE B2

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Kagayha-an Eagles induct 2016 officers Story and Photo by MARK FRANCISCO

THE Kagayha-an Eagles Club held its 2016 induction of officers and turnover ceremony last Friday, January 15, at Pryce Plaza.

The occasion also marked the birthday celebration of newly installed president Gary Buendia.

The following officers took their oath – president Gary Buendia, vice president (internal) Eddie Ognir, vice president (external) Alexander Tuyor, secretary Bryan Sarmiento, assistant secretary Eduardo Vacalares, treasurer Charlie Fontalva, assistant treasurer Ivan Credo Rubio, auditor Jessie

Ubay-ubay, protocol officer Rene Piquero, assemblymen Bernard Tubiano, Sandy Go, Richie Parpa, Tyrone Yap, Dante Sudaria (also BusinessWeek Mindanao president and CEO), Alex Consul, directors Ruperto Domingo, Tony Podador, Ryan Heyrosa, Peter Basbas, Jimmy Penote, Glenn Hudleres, Hilmut Sagrado, Mario Valenzuela and Jimmy Vincent Oco. They all took oath before NMR1 Governor Dondon Allorin.

The occasion also served as a reunion of past presidents led by chartered president John del Bando, Rupert

Domingo, Jester Dellosa, Ariel Barry Magallanes, Charlie Fontalva and Bernard Tubiano.

In his prepared speech that was read before the group, keynote speaker

4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao (who excused himself from the event) urged the newly installed officers “to be a beacon to the other

The world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, is now introducing another exciting motorcycle one after the other in the Philippine market. From the most technologically advance Scooters with Smart Engines to the most powerful Sports Engine in its class. After several months of speculation, Honda has finally presented the All New Honda RS150. This Honda newest Sports Bike is equipped with a New Generation 150cc Liquid-cooled DOHC 6-speed engine, born out of Honda Racing DNA with class leading advance technology.

In its official public launch in this year’s Inside Racing Grand Prix (IRGP) event held at Carmona Racing Circuit, Mr. Daiki Mihara, Honda Philippines, Inc. President and Mr. Noriaki Abe of Asian Honda, Chief Operating Officer of Asia & Oceana Region of Honda Motor Japan, announces Honda’s commitment in delivering the most exciting Honda product for the New Generation. This time, not only that Honda has introduced in the Philippines Honda Smart Engines for Scooter or Automatic models but now our New Generation of Filipino Sports Motorcycle

Enthusiast can enjoy the All New Honda RS150 with Powerful Sports Engine. This is just the beginning of another Gen-S story to come hinted by the two top Honda executives.

The All New RS150 is an answer to young generation customers who are looking for freedom of high performance on sporty and sharply designed bike with class leading technology, specifications, and features explained by Mr. Elie Salamangkit Jr., Honda Product Planning Manager.

To ensure the best handling possible, Honda’s Philosophy in developing sports motorcycle was applied wherein “Rider can control engine power in any circumstances… exactly when needed and as much as needed” or “Control at Riders’ Will”.

Design, Frame and Engine synergy is what made this newest Honda motorcycle special. The bike design reflects aggressive new generation styling with sharp looking body and boasts attractive features from latest Super sports.

Giving pride to the rider is its sharp wedge shape and innovative and edgy surface treatment not to mention its class leading features of LED Headlight, Fully Integrated Digital Meter Panel, Rear and Big Diame-

ter Front Disc Brakes, Aluminum Cast Wheel, Clamped handle bar, Tubeless tires, and Rear Monoshock absorber among others.

The frame which holds the motorcycle was designed with high agility and safety in mind. The frame and chassis delivers agile and responsive control, very suitable for city streets made possible by its agile 45 degrees steering handle, compact dimension wheelbase of 1275mm plus the application of new strong twin-tube type sports frame which is designed to be safe at high speed and quick acceleration.

The engine performance has the best acceleration in its class, but still fuel efficient by application of wide variety of friction reduction technologies producing maximum power of 11.8KW (16.0 PS) at 9,000 rpm. The new generation engine especially designed for Southeast Asia including the Philippines has the following characteristics: * Flexible output characteristics that enable fun riding in a wide range of riding situations * Improved fuel efficiency performance * Remarkable level of comfort enabling the rider to experience a highgrade feel

* Exterior design with functional beauty that evokes the sophisticated mechanism Honda dares customer to test it and discover real power that you can handle.

Finally, the all new RS150 is environment friendly with its Euro-3 compliant emission and safety is still Honda’s top most priority with the installation of Bank Angle sensor that increases rider’s safety by automatic engine turn-off during accidental crash or fall.

The IRGP crowd was further treated by actual show-off run of All New RS150 in the race track with its three exciting colors, Black, Winning Red and Space Magenta Metallic as special color which will all be available in Honda Shops nationwide.

To further strengthen commitment for the young generation, Honda has given the public a sneak peak of another Sports model, the All New CB150R which will be launched by next summer of 2016 as the Honda Gen-S story continues…

Excited with this latest news about Honda motorcycles? Find out more about Gen-S stories, visit their website at www.hondaph.com or visit www.facebook.com/hondaph or contact the local dealer nearest you!

members.”

Lactao also noted that the camaraderie nature of the Eagles is for the betterment of the society in this country.

Buendia took over

from the colourful 2015 reign of immediate past president Bernard Tubiano who graciously recalled the many projects that the Kagayha-an Eagles Club has initiated the past year.

HONDA LAUNCHES THE ALL NEW HONDA RS150

Little Me...

reading skills system developed by the couple from page B1 in-house, the school still de Oro and Misamis maintains its one teacher Oriental, (APSSCOMOR), to 12 student ratio for the and Palaran Algar, pre-school and primary Private Schools and levels, and one teacher School Administrators to 25 students for Grades Association of the 4-10.

Philippines (PRISAAP) Besides the classrooms Region X President. and offices, the new The perspectives of the facility will also house an new campus and building expanded library; science, will be made public in a speech and computer presentation to be made laboratories; audio visual at the Activity Center of room and of course a Centrio Mall later in the chapel, Little Me Academy afternoon. being a child centered For a little learning school community from center which started with which students can 14 students aged 2-6 years grow to become morally old, Little Me Academy upright, academically has come a long way excellent and socially as it celebrates its 10th responsible citizens. anniversary this year with With its growing track over 300 students now record in academics and enrolled at the pre-school, sports, the new campus elementary and junior will provide free reign high school levels. to students to indulge Real life couple and develop in extraPercival N. Olandesca and curricular activities such Ramonette L. Olandesca as campus journalism, hail from Iligan City campus ministry, visual but chose to set up and performing arts, their learning center in public speaking and of Kauswagan, Cagayan course sports, especially de Oro in September, mentored by Sir Ike, who 2006. Despite the boom has actively participated in enrollment primarily in Philippine national driven by their proprietary football games.

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