BusinessWeek MINDANAO
YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER
www.businessweekmindanao.com
Volume IV, No. 45
www.businessweekmindanao.com
As of 6:02 pm jan. 3, 2013 (Friday)
FOREX
PHISIX
5,947.93 points
20 cents
X
36.33 points
COMING out of a disaster filled 2013, Bombo Radyo Philippines, the Number One Radio Network in the country schedules a week long strategic planning sessions from January 6 to 10, 2014 in Iloilo City for its yearly Top Level Management Conference 2014 to reinforce its status as the top choice of radio listeners all over
X
Briefly Airport upgrade OZAMIZ City – A P125,000,000memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the modernization and improvement of the Ozamiz Airport will be entered into by the City Government with the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). The Ozamiz City Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) passed Resolution No. 270-13, allowing Mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr., to sign the MOA with DOTC, represented by Assistant Secretary for Project Implementation, Ildefonso T. Patdu, Jr. for modernization and improvement of the existing Ozamiz Airport, included among the priority projects of the National Government, with DOTC providing the funds for the project. Among others, the MOA tasks the City Government to draw and provide for the operating standards and guidelines for the acquisition of lots affected by the project according to existing governing laws, rules and regulations.
DPWH-11 accomplishments DAVAO City -- The Department of Public Works and Highways Region XI office registered an 86.13% accomplishment rating as of December 2013. According to Regional Director Mariano Alquiza the DPWH XI out of 970 infrastructure projects has completed 718 projects, 223 on going and 29 not yet started (As of December 15 2013). The regional projects are funded from an infrastructure budget allocation of P7.59 billion. “We are hopeful to complete the 2012 and 2013 projects early this year so as not to overburden our project engineers since we have already bid-out projects under the 2014 Regular Infra Program.” Alquiza said. In 2012 DPWH-XI implemented 530 projects under the DPWH regular infra at a cost of Php. 5.560 billion; 402 projects completed, 117 on going and 11 not yet started.
FREE TV CH. 21 SkyCable Ch. 16 | Global Destiny Ch. 28 Cablelink Ch. 14 | Cignal Ch. 10
Monday - January 6, 2014
P15.00
Bombo Radyo…Ang boses at puso ng Pilipino!
Market Indicators US$1 = P44.65
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
the country. This year’s conference theme B ombo R adyo… Ang b o s e s at pus o ng Pilipino places squarely t h e re s p ons i bi l it y an d commitment of the Network as it continues to impact the lives of the Filipino. The week long Top Level Management Conference 2 0 1 4 w i l l i d e nt i f y t he
Network’s best practices obtained through years of interaction with listeners as well as various creative innovations that will map out and ensure further enhancement of the services the Network is bringing to its listeners. Lead by media mogul and multi-business leader Dr. Rogelio M. Florete,
Bombo Radyo Philippines has continued to dominate ratings, remain as the radio of choice for Filipinos from all walks of life here and abroad thus making it the top of mind choice for advertisers and politicians alike who aspire to bring their product and their advocacies into the consciousness of people bombo/PAGE 6
New coal plant seen to end M’nao power woes FLORETE
T
By GRACE BEBER, Reporter
HE proposed P30-billion coalfired power plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental is seen to address the prevailing power shortage in Mindanao in the long term, the province’s second district lawmaker said in a statement.
Misamis Oriental Rep. Juliet Uy, who was also formerly municipal mayor of the host town, said the project, to be operated by FDC Misamis Power Corp., will offer medium- and longterm economic viability
and social benefits to the province, Region 10 and the entire Mindanao. FDC Misamis is a subsidiary of FDC Utilities, In c . , t h e ut i l it i e s a n d infrastructure arm of Filinvest plant/PAGE 6
THE Chinese firm that won the bid to rehabilitate two units of the Agus 6 hydroelectric power plant is expected to begin its task this month, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) said. PSALM President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma said the uprating is expected to be completed within 900
calendar days which will commence this January 2014. “The notice of award for the project was already issued on Dec. 12, 2013,” Ledesma said. China-based Guangxi Hydroelectric Construction Bureau was declared as the lowest bidder for the deal to upgrade the two units of the plant after the firm made a P1.59-billion offer in an agus/PAGE 6
Uprating of Agus 6 plant to commence this month
Aboitiz Group exceeds P200M challenge for Yolanda victims THE Aboitiz Group has exceeded the P200 million fund it originally set for its relief and rehabilitation operations in the areas hardest hit by super typhoon Yo l a n d a , p a r t i c u l a r l y Northern Cebu and Leyte. T h e c o mp a ny s a i d that as of December 19 last year, donations from its various business units namely UnionBank of the Philippines, AboitizPower,
Mindanao Daily NEWS
SN Aboitiz Power, Inc., and Aboitiz Foundation – including funds culled from cancelled Christmas parties, Aboitiz family members, employees, external donors and donations through U-Share, have reached P203 million. Through the foundation, the group has completed its relief distribution efforts to 106 barangays from Daanbantayan, Bantayan
Island, Medellin, Bogo, and San Remigio in Northern Cebu and the fourth district of Leyte- Ormoc, Kananga, Matag-Ob, and Albuera With the first phase successfully completed, and funds exceeding target, the Aboitiz Foundation is now gearing up for phase two, which will involve the rehabilitation of school buildings in Northern Cebu. aboitiz/PAGE 6
northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
Editorial and advertising email : businessdailymindanao@gmail.com • Cell Number : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776
BusinessWeek MINDANAO
2
YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER
www.businessweekmindanao.com
monday - january 6, 2014
Economy
Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776 Editor: Cheng Ordoñez
Ro-Ro project to facilitate trade in ASEAN The Philippines can be a main participant in ASEAN trade with the implementation of a roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) project connecting Batangas port to Shenzhen and Da Nang cities in China and Vietnam, according to a logistics expert.
No.: 09161714813 (GLOBE)
Dr. Enrico Basilio, chief of United States Agency for International Development (USAid) Advancing Philippine Competitiveness (COMPETE) project, said such ASEAN Ro-Ro system can facilitate faster transportation of goods even to other neighboring countries like Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. “So I think, if we are able to successfully have the ASEAN Ro-Ro especially in Southeast Asia, then that will change in a big way how goods flow within the region,” he said.
Basilio stressed that the triangulation from Batangas to Shenzhen to Danang is a viable connectivity. “We have discussed this with Vietnam because if it is Vietnam and the Philippines connecting to China, then it becomes ASEAN. And there are a lot of interests,” he said. Basilio said the country does not trade with Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia because goods have still to be transported by land to Bangkok. “But if we can do it from Batangas to Da Nang, roro/PAGE 7
A RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) vessel prepared to dock at the Mukas Port in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. The RoRo, which carries passengers, cargo and even vehicles, connects Lanao del Norte and Ozamiz City. The Philippines connects to ASEAN via Ro-Ro using the Batangas port to Shenzhen and Da Nang cities in China and Vietnam, respectively. mindanews photo by bobby timonera
High power cost to drag margins of exporters Exporters are worried that the high power prices can hurt their profit margins and cause them to lose their competitiveness edge in the global market. “The semiconductors sector will be hit hard compared with those in the assembly. Margins will be squeezed further but we still have to deliver,” said Francis Ferrer, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT) trustee of the electronics sector. Ferrer said the ne w rate adjustment by Manila Electric Company (Meralco) can increase the share of electricity to their total cost from 14 percent to 20 percent.
Dennis Orlina, president of the Philippine Chamber of Handicraft Industries, believes that gas prices will have more impact as it add to overall cost of living and freight. “More businesses (will incur) more losses. LPG (liquefied petroleum gasoline) has higher impacts on production costs,” he said. Roberto Amores, president of Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization Inc., said high power rates can have a heavy negative impact on cost of fresh food that needs cold storage. For his part, Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines power/PAGE 7
0917-7154399 088-856-8562/63
www.dahilayanforestpark.com
AMENITIES : ZORBIT * ATV * TREE TOP ADVENTURE BUGGY * BUNGEE * PICNIC GROUNDS PLAYGROUND * CAFE * LUGE * MINI GOLF ROOM ACCOMODATIONS
BusinessWeek MINDANAO
Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776
YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER
3
www.businessweekmindanao.com
monday - january 6, 2014
TOP MOMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY A Pinoy perspective on tech trends that defined the year
from:
[2013 edition]
Lists are awesome, lists are cool--even good old Santa can’t be without this tool. But not even St. Nick can keep up with things, that technology’s naughty and nice to the table bring. There were highlights, there were lowlights. And yes, a number of heated fights. In the end with the year all capped, here’s what happened in words all neatly wrapped.
“SELFIE” IS THE WORD OF THE YEAR
Known as the act of taking a photo of yourself (with a phone or a digital camera), “selfie” saw a 17,000% increase in usage in just a year. It’s undeniably a language phenomenon driven by the pervasiveness of modern technology such as hyper-connected (i.e. “Always On”) devices and affordable mobile data services.
ORO CHAMBER
DOT-X
Active member since 2005 of Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (ORO CHAMBER) The FIRST and ONLY accredited Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibit (MICE) Organizer since 2004 with the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Region X
Contact:
LTE SPREADS LIKE WILDFIRE
The Philippines officially joined the ranks of “4G-powered nations” last year thanks, in no small part, to the introduction of Smart LTE. This year, the even smarter innovations that followed such as bite-sized “UNLI LTE” bundles and ever-growing presence nationwide continue to amaze Filipino netizens.
SOCIAL GOOD THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
The Internet is a dangerous place, but it can also be a very compassionate one as can be seen during times of calamity. Millions of netizens from around the world mobilized to help earthquake and typhoon victims in the Visayas by donating money online and by helping raise awareness about relief efforts through the use of hashtags such as #HelpPH.
ANNA MARIE J. MEDES Managing Director
#275 Corner Pres. Sergio Osmeña Ave. - Florentino Street, Cagayan de Oro City 9000 Philippines
Telefax No: +63 (88) 856 4499
Mobile: +63 917 620 0712 (globe) +63 999 991 8672 (smart) +63 922 866 2544 (sun) Email: southlandevents@yahoo.com Facebook: southlandeventspage
WATCH-DOGGED
The wearable technology trend has officially begun and watches are leading the charge. Samsung has the Galaxy Gear, Qualcomm has the Toq, and Sony has the SmartWatch 2. The unlikely favorite, however, is the Pebble, which features a monochrome screen and amazing battery life.
APPLE VS. ANDROID (YEAR 6)
The OS war heats up as the battles now accelerate to LTE speeds. Now more than ever consumers are forced to take sides with phones that are touted to be the fastest and the best ever. Are you a Samsung Stalwart or an Apple Immutable? Whichever your camp, both are available for free from Smart Postpaid and with unlimited LTE access to boot!
EVERYONE’S A GAMER
To say that mobile gaming reached new levels of popularity in 2013 is an understatement. Functional smartphones and tablets have become very affordable (some are even offered for free in Smart’s numerous All-In and Unlidata Postpaid Plans) that every Filipino now has a chance to enjoy the best games made by the best developers from around the world. Let’s not forget that even a good Senator of the Republic was caught on cam playing Candy Crush in the middle of another good Senator’s privilege speech.
MVP BUYS A TESLA
It is perhaps the most high-tech consumer good purchased by a Filipino this year—a Tesla sedan. A Tesla S to be exact and it was acquired by no other than Manuel V. Pangilinan. More than just something that ups the top executive’s ‘Geek Cred,’ however, the Tesla S is part of efforts to promote the use of clean, reusable energy.
POSTPAID GOES FLEXIBLE
Filipinos love having control over their budget and this year Smart enabled Pinoys to do just that with their postpaid plans as it introduced Flexibundles. This innovative suite of services makes available to Smart subscribers the best mobile services at more affordable rates simply by enrolling to call, text, and data bundles of their choice.
PAYMENTS WITHOUT BORDERS
The world bid a bitter goodbye to online shopping site Multiply last May, but with its demise came the opportunity for other web-based retail tools to arise. Some took to Instagram and Facebook to sell items piecemeal, but for a more professional approach, the likes of TackThis aims to take online entrepreneurship to the next level.
IDEASPACE AWARDS FIRST STARTUPS
Filipino startups took centerstage as the Metro Pacific Investment Corp.’s (MPIC) incubator foundation Ideaspace awarded its first 10 winners last April. From crafting affordable home water purifiers, to developing an automated queuing system with SMS notifications, the startups – which received generous funding and extensive mentorship from various MPIC companies such as Smart, Maynilad, and Meralco – can now work on their sociallytransformative innovations in high gear. The foundation is now accepting entries for its second run until Jan 15, 2013.
UNLICHATTING
Line, Viber, Babble, the ever-improving SmartNet— the mobile chatting revolution has exploded and Smart is in the forefront of making it possible. Affordable UNLI packages enable Smart subscribers to talk to the ever-shrinking world.
RETURN OF THE SATPHONE
Satellite Phones or “Satphones” are a big hit among seafarers but this year, the decade-old service got a revamp as Smart, together with satellite services provider Thuraya, introduced the “SatSleeve”. SatSleeve is a fancy external accessory that turns any ordinary iPhone into a full-fledged Satphone. The service has unlimited potential and may prove to be of use especially during emergencies.
MUSIC FOR ALL
The fight against music piracy got a leg-up as Smart, in cooperation with music label MCA Universal, made available more than 3 million songs to over 70 million Smart, Talk ‘N Text, Sun Cellular, and PLDT subscribers. Through the Spinnr app and Spinnr.ph site, prepaid subscribers can simply use their load credits to pay for music downloads and streaming with no need for debit or credit cards.
BusinessWeek MINDANAO
4
YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER
www.businessweekmindanao.com
monday - january 6, 2014
BusinessWeek MINDANAO
YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER
www.businessweekmindanao.com
Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776 Editor: Allan Mediante
Opinion
Hope amidst tragedy - the promise of a better year goes on
DANTE M. SUDARIA Publisher ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, Ph.D. General Manager
NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief
ALLAN MEDIANTE Executive Editor
Shaun Uy
cHENG oRDOñEZ
Lifestyle Editor
Associate Editor
CLIFFORD SANTILLAN RONALD B. MASTAIL
SHIELA gosanes Advertising
ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI
Cell No: 09352379999
Juni Law Office Cruz Taal St., Cag. De Oro City Legal Counsel
Layout Artists
Cris diaz mike baños Uriel quilinguing Editorial Consultants
The BusinessWeek Mindanao is published by BusinessWeek Mindanao Advertising and Promotions every Friday to Sunday with office address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certificate No. 00875701, and with Business Permit No. 2013-10946, TIN No. 946-396-807 – Non VAT. Tel. Nos.: (088)8578447, 74-5380, 0923432-0687, 0917-7121424
Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Member: Philippine Press Institute
T
Talking to the Dead THINK
hink a minute…A cemeter y in Indiana, A Minute America has a gravestone By Jhan Tiafau Hurst with these words on it: “Stop st r ange r, w he n you p ass me by. As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you will be. So prepare to die, and follow me!” A person walking by added these words u nd e r ne at h : “ To fol l ow you I’m not content, until I know which way you went!” Do you sometimes wonder where your family and friends who’ve died are now? Do they want you to come where they are? Don’t you wish they could talk to you? Where are all those people now who suddenly died in the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001? Jesus Christ made it ver y clear that we already know where we’re going after we die, since it’s only now that we can choose where we’ll live after we die. He warns us that it will be too late after we die to choose or change our mind. Jesus said there are only two choices: to completely believe Him and live His way everyday, or, to keep living our own way. Heaven or hell. Jesus said there’s no in-between place for nice, good people who won’t ask for His gift of forgiveness and live for Him every day. None of us is perfect. We’ve all done some things wrong that we need Jesus to forgive us for and start changing in our character and way of living. So we don’t need to talk to the dead to find out about life after death. Jesus Christ has already told us the truth and everything we need to know to go where we want to live after we die—together with Him and His true family in heaven. So for your own peace of mind and safety, won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you for living your own way before it’s too late? Then ask Him to take full charge of your heart and help you start living His way every day, for the rest of your life. Just Think a Minute…
Tragedy and despair, fill the news from the Middle East to Tacloban, Leyte. But Christmas is not a promise that evil will take a holiday or that all will be peaceful for a moment in time ... Great expectations f i l l ou r m i n d s with the arriva l of Christmas Day. Peace on earth. Good will. Joy. Happiness. Anticipation of a Happy New Year. H o w e v e r, t h e world contradicts our hope. Tragedy and despair, fill the news from the M idd le E a st to Tacloban, Ley te. But Christmas is not a promise that ev i l w i l l ta ke a holiday or that all will be peaceful for a moment in time. From the birth of Christ in a lowly manger, the message to the world was hope — a promise of a better way of living and a pathway to an eternity free of the world’s trappings and misfortunes.
ËDITORIAL Even the horrors of the world, in that time long ago and today, do not erode the promise that was fulfilled in Bethlehem. Much of what is good in the world has its foundation in Christmas. The spirit of charit y, which extends well past the holiday season, gets an extra boost from Christmas. The ma rch of time has not altered t he mea ning of Christmas; we simply don’t stop long to remember. Presents mu s t b e b ou g ht and wrapped, large quantities of food consumed, and tiring rounds of visits to family and friends are squeezed into a
single day. But the dawning of Christ mas did not decree the lush expectations we have created through the years. Nor does the date forbid such an outpouring of love. Even for the tired a nd t he g r ie ved , Christmas — at its core — remains a moment of hope that can be carried forward throughout life. The greater author, Charles Dickens, quaint ly illustrated this spirit through Ebeneezer Scrooge, a miserable old man who found love and joy and lived those qualities for the remainder of his days. If that spirit lives in more hearts, then Christmas will always bring joy and peace in the face of the most difficult times.
Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776
BusinessWeek MINDANAO
YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER
5
www.businessweekmindanao.com
monday - january 6, 2014
BusinessWeek MINDANAO
6
Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776
YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER
www.businessweekmindanao.com
monday - january 6, 2014
ABELLANOSA Lechon House Bombo... from page 1 Corner Magsaysay Abellanosa St., Cag. de Oro City MANAGED BY :
KUYA ABS CDO EAGLES CLUB WE ACCEPT ORDERS: LECHON, HALANG-HALANG or SAMPAINA
FREE DELIVERY WITHIN CITY PROPER Contact:
09353742908 / 09265949729 / 0883091150
LOTS FOR SALE! AVAIL OF CHRISTMAS PROMO & SAVE! VERY AFFORDABLE TITLED LOTS COUNTRY LIKE SETTING – 1 KM BEFORE SM BUY ANY SIZE 100 M2 – 5 HECTARES IN HOUSE FINANCING @ 10% DOWN PAYMENT LOW MONTHLY PAYMENTS, FLOOD FREE!
CONTACT NO. 09263922933 MDN: DEC. 17, 2013 – JAN. 16, 2014
Pryce Plaza Hotel Carmen Hill, CDO, Tel. No.722791 to93/858-4537 E-mail:reservations@pryceplaza.ph
---------------------------------
CHANANTHON BED & BREAKFAST CM Recto Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. #: 856-81-89 / 309-3095 / 231-2103 Email ad : chananthonbb@yahoo.com Room @ P800.00
COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT
CONTACT PERSON: RAYLYN LANTACA
---------------------------------
NEW DAWN PENSIONNE Velez-Macahambus Sts, CDO Tel Nos. 8571776, 721776 email : gchreservation@yahoo.com
whom they want to reach out to. Dr. Florete continues to enhance the stature of the Network with his hands on brand of leadership that he is passing on to his children, Executive Vice President Rogelio C. Florete, Jr. and S e n i o r Vi c e P r e s i d e n t Margaret Ruth C. Florete and in turn to the Network’s officers and rank and file. Moreover, his infectious commitment to better the quality of life of the Filipino (as clearly shown in his various business ventures meant to uplift and better the lives of the common man) has clearly made the difference in these times when media is challenged to better bring to the consciousness of our countrymen the effects of climate change and to harness responses to disaster, be they natural or man- made. Bombo Radyo Philippines…Boses at puso ng Pilipino a simple statement of truth that the Network has remained anchored in its mission to speak for the Filipino, to bring their concerns to those who are in authority and make sure they are responded to. It is also an assertion of the fact that for every Pinoy, wherever he might be, Bombo Radyo Philippines remain his grounding to what is happening in his country. Wit h B om b o R a d y o Philippines, the heartbeat of the Pinoy pulsates, and will remain so as the innovations of the Network that makes world class products worthy of the numerous awards it has been cited for, will ensure that he will be in the loop of what is happening in this country and in the world 24/7. So be it news, information and entertainment, Bombo R a d y o l e a d s t h e w a y, crystallizing public opinion, furthering the democratic pro cess and helping in nation building. Bombo Radyo Philippines’ brand of corporate social responsibility in Bombo Medico, Dugong Bombo and Oplan Kabalaka that reaches out to the poorest of the poor has also enabled the Filipino wherever he might be help to his needy “kababayan” and marshalling resources from even foreign groups to help. The Networks numerous promos has not just created many millionaires or launched unknown products to the consciousness of the consumers but also enabled even the most ordinar y listener get a glimmer of hope to improve and better their lives. Indeed the Philippines’ radio listeners can be assured that with the sound of the drum, Bombo Radyo Philippines remains to be their voice and continue to beat in their hearts … Basta Radyo…Bombo! Bombo Radyo is under the Florete Group which has investments in media, banking, water, property
Agus...
development, real estate, agri-business, pawnshops from page 1 and jewelry. auction conducted on Oct. 25. Guangxi Hydroelectric from page 1 is a large-scale contractor in Development Corp of the China that engages in water Gotianun group. conservation, hydropower The 405-megawatt (MW) construction, as well as coal-fired power plant is the construction of buildings, second of its kind to be built roads and bridges, municipal at the Phividec Industrial works, electric power, and Estate in Villanueva town foundation engineering, after the 210MW Steag among others. State Power Corp’s plant Two other groups had established in 1995. participated in the bidding for “ T h e 4 0 5 m e g a w a t t the project, but one of them (MW) power plant of FDC failed the technical evaluation Misamis Power Corp is a which is a prerequisite for major investment project proceeding to the financial that has the endorsement of phase. both the local and national The other group that was governments since it will qualified to proceed with help address the shortfall bidding -- the joint venture of power in Mindanao and of HydroChina ZhongNan meet the increasing demand Engineering Corp., Harbin for energy in Region 10,” the Electric Machinery Co. Ltd. lawmaker said in a statement. and BSP & Company, Inc. “More investments and -- submitted a higher bid of business development for P1.68 billion. the province will flow once Eight groups had earlier the power plant commences expressed interest and bought construction and more so bid documents for the project. when it goes online,” Uy Besides the firms already said. mentioned, the other A number of provinces interested parties were: in Mindanao have been Alstom Philippines, Inc.; s u f f e r i n g f r o m p o w e r China International Water shortage due to insufficient and Electric Corp.; Kaltimex generating capacity. The Energy Philippines, Inc.; PHP shortage is most sev erely Philippine Hydro Project, Inc.; felt during hours of the day Vicente T. Lao Construction; when demand is at its peak. and Zhejiang Fuchunjiang Uy said the project will Hydropower Equipment Co. adhere to strict environmental Ltd. protection standards, adding The uprating project is that FDC Misamis will use designed to increase the power circulating fluidized bed output of the first and second boiler technology, the latest units of the Agus VI plant to in clean coal technology. 34.5 megawatts (MW) each “ This also helped me from 25 MW currently. and local officials to decide “The project will include on endorsing the project in the investigation, design, an 84.4 hectare area within engineering, manufacturing, t he Phividec Industrial installation, testing and Estate in the barangays of commissioning of the new Balacanas, Tambobong and hydro power turbines and San Martin of Villanueva, blades of the two Agus Misamis Oriental,” she said. VI power units, as well as A c c o r d i n g t o F D C replacement of electrical Misamis, the said technology equipment, materials and removes more than 95 percent devices necessary for the safe of sulfur emissions and and reliable operation of the creates negligible nitrogen power facilities,” PSALM had oxide levels while generating said. useful by-products such as The 200-MW Agus 6 runcalcium sulfate that is useful of-river hydro plant is located for cement production. in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. “ This energ y project The plant consists of two will also help diversify the units with combined capacity energy mix in Mindanao of 50 MW, and three units and hopefully ensure the with total capacity of 150 supply of reliable and cheap MW. el e c t r icit y for Mis am is The power plant, in turn, Oriental and the rest of the is part of the Agus-Pulangui region,” Uy said. hydro power facility, which The Misamis Oriental provides more than half of legislator, also a member Mindanao’s current electricity of the House committee on capacity. energy, said the power plant Under the Republic Act will spur more economic 9136, or the Electric Power o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r t h e Industr y Reform Act of localities when it goes into 2001, PSALM is mandated commercial operations. to manage the privatization “We share the optimism and maintenance of National of local officials and the P o w e r C o r p .’s p o w e r investors t hat t he FD C generation assets, liabilities Misamis Project will help and contracted capacities. f ur t her lo c a l e conomic development with more jobs and economic opportunities from page 1 for the entire district and “We are overwhelmed by province,” Uy said. the outpouring of support FDC Misamis shall build from everyone – from people three units of the power plant from different parts of the that are expected to start world and all walks of life commercial operations in – volunteers and donors 2016. –with InterAksyon alike for sharing their time
Plant...
Aboitiz...
and resources to help our c ou nt r y m e n w h o w e re affected by Yolanda,” said Aboitiz Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sonny Carpio. “ We t a k e i t a s o u r responsibility to ensure that all these hard-earned donations and all the efforts put into packing and distributing relief items reach our countrymen who need help the most, and that they reach them fast,” he added. Carpio said about P140 million of the total funds will be allocated for the rehabilitation of heavily and partially damaged school buildings from the 1,308 facilities in northern Cebu earlier identified by the Department of Education. Ab o i t i z Fo u n d at i o n i s currently assessing how many schools it could repair – those that could immediately be used by the 29,000 grade school and high school students displaced when calamity struck. AboitizPower units Davao Light, Subic EnerZone and VECO that have been assisting Leyte Electric Cooperative 5 (LEYECO5) in restoring power in the fourth district of Leyte, meanwhile vowed resumption of operations right after the holidays. To date, AboitizPower has restored 349 poles fixed over 30 kilometers of feeder lines in the area. The Task Force consisting of volunteers from various power units and electric cooperatives, collectively restored 2,697 electric poles in LEYECO5’s franchise area. Still, this is only a tiny fraction of the 11,100 damaged poles in the area. At present, only 613 out of its 90,000 customers currently have electricity. Meanwhile, 77 linemen, engineers, and staff have been deployed in Northern Cebu since the second week of November to support CEBECO in restoring power in the area. As of first week December, the three power units was able to restore a total of 873 poles and work on the 13.2kV backbone feeder lines from San Remigio to Luyang, Bogo City to Sugod and Medellin to Daanbantayan.
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
BusinessWeek MINDANAO
Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776
YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER
monday - january 6, 2014
BSP eyes 15% expansion of BPO receipts, 20% growth for tourism receipts in ‘14 MANILA -- Robust growth of the non-voice segment of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector and the government’s more active promotion of the Philippines are expected to boost expansion of both the BPO and tourism sectors for 2014. In a briefing Friday, BSP Department of Economics and Statistics Director Rosabel Guerrero said the central bank is projecting a 15 percent growth for BPO receipts while tourism receipts is forecast to grow by 20 percent this year. In 2012, BPO receipts totaled to US$ 11.6 billion while tourism receipts during the same year totaled to US$ 4 billion.
During the same briefing, BSP Department of Economic Research Director Zeno Abenoja said the BSP’s targets for both sectors were made after consultations with the sectors. The Philippines has been a tough competition of India in the BPO sector in Asia initially for voice services but Abenoja said the non-voice segment has been noticeably rising. The BSP executive attributed the attractiveness of the Philippines’ BPO sector to the strong support of the government to the industry through tax treatment on capital requirement, training grants and other tax incentives. “This could spur more investments into the industry
and generate more revenues for the Philippines including foreign exchange revenues,” he said. On tourism, Abenoja s ai d t he gove r n me nt’s efforts to further promote the Philippines as a tourist destination is now gaining traction. “The key initiatives of the national government in promoting Philippine tourism sites could result in maintaining the robust growth in our tourism receipts,” he added. The continued rise of both the BPO and tourism receipts are among the factors monetary officials are considering as solid fuel to the Philippines’ gross international
reserves (GIR) and surplus in the balance of payment (BOP) position. The BSP’s BOP surplus target for this year is US$ 3 billion while the target for foreign reserves is US$ 88 billion. As of last November, the country’s BOP surplus reached US$ 4.67 billion, lower than the nearly US$ 8.6 billion same period in 2012 and short of US$ 0.63 against the upwardly revised US$ 5.3 billion target for 2013. Similarly, the country’s foreign reserves posted a record-high of US$ 84.02 billion at the end of the first 11 months of 2013, higher than year-ago’s US$ 83.93 billion. (PNA)
RoRo...
world is not having Ro-Ro just now. Even in Northeast Asia, there are 21 Ro-Ro links. It is only in Southeast Asia, which is more archipelagic, that we don’t have it,” he said. B asi lio s aid ASEAN leaders have realized that key to achieving a single market and production base is through intra-regional connectivity. “That is why, they said we would form a high level task force that would craft a master plan on ASEAN connectivity. Because what is driving it is intra-ASEAN trade and it is growing,” he
added. -- Danielle Venz, PHILEXPORT News and Features
the world!,” he noted. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Miguel Varela said the high power cost can affect thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) whose operations are power intensive. Varela said hit hard are the producers and service entities whose power cost content is 20 percent to 30 percent of their production costs, and exporters who “work on very tight margins because they focus more on volume.” -Danielle Venz, PHILEXPORT News and Features
from page 2
that truck can end up as far as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia via ASEAN Ro-Ro system...The Ro-Ro network presents a new way of trading. This is like the low-cost carriers operations, point to point,” he added. Basilio said Northeast Asian Korea, Japan and China have already 21 RoRo connections. “ Yo u d o n’t h av e t o spend a lot of investments on expensive rip-on rip-off equipment. It is not new, the
7
www.businessweekmindanao.com
Power... from page 2
(FOBAP) president Robert Young said the 28-percent electricity price hike will be a detrimental to garment and apparel production cost. “Our forecast of sales increase will be hampered. It is a pity now that buyers are coming back due to Bangladesh 77-percent wage hike and United States jobs/retail sales increase. The Philippines has now the highest electricity in
BusinessWeek MINDANAO
8
Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776
YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER
www.businessweekmindanao.com
monday - january 6, 2014
READyourfavorite
newspaper
ONLINE! www.businessweekmindanao.com
ADVERTISE WITH US!
Place your ads on our website! Contact us:
businessweekmindanao@gmail.com (088)856-3344 / (08822)72-33-44
This Christmas season, giving took on a whole new dimension as everyone gave what they could to help those who needed it the most. We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all donors and volunteers who gave their time, resources and themselves for the super typhoon Yolanda victims: AboitizPower, SN AboitizPower, UnionBank, Aboitiz family members, team leaders and members, Sharon Cuneta, friends of the Aboitiz Group, donors through UShare, volunteers at the University of San Carlos, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and ROTC Cadets.
Relief OpeRatiOns as of December 27, 2013
TARGeT: p200M
DOnatiOns
36,365
p203M ReACHed
Next Phase: Rehabilitation of Schools
www.aboitizfoundation.org
www.facebook.com/aboitizfoundation
diSTRiBUTed RelieF BAGS
4,767 vOlUNTeeRS
www.twitter.com/AboitizFdN
13,950
diSTRiBUTed HYGieNe & SleePiNG kiTS
106
BARANGAYS SeRved
79
MeN ANd WOMeN dePlOYed in Northern Cebu and leyte for re-electrification
1,222
eleCTRiCAl POSTS ReSTORed in Northern Cebu and leyte