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BusinessWeek MINDANAO Your daily business paper
2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting
Volume V, No. 115
www.businessweekmindanao.com
PHISIX
US$1 = P44.01
7,847.83 points
5 cents
By MARK FRANCISCO, Staff Writer
CAGAYAN de Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez (2nd district) yesterday trashed any hopes of passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in June. Earlier, both Senate President Franklin Dr i lon and Sp e a ker Feliciano Belmonte told media last Monday that both houses of Congress are committed to approve the BBL by June this year and submit it to President Aquino for
X X Briefly 71.32 points
Copper, gold plant BUTUAN City -- The provincial government of Agusan del Norte will soon implement the Field-Testing of the Integrated Gold-Copper Mineral Processing Pilot Plant in Caraga Region to be specifically located at Barangay Del Pilar in Cabadbaran City, this province. Agusan del Norte Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell “Angel” M. Amante-Matba was authorized recently by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through Sanggunian Resolution No. 0572015, authored by Provincial Board Member Joseph E. Tomaneng, to enter into and sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of the Philippines (UP) - Diliman, Caraga State University (CSU), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the local government unit (LGU) of Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City for the implementation of the said project. This project, funded by DOST, aims to help small-scale mining communities through introduction of technologically innovative and pro-environment mineral processing and extractive methods.
Biz-licensing MALAYBALAY City -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Bukidnon Kaamulan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Inc. (Kaamulan Chamber) regarding the streamlining of the Business Process and Licensing System (BPLS) of the province of Bukidnon. DTI-Bukidnon provincial director Ermedio J. Abang, DILG-Bukidnon provincial director Bruce A. Colao, and Kaamulan Chamber president Roderico R. Bioco formally signed the MOA early this year. Under the MOU, the DILGBukidnon shall undertake continuous and sustained enjoinment for the compliance of all LGUs in the province; coordinate efforts among parties involved for the harmonization of policy implementation, monitoring, and assessment & evaluation; and provide technical assistance in the BPLS Streamlining standards, Revenue Codes review and updating, and the adoption and harmonization of Local Investments & Incentives Codes (LIICs).
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signing. But in a radio interview, Rodriguez, who chairs the 75-member ad-hoc legislative bloc handling the bill said majority of congressmen are now bent on quashing the proposed Act. “A lot of my fellow congressmen do not trust the MILF anymore,” Rodriguez said, referring to the initials of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which has been
holding talks with the gove r n me nt for t he passage of the BBL. He said the MILF needs to regain the trust of the lawmakers for the measure could beat the June deadline. Rodriguez has p ointe d out t hat in order to do that, three conditions are needed: first, for the MILF to surrender their members who were involved in the Mamasapano encounter that killed 44 Special Ac t ion Force (SAF) commandos; second,
lead the government to the whereabouts of fugitive terror suspect Basit Usman; and third, return the rest of the firearms taken from the dead SAF officers. Rodriguez said that once these conditions are met, the BBL deliberations will resume and fast tract its passage and eventually for the President to sign it into a law. Meanwhile, the convenor of an award-winning youth rufus/PAGE 11
M’danao seen as main exporter of halal foods
G
By MINDANEWS
ENERAL Santos City -- Mindanao could become a major production base for export-quality halal products once the proposed “Philippine Halal Act of 2015” is eventually passed.
Senator Cynthia Villar raised such scenario as she rallied for support from stakeholders of Region 12 for Senate Bill (SB) No. 312, which mainly sets
the institutionalization of regulatory policies and accreditation standards for halal products in the country. She is s che du le d to halal/PAGE 11
Mindanao bats for RE investments By MYRNA VELASCO, Contributor
AFTER deluge of coal-fired power plants, Mindanao grid is now centering its investment invitations for renewable energy (RE) capacities to help balance their energy
carbon footprints. The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), in a statement to the media, has noted that bats/PAGE 11
JUNK MINING ACT. Anti-mining protesters hold a rally in front of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Surigao City on Tuesday, March 3. The protesters called for the repeal of the Mining Act of 1995 or Republic Act 7942, which turned 20 on Tuesday. mindanews photo by roel n . catoto
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DTI’s SME roving academy tackles oil palm investment, production
MARAMAG, Bukidnon -The Department of Trade a n d I n d u s t r y ’s ( D T I ) 2015 Small and Medium Enterprise Roving Academy (SMERA), conducted recently at Central Mindanao Universit y, fo c us e d on Oil Palm investment opportunities. At the reception, attended by local investors, mayor Romeo P. Tiongco of LGUDamulog presented his positive views about oil palm. But he laid down the “musts” of those companies who are planning to promote oil palm in his municipality and the
business model acceptable to them. Mayor Tiongco welcomes the contract growing scheme but emphasized that the farmers should be partowner of the processing plant. M a n u e l G . B o n i a o, chairman of Bali Oil Palm Produce Corporation expressed optimism on LGUs investment facilitation in this oil palm production in Damulog and vowed to help augment farmers’ income. Meanwhile, DTI provincial director Ermedio Abang pointed out that
in all economic aspects in the province, its not only Damulog town that could attract investment opportunities but also other communities. “ That’s why we have p ar t icip ants here f rom Lantapan, Bukidnon and neighboring places,” he said. Local investors from different parts of Bukidnon were also present during the event. DTI-Bukidnon intensified its campaign on promoting the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by conducting more SMERA
inorder to make them more competitive in the domestic and export markets. This is the 3rd SMERA conducted this year, the first was held at Taipan Restaurant in Valencia City while the second was at Bukidnon State University in Malaybalay City. SMERA will be conducted in different towns in t he c om i ng mont hs i n partnership with the Provincial Micro, Small, & Me dium Enter pr is es Development Council and various local chambers in the province of Bukidnon.
Power supply in Mindanao grid improves, says NGCP DAVAO City -- The Mindanao Grid will have adequate power for the moment, this according to National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. Milfrance Capulong, NGCP communications officer for Mindanao,) said that the Mindanao Grid enjoys a reserve
of 112 megawatts (as of March 2) as the first unit of the STEAG coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental went online last March 2. The plants bring additional 105 megawatts to the Mindanao Grid, Capulong said that an additional 105 megawatts is expected to be added
0935-160-0668 HERMILINO VILLALON
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when the second unit of the STEAG plant will go online. The coal plant underwent a maintenance shutdown last February 19 to March 1 (for the first unit) and February 21 to March 16 (for unit 2.) The Mindanao Grid generated 1,423 megawatts of power last March 2. Demand was recorded at 1,300 megawatts. Capulong said they have an expected 130 megawatts of excess power today (March 3). The Davao Light and Power Company instituted 2-hour rotating brownouts from February 21 to March 2 to cope with the shutting
down of the Steag Plant. Meanwhile Capulong said that the NGCP is ready to dispatch new power capacity to distributors. She said NGCP has seven substations in the Davao Region. There are two power plants under construction in the Davao Region. Therma South Incorporated 300 megawatt coal-fired power plant is expected to be online first half of this year. While the SMC Global Power Holdings 600 megawatt coal-fired power plant is being built in Malita, in the new province of Davao Occidental.
Displaced families in Maguindanao receive humanitarian aids MARAWI City -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) conducted a humanitarian mission Tuesday, March 3, in the municipalities of Mamasapano, Datu Saudi and Datu Salibo in Maguindanao. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman led the humanitarian mission together with local officials and other disaster response partners of the region to give assistance to families displaced by the ongoing joint law enforcement operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the province. The mission included food and medical assistance, psychosocial interventions and sessions on mine-risk education. The military offensive in at least 8 towns has already displaced around 8,300 families or 40,000 individuals. Affected municipalities include Shariff Saydona, Mamasapano, Datu Unsay, Shariff Aguak, Datu Salibo, Rajah Buayan, Datu Hoffer and Datu Saudi. The fighting has
also disrupted the classes of at least 16,000 elementary and secondary students. In an emergency meeting of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) on Monday, Hataman emphasized the urgency of responding to the needs of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). He said they are closely coordinating with the national government to ensure that the basic needs of affected individuals will be attended. Since February 28, the ARMM through its Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) served a total of 7, 208 families plus another 4,323 families from the humanitarian mission Tuesday. Sapiya Pangadil, 60, of Barangay Tina in Mamasapano town is thankful to the ARMM government for the help, but prays the frequent armed conflict in their place would end so that her seven grandchildren can finish their schooling. Moreover, Hataman said they will address issues on education and the health of the IDPs staying in evacuation sites.
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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CorporateWorld
Bayantel rehab will benefit consumers, telco industry IN a recent joint comment submitted to the Court of Appeals, Globe Telecom said that the rehabilitation of Bayan Communications (Bayantel) will augur well for consumers to enjoy wider choices as well as better product offerings, and ultimately bring about a positive impact to the local telco industry. According to the document, both companies reiterated that “the successful rehabilitation of a public utility is a matter of high state concern. For, it would open up the consumer market to more choices, promote greater competition, and foster better products and services.” Likewise, this will result “in a free market w here rapidly-e volving technologies have greatly facilitated communications and access to information, resulting in massive public enlightenment…” Moreover, the debt-toequity conversion transaction between Globe and Bayantel will precisely enable the latter’s continued viability as a telecommunications
Honda 2-month sales in 2015 up 14%
HONDA Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has started the year with double-digit sales growth. HCPI president and general manager Toshio Kuwahara told reporters during the launching of all-new Odyssey that sales of Honda cars in January-to-February period this year reached 2,346 units or increasing by 14 percent from last year’s same period of 2,057 unit sales. In particular, January 2015 sales grew by 6.0 percent to 1,122 units from last year’s 1,005 units. Sales in February 2015 further increase to 1,224 units from February 2014’s 1,002 units, a robust 22-percent growth. Meanwhile, the Japanese automaker made its first launching this year in the Philippine market with the allnew Odyssey mini-van. Kuwahara said HCPI aims to exceed the past sales volume of Odyssey totaling to 250 units. We expect to exceed the 250 sales, selling around 300 [units]. We will be happy if we can achieve it in a year,” said Kuwahara. The all-new Honda Odyssey has an introductory price of Php2.298 million and will be sold at Php2.34 million after a month. The HCPI chief also added that the company will be introducing more cars this year including a “sleek and sportier” sport-utility vehicle. (PNA)
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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
provider, allowing it to “exit rehabilitation and enhance its current infrastructure and network, build more cell sites and related facilities (as well as) enrich more people’s lives through the wonders of telecommunication.” Particularly, it will allow Bayantel “to continuously provide better and technologically-advanced services at affordable rates.” As their joint application has run on for more than a
year already, both parties stated that the P 5-billion rehabilitation effort is starting to adversely affect “more than a thousand employees whose jobs are in peril and whose families’ future are in dark doubt.” For its part, Globe in the comment said that “(it) has stamped its class in the market by delivering one innovative product after another, to the delight of its customers. It is this same dynamism
that has given (it) a cleareyed view in the immense potential of a revitalized Bayantel, (that) in the not-too distant future, duplicate for its own customers the same transforming and enriching experience that (customers of Globe Telecom) have come to know.” Globe and Bayantel filed the said petition in October 2013, which so far has been undecided for the last 15 months.
Ayala Land’s subsidiary to launch 10 projects this year A W H O L LY- O W N E D subsidiary of Ayala Land expects to grow by a fifth this year on the back of new projects. In a br ief ing , A lve o Land Corporation president Rob er t S. L ao s aid t he comp any is aiming for growth of 20 percent this year, generating P40 billion in sales from P36 billion last year. He said Alveo would introduce key developments throughout the countr y, averaging about 10 project launches per year. For the first half of 2015, project launches would bring to the market P25 billion worth of new inventory in Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Quezon City, Nuvali and Pampanga. For the second half, the company plans to launch fou r proj e c t s . “We are targeting San Jose del Monte and Cagayan de Oro. [But] it’s still in the planning stage,” Lao said. “We offer a wide range of residential, office, and leisure developments all a c r o s s t h e c o u nt r y t o satisfy the needs of growing market. This puts us in the best position to take full advantage of the country’s economic growth as we continue to be present in all key CBDs in Metro Manila,” Lao said, referring to central business districts. Alve o has a ls o bui lt
residential, commercial, leisure and office developments in Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, Cebu and Davao, among others. L a o i s c on f i d e nt of growing interest from both local and foreign investors. “We have a growing middle class exercising their spending power boosted by higher consumer confidence, so we are shar p ening our focus on providing genuine consumer-relevant, real estate innovations that will truly make a mark in the industry,” he said. Last year, Alveo launched nine projects, namely Park Triangle Corporate Plaza, Ver ve Residences Tower Two in BGC; Veranda West and South Towers in Arca
S out h, Taguig; S olstice Tow e r Tw o i n C i r c u i t Makati; Lumira in Nuvali; Westborough in Cavite and High Park Tower One in Quezon City. Last month, the company launched The Stiles Enterprise Plaza for turnover by t he four th quarter of 2019. The Stiles Enterprise Plaza is a twotower development offering a total of 283 units for its first phase, the West Tower. The 29-storey building will cover a 2,460-square meter space with office units ranging in size from 79 to 180 square meters. Unit prices range from P10.6 million to P25.8 million. The company expects to earn P4.4 billion in revenues from the West Tower.
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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BusinessWeek MINDANAO
Trainees or apprentices should be given remuneration
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Get Over It
hink a minute…A young mother said that she never really appreciated her parents until she had children of her own. Only then did she realize all her parents had gone through in raising her. The sacrifices her parents made, the things they put up with and went without so they could feed and clothe her, pay her school fees, take care of her when she was sick, and the list went on and on. But there are sometimes we can feel hurt or angry about things our parents did to us as children. Maybe you feel they were too hard and strict, or your parents treated you unfairly and differently from your brothers and sisters, or they even physically abused you. You might feel they didn’t really love you, or spend enough time with you when you were young. Friend, it may be true that your parents treated you wrongly, so it is completely understandable that you have feelings of hurt and anger toward them. But now that you’re an adult, it’s not so much your parents but yourself whom you’re hurting by staying angry and bitter, refusing to forgive them. Unforgiveness and bitterness will only hurt yourself, because it poisons your heart and attitude toward life. What’s more, doctors have proven that
THINK
A Minute
By Jhan Tiafau Hurst
unforgiveness and anger can cause physical suffering such as migrain headaches, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and many other sicknesses. Someone said that when we become adults, there comes a time when we have to “get over it.” We have to “let our parents off the hook.” We have to finally stop holding our parents on the hook of our anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness. For your own sake, you must let go of the hurt and forgive your parents, no matter what wrong and painful things they might have done to you in the past. Remember, many times our parents were only doing what had been done to them by their own parents. So God is their fair judge, not you. A L L n e e d G o d ’s forgiveness for our many wrongs and hurts we’ve hurst/PAGE 11
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G
ranting a monthly allowance to trainees or apprentices in the public and private sectors is just and proper. Many of today’s trainees end up paying for the services they rendered. This is very true of OJT nurses in private hospitals and It is very unfortunate indeed. To “institutionalize the granting of monthly allowance to trainees or apprentices in the public and private sectors and providing penalties for any violation thereof,” is just fair and humane. Governments must put an end to this exploitative practice by institutionalizing the granting of training allowance or stipend to countless and helpless trainees
or apprentices. While there are still good employers who provide t r ai n i ng b e ne f it s e ve n without legal mandate, several employers take advantage of the needs of prospective job applicants by availing of their services for free or worse, charge them a training fee. T h e s e v e re l a c k o f employment opportunities in the country has compelled the public to find ways and means to gain practical experience on a particular job. K n ow i n g f u l l y w e l l how important it is for a prospective job applicant to
have job experience or formal training, many employers, both in the public and private sectors, take advantage of the situation by engaging the services of a trainee or apprentice, which in most cases without providing monetar y b enef its, the proposal argues. It is a fact that many trainees or apprentices even end up paying for the service training they have rendered in exchange for a Certificate of Training, especially the nurses. The most common victims are our poor nurses
Sports Tourism
B
OXING is now a big attraction in Macau which has brought fortune to the MGM Grand Hotel with their sports arena filled to the rafters. Aside from the revenues in the gaming tables of their fabulous casinos, bi g t i me i nte r nat i ona l promoters have find ways to draw the rich crowd to this American sports with tourist and celebrities coming from mainland China and t he ot he r ne i g hb or i ng Asian cities ringing cash registers to the exciting world championship boxing fights. An unknown Chinese fighter has gained prominence in professional boxing after fighting in the under-card of two Manny Pacquiao world title bouts. In Macau and China, Lau Shu Ming is idolized after his Olympic gold in boxing. His fights together with our boxing hero generate historical gate
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editorial
desiring to work abroad, who pay hospitals, including government hospitals, instead of being paid for their services. It must be obligatory on the part of any employer, both in the public and private establishments, which engages the services of a trainee or apprentice, to pay a training allowance equivalent to the prescribed minimum wage in a particular area. Employers who engage the services of a trainee or apprentice must not be allowed unless a Contract of Training cont aining t herein t he specific job and workstation, t r a i n i n g a l l ow a n c e o r st ip e nd, ot he r w is e t he trainee or apprentice shall be automatically hired as a regular employee.
receipts and revenues in the hotel accommodation of this former Portuguese colony. In 2014, the tourist receipts of Macau have gone up to USD 4 Billion beating Singapore and Hong Kong. In Las Vegas, Nevada, one of the greatest boxing coups will happen this year which could be a record in gate receipts and attract unprecedented tourist influx to this American city. A Pacquiao – Mayweather show down is probably the greatest sports event in terms of money. Brazil has earned more than USD 2 Billion tourist receipts when the World Cup was held in their country last summer. A prelude to the next Olympic Games in 2016 which is forecasted to earn USD 20 Billion with Five Million tourists expected to visit and watch the games in this South American city.
Sponsorship and advertising for the sports coverage during the Olympics will bring revenues to the international television networks who will broadcast to the 10 billion viewers around the world. Sports revenues are taxable and potential income to the host country. In the Philippine B aske t b a l l Ass o c i at i on (PBA), Outgoing Chairman, Patrick Gregorio, who is a former colleague in the hotel industry is browsing the idea to the league to open their ranks to prominent Asian Basketball players who played in the last FIBA tournament as potential imports. Talented players from Turkey, Iran and China are now playing in the National Basketball Association of America. Their stint in the PBA could be a major tourist attraction and will add to the gate receipts aside from
TRAVERSING the
Tourism H i - way By Ped Quiamjot
expanding the viewership of the first professional league in Asia to the other Asian cities. Television rights of course follow bringing more money to the PBA. We have homegrown sports in Mindanao which has produced world class athletes who won gold in the recent international events. Our Dragon Boat competition is becoming a major crowd quiamjot/PAGE 11
PNoy blaming Purisima has precedent
IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors…” (Isaiah 53:12, the Holy Bible). -ooo S C A N DA L E RU P T S O N P N OY B L A M I N G PURISIMA: For the record, many feel scandalized by the attempts of President Aquino and Malacanang to blame resigned Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Alan Purisima, for the Mamasapano massacre where 44 officers and men of the Special Action Force were brutally killed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on January 25, 2015. Did not Aquino say, early on, that Purisima could not be blamed nor be held liable in anyway for the death of the SAF commandos, people are asking. And, people are also wondering aloud, did not Purisima already declare
publicly, in an act perceived by many as gallantry of the highest order, that he was taking full responsibility for the Mamasapano massacre, in an obvious ploy to clear Aquino? So, how come Aquino sudden ly made a tur n around, as he is now singing a dif ferent tune ab out Purisima’s liability over the Mamasapano operation, to the effect that the former PNP chief must take all the blame for this blot in the nation’s history because he lied to the President? -ooo P N OY, P U R I S I M A : BREAKING POINT: Your guess is as good as mine, but I think that the presidential change-of-mind was prompted by Purisima’s public denial, through a statement issued by his lawyer-relative, that he lied to the President about the help for the SAF policemen. Purisima disputed the President’s accusation
that he lied, saying that he never lied at any point in his career as a policeman, and during all the time that he was considered as the best friend of Aquino. That denial was perceived by Aquino and his spin masters as Purisima’s breaking away from his long friendship with his long-time friend and benefactor and, as a veiled attempt as well to already implicate the President in the Mamasapano debacle. When Purisima made that public denial, he became an urgent target for character assassination, to take away his credibility, if and when he found himself disclosing the truth about Mamasapano. But as we wrote the other day, the only thing that Purisima can do now to defend himself is to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as to how the Mamasapano operation came about, who ordered its execution on
K akampi
Mo A ng Batas By Atty. Batas Mauricio
January 25, 2015, and who was really in charge of the whole operation all along. -ooo PNOY BLAMING PURISIMA HAS PRECEDENT: If Purisima does this, he is not going to be alone. As far as I can recall, there is already a precedent of an official of an Aquino government spilling the beans, so to speak, after being dropped like a hot potato, on account of that batas/PAGE 11
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Villar enter Forbes’ List of richest Pinoys F
ormer Senate president Manuel Villar is 1,190th of the Forbes List of richest tycoons in the world with a net worth of $1.6 billion. Villar is included in the global list of billionaires for the first time. Sy and 10 other Filipino billionaires have a combined fortune of $51.9 billion or about P2.28 trillion – a little less than the Philippine government’s P2.6 trillion national budget this year. SM’s Henry Sy Sr. is the wealthiest man in the Philippines lording it over in banking and property businesses. Sy increased his net worth from $11.4 billion last year to $14.2 billion this year . Sy’s net worth
was attributed to the continued growth of his SM Investments Corp. and his more recent venture, the City of Dreams Manila resort and casino, which opened in December 2014. JG Summit Holdings Inc. founder John Gokongwei Jr. landed on 254th spot in Forbes’ list of world’s billionaires with $5.8 billion net worth. due to a strong growth in airlines, telecoms, property development, banking, hotels and electricity ventures. Enrique Razon Jr. , chairman of Bloomberry Resorts Corp., and developer of the Solaire Resort and Casino, ranks 291st with $5.2 billion in net worth. The fourth richest in
country is tycoon Andrew Tan with $4.8 billion.. Lucio Tan, airline and tobacco magnate was this year’s biggest loser among Filipinos who remained in the list, as his fortunes decreased to $4.4 billion from $6.1 billion in 2014 . Tan finished 369th globally and fifth locally this year. Tying up with Tan is Metrobank ’s George Ty who is also 369th richest n the world and fifth in the country. Filipinos who made it also in the Forbes’ list are David Consunji (405th) with $4.1 billion, Jollibee’s Tony Tan Caktiong (690th) with $2.7 billion, Puregold’s husband and wife tandem of Lucio and Susan Co (810th) with $2.3 billion, insurance
businessman Robert Coyuito Jr. (1,054th) with $1.8 billion. Sy and 10 other Filipino billionaires together raked a combined fortune worth $51.9 billion or about P2.28 trillion – a little less than the Philippine government’s P2.6 trillion national budget this year. Filinvest Group’s Andrew Gotianun, who was 1,565th in last year’s rankings, is not in this year’s list. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is the world’s richest with a wealth of $79.2 billion, while Mexican telecommunications tycoon Carlos Slim Helú took the second spot with a net worth of $77.1 billion.
Bill proposes entrepreneurship training in schools Youth entrepreneurship will soon be given a boost with the proposal on school programs for students. It will help raise living conditions and boost the economy according to the proponents. House Bill 5169 or the
“Poverty Reduction through Youth Entrepreneurship Act” seeks to provide financial l it e r a c y a n d t e c h n i c a l assistance for the youth to stimulate the creation of micro, small and medium enterprises. “We need to equip the youth
with the necessary skills and values to turn their ideas into successful business and to be able to sustain growth amidst challenges,”the bill’s author, Bohol Rep. Rene L. Relampagos (1st district) said in a statement released yesterday.
“Ent repreneurship, without a doubt, is one of the main drivers of economic growth and social progress.” Under the proposal, youth enterprise development subjects will be integrated into school curricula through the Department
of Education, Commission o n Hi g h e r E d u c at i o n , and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Grants and loans will likewise be given to schools as incentives to develop subjects geared towards
business topics, as well as to cover training for teachers. The Trade department will likewise be tapped to provide training and mentoring opportunities from the private sector, according to the bill. -Melissa Luz T. Lopez
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BFP: Exercise fire safety measures By Apipa P. Bagumbaran
BSP ACTIVITIES CONTINUE – VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ gives his message to the participants of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Local Council Executive Board Meeting, Coordinators Meeting and Friends of Scouts Gathering at the BSP Building, corner A. Velez-A. Luna Sts., Cagayan de Oro City. He said that despite the unfounded accusations hurled against the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, he will remain committed to train young people of Misamis Oriental to become responsible leaders and help them contribute in nation-building. Currently, Vice Governor Pelaez is the Council Chairman of the BSP-MisOr Council and at the same time a Regular Member of the National Executive Board (NEB).
IN ANTICIPATION of the increasing fire incidents during the month of March, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here reminded the public to take fire precautionary measures. Acting provincial fire marshall SFO4 Maximino Ventura II said fire incident is considered an enemy of society’s progress because it has caused financial losses and damaged to lives and properties. He said in 2013 alone, 28 fire incidents occurred the province resulting to P29,450,000.00 worth of property damages. “Although the incidents decreased to only 25 cases in 2014, the amount of property damages was still big at P20,150,000.00,” he further said. To prevent further damages to lives and properties, Ventura urged the public to exercise fire safety measures especially in using electrical installations. According to him, electrical overload or short circuit connection is the top cause of fire incidents in the province
followed by unattended cooking. The provincial fire chief said octopus connections should be avoided to prevent electrical circuit overload. “We should unplug our electrical appliances and close our liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks when not in use or before leaving our houses,” he further said. Ventura also encouraged the regular inspection of LPG hoses for leaks. Other fire safety tips shared by provincial fire marshall include keeping matches away from children’s reach, being cautious in cooking and in using candles, and not smoking in bed or when sleepy. “Above all, make sure you have fire escape plan for all situations,’ he added. March is observed as the National Fire Prevention Month in line with Presidential Proclamation 115-A to raise awareness on fire safety practices and prevention measures. (APB/PIA-10)
DOST chief eyes public school studes for science scholarship Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejohighly encourages students from public schools to apply for admission to the Philippine Science High School (DOST-PSHS) campus nearest to their community. “We are reaching out to our youth who may be less fortunate but can be competitive in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering,” Montejo said. “This is one way of broadening our prospects in building a pool of S&T experts who will someday become the country’s leaders.” Montejo reinforced the message of PSHSS Executive Director Larry L. Cabatic last week that the current PSHSS management wants to “accommodate more qualifiers from less fortunate families.” According to Dr. Cabatic, a number of qualifiers from well-off families prefer to enroll in more expensive schools anyway. Thus the new PSHSS management intends to focus on students who really need and deserveto study in the country’s premier S&T (science and technology) secondary school. Moreover, Cabatic also said that the PSHS campuses will carry the nickname “Pisay” – a term of endearment coined by students, alumni, management, and even parents of students. Ten years ago, it was reported that 90 percent of Pisay qualifiers were from private schools. Until recently, Cabatic said, the percentage went down to 60 percent for qualifiers from privileged families. Pisay scholar is son of balutvendor Among this year’s crop of freshmen is an ordinary boy who – even he himself thought of it – would be an unlikely Pisay scholar. “I just live across Pisay,” he said as he introduced himself as Robert John P. Pecayo, Grade 7, and a resident of an urban poor community along Agham Road. He describes his residence as
“maramingbesesnangnasunog (a place that got burned many times).” His father is a paraplegic, while his mother sells balut (duck egg with developed chick) to provide for the family’s needs. His elder siblings – a sister who is in high school and a brother who is in college – are separately sent to school by two aunts, he said. “I didn’t know much about Pisay although it’s just across our place. It was not very open and I didn’t hear much about it in the media,” he admitted. “When my classmates told me they were taking Pisay’s entrance exam, I told myself, ‘Why don’t I try it too?’” It was worth the try. Robert John is one of the 40 percent public school graduates who passed Pisay’s National Competitive Exam (NCE), a scholastic aptitude test designed to measure the scientific ability, quantitative ability, abstract reasoning, and verbal aptitude of applicants. This may not be a real surprise as Robert John is the class valedictorian and had shown strength in Science subjects. Iskolarng Bayan “Batangmatalino” – this is how his neighbors described Robert John, especially now that he is in Pisay. Indeed, Pisay scholars are not just intelligent students. They should be excellent in science, math and engineering to help them cope with Pisay’s academic standard. Cabatic’s explanation on how it was to qualify for Pisay scholarship makes one appreciate Pisay’s P140,000 per student spending per year. According to Cabatic, one should have an above average score in all of the four exam categories. For example, in one category, if the average score all 23,000 applicants is 60, then one has to get an above 60 score, Cabatic explained. “Even if one gets 100 percent in one category, but gets a below average score in another category, the applicant is automatically disqualified,” disclosed
Cabatic. Qualifiers get ranked-- the main campus in Diliman, Quezon Citygets the top 240 qualifiers among its applicants; and each regional Pisay campus admitting the top 90 qualifiers in their respective areas. Such stringent qualification requirement is just the beginning. All throughout the schooling of Pisaystudents, they get immersed in science, mathematics, and research. But this is not to say that they are all academics. They also get very good grounding in humanities, arts, social sciences, and sports. Awards are just a foretaste Last school year, Pisay students shone in various competitions here and abroad. But the awards are just a “bonus”, quippedCabatic. “Hindi naming intention napurhaginsilasa awards (We don’t intend to immerse them into getting awards),” he said. “We just want them to have a taste on how it is to have S&T projects. We want them to fully bloom when they go to college.” Robert John admits that it’s not easy to stay in Pisay. “I had a hard time,” he admitted when asked how he coped with Pisay life. “Datimabagalang pacing sa dating school ko (Pacing of lessons was quite slow in my former school), he recalled. “We used to discuss one lesson in one week. Now, we take up a lesson in two to three days only.” Used to being on top of the class when he was in elementary, Robert John realized that everyone in class is intelligent. “Nahirapanakonunguna, peronakakapag-adjust na din (I had a hard time at the start, but now I am adjusting),” he admitted. Investment actually When he found out that he passed the NCE, Robert John thought it was just “swerte” (good luck) that he can continue schooling and be called
“Iskolarng Bayan.” How much does the country pay for the “Iskolarsng Bayan” like Robert John? According to Ma. Concepcion Sacay, finance chief of the Pisay system, the 13 campuses as a whole have a budget of P1,439,431,000 in 2015. A big chunk of the budget goes to the students who receive monthly stipends worth P500 to P4,000, depending on financial need. “But rich or not, they are all given free books to be returned at the end of the school year,” said Sacay. Other benefits include the annual P1,800 uniform allowance and one-time roundtrip transportation allowance to those eligible. “We are looking at these spendings not as gastos (expenses) but as an investment,” said Cabatic. “We are investing for the future of these students. It is the future of future leaders we are talking about here.” “We prepare our students to be leaders, though not necessarily in politics,” shared Cabatic.
“I always tell our students that if you will be good, for example, in medicine, leaders will come to you for medical treatment. In that way, you become a leader yourself because you influence those who are on the top,” he added. “Pisay scholars are the leaders of tomorrow and they can influence the future of our country.” Students interested to apply to any Pisay campus can log on tohttp://www. pshs.edu.ph/or thethe PSHS Facebook page for more information. Pisay’s NCE is usually held every August and applications are accepted starting May. The PSHS system is composed of science-oriented secondary schools operating under the DOST. It offers scholarship for high school studentswho will be trained towards careers in science and engineering. PSHSS currently has 13 campuses all over the country, with three additional campuses to be opened by 2016. The newest campus, PSHSCALABARZON inBatangas City, will open in June this year. (Framelia V. Anonas, S&T Media Service)
Gender Advocated from various agencies in Region 10 gathered on March 3 in Camp Alagar for the opening of Women’s Month celebration with the theme, “Juana, Desisyon mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na!” It was highlighted with a Holy Mass and Zumba. (PRO10)
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RDRRMC-8 focuses on monitoring of ‘Yolanda’ efforts
20th Anniversary: Amai Pakpak Medical Center Transformation - A National Landmark Development held last March 3, 2015 at APMC Amphitheater, Saber, Marawi City. Hon. Silvestre H. Bello III - 1 BAP party list representative, received the Plaque of Appreciation from Dr. Amer A. Saber, MD, MPH - Medical Center Chief I and Dr. Luz A. Saber, Chief Professional Medical Service Staff during his recent visit as a guest speaker of the 20th Anniversary: APMC (Amai Pakpak Medical Center) Transformation. photo by sonny sudaria
TACLOBAN CITY - More than a year after typhoon “Yolanda” hit Region 8 on November 8, 2013, the Reg ional Dis aster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) again gathered its member agencies to tackle the intervention m e a s u re s p rov i d e d by different thematic areas to address the needs of its beneficiaries. According to Director Blanche Gobenciong, Office of Civil Defense (OCD-8) and chair RDRRMC, the thematic areas involves are social ser vices, infrastructure, livelihood, and resettlement that the RDRRMC is in a forefront to mobilize efforts in addressing the needs of all typhoon “Yolanda” affected areas and other disasters that hit in Region 8. Dir. Gobenciong said that the RDRRMC is composed of multi-sectoral, comprehensive and interagency collaboration are necessary in affording holistic
UN commends PHL for climate change effort MANILA -- The United Nations has acknowledged the efforts of the Philippine gove r n me nt to a d d re ss climate change. In a bilateral meeting held Friday at the Department of Environment an d Natu r a l R e s ou rc e s (DENR) in Quezon City, E nv i ron me nt S e c re t ar y Ramon J. P. Paje discussed w i t h U N E nv i r o n m e nt Program (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner the various programs being implemented by the agency to increase the country’s natural defenses and resiliency. “Ahead of the Call to Ac t i on , we are a l re a dy doing our share to address climate change. The directive of President Aquino is to improve our natural defenses and to significantly increase the resiliency of communities,” Paje said. He cited the National Gre en ing Prog ram , l og b an i n n atu r a l fore s t s , geohazard assessment and mapping program and cle an air as among t he priority programs being implemented by the DENR to mitigate the impact of climate change. Steiner, accompanied by UNEP Regional Director and R e pre s e nt at ive for Asia and the Pacific Kaveh Zahedi, met with DENR officials to discuss potential cooperation on renewable energy and climate change. According to Paje, the UN official also expressed hope the Philippines will be among the first 50 c ou nt r i e s t o r at i f y t h e
Minamata Convention and give it the legal identity it needs in order to become effective. “The Minamata Convention is a worthy cause and it calls for leadership, so that it does not linger in the drawers of international conventions,” Paj e qu ote d Ste i n e r a s saying. The Minamata C onvention was signed by Paje, who was given full powers by President Aquino to sign the treaty on behalf of the Philippines, during a conference organized by the UNEP in Kumamoto City, Japan, on October 10, 2013.
The pact will take effect 90 days after ratification by at least 50 countries. Paje likewise offered for a potential presence of UNEP in the Philippines as a way to reciprocate the UN agency’s continuing commitment in providing support to various environmental programs and projects. According to the environment chief, there are currently seven projects b e i n g i mp l e m e nt e d by the DENR funded by U N E P. T h e s e p r o j e c t s include invasive species management, monitoring of persistent organic pollutants or POPs,
i mpl e m e nt at i on of t h e strategic action programme for the marine and coastal environment of the South China Sea, ozone depleting substance (ODS) and the HCFC Phaseout Management Plan. Other areas of cooperation discussed by the two officials were on the following: · Support to the Phi lippines to incre as e investment in renewable energy and energy e f f i c i e n c y, i n c l u d i n g the development and implementation of green energy policies; · Work together on the valuation and
integrated management of ecosystems, including t h r o u g h t h e We a l t h Accounting and Valuation of E cosystems S er vices (WAVES) program as well as work in the marine and coastal ecosystems through t he C oral Tr iang le and other programs; · St re ng t h e n c o l l a b o r at i o n b e t w e e n UNEP and the Philippines, including scaling up joint work under t he Glob a l E nv i ron m e nt a l Fu n d 6 cycle; and · Strategic partnerships to help support the broader ASEAN region in partnership with the Philippines. (DENR)
isamis Oriental Governor Bambi Emano listens to a question from the media during the press conference held M after the Joint Peace and Order Coordinative Council conference, held at the new Provincial Training Center, Capitol Compound, Cagayan de Oro City. With Gov. Emano are (from left) P/SSupt. Leonilo Cabug, provincial director of PPO-Misamis Oriental, P/SSupt. Aurelio Trampe, deputy chief of Police Regional Office in Region 10, Provincial Director Edward Bhagwani of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, MGen. Oscar Lactao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Vice Gov. Joey Pelaez, Col. Jesse Alvarez, commanding officer of the 403rd IB, and Lt. Col. Jose Eriel Niembra, commanding officer of the 58th IB. (Cheng Ordonez)
f r am e wor k t h at wou l d cater to the requirements of enforcing government agencies. Based on the data provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) there are 3,002 f am i l i e s st i l l l iv i ng i n bunkhouses and 508 families located in transitional shelter, and around 152 families had already been placed in the permanent shelters commissioned by ridgeview which provided 66 permanent shelter and GMA Kapuso Foundation which provided 86 permanent shelters. The DSWD had served 50 trafficked persons for the period January to August 2014 and 14 of which had been provided financial assistance. T h e D e p a r t m e nt of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had implemented a total of Php286M out of Php1.6B funded amount worth of infrastructures which involves repair and rehabilitation of national roads, national bridges, flood control projects, local or access roads connecting to the national roads. The Office of the Presidential Assistance for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) had targeted a total of Php 75.67B worth of resettlement projects which involves 205,128 housing units involving 116 municipalities and cities that would construct disaster resilient houses that can withstand a wind load of up to 250 kph. It informed though that the project cannot be totally implemented because of some pressing issues that prevent its implementation such as land availability, island barangay, coastal communities, livelihood opportunities and unsafe areas that are dependent on t h e s u it abi l it y an d unsuitability of such facilities. Dir. Gobenciong said that the best thing that the government should do is to coordinate, collaborate, and cooperate to address the needs of its beneficiaries. Dir. Gobenciong thanked all the member-agencies of the RDRRMC for their support and cooperation on the success of the year 2014 program of work even if the responsibilities, duties and accountabilities are broad to consider everything. Dir. Gobenciong was teary-eyed when she spoke before the council that soon she will be assigned to OCD central office and Assistant Regional Director Rey Gozon will take over until a replacement had been chosen. Shel anticipates t hat her success or can equal or even surpass her accomplishment. (ajc/jhb/ PIA)
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University students tap Sendong survivors for social enterprise help people help themselves; they help make a change; and shift from profit-oriented to A group of students from non-profit oriented type of Xavier University – Ateneo business. de Cagayan tapped Sendong They started the enterprise survivors residing in Xavier in November of 2013 where EcoVille to pursue their social they picked the Xavier entrepreneurship dubbed I am EcoVille Multi-Purpose a Change Maker, Sketch Bags. Cooperative – Women Sewing Sketch Bags is the name Cluster to sew and print ecofor the Eco bags these students bags. are selling in their social In March 2014, they have enterprise feasibility study as signed a Memorandum of requirement to their course in Agreement (MOA) in order Business Administration. to start the enterprise. They Zuein A. Guantero and admitted that at first, there Anne Felice P. Sebastian was a need for training said that their motto is because the women lacked the to join the trend in social precision of sewing; quality entrepreneurship wherein they was low. So they passed their by JASPER MARIE OBLINA-RUCAT PIA-10
knowledge including sewing and silkscreen printing, among others. In 2014, the group has managed to earn P170,000 from selling eco-bags. They said that the proceeds went to buying more materials and that 5% per order go to the cooperative. In terms of strategy in selling these bags, they relied on sending business letters, doing meet-ups and bringing sample products for groups or organizations. Among their clients include the Polymedic Hospital, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) for their first run,
Psychology and Medicine Convention, Rural Bank of Medina and they also supply online shops based in Cebu. In terms of pricing, they said that it is really competitive. But they do not want to go too low because they are also thinking of the cooperative that would be needing money for their livelihood. For 20 pcs of 16’ x 13” eco bag, you pay P100 each. However, for bulk order like 50 to 100 pcs, price could go lower from P70-P85 each. Recently, they have also tapped the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and availed of the trainings
in the Go Negosyo Center such as Market Planning, Business Plan writeshop and Entrepreneurial Development Training. They said learning is not an overnight process, these women still need trainings. Further, they intend to turnover this enterprise to Ecoville once they finish school. Recently, they also won an award from the British Council for this endeavor and have given them a good amount wherein they also bought machines for the cooperative. These include silkscreen machine, sewing machine and heat press machine for rubberized printing.
DOST-10 calls for more Bigby’s Cafe, The SM tech adoptors, partners Store Treat this March CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- More technology adoptors and partners is what the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in region 10 aims for by conducting a series of stakeholders forum/consultation in all provinces in the region. It is in line with DOST’s commitment to provide an innovative, cost-effective and appropriate technologies to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for them to produce competitive products that meet world-class standards. The stakeholders forum and consultation is a strategy to promote and the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), the banner technology program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). SETUP aims to bring technology innovation to the MSMEs. Assistance include access to new technologies, training, product standards and testing services, appropriate packaging and product labeling, information and other technical and consultancy services. SETUP targets the following sectors: food processing, metals and engineering, gifts/house wares and decors, agriculture/aquaculture, health and pharmaceuticals and renewable energy. During the forum, participants are informed of the DOST programs and projects and services such the High-Impact Projects like the Food Innovation Center (FIC) and Complementary Foods, Community Empowerment Through Science and Technology (CEST), the Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories, and the Consultancy, Packaging and Labeling Services. After the presentation, active consultation follows to get feedback from the
participants on how DOST could improve its program and project implementation. The forum is also a venue to enhance the visibility of DOST in the region. The first leg of the forum which was recently conducted for Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro City drew more participants from various sectors and industries, local government units, national government agencies and non-government organizations. Most of the participants attended the forum to be updated on science and technology developments, and to look for new business, with business/ investors dominating the total number of participants. Some also signified their interest to adopt the technologies presented, start a new business and avail of the DOST services. Among their felt need are high-technology machines, laboratories and upgraded systems. Other assistance that the participants wish to have are technologies solar drying of banana chips and macaroni, rubber technology, technology on extracting medicine from plants, mushroom production and appropriate equipment for peanut processing and others. Succeeding forum will be held for Camiguin on March 6; Misamis Occidental on March 9, Lanao del Norte on March 10 and March 11 for Bukidnon. Invited participants are requested to confirm their attendance to our respective Provincial Science and Technology Centers in the above provinces. For more information, please contact, Roselyn Arellano at telephone number 858-39-31 local 13.
(Tess Superioridad Baluyos/DOST10)
Great news to Bigby's Cafe customers! Dine at Bigby's Cafe and get exclusive discount at The SM Store Cagayan de Oro. Simply present tape receipt of dine-in purchase together with your SM Advantage, SM Prestige, BDO Rewards or Mom Card and get 10% discount for a minimum P1,500
single-receipt purchase on regularpriced items. Date of dine-in tape receipt should be within promo period. So Dine and Shop Now! Promo runs until March 31, 2015.
For inquiries, please call The SM Store Marketing Department through 859-1188.
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DSWD expands age coverage for social pension T CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -Indigent senior citizens aged 65 years old and above are now qualified to receive stipend from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). DSWD regional director Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo recently announced that because of this effect, more than 39,000 indigent senior citizens in the region will now be receiving P500.00 from the DSWD on a monthly basis for their needs such as medicines. The DSWD however emphasizes that the Social Pension Program is intended for those senior citizens who are considered indigent based on the National Household Targeting System of the DSWD, and/or those who are not beneficiaries of any social insurances such as Social Security System (SSS) and Government
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March 6 to be declared as National Day of Healing for Unity and Peace
he Senate recently adopted a resolution declaring March 6, 2015 as a National Day of Healing for Unity and Peace “to remember those who perished in Service Insurance System (GSIS). Mamasapano as well as the thousands Senior citizens or their family of lives lost from decades of armed relatives may visit their local social conflict.” welfare and development offices on Senators Teofisto Guingona how to avail of the stipend. III, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV and Having heard the concerns of Aquilino Pimentel III, authors of the the public that the stipend is very resolution, said Resolution No. 1204 minimal, Solamillo explains that also encourages the Filipino people to the budget appropriated for the said stand for justice and stay the course of program is very minimal and that peace.” the DSWD is continuously lobbying “The Mamasapano incident has with the congress to increase the grave implications to the continuing agency’s budget so that stipends for peace process and to the lives of the its beneficiaries will also increase, and peoples of Mindanao who continue to that more indigent senior citizens will suffer from the debilitating impact of also be covered. decades of armed conflict even while The Social Pension is one of undergoing rehabilitation efforts,” the the provisions under Section 5 of resolution stated. Republic Act 9994 otherwise known March 6 marks the 40th day as the “Expanded Senior Citizen Act after the January 25 Mamasapano of 2010.” incident which claimed the lives of 44 Charmaine Suzette Leonore P. Tadlas
Philippine National Police – Special Action Force members, 18 Moro fighters and some innocent civilians. The Commission on Human Rights said at least 1,500 families have been displaced for fears of armed confrontations escalating in the area of Mamasapano, Maguindanao. “This unfortunate incident has likewise caused a national divide threatening to polarize the country and its peace-loving peoples, with some sections issuing condemnation, hasty judgment and espousing bloody retaliation,” according to the resolution. “Civil society groups, peace movements and communities across the country have started to gather as peace advocates calling for unity and peace. There is an imperative and urgent need to pause and re-assess our common aspirations to bring peaceful solutions to our nation’s problems,” the resolution said. (Apple Buenaventura)
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New rabies course launched at Asian rabies expert confab
DSWD 2nd Director's Cup. Team RPMO (Regional Program Management Office) (red shirt) defeats Team DavSur 25-21 during the Opening Ceremony of Volleyball Women 2nd Regional Director's Cup held at Barangay 22-C Gym, Davao City on Friday. At the first game, Team DavNor (yellow shirt) beat Team Davao City 26-25. The Volleyball Women Competition will run every Friday afternoon while Basketball Men is set every Saturday, until May 2015. Other DSWD competing teams are Team ComVal, Team DavOr, and Team Centers and Institutions. (DSWD/Sheryll Jane S. Fernandez)
Rabies experts across South East Asia gather today for a two-day regional workshop in Bangkok, Thailand to discuss plans to move towards the ASEAN goal of rabies elimination by 2020. This meeting also marks the launch of a free online course, the Rabies Educator Certificate (REC) Global Alliance for Rabies Control. The REC will help individuals such as community educators and health workers who would like to learn about rabies and teach others to prevent rabies and reduce deaths in their communities. One of the basic challenges of preventing human and animal deaths due to rabies, particularly in endemic countries in Asia and Africa is the lack of awareness among individuals about the need to keep their animals vaccinated, and to get themselves vaccinated if they are exposed to the virus. “The myths and ignorance that surround rabies are costing lives,” says GARC executive director, professor Louis Nel. “The REC arms educators in at-risk communities with the facts to prevent rabies and provides credibility and strength to their message. As we increase our efforts to set up regional rabies prevention networks to support
national governments, the REC is one of the tools that will be used to help them eliminate rabies deaths in their countries.” The REC is universally applicable, with the choice of working online or offline at the participant’s own pace, and provides a certificate to successful participants on completion of a final assessment. Apart from providing the facts about rabies prevention, it also gives advice and guidance on how to conduct community awareness events, helping to increase the effectiveness of rabies prevention education. It is particularly valuable in areas where there are no government or NGO rabies awareness programs, enabling communities to protect themselves from this deadly disease. Dr Wilfred Marissen of Crucell, the global vaccine company that supported the development of REC, added: “Prevention of disease is one of our main priorities. We believe that GARC’s Rabies Educator Certificate Program will raise the level of awareness in communities thereby contributing to the prevention of rabies deaths." The course can be accessed at education.rabiesalliance.org (GARC)
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Rufus... from page 1
o r g a n i z at i o n b a s e d i n Cagayan de Oro said that BBL is not a solution to Bangsamoro concerns. “Not all Bangsamoros approve of the BBL. There’s the MNLF and there are lots of other tribes in Mindanao which express their explicit opposition to that law. So conflict may still erupt even though the BBL will take effect already,” Primitivo Ragandang of Move this World – Pilipinas said. The group was one of ten nationwide which were recipients of the prestigious 2014 Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) awards. R agandang said that conflict in Mindanao could only be solved through institutionalizing peace education in the K to 12 curriculum. An educator by profe s s i on , R a g an d ang said that educating the children in Mindanao about harmonizing with other cultures as early as in the elementary level could help solve the problem. Mov e t h i s Wo r l d – Pilipinas is touring around the country, assisting both public and private schools to inject peace education as part of their curriculum. It is in these efforts that they were recognized as one of the 2014 TAYO awardees.
Halal... from page 1
formally endorse or sponsor the bill’s passage next week before the Senate’s plenary. “O nc e p a ss e d, ( t h i s proposed law) will enable Mindanao to produce halal-certified products and eventually become the production center of halal products for exports,” she said in a gathering of farmers and local government leaders in Tupi, Suth Cotabato on Tuesday. Villar, who chairs the S enate C ommittee on Agriculture and Food, said the passage of the measure w i l l p ave t h e w ay for establishment of a credible national halal certification or accreditation board. Ha l a l i s A r abi c for “permitted” and refers to a food or non-food preparation method under Islamic law. Industry stakeholders earlier lamented that the country’s halal industry had failed to take off due to the absence of such body. “ To ma ke our ha l a l products more competitive in the export market, we need to establish and institutionalize a certifying board that is reliable and credible,” Villar said. She noted that the global market for halal products has been steadily growing and its value is now estimated at around US$2.3 trillion. Around US$700 billion of the halal market are food products that could be produced in Mindanao,
she said. “This will later bring tremendous benefits to all provinces in Mindanao,” the senator said. Un d e r S B 3 1 2 , t h e national government will be establishing a centralized Philippine Halal Accreditation and Regulatory Board. The board will be responsible for the “for mu lat ion, draf t ing, management and implementation of programs relevant to manufacturing, production, distribution, preparation, handling, storage and verification of halal approved food, non-food merchandise and services” in the country. Villar said Mindanao has the potentials of becoming a top halal production base due to the availability of raw materials and its significant Muslim population, which is estimated at around four million. “Mindanao is strategically located and can very well become the Halal hub of the country and even the rest of the world. The region is already positioned as the halal production center of the country and gateway to neighboring countries Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei,” she said. T h e D e p a r t m e nt of Science and Technology in Region 12 currently operates a halal laboratory in Cotabato City. It is also building a larger state-of-the-art laboratory facility in Koronadal City that will be called the Philippine National Halal Laboratory and Science Center. The center was conceptualized to become the clearinghouse of halal products coming in and out of the country.
Bats... from page 1
the stakeholders in the area are now “mapping up steps to provide Mindanao with a greener and renewable power supply in the next five years.” With the baseload needs of the power grid having been finally resolved with the commissioning of several coal plant projects, their attention is now shifted into tapping cleaner options for their longer term energy needs. MinDA S ecretar y Luwalhati Antonino has noted that “compared to the situation last year and the years before, the state of Mindanao power today had seen significant improvement with the immediate and medium term measures.” She added that even with the ongoing maintenance shutdown of a big power plant in the area, the grid had not been pummeled with brownouts on an aggravated scale as the previous years. The expected capacity additions for this year until 2016 are considerably enormous at 500 megawatts – coming from the 300MW coal-fired facility of Therma South Inc. of the Aboitiz
Group; and 200MW coal plant of the Sarangani Energy Corporation of the Alcantara group. Yet while the consumers in the area will be appreciative ending their years of tragedy with rotating brownouts, the next challenge is on minimizing their carbon emissions so their energy solutions could not eternally be regarded as ‘contributory’ to global warming risks. “The expected entry of more baseload capacities from coal-fired power plants totaling 2,000MW until 2018 should be complemented by accelerated deployment of renewable of RE projects,” Antonino said. Her agency is in fact the trailblazer in setting up a ‘One-Stop Facilitation and Monitoring Center’ to untangle gridlocks in the permitting and approval processes for RE projects. The streamlined policy is b eing pione ere d for Mindanao RE investments, but it is now being adopted as potential template by the Department of Energy (DOE) in pursuing a wider coverage – that when feasible shall be employed nationwide. It i s a we b - b a s e d mechanism aimed at accelerating the duration of permitting processes for RE projects to 1-2 years instead of the typical 3-5 years.
Hurst... from page 4
caused others. Jesus Christ said that we can never make our peace with Him and be forgiven, until we’ve made our peace and forgiven those people who have hurt and wronged us. This includes our parents! So why don’t you ask Jesus to give you His mercy and love, so you can finally reach out to your parents to forgive them, care for them, and honor them for all the good things they did do for you—before they’re gone and it’s too late. Just Think a Minute…
Quiamjot... from page 4
drawer aside from promoting river conservation in the major water ways of the country. If we put our hearts and develop more young competitors in this sport, major sponsors will follow and the crowd will come from many places to fill up the river banks and raise the bar of environmental consciousness. Butuan City has contributed its share. Congratulations to City Mayor Ferdinand Amante and DOT 13 Regional Director, Letty Tan, for a job well done. The Fr. Urius University Dragon Boat rowers of Butuan have gathered honors in this event. Many provinces in the Philippines are gravitating in fact copying the commercialization of their rivers for floating restaurants business rather than a venue of sports competition. In a one town one product, it
would rather do good that we leave the floating restaurants to Loboc River in Bohol and instead develop our own water sports product in Mindanao which is more attractive and suitable for adventure in the river wild. Cagayan de Oro is now a popular River Rafting destination. An international competition is ripe to take place. Up in Lanao del Sur, perhaps, a Para Sailing competition in Lake Lanao should be promoted before this great body of water dries up due to its neglect and environmental degradation. While the peace process may take a backseat as a collateral damage to the infamous Mam a s ap an o i n c i d e nt , sports tourism can move forward as an alternative in the destination at the same time raise awareness in the importance of the Lake as a source of water to power the hydroelectric plants in Mindanao.
Batas... from page 4
official being perceived to be moving against the i nt e re s t of t h e p ow e r s that be. I am of course referring to the case of former Agrarian Reform Secretary and now Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. M i r i a m’s c a s e a s a Cabinet member of the Cory Aquino government is in fact documented by Wikipedia, which reported: “Pre s i d e nt Aqu i no w as chair of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council. As secretary, Santiago was the vice-chair. The media pointedly asked her if the hacienda belonging to the president’s family should be covered by agrarian reform. “(The Cojuangco family had opted for corporate farming by retaining the land and paying the far mers in t he for m of c or p or at e s h a re s , t hu s exempting themselves from the agrarian reform law.) When Santiago said that the family’s hacienda should be distributed among the farmers, it was not long before President Aquino accepted Santiago’s resignation…” Santiago later publicly disclosed this experience of hers with the first President Aquino. -ooo PLEASE LISTEN: DZEC1062 kHz Manila, 1080 kHz Dagupan City, 711 kHz Naga City, 1260 kHz Lucena Cit y, 1224 kHz Davao City, and www. eaglenews.ph Mondays to Fr id ay s , 6 a. m . ; DY KA 801 kHz Panay Island, Yes Radio 88.3 FM, Barobo City, Surigao del Sur, Yes Radio 93.9 FM, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m.; 92.7 Smile FM, San Francisco, Agusan Del Sur, Kiss 101.1 FM, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, Mondays to Fridays, 12 noon; 107.5 Win 107.5 FM, Roxas, Isabela, Saturday, 5:30 a.m., Sunday, 7 a.m. -30-
App...
from page 10
“There are several components in the judging. One is the technical side while the other side is business feasibility,” Isberto explained, adding that S-MART was both a good innovation and a smart business idea. He also pointed out that S-MART was socially-valuable as it targeted a marginalized sector, the farmers. Initially, the app will benefit farmers in Nueva Ecija, known as the Philippines’ rice granary, but the developers of the app said they will aim to reach out to other farmers later on. “Technology is not the difficult part but getting technology to fit social realities and social needs,” added Isberto. The SWEEP Awards is the Philippines’ biggest and longestrunning technology competition. This is held annually since 2005 as part of the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP), an industry-academe linkage with a network of 52 colleges and universities all over the country that aims to uplift engineering and IT education in the Philippines and help partnerschools produce industry-ready graduates. Aside from Wesleyan University, the other big winners in the 2015 SWEEP Awards are the Smart IMAGE (Instant Multipleoption Assessor for General Examinations) of Bulacan State University, first runnerup; and the #Bayanihan entry of Batangas State University, second runner-up. They received cash prizes of P200,000 and P100,000, respectively, with their schools also getting the same amount in grant. Smart IMAGE is a mobile app for the fast checking of examination papers, specifically designed for a multiple choice type of test. Teachers just have to take a photo of the test paper and the app will determine the score of
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the student. Meanwhile #Bayanihan is a cloud-based application for local government units (LGUs). It allows people to get business permits and other government documents via the Internet. The theme of this year’s SWEEP Awards is “Building Cloudbased Technologies.” Cloud computing is a term for storing and accessing data through the Internet instead of a computer's hard drive. “SWEEP changes in the way the industry and technology changes. We accommodate more and more of what’s happening around us,” Isberto said, noting “the growing importance of cloud-based technologies.” Moving forward, Isberto said they hope to see more programs or technologies related to big data especially as “data analytics is becoming more and more important.” He also hopes that developers of new technologies will recognize the importance of having a good business model. “We’re really encouraging technopreneurship. From the outset, we encourage them to come up with a viable commercial product or service. Your technology can be great but if you can’t marry it with good business, it won’t be sustainable,” he added. Also making it to the finals of this year’s SWEEP Awards are Smart I-PRINT of De La Salle Lipa; Smart A.S.S. (Aerial Surveillance System) of Bulacan State University; SENTINEL (Smart Emergency Necklace Triggering Internet-Enabled Locator) of Bulacan State University; Smart RESERVE of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila; AIDPH (a web and mobile-based app for Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System) of University of Cebu Main Campus; Constello of Ateneo de Manila University, and ALMS (Automated Landslide Monitoring System) of University of Southeastern Philippines.
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BusinessWeek MINDANAO THURSDAY | MARCH 5, 2015
editor: SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY
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Smart sustains innovation in schools via SWEEP Awards
Winning app enables farmers to sell products online PEOPLE today can order almost anything online: food, clothes, shoes, bags, books, music, movies, and other novelty items. Soon, people from anywhere in the Philippines or abroad can order via the Internet sacks of rice or fresh vegetables from farmers in Nueva Ecija. This will be made possible through a mobile application developed by a group of Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) students of Wesleyan University in Cabanatuan City awarded top honors in the 11th SWEEP Innovation and Excellence Awards of wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart).
S-MART, short for Smart Market Assistance and Product Trading, is a mobile app that allows farmers to sell their agricultural products online. Buyers can also compare prices from the sellers and calculate fuel costs based on the location of the supplier. As the 2015 SWEEP grand champion, Team S-MART received a trophy and P500,000 in cash. An equivalent amount in grant was also given to Wesleyan University. Ramon Isberto, head of Public Affairs at Smart, said the judges were unanimous in choosing S-MART as the winning entry. APP | Page 11
Wesleyan University’s Team S-MART takes a photo with its prototype just before the final judging for the 11th SWEEP Awards.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
U.P. GAWAD PLARIDEL 2015 THE U.P. College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) is now accepting nominations for the annual U.P. GAWAD PLARIDEL which recognizes Filipino media practitioners who have excelled in any of the media (print, radio, film, television, and new media) and have performed with the highest level of professional integrity in the interest of public service. For 2015, the eleventh U.P. Gawad Plaridel will be given to an outstanding FILM PRACTITIONER. The award is named after Marcelo H. del Pilar (nom de plume, Plaridel), the selfless propagandist whose stewardship of the reformist newspaper La Solidaridad helped crystallize nationalist sentiments and ignite libertarian ideas in the 1890s. Like Plaridel, the recipient must believe in the vision of a Philippine society that is egalitarian, participative and progressive; and in media that are socially responsible, critical and vigilant, liberative and transformative, and free and
independent. Eligible for the awards are all living Filipino individuals who have excelled in the field of filmmaking as producer, director, scriptwriter, actor, production designer, scriptwriter, musical scorer, etc. Aside from their probity and integrity, these media practitioners must have produced a body of work that is marked by excellence and social relevance and must have achievements recognized nationally and/or
internationally. Individuals and institutions may nominate potential recipients. Institutions include media corporations, professional media associations, media advocacy groups, educational institutions, cultural foundations, and NGOs. Previous nominees may still be considered for this year’s award. All current fulltime faculty and staff of the UP CMC are disqualified from the nomination.
The deadline for submission of nominations is on 30 April 2015, 5pm. The recipient of the U.P. Gawad Plaridel 2015 will be announced in May 2015. The U.P. GAWAD PLARIDEL will be given in August in commemoration of del Pilar’s birth anniversary. The awardee will receive the U.P. Gawad Plaridel trophy (designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva) and will deliver the Plaridel Lecture addressing issues relevant to the state and practice of Philippine media. The recipient will have a place of honor at all ceremonies and functions of the College. The recipient’s portrait will be hung at the U.P. Gawad Plaridel Gallery located at the College lobby (Plaridel Hall, U.P. Diliman).
Nomination forms and award guidelines are available at the UP CMC Website (http://masscomm. upd.edu.ph) and at the UP CMC Office of Extension and External Relations (UP CMC-OEER). Interested parties may call (02) 981-8500 loc. 2668 for details.