BusinessWeek Mindanao (June 26-27, 2015)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

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Volume V, No. 189

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Briefly Tax collection NORTHERN Mindanao continues to post double digit growth in tax collections, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in the region said.

In a media forum last week, NEDA told media practitioners that the tax bureau in the region hit a total of P2.49 billion in tax collections during the first quarter of the year, higher by 20 percent from the P2.07 billion tax takes in the same quarter in 2014.

Income taxes, which amounted to P1.52 billion, contributed the biggest share of 61 percent followed by Value Added Taxes (VAT) with P674.9 million or about 27 percent of the total regional tax collections.

Bulk of the collections was registered by the Cagayan de Oro Revenue District Office (RDO) totalling P1.48 billion or 59 percent. This amount is also 29 percent higher from the P1.15 billion tax collections in the same quarter of last year.

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EXCLUSIVE FEATURE:

Farmers liken Virginia tobacco farming to growing gold

By BONG D. FABE, Contributing Editor

C L AV E R I A , M I s a m i s Oriental — It’s deep golden color when fully “cured” o r “c o o k e d ” conveys the value Virginia tobacco farmers here are giving this cash-crop.

DESUCKERINNG. Paulino Soriano Jr. shows how to desucker a tobacco plant at his farm in Claveria, Misamis Oriental. photo by bong d. fabe

Small-scale farmers in this first class municipality located 30 kilometers eastnorth-east of the provincial capital city of Cagayan de Oro are favouring fluecured tobacco over other crops because they are earning a weekly income from the sale of tobacco leaf while other crops take months before they can be sold.

Virginia tobacco is fast becoming Claveria farmers’ choice cash crop because tobacco leaf here can be grown and harvested allyear-round and generate a very good income starting in the s econd month since transplantation that continues every week until

the leaf ’s fourth month when the tobacco plant is uprooted to give way to another cash crop like corn or cassava or beans.

P l a n t i n g Vi r g i n i a tobacco was just an additional incomegenerating crop to farmers here when it was introduced

by PMFTC, Inc. in 2012.

But when the tobacco multinational giant began commercial operation of it’s first-ever “continuous production operations” in the fourth quarter of last year, flue-cured tobacco leapfrog as the main crop as evidence by a spike in the number of farmers now cultivating tobacco from tobacco/PAGE 9

Corporation

0915-563-6246

One Oasis tops off Building 1

One Oasis set as 1st condo in downtown CDO

By MIKE BANOS Editor-at-Large

A

S EXPECTED, Filinvest One Oasis Cagayan de Oro remains on track as the first to f i n i sh am ong condominiums now under construction downtown.

One Oasis CDO, the very first resort-themed, midrise condo development of Filinvest in Cagayan de Oro City, has set the topping off ceremony for its Building 1, the first of five in the AsianBalinese inspired 2.7-hectare complex in Rosario Limketkai Avenue, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday, June 27.

An architect’s perspective of One Oasis clubhouse and condominium building by Filinvest.

City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno and his wife Arlene, honorary chair of the Cagayan de Oro City Tourism Board, have been invited to grace the topping off ceremony.

In building construction, topping off [sometimes referred to as topping out] is a builders’ rite traditionally held when the last component is placed atop a structure

during its construction.

“Completion and delivery dates are top considerations of Filinvest Land, which sets our project apart from the rest which have a 5-year lag time,” notes Ms. Ara Solidum, FLI Area General Manager for North Mindanao.

Barely 19 months after its ground breaking last 08 oasis/PAGE 11

P12 daily wage hike takes effect next week: RTWPB

Agri production PRODUCTION of agricultural products in Northern Mindanao fared well during the first quarter of 2015.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in the region reported during a media forum last week that the region’s production of palay, corn and coconut posted favorable outputs during the first three months of the year.

The volume of palay produced was registered at 180,694 metric tons (MT), 2.78 percent higher than the volume of palay production in the same quarter of 2014. Except for Misamis Occidental, all the provinces in the region posted production growths during the period.

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WATERING. A tobacco farmer waters tobacco seedlings, while at his background, another tobacco farmer is clipping tobacco seedlings. Clipping, which usually starts when the seedlings are 3 weeks old, ensures uniform growth of the tobacco leaf. photo by bong d . fabe

Get your BWM Loyalty Card NOW for only P350.00 valid for one year, and avail of discounts to more than 150 participating business establishments.

A 12-peso across-the-board daily wage increase for workers in private firms in Northern Mindanao will take effect on July 4 this year, according to the Regional Wage and Productivity Board

(RTWPB).

But the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALUTUCP), who petitioned on July 18 last year for an P89 across-the-board wage

adjustment felt shortchanged.

“Gamay ra kaayo. Dili makasulbad sa taas nga presyo sa palaliton (Too little. It’s not a solution to price increases in goods) ,” ALU-TUCP regional vice president Nicandro Borja said yesterday in reaction to RTWPB Wage Order No. RX-18 that was issued on May 12, this year.

RT WPB chairman Raymundo G. Agravante, Department of Labor and Employment 10 regional director, however maintained the P12 daily wage increase is a “just share in the fruits of production and in consonance with the national goal of inclusive growth through decent and productive work.” hike/PAGE 11

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Pantawid grantees on skills training, employment: Government loves us THEY have nothing to say, but, to say their thanks.

On the day of their departure to Manila from here, the 11 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) beneficiaries who finished a housekeeping course paid a courtesy call to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Northern Mindanao to express their thanks you and promise to do their best in living out from poverty.

Mitzi Pactanan, mother of seven children, told Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, regional director of DSWD Northern Mindanao, that she has been preparing her husband, children and herself emotionally because she is leaving for work in Saudi Arabia.

Pactanan finished the skills training at Skills Mastery Institute (SMI) under the Sustainable Livelihood Program last May 2015.

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She feels blessed with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-accredited training at SMI because “I was given a big opportunity by the government to undergo skills training for free and they facilitated to help me find employment.”

Pactanan, a resident of Mauswagon, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental province, urged her fellow graduates to make use of their skills to improve their well-being.

“Dili tanan nga gusto mo-eskwela maka-eskwela mao nga thankful kaayo ko sa DSWD, sa TESDA, ug sa

SMI nga gihatagan ‘mi og opportunity nga makatabang sa among pamilya. Makapaeskwela na jud ko sa akong manghod.” (Not all who desires to study has the opportunity. That is why I am thankful to DSWD, TESDA, and SMI for giving us the opportunity to help our families. Now, I can send my younger brothers and sisters to school).

Pactanan said she has been dreaming for a better life and the national government fulfilled her dreams. “Nangandoy jud ko sa una pa nga mo-angat among p ang inabu hi an.

RUSH SALE 12 Hectares of Land about 80% planted with Benguet/Carribean Pine Trees.

Salamat kaayo sa national government. Hinaot daghan pa ang inyong matabangan.

We feel nga love kaayo mi ninyo,” said Pactanan.

(Before, I dreamed of a better life. Thank you very much for the national government.

I hope you can help more people like us. We feel you love us more.)

Work in Saudi Arabia Pactanan is among the first batch of SMI graduates who will work as housekeeping personnel in Saudi Arabia.

Four of her batchmates: Sheryl Gequilan of Parola, Macabalan this city; Glory May Llemit and Emeelyn Roco of Bal-ason, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; and Rizalina Alora of Sangalan, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; are set to depart

for Saudi Arabia on June 22, 2015.

The other seven, including Pactanan, will momentarily stay in Manila for passport processing and preemployment seminar.

Dr. Irene Floro, president of SMI, told Atty. Solamillo and TESDA 10 regional director Edgar Sales that SMI will shoulder for the food and accommodation of the 11 DSWD beneficiaries in Manila for free.

The SLP recently conducted series of graduation exercises with the support of TESDA and their accredited schools, highlighting t h e Pa nt aw i d Pa m i l y a beneficiaries’ completion of various Technical Vocational (TechVoc) Skills Training training/PAGE 11

Location: Patpat, Malaybalay, Bukidnon For details call Rory 09062282483

Greetings from:

HON.CANDY DELA ROSA DARIMBANG

City Councilor 1st District,Cagayan de Oro City

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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Ayala Land set to open five new shopping malls

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YA L A L and Inc .

(ALI) is planning to open at least five new shopping malls in the next few years in line with its goal to earn a net income of P40 billion by 2020.

ALI senior vice president Junie Jalandoni said these malls will be located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Manila Bay area; Circuit Makati; and Pasig City.

Ja l andoni s aid t he company will also open

another one next to Trinoma mall in Quezon City in 2017.

“We like growing our mall business because it’s anchored on consumer spending. From 1.2 million square meters of gross leasable area, we plan to triple this to 3.8 million square meters over the next couple of years,” he said during an investors’ conference organized by Bank of Philippine Islands.

ALI has Glorietta and Greenbelt malls in Makati,

aside from those in Quezon City, Alabang, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Subic, Bacolod, Pampanga and Iloilo City.

Apart from expanding its mall network, the company is expanding its business process outsourcing (BPO) portfolio, Jalandoni said.

“For us, we continue to grow our BPO business because of the growth of the BPO sector. We will build more offices… We actually

PAL, Cebu Pacific buck fresh air talks between PH, UAE PHILIPPINE carriers are bucking a government plan to review its air agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) executive director Carmelo Arcilla said the Philippines is mulling fresh air talks with the UAE, confirming Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez’s recent statements that the air panel was preparing for discussions with its Emirates counterpart.

“We are just hearing out the oppositions from the local airlines,” Arcilla said.

Both Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific see no need for a new round of air talks, citing unused capacity.

“Given the significant increase in capacity over the past year, CEB believes that a new round of air talks with the UAE should not be held until all available ManilaUAE entitlements are fully utilized by Philippine carriers who are ready willing and capable of operating routes to UAE, including CEB,” JR Mantaring, officer-in-charge of Cebu Air Inc. said in a text message.

A PAL official said pretty much the same thing, adding that the government should guard against overcapacity in the Manila-UAE route.

The Philippine-UAE air agreement provides for a maximum of 14 weekly frequencies for the Emirates Airlines, which has been pressing for fresh air talks after it failed to secure an extension of a third flight between Manila and Dubai amid opposition from PAL and Cebu Pacific.

Philippine data show over 700,000 Filipinos are working in the UAE.

Forum Energy Plc. to buy 2.39M shares for P34M FOLLOWING Forum Energy’s proposed delisting, Philex Petroleum Corporation will buy 2.39 million shares from Forum’s shareholders at 20 pence each or P14.21, amounting to P34 million.

In a disclosure by the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Wednesday, Philex Petroleum Corporation said its 67.19-percent owned subsidiary Forum Energy Plc announces that valid acceptances of the offer have been received from qualifying shareholders in respect of 2,383,777 ordinary shares.”

The acquired shares makes up 6.71 percent of the company’s entire issued share capital.

Forum Energy noted the shareholders will receive a cheque or CREST payment on July 6, 2015, but not later than 1:00 p.m. The previous offer for each share, which lasted until 1:00 p.m. of June 22, was at 20 pence.

The transaction increases Philex Petroleum’s stake in Forum Energy from 60.49 percent to 67.19 percent.

Further, Philex will hold 25.07 million ordinary shares or 70.53 percent.

It pointed out Tidemark Holdings Limited will retain its 9.64 million ordinary shares, which amounts to 27.14 percent of the company.

Forum Energy delisted after Service Contract 72 was declared under force majeure, brought about by the territorial dispute with China along the West Philippine Sea, where the block is located.

Forum Energy holds a 70 percent stake in SC 72, while the balance is owned by Monte Oro Resources and Energy Inc.

Last May, the company said it will reregister as a private limited company, where shareholders that had not accepted the offer will retain ownership.

have landbank already for all of our BPO expansion plans so all we have to do is actually execute. We have locations there in Metro Manila and all over the country,” he said.

Ja l andoni s aid t he company aims to triple in the next five years the office portfolio catering mostly

to the BPO market from 600,000 square meters to 1.8 million square meters of gross area.

“Aside from tourism, we’re actually very bullish about the BPO industry… It’s one of the economic drivers of the country,” he added.

As part of its “2020-40

Plan”, ALI is also expanding its new businesses like hospitals, retailing and convenience stores, Jalandoni said.

Under the plan, ALI targets to earn a net income of P40 billion by 2020 at an annual growth rate of 20 percent.

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T

The Sweat of Success

hin k a m i n u t e …

Former Prime Minister of England, Winston Churchill, became so famous for his speeches that he’s been called the greatest speaker of the century. He was also famous for his quick wit.

Yet amazingly, he was not a naturally talented speaker.

In fact, earlier in Churchill’s life he had such a bad speech problem that people made fun of the way he talked.

Do you know how Churchill changed to become the greatest speaker of the 20th century? He studied and wrote his speeches wordfor-word on paper, and then he practiced them countless hours in front of a mirror. He worked at saying each word just the right way with just the right facial expressions. He also practiced pausing and pretending to struggle to find the right word, even though he knew exactly what he was going to say! So although Winston Churchill was not a naturally good speaker, he disciplined himself and worked hard to become a great one!

You and I can never succeed in life without discipline and hard work. It takes sweat to succeed in our job and career, in school, in sports, in our marriage and family. Even if you’re born into a rich family,

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THINK

A Minute

Jhan Tiafau Hurst or with an intelligent mind and strong body, you still have to work hard to reach your full potential and truly succeed.

Most importantly, it takes work and discipline to develop the character we were born to have and enjoy. We must discipline and change our wrong attitudes, thinking, and way of living everyday. It’s not natural or easy for us to quickly forgive someone who hurts us or our family. It’s not natural or easy to always be honest no matter how much we can get away with or how much it costs us. But you can start by asking Jesus Christ to forgive you for living your own way; and then ask Him to take full charge of your heart and character. It’s only with Jesus’ character and power in you that you can start changing to become the best person you can be. Just Think a Minute…

Freedom of information

I

love writing since almost 50 years now for several publications. I started my first simple article for a high school paper. In a recently published article I learned that the stark reality is, that everyone is a writer.

In all likelihood, we face a blank sheet every single day - a new slat, so to speak, where we, good (?) writers, bad (?) writers, writers-byheart or by profession, and non-writers jot down to our agendas, our goals, our itineraries, our repertoire, our life... .

Of course, every new page marks a beginning, a fresh start. We have the choice of writing down what is expected of us or we can challenge ourselves to turn a new leaf and write down something that is completely

new.

How is it in the Philippines? Here is the thing: the freedom of information and expression has indeed a thine line between maligning people’s reputation and extortion. Telling the truth sometimes throw one into hot water or let one dance on eggs. When it comes to journalism, one sees the three “C”s, the fundamental factors catastrophes, crime and crisis.

Apropos journalists: I enjoy reading the news, that journalism and mass communication graduates OR ANYONE who want to join the media industry can do so if they will pass the examination to be given under the proposed “Magna Carta for Journalists”. Under the proposed magna carta,

journalists will be classified as accredited and nonaccredited. The bill, authored by former Rufus Rodriguez (second district Cagayan de Oro) and Maximo Rodriguez Jr. (Abante Mindanao) will create the Professional Journalist Examination and the Philippines Council for Journalists, which will handle the examinations for radio, television, print and photography.

Yes, writing with a wicked pen and having a sharp tongue doesn’t mean, that a journalist should walk disrespectful through others’ life. On the other side, it’s a journalist duty to uncover, disclose or reveal, what the public should know. Indeed, eternal vigilance is important, even with a wicked pen and a

H ave M y Say

Klaus Doring

sharp tongue. Freedom of information and expression - but with borderlines... . +++ Email: dor ingklau s@ gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www. klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

DFA officials scheming vs. whistleblower

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IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves…”

(Isaiah 1:23, the Holy Bible).

-ooo FIND THE TOYOTA AVA N Z A A N D I T S DRIVER: The power of social networking sites to report crimes is being highlighted once more by a series of posts in Facebook about an alleged hit-and-run incident involving a silver-colored Toyota Avanza SUV whose plate number is identified as UIQ 764.

The Avanza allegedly escaped after it ran over an unidentified young man who appeared wearing a school uniform, sitting on a sidewalk, with his head, face, and hands bloodied all over.

The incident, the posts by John Paul Escario and shared by other netizens indicated, happened in front of the Cypress Condominium in Taguig City. Netizens aired an appeal: please help find the Avanza and its driver!

-ooo D FA O F F I C I A L S SCHEMING VS. WHISTLEBLOWER: Here is another portion of the plunder complaint that

Reynaldo Joson, the chief of the Hygiene and Sanitation Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), accusing other top officials and ambassadors of the agency of misusing the P5 billion annual maintenance budget of the DFA for worthless and inoperable projects. Read on: “Lately, complainant was assigned as the `Signing Officer’. (But) the new assignment turned out to be a TRAP, designed to find fault, to oust me from the service, for being a sort of an `agitator’ to (thwart) whatever plan/s that the `powerful respondents’ are working on against future budget/s.

“While (I was) assigned as the `signing officer’ at the passport section, respondents, particularly A/Sec Wilfredo Santos, accused me of unauthorized approval of passports without proper endorsement letters; unauthorized processing of 16 applicants for the period 27 January to 11 February 2014 who allegedly did not qualify for the courtesy lane, and falsification of public documents. What a flimsy

charge.

-ooo NEW MULTI-MILLION PESO PROJECTS OF DFA LISTED: “Because of my threats to file a complaint with the Commission on Audit, Department of Justice, and/or the Ombudsman, respondents whisked the complainant to the administration department as a lowly messenger, delivering newspaper to different offices, within the DFA head office.

“D u r i n g h i s r e c e nt assignment, complainant came to know of several DFA projects with a budgetary appropriation in the amount of Php77 million.

These new projects to be undertaken, some of which have been par tly paid, are as follows: supply and delivery of security inks in the initial (10%) amount of Php2,099,900.00 contracted

by JURA JSPGMEH. “Cost of the equipment in support of the electronic in the amount of Php1,669,252.00, contracted by the DFA Procurement S er vice; repair and rehabilitation of the storm drainage system, domestic/potable water system, sewerage system,

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

Atty. Batas Mauricio fire hydrants; wet stand pipe and fire hoses of the DFA Building, in the amount of Php18,888,888.00 contracted

by I.M. Bongar & Co. Inc…” More next issue!

-ooo PLEASE LISTEN: “Ang Tanging Daan” (The Sole Way), a Bible study and prayer session on radio, airs Mondays to Fridays, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at DWAD 1098 kHz on the AM band. For replays, go to www.facebook.com/ angtangingdaan or www. facebook.com/ANDKNK and scroll for “Ang Tanging Daan” broadcasts. Phone: 0922 833 43 96, 0918 574 0193, 0917 984 24 68. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com.

-30-

It’s school time again!

T

hat’s right, and I am now again back to school.

It’s just one among many other pastoral assignments given to me this year. But I welcome this opportunity to be involved in a school, since the suspenseful work of forming people is made easier by the more or less controlled and structured conditions schools have.

Still I know I have to keep myself strong inside and out to cope with the entire burden that undeniably is also great.

Just the same, I also know that it also has its sweet and gratifying moments.

It’s not all sweat and blood.

As chaplain, I say Mass

everyday for everyone there– students, teachers, staff, some parents and guests. I hear confessions, conduct recollections, retreats and doctrine classes, and sit for hours in the confessional for personal spiritual direction.

I’m happy to learn that this year the population has grown tremendously.

These are very delicate tasks but also a very privileged honor. Not everyone gets the chance to be of help and to make some crucial impact on the most intimate aspects of the lives of young people.

Much of this work is done hidden and in silence, without fanfare and worldly

rewards. But what consoles is the thought that that’s how things and persons grow. And if I do things well, I know that together with God’s grace, I would be making a big difference in the lives of people.

It’s in these personal chats that I can clarify matters and issues, give pieces of advice and words of encouragement, sow reasons for hope, open horizons and broaden minds and hearts by pointing to our ultimate common goal while learning how to avoid getting entangled along the way. My desire is to be able to motivate people.

In a sense, I would be

HINTS

and

Traces

Fr. Roy Cimagala j our ne y ing w it h t hem.

And given current world conditions, the effort is not without difficulties.

Complicated minds and cimagala/PAGE 8

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PICPA launches 4th Short Film Festival

By SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

“Sharing Success. Beyond Borders” THE theme illuminates this year’s accountancy week celebration on July 13-19, spearheaded by the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Cagayan de Oro Chapter.

Truly, PICPA is beyond borders, from the spreadsheets and numbers of everyday life – once more springs to big screen for the 4th PICPA Short Film Festival.

“In the tradition of world class innovations, PICPA Cagayan de Oro Chapter will stage our 4th Short Film Festival (PSFF) dubbed as ‘Watch a Film.

Feed a Child’. Regular screenings will be on July

6-17. This year, there shall also be 2 categoriesStudents and PICPAns, we have six (6) competing entries from different schools in Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Iligan.

There will also be four (4) competing entries created by our very own members of PICPA Cagayan from the four different sectors, all films aim to discourse relevant issues and promote the accountancy profession” says Edwin M. delos Santos Jr., PICPA President for Fiscal Year 2014-2015.

Delos Santos also said “the premiere screening will be on July 4 at 3 in the afternoon at the prestigious Rodelsa Hall of Liceo de Cagayan University”.

The festival is not just a

venue to display aesthetics and artistry of JPIANs and PICPAns in the field of film making and storytelling.

As everyone is empowered by technology, PICPA also nourishes their commitment to connect with the less fortunate through the said film screenings.

Lindy Patriana, PICPA Incoming President for the FY 2015-2016 said “the rationale is really the call for every sector of the society to act realistically in response to the sublime task of nation building.

We see the activity not only as a talent exhibition but more as a vehicle to promote our profession, entice collaboration and partnership, depict realistic situation and engage

everyone to take part. A portion of the proceeds from the premiere and regular showing will be utilized to support our social responsibility projects such as our yearround feeding program for the malnourished pupils of Pedro Oloy Roa Elementary School, tree growing, Tabang sa Barangay (an advocacy to help bookkeepers of Barangays- in partnership with City Government), Business Advisory Program (Accounting Clinic- where we offer free consultation for micro, small and medium enterprise- in partnership with DTI) and Calamity Fund”.

Watch a film, feed a child – see at the movies.

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The SM Store, Philips AVENT conduct baby parenting talk Story and Photos by MARK FRANCISCO

M

ORE than 50 moms tagging their infants along as well as pregnant mothers in their last trimester excitedly listened and held a lively interactive discussion with Northern Mindanao-renowned obstetrician Dr. Atilyn Pareja as The SM Store in cooperation with Philips AVENT conducted a baby parenting talk last June 20 at the events center of SM City Cagayan de Oro. Dr. Pareja’s talk was held in three parts – pre-natal, antenatal and post-natal periods during pregnancy and in between talks, Philips AVENT handed out raffled products to lucky moms who participated in the event.

During the talk, Dr. Pareja reminded the moms and expectant moms to always consult their obstetricians and pediatricians of their babies in case of any medical incident or symptom as the health of both them and their babies are utmost priorities.

In return, the moms fielded questions to Dr. Pareja and the physician satisfactorily answered all of them.

The baby parenting talk was just part of a nationwide leg of Joyful Parenting engagements conducted by The SM Store in cooperation with Philips AVENT. Philips AVENT has a wide array of breastfeeding, bottle feeding, bottle warmers and sterilizers, toddler drinking, gift sets, pacifiers and soothies available here in the country.

Philips AVENT was created in 1984 to launch a new type of baby bottle that was short with a wide neck. It is the first baby feeding company to produce teats from odorless and tasteless silicone as well as other patented innovations.

Here in Cagayan de Oro, Philips AVENT products are exclusively available at The Baby Company inside The SM Store at SM City Cagayan de Oro.

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on its 6th year Anniversary celebration Compliments from:

ORO HOME FINISHING CENTER R.E.R Highway,Kauswagan Cagayan de Oro City Tel.Nos. 856-5763, 711-850

Owned and Managed By: Kuya Dondon C. Allorin National Vice Chairman Fraternal Brotherhood of Eagles And Iponan Barangay Kagawad Product Lines: Ceramics Tiles Granite Slabs Stainless Tank Wood Moulding Bathroom Accessories

Water Closet PVC Door Kitchen Sink Solid Panel Door Electrical Supply

Paying your water bill with your DBP Visa Card is easy!

WELCOMES the PARTICIPANTS to the 4th MINDANAO REGIONAL CONFERENCE of MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Go to the nearest DBP ATM unit Insert your card and enter your PIN Select “DBP Payments” Select “Utilities” Select Cagayan de Oro Water District Select the account type Enter your subscriber account or reference number by pressing the ATM keypad. Select “YES” to confirm.

8. Enter the bill amount using the ATM keypad. Select “YES” to confirm 9. A confirmation message shall reflect on the ATM screen certifying the successful transaction. The machine shall also print a transaction receipt.

Theme: PSME –Towards Globally recognized

Filipino Mechanical Engineers

.

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Cimagala... from page 4

attitudes have taken root in many people. One really has to be very patient and creative with them, knowing how to make timely detours, when to stop, when to go, etcetera.

The effect of all this is many times very heartwarming, as people make welcome changes in their lives. Some people think miracles do not happen anymore these days.

My experience is different.

I see miracles taking place every day, though most of them do not have external manifestations.

Among the things I do in school is to give a class

on Christian morality to high school seniors. While I have been giving classes and talks on this topic, there’s always the challenge of how to present the same ideas and doctrine especially to young people, given the obvious generation gap.

There’s always the need to adapt oneself to his audience, to talk their language, to be at their level. He needs to be most perceptive of the subtle shifts of mentality that takes place among people through the years and to attune himself to those conditions.

It cannot be denied that giving classes also involves some skills in performance and theatrics to be able to

catch and keep the attention of the students. Especially when the students are young, the teacher has to contend with the notorious ficklemindedness of these students.

But he should not lose sight of the essential things to be imparted.

Due preparation is a must in giving classes. A teacher has to bear in mind that his presence alone should project a certain wholesomeness that would attract the young students, including the laziest and the most distracted and inattentive ones.

He should try his best that he is consistent himself with what he is teaching.

What frustrates students

most is when they see their teachers not living what they are teaching.

In this class on Christian morality, I immediately felt the need to clarify what morality is not. That’s because nowadays, many people, especially the young, come with very distorted ideas CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers and biases against the mere Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. of # (08822) 727-829 * mention morality.

Telefax # (088) 856-1947 I hadCAMIGUIN to say that morality BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, is not justTel.about human Camiguin # (088) 387-0491 sexuality, though CORRALES BRANCHa good Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City part is dedicated to it since DIVISORIA BRANCH B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. itAtty. is Erasmo where many of us have Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 our weakness, if not, our LAPASAN BRANCH Waterloo.

Neither Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayanis demorality Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 simply about rules, though CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City rules there also are.

Tel. # (088) 231-2011 The challenge is how to

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make a keen sense of morality an integral, natural part of one’s thinking, speaking and acting. Sad to say, with the thick cloud of confusion

CDO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947

DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631

CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491

LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739

CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City

CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd.,Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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Greetings from:

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 10 LAMISCA Irrigation Management Office (IMO) Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental

Engr. Joecarnine Gubat IMO Manager

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on your 6th year Anniversary Greetings From:

JULLYN’S LECHON Tel.Nos.(08822) 72-11-33 Cell. No. 09173048077/09228029254

Julito D. Ogsimer Proprietor

Address: 1st Street,San Pedro Village,Gusa,Cagayan de Oro City

nowadays, many people have practically lost this sense, and if they still have it, it is quite damaged, needing repair. roycimagala@gmail.com

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as they celebrate its 6th year anniversary Greetings From:

ATTY. VINCENT PELAEZ Board Member Misamis Oriental

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Tobacco... from page 1

from 113 or a total land area of 58.27 hectares in 2012-2013 to 670 farmers who are cultivating an average of 2 hectares of tobacco as of June 2015.

“Tobacco planting has become a cash crop for the residents as they gained better income allowing them to send their children to college and improve their lives.

It also provided employment opportunities to the community and nearby municipalities,” said Didet Danguilan, PMFTC Communications officer.

For farmers here, tobacco farming is way much better than growing other crops because they are assured of a market at fixed contracted price, farms inputs assistance, free of charge transportation for the leaf harvest to the buying station, full technical assistance from planting to growing and harvesting, and are trained to apply and observe good agricultural practices.

“Tobacco is the only cash crop that contributes an enormous sum in the family income of the farmers,” the National Tobacco Administration (NTA), said.

Lawyer Wilma Eisma, PMFTC Public Affairs and Contributions manager, said that farmers here see flue-cured tobacco farming as a money-making machine that they are now scouting for other lands to rent or lease for tobacco.

“Farmers here, when they saw that tobacco farming earns them a very good income, they look for other lands to plant tobacco like this one woman farmer who now rent/lease other farms for tobacco farming,” she said.

Like farming gold Paulino Soriano Jr., 60, said that he likes farming tobacco leaf

because his production expenses is much lower but his income is much, much higher compared with farming other cash crops.

Aside from tobacco, Soriano is also cultivating corn/maize. His income from a hectare of corn/ maize is P50,000 but his expenses is P25,000.

He said his income from tobacco is way, way higher than any other crops. “I spent P14,000 for farm inputs in my half-hectare land of tobacco plants. But my income from the sale of the tobacco leaf reached P60,000,” said one of the pioneer tobacco farmer here.

“I was not able to generate this kind of income when I was still purely farming corn.”

Tobacco farmers start earning from their flue-cured leaf two months after transplantation.

This is because “tobacco is like a multi-level building, you don’t harvest all at the same time, per stalk position,” said Eisma.

Claveria, the only land-locked municipality in Misamis Oriental, is considered the “food basket” of the province as large tracts of land here are devoted to agricultural production of various kinds of vegetables, corn, coffee, rice, root crops and spices. This town, named in honor of Spanish Governor-General Don Narciso Claveria y Zaldua, also produces the Mindanao Silk through the facilities of the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

But tobacco farmers themselves readily allayed the fears of many that food security will become an issue once tobacco farming takes over all agricultural productive lands in town. “PMFTC does not allow monocropping here. The company encouraged us to practice crop rotation. So

I still plant corn and cassava after harvesting my tobacco leaf four months after transplanting them,” said 50-year-old Magdalena Sawitan.

Like Soriano, Sawitan said she started earning from her tobacco on the second month since transplanting them. She now earns an average of P1,000 per week. Because of this, she has expanded her tobacco plantation from a hectare to three hectares of land.

Crop rotation or planting corn and/or other crops after harvesting the tobacco or vice versa is mandatory for all tobacco farmers here as this practice is one of the many ways to avoid crop diseases.

It also helps soil regeneration.

Crop rotation ensures continuous soil productivity, said Danguilan.

“We don’t allow that they still plant tobacco after harvesting tobacco four months later because that is not sustainable. So we mandate that they plant something else, as long as it is not part of the solanaceae family. But some farmers do insist on successive planting of tobacco. But since we don’t allow that, we created the Corn Support Program wherein PMFTC will give them initial capital for corn even though we don’t buy corn and then we will just deduct it from the proceeds of their sale of tobacco leaf,” Eisma said.

Through crop rotation, farmers here earn from a diversified sources of income from the same farm and contributes to food security. “Tobacco is grown as part of a cropping system and contributes to a diverse income portfolio; it is also seen to be an important and reliable income source that enhances food security rather than reducing it and has contributed to increasing farmers’ welfare,” read part of the Executive

Summary of the DD International publication The Role of Tobacco Growing in Rural Livelihoods: Rethinking the Debate Around Tobacco Supply Reduction.

Another tobacco pioneer here, 56-year-old Nanay Minda said that she understands why PMFTC does not allow successive planting of tobacco. However, she said she would prefer planting tobacco on her lands than other cash crops if PMFTC allows it. “Who will not plant tobacco when you get at least P1,000 weekly from the sale of tobacco leaf?” she asked.

Nanay Minda even likened tobacco farming to gold mining.

“Like gold, tobacco farming is so precious for us farmers because we have a sure income even if our tobacco leaf is not that good.”

According to Ravi Lumunsad, PMFTC Claveria operations manager, there are no wastes in tobacco farming as all leaf are bought and used by the company. PMFTC buys overripe and immature leaf at P1.50 per kilo and P4.97 per kilo for ripe/ mature leaf. But these are green leaf unlike in Ilocos where the company buys cured tobacco leaf.

Under normal condition here, Virginia tobacco farmers harvest from a hectare of land 18,100 kilos of 95% high quality tobacco leaf.

But during drought condition, they can only harvest from a hectare of land 10,000 kilos of 90% low quality tobacco leaf.

“Even if they sell us immature or overripe leaf, we buy them.

Somehow, somewhere along the process, these low quality tobacco leaf are still used in some other cigarette product we produce.

So basically there is no waste in tobacco farming,” Lumunsad said.

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FOLLOW WRANGLERPH

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Oasis... from page 1

November 2013, owners of the very first of five buildings in One Oasis CDO shall have their units turned over to them by the next quarter, making it the first condominium to be delivered among the major condominium projects under construction in the immediate vicinity.

FLI is also extending its summer promo in commemoration of the topping off ceremony.

“We are extending our OOCDO Buyer Promo Discount to mark this occasion for those buyers who wish to avail of our offer which discounts each unit by as much as P40,000 to go along with monthly down payments of as low as P13,200 but only until June 30, 2015,” Ms. Solidum added.

FLI has positioned One Oasis Cagayan de Oro as offering the quickest return for unit owners who wish to invest their savings in assets that appreciate as time goes by.

Its timely delivery ensures earlier generation of steady cash income flow for its investors. The project is designed to cater to the growing demand in Cagayan de Oro and its environs for housing units especially centrally located units which are affordable, and offers quick access to key destinations in the city.

Among the fastest growing market segments for this particular demand include businessmen seeking leasable units for rental income/investment or as a second home; OFWs looking for additional investments for their earnings, and residents looking for affordable housing which are centrally located to key everyday destinations such as schools, malls, churches, hospitals and health care facilities, among others.

With the inherent synergy between one of the Philippines’ most trusted real estate developers and its partner property management company, Pro-Excel, the investor/ buyer enjoys the dual benefits of quickest project completion and quickest return on investment.

Its’ leasing services ‘value proposition’ includes the convenience of having a dedicated team assist potential tenants on the unit owner’s behalf; fast take up on lease with its widespread network covering the growing demand for housing in the Visayas and Mindanao; assistance in lease administration and renewals as value added services and marketing assistance to promote and create awareness about available units for lease thereby securing your investment’s value appreciation.

One Oasis CDO is part of FLI’s growing portfolio of Oasis projects in key cities which showcase resort living with its Asian-Balinese inspired architecture, landscaped greens, open spaces, and inviting indoor and outdoor amenities. Existing Oasis developments include Bali Oasis, Capri Oasis and Sorrento Oasis in Pasig, One Oasis in Ortigas, Cebu, and Davao cities.

Strategically located in prime urban zones, Filinvest’ Oasis communities are mid-rise enclaves that allow urbanites to enjoy their own patch of green in the city. With resortinspired amenities and refreshing landscapes, families can enjoy a convenient, laid-back lifestyle while staying close to their daily needs.

Thus, one can find One Oasis Cagayan de Oro strategically located along Rosario Limketkai Avenue in Bgy. Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.

It is just a short walk to lifestyle hubs like Limketkai Center, Ayala Centrio Mall and Gaisano City Mall and just five minutes drive to schools, hospitals, and public transport along Limketkai Avenue, CM Recto Avenue and JR Borja Extension.

One Oasis Cagayan de Oro is designed for professionals like doctors, lawyers, academics and businessmen who need a halfway home. It’s also ideal for college students from nearby cities and provinces like Bukidnon, Iligan, G i n g oog, But u a n , P a g a d i a n , Zamboanga and Misamis Oriental.

Young growing families will find the proximity to schools, workplaces and malls ideal as would Overseas

Filipino Workers wanting to move up in stylish but affordable abodes.

Retirees who prefer to live in smaller homes and foreigners looking to invest in real estate would also find One Oasis Cagayan de Oro ideal for their needs.

Not the least, residents who are looking for alternative investments for their hard earned earnings will find One Oasis with its high resale values and/or attractive rent/lease rates as wiser options than simply putting their money in the bank or buying a new car.

“Like all One Oasis projects, we will have a property manager responsible for the daily management and operations of the building such as the maintenance of common areas, security, garbage collection, attending to concerns of unit owners and the like,” said Ms. Solidum. “They are also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of various equipment such as the sewage treatment plant, security facilities, elevators, and water cisterns.”

Indeed, nothing compares with One Oasis Cagayan de Oro’s unique value proposition: “A secure resort-inspired living in strategically located mid-rise enclave that allows you to enjoy convenient, relaxed lifestyle while staying close to everything you need.”

With a track record of over 50 years in real estate, FLI has amassed a diverse portfolio catering to all markets with assets valued at P239.37 billion and stockholders’ equity of P78.99 billion as of Dec. 31, 2012. It has developed over 2,400 hectares (has) of land and over 600,000 square meter s of prime office, residential, and retail spaces all built on the Gotianun family’s tradition of integrity, quality and service.

One Oasis Cagayan de Oro is a quality development of Filinvest, one of the country’s leading full-range property developers, trusted by generations of Filipino families, with a diverse project portfolio spanning the archipelago. For more information, call (02) 850-0888, (0917) 877-0888 or log on to www.filinvest.com.ph. You may also visit our site office at Rosario Limketkai Avenue or showroom at the ground floor of the Bo’s Coffee Bldg., Don A. Velez-Chaves Streets, Cagayan de Oro City.

Hike... from page 1

RTWPB Wage Order No. RX-18 that was issued on May 12, this year.

RTWPB chairman Raymundo G. Agravante, Department of Labor and Employment 10 regional director, however maintained the P12 daily wage increase is a “just share in the fruits of production and in consonance with the national goal of inclusive growth through decent and productive work.”

In effect, those in privatelyowned non-agricultural companies in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan as well as in the municipalities of Jasaan, Tagoloan and Villanueva in Misamis Oriental which belong to Wage Category I will have a minimum daily take-home pay of P318 while those in agricultural firms will be entitled to P306.

Those employed in nonagricultural business establishments based in the cities of El Salvador, Gingoog, Malaybalay and Valencia as well as in Maramag, Manolo Fortich and Quezon, all of Bukidnon province, under Wage Category II, will have a minimum daily compensation of P313 and those in agricultural firms will receive P301 per day.

Under Wage Category III which comprises the cities of Oroquieta and Tangub as well as the municipalities of Mambajao (Camiguin), Lugait and Opol (Misamis Oriental) and all firms employing 10 workers or less, the minimum daily wage would P308 for non-agricultural and P296 for agricultural business enterprises.

All other areas not included in Wage Categories I, II and III, the mandated take-home pay for a day’s work would be P303 for nonagricultural and P291 for agricultural

private firms.

The determination of the wage adjustments was based from a regionwide consultation in Cagayan de Oro on April 17, this year, as well as the provincial consultations that were held in Gingoog, Maramag, Iligan and Ozamiz, the RTWPB Wage Order No. RX-18 states.

“The Board finds it imperative to provide an adjustment in the minimum wage to augment the income of workers without significantly affecting business viability and sustainability,” the same order explained.

Still, ALU-TUCP’s Borja described the RTWPB 10 decision of granting a P12 adjustment as “unfair to labor” and the determination of the amount to be “unsound.” This, he said, only shows the business capitalists want to keep laborers impoverished and consider them just as tools in generating profits.

Nationwide, among 17 regions, Northern Mindanao’s daily minimum wage levels (RTWPB Wage Order RX-18) are behind the National Capital Region’s P481, Region IVA’s P362 (Calabarzon), Region III’s P349 (Central Luzon) and Region VII’s P340 (Central Visayas), based on comparative statistics from the National Wages and Productivity Commission as of May 2015.

Aside from Agravante, the other signatories of the wage order were National Economic and Development Authority 10 regional director Leon M. Dacanay, Department of Trade and Industry 10 regional director Linda O. Boniao, management representatives Prudencio T. Plaza Jr. and Arsenio L. Sebastian III, labor representatives Jose B. Ares and Milbert M. Macarambon.

Dacanay and Boniao sit in the RTWPB as vice chairpersons, as provided for under Republic Act No. 6727 otherwise known as the Wages Rationalization Act. (30)

Training... from page 2

programs in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental.

Monitor workers Atty. Solamillo, during the courtesy call, reminded the future overseas workers that DSWD will continue to monitor the well-being and status of their respective families.

The regional director emphasized that municipal links have been ordered to provide psycho-social interventions to the families they will leave behind.

The future overseas workers,

Solamillo added, must also accept the fact that they will feel lonely being far from their respective families.

One way of overcoming it, she said, is to pray.

Engr. Sales, for his part, told the beneficiaries to adhere to the values taught by DSWD, TESDA and SMI in their workplace.

Sales is optimistic that the beneficiaries are equipped with skills that are more than what is being demanded by their employers.

The SLP facilitates opportunities for the development and management of resource-based, culturally sensitive, market driven and economically viable micro-enterprises; employment facilitation; community empowerment through skills enhancement trainings; link program participants to micro-insurance providers and promote comprehensive familybased approach and community participation.

Meanwhile the Pantawid Pamilya program is the national government’s social development program that provides conditional cash grants to poor families with children aged 18 years old and below. A household could receive a maximum of P1,400 a month for their health, nutrition and education provided that they comply with conditions of the Program. These conditions include availing of regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines, maintaining at least 85% school attendance, and regularly attending family development

sessions.

To date, Northern Mindanao has 259,797 active beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya. Of this, 108,998 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries enjoy the benefits of the SLP.(Oliver B. Inodeo/PIA10)

iFLIX... from page 12

Plan customers can enjoy iflix for free as part of their subscription.

Further, HOME customers who will upgrade to a TVolution or Telpad plan will have unlimited access to iflix at no

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2014 ppi’S Best in ENVIRONMENTAL Reporting

additional fee.

Smart subscribers, meanwhile, will be able to enjoy endless entertainment on the go also for P99 a month, charged to their prepaid loads or on top of their postpaid accounts.

To get started with iflix, simply register an account via www.iflix. com and receive a 14-day trial of the service. Once the trial expires, PLDT HOME and Smart users will be able to subscribe iflix for only P99 per month.

To enjoy iflix on your Android and iOS devices powered by PLDT HOME and Smart, simply download the iflix app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Congratulations to

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on its 6th year anniversary Greetings From:

HON. OMAR LABUNTOG Barangay Captain Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City

My Congratulation Congratulations to to the Men and Women of BusinessWeek

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

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as they celebrated its 6th Year Anniversary

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on its 6th year Anniversary Greetings From:

Compliments from:

HON. ALFREDO CARCOSA Barangay Captain Balulang,Cagayan de Oro City

DIR. HILARION ULEP Regional Director Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 10 Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

THE

FOUR-WAY

TEST

of the things we think, say or do

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Section Editor: SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

PAGE 12

1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

PLDT HOME, Smart deliver PH’s biggest entertainment library with iflix

T

he country’s biggest multimedia networks PLDT HOME and Smart Communications, Inc. deliver entertainment everywhere in the Philippines with the launch of its pioneering exclusive partnership with iflix, Southeast Asia’s leading Internet TV service.

The partnership with the PLDT Group in the Philippines, the first among a series of launches for iflix in the region, will let families and individuals enjoy more than 11,000 hours of TV and movie entertainment from the best content providers around the world—including top Hollywood, European, Asian, and even local studios—in just a few clicks.

This means users can now enjoy unlimited entertainment wherever

they are across the broadest range of devices – from smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, and even TV screens – at a very low price starting at P99 per month, exclusive to PLDT HOME and Smart subscribers nationwide.

“Whether you’re spending the weekend at home with your family, commuting to work on a Monday morning, or leaving for an out-of-town trip with friends during the summer, you can now enjoy entertainment everywhere with iflix in partnership with PLDT HOME and Smart,” said Ariel P. Fermin, PLDT EVP and Group Head of Consumer Business.

“With the convergence of the services from the number one home broadband provider and the

largest mobile network in the country, our customers may conveniently access our most compelling entertainment content whether at home or outside of home. We are definitely looking forward to letting our subscribers in on a bigger and better entertainment experience everywhere with the help of iflix,” Fermin added.

“We are extremely proud to have come together with the largest telecommunications company in the Philippines and, indeed, one of the region’s leading companies,

to offer iflix to PLDT’s enormous customer base.

With well over 75 million Filipinos communicating and being entertained using PLDT Group services, they are the absolute perfect partner for iflix in the Philippines,” said iflix chairman Patrick Grove.

“In PLDT we have found a like-minded partner who is committed to changing the way entertainment content is consumed in the region. We look forward to building an extraordinary business in the Philippines together.” iflix Home to the World’s

Best Entertainment Content iflix, Southeast Asia’s leading Internet TV service, has struck turnkey deals with Hollywood’s top studios, including The Walt Disney Company,Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution (Fox), BBC Worldwide (BBC), and Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (Warner Bros.), and many more, to bring only the most captivating TV and movie content to Filipino users.

This means users can enjoy breakout TV hits

such as “Sherlock,” “Doctor Who,” “Homeland,” and “The Big Bang Theory,” as well as action-packed superhero flicks that include “Star Trek,” “Batman Begins,” and “Green Lantern,” among thousands of other titles.

Entertainment everywhere PLDT HOME users can enjoy a buffet of iflix content at home. Existing users of PLDT HOME DSL, and PLDT HOME Ultera can enjoy iflix as an add-on option on top of their monthly fees, for only P99 per month. Fibr iflix/PAGE 11