BusinessWeek Mindanao (July 29, 2016)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO CREDIBLE

Volume VII, No. 023

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Friday | July 29, 2016

DESPITE SLACK IN INDUSTRY AND SERVICES SECTORS:

Normin posts 5.5% growth

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By APIPA BAGUMBARAN, Contributor

ORTHERN Mindanao’s economy continues its robust growth despite the slack in industry and services sectors, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

PSA Regional Director Eddie Nasol said the region posted a posted a 5.5% yearon-year growth in 2015 as its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) topped P283 billion, up by P15 billion from the region’s economic output in 2014.

GRDP covers the value of goods and services in the region. It measures the relative contribution of three major economic industries: A g r i c u l t u r e , Hu nt i n g , Forestry & Fishing (AHFF), Industry, and Services.

But such increase is lower

from the 7.1 percent GRDP growth posted in 2014, Nasol said.

According to him, the deceleration of the regional economy was attributable to the slowdown in the Industry and Services.

Industr y decelerated by 4.2 percentage points from 8.5 percent in 2014 to 4.3 percent in 2015, while Services slowed down by 0.9 percentage point from 8.3 percent to 7.4 percent.

Manufacturing, which growth/PAGE 7

Mindanao’s second largest economy

By APIPA BAGUMBARAN, Contributor

NORTHERN Mindanao ranked as the second largest economy among the regions in Mindanao in 2015 maintaining a share of 25.9 percent of the total output in Mindanao following Davao region

which shared 27.8 percent.

SOCCSKSARGEN ranked third with 18.6 p e r c e nt c o nt r i b u t i o n followed by Zamboanga Peninsula and CARAGA with 14.3 percent and economy/PAGE 7

S&R-Cag. de Oro exceeds quota ahead of opening

By URIEL C. QUILINGUING, Contributing Editor

SMUGGLED ITEMS. Bureau of Customs officials in Northern Mindanao open five containers with two Mercedes Benzes and Porsche cars, used clothing and meat, all worth P11 million at the Mindanao International Container Terminal in Villanueva town, Misamis Oriental Wednesday (27 July 2016). The renewed campaign against smuggling came after new Customs Chief Nicanor Faeldon threatened to shoot corrupt BOC employees. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

Benzes, Porsche among smuggled items seized by Customs in MisOr

By FROILAN GALLARDO, MindaNews

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental -- Bureau of Customs officials on Wednesday

seized five container vans with highly taxable goods that include two Mercedes

S & R C a g ay a n d e O r o has already surpassed its membership quota even it formally opened to the public yesterday, an executive of Kareila Management Corporation announced Tuesday.

Kareila, a wholly owned subsidiar y of Puregold, operates S&R membership shopping warehouses all over the country.

Although S&R vice president for operations Greg Kreyer refused to disclose official figures yet he admitted they have reached their preset membership goal.

“We’re excited because we’ve reached our quota for northern Mindanao area,” Kreyer told media

practitioners during a news conference and sne a kpeek tour of the store in a 2.4778-hectare area along Kauswagan highway.

Kreyer admitted the 700peso annual membership could fluctuate, when pressed for actual figures.

An insider, who requested his name be withheld, said the total membership enrolment could have already reached exceeds/PAGE 7

Benzes and the legendary Porsche 911 car, used clothing and meat, all valued at P11 million. seized/PAGE 7

SoKor investor eyes PPP for Davao project

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

DAVAO City – A South Korean investor is set to meet with City Mayor Sara Duterte for the proposed Davao Riverside Boulevard

project that will be enrolled under the Public-PrivatePartnership (PPP).

This was revealed by Engr. Jose Froilan T. Rigor,

planning officer 4 at the City Planning Development Office (CPDO) in an interview at the sidelines of the “Forum on Urban Development” at the Ateneo de Davao University project/PAGE 7

TRAFFIC ENFORCER. A traffic enforcer in Cagayan de Oro City bravely manned the busy intersections along Claro M. Recto Avenue in Cagayan de Oro City without any safety gears, saved by his RTA-marked shirt. photo by gerry lee gorit

Market Indicators As of 6:10 pm july 28, 2016 (thursday)

FOREX US$1 = P47.085

7.1

PHISIX

X Briefly

cents

X

8,024.98

75.50 points

Locally-made train DAVAO City -- Trains and articulated wheeled coaches developed by the Department of Science and Technology can be viable means of transportation particularly for Philippine cities.

According to Engineer Rodnel Tamayo chief of the Metal Industry Research and Development Center, Department of Science and Technology, they have developed three transit system; the Automated Guideway Transit System, Hybrid Electric Road Train and DOST designed and fabricated hybrid train sets.

The AGT is an electric train, a fully automated-driverless transit system, while the hybrid road train are articulated wheeled coaches powered by electricity.

The Hybrid Train Sets meanwhile was developed jointly by the Philippine National Railways; it is cheaper than imported train sets.

Tamayo said that in 2014, officials of the City Government of Davao tested the prototype unit in Bicutan. He said he has not heard from the group since.

Davao City has been eyeing a mass transit system to fix a growing traffic problem.

Mining firms warned ENVIRONMENT Secretary Gina Lopez has assured the Lumad or indigenous peoples of Mindanao that mining operations in the region found in violation of mining and environmental laws and regulations would be suspended.

This, even as Lopez urged them to submit their proposed development plan for areas which have been affected by destructive mining activities.

“Sususpindihin natin ang mga mining company na lumalabag sa batas,” Lopez told Lumad representatives during their dialogue held at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Manila last Sunday.

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Economy

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AgNor regulates business operations of LPG

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U T UA N C i t y - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte now regulates the business operations of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the province with the recent approval of Provincial Ordinance No. 426-2016,

authored by Provincial Board Member Virgilio R. Escasiñas, Jr. The ordinance covers all refilling plants, refillers, haulers, dealers and retailers of LPG with business operations in the province regulating the hauling, refilling, dealing and retailing

of LPG and the manufacture and repair of LPG cylinders.

Under the said ordinance, to ensure the safety and quality of the LPG sold to the public, the cylinder containing the LPG should bear all the information set forth in the Philippine National Standards. All

LPG business operators are required at all times in their establishments or outlets and within the sales areas accessible to the public the maintenance of a weighing devices duly calibrated and sealed annually by the Provincial Treasurer, the Depar tment of S cience

and Technology (DOST) or any other government agency authorized therefore and which shall accurately measure LPG cylinders up to one-tenth (0.1) of one kilogram.

Operators are also required to display or post a signboard outside the store

premises to inform the public and the authorities that they have complied with the provisions the said ordinance to contain the name and owner of the store, name of the company/manufacturer of the LPG offered for sale, price of the LPG product variants regulates/PAGE 7

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin -The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched its second Negosyo Center (NC) in the province on 26 July 2016.

The center, a facility that aims to promote ease of doing business and facilitate access to services for Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within the area, is housed inside the Mahinog Municipal Hall.

The formal launching

ceremony was firmed up with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and a ribbon cutting led by the Mahinog Mayor Rogerio Acle and Vice-Mayor Rey Lawrence K. Tan. DTI said the project affirms the strong partnership between their office and the local government units. (Zita Maestrado-Abellare, DTICamiguin, PIA-Cam Inet)

de Oro will hold a traffic education seminar on Au g u s t 9 t o m o t o r e l a operators and drivers whose plate numbers end with nine and will renew the franchise of their units.

Lawyer Jose Edgardo Uy, chairman of Task Force Hapsay D alan (TFHD), explained that motorela o p e r at o r s c o u l d n e v e r renew their franchise not

by the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA).

The traffic education seminar will remind operators and drivers on traffic rules and road signs as well as the responsibilities of every operator.

Aside from lectures, the operators will also have to

will require the operator to take an exam first before he or she will be given the certificate for the franchise renewal.

Uy also added that they restricted the franchise renewal after finding out t hat t he re are a l ot of motorela operators and

sig ns aside f rom b eing abusive.

“Requirement gyud ni nga seminar ever y time mag-renew sila sa ilang franchise (This seminar is a re quirement e ver y time they will renew their franchise),” Uy said.(ALRCIO/PIA10)

DTI launches second CDO holds traffic seminar to rela operators, drivers Cagayan de Oro City unless they will undergo a take a written examination drivers who do not know Negosyo Center in Camiguin THE government of Cagayan seminar that is conducted and failure to pass the exam about traffic rules and road

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Fire Olympics. Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno (3rd from right) lauds the barangay fire brigade from the eight barangays who participated in the annual Barangay and Industrial Fire Olympics 2016 spearheaded by the Bureau of Fire Protection on July 27. The activity aims not just to promote camaraderie among the competitors but to significantly make people understand the value and importance of what the firefighters are doing just to save lives and properties.(CIO/PIA10)

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

CorporateWorld 3 Cebu Pacific breaks 10-M mark in passenger volume in 1H of 2016 Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

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EADING carrier Cebu Pacific flew over 10 million passengers from January to June this year, an increase of 9% over the same period in 2015. On average, flights were 87% full during these months.

For June 2016 alone, the Cebu Pacific Air group flew 1.6 million passengers, up by 8% from the 1.5 million passengers flown in the same month in 2015.

This upsurge in passenger volume was primarily driven by popular domestic destinations in Visayas and Mindanao such as Kalibo, Taclob an, Siargao, and Tagbilaran, said a press statement from Cebu Pacific.

Key international shorthaul destinations including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, also fared well during the first half of 2016.

The number of passengers to and from Japan, in particular, spiked by 21% as a result of the launch of the CebuTokyo (Narita) in March 2015 and Manila-Fukuoka in December 2015.

Long-haul passengers t o a n d f r o m C E B ’s

destinations in the Middle East and Australia likewise contributed to the upturn, after posting a substantial increase in volume from January to June 2016 versus the same period last year.

“We are very proud to share with you that since CEB’s inception in 1996, our passengers now number more than 130 million and counting. These promising figures encourage us to cater to the growing travel demand not just in Manila, but throughout our six strategic hubs nationwide. We are optimistic that with the support of relevant airport and government authorities, we can continue offering our trademark lowest fares to even more Filipino travelers in the years to come,” said Atty. JR Mantaring, CEB Vice President for Corporate Affairs.

CEB’s extensive network spans Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and USA. Just recently, the airline announced three new routes from Cebu to Calbayog (Samar), Ormoc (Leyte), and Roxas (Capiz),

Toyota granted CARS program registration THE Board of Investments (BoI) granted Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. (TMPC) a certificate of registration for the C omprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program, giving the world’s largest automaker a key piece of the auto manufacturing revival here.

T he C A R S pro g r am offers fiscal incentive of P27 billion, to be divided among participants who agree to manufacture 200,000 vehicles each over six years, with a view to giving the Philippines a bigger share of the Association of Southeast Asi an Nat ions market, estimated at six million vehicles.

BoI Chairman Ramon M. Lopez presented the registration certificate to TMPC President Satoru Suzuki and Vice-Chairman

A l f r e d Ty at t h e B o I building on July 22. They were also joined by Trade Undersecretary and BoI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo, Trade Assistant Secretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba and BoI Governor Henry T. Co. TMPC will manufacture the Vios small car under CARS, while Mitsubishi Motors C or p., w hich received its certificate of registration last month, enrolled its Mirage/Mirage G4 subcompact for the sixyear vehicle resurgence program.

The program, authorized

by Executive Order no. 182 signed by President Benigno S. C. Aquino III last year, is also expected to boost the auto industr y labor force, strengthen the supply chain and attract additional investment.

Philex Petroleum more than halves net loss in January-June PHILEX Petroleum Corp. on Wednesday said it more than halved its losses during the first half of 2016, as the listed oil and gas explorer continued to slash overhead expenses.

In a disclosure to the sto ck exchange, Philex Petroleum reported a P21.8million consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the parent company for the January to June period, from P48.7-million loss a

year ago.

Reported consolidated net loss amounted to P30.6 million during the first half, down 64.4% from P86 million in the previous year.

“The lower net loss was primarily attributable to a 75.4% reduction in overhead expenses resulting from management’s continuing cost reduction efforts,” Philex Petroleum said, pointing out that the figure was net of philex/PAGE 7

bringing its total number of domestic destinations to 36.

It also currently flies to 30 international destinations, including Dubai, Incheon, Guam, Tokyo, and Sydney.

Its 57-strong fleet is comprised of seven Airbus A319, 36 Airbus A320, six Airbus A330, and eight ATR 72-500 aircraft. Between 2016 and 2021, CEB expects deliver y of 32 Airbus A321neo and 16 ATR 72600 aircraft.

CONGRATULATIONS to

WILLY G. LIMBONHAI President and the Board of Directors of the Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. to the

64th Induction of Officers and Directors for the years 2016-2018 July 29, 2016, 7:00 in the evening Limketkai Luxe Hotel Ballroom Greetings from:

JEFFRY T. ANG

President and the Board of Directors Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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Opinion

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Duterte confirms his gov’t submits to God

Businessweek Mindanao Corporation Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO

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LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Holy Father, you have given me your name…”

(Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, in John 17:11, the Holy Bible).

-ooo D U T E RT E ’ S S O NA CONFIRMS HIS GOV’T SUBMITS TO GOD: To me, the most important part of President Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, 2016 was his recognition that his government will never be separated from God. Addressing the spiritual heads of different religious group, he said: “… I believe quite strongly that there should never be a separation between God and State…”

This to me was greatly significant for a number of reasons. First, it indicates that despite Duterte’s toughtalking ways and radical approaches to solving the problems of illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality, which could often encourage extrajudicial killings, he is a man who submits himself to God, amenable to seeking and applying His principles in governing the country and its people.

In short, Duterte is a man who has a healthy faith in the Almighty, who does not shirk nor shy away from publicly acknowledging that faith, unlike almost of his predecessors who

both Ebdane and Deloso to submit themselves to public questioning and clarify whether there is any truth to this matter. It is not just a violation of the Constitution that is at state here. The safety and well-being of the entire country, which can be obliterated in seconds with even a mere erroneous pushing of nuclear buttons, are compromised.

-ooo STARTING PRAYERS WITH THE NAME OF GOD: A closer reading of the Holy Bible will show that in Isaiah 41, there is a prophecy by the Prophet Isaiah that a “man” will be called by God from the east and who will be allowed

by Him to achieve victory and success over kings and princes. The distinguishing characteristic of that “man” is the manner by which he prays to God. This “man” (who I believe is actually a group of believers led by their leader), “will call on my name”, says God, as stated in Isaiah 41:25. This is significant, especially if we consider that during the time of Isaiah, there was no specific name yet by which God was called. Yes, He was already referred to as “Yahweh” or by some other Name, but it is only in the New Testament that God’s name was clearly identified, and that is Jesus.

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

Atty. Batas Mauricio So, is there a group which, when its members pray, starts off with the Name of God, right away? Yes, there is, and this is the “Philippine-born” Anak ng Diyos Kadugo Ni Kristo (AND KNK, or the Children of God Blood Kin of the Christ) Church, whose prayers begin and end with the Name of God. This group says, “O Jesus, our God and Savior, You who are our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit”.

More of this next issue.

-ooo PLEASE LISTEN: “Ang Tanging Daan” (The Sole Way): a Bible study and prayer session online could now be heard, 24 HOURS a day, in the Philippines and the world at www.facebook.com/ angtangingdaan or www. facebook.com/ANDKNK (and look for “Ang Tanging Daan” broadcasts). Phone: 0922 833 43 96, 0918 574 0193, 0977 805 9058. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com.

Our life in public

Oro Chamber

Give Up and Win Think a minute…about giving up. Usually when we give up we admit that we’ve lost. We quit or we g ive up our dre am. We give up the fight against our problems, bad habits, f au lt s an d we a k n e s s e s .

May b e you’ve g iven up on beating your addiction to a l c ohol or you r b a d temper. You might have given up on a relationship l i ke you r mar r i age. O r you’ve given up on ever pleasing and being good enough for your parents or other important people to you.

But did you know that giving up is actually the only way for you to win.

It ’s t h e o n l y w a y y o u can finally get free from t h e s e s t r u g g l e s y o u’v e been fighting for so long.

Sooner or later, we must give up and admit what w e’v e k n ow n a l l a l o n g inside our hearts: we ourselves don’t have all the inner strength and will power to win against our weaknesses and do what we know we should.

S o g i v i n g up m e a n s wising up and facing the facts of our life and limitations. We need our Maker Himself to give us t he i n ne r st re ng t h and will power so we can

leave out belief and faith in God in many of their pronouncements. I am quite confident now that despite many shortcomings, Duterte has the Spirit of God in him, which is the main ingredient of good and efficient leadership.

Mabuhay!

-ooo WHAT IS THE TRUTH, DELOSO, EBDANE? Can a provincial govenor, like former Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., sell vast areas of land in his province to foreigners, like the Chinese, and allow them to use the land as a reservoir for weapons like missiles or nuclear bombs? This is a question that is now nagging many, after incumbent Gov. Amor Deloso raised an alert in an interview with media.

The clear answer to this, based on the news accounts that appeared in Facebook, is no, lands in our country can never be sold to any foreigner. Then, it is also clear under the 1987 Constitution that no nuclear weapon can ever be allowed in any part of our country. If Deloso’s accusations (see http:// tankler.com/mayor-delosoclaims-chinese-militarypre… and http : / / w w w. manilatimes.net/zambalesgov-belies-chinese-p…/…/) are true, criminal cases await the responsible officials.

Now, I am calling upon

THINK

A Minute

Jhan Tiafau Hurst start living the successful, satisfying life He created us to enjoy. No one wants more for you to win than the One Who made you. He didn’t design you to lose and fail to reach all that potential He put inside you.

This is why He became a human being. God the Son came to give us all the power we need to live up to our full potential and be fully alive. We’ve already proven that we can’t do it ours elves. Al l of our promises and resolutions to change. All of our e f for t s , d e t e r m i n at i on , and intelligence is just not enough. So just do it! Give up and let Jesus Christ take charge of your heart and life every day, so you can start winning His way.

Just Think a Minute…

We need to give due attention to this aspect of our life.Our life in public is an integral and unavoidable part of us.

In the first place, to be born we need to have parents and a family, then a community, a school, a market, a church, etc. We can never be alone. Our life is at once private, individually ours, and public, always with others, if not physically then at least intentionally.

Thus we need to know the purpose of our life in public,what it involves, what it requires, what duties we have toward it, what benefits it can give us and what dangers it can pose.

I t h i n k t h at a s w e develop fast because of our technologies, we have to know how to pull the many levers at hand to reach our proper goal.

For example, how do we handle the many intergenerational and intercultural demands of our times? Our public and social life now has certain c ompl e x it i e s u n k n ow n before. It now is much more diverse. And we need to master them, and not be their slaves or pawns.

It’s a pity to see many p e op l e , e s p e c i a l l y t h e young, getting lost in the dizzying swirl of our life in public. Many of us are left badly equipped to tackle the intricacies involved.

There’s the pressure of the peers and “barkada,” the

pull of the mob, the lure of the entertainment world, the tricks and ambitions of business and politics, etc.

We often get stuck in the externals and appearances without getting into the essence of things. Our reactions are mainly kneejerk and Pavlovian. We hardly think, we barely reflect and study things.

We generate a lifestyle based mainly on feelings and impressions, often fleeting and unstable, rather than on one that hasa solid foundation, able to guide us consistently through the different phases and situations of our lives.

As a result, we enter into a spiral of a worldly way of life with barely any soul in it.

We begin to treat each other merely as facades or masks, quite plastic. Pretensions and hypocrisy becomes alient features of our society, be getting the other forms of deceit and conceit.

Instead of being persons, we become simply as actors, performers or robots. Our heart is slowly turned from flesh to stone.We become users, manipulators and exploiters of others. The others become mere objects, products, and statistics.

Subjectivity, where respect for ever yone’s spiritual character and personhood should be enhanced, ebbs away. Instead, objectification of persons takes place, drying us up to make us things

instead of persons.

The dynamics created by this set-up allows people to swing from self-absorption to self-assertion, from selfseeking to self-promotion.

Thus, the truly human ways to link us into communion with others start to disappear.

It’s all about the ego. The “we/us”vanishes.

The field gets littered with the remains of envy, greed, lust, sloth and other capital sins. And, sad to say, there are many exploiters and predators in this field who take advantage of the situation and the vulnerability of the weak and the gullible.

We need to expose them and their tactics.

We have to put a stop to this vicious cycle, and reverse it to become a virtuous cycle. This will depend on whether we first establish and strengthen our personal relationship with God. We have to be most wary of the rise of secularism and relativism in society. They come as a result precisely of setting God aside from our life in public.

And so, we can see in many countries today delicate moral issues that need to be resolved very clearly: abortion, confusion about sexual identity and human nature, divorce, disconnection of science and technology from morality, lack of respect for freedom of conscience, questionable e du c at i ona l t h r ust s i n

HINTS

and

Traces

Fr. Roy Cimagala schools, etc.

These issues are slowly invading our shores, and we just have to strengthen our faith, especially that of our leaders, for this eventuality.

Faith and religion are always involved in these issues.While these issues have to b e c ons i d e re d under many aspects, we have to understand that the considerations of faith and religion, being so basic in us, should be given priority.

It’s in our faith and religion that the fundamental and ultimate meaning of the issues are given. It’s where our ultimate common good is determined. The practical, the legal, the social, cultural and historical aspects have to somehow defer to them.

Contrary to some views, being consistent to one’s faith and religion in public office does not make him a fanatic, a fundamentalist or detached from reality.

Quite the opposite is true. roycimagala@gmail.com.

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Growth... from page 1

accounted the biggest chunk of the total output in the Industry sector, decelerated from 5.8 percent to 3.2 percent. Construction also slowed down from 26.2 percent to 10.8 percent.

Mining and quarrying Nasol said the deceleration in the Services was attributed to the slowdown of Trade and Repair which decelerated from 10.2 percent to 6.6 percent. Such sub-sector accounted for the biggest share in the total output of services.

Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities and Public Administration & Defense also slowed down from 11.9 percent to 5.6 percent and from 5.4 percent to 2.5 percent, respectively.

However, the slowdown w a s c u s h i on e d by t h e improvement in the Other Services sector which grew from 7.7 percent to 11.3 percent. Similarly, Transport, Storage & Communication posted faster growths from 4.6 percent to 8.7 percent while Financial Intermediation grew from 6.7 percent to 6.9 percent.

The recorded deceleration in the Industry sector was attributable to the slowdown of all its sub-industries.

Ma nu f a c t u r i n g , w h i c h accounted the biggest chunk of the total output in the Industry sector, decelerated from 5.8 percent t0 3.2 percent. Construction also slowed down from 26.2 percent to 10.8 percent while Mining & Quarrying decelerated from 16.7 percent to 15.2 percent. Electricty, Gas & Water further showed a decline of 0.1 percent due to the drop of power generation of the hydroelectric plants.

On t he ot her hand, the Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry & Fishing (AHFF) grew faster from 3.2 percent in 2014 to 3.9 percent in 2015. The improvement was attributed to the rebound of Fishing from negative 0.7 percent to 11.7 percent despite the slowdown in the Agriculture and Forestry from 3.8 percent to 2.8 percent.

Economy... from page 1

8.8 percent, respectively.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), on the other hand, shared only 4.6 percent of the total Mindanao economy.

Northern Mindanao also contributed 1.43 percentage points to the Mindanao’s economic growth, making it the second biggest contributor to the island’s economic growth.

The Mindanao economy posted a growth of 5.6 percent in 2015.

In terms of the major industries of the Mindanao economy, Northern Mindanao remained to have the biggest chunk of the total Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry & Fishing (AHFF) in 2015 with a share of 27.5 percent.

The region further contributed the biggest share in the Mindanao Services

sector with 24.8 percent, next to Davao whose share was 32.4 percent.

Northern Mindanao also shared about 26.3 percent to the total Industry sector in Mindanao.

The regional economic performance was appraised through the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). It measures the value of goods and services produced in the region in a particular period.

Exceeds...

from page 1 12 thousand and this is way beyond the preset 10,000 quota—the same figure with that of S&R Davao.

The same source said S&R Davao has not reached its quota since membership is only about eight thousand.

Earlier, KMC president Anthony G. Sy, during the general assembly of about 300 S&R Cagayan de Oro personnel, said the store opening was originally set in October this year.

“I am impressed by the way this store was completed ahead of schedule,” Sy said and urged all those present to “focus as a team” through “hardwork and dedication.”

He said S&R Cagayan de Oro is the 11th since the first store was opened 10 years ago and that the 12th would be in Iloilo before the year ends.

Aside from that of Davao, the other S&R stores—where 80 percent of the goods are imported-- are in Metro Manila’s Bonifacio Global City, Congressional, AseanaBaclaran, Alabang, and Shaw as well as in Imus, Nuvali, Pampanga and Cebu.

Although the meaning of S&R was not explained during the news conference, SupplyChainDigest described S&R as a “sense and respond” supply chain re a l-t ime strategy—that of “moving from supply chain focused in trying to predict demand to a customer-driven chains that are organized to respond to demand with lightning speed.

Seized...

from page 1 T h e c ont ai n e r v an s were opened by Customs officials and the media at the Mindanao International Container Terminal in this municipality.

The renewed campaign against smuggling came after Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon threatened to shoot corrupt personnel in the BOC. “That is the instruction of Commissioner Faeldon. We do not want it to happen first at the BOC regional office,” said Alvin Enciso, BOC chief intelligence officer.

BOC collector Marvin Mison said the consignees and their brokers are being investigated.

He said a certain Rodolf Golez is being investigated for the van containing two Mercedes Benz 280 SL sedans and the Porsche 911 car, all three with a total declared value of P4 million.

Mison identified the owner of the container

vans full of blankets, pillow cases, curtains, bed sheetand used clothing from Korea as Gamma Gray Marketing from Manila.

For the vans containing frozen meat from France, Mison said UML Farm and Trading Corporation from Manila is being investigated.

“We will dispose the frozen meat as soon as possible because it is showing signs of spoilage already,” Mison said.

Project...

from page 1 on Tuesday.

He said the proposed project, a bypass road, will span at least 15 kilometers covering Barangay BucanaBankerohan Bridge-Diversion Road, and ease up traffic congestion in the city’s central business center.

“From the city’s central business district, you can use the bypass road to go along the way the Diversion Road.

It will alleviate the traffic,” he said.

He said the investor, Korean Engineering Corp., will do a feasibility study on the project as soon as the mayor would give her go signal.

He said the investor came to know about the development of the Davao Riverside Boulevard project when they visited South Korea in November 2015 to look for private companies who will invest in the city’s planned PPP projects.

The construction of a Davao Riverside Boulevard is one of the priority projects as per the 2013 Comprehensive Land use Plan. It will have commercial strips, open spaces, and parks, according to Rigor.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s economic team has promised to cut down the processing time for the

PPP projects from 28 to 20 months.

Na t i o n a l E c o n o m i c Development Authority Director General Ernesto Per ni a b elie ve d t hat streamlining the processes would entice more investors. “ P P P p r o g r a m’s performance is rather not too good. It’s not really encouraging and very little has been achieved during the last six years in terms of rolling out PPPs. There’s a lot of effort needed in boosting particular PPPs,” he said.

Pernia said red tape must also be addressed.

During the 1st Businessworld Economic Convention in Shangri-La at The Fort, Taguig City last July 13, Finance secretary Carlos Dominguez promised no delay in the PPP projects. “ They stopped the PPP project for two years while they were reviewing ever ything. That is the mistake we’re not going to commit. We’re going ahead with all of them, we will just assume that the previous administration did the right thing and then we will push ahead, so there will be no hiatus in time for the PPP projects that are already in the pipeline so we’re not going to review them,” he said.

The PPP Center reported 12 awarded PPP projects and 15 other projects in different stages of approval. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

Regulates... from page 2

and invitation to consumers to verify the weight of each LPG product variant.

O t h e r re qu i re m e nt s include the provision of fire alarms, fire extinguisher and fire suppression devices and guides in case of LPG related accidents per revised building code of the province; the delivery service for the

LPG shall secure conveyance certificate/permit from the Bureau of Fire Protection; and provision of information materials in the form of information board, brochures and emergency information kit to prevent LPG related accidents; logbook where the weight and condition of LPG cylinders sold and inventory are recorded for inspection by authorities; and the manufacture and/ or repair of LPG cylinders should be accredited by the Bureau of Product Standards under PNS 03:2000.

Non-compliance of the said requirements of the ordinance and other violations that include selling LPG with tampered/defaced cylinder labels, selling underfilled LPG cylinders, illegal refilling, selling adulterated LPG and transporting/handling LPG cylinders in a vehicle enclosed cargo space, are penalized accordingly. First violation-reprimand and a fine of P1,000 for every count of violation. Second Violation-second warning plus a fine of P1,500 for every count of violation. Third and subsequent violations – fine of P2,500 for every count of violation and/or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, upon the discretion of the court and revocation of business permit.

A Ta s k F o r c e L P G headed by the PDRRMO was also created, which shall be exclusively responsible to effectively enforce the prov is i ons of t he s ai d ordinance. (Aimee B. Sienes, LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIAAgusan del Norte)

Philex... from page 3

lower petroleum revenues contributed by its 67.19% direct and indirectly owned subsidiary, Forum Energy Ltd.

7

T h e l ow e r r e v e nu e s arose from the decline in oil output, as well as oil prices, it added.

In its disclosure, Philex Petroleum, through Forum, said it was awaiting guidance from the government on the future activity in service contract (SC) 72, which is covered by the decision handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in the Netherlands on July 12, 2016.

Philex Petroleum said it welcome d t he r u ling of t h e t r i bu n a l on t h e maritime case filed and won by the Republic of t he Phi lippines against the People’s Republic of China.

Based on an independent assessment the Sampaguita gas field is estimated to contain 2.6 trillion cubic feet of in-place contingent resources and 5.5 trillion cubic feet of in-place prospective resources, Philex Petroleum said in its annual report last year.

The service contract has a seven-year exploration period consisting of four sub-phases, extendible by three years, and a 25year production period, extendible by 15 years. SC 72 was awarded on Feb. 15, 2010, and was in the second exploration sub-phase.

The partners in the SC 72 consortium are Forum with 70% and Monte Oro Resources and Energy, Inc. with 30%.

On Wednesday, shares in Philex Petroleum slipped 3.33% to P4.06 each.

First Pacific Co. Ltd., w h i ch ow ns more t han a quar ter of Phi lippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), is the single b i g g e s t s h a re h o l d e r of Philex Petroleum’s parent, Philex Mining Corp.

8

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feature

Friday | July 29, 2016

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Juan Science, 1 Nation 4 National Science & Technology Week 2016

L

By Mike Baños, Editor-at-Large

eaders in the public and private sectors agree science and technology have to walk the government mantra of inclusivity to help alleviate poverty and enable the Philippines to leapfrog its ranking in the Global Competitiveness Index.

D u r i ng h i s ke y n ote address during the July 21 opening of National Science and Technology Week 2016 at a local restaurant, Engr.

Elpidio M. Paras, Regional S c i e n c e & Te c h n o l o g y Ambassador for Business, said that “while the DOST’s primary mission is to guide and take a leading role in S& T, I would like to believe it can do more.”

“In other neighboring countries such as Taiwan, S&T expenditure is over 2.9% of national budget and the MOST (Ministry of Science and Technology) has for years

championed and financed programs that have allowed a small country to leverage its brain assets to be Ranked Top Three in the world in a good number of products and innovations,” Paras stressed.

He cited how Taiwan has risen over the past decades to become the world’s #1 in the world in Foundry, IC packaging and testing, CDs and glass fiber; #2 in the world in IC design, Personal navigation devices (PNDs), LCD panels, IC substrates, silicon solar batteries, ABS plastics and #3 in the world science/PAGE B6

DOST-10 RD Alfonso Alamban, Cepalco SVP Ralph Paguio & UC-1 CEO Elpidio Paras cut the ceremonial ribbon for DOST-10’s National Science & Technology Week 2016 Exhibit at the Grand Caprice, Limketkai

Juan Science, One Nation

LDCU R&D team focused on urban plagues Findings indicate salt can control mosquito larvae

By Mike Baños, Editor-at-Large

The Liceo de Cagayan University Research & Development (R&D) team is currently focusing its efforts in addressing two of the top causes of sickness and deaths in Cagayan de Oro City: dengue hemorrhagic fever and Human Immunodeficiency VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

Dr. Lesley Casas Lubos, Vice President for Research, Publication and Extension, and head of the Mosquito-Dengue Fighters Association-Misamis Oriental Chapter, said the university-funded studies is part of the school’s corporate social responsibility program aimed at addressing the city’s health and social ills.

Meteoric Rise of Dengue Cases From 121, 000 cases in 2014, health authorities reported the incidence of dengue fever in the Philippines soared

65 percent to over 200,415 in with 598 fatalities in 2015.

Even more alarming, from 50,462 cases recorded from January 1-August 8, 2015, the number of cases increased four-fold in the last trimester of the year. ldcu/PAGE B6

Interviewing Dr Lesley C. Lubos, VP for Research, Extension & Publication of Liceo de Cagayan University wth Research Associates Angeline Beltran & Julius D.M.P. Suazo

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Juan Science, One Nation

PH needs to ramp up Research and Development Expenditures to compete globally

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By Mike Baños

ublic and private sector institutions continue to conduct research studies relevant to the growing needs of Northern Mindanao but the resources needed to bring the region to the next level are sadly lacking.

D u r i ng h is op e n i ng remarks at the launching of the 2016 National Science a n d Te c h n o l o g y We e k last July 23 in Cagayan de Oro City, Dept. of Science & Technology Region 10 Director Alfonso P. Alamban disclosed the Research and Development Intensity (the ratio of R&D Expenditures to Gross Regional Domestic Product) is only .13%, even lower than the Philippines R&D Intensity of .14%.

“What we should strive for is really the RDE itself, which is only 1.38% of the country’s expenditure of about Php 16 Billion,” he added. “There was a tremendous increase in R and D in the last 5 years from PhP 2-B to Php16-B, but definitely we can absorb more.”

In his keynote speech at the same program, Engr.

Elpidio M. Paras, regional S&T Ambassador for Business, said this ratio shows there is a clear need to ask Congress for additional budget.

“Human resource is one of our greatest assets. Shall we be contented to be just OFWs or call center operators? There is so much talent that is wasted here in this country.”

“I am sorry to compare

ourselves to Taiwan, but just 4 decades ago, this nation which has an area smaller than Luzon, was poorer than the Philippines. Today, it is an economic powerhouse ranked among the top 15 countries in the world.”

Despite the country’s increasing focus on research and development through industry-academe linkages, Paras said it still lags behind the so called Tiger Economies of Asia. For instance, the Philippines latest budget for higher education related to S&T is a mere fraction of what Taiwan spent in 2010 (47.97-million TWD or PhP 70.57-billion).

Despite the depressing out l o ok , t he Nor t he r n Mi n d an a o C ons or t iu m for Health Research and Development (NorMinCoHRD) of which DOST-10 is a member, cited outstanding research studies during the 2016 National Science and Technology Week celebration last July 24 in Cagayan de Oro City.

NorMinCoHRD chose the following research papers as its official entries to the 10th Philippine National Health Research System Week for the Oral Research and Poster Contest categories to be held on 9-11 August 2016 at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan For the Professional Category (Poster Contest): “Ut i l i z at i on of He a lt h Infor mat ion for Polic y Formulation, Priority Setting and Resource Allocation in Iligan City Health District

and in Oroquieta Inter-local Health Zone to Meet National Health Goals” by Dr. Alita T. Roxas, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT); “Health Services Utilization and Customer Satisfaction in the Inter-local Health Zones in Lanao del Norte, Region X”

by Prof. Stephen C. Fajardo, MSU-IIT; and, “A Geographic Information System Using

Google Visualization API for Schistosomiasis Mass Drug Administration” by Prof.

Lemuel Clark P. Velasco, MSU-IIT. For the Student Category (Oral Research): “Determination of Lead and Mercury Content of Threetop Selling Food Supplements in Three Leading Drug Stores in Cagayan de Oro City 2015”

by Mr. Christian Dale A.

Aves, Xavier University-Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine; “The Efficacy of Kalamunggay (Moringa oleifera) Leaves in the Treatment of Raw Water as Compared to that of its Seeds in Cagayan de Oro City, 2015” by Ms. Hannah Joyce L. Halasan, XU-Jose P. Rizal College of Medicine.

For the Student Category (Poster Contest): “Knowledge, Attitude, Beliefs

and Practices Regarding HIV/AIDS among Men Having Sex with Men” by Mr. Julius Denn Mikell P. Suazo, Liceo de Cagayan University (LDCU); and “The Effect of Iodized and Sea Salt Used as Control Agents for Mosquito Larvae in the Top Four Barangays in Cagayan de Oro City with the Highest Dengue Incidence” by Ms. Angeline D. Beltran, LDCU.

Juan Science, One Nation

One Oasis CDO reduces risks from global warming and climate change Filinvest Land Inc.’s flagship project in Cagayan de Oro is a showcase not only of the company’s technological innovations, but its environment sustainability as well. · Its Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) sorts, processes, and stores compostable and recyclable materials efficiently in an environment al ly s ound manner without having to resort to incineration which releases toxic and greenhouse gases into atmosphere. It also processes waste materials onsite which further reduces the need for transportation to other areas, eliminating vehicle emissions.

Furthermore, since an MRF helps maintain a clean environment, health risks from unprocessed garbage at risk from floods are reduced. risks/PAGE B7

Trash bin which segragates garbage into biodegradable, non-biodegradable and recyclable materials

Local Technology Works:

An innovation in Essential Oil Processing

By Ritchie Mae L. Guno, Science Research Specialist II DOST Bukidnon

Local technology works for farming and essential oil processing at the foothills of Mt. Kitanglad, home to many of Bukidnon’s Indigenous People.

For Ben and Jean Maputi of Imbayao, Malaybalay City, farming is a way of life. For them, more earnings from farming is not about having a large farm.

Even family-run small farms can produce more and remained viable. It is about a genuine determination to produce, process and add more value to crops and generate addiitonal income.

Ben says, “Being a farmer means being innovative. One day, an innovation came to my mind... why not extract essential oil from citronella plants? This could be an alternative livelihood for upland farmers like mself using simple wood fired extraction.

Then DOST came and offered us the technologyto do it”.

The Department of Science

and Technology (DOST) first provided a distillation still for leafoil extraction to the community.

Then, LGU Malaybalay City followed by providing a new distillation still designed for farm level processing/extraction of essential oil with a capacity of 500 kilos of citronella.

Now, essential oil farming has became a community enterprise that has benefited 15 households.

Because of this essential oil, their children have gone to school and finished college. From the essential oil, family incomes have doubled and tripled, and the community has experienced a rising standard of living.

Today, Mt. Kitanglad essential oil producers are the partners of Human Nature Natural Products, the first producer of a range of affordable and genuinely natural products in the Philippines.

Leading the community with his wife, Ben Maputi has played

a vital part of transforming the ancient essential oil tradition into a modern lifestyle - making wellness possible to millions of Human Nature products’ users.

Every time you hold a bottle

of a Human Nature product in your hand, you are holding the pure essential oils of Mount Kitanglad, the product of local technology working in the lives of the Indigenous peoples.

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PARASAT HD salutes “National Science and Technology Week 2016”

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Chips for All Seasons: Malitbog’s Banana Chips

By Ritchie Mae L. Guno Science Research Specialist II DOST Bukidnon

Healthy, crispy and crunchy; these are only few words that can describe a kind of snack most health conscious people like the most.

The story of the Banana Chips processing in Malitbog, Bukidnon started on 2011 with funding sourced from the Mindanao North Coast Integrated Development Project (MNCIDP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Municipal Government of Malitbog.

The L o cal G overnment Unit (LGU) funded the construction of the building w h i l e DA f u n d e d t h e purchase of equipment. The Local Government Unit started its operation through the effort of Local Finance Committee. It was found out later especially during marketing, from feedback of buyers, customers and other stakeholders that the product needed to improve quality, labeling and packaging.

Fortuitously, DOST ’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program was launched in Malitbog, Bukidnon as the pilot site.

CEST, a program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), aims to empower poor and depressed communities through

science and technolog y (S&T) inter ventions in health and nutrition, water and sanitation, disasterrisk reduction, and climate c h a n g e a d a p t a t i o n . It also targets to introduce to communities the S&T i nte r ve nt i ons on b a s i c education and livelihood development.

The first site assessment conducted by PSTC Bukidnon found that the processing area, equipment, process flow and the products itself needed to be improved implying that the whole process should be enhanced. Also, sample taste tests conducted during the consultation and presentation of CEST program with the local officials and department heads of LGU Malitbog

by DOST Regional Office and PSTC Bukidnon staff, disclosed that the product had a rancid taste, and n e e d e d p a c k a g i ng an d labeling improvement.

In 2013, LGU Malitbog sought the assistance of DOST through CEST Program. DOST’s S & T intervention in Malitbog, Bukidnon includes technological assistance through Upgrading of the Common Service Facility for

Banana Chips Processing.

The pro cessing facility was upgraded through the acquisition of equipment such as Spiral Mixer, Vacuum Packaging Machine, Deep Fryers, Digital Weighing Scale, Refractometer and Industrial Thermometer.

Other interventions included the enhancement training of the banana chips processing including GMP compliance to food safety standards.

At present, Malitbog Banana Chips is now making a n am e i n t h e m ar ke t through pasalubong centers in Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City. Most importantly, the economic activity in the municipality is moving, employing women from the indigenous Higaonon tribe and providing livelihood for banana farmers farming the Cardava Banana.

CONGRATULATIONS to

WILLY G. LIMBONHAI President and the Board of Directors of the

Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. to the

64th Induction of Officers and Directors for the years 2016-2018

July 29, 2016, 7:00 in the evening | Limketkai Luxe Hotel Ballroom

Greetings from

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Science... from page B1

for WLAN, OLED panels, PC boards, nylon fibers, and polyester filaments.”

D u r i ng h is op e n i ng remarks at the same program, Regional Director Alfonso P. Alamban of the Dept. of Science & Technology Region 10 (D OST-10) said one indicator of competitiveness is “how we are perceived by the business sector, which dictates how our products and services should be received by the world market. One tool is the Global Competitiveness Index which ranks over a hundred countries along certain parameters.”

Alamban cited how the Philippines steadily rose from its 85th rank in 2010 to 47th by 2015, a jump of 38 ranks. “ W h i l e t h e macroeconomic environment made a substantial contribution towards this improvement over the last 5 years, the innovation factors tremendously made an impact on this progress,” Alamban noted. Ranked 111th in 2015, it climbed 63 ranks to 48th by 2015.

This was made possible through government procurement of advanced technology products, c o mp a ny s p e n d i n g o n research and development and industr y-academe linkages and the availability of scientists and engineers, he added.

But Paras believes the Philippines can do even better. “ T h e c ou nt r y ’s n e w mission should be to be able to create and make new, wider market leading

LDCU... from page B6

Nor t he r n Mi nd ana o ranked fourth nationwide for the former period with 8.7% of the total cases, following Calabarzon (15.2%), Central Luzon (13%) and National Capital Region (11.1%).

In the past 50 years, the global incidence of dengue multiplied over 30 times, with prevalence rising from only 3-8 for 1955-1959, to over 125 countries by 2012.

Estimates on the annual number of cases by health organizations range from 50-100 million to as high as 390 million.

The Philippines is one of 4 countries in the Western Pacific which reported the highest dengue incidence in recent years.

Barely seven years ago, was City Health Office statistics show dengue not even ranked in the Top 10 causes of mortality in Cagayan de Oro City.

Salt as control agent for mosquito larvae At the sidelines of the recent regional celebration of National Science and Technology Week, Lubos said a recently concluded study conducted in the top four dengue-hit barangays of Cagayan de Oro indicates 3% sea salt or iodized salt

DOST-10 RD Alfonso P. Alamban

Reg 10 S&T Ambassador for Business Community Engr Elpidio M. Paras delivers his keynote speech during the opening of the DOST-10 National Science & Technology Week 2016

products and technologies that will spearhead a new era in manufacturing for the Philippines,” he stressed.

“We need to have new long, medium and short term goals, something that will leverage not only our human resource assets, but our vast mineral resources as well.

There is so much silicon in our beaches, that China has been dredging mountains of black sand in many locations.

Why haven’t we explored on how to process silicon so we could make solar panels cheaper?”

Despite the country’s increasing focus on research and development through industry-academe linkages, Paras said it still lags behind the so called Tiger Economies of Asia. For instance, the Philippines latest budget for higher education related to S&T is a mere fraction of what Taiwan spent in 2010 (47.97-million TWD or PhP 70.57-billion).

“I am sorry to compare ourselves to Taiwan, but just 4 decades ago, this nation which has an area smaller

than Luzon, was poorer than the Philippines. Today, it is an economic powerhouse ranked among the top 15 countries in the world.”

In comparison, Alamban mentioned in his earlier remarks how the Research and Development Intensity (the ration of R&D Expenditures to Gross Regional Domestic Product) is only .13%, even lower than the Philippines R&D Intensity of .14%.

“What we should strive for is really the RDE itself, which is only 1.38% of the country’s expenditure of about Php 16 Billion,” he added.

“Clearly, we need to ask Congress for additional budget; how else can we compete with other countries, when we are not investing as much in Higher Education?”

Paras said. “Human resource is one of our greatest assets.

Shall we be contented to be just OFWs or call center operators? There is so much talent that is wasted here in this country.”

In addition, Paras recommends the construction

of science parks in each of the country’s main island groups “for a start”.

“As i n Ta i w a n , t h e science technology parks and innovation corridors in Hsinchu, Taoyuan, Taichung, Keelung, Tainan etc., have reached prominence in the development of products and e quipment relate d t o r e n e w a b l e e n e r g y, L E D an d LC D p an e l s , electric vehicles, precision machinery, optoelectronics and biotechnology. When I was building satellite antenna systems in the 80s, I had personally visited startup companies in the science park in Hsinchu and the companies I got equipment from are now giants in the industry.”

Not the least, he recommended that DOST link local scientists, inventors and innovators who have products which fail to enter even the domestic market due to lack of funding to the right investors so the time to commercialize would be much shorter.

Alamban accepts doing all these remains a challenge in spite of the recent economic gains which should b e leveraged “to focus, explore and innovate further.”

“Under this year’s slogan , Juan Science, One Nation, we should continue to support the DOST in its mission: to be the direction provider, leader and coordinator of the country’s scientific and technological efforts, ensuring that these are geared and utilized in areas of maximum economic and social benefits for the people,” Alamban stressed.

“Our aim is to bring down the fruits of these developments to the ordinary Juan on t he st re ets or barangay. For only through a secured economic and social well-being can we have a united and contented citizenry.”

Alamban explained Juan Science means that technology for economic and social improvement should be accessible to an ordinary

citizen for him to make a meaningful contribution to nation-building.

“This is why this year’s celebration of the National Science and Technology Week deliberately included regional celebrations,” he noted. “This is to further enhance the awareness that at the regions, the forefront is technolog y commercialization, with t h e a i m of e n h a n c i n g enterprise productivity and competitiveness for these to be able to provide higher employment opportunities.”

Thus, the rationale for the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) as DOST banner program: to inspire more companies to take risks by showcasing successful enterprises which had availed of SETUP. “This is of course towards the end line of the STI value chain. The chain starts with concepts then moving on to research and development.

We hope we have more of this activity in the region,” he said.

is effective in controlling mosquito larvae.

The study team was led

by Angeline D. Beltran with Mark Archibald D. Balindong, Kervin Caballes, Angel C. Cabugwason and Greenly Sol S. Lecasno as members under the supervision of Dr. Lubos.

A follow-up study that would be completed this October is testing the efficacy of the saline solution in controlling mosquito larvae which may be present in other types of water from the rain, canals, rivers and similar waterways.

Another study conducted by the team “Ecological Survey of Aedes Mosquito Larvae in selected Dengue outbreak villages in Cagayan de Oro City” identified Aedesa egypti as the dominant species, with more Aedes larvae during the dry season.

A lar val sur vey was conducted in each study area to determine the main breeding sites of dengue ve c tor mos quito es and examine the relationship b etween the ecological conditions surrounding the houses and the variation in larval density among houses.

The study suggests that larval survey program could serve as a tool not only to monitor the local dengue vector distribution but also to

provide objective information for taking appropriate action by the community against dengue vectors.

As a follow up to these two initial efforts, Dr. Lubos has programmed another study “Dengue Incidence using Climate Variables as Predictors” which aims to investigate the relationship of morbidity with humidity, temperature, and rainfall.

The model in this study was generated using the monthly data from January 2011 to December 2014. The data on climate variables were gathered from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and the numbers of dengue cases in Cagayan de Oro City were gathered from the Department of Health (DOH).

The first step in c on du c t i n g t h e l i n e a r regression model was to have a cross-correlation between morbidity and the climate variables, humidity, rainfall and temperature. After the preliminary model was set, diagnostic checking followed which was to inspect visually the scatter diagram between morbidity and the residuals of the model.

Results showed that among the three variables (humidity, temperature and

rainfall), temperature had the highest correlation with morbidity. This shows that temperature could better explain the variance in the variable morbidity. “ The temperature is a good predictor of the morbidity rate of dengue cases in Cagayan de Oro City,” Dr. Lubos noted.

“However, there should be further investigation as to the unseen variables that would affect the morbidity rate.”

MSM Practices and Attitudes in connection with HIV-AIDS In another study aimed at another leading cause of morbidity in the city, the team just completed “Knowledge, Attitude, Beliefs and Practices on HIV/AIDS among Men Having Sex with Men.” The study team is led

by Ju lius D enn Mi kel l P. Suazo with Crisfe O. Banzon, Camille S. Daaca and Ruth Bella M. Dongallo as members, under the supervision of Dr. Lubos and Dr. Judith Dalman.

The study investigated the extent of knowledge, attitude, beliefs, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among men having sex with men.

It focused on (1) the profile of the respondents in terms of age, marital

status, educational level, and employment status, (2) the extent of knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding HIV/AIDS among men having sex with men, (3) the common sexual practices used by men having sex with men in relation to HIV/AIDS; and (4) the variance on the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and sexual practices of MSM regarding HIV/AIDS when grouped according profile.

Using the descriptive research design, the analysis yielded the following results: (1) Most of the respondents belong to adolescent years, mostly single, obtained higher education, and unemployed.

(2) The respondents had sufficient knowledge on the mode of transmission but had insufficient knowledge about the disease process.

The respondents show a positive attitude to those people living with HIV/AIDS by not discriminating against them. The respondents were aware that multiple sex partners are risk factors for developing HIV/AIDS and kissing is not a factor for transmission of the virus.

How e v e r, t h e y a l s o believed that a strong faith in God will infect them with the virus. (3) The respondents had good sexual practices with regards to HIV/AIDS as they used condoms to

protect themselves against the virus and never engage with multiple sex partners.

(4) There is no significant difference on the respondent’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs when grouped according to age, marital status, educational level, and, employment status.

But there appears to be a significant difference in the respondent’s practices when grouped according to age but not when grouped according to marital status, educational level, and employment status. In conclusion, the respondents are knowledgeable about the mode of transmission but have insufficient knowledge to the disease process.

The Department of Health (DOH) Region 10 and the City Health Office (CHO) have recorded sixty-five (65) HIV-Aids cases in Cagayan de Oro City from January to September, 2015.

Cagayan de Oro City had the highest number of HIV-ADIS cases in Region 10 followed by the cities of Iligan, Valencia, Ozamiz, and Malaybalay. It has listed a total 215 HIV-AIDS cases since 1998.

The CHO said many of those who tested positive were MSM with the number of infected females significantly down since the 1990s.

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friday|JUly 29, 2016

Risks... from page B2

· The Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) processes waste water and other effluents into safe, odor-free gray water which can be recycled for non-potable use such as irrigating the community’s green areas and washing cars. This also helps reduce the risks of flooding and health risks arising from floods that disseminate dirty, unprocessed and often toxic waste water.

Another feature which helps mitigate health and energy wastes is its drainage system which collects rain water in a detention pond as a flood-control measure when rainfall is heavy.

When an area like the O O CD O community is paved, or covered with buildings, water runs off the property much faster than in its natural state. The total amount of discharge is the same, but the discharge happens over a shorter amount of time.

Thus, its water detention pond will temporarily detain the water and keep the runoff to the desired volume. When the rain ends, though, the water detention pond will be emptied shortly afterwards to another outlet leading to the river or sea, or stored underground for re-use and recycling. · Since the drainage system is designed to direct r ai n w ate rs by g r av it y instead of electric pumps, it eliminates the need for energy for pumping, again further reducing the carbon footprint of One Oasis CDO. (we can further develop this point by computing the electricity needed to pump the given volume of flood waters to Bitan-ag Creek and citing those as savings, or greenhouse gases reduced).

Not the least, following are some of the most obvious but often overlooked passive design features of One Oasis CDO that help reduce global warming and climate change: · Its central location means key facilities like s cho ols , sup e r marke t s , hospitals and malls are within walking distance or a very short drive away reducing the carbon footprint of each resident and visitor. · Some 55 percent of its 2.7 hectares is allocated for greens, trees and open spaces, wide roads and resort-styled amenities, allowing cool air to freely flow into the residential units and further reducing the need for air conditioning and fans by offering readily available cooling options like the clubhouse and swimming pools. · The five residential unit buildings are oriented to minimize the greenhouse effect of directly facing the sunlight, thus reducing the need for air conditioning. · The Reinforced Concrete (RC) Floor and Building System offers passive insulation against extremes in temperature without the need for electricity. · The roof decks of all buildings are maximized

as laundry cages for drying, eliminating the need for expensive and power guzzling clothes dryers.

Each condominium bui lding in One O asis CDO will have seven to eight floors of residential units and a roof deck cum laundry area, two elevators

for the residential floors and strategically located stairways, connecting all levels.

Each 2 bedroom and 1 bedroom residential unit comes with a balcony and laundry cage for drying.

Parking slots for residents are available for sale on a

first come, first served basis.

For more details, please visit Filinvest office at the ground floor, Bo’s Café Bldg., Don A. Velez St., 9000 Cagayan de Oro City or contact 0917-305-8888 or check its official page at facebook.com/oneoasis. cagayandeoro

CDO holds traffic education seminar to rela operators, drivers CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The city government of Cagayan de Oro will hold a traffic education seminar on August 9 to motorela operators and drivers whose plate numbers end with nine and will renew the franchise of their units.

Lawyer Jose Edgardo Uy, chairman of Task Force Hapsay Dalan (TFHD), explained that motorela operators could never renew their franchise not unless they will undergo a seminar that is conducted by the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA).

The traffic education s e m i nar w i l l re m i nd operators and drivers on t r af f i c r u l e s an d road signs as well as the responsibilities of every operator.

Aside from lectures, the operators will also have to take a written examination and failure to pass the exam

will require the operator to take an exam first before he or she will be given the certificate for the franchise renewal.

Uy also added that they restricted the franchise renewal after finding out that there are a lot of motorela operators and drivers who do not know

about traffic rules and road signs aside from being abusive.

“Requirement gyud ni nga seminar every time mag-renew sila sa ilang franchise (This seminar is a requirement every time they will renew their franchise),” Uy said.(ALRCIO/PIA10)

NEW LIGHT PAWNSHOP Main: Gen. Capistrano Neri St., Cagayan de Oro City Branch: Don. S. Osmeña St., Fronting Public Market, Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE OF AUCTION Starting August 5 & 6, 2016 (Friday & Saturday) at 9:00 A.M. to 5P.M., this establishment will set an Auction Sale on all pledges since June 2015. Patrons are enjoined to verify their receipts.

MANAGEMENT PAHIBALO Sa Agosto 5 & 6, 2016 (Bernes ug Sabado) sa may 9:00 sa buntag paingon sa alas 5:00 sa hapon, ang tanan nga penirenda nga wala malukat sa bulan sa Hunyo 2015 maapil sa subasta. Giawhag ang tanan suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo.

BWM july 29, 2016 ANG TAGDUMALA GREAT VALUE PAWNSHOP V. Catro St., Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE OF AUCTION Starting August 5 & 6, 2015 (Friday & Saturday) at 9:00 A.M. to 5P.M., this establishment will set an Auction Sale on all pledges since June 2015. Patrons are enjoined to verify their receipts.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED ELACRIO H. PABUALAN, CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS SALE/ DONATION MADE BY THE HEIRS AND DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late ELARCIO H. PABULAN left A PARCEL OF LAND TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-24387 situated in the Barrio of Cogon, Municipality of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, containing an area of EIGHTEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY EIGHT (18, 178) square meters more or less is the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED ELACRIO H. PABUALAN, CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS SALE/ DONATION MADE BY THE HEIRS AND DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE made and executed among heirs namely: - BONIFACIO U. PABUALAN - HEIRS OF RAMON U. PABUALAN represented by MA. NIÑA P. ZABALLERO - NICOLAS U. PABUALAN - HEIRS OF TIRSO U. PABUALAN represented by FELIXBERTA P. PABUALAN - HEIRS OF ANTONIO U. PABUALAN namely: • ESTERLITA B. PABUALAN • CHERYL P. LLAGUNO • VIVIAN P. VILLAMOR • ALVIN B. PABUALAN • ESTRELLA B. PABUALAN • ARVIN B. PABUALAN - SHERLINDA P. MARTO - DURITA P. CAWALING - ALICIA P. ANAYRON - LOLITA U. PABUALAN. That the above mentioned name, being all of legal age and with full civil capacity to contract hereby adjudicate and partition the above described real property in a certain manners. That for in consideration of the sum FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED PESE (438,600.00) acknowledge from vendee NORMAN PABUALAN that the HEIRS OF ANTONIO PABUALAN do hereby sell, transfer & convey to the VENDEE our share described in the above extrajudicial settlement which share consist of a total area of (1,462) sq.m Under Notary public ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI per doc. No. 387; page No.78; book No. 193; series of 2016 BWM: July 22, 29 & Aug. 5, 2016 Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region Branch 16, Tangub City

MANAGEMENT PAHIBALO Sa Agosto 5 & 6 (Bernes ug Sabado) sa may 9:00 sa buntag paingon sa alas 5;00 sa hapon, ang tanan nga penirenda nga wala malukat sa bulan sa Hunyo 2015 maapil sa subasta. Giawhag ang tanan suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo.

OFFICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF-2016-001

ANG TAGDUMALA BWM july 29, 2016

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended

by Act 4118 filed by Rural Bank of Tangub City INC., against Sps. Nicasio Sepulveda and Sonia Jabel Sepulveda to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of May 31, 2016 amounts to One Hundred Ninety Six Thousand Three Hundred Twenty Pesos and 77/100 only (Php 196,322.77) excluding interest, attorney’s fees, and other lawful fees for the service of foreclosure, the undersigned Sheriff will sell at public auction on August 01, 2016 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Br. 16, Tangub City, to the highest bidder in cash, Philippine Currency the herein mortgage properties to wit; TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE No. T-2061 “A parcel of land Lot. No. 16669-A-4-G-1-A, Psd-10-051542 being a portion of Lot No. 16669-A-4-G-1, Psd-035280 including all improvements thereon;Situated in the barrio of Cabangcalan, City of Tangub, Province of Misamis Occidental, Island of Mindanao, Bounded on the SW., along line 3-4 by Lot 16669-A-4-G 2, Psd-10-035280 (road lot 6.00 m wide) on the NE., 4-1 by Lot 16669-A-4-G-1-B and on the SE., along Line 1-2 by lot 16669-A-4-G-1-C both of the subdivision of Psd-10-051542. Containing an area of Six Hundred (600) square meters, more or less. Assessed at P27,600.00 per Tax Declaration No. 89688.”

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE No. T-(P-31142)P-333 “A parcel of land and all improvements thereon; situated in the barrio of Bocator, City of Tangub, Province of Misamis Occidental, Bounded on the W., along line 1-2 by Lot 1984-A, Csd-10-003118-D, on the N., along line 2-3 by Lot 1600, Cad. 271; on the S., along line 4-5 by 2024, Cad. 271; and on the W., along line 5-1 by Lot 1984-C, Csd-10-003118-D. Containing an area of NINE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THIRTY ONE SQUARE METER or .9331 SQUARE METERS. Assessed at P5,880.00 per TAX DECLARATION NO. 46002.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time, date and place of auction sale.

In the event that the public auction should not take place on said date or there is only one bidder, it shall be held on August 05, 2016 at the same time & place without further notice.

Bidders are enjoined to investigate for themselves any encumbrances on the herein property if any there be.

June 02, 2016, at Tangub City, Philippines.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF: BY:

BWM: July 29, 2016

BWM: July 15, 22 & 29, 2016

(Sgd.) WILLIAM C. ARANIEGO Sheriff IV

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Seda Hotels:

feature B8

Friday | July 29, 2016

Adopter of Bird Ambassadors of the Philippine Eagle Center Percentage of revenues to help in the conservation education program

“Luke” is a White Bellied Sea Eagle at the Philippine Eagle Center

Seda, the Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts hotel brand, is supporting the Philippine Eagle conservation education program by adopting the Philippine Eagle Center’s Bird Ambassadors. For every booking at Best Available Rate (BAR) for the day until September, 2016, Seda is donating a percentage of revenues for the birds’ care and maintenance and to educate the public on wildlife

conservation.

The Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) is located at the foothills of Mt. Apo in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City. It operates as a conservation breeding facility for the critically endangered Philippine Eagle and other birds of prey.

The bird ambassadors are volunteers who guide visitors around the center while emphasizing the importance of saving the Philippine Eagle, other wildlife and

their habitat.

Seda Group General Manager, Andrea Mastellone says, “It is our pleasure to partner with the Philippine Eagle Center and to support its noble objectives.

Its commitment to its cause is commendable and is aligned with our own sustainability goals.”

Now considered an ‘’adopter of the Bird Ambassadors,” Seda’s contributions will go towards the birds’ care, food, and maintenance for

a year. The Philippine Eagle Center not only houses different breeds of eagles, but also other birds, mammals and reptiles endemic to the country.

All Seda hotels are contributing their share to the Philippine Eagle Center. The Seda properties include Seda BGC, Metro Manila; Seda Abreeza, Davao City; Seda Centrio, Cagayan de Oro City; Seda Atria, Iloilo; and Seda Nuvali, Laguna.