BusinessWeek Mindanao (March 26, 2015)

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Youth Programs Signalling the roll out of upcoming programs and projects for Mindanao’s youth, the National Youth Commission (NYC) officially turned over the first edition of the Mindanao Youth Agenda (MYA) to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) in a ceremony held recently at the Grand Regal Hotel here in this city.

The MYA is the youth component in the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework, considered as the island-region’s peace and development roadmap covering 2011 to 2030.

“Our role here is to continually push for the best interest of the youth sector and guide them to a direction that will let them discover their potentials and determine their roles in social transformation,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, during the turnover ceremonies of NYC’s Regional Youth Advisory Council Convention.

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Thursday | March 26, 2015

Hearings set for P1.1B Yolanda cost recovery M

By MYRNA VELASCO, Contributor

ORE than a year after the onslaught of super Typhoon Yolanda, the Energy Regulatory Commission has finally scheduled the public hearings for the proposed recovery of transmission firm National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on damages the company incurred during the typhoon.

Recovery/PAGE 15

Livestock Program Twelve cooperatives in Maguindanao got upgraded native chickens from the Department of Agriculture-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DA-ARMM) as alternative source of livelihood during the onslaught of El Niño.

Under the Agri-Pinoy Livestock Livelihood Assistance Program, Maguindanao provincial agricultural officer Dr. Salik Panalunsong said this and other interventions are being provided to help beneficiaries have another source of income during the extreme dry spell.

“The recipients, in turn, must build up on and sustain the assistance provided to them so the benefits are for the long run, Panalunsong added.

DA-Maguindanao Livestock chief Mohmin Sulaik said 9 of the 12 cooperatives were from the Salipada K. Pendatun (SKP) namely, Kalimudan Farmers Marketing Cooperative; Kambayabaya Farmers Marketing Cooperative; Lawasabuloy Farmers and Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative; Ligawasan Marsh Farmers and Fisherfolk Makinugon Association; Ligawasan Marsh Farmers Marketing Cooperative; Lumabao Makauyag Peoples Organization; Midkunding Kadtabanga Farmers Producer Cooperative; Pidtiguian Farmers Marketing Cooperative; and Tongol Farmers Association.

FATHER AND SON. A fisherman, with the help of his son, spreads his fishnet evenly across the open pond in Barangay Bayanihan, Butuan City. mindanews photo by erwin mascarinas

Congress urged to give MinDA concern BBL objective outlook over exclusivity ONE of the framers of the 1987 Constitution appealed to Congress to give a more objective outlook on the

proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) when it resumes its committee hearings on outlook/PAGE 15

provision in BBL

By RUTCHIE AGUHOB, Contributor

SI NAC A BA N , Mi s am i s Occidental – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has expressed concern over a provision of “exclusivity” in the use of natural resources in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

The concern was sounded

by Secretary Lualhati R. Antonino of MinDA, during a recent meeting with the local minda/PAGE 15

FRESH VEGGIES. A buyer selects newly harvested lettuce and cauliflower at the public market in Malaybalay City.

The vegetables came from Barangay Imbayao, an area in Malaybalay at the foot slope of Mount Kitanglad Range. mindanews photo by h . marcos c . mordeno

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LGUs to be evaluated Use of complementary food ARMM for competitiveness technologies gets RDC-X nod THE use of complementary foods and adoption of the technologies used in the production of such foods were endorsed by the Regional Development C ounci l of Nor t her n Mindanao (RDC-X) dur ing its 104t h f u l l council meeting.

The endorsement was requested by the

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the RDC-X Economic Development Committee to address malnutrition in the region.

E m m a Ni e v a , c o chair of the Economic Development Committee, said the use of complementary foods in

feeding programs of local government units (LGUs) region-wide is expected to reduce the prevalence of underweight children in the region from 5.77 percent in 2012 to 3.5 percent in 2016.

She said the use of complementar y fo o d s i s re p or te d to h ave s h ow n p o s it i ve results in contributing to the reduction of under weight children and the improvement of knowledge on health and nutrition of mothers.

The DOST and the Food and Nutrition Research Inst itute ( F N R I ) has implemented the PINOY program, a package of inter vention which uses local technology of complementary foods, to lessen the impact of malnutrition among children aged 6 to 35 months.

PINOY stands f o r Pa c k a g e f o r t h e Improvement of Nutrition

of Young children. It involves a 120 feeding days of complementary f o o d s a n d nu t r i t i o n e d u c at i o n u s i n g t h e DOST PINOY modules.

A m o n g t h e complementar y foods formulated under the P I N OY p ro g r a m a re BigMo curls, rice mongo instant blend, and rice mongo curls.

Complementary foods are being used in select barangays in Cagayan de Oro City and Talisayan i n Mi s am i s O r i e nt a l province.

The RDC-X is also enjoining private investors in the region to adopt the complementary food technologies for production and commercialization.

C u r r e n t l y, o n l y Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Xavier University are producing complementary foods in the region.

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur -- The National Competitiveness Council will include selected Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in its annual Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) sur vey this year, a regional official announced Monday.

The CMCI ranks Philippine cities and mu n i c ip a l it i e s b a s e d on 28 indicators that are grouped into three equally-weighed pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency and Infrastructure. The combined score on each pillar indicates their rank.

The index was developed by the NCC in 2012.

Abubacar Datumanong, DTI-ARMM assistant secretary, said it is the first time for the NCC to include ARMM LGUs in its survey.

He said the region’s two component cities – Marawi and Lamitan – and 43 municipalities will undergo the survey.

He further said the su r ve y and s e r i e s of o r i e nt at i o n s f o r t h e selected LGUs will start anytime in April.

“Titingnan ng isang business investor ku ng how re a dy ang is ang par tic ular are a or particular LGU concerning business and infrastructure, at ang kanilang CMCI ranking ang magiging picture nila once na papasok sila sa isang locality to put up investment,” he added.

ARMM has already organized a Regional Competitiveness Committee (RCC), chaired by the region’s DTI office, to spearhead the CMCI survey.

An academic institution selected through bidding will undertake the actual survey.

In l i n e w it h t h i s , Datumanong encouraged LGU officials to support the project which will be completed before May 15.

“We need their full c o op e r at i on , and we request them to provide accurate data for the survey,” he said.

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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The Real Competition

T

hink a minute…Did you have to compete with someone else to get the girl or guy you wanted?

Whether we like it or not, competition is part of life.

Usually there are other people besides you who want that job, scholarship, business, or title. But some people will stop at nothing to win. Whether it’s lying, c h e at i ng , or go s s ipi ng and destroying someone’s reputation. Yet when we compete only to win and beat the other person, it not only makes us bad losers, but also bad winners. That kind of competing produces a person with a bad heart and character, with self-centered greed, pride, and envy.

An important lesson in life is to learn to compete only against yourself. Then, whether you win or lose against others, you still win!

Because all the time and effort you spent to work and improve only makes you a better person who’s closer to reaching your potential. As one guy put it: “Trespassing is okay, if the boundaries you cross are your own!” So when we set good, important goals for ourselves, they work in two ways: we work on them, and they work on us. The real test of your success is whether you’re a better person than you were yesterday? Are your attitudes and character

THINK

A Minute

Still and enigma but stays very popular

L

i ke in ot her for ums where Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was asked if he is running for President, his repartee when asked by DZMM’s Ted Failon was, “ that’s a distant star”, “I do not want it” and “the Presidency does not appeal to me”.

But Duterte also says that he can make a supreme sacrifice if only to make the country intact.

Duterte also begs off from the presidential race because he no longer have the stamina to sustain the r igors of t he camp aig n and to preside over the affairs of the government.

However at 69, the city mayor climbs mountains in upper Calinan to hunt for wild boars, drives a taxi hunting for criminals up to the wee hours, presides over the Regional Peace and Order Council of which he is Chairman, makes the rounds all over the country

editorial peddling Federal System of government and makes time to address the needs of his political constituents.

These multi-tasks eloquently prove that in fact he is stronger than all the declared candidates for the Presidency.

“Ibigay mo na lang sa kanila. Matanda na ako. I do not have the energy at mas maraming mas bright diyan sa Maynila”, Duterte told Failon. He also said that he is satisfied with being mayor of Davao City for 22 years and that he worked hard to achieve his dreams for Davao City.

“Tama na yan. Nakikita ko hindi para sa akin yan,” he said.

People are asking not just a change of leaders but changes in the institutions

and how government is being run. Looking at the list of those who declared their interests to run for President, the Davao City mayor who placed 3rd in the recent Pulse Asia survey is the only local leader that is not associated with any elected national position.

Last week, Mayor Duter te was sur pris ed to see an animated T V commercial showing a close fist swatting swarms of flies that represent the country’s ills. What was printed in the arm was “Duterte”. The mayor vehemently denied that he was behind those TV commercials. On his television program “Ato ni Bay” lst Sunday, Duterte asked the unknown person or entity to immediately withdraw the 30-second

commercials.

Duterte has been going around the country endorsing Federalism. The mayor was sought after by the Mindanao business and political leader to spearhead the renewed campaign for Federalism. The present form of government according to Duterte makes other regions as vassals of Metro Manila. He said that “ except for property taxes we send all the money there to Manila and trust lawmakers to put our money for the good of the entire count r y but p e ople are dismayed that lawmakers funnel their pork barrel funds and other resources to bogus non-government organizations like those of Janet Lim Napoles. Duterte is pushing for a change to a federal form of government for a more equitable and fair allocation of wealth across regions.

Lets wait and see.

PNoy us to blame for Mamasapano fiasco?

L

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness…” (1 John 1:9, the Holy Bible).

-ooo PNOY IS TO BLAME F O R M A M A S A PA N O FIASCO? There is no one to be blamed but President Aquino himself if 44 Special Action Force (SAF) officers and men and 18 others were killed in the January 25, 2015 Mamasapano, Maguindanao operation to arrest or kill Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan, an ABS CBN interview with former SAF chief Gen. Getulio Napenas on March 25, 2015 indicated.

Responding to questions from veteran broadcaster Ted Faylon at the program

Jhan Tiafau Hurst better? Are you a better husband or wife? A better father or mother? A better worker?

You know, we can compete and win in our career and making money, but if we lose our good character by being dishonest or hurting and using others, then we’ve lost the real competition and what’s important. The real measure of success is not what you HAVE, but what you ARE as a person. What kind of heart and character do you have? What kind of relationships do you have with other people? If you’ve allowed yourself to compete against others and you’ve done dishonest things or hurt people. Why not ask Jesus to forgive you today and start changing your heart and way of living? Then you can learn to compete only against yourself and win every time!

Just Think a Minute …

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“Faylon Ngayon” (aired Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., at DZMM 630 and DZMM Teleradyo), Napenas gave the interview one day before Aquino was to address the 2015 graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), the alma mater of about 6 or so SAF officers who were killed in Mamapasano, to try to explain what really happened.

In a move seen to preempt whatever Aquino may say in the PNPA graduation rites, Napenas made it clear that the President understood the dangers of the Mamasapano mission, as well as the need to make it a total secret at its initial stages, not notifying any other officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) or of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) about the operation.

-ooo M A M A S A PA N O APPROVED BY PNOY HIMSELF: Napenas disclosed that during the final briefing of Aquino on January 09, 2015, the President was briefed about the “time-ontarget” doctrine, which meant notifying other PNP and AFP officers only when the operation was already being carried out, notwithstanding its concededly dangerous nature.

Napenas also stressed that he believed that the operation against Marwan in Mamasapano was approved and given the go-signal by the President himself, also on January 09, 2015.

Explaining this belief of his, Napenas said that since the Mamasapano operation was the subject of the closeddoor exclusive meeting in

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

Atty. Batas Mauricio Malacanang participated in by him, by Aquino, by one other police official, and by then suspended PNP Chief Gen. Alan Purisima, Purisima’s giving the go-signal for the operation, after emerging from a one-on-one meeting with Aquino, meant the President himself approved the entire project. batas/PAGE 15

Between rigidity and flippancy

I

n our dealings with others, especially when done in public fora, we have to avoid the extremes of rigidity and flippancy, of being a bullheaded stickler of some rules and a good-for-nothing, anything-goes fellow.

Yes, there certainly are laws and rules to follow, but let us remember that love is the ultimate law that sometimes goes beyond what our human laws and rules can indicate or how we understand and live them.

We should avoid putting laws and rules, on the one hand, and love, compassion, understanding, on the other hand, in conflict.

They are meant to go together. There certainly will be tension between the two, but it’s a tension that will always challenge us to grow in our maturity, not to mention, in our sanctity.

We should never forget this distinction, perhaps too fine to be easily considered, but always worth the effort to be aware of, and of course, to conform ourselves to.

Our dialogues, discussions and debates would be on the right track when this distinction is put foremost in our mind and heart.

Especially when some c ont e nt i ou s i s s u e s are involved, as usually happens in the fields of politics, business and social life, and even in some sacred religious teaching, we need to learn how both to stick to rules and to be charitable with everyone, including those who differ from us or are clearly in error.

We have to learn how to bear with all our differences and conflicts, and to move on with life. The secret is to follow the example

of Christ who revealed all that we need to know about God and about ourselves while going to the extent of assuming all our sinfulness by offering his life on the cross.

Yes, Christ was most strict and precise about what would comprise as our ideal state of life, which is what holiness is all about, but he was also most accommodating with the all the weaknesses of men.

He knew how to deal with the sinfulness of men by bearing all our sins in his supreme act of love of offering his life on the cross.

“No man has greater love than he who offers his life for his friend.”

We s o m e t i m e s f e e l that since we are tackling merely worldly issues, as in politics, we can do away with what is actually an

HINTS

and

Traces

Fr. Roy Cimagala indispensable requirement of being truthful and charitable at the same time. This is a mentality that has to change, not so much because it is against Christian teaching as it is first of all against our own common humanity.

We are all men and women who, from beginning to end, belong to the same family. We are meant to love one another, cimagala/PAGE 15

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‘Discipline children without harm’ – Child rights advocates GENERAL SANTOS CITY – A group of advocates for children’s rights from Alabel, Sarangani called for stronger child protection at home, in schools, and in barangays by practicing positive and non-violent methods of child discipline.

C ommunity le aders, parents, teachers and children spoke to the media on Mar. 10 during the media briefing titled “Disciplining Children without Harm” to discuss the rights-based alternative to corporal punishment and to present the government and community efforts to promote the non-violent ways of guiding children.

“The positive and nonviolent discipline approach teaches children their duties and responsibilities, while respecting their rights to development, protection, and participation. We are advocating for this parenting st y le b e c aus e cor p ora l punishment still persists due to the prevailing social acceptance that ‘punishment’ and ‘discipline’ are the same thing,” said Hazel Bitaña, Plan International’s Media Relations and Campaign Officer.

The Unite d Nat ions Committee on the Rights of the Child defines corporal punishment as any punishment that is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort,

however light. These include hitting children with the hand, spanking children using implements such as belts and hangers, pinching, forcing the children to stay in uncomfortable positions, humiliating, and threatening, among other cruel and degrading methods.

Based on the baseline res e arch conduc te d by The Positive Discipline Project, more than 30% of 283 surveyed parents, guardians, and teachers from Alabel admitted that they use physical means of disciplining children. The sur vey also reveals that spanking or pinching are the most common physical means used by the adults to discipline the children in Alabel.

The positive and nonviolent discipline approach opposes the use of corporal punishment to avoid creating fear, generating anger, lowering the child’s self-esteem, and training the child to use violence.

Instead, this approach aims to nurture life-long skills such as critical thinking, healthy management of emotions, effective communication, non-violent conflict resolution, and empathy.

Communication plays a very important role in the Positive and Non-Violent Discipline Approach. Parents and teachers need to practice

proper explanation and active listening. They also need to put themselves in the child’s situation in order to properly communicate with the child.

The Positive Discipline Project is a three-year init i at ive t hat aims to encourage families, teachers, barangay officials, and other members of the community to practice non-violent means of guiding children’s behavior. It is supported by the European Union and implemented

by Pl an Inte r n at i on a l, Ph i l ippi ne L e g i sl ators’ Committee on Population and Development, and Lihok Pilipina Foundation.

About Plan International in the Philippines: Plan International is one of the Philippines' longestserving aid and development organizations with a special focus on helping marginalized children in 420 communities across the country to access t hei r r i g ht s to he a lt h , e duc at ion, liveli ho o ds, disaster risk management and protection. Plan has worked in the Philippines for more than 50 years and has extensive experience re s p on d i n g t o n atu r a l disasters and other crises, deploying teams of technical exp er ts to supp or t the immediate delivery of clean drinking water, food, medical supplies, shelter, educational resources and psychosocial support. (HAZEL BITAÑA)

Entrepreneurship training for women pushed

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A lady lawmaker has asked the government to empower women in the barangays by providing t he m e nt re pre ne u rsh ip training that would enable them to utilize their full potential and improve their families’ quality of life.

In a privilege speech, R e p. E l e n i t a M i l a g r o s Ermita-Buhain (1st District, Batangas) said including the womenfolk’s families in the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps or granting them loans is not the only solution to the problem of poverty.

“Now is the time that we have to refo c us our energies on our womenfolk not just by including their f a m i l i e s i n t h e 4 Ps o r extending them loans.

What is needed is to empower them by teaching those skills and knowledge t h at t h e y c ou l d a lw ay s turn to. Entrepreneurship is one of these windows,” Ermita-Buhain said.

Ermita-Buhain, w ho re c e nt ly d el ive re d her speech to mark t h e c e l e b r at i o n o f t h e Int e r n at i on a l Wom e n’s Month, said while many women distinguished themselves in the fields of education, medicine, the arts, culture, sciences and even politics, a greater

nu mb e r of wome n fol k , especially in the countr yside, need more empowerment.

“M a n y o f t h e m a r e plain housewives, mothers and idle womenfolk who d e p e n d on t h e m e n i n their families and in the community and are often voiceless because they do not have the capacity to s upp or t t h e i r f am i l i e s’ n e e d s ,” E r m it a - B u h a i n said.

But these women, she s t re s s e d , are s t i l l v e r y potent though they may be silent.

Ermita-Buhain said in 2011, she helped organize a group of womenfolk in the barangays of B at ang a s’ f i r s t d i s t r i c t called the Kilusan ng mga K a b a b a i h a n s a Un a n g Distrito. The organizers t au g ht t h e w o m e n t h e v a lu e s of u n it i n g w it h their fellow mothers and housewives and embark on entrepreneurship. With a start-up capital of between P10,000 to P20,000, the women launched bigasan ng bayan, mini-grocer y store s and f ar m i nput s trading.

After two years, some chapters failed to sustain their operations but a greater number succeeded, encouraging Ermita-Buhain to initiate

a tie-up with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), through which t h e w om e n c a n o bt a i n some skills to diversif y their businesses.

“Hopefully, the message w i l l sin k in among t he number of our womenfolk that there is no greater assistance that could be e x te nd e d t he m but t he mutual support they extend to each other. The ones that flourished well were the ones who believed i n t he ms elve s , i n t he i r capacity to make changes in the quality of their lives and the ones who dared to dream,” Ermita-Buhain said.

Ermita-Buhain said for so long, the government has been thinking of ways by which it can empower women. Providing them entrepreneurship skills is the answer, the lawmaker said.

In pushing for her prop os a l, she quote d a proverb that says, “Give a man a fish and he will last a day; but teach him how to fish and he will last for a lifetime.”

“If we teach our women entrepreneurship, it is like planting a tree today that will bear much fruit in the f uture,” Er mit a- Bu hai n said.

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introduces the cheesier Ensaimada!

Perfectly balanced sweet-salty taste is ideal for any occasion RED Ribbon Bakeshop, one of the country’s largest bakeshops, today reintroduced one of its most-loved and best-selling every day pastry snacks. The Red Ribbon Ensaimada is now cheesier than ever. This beloved every day treat now has that perfect combination of sweet and salty taste that Filipino families have come to love and enjoy.

“We believe that Filipino families deserve the best and this is evident in the quality of our products, be it our cakes, rolls, breads or pastries,” said Zinnia Rivera, Red Ribbon General Manager.

“The new and improved Ensaimada is an example of how we make an already good product, great.”

The moist, soft, melt-in-your mouth bread comes overloaded with long, mouth-watering strands of cheddar cheese that is balanced with the right sprinkling

of sugar for that sweet kick and topped off with a dab of creamy, delectable butter that you and your kids have loved all these years.

Red Ribbon’s much-loved Ensaimada has been a staple in homes for many years and has been a part of many personal and family moments whether these are big celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries to simple, everyday moments like snack recess time.

“I invite everyone out there to try our cheesier Red Ribbon Ensaimada. This is guaranteed to make snack time so much more enjoyable,” added Rivera.

Red Ribbon’s cheesier Ensaimadas are available at all Red Ribbon branches nationwide. Or you may visit www. redribbonbakeshop.com to know more about our delicious cakes and pastries.

Lazada.com.ph celebrates third anniversary with 3-day shopping extravaganza LAZADA Philippines, a part of Lazada Group which operates Southeast Asia’s number one online shopping and selling destination, is celebrating its third anniversary this month with three days of sales from 24 to 26 March.

Lazada Group has seen rapid growth since its launch in March 2012. The company now has over 4,000 employees across the region and has raised approximately EUR 520 million in funding from leading sector specialists and investors including Temasek, Tesco, JP Morgan, Kinnevik and Rocket Internet, among others.

In December 2014, Lazada Group’s GMV exceeded US$70 million, supported by the success of the month-long Online Revolution campaign which kicks off annually on 11 November. Its sites and mobile applications saw over 40 million unique visitors during the month of December. This performance is testament to the company’s focus on delivering an effortless, secure and reliable one-stop shopping experience for its customers.

Lazada Group’s growth is also a result of its rapid assortment expansion driven by its unique

position to provide brands and merchants simple, fast and direct access to approximately 550 million consumers in six countries through one retail channel. The number of sellers on the marketplace platform, which now accounts for approximately 75% of overall sales, crossed 10,000 in December 2014.

Addressing the logistical challenges in the region, Lazada Group is investing heavily to develop its infrastructure. The company now has eight warehouses and a dedicated Lazada Express last mile delivery fleet with 50 hubs covering 80 cities. In addition, Lazada Group has partnered with 60 express transport and courier companies across the region to provide customers with quick and reliable delivery.

“We are delighted to be celebrating our third year of rapid growth this month. Looking ahead, Lazada will continue to focus on increasing its assortment range, expand our logistics infrastructure and payment solutions to further enhance the effortless shopping experience for our customers,” says Inanc Balci, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lazada

Philippines.

Lazada.com.ph has been growing in line with the group and received 18 million visits in December 2014. By continuing to focus on developing the marketplace platform to support brands and merchants, the company reached more than 1,600 sellers by the end February 2015, who were supported by 1500 employees.

Following the success of the Online Revolution campaign last 2014 and the Mobile Power Sale last February 2015, consumers can expect more from the upcoming birthday sales from 24 to 26 March.

Simply log on to www.lazada. com.ph and on the Lazada Mobile App to get a chance to be part of the biggest birthday extravaganza from

Lazada.com.ph.

Are you curious of what to expect during the 3-Day Birthday Shopping Extravaganza? Here are some hints: • 3 Days of Flash Deals on exciting products from 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM; • Announcement of Discount Vouchers for the Night Shoppers (12:01 AM – 7:59 PM); • Best-selling Items marked at its best prices; • Fun contests and games on the Lazada PH Facebook Fanpage; • Hot discounts and bundles available on the Lazada Mobile App Inanc Balci added, “We thank our customers for their support and hope they will enjoy the birthday sale promotions as part of Lazada’s anniversary celebration.”

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70 ABAMIN TECHVOC SCHOLARS FINISHED TESDA STEP PROGRAM

S

ome seventy (70) Abante Mindano (ABAMIN) technical vocational scholars finished their training and graduated with flying colors last 18 of March 2015-3:30 P.M. at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Kinoguitan National Agricultural School (KNAS) Quadrangle, Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental. The graduates are scholars of TESDA’s Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) sponsored by the Hon. Congressman Maximo ‘Maxie’ B. Rodriquez of Abante Mindanao (ABAMIN) with the able support of the Hon. Congressman Rufus B. Rodriquez, District 11 of Cagayan de Oro City. Fifty (50) of these graduates finished Bread Making, Cake Making Training-Leading to Bread and Pastry Production NC 11 and twenty (20) graduates finished Shielded Metal and Welding (SMAW NC 1). Each graduate received from TESDA tool kits for bread and cake making and portable welding machine for SMAW graduates.

cong. maximo b. rodriguez ABAMIN Partylist

Provincial Director Leo V. Velez congratulated the graduates and thanked Legislators Hon. Maximo B. Rodriquez and support of Hon. Rufus B. Rodriquez for sponsoring the scholarship of these graduates as they lift their standard of living through quality skills training and actual practice of knowledge, skills and entrepreneurial application for sustainable self-employment. The scholars are coming from the municipalities of the Province of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Cagayan de Oro City. He further said that these honorable Congressmen have given the youth opportunities to technical education program of TESDA to address the non-negotiable poverty and unemployment problem of the country today.

In his message, he stressed that the Hon. Secretar y Joel Villanueva of TESDA has continually supported and implemented through Regional, Provincial, Municipal down to the

Barangay Levels the technical vocational program by giving importance to the youth sector comprising 67% of the One Hundred Million population of the country by giving equal opportunities for selfemployment and mainstream employment through Special Training for Employment Program (STEP).

Along this line, Kinoguitan Na t i o n a l A g r i c u l t u r a l School (KNAS), a TESDA administered Technical School of the Province of Misamis Oriental has indeed prepared the bright future of these graduates. KNAS Administrator-Cirilo A. Malacam, Jr. together with KNAS technical staff is proud to show and ensure the employability of these graduates as they strive for global competitiveness. The school has prepared them and show to the local and domestic industry their expertise and make revenues out of the skills they possess through the Special Training for Employment of TESDA. In an interview-Ms. Mila

Secretary Joel Villanueva Director General

Zaballero-Abesamis, Chief of Staff of ABAMIN told Cagayan Times that in their sponsorship program for technical vocational scholars, it is the first time that the graduates received tool kits for bread and cake makingconstruction painting kit and functional portable welding machines from TESDA. She further told Cagayan Times that ABAMIN staff was assigned to take care of their scholar at KNAS. Assigned staff from their Congressional Office was always there 24/7 to take care of their needsfood, boarding house and other needs arising from their training until the time they finished and graduated with flying colors and face the world for employment. Much more to the surprise of the scholars they received allowances TESDA compensating to the actual number of training days they had with TESDA. The training also included a 4-day seminar on Entrepreneurial Skills of the graduates preparing them to be entrepreneurs in

their respective localities.

Each scholar was required to prepare their own simple and workable business plan.

Self -employment creates a small medium enterprise and become skilled workers and employees of big companies and enterprises as the end result of the TESDA’s STEP program.

Kinoguitan National Ag r i c u ltur a l S cho ol is administered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and managed b y Vo c a t i o n a l S c h o o l Administrator 11- Cirilo A. Macalam, Jr., Lourdes Z . S i n a g oy a - As s o c i at e Professor 1/VIS Designate and Vanessa R. Baguio Nurse 11/AO Designate a l on g w it h c omp e t e nt Staff and trainers. Present were Ms. Mila ZaballeroAbesamis, ABAMIN Chief of Staff together with Junriel Escobido. Representing Hon. Mayor Danilo A. Lagbas, Jr. of Kinoguitan was the presence of Hon. Municipal Councilor Gloria Velez Paglinawan.

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Filinvest strengthens nationwide footprint in 2015 F ilinvest Land Inc., the real estate arm of the Gotianun Group, plans to increase its residential offerings in 2015 to continue its legacy of housing developments in the country.

With an estimated land bank of over 2,400 hectares, Filinvest has announced that it would ramp up project offerings for its real estate portfolio next year with new project launches in Taguig, Pasig, Valenzuela, Paranaque, Cavite, Binondo, Manila, Mactan, Cebu, Dumaguete and Iloilo.

“Filinvest is one of the country’s top and largest nationwide developers in the affordable and middle-income market segments. We have a sustained focus on our core affordable market in 2015. The nationwide housing backlog would still drive the housing demand for our middle income and affordable brands,” notes Filinvest Land, Inc. president and

CEO, Josephine Gotianun Yap. The company addresses these markets through the continued roll-out of its Futura brand of affordable homes and the Oasis and Spatial MRBs (medium rise buildings) in the urban centers.

“By focusing on MRBs and traditional housing, Filinvest continues to develop projects with construction cycles of less than a year to meet the immediate needs of our end user market,” Yap adds.

One Oasis Cagayan de Oro The One Oasis CDO, the very first mid-rise condo development of Filinvest in Cagayan de Oro City, is set for completion, which means a delivery date to homeowners to as early as the second quarter of 2015.

“Completion and delivery dates are top considerations of Filinvest Land, which sets our project apart from the rest with a 5-year lag

Actual Oasis MRB and Clubhouse

Oasis Clubhouse

time,” notes Ms Ara Solidum, FLI Area General Manager for North Mindanao.

One Oasis CDO is strategically located along Rosario Limketkai Avenue in Bgy. Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, One Oasis Cagayan de Oro is just a short walk to lifestyle hubs like Limketkai Center, Ayala Centrio Mall and Gaisano City Mall; A 5-minute drive to schools like Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Mindanao University of Science and Technology and Capitol University. Hospitals like the Northern Mindanao Medical Center, CU Medical City, Xavier University-Maria Reyna Hospital and Cagayan de Oro Polymedic General Hospital are but a short drive away. Public transport is easily accessible along Limketkai Avenue, CM Recto Avenue and JR Borja Extension.

“At One Oasis CDO, you do

not just come home to a wellbuilt mid-rise condominium.

Each Oasis development has been carefully planned to ensure that homeowners are accorded a much-needed respite from their daily grind. In here, frazzled urbanites can find a refuge in stylish mid-rise buildings blended with luxuriant landscapes, seamlessly laid out to provide that much sought sense of space and privacy,” adds Solidum.

One Oasis CDO is your own secret garden in the heart of the busy metro. Each Oasis community serves as a green respite, a breathing space from the congested concrete jungle as 55 percent of the entire development is devoted to greeneries, intelligently planned amenities and open spaces.

Residents of One Oasis CDO can look forward to healthy bliss and serenity.

Buying a condominium:

Tips for a worry-free purchase of your condominium One of the country’s leading real estate developers has cautioned prospective condominium owners about checking the legitimacy of the projects they are considering for their future home or investment.

“All condominium builders and sellers have to comply with regulations when advertising their products,” said Arni Maniego, corporate marketing, branding and communications manager of Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI).

At a recent Business Forum on HLURB Board Resolution No. 921 and 922 for real estate practitioners and developers compliance, HLURB Commissioner & Chief Executive Officer Antonio M. Bernardo said “this rule aims to ensure that the public and prospective buyers are fairly and truthfully informed of the development, construction, sales and operations, and other facts or activities relating to a project in order that the public and prospective buyers may not be misled

or deceived through misrepresentations that may be made in an announcement or advertisement.”

The Business Forum held last March 18, 2015 at N Hotel was organized by the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Northern Mindanao Chapter, Organization of Socialized Housing Developers in Cagayan de Oro City in coordination with HLURB - Northern Mindanao.

For instance, such ads should have the standard compliance statement that contains the following

information: Registered Name of the Project; Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) License to sell number; date of issuance and date of completion; HLURB approval and authorization AA Number.

To ensure the license to sell and HLURB is current, prospective buyers can call the Cagayan de Oro or Regional HLURB offices to confirm the License to Sell (LTS) and other legal requirements of a specific ad are in order.

It is also further advised that aside from

having this information on ad materials, sellers also need to indicate the following: a) Whether the image in the ad is an "Artist's Illustration" or an "Actual photo"; b) kilometer distances on map or copy; c) computation basis / financial scheme (if you are to indicate cost or percentage sharing ); Be sure to also to look for and verify brokers'/ sellers' license numbers when checking contact details found on flyers, brochures and sales materials made available to potential buyers.

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

CorporateWorld

Smart, Globe begin race for latest Samsung smartphones THE race again is on for which of the countr y’s two biggest mobile phone providers can sign up the most number of customers for the latest gadget to come out of the woodwork.

The battleground this time around is Samsung’s, whose new offerings -- the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smartphones -- will be out by mid-April.

Reminiscent of their battle for who gets the most number of iPhone adopters, Smart and Globe today launched their respective promos for Samsung’s latest smartphones.

Smart said its Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge at Plan 999 will have a sizable 5GB of monthly data volume allowance, plus calls and text to all networks for early adopters.

Besides a bigger data volume allowance, those who avail of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge from Smart will get the following: • Fre e one-mont h Gadget Care smartphone insurance; • F r e e D e e z e r Premium+ access for 24 months; and • A chance to choose one item from a lineup of exciting freebies: a Samsung wireless charger, Samsung accessories, tickets to the Katy Perry Prismatic concert, movie tickets, and gift

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RESORTS, HOTEL & RESTAURANTS DIRECTORIES

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

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Algen’s Dive Resort (088) 3872015 Apple Tree Resort & Hotel 735411 / 754525 Fax: 754497 0917-7144040 / 0923-3269366 / 09399076948 Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin (088) 3871057 / 3870131 Fax: 3870278 Basamanggas Resort 08822-760564 Fax: 760565 Cagayan Riverview Inn 8584245 / 729039 Fax: 8584245

certificates, among others.

Kathryn Carag, Smart head for Postpaid Marketing, said the company is the only Philippine network that offers more data volume allowance.

“The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge from Samsung are mobile powerhouses that work best with the largest and most advanced mobile network from Smart,” Carag said in a statement.

Separately, Ayala-led Globe customers who preorder the Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge will get free exclusive content, such as three-month subscription to Spotify and three-month access to HOOQ where they

can watch from a selection of over 10,000 movies and TV series from local and international partners.

All customers who will pre-order online are also entitled to a free limited edition Samsung wireless charger and a discount voucher that will give them up to a 15 percent discount on Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge accessories.

Globe’s Plan 999 also comes with unlimited calls and text to Globe/Touch Mobile, GoSURF299 (1.5GB mobile internet), all-youwant Facebook, free Gadget Care and Navigation Bundle for a month and free 1GB of Globe Cloud.

“The long wait is over for all Samsung fans in the country. Globe is once again pioneering the launch of the latest devices in the Philippines with the arrival of the new Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge,” Erli Valdez, Globe vice president for Postpaid Business, said.

“Aside from giving our postpaid customers the privilege of being the first to experience the latest Samsung smartphones with our myLifestyle Plan, we are also enriching their mobile experience with free access to entertainment as well as a free premium item when they pre-order online until April 5,” Valdez added.

Philex extends Padcal mine life PHILEX may keep mining at its Padcal site beyond 2020.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Philex Mining Corporation said an assessment done at the 800-600 meter levels of the Sto. Tomas II Porphyry copper-gold deposit indicates the presence of an additional 110.9 million tons of mineral resources, from which the company can produce gold and copper ore. At present, the company operates in the 908-782 meter levels.

The latest estimated

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resource has “a reasonable prosp ec t for economic extraction,” as it is part of the Sto. Tomas II ore body that Philex is mining, the company said.

Site of an accidental waste spill in 2012, the Padcal in Benguet province is Philex’s biggest mine to date, accounting for bulk of the company’s copper and gold production, which in turn comprise 95 percent of revenue. The government last year cleared the resumption of full operations at Padcal

after Philex cleaned up the area and repaired its tailings pond.

According to Noel C. Oliveros, Philex Exploration Division manager and had of the Resource Management, the additional find would result in an incremental contained metal of 473.0 million pounds (lbs) of copper (Cu) and 1.342 million ounces (ozs) of gold (Au).

Philex is now undertaking feasibility studies to mine within the 800-600 meter levels.

“ T h e Pa d c a l m i n e’s measured and indicated resources at 800-600 meter levels is expected to augment the mineable inventory of the company and may likely extend the mine’s life beyond 2020,” said Philex president Eulalio B. Austin Jr. “We look forward to the next two years of exploration within the vicinity of the Padcal mine to further identify additional resources and increase the company’s current mineral inventory”, philex/PAGE 15

Casa Crystalla 8561704 / 722465 Fax: 722480 Casa Isabella (088) 8564065

Casa Azucena 8563402 / 09236593973

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

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

Kingston Lodge 8585696 Fax: 8585696 Mapawa Natures Park 8584402 Fax: 725265 Mallberry Suites 8541999 / 7249999 Fax: 8544999 Maxandrea Hotel 8572244/729943 Fax: 724090 Miami Inn 8581901 to 02 Fax: 725279/728486 N Hotel (088) 8801924 Paras Beach Resort 8568563 Fax: 8568563 Philtown Hotel 726295 / 8564402 Fax: 723104 Pryce Plaza Hotel 8583131 Fax: 726687

Prawn House (088) 3095992 Fax: 8519219 Ridge View Chalet 8588946 / 8587946 Fax: 8588946 Seda Centrio Hotel 32288888 Southwinds Hotel 724803 / 8562036 Fax: 8562036 Stargate Dream Vacation Resort 8515003 / 8509999 The VIP Hotel 726080 / 8562505 Fax: 726441 Tune Hotel 8800888/8801306 Travelers Pod 8518988 Uptown Condotel 8511800 Villa Paraiso Apartelle 3870419 Fax: 3870429 HONORARY MEMBERS:

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

RESTAURANTS:

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

Golden Ajirang I 856-5271 Fax: 727876 Grand Caprice Restaurant 72-6955/856-2302 Fax: 72-4986 Kagay-anon Restaurant 728958 / 8563688 Fax: 8563843 / 729003 La Ilongga Restaurant 72-6183 / 857-3652 Fax: 72-4605 Max’s Restaurant 8586297 Fax: 8568264 Missy Bon Bon 8566852 / 09228606442 Fax: 8566852 SLERS Ham & Café 8551438 Thai Me Up 738424/3108424 Fax: 738424 Barkadahan Grill 8551234 La Tegola Cucina Italiana 8585959 limketkai luxe hotel 8800000 Dear manok tiano 8564914 dear manok divisoriachaves 8573413

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Billboard

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Create your own gadget plan in two easy steps!

Sun Broadband subscribers enjoy the power of choice with the revitalized gadget plans G etting the gadget that you want at a postpaid plan perfect for your needs is now easier as Sun Broadband introduced its new and improved Gadget Plans, giving subscribers the ultimate power to choose and customize their postpaid broadband plan.

With the revitalized Sun Broadband Gadget Plans, subscribers can now tailor their gadget plan to suit their online lifestyle needs in just two easy steps: choose the gadget they want and match it with the plan they need.

They can choose from a range of devices with monthly rates starting at P199, then combine it with a data plan that they need, to arrive at the gadget plan that’s perfect for them.

Subscribers, for example, can choose the Acer Iconia One 7 tablet plus Pocket WiFi bundle for a monthly amortization of P249 then combine it with Plan 250 for 700MB of volume data allowance, creating their own Gadget Plan at only P499 per month*. Now, users can enjoy

consistent, fast, and reliable mobile broadband with their chosen gadget wherever they go.

“Users typically don’t want to be limited with their choices, so we’re giving them the flexibility and freedom to choose the perfect plan for them with the new Sun Broadband Gadget Plans,” said Michele Curran, FVP for Data Services at Sun Cellular.

“With a fully customizable array of gadget and plan offers, subscribers can now get the right gadget plan that’s perfect for them.”

Wide range of gadgets Sun Broadband offers a wide range of gadget options for subscribers to choose from, so they can easily customize their gadget plan based on their lifestyle needs.

They can opt for the O+ USA Fab Lite 3G Tablet (P199 monthly gadget fee) for an easy-to-carry gadget companion for those on the go, the Huawei Media Pad Youth 2 (P249) for all-day battery life that lets you enjoy

music and media for long hours, or even a Sony PS Vita (P649) for pure gaming bliss.

Sun Broadband also offers a wide range of hybrid tablets, notebook and Smart TV options, such as the Cherry Mobile Alpha Morph (P649), the HP 14 Notebook (P699), and the MyView 32-inch Smart TV (P649), among many others.

Subscribers can then pair these amazing gadget offers to base plans with corresponding inclusions: Plan 250 with 700MB of volume data allowance; Plan 350 with Non-Stop Surf; Plan 450 with Non-Stop Surf plus 500MB of Open-access data allowance; and Plan 699 with Non-Stop Surf plus 1.5GB of open-access data allowance.

Non-Stop Surf allows subscribers to perform light and casual Internet activities all month, including Web searching, reading blogs and news sites, social media browsing, e-mail reading, chatting, navigation, and playing games. The open-

access dat a a llowance, meanwhile, can be used for video streaming, uploading and downloading.

Gadget Sale “By giving subscribers the power to customize their gadget plans, they no longer have to be stuck with a postpaid plan that doesn’t fulfill their unique needs.

And it only takes two steps for them to get it!” Curran added.

To h e l p i n t e r e s t e d subscribers pick the gadget plan that’s perfect for their needs, there will be a Sun Broadband Gadget Plan Sale from March 26 to April 1 at the SM Mall Of Asia. Users can get help in choosing the data plan that’s perfect for their lifestyles and subscribe to Sun Broadband’s gadget offers.

So don’t get left behind and begin wielding this power of choice with the new and improved Sun Broadband Gadget Plans! To subscribe, simply visit The Sun Shop nearest you. For a full list of

gadgets and plans that users can mix and match, visit www. sunbroadband.ph, or check Sun Broadband’s social networking

accounts (facebook.com/ sunbroadbandph and twitter. com/suncelldeals) for more updates.

Book launching to mark Bangsamoro peace deal’s first anniversary DOT expects more tourists A compilation of peace essays, negotiations under the to visit PHL for shopping speeches, and statements Aquino administration. bound into two books and a magazine will be launched on Friday to coincide with the commemoration of the first anniversary of the signing of the landmark Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) will hold the book launching at the Baluarte de San Diego Gardens, Intramuros, Manila.

The event is open to the public.

Entitled “Getting to Peace: Opening Statements from the GPH-MILF Peace Talks (2011-2014),” the book is a compilation of statements that were delivered by the chief negotiators – Associate Justice Mar vic Leonen, Prof. Mir iam C oronelFerrer and Mohagher Iqbal -- during the formal peace

The book “In Defense of the Bangsamoro Basic Law: Selected Essays,” is composed mainly of speeches and essays articulated in several peace forums and discussions on the southern Philippines peace process.

The authors are Ferrer, peace panel member Senen Bacani, GPH Technical Working Group head Jose Luis Martin Gascon, the head of peace panel’s legal team Atty. Anna Tarhata Basman, University of the Philippines College of Muslim Affairs Dean Julkipli Wadi, retired Justice Adolf Azcuna, and the framers of the 1987 Constitution.

Along with the books, the “Kababaihan at Kapayapaan Magazine” will also release its third edition with stories of women advocating peace in the country.

The launching of the books comes with a renewed sense book/PAGE 15

By Azer N. Parrocha

The Department of Tourism ( D O T ) i s a nt i c ip at i n g more tourists to visit the Philippines for their shopping holiday following the rise in promotion of retail tourism in the country.

According to the DOT, shopping or retail tourism, is one of the country’s tourism products being promoted by the DOT aggressively especially with the increasing global attention given to the country as a tourist destination.

This comes as DOT-XI recently launched the Visit Davao Fun Sale, the country’s first-ever citywide shopping festival. The event is now on its second year.

From a four-week long sale in seven participating malls last year, the public can now indulge on a six-week / sevenweekend-shopping-spree and

enjoy great premium deals in nine of Davao City’s biggest shopping centers.

Visit Davao Fun Sale will run from April 3 until May 7 with seven of Davao City’s biggest shopping centers offering great premium bargains for as much as 80 percent discount.

According to DOT XI Regional Director Roberto Alabado, III, the Visit Davao Fun Sale is aimed at bolstering Davao City’s ever dynamic urban image.

“It i s ch ar a c te r i st i c Dabaweño to always outdo oneself. That is to say, Visit Davao Fun Sale is going to be double the excitement, double the adventure, double the fun,” Alabado said.

“This year, Cebu Pacific will bring us to even greater heights as they join hands tourists/PAGE 15

Smart backs Earth Hour 2015 Wireless leader Smar t C ommunicat ions, Inc. (Smart) has partnered anew with WWF-Philippines for the local celebration of the global initiative for the planet, Earth Hour.

Smart will be providing connectivity and is a key partner to this year’s switchoff event to be held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on Saturday, March 28. It is also supporting the switch-off in Cebu City.

The Philippines has earned the title of Earth Hour Hero Country after it has topped participation records from 2009 to 2013.

The telco, a staunch advocate for the

environment, has been supporting the Earth Hour initiative for several years now and has contributed to ef for ts to ramp up public awareness on the importance of taking care of the environment.

“Smart has embraced environment protection and conservation as one of its key advocacies. The Earth Hour is one of those initiatives that we constantly support as this is in line with our goal to heighten public awareness on the urgent need to help save the planet,” said Ramon R. Isberto, head of Public Affairs at Smart. smart/PAGE 15

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Chicken Deli Celebrates Another All-in-One! Just recently, Chicken Deli, ang Bidang Inasal ng Bacolod launched its newly renovated outlet in SM Sta. Rosa through a Meet & Greet activity of their endorser, James Yap. Thousands of people witnessed and participated with the event while enjoying their meals.

What’s more, the event coincided with the launch of their SAMALAMIG selections for this Hot Summer at prices that won't make you lose your temper, like Sago't Gulaman (Php 55 lang!), Mais con Deli (Php 75 lang!), and Halo Deli (Php 75 lang!).

So dito na tayo sa Deli-cious! For franchising inquiries, please call +639328489957 or call (02) 9030108 or email: franchisingchickendeli@gmail. com or visit their website,www.chickendelibacolod. com. Like them too on Facebook & Follow them on Twitter.

Tattoo offers exclusive content for its new home broadband plans High-speed broadband technology powers wonderful experience at home Globe Telecom, through its home broadband brand Tattoo, has unveiled its latest roster of broadband plans for new customers with a strong bid to attract more customers and further grow its customer base.

With the new broadband plans, customers get exclusive access to a portfolio of entertainment content which allows them to watch movies and basketball games, as well as stream music at the comfort of their homes.

As an online entertainment service provider, HOOQ boasts of an extensive content library with thousands of movies, television episodes and shows available for users to watch, including titles from partners Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment. With Spotify, the world's most popular music streaming service, customers get the best music experience with access to over 20 million songs.

On the other hand, the NBA League Pass allows customers to watch basketball games along with highlights, stats and other features.

“We recognize today’s shift to the digital lifestyle and we want our customers to be part of this revolution by offering them a suite of plans that give them access to entertainment content such as HOOQ, Spotify, and the NBA League Pass. With our new home broadband plans, we are transforming the home into an ultimate entertainment hub as family members get the best home internet and entertainment experience in one package,” Globe Senior Vice President for Consumer Broadband Business Gilbert Simpao said.

For as low as Plan 1099, Tattoo customers get an exclusive access to Spotify while exclusive access to HOOQ begins with Plan 1299. Combined access to HOOQ and Spotify or NBA starts with Plan 1599 while access to HOOQ, Spotify and NBA begins with Plan 1999 and above. All Tattoo home broadband plans come with minimum speeds of at least 1 Mbps up to 15 Mbps, bundled with free landline, free unlimited calls to Globe and TM, and free Wi-Fi modem.

Each plan also comes with a data allowance representing varying types of usage for a home broadband customer. The data allocation ranges between 10GB and 15GB for light to moderate users, 20GB to 30 GB for more frequent users and 50 GB to 70 GB for heavy users.

“We believe the data allocation of the Tattoo home broadband plans accurately reflects the typical usage profile of our customers. These plans were formulated precisely to meet the broadband internet requirement of our customers whether they are light, moderate or heavy

TATTOO | Page 15

FFeature eature

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SM MALLS JOIN EARTH HOUR 2015 On March 28, all SM Supermalls across the Philippines and China will unite with the global community in observance of Earth Hour, a yearly event that aims to raise awareness on climate change.

In Mindanao, SM City Cagayan de Oro, SM City Davao, SM City General Santos and SM Lanang Premier, in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines, will be one with the Earth Hour

movement, renewing their commitment to meaningful climate solutions. For 60 minutes, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, lights will go out in support of sustainable mall operations and energy consumption.

Before the switch-off, a program is slated on Saturday, 7:30 pm at SM City Cagayan de Oro Las Ramblas Open Parking, and at 8:00 pm at SM City Davao Parking C, and SM City General Santos Fountain Court. Various stakeholders

from the public and private sectors, socio-civic organizations and residents of nearby communities are expected to join the said celebration with this year’s theme “Change Climate Change.”

Earth Hour, a lights-off event that started in Australia in 2007, is recognized as the world’s largest voluntary action for the environment.

It has grown to engage more than 162 countries and territories worldwide.

In the Philippines, SM Supermalls actively participates in the Earth Hour.

Through its corporate social responsibility arm – SM Cares, it has championed the need to mitigate climate change and embarked on projects that push for environmental protection and sustainability.

Take action and use #YourPower to change climate change. Join the switch-off at any of the SM malls near you.

For more information, check out www.org.ph/earthhour.

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Environment

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

Government sets banning non-Euro 4 compliant vehicles MANILA -- Government will tighten its grip on brandnew and second-hand motor vehicles shipped into the Philippines to help address air pollution nationwide.

“Beginning Jan. 1 next year, we’ ll require that such vehicles be compliant with Euro 4 standards,” Department of Environment and Natural Res ources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje said Wednesday during a press conference in Metro

Manila.

He noted such move i s i n l i ne w it h DE N R Administrative Order (DAO) 2015-04 which prescribes adaptation of Euro 4 motor vehicle emission standards beginning July 1 this year.

DAO 2 0 1 5 - 0 4 a l s o prescribes the use of cleaner Euro IV fuel beginning the same date, said DENR. DENR further said DAO 2015-04 likewise prescribes n e w v e h i c l e s’ e n g i n e

requirements and emission standards effective Jan. 1, 2016.

“We want to maximize benefits of upgrading from Euro 2 standards,” Paje said.

He believes the combined use of Euro 4-compliant vehicles and Euro IV fuel as well as improvement in traffic flow will significantly reduce air pollution in the country. “ T h e r e ’s a l r e a d y substantial improvement

in our air quality but we need to do more to meet international standards by 2016,” he said.

Paje reiterated urgency for cleaner air, noting studies show air pollution is a public health threat.

Data DENR presented during the press conference show respiratory diseases and cardiovascular ailments are among health problems arising from air pollution.

“Studies show some PhP7

DENR monitors Boracay beach on oil spillage, too BORACAY Island -- The Environment Management B u r e au ( E M B ) o f t h e Department of Environment and Natural Res ources (DENR) is also monitoring the grease and oil spillage in this resort island.

In a 2014 copy of the Water Quality Monitoring Report by the EMB on Boracay Island Coastal Water, it expressed concern over the problems on oil spillage in this resort island.

“Non–compliance with the Oil and Grease water quality standard is basically due to the presence of motorized pump boats for commercial and transportation purposes in the Island of Boracay.

Other possible sources are recreational water activities offered by resort owners as amenities that can be availed

by their guests and tourists,” the EMB-DENR report said.

Although the report indicated that oil spillage in this resort island has decreased over the previous year, the grease concentration quality is still higher than the standard.

Because of this, the DENR urged the Philippine Coast Guard, the MARINA, and the local government unit of Malay to monitor the proper disposal of used oil for the motorized pump boat and to establish bilge water reception and treatment facilities in strategic areas.

Also, DENR-EMB seeks to reduce the docking motor boats in the Port Area and a long t he shoreline of Boracay Island.

“And lastly, for EMB Regional office with the help

from LGU Malay to reclassify Bulabog Pier and Manoc – Manoc Pier from Class SC water to Class SB water in order for a more stringent water quality standard in this areas,” the report added.

For his part, Lt. Commander Jimmy Oliver Vi n g n o o f t h e P C G Caticlan said that they will

coordinate with the local government and study the recommendations made by the EMB. “We will abide by the recommendations of the DENR as we in the PCG are mandated to ensure environmental protection in our vicinity,” said Vingno.

(PNA)

billion is spent annually on medicine and health services for diseases from air pollution,” noted Paje.

DENR a ls o s aid air pollution negatively affects the environment.

Among air pollution’s negative environmental impacts are reduced visibility, impaired plant growth and corrosion of metals and marble structures, said DENR. The agency also said air pollution makes lakes and streams acidic aside from harming vegetation and aquatic life.

Paje expects implementation of Euro 4 standards to result in cleaner emissions of vehicles which account for some 80 percent of Metro Manila’s air pollution.

The most significant change will be in levels of sulfur in diesel and gasoline, he noted.

“Sulfur’s the black smoke that vehicles emit,” he said.

He said sulfur content of Euro 4 diesel and gasoline is only 50 parts per million (ppm).

Euro 2’s sulfur content is higher at 500 ppm, he continued.

“That’s a 1,000 percent difference,” he said.

DENR data show that compared to Euro 2, Euro 4 has lower levels of particulate matter (PM) as well as carbon monoxide gas and benzene.

According to DENR, PM is “any type of solid particles in the air in the form of smoke, dust and vapors” produced by various means like vehicles’ burning of diesel fuel.

Studies show PM can enter the body and cause respiratory and other illness, DENR warned.

Experts also cautioned against carbon monoxide and benzene, saying both can be deadly. (PNA)

DENR requires cleaner fuel, sets new emissions standards MANILA -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a directive requiring the use of cleaner fuel and imposing stricter emissions standards for all vehicles to be used or introduced in the market effective July 2015.

The DENR Secretar y Ramon J.P. Paje said the new emission standards shall comply following Euro 4 standards instead of the current Euro 2 standards.

Under the Euro 4 fuel, the sulfur content of diesel is already 50 ppm instead of 500 ppm for Euro 2 fuel.

For gasoline, the sulfur content of Euro 4 is also 50 ppm instead of the 500 ppm for the Euro 2 fuel.

Benzene in gasoline is 1% by volume compared to 5 for Euro 2 fuel.

For aromatics, Euro 4 fuel contains only 35% by volume compared to Euro 2 fuel, which prescribes no limit.

Paje said the planned shift to EURO 4 was made possible through the support of oil players, car manufacturers and transport groups, who are doing their fair share to denr/PAGE 15

MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE – VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ attends the 1st Meeting of Academy Partnership Program which was organized by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

This partnership meeting is between the Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech) and the University of the Philippines (UP) for Urban Renewal Planning for Natural Disaster Prevention Responding to Climate Change. The project aims to strengthen the Philippines’ capacity for research in disaster risk mitigation and management which will be used as a foundation for the establishment of safe cities in the country. (Shown in the picture, from L–R; Dr. Mario delos Reyes of UP School of Urban and Regional Planning, Ms. Kim Soon Ok of KOICA, Dr. Park Byung Gyu of SeoulTech, Chairperson Lualhati R. Antonino of Mindanao Development Authority and Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez of the Province of Misamis Oriental). photo provided

Climate change to cause varying crop yields in Austria: expert VIENNA -- New climate change forecasts from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) show how Austrian agriculture will be affected by climate change.

Professor Josef Eitzinger from the BOKU Institute of Meteorology said various agricultural regions in Austria would be affected very differently by climate change, and “some will win, some will lose,” Kurier newspaper reported Monday.

Eitzinger said he expected “greater variability for annual crop yields,” with very good years contrasting with low-yield years due to long periods of drought or heavy rainfall. He added it was already known there would be longer heat waves due to the increase in temperature.

This is expected to cause a decrease in the proportion of grassland,

and farmers will increasingly turn to heat-resistant crops such as corn, sunflower, and millet, and prompt the cultivation of other such plant varieties.

Certain pests previously non-existent in Austria, such as corn rootworm, could also begin to become a problem, he said.

The rising temperatures will also be a disadvantage for animal husbandry, with heat stunting the growth of pigs and causing cows to produce less milk.

Low-lying alpine regions however, will benefit from the warmer summers and less precipitation, and land which is ideal for wine-producing will also improve.

Water shortages are also expected to arise more frequently however, and the need for artificial irrigation will increase, with major water sources currently not close to large farming regions. (PNA/Xinhua)

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Recovery... from page 1

The public hearings are scheduled in Cebu on April 22; and the final stretch will be in Manila on May 13-14.

NGCP has batted to recover P1.114 billion in force majeure (FM) event cost, which is considerably lower than its estimated damages of P2.569 billion.

Once approved, the company will recover the cost by charging it to its customers. NGCP has already estimated its pass-on cost to customers in the Visayas grid at P0.1874 per kilowatt hour (kWh) if the application gets provisional approval this year.

Onward for years 2016-2020, the cost pass-on cost would be on a dwindling trend from P0.0257 to P0.0201 per kWh. NGCP has noted that if a provisional authority will be issued, it plans “to implement and bill the FM pass-through amounts to Visayas customers starting January 2015 billing month to December 2020 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered.”

The company has also been seeking the regulatory body’s approval for it “to approve the capex (capital expenditure) it incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities due to the FME typhoon Yolanda.”

It has been emphasized though that “due to the extent of damage to its transmission assets and other related facilities which require massive repair and restoration activities in the Visayas,” the initially claimed FM costs have been seen breaching the force majeure threshold amount (FMTA) of P0.0336 per kWh. NGCP further asserted that it needs “to immediately recover the actual expenses incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities.”

The company stressed that the occurrence of FM event as extreme as super typhoon Yolanda in 2013, “required massive capital infusion, thus, the recovery of which should be allowed immediately in order to avoid any financial strain in its operation and to allow the continuous provision of transmission service to the grid customers.”

It added that “the timely implementation of the FM passthrough amount will allow the equal or even spread of the increases or decreases in tariffs from the initial implementation of the recovery of the cost.”

Outlook... from page 1

the measure in April.

Lawyer Christian Monsod, a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission and former Chairman of the Commission on Elections, said the public should also give the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) more credit for giving up its dream of pushing Mindanao’s secession when it

signed a peace agreement with the Philippine government.

Monsod also insisted that the proposed parliamentary form of the Bangsamoro regional government is allowed under the 1987 Constitution and fits more the Bangsamoro culture.

“BBL will provide just enough power for self-determination within the bounds of the Constitution. The region needs the resources to accomplish its goals,” he said.

He also hoped that critics would look more deeply into the “vision, spirit, and core principles of the BBL,” which he stressed are completely in line with the 1987 Constitution’s provisions on human development and social justice.

“If we are going to have a new social order as mandated by the 1987 Constitution, then we must start with these areas (Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras) that are our biggest failure in terms of human development, oppression and neglect for centuries... because of armed conflicts,” he said.

Fourteen of the 18 surviving framers of the 1987 Constitution have expressed full support for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and the approval of the BBL. They have argued that a new organic law is necessary to fulfil the vision and spirit that guided the constitutional provisions on autonomous regions.

Monsod also emphasized that the proposed Bangsamoro will not be sub-state that will dismember the country.

MinDa... from page 1

chief executives (LCE’s) of Misamis Occidental headed by governor Herminia M. Ramiro, held at the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP), here.

“One of the provisions of the BBL is that it will have the sole authority over all the natural resources in the Bangsamoro,” Secretary Antonino, said.

“We all know that except for the Hydro-electric Power Plant (HEPP) that draws water from the Pulangui River in Bukidnon, the other HEPP’s of Mindanao are run by water from the Agus River that is sourced from Lake Lanao, in Lanao del Sur,” she said.

“While we make the effort to convince investors to come to Mindanao because we don’t only have available but cheap power, this ‘exclusivity’ provision in the BBL might turn the investors off,” Antonino said.

Meanwhile, Antonino said she has already asked the support of some nine Senators, who all assured her to review and make the necessary amendment of the provision before signing the Bangsamoro Bill into law.

She said she also hopes to get the support of six more Senators to do the same.

However, she did not give the names of the Senators. (RCA)

Batas... from page 4

-ooo NAPENAS: “WE WERE LEFT HANGING”: Napenas claimed that when Purisima stated that he would “take care” of AFP

Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang in relation to the Mamasapano operation, he believed it meant that the Armed Forces would be helping the SAF troopers who, even during the Malacanang meeting on January 09, 2015, were already expected to encounter grave difficulties in their escape or retreat after killing Marwan.

Yet, Napenas said, despite Purisima’s assurances, he and his men were left hanging, totally ignored even when President Aquino and his top police and security officials were all gathered in nearby Zamboanga City on January 25, 2015.

-ooo MACHINES TO REPLACE HUMANS? There is an interesting, yet scary, prediction from Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak: the time is coming, he said, that machines will supersede the human race, considering their capability to think faster than humans.

“If we build these devices to take care of everything for us, eventually they’ll think faster than us and they’ll get rid of the slow humans to run companies more efficiently,” Wozniak said.

-ooo PLEASE LISTEN: Broadcasts on spirituality and Word of God: Yes Radio 88.3 FM, Barobo City, Surigao del Sur and Yes Radio 93.9 FM, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, Mondays to Fridays, 8 p.m.; and 92.7 Smile FM, San Francisco, Agusan Del Sur, and Kiss 101.1 FM, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, Mondays to Fridays, 10 p.m.; Win 107.5 FM, Roxas, Isabela, Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.

-30-

Cimagala... from page 4

to care for one another, to be responsible for one another.

In politics, where issues are more a matter of opinion, we should refrain from dogmatizing our views and demonizing those of the others who differ from us. And even in matters of faith of morals, where dogmas are already involved, we have to learn to understand those who do not or cannot, for some reason, follow them.

In this regard, we have to be extremely patient, reflecting the very patience of Christ who goes all the way to the cross.

We have to intensify our prayers and sacrifices, revving up our spiritual life by doing a lot of catechesis and apostolate.

Let’s avoid at all costs mocking and insulting those who differ from us or who are clearly in error. The fact that we are clearly right on a certain issue does not give us the right, much less, the privilege to mock and insult others. That would be pure self-righteousness.

Let’s remember that as long as we cling to Christ, as long as we believe, love and follow him, everything will always work out for the good, even if in many instances we may seem to suffer a lot of setbacks.

It would indeed be nice that as we go on with our life, with new developments good and bad, we learn how to sort out our differences calmly and charitably. This simply means that we have to become more

and more like Christ, who is in fact the very pattern of our humanity, not to mention, our savior.

So let’s try to learn the truth, to follow the rules and ultimately the will of God, without getting rigid, and at the same time, let’s also try to be understanding and accommodating of everyone, without becoming flippant, frivolous, totally unhinged from reality.

Let’s follow the example of Christ! roycimagala@gmail.com

Philex... from page 11

he said.

With the additional estimate, the Padcal’s total resource estimate has increased by 71 percent to 267.7 million tons by end-2014. The incremental resource also hiked the contained metals to 1.23 billion pounds of copper and 3.24 million ounces of gold, both higher by 62 percent and 71 percent, respectively.

The above estimates are reported at a cutoff grade of 0.314 percent copper equivalent (CuEq), which is based on metal prices of US$2.75 per pound for copper and US$1,275 per ounce for gold and recoveries of 82 percent and 80 percent, respectively.

The prices are lower than the previous assumption of US$3 per pound copper and US$1,500 per ounce of gold in light of weak prices in the international market.--InterAksyon

Book... from page 12

of commitment to ensure the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to cap the years of negotiations for a just and lasting peace in Mindanao, Coronel-Ferrer said.

She noted that proponents of the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF want to reaffirm their commitment to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s declaration at the signing of the CAB a year ago to “not let the peace that we have all worked for be snatched from our people again.”

Coronel-Ferrer added that the event is likewise a call to the Filipino people to support the peace process.

“We want to emphasize that while the congressional d e l i b e r a t i o n s h a v e b e en delayed by the Mamasapano incident, the peace process continues. We are confident that members of our Congress, with the commitment of its leaders, would ensure passage of the BBL in line with their own commitment to the success of the peace process,” CoronelFerrer said. (PNA)

Tourists... from page 12

with us in making air travel to Davao from any point in the Philippines more convenient and more affordable,” he added.

Cebu Pacific Air is the official air travel partner of Visit Davao Fun Sale, giving a huge number of seat sales from all the budget carrier’s service points to Davao from April 3 to May 17.

Alabado, meanwhile, said that this campaign is all part of the DOT Region XI’s efforts to “grow Mindanao” and to “put Davao in the map as the next big thing in shopping and ecotourism”.

DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr., for his part, said there is practically something that will strike every shopaholic’s fancy at the Visit Davao Fun Sale, which is now on its second year.

“One thing is for sure, one will not leave Davao emptyhanded,” Jimenez said.

“So, book that flight to Davao via Cebu Pacific and get ready to fall in love with the culture of Filipino hospitality for sixlong weeks, and get the best premium bargains in what will be the next shopping capital of Asia,” he urged. (PNA)

Smart... from page 12

“We have been enjoining our employees and our subscribers to not only participate in this symbolic event, but also to make eco-friendly habits a part of their lifestyle,” added Isberto.

In Cebu City, Smart has partnered with City Councilor Nida Cabrera for the provision of bicycle racks at the City Hall Grounds with the turnover also scheduled on March 28. Smart also joined Councilor Cabrera and other Cebu corporate citizens and organizations in planting mangroves in Tongo Islet, SRP, Cebu City.

Smart will also support the Earth Hour Switch-Off activity at SM Cagayan de Oro. Smart has been at the forefront in the telco industry in promoting ecofriendly solutions. It is the first company to use stone paper for its merchandising materials. It is also one of the main proponents of the Marikina Watershed Initiative to help protect, reforest and rehabilitate the Upper Marikina Watershed, Metro Manila’s last line of defense against severe flooding.

Smart also partnered with WWF for Project Connect, which aims to educate students from elementary up to college on energy conservation, use of renewable energy, and climate change mitigation. Smart and WWF-Philippines have conducted workshops to schools that won in the 2013 National Search for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Schools that was held in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Tattoo...

15

from page 13

users,” Simpao stressed.

As an example, a monthly data allocation of 15GB under Plan 1299, recommended for light users, allows customers to watch up to 20 movies on HOOQ and stream up to 2000 songs on Spotify, he said.

Still, customers who exceed their data allowance may avail of Tattoo home volume boost at P50/1GB, P200/5GB and P300/10GB, ensuring they have data connectivity at consistent speeds. To help customers determine their actual data usage, Tattoo Home is implementing a three-month program for wired customers where they will be given an additional 50GB on top of their base plan data allowance. The additional data allocation will allow customers to right-size their broadband data plan according to their actual data consumption. Customers under the program will receive text or email notifications once they breach 50%, 80% and 100% of their base data allowance.

Existing customers will continue to enjoy their current subscriptions with no changes. They may also opt to upgrade to the new Tattoo Home Broadband Plans to get exclusive access to Tattoo’s exclusive suite of entertainment content comprising of HOOQ, Spotify and NBA.

DENR... from page 14

curb air pollution and reduce its impacts.

“Low sulfur fuels will lead to reduced emissions of particulate matter. This particulate matter, along with other pollutants, can penetrate deeply into sensitive parts of the lungs and can worsen existing respiratory and heart diseases,” the environment chief explained.

The DENR Administrative Order No. 2015-14 issued

by Paje provides more stringent emission standards for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon, oxides of nitrogen , and particulate matter to be complied with by new passenger, and light- and heavy-duty vehicles.

The Department of Energy is enjoined to ensure the availability of Euro 4 fuels to comply with the new emissions standards by July 1.

Paje said the implementation of vehicle emission limits was consistent with Republic Act No. 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. (PNA)

Republic of the Philippines LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL Cagayan de Oro City

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In Compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 10172, a NOTICE is hereby served to the public that MARICHU M. BORBON has filed with this Office a petition for the correction of clerical error in the entry of the child’s SEX from “MALE” to “FEMALE” in the certificate of live birth of MARICHU MARCELINO BORBON who was born on DEC. 22, 1988 in Cagayan de Oro City and whose parents are ARSENIO CRISPO BORBON and MARIA CRISPO MARCELINO.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file written opposition with this Office not later than March 28, 2015.

(Sgd) NORMA S. DIPUTADO City Civil Registrar BWM: March 19 & 26, 2015

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PAGE 16

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editor: SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

Globe inaugurates PHL’s first ‘containerized’ data center facility

G

lobe continues to blaze trails in data storage technology as it broke new ground for its new data center, considered the first containerized facility of such kind in the Philippines.

A huge leap forward for using advanced technologies, the data center is constructed to house the company’s first facilities in a modular data center rendition. Located in Cavite, it depicts a “data center-in-a-box” architecture, with details and specifications unique from other data centers.

According to company officials, the structure was

accomplished in record time which enabled the company to immediately have it operational. It was already in use during recent calamities, particularly during the storm season of 2014.

“This world-class and cutting-edge infrastructure will initially carry 84 racks, with a potential to expand to 500.

It will be a huge leap forward for data center technology in terms of value and benefits with regard to speed of deployment and flexibility.

Our customers will appreciate the potential for them to scale-up without impacting

their existing operations and manage their operating costs while meeting their dynamic business demands,” Globe Chief Information Officer Henry Aguda said.

He explained that the data center is fully-adherent to the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) 942 Tier III standards, ready to support emerging and future technologies for the next 10 years. In terms of aesthetics, the structure depicted in an architectural rendition above conforms to the latest international and local standards, laws and design

codes, adopting a state-of-theart transformational modular infrastructure.

The data center’s overall design provides for cost and energy efficiency. With regard to safety, its steel-plated edifice is built to withstand natural hazards such as earthquakes, soil liquefaction and landslides. The location and its environs are likewise surveyed to have zero or almost low incidences of floods, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis or occurrence of typhoons, while man-made threats are very low to none, such as fires, explosions, local

crimes, terrorism and sabotage, ideal for an extremely secure data center facility.

The facility also empowers customers to scale-up their data storage requirements without impacting their existing operations. More so, it will allow them to manage their operating costs while meeting dynamic business demands. According to Aguda, the new data center already hosts current platforms and projects across the different lines of businesses of the telco, as well as ready to service future ones requiring huge data storage.

MILO® Touch Rugby Summer Clinic Invades CDO

Are you looking for a worthwhile activity for your kids this Summer? Look no further because MILO® TOUCH RUGBY SUMMER CLINIC has arrived in CDO! MILO® TOUCH RUGBY SUMMER CLINIC is one of the sports courses under the banner of MILO® Summer Sports Clinics, an annual program set up

by MILO® to encourage school children to make the best of their summer by learning sports. More importantly, they incorporate character-forming lessons in their program so children not only learn champion moves but champion values — determination, discipline, teamwork, perseverance, hard work, respect, and confidence — to help make them winners on and off the field.

But worry not for Touch Rugby

is a non-contact form of rugby football in which players do not tackle each other in the traditional, highly physical way, but instead gently touch their opponents using their hands on any part of the body, clothing, or the ball. It is a very safe and enjoyable sport that your kids will surely love.

In CDO, training will be handled by Cagayan de Oro Rugby Football Club (CDO RFC), the pioneer and only Rugby Team in the City, who already won two Gold Cups from the 2014 Philippine National Games (Shield Division) and from the 1st Higalaay Rugby Challenge Cup. MILO® TOUCH RUGBY SUMMER CLINIC is OPEN to BOYS and GIRLS, 6-13 years old.

Clinic Schedule: 2-week Program April 6-17 (weekdays only) / 9:00-11:00 a.m.; 4-week

Program April 6-30 (weekdays only) / 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Venue: Xavier University Main Football Grounds, Corrales Ave. CDO City Register now at the MILO® TOUCH RUGBY SUMMER CLINIC Registration Booth at Ayala Centrio in front of Rustan’s Supermarket from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 30, 2015 to avail of the Early Bird Promo.

For further details, CALL Coach Noel at 0922-8577067 or LIKE facebook.com/cdorugbyclub and send them a message.

Give your child the BEST gift of learning a new Olympic sport and a chance to represent the City in the 2015 Batang Pinoy (Philippine Youth Games) and in Touch Rugby tournaments around the country.

REGISTER NOW!