BusinessWeek Mindanao (March 6, 2015)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO Your daily business paper

2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting

Volume V, No. 116

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Briefly Climate change DAVAO City -- Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau urged for a dialogue between his government and the government of the Republic of the Philippines to come up with means of adaptation to cope with the climate change.

Speaking in a press briefing at the Marco Polo Hotel he explained that Israel does not have the monopoly of ideas with regards to technology pertaining to climate despite having the experience of confronting the elements of nature all the time.

He said that their country is situated in the desert with not a single drop of rain and not a single spot of green.

Matityau said the country only receives 40 millimeters of rain annually, yet it is the vegetable market of Israel and the European markets.

Camiguin delicacy MAMBAJAO, Camiguin -- Suman Moron, inspired from the Visayas’ famous traditional delicacy has become a trending favorite for Camagueños and its tourists.

In an exclusive interview with the group during the project monitoring and evaluation activity conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment-X (DOLE-X) Technical Support and Supervision Division on 27 February 2015, it was learned that the organization, started in 2007 with original 20 members of Kasamahan ng mga Liping Pilipina (KALIPI)-Balbagon Association in the island’s capital town, Mambajao, offers a “kakanin” treat or a special “pasalubong” dessert snack item in different occasions locally called suman moron.

This developed as the KALIPI suman moron women makers with now increased 53 members have been granted the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) last 07 September 2014 through its accredited co-partner, Mambajao Water District Workers’ Association in the amount of P100,000.00.

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Normin’s SMEs briefed on Asean, EU schemes

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By CHENG ORDONEZ, Associate Editor

HE Department of Trade and Industry in Nothern Mindanao (DTI-10), through its Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), has launched a dialogue cum information campaign with the region’s business group yesterday at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

DTI-10 OIC-Regional Director Linda Boniao said the activity, attended by close to 170 stakeholders, i s a mu lt i - st a ke h ol d e r briefing on ASEAN Economic C ommunity (AEC) and European Union Generalised Scheme of Peferences (EU GSP+).

Boniao said the dialogue focused on concerns regarding Free Trade Areas (FTAs) dubbed as “Philippine International Trade Strategy: Doing Business in Free Trade Areas.”

“Access to technology and more sophisticated equipment SMEs/PAGE 11

Multi-sectoral group to spearhead launching of nat’l peace campaign

By BONG FABE, Contributor

THE Tulay Kalinaw sa Mindanaw (Tulay KAMI) is spearheading the local launching of the national campaign All-Out Peace (AOP) today (March 6), the 40th day of the tragic Mamasapano incident.

Tulay KAMI, convened

by Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (ACDO) and the Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI), is a multi-sectoral peace conversation among civil s o c i e t y org an i z at i ons ( C S O s ) an d a g e n c i e s

working and advocating towards peacebuilding and conflict resolutions in Northern Mindanao.

The Mamasapano tragedy has dealt a serious blow on the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and consequently on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

With the attainment of the long-sought after peace campaign/PAGE 11

INSIDE THE GUERRILA ZONE. A resident of Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano town in Maguindanao pedals his way across a corn field. The MILF 105th Base Command is located in Barangay Tukanalipao. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

Health dept probes foul smell emitting from coal-fired plant

By MINDANEWS

DAVAO City – The City Health Office is set to inspect this week communities in Binugao, Toril regarding reports of foul odors being detected near the Therma South, Inc. (TSI) property, where a a coal-fired power plant is being constructed.

C HO s an it ar y ch i e f Robert L. Oconer said in a text message that a team of

doctors from his office will assess the area on Friday and determine the source of the odor. Oconer said there has been no formal complaint received by the CHO yet, but they have decided to take action.

TSI corporate communications manager Wilfredo Rodolfo, in an interview aired over Bombo

Radyo, said they will also look into the complaints.

The 300-megawatt plant at the boundary of this city and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, he said, was conducting a scheduled steam blowing of the power plant to clean the pipes of dirt and rust.

“But all that is being emitted is water vapor,” Rodolfo said, adding there were no chemicals involved health/PAGE 11

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SM FOUNDATION COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP SCREENING ON MARCH 8

SM Foundation Inc., the advocacy arm of the SM group of companies, is now accepting applications for the SM College Scholarship Program for school year 20152016.

The scholarship program is open to all graduating public high school students in Cagayan de Oro with a weighted average of at least 88 percent by the second

or third grading period.

Household income of the applicant's family must not exceed P150,000 per annum.

SM scholars can enroll i n c ou r s e s l e a d i ng to Baccalaureate degrees in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Management, Computer Engineering, Electronics and C ommunications Engineering, Elementary and

Secondary Education and Accountancy and they can pursue their studies at SM Foundation's partner schools in Cagayan de Oro such as Liceo de Cagayan University, Mindanao University of Science and Technology and Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan.

Aside from matriculation fees, SM Foundation also provides for the scholars'

monthly allowance and summer / semestral break jobs to enable them to earn and augment their allowances.

To apply, applicants must completely fill out the SM College Scholarship application form and attach clear photocopy of F138 or 4th year high school report card with the second and third grading period’s

weighted average and a photocopy of the applicant’s latest Income Tax Return (ITR) or Certificate of Nonfiling of Income.

Screening and testing schedule will be on March 8 (Sunday), 10:00AM at the Atrium of the SM City Cagayan de Oro. The SM College Scholarship Program was established by SM

Foundation in 1993 and has since produced over 1,900 graduates. The foundation continues to provide quality e duc at i on to p o or ye t deserving students a chance for a better future through higher education.

Currently, there are 1,450 SM scholars enrolled in the Foundation’s 82 partner colleges and universities nationwide

Boosting rice farming Water code amendments needed through farm mechanization for P10-B watershed development

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

DAVAO CITY -- A planned P10-billion water project here, to b e under t a ken jointly by the Davao City Water District (DCWD) and a consortium to b e f o r m e d b y Ab o i t i z Equity Ventures and JV Angeles Construction and Development Corp., cannot advance without an amendment to the city’s Water Code.

Lawyer Bernardo Delima, DCWD spokesperson, said the district has called on the local government to

pursue the modification of t he l aw, w h i ch b ans the introduction of development in watershed areas.

The project will tap the Tamugan River, one of the identified watersheds, as the source for a projected 280 million liters a day by 2019, enough to cover the entire city’s expected demand. “ T h e a m e n d m e nt i s what we need so our project can proceed. This project is important because it

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22nd/31st Naza reth, Cagayan de O ro Cit y

will not only help us prov ide b etter s er v ices to all our customers, it will also allow us to rest our wells,” Mr. Delima told BusinessWorld.

The public water distributor filed a request for the amendment last year but without an accompanying design concept for the project.

Mr. D elima s aid t he district is aiming to submit the design to the city government after signing the contract with its private sector partners before the end of the month.

D C W D i s i nt e nt on immediately starting construction work on t h e p r o j e c t g i v e n t h at another company, Cebubased HelpMate, has submitted a proposal to the local government to provide water to the city’s northern part, particularly the Second District.

The city council has

deferred hearings on H e l p M a t e ’s p r o p o s a l pending approval from the National Water Resources Board HelpMate’s project will tap the Davao River as a source and install its own distribution system in the Second District.

Some councilors have expressed support to the HelpMate proposal as they cited DCWD’s failure to provide 24-hour supply in the area.

DCWD, whose franchise area covers the whole city but without exclusive rights, has registered its opposition to the He l p Mat e pro p o s a l on the premise that it would become redundant once the Tamugan project is in place.

Un d e r t h e p l a n n e d Aboitiz-JV Angeles consortium, DCWD will be represented in the company’s board.

BUTUAN City -- To further boost the rice production i n C ar ag a R e g i on, t he Department of Agriculture (DA) recently turned-over around 53 units of floating tillers to various farmers associations.

The turn-over ceremony was held at DA Research Station in Taguibo, Butuan City graced by DA Caraga acting Director IV Edna Mabeza.

Of the 53 units, 19 units were turned-over to farmers associations in Agusan del Sur particularly from municipalities of Loreto, Talacogon, San Francisco, Sta. Josefa, La Paz, San Luis, Trento and Bayugan City; nine units goes to Surigao del Norte particularly to municipalities of Gigaquit, Bacuag and Surigao City; nine units goes to Butuan City; seven units to Agusan del Norte for the municipalities of Kitcharao, Santiago, and RT Romualdez; four units also to Surigao del Sur for the municipalities of Marihatag, San Miguel and

Barobo; and two more units for the Province of Dinagat Islands. Recipients of the remaining three units are yet to be finalized.

In her message, Director Mabeza said that the floating t i l l e rs are p ar t of t he implementation of the farm mechanization program for the year 2014 and urged the recipients to maximize the use of the said farm implements.

Floating tiller is an onfarm machine that aids farmers to an easier, faster and efficient land preparation.

Dionisio Ruperez, chairman of the Capalayan/ Guiso/Mananod/Canlangan or CAGUIMACAN Irrigators Association of Capalayan, Surigao City said that their group is looking forward to use the said equipment as it is a big help for their livelihood.

He said that using the floating tiller they will probably saved around 3040 percent of the cost on one hectare lot during the land preparation than the traditional way of using the carabao.

“Siguro sir makatipid mi ug mga 30-40 porsiyento sa among galastuhan pag-andam sa among basak, maong mapasalamaton gyud mi sa DA (We can probably save 30-40 percent of the cost during land preparation that is why we are so thankful to DA)," Ruperez said.

Af te r t he tu r n - ove r ceremony, recipients brought home their respective units of floating tiller with smile on their faces, looking forward to bountiful rice farming.

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The Ugly Face of the Moro War

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Power Play

hink a minute…They say, “The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys!” Little boys are happy with a small, simple toy truck, but later when we’ve become macho men, we want bigger, more sophisticated trucks. There’s something else that few of us seem to outgrow: power games.

We still want to be the “top dog.”

We will manipulate or use people to get what we want, whether it’s money, status, or a position of power. After awhile, playing power games simply becomes our way of living.

We talk negatively about coworkers so we’ll look better than them. We act like we’re humble in public, when we actually want to be recognized and given that position or title of status. We play power games in the office, our village, in sports, at school, even in our marriage.

Husbands don’t really show and express our love to our wife because we think we’ll lose the power and control in our marriage. So we want our wife to remain insecure and not sure if we really love her. But it’s not just men who play power games, women do too. Like the mother who won’t allow her children to see their grandparents. Some women even use sex to control and manipulate their husbands.

But friend, even if you won every single power game you played. Do you realize that 50 years from now, your title or position of power you fought for won’t make any difference to

THINK

A Minute

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst

your life? In fact, the satisfaction you think you’re getting from winning those childish power games by stepping on and hurting other people will only come back later to haunt and hurt you. You see, we always get back what we give others—whether it’s good or evil. It’s called planting and reaping.

Jesus says there’s only one position of power that will make all the difference in your life, both now and when you die.

That’s whether you’ve become a child of God or not. As they say, “It’s not WHAT you know, but WHO you know.” So have you asked Jesus to forgive you for all your wrongs and living for yourself? Then have you asked Him to take charge and start changing your heart and way of living every day? You see, your daily personal relationship with Jesus is the only position of power that matters, and will give you real satisfaction that lasts. Just Think a Minute…

We could no longer wait for our regular golfmate, Atty. Danao to complete our foursome flight, so we decided to tee off without him. Everybody thought it was unusual for him, a golf aficionado, to be late.

The foggy and chilly dawn shrouding the Mindanao State University (MSU) c ampu s g r a s s y g rou n d that was converted into a mini golf course has cast gloom and premonition on us that something bad has happened. When we reached hole no.2 we were met by a group of heavily-armed young men who asked us politely to go home.

We were not alarmed because armed men are a common sight in our place.

I went back to my car and on my way home I heard over the radio that the rebels have forcibly taken over the radio station and repeatedly invoking the name of Allah Subhanaho wataallah declared the start of the Marawi Rebellion.

The date was October 21, 1972, exactly a month after the declaration of Martial Law. They continuously broadcasted the litany of crimes, the injustice, neglect and discrimination allegedly committed by government against t he Moros and urging everybody to join the jihad. I recognized two of my political science students taking turn airing the Bangsamoro grievances.

Thus began our horrors and nightmares that traumatized and haunt us to this day.

In the afternoon of the same day we learned that our golfmate, Atty. Danao, who offered mostly pro bono legal services to the local natives (there weren’t many of us Muslim-lawyer practitioners then) together with a

L

prominent doctor and owner of the only private hospital in Marawi doing mostly humanitarian services, were both mercilessly executed by the mujahideens for no other reason but they are leaders of the Christian community in the place.

Even the Christian ambulant vendors of fish, vegetables, and ice cream who diurnally travel from Iligan City to Marawi to sell their wares were not spared.

There was panic among ou r C h r i s t i an f r i e n d s .

Physicians Oscar Fudallan, Benito Acosta and other C h r i s t i a n re s i d e nt s of Mar aw i, i nclu d i ng ou r boyhood playmates sought refuge in our residential compound. The Chief of Police defected to the rebels’ side. The late Mayor Omar Dianalan and his handful of policemen tried vainly to restore order in the city even while the rebels paraded openly in the streets with their firearms.

The cour ts, schools, offices and stores were closed for weeks. There were arsons and plunder.

My two-door commercial apartment was not spared and was razed to the ground.

There was heavy fighting in nearby Amaipakpak Military Camp. Its Commanding Officer, Col. Marohombsar and his soldiers, albeit outnumbered, gallantly fought the rebels. The bridge along the national highway at the boundary town of Pant ar w hich conne c ts Marawi City to the north was bombed out cutting possible reinforcements for government forces. There was mass evacuation of the city residents. I brought my family to the lakeside town of Wato—my birthplace, on board a small motorized banca because the highway

was closed.

The City was in total chaos.

Fe w d ay s l at e r, t h e government troops liberated the City. I brought back my family to Marawi only to be arrested later for the trumped up charge of rebellion. I was detained in isolation and incognito because according to the arresting officer, a Presidential Security Guard (PSG) Officer, I was No. 1 in the OB (Order of Battle) of the military. I was interrogated non-stop even late at nights for about a week. Nobody including my family could visit me. I was subjected to a lie-detector test and confronted with documents and pictures showing my participation in rallies and protest marches w hi le President of t he Muslim Student Association of the Philippines, way back my student days at the University of the Philippines and for having organized and led the demonstration against President Marcos when he visited MSU at Marawi City.

I was not physically abused but the mental torture was excruciating. I have to bear the discomfort and humiliation of wearing and sleeping on the same clothe and deprived of amenities like soap and toothbrush. If not for the intervention of the late strongman Governor Ali Dimaporo, I would have b een broug ht to C amp Crame in Quezon City to be tried in a military court and a prolonged incarceration.

Elsewhere, skirmishes between the rebels and government troops intensified. My cousin, Al Haj Nasser Plawan who was the Mayor of the town of Pualas, his wife, including my first cousin who was the town’s Chief of Police and all their police escorts on

board a van were mowed down by the military while passing through an Army Checkpoint at the town of Bacolod allegedly on the mistaken belief that they were rebels. There are other episodes of violent fratricide that are still vivid in my mind which I cannot narrate for now due to the limited space.

I personally felt and suffered the agonies and cruelties of the so-called Moro war. Believe me, it is ugly and scary. It left physical and emotional scars on my being. I swore then that I will fight any move that will take me back, my children and grandchildren to the horrors of the past.

Fa st for w ard to t he draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) whose fate now hangs on the balance, if not in limbo, because of the unfortunate Mamasapano incident. Poor Moros, our hope for Darul Islam (Land of Peace) has dimmed out and might just be a dream as the BBL wades through the gauntlet and juggernaut of Congress, the demagogues, political opportunists and the anti-peace advocates masquerading as patriots.

In the meantime, Mindanao is on fire and we hear the beating of war drums in the morolandia.

But we continue to dream…. to chase the rainbow…to chase the Holy Grail. ( Macabangkit B. Lanto, a lawyer, was a Fulbright Fellow to New York University for his masteral and doctoral studies. He is a for mer Assemblyman and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Autonomous Region 12, a for mer C ong ressman, Ambassador to Egypt and Sudan, Undersecretary of Tourism and Undersecretary of Justice.)

Good service from gov’t employees is alive

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love…” (Galatians 5:13, the Holy Bible).

-ooo REAL GOOD PUBLIC SERVICE IS ALIVE---IN THE PROVINCES: In fairness to the campaign to give better service to Filipinos without consideration for bribes or influence peddling, I have to publicly say that, based on my own experience, there are still many government employees who are doing their best to help everyone who come to them, particularly in the provinces.

I was in Iloilo City on March 04, 2015 to research on a four-hectare parcel of land that was first titled in the name of a resident of San Jose, Antique in 1920

or thereabouts, and was I pleasantly surprised to see that the officers and employees of the Lands Management Services of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office No. 6 immediately assisted me on the research.

This they did in just about thirty minutes without asking me who I was, and without asking me for any money aside from the lawful fees required by law for securing certified true copies of the documents I received from their archives. The bigger surprise to me was that, the same speedy service they gave me was given by the officers and employees to all the other people who were there at their office at that time.

-ooo REGION 6 DENR EMPLOYEES SERVE WELL, THANK GOD! And so I must

give credit where credit is due.

I have to thank Ms. Doreen Malanguis, the chief record custodian of the DENR Lands Management Services, who personally directed the search for the documents I needed, using the computers of her office, as well as the files in its records section.

I would have thought that Ms. Malanguis was doing this to me because, perhaps by some coincidence or pure luck, she knew I was from Manila or from the media.

But I banished this thought right away when I saw that, before and after attending to me, she was doing the same diligence in helping and searching for documents requested by people who wore just plain T-shirts and rubber sandals.

I found myself thanking God, in the Name of Jesus, for Ms. Malanguis and her support staff whose names

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

By Atty. Batas Mauricio

I failed to get (pity me for this lapse!). Regardless of the general perception that many in government service would not dare extend any assistance to people coming to them for help if their palms or pockets are not lined with money first, DENR Regional Office No. 6 showed there is hope for a much better service to the public. Mabuhay!

-ooobatas/PAGE 11

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Steel unit fuels growth in Phinma’s earnings PROFIT at the company that controls Araullo University grew by a sixth in 2014.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Phinma Corporation said its net income rose 15 percent to P302 million last year from P261.7 million in 2013.

Revenue grew by 12 percent year-on-year to P5.367 billion, largely on account of a 15 percent increase in the revenue of Union Galvasteel Corporation (UGC), which is 98 percent owned by Phinma.

The four schools comprising the Phinma Education Network -- Araullo

University, Cagayan de Oro College, University of Iloilo and University of Pangasinan -- turned in an income of P191.9 million, a 19 percent increase from P160.8 million in 2013. This as enrollment in the four schools rose 16 percent to 36,764 students last year from 31,722 in 2013.

Equity in net earnings of af f l i ate s - - n amely, Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation and Phinma Property Holdings Corporation -- fell to P63.4 million in 2014 from P161.7 million the previous year. steel/PAGE 11

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Honda launches new minivan THE Philippine unit of Japan’s Honda Cars plans is preparing more models for rollout this year after the launch of a new variant of its Odyssey minivan.

During the launch of the Odyssey, Honda Cars Philippines Inc (HCPI) president Toshio Kuwahara said the other models include a new sports utility vehicle (SUV), but stopped short of identifying them.

B esides the Odyssey, Honda sells the Accord, Brio, Brio Amaze, City, Civic, CR-V, CR-Z, Jazz and the Pilot in the Philippine market.

Of the 11 existing models, only the City is

assembled locally at Honda’s plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Ku w a h a r a s a i d a n y decision to add more lines to the company’s Sta. Rosa plant will have to wait for the government’s automotive industr y roadmap.

At end-February, HCPI has sold 2,346 units, up 14 percent from 2,057 last year. For the entire 2014, the company sold 13,378 units.

For the newly launched Odyssey, the company aims to sell 300 units. Imported from Japan, the Odyssey retails for P2.298 million. “ The last version of Odyssey sold around 250

units in this country so I expect to exceed that… around 300 units. I would b e h appy i f I c a n s e l l that much in one year,”

Kuwahara said.

“Market is stable. I think we can stimulate the market with the introduction of the new Odyssey,” he said.

SM Prime Holdings hunts for commercial centers SM PRIME Holdings, Inc. is on the lookout for the acquisition of established commercial centers to accelerate the nationwide expansion of its malls.

SM Prime President Hans T. Sy bared that SM Prime is open to buy existing malls and rebrand it, just like the one in Cabanatuan. Over there, everybody knows it’s Megacenter. I didn’t really rebrand it… I just put SM,” he said.

SM Prime has a team that is “scouting around especially those smaller malls” for acquisition or joint venture,” Mr. Sy said.

“It’s all about location.

If the location is good, big chances we will [acquire it]. It’s not limited on price alone,” he added.

The acquisition of Megacenter follows the SM

Group’s partnership with the Waltermart Group of Companies, which operates supermarkets and shopping malls, in 2013.

Besides the launch of the acquired mall, SM Prime is also opening a new mall in Cabanatuan as well as in San Mateo, Rizal and Sangandaan, Quezon City this year. The company is hoping to roll out a shopping center in South Road Properties in Cebu with 430,000 square meters in floor space available for rent.

“It’s a very big project.

It’s targeted to open by end of November but since it’s a destination mall, I want to

do it very well,” Mr. Sy said of the mall in Cebu.

Likewise, SM Prime is “still trying” to launch its mall in Tianjin -- which has a gross leasing area of 530,000 square meters -- this year, while the opening of the Conrad Hotel in the Mall of Asia complex is set before yearend, “but not in time for the [Asia-Pacific Economic C o o p e r a t i o n L e a d e r s’ Summit in November].”

By April, SM Prime will unveil the consolidated master plan for reclamation projects in the cities of Pasay and Parañaque with a combined size of 600 hectares, Mr. Sy said. The

Globe launches new landline package for SME market GLOBE Telecom has unveiled customized postpaid plans targeting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The Ayala-led telco has launched Plan 299, which allows business owners to get a free DUO landline with unlimited calls to local landline and DUO customers nationwide. Subscribers can also choose Plan 3799, depending on their needs and scale of communication requirements.

The new plans also come with a free 30-day webpage trial that can be customized

for one’s business.

“G l o b e my B u s i n e s s continues to be the e nt re pre n e u r’s t r u s t e d partner in providing communication solutions to equip their businesses,” Martha Sazon, Globe senior vice president for Small and Medium Enterprise Group said.

“With our new customizable postpaid plans, our customers get more value for their money with free services and consumables that are almost double the plan value,” she said.

“We understand that small and medium entrepreneurs need relevant, affordable, and hassle-free solutions that will enable them to run their operations smoothly.

Now, customers can get communication concerns out of the way to better focus on more relevant things to grow their business. With Globe myBusiness, we strive to inspire success among Philippine entrepreneurs through innovative communication solutions,” she added. globe/PAGE 11

McDonald’s slates 3rd National Breakfast Day On March 9, 2015, McDonald’s will be celebrating its biggest breakfast activation across Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa—National Breakfast Day. In the Philippines, starting 6AM, a l l p ar t icip at ing McDonald’s breakfast stores nationwide are joining the celebration of National Breakfast Day as a way of saying “thank you” to its customers. Close to 400,000 McMuffin sandwiches will be given away for free.

Each participating McDonald’s breakfast store will be giving away 1000 free McMuffin sandwiches starting 6:00AM at a firstcome-first-serve basis via Dine-In, Take-Out, and Drive-Thru.

There would be free 1,000 McMuffin Coupons distributed. One (1) coupon will be given per customer on at first-come-first serve basis starting 6:00AM. Free McMuffin Coupons are only valid on March 9 from 6:00am

to 10:00am. The Coupon is not for sale.

Once the customer has surrendered the coupon at the counter, his or her hand will be stamped by the crew to validate that the McMuffin has been received and may not be given another coupon.

Only one (1) McMuffin can be claimed per coupon and only one (1) coupon can be redeemed in a single transaction. No coupon, no free McMuffin. mcdonald’s/PAGE 11

company had said it would spend over P100 billion for the reclamation and development of the two huge parcels of land.

Mr. Sy also dared the government to put up two common stations and let people be the judge. The Transportation department is planning to construct two common stations near SM Prime’s SM City North EDSA and Ayala Land, Inc.’s TriNoma mall.

“Technically, makikita ng tao, maiitindihan ng tao.

I would be very assertive. I think if you really look at the technicalities, common station is really common and there’s no other area except in that area [near SM City]. We tried to fix everything… If you have a common [station] where you have to walk for 600 meters, that’s not a common station,” he said.

In Cagayan de Oro, SM

has acquired the commercial block owned by Coca-cola for years. The property where another SM mall is being constructed is located in a prime commercial area a dj a c e nt t o L i m ke t k ai complex and along CM REcto and Osmena streets.

SM Prime is “on track” to double earnings by 2018 in line with a five-year program entailing a capital spending budget of P400 billion, Mr. Sy said.

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Area Coordinators trained for 2nd round assessment

By Mitzie S.Santiago, DSWD

BARANGAY VISIT AND WHEELCHAIR DISTRIBUTION – VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ talks to parents in a community in Barangay Cogon, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental where Joanna Lea Pamisa lives. Joanna is a 5-year old girl who cannot walk due to polio. She is a beneficiary of a wheelchair distributed by Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez which was donated by Children International Philippines, Inc. The project to distribute wheelchairs aims to bring real and lasting change to children, reduce their daily struggles and invest in their potentials, among others, by giving them the gift of mobility. Vice Governor Pelaez also takes the opportunity of bringing the wheelchair to a beneficiary to personally witness what is happening in the grassroots level of the community.

At least, 66 newly-hired Area Coordinators are being trained in preparation for the Listahanan/National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR ) Second Round Household Assessment scheduled within the first semester of this year.

These Area Coordinators will be deployed in various areas in Northern Mindanao.

Part of their responsibilities will be handling area supervisors and enumerators in the areas they will then be deployed.

For the four day training, modules on how they will be handling various scenarios in the field during the conduct of the household assessment will be discussed.

Morena Fernandez, Policy and Plans Division

chief, reminded the Area Coordinators to take their roles and responsibilities seriously, as their function in the household assessment is crucial.

She also emphasized to them the high hopes that the agency has for them, as they have been the chosen few among the thousands of applicants in the region.

The training aims to equip the Area Coordinators with the necessary skills before they will be deployed in the field to come up with reliable and exact data from the households they will assess.

They are also expected to be part of the training team in the next batches of training for Area Supervisors and enumerators which will be conducted by province in the succeeding weeks.

olympics’ highlight 80 classroom, 4 storey CDONHS ‘Fire Fire Prevention Month building to rise in Nazareth in Misamis Occidental Another milestone in the current administration is happening after the groundbreaking ceremony of the 80 classroom, four storey building Cagayan de Oro National High School (CDONHS) held recently at its new one-hectare school campus at barangay Nazareth this city.

City mayor Oscar Moreno led the ceremony together with officials of the Department of Education, members of the Local School Board, City Hall department heads and barangay Nazareth chair Jocelyn B. Rodriguez and council.

The classroom construction was approved

by the Local School Board under the Special Education Fund (SEF) from the Real Property Taxes paid by the people of Cagayan de Oro. In her message, Dr. Gina Labitad, CDONHS school principal, said the classroom construction is a realization of their dream that for years the community have been longing.

Rodriguez also said the construction of the initial 80 classroom building served as mayor Moreno’s “birthday gift” to the children.

“This is a dream come true and we thanked mayor Moreno for his

birthday gift to our children,” Rodriguez said.

Meanwhile, mayor Moreno also expressed his gratitude for being an instrument in helping and improving the quality of education in molding the youth into becoming a good leader.

“What we are doing now is dedicated to the young men and women in our city in order to mold a culture of leadership and of excellence,” mayor Moreno said.

The need to construct a new campus for CDONHS came after he saw the overcrowded situation of the students

which is no longer conducive for learning that resulted to low performance rating in the National Achievement Test (NAT).

“The deterioration seemed to be irreversible if we will not do something for our children’s education, and the current situation of our City High School is no longer conducive for learning,” mayor Moreno added.

“This is the biggest school in the division of Cagayan de Oro and the city’s pride. This will redefine the future of Cagayan de Oro,” he concluded. (CIO/PIA10)

Tangub police files 15 cases of VAWC

By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

TANGUB CIT Y – Some 15 cases involving violence against women were noted to have been filed in court by the Women and Children’s Desk of the Tangub City Police Station (TCPS), last year.

“Eleven of these cases were violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 9262 or the “Ant i-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004,” while the other four were violations of RA 7610 or the “Special Protec tion of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.” Three of the suspects were issued warrants of arrest, while two others were arrested, police chief Inspector Surki A. Serenas, chief of TCPS, said.

Meanwhile, Serenas said a case of economic abuse,

under RA 9262 was filed in court against suspect Arnel Cadayona, which was provisionally withdrawn by the complainant, while cases of physical abuse were filed against suspects Basilio A. Marte, and Noel B. Maghanoy, and a case of psychological abuse, against suspect Roger Fernandez Duhaylungsod.

Likewise, two cases of rape were filed against suspect Adonis Jornales, one a case of rape was filed against suspect Armando Pasok, who was arrested and a case of attempted rape was filed against suspect Romulo Dabalos.

Other cases of violation of RA 9262 were also filed against suspects Francisco Reyes and Giovani R. Pabriga and violation of RA 7610,

against suspects Edison B. Villejo, Richard Altubar and Pablo Binagatan.

As defined by RA 9262, “economic abuse” refers to acts that make or attempt to make a woman financially dependent or deprivation or threat of deprivation of financial resources and the right to the use and enjoyment of the conjugal, community or property owned in common.

Moreover, “physical abuse” refers to acts that include bodily or physical harm and “psychological abuse,” to acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and mental infidelity. (RCA/PIA10Misamis Occidental)

By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY – The conduct of City and Municipal Fire Olympics will highlight the observance of this year’s Fire Prevention Month of March, in the province.

Focused on the theme: “Kaligtasan sa Sunog: Alamin, Gawin at Isabuhay Natin! (Fire Safety: Learn, Do and Live With It),” the event will include the skills competition in fire suppression of government, non-government and volunteer fire-fighters, of different local government units in Misamis Occidental.

“The event will include the skills competitions on Fire Hose Relay, Rescue Operations, Tug of War, Roof Climbing, Engine Relay and Wild Hose Recovery, among others,” Fire/Chief Insp.

Clint Cha, provincial fire marshall of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), said.

Meanwhile, the schedule for the Fire Olympics have been set on the

following dates: Plaridel Municipal Fire Station (MFS), March 10, Jimenez MFS and Ozamiz City Fire Station (CFS), March 11, Calamba MFS, Oroquieta CFS and Tangub CFS, March 12, Lopez Jaena MFS and Tudela MFS, March 13 and Aloran MFS, March 14.

A “Bicycle Fun Ride” will also take place in Oroquieta City, on March 14, 2015, F/Marshall Cha said.

On the other hand, Cha said the BFP in MisOcc will intensify the conduct of Fire Safety Inspection among the establishments provincewide.

He said all City and Municipal Fire Stations opened the monthly Fire Prevention Month activities with the hanging of the Fire Prevention Month streamers and the conduct of motorcade along the main thoroughfares of their LGU’s, last March 1. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

04 March 2015

STATEMENT OF SECRETARY MAR ROXAS ON THE DEATHS OF THREE BFP PERSONNEL IN DAVAO ORIENTAL Malungkot ko pong tinanggap ang balita ng pagkamatay ng mga bumbero ng BFP Mati City na sila Arnel John Angsinco, Ludovico Ponce, at ni Nico Corambao nang naaksidente ang kanilang sinasakyang fire truck. Nangyari po ito habang rumeresponde sila sa isang sunog sa Manay, Davao Oriental.

Nakikiramay po kami sa mga naiwan ng mga yumaong bumbero habang nagpapasalamat sa kanilang dedikasyon sa kanilang tungkulin. Makasisiguro po ang lahat na ang mga nasawi at ang apat nilang kasamang nasugatan sa aksidente ay makatatanggap ng suporta at tulong mula sa pamahalaan. Iimbestigahan po ang aksidenteng ito upang malaman kung papaano ito maiiwasan sa hinaharap.

Patuloy din po ang pagsisikap ng DILG na mabigyan ang bawat bayan ng kanilang sariling fire truck at masiguro na maayos ang kagamitan ng mga bumberong magtataya ng kanilang buhay sa pagtugon sa mga sunog at sakuna.

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Environment

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Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Misamis Oriental conducts on Feb. 26 a Stakeholders' Consultative Meeting relative to the creation of Technical Working Group for Agusan-Cugman Cluster of Watershed and Provincial Watershed Management Council. (EOR/PIA10)

Mandatory environmental insurance coverage proposed

A

L ADY lawmaker is seeking the enactment of a law requiring mandatory environmental insurance coverage for environmentallycritical businesses. “ A mandatory environmental insurance coverage should pay for the damages and environmental rehabilitation as a result of environmental impairments from business operations,” explained Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo (6th District, Manila), author of House Bill 5485 which has been referred to the Committee on Ecology of the House of Representatives.

Und e r H B 5 4 8 5 , environmentally-critical businesses refer to commercial and industrial establishments and enterprises, among others, that could pose serious risks to people and the environment.

The bill provides that “all owners and operators of environmentally-critical businesses shall be required to secure a Mandator y Environmental Insurance Coverage (MEIC) to compensate for damages

to health and property, environmental rehabilitation, remediation and cleanup costs and expenses as a result of environmental impairment arising from their operations.”

She noted that the economy is steadily developing due to the growth of commercial and industrial business that provide investments, incentives and employment, their large-scale operations may cause environmental disasters and undue sufferings to the people. “ To a m e l i o r at e t h e people and rehabilitate t he e nv i ron me nt f rom the damages caused by businesses, it is essential to institute a Mandatory Environmental Insurance Coverage,” Ocampo stressed.

The proposed MEIC, she added, is designed to relieve business firms of the financial burden to spend for environmental loss or damage as a consequence of its project’s construction or operation.

Ocampo cited instances of man-made environmental damages like the 1996

Marcopper Mining tragedy in Marinduque which led to the biological death of the Boac and Makalupnit rivers, destroyed hectares of farmlands and displaced families.

There was also the 2005 and 2007 massive f ish kills in Rapu-Rapu, Albay caused by cyanide spills from the mining operations of Lafayette, Philippines Inc. which also caused severe damage to the community.

“Despite these environmental disasters, there is still no policy to ensure adequate compensation for communities affected by man-made disasters,” the authors stressed.

“Although government recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private enterprise and provides incentives to needed investments, it also protects and advances the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature,” Ocampo pointed out.

HB 5485 provides that the

MEIC shall be obtained only from bonding or insurance companies duly accredited by t he D e p ar t me nt of Environment and Natural Resources.

T h e M E IC s h a l l b e in the following forms: (a) Environmental Performance Bond (EPB) – which shall be required for all ongoing activities or projects and applications for Environmental Compliance Certificate or Certificate of Non-coverage to g u ar ante e a d e qu ate and timely compliance with the environmental standards and the terms and conditions set forth by the DENR during the predevelopment, development and construction phases of the project.

The EPB shall answer f o r a l l e nv i r o n m e nt a l damages, penalties and legal obligations which may arise from the failure of the project proponent to comply with its undertakings during the aforementioned phases.

Another is the (b) Environmental Pollution, Impairment and Clean-up

Disasters cost the world USD300B per year: UN UNITED NATIONS -- UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday disasters cost globally more than USD300 billion in losses every year, urging the world to act on disaster risk reduction.

“This staggering price tag affects the ability of governments to provide basic services,” said Ban when he launched a report entitled the 2015 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.

“It diverts funds from critical infrastructure. Businesses suffer.

There are fewer jobs and less income,” he added, referring to the possible impacts of natural disasters on countries if they don’t have risk reduction measures adopted in advance.

The report, prepared by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), which focuses on “Making Development Sustainable,” states that economic losses from disasters are now reaching an

average of USD250 billion to USD300 billion annually.

“If we do not address risk reduction, future losses from disaster will increase and this will impact countries’ capacity to invest money in other areas such as health and education,” the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Disaster Risk Reduction, Margareta Wahlstrom, said in a press release.

According to the report, an annual global investment of USD6 billion in disaster risk management strategies would generate total benefits in terms of risk reduction of USD360 billion, equivalent to a 20 percent reduction of new and additional annual economic losses.

It also pointed out that the majority of governments are too focused on managing disasters rather than tackling the underlying drivers of disaster risk such as poverty, climate change, the decline

of protective eco-systems.

By charting a path toward a more disaster-resilient future, the report shows how investing in risk prevention pays high dividends while saving lives, while highlighting several areas of disaster risk reduction, including development and implementation of early warning system.

“Improvements in risk monitoring and forecasting, satellite data quality and increasing computer power and connectivity have resulted in a transformation of early warning across the globe,” said the report.

However, there are still major gaps in hazard monitoring, particularly in low-income countries, noted the report, saying that some low-income countries lack the institutional and technical capacities to develop a multi-hazard, multisector and multi-level approach to early warning.

In this regard, the report

proposed to develop early warning systems that are people-centered, in particular systems whose warnings are timely and understandable to those at risk, and also to establish, periodically review, and maintain information systems as part of early warning systems.

The report was launched just a few days before the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction which will kick off on March 14 in Sendai, Japan.

The meeting in Sendai is considered to be the beginning of a series of global conferences on sustainable development, a major agenda issue of the UN for this year, followed by the conference on financing for development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July, the summit of the UN on post2015 development in New York in September, as well as a conference on climate change in Paris in December. (PNA/Xinhua)

Liability Insurance (EICLI) – which shall be required for all existing and future activities or projects to cover operational phases, including those that have been issued an Environmental Compliance Certificate or Certificate of Non-coverage.

The EICLI shall answer for all claims arising from damages to the environment, bodily injury, and property damage arising f rom a pollution event, including environmental rehabilitation, clean-up or remediation costs and expenses for contamination or impairment of the environment.

Among other vital provisions of the proposed Act, HB 5485 provides that the DENR shall determine

which businesses or industries shall be classified as environmentally-critical and shall be required to obtain an Environmental Performance Bond or an Environmental Pollution, Impairment and Clean-up Liability Insurance.

The measure provides for penalties on violators ranging from half a million pesos to not more than two million pesos and/or imprisonment of not less than six years but not more than 12 years. The DENR Secretary, in coordination with the Commissioner of the Insurance Commission, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the proposed law. (PNA)

Freeport launches awareness campaign on climate change adaptation SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), through its Ecology Center, has launched an awareness campaign on climate change ad apt at ion in upl and communities adjacent to the Freeport.

SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia said that the campaign aims to educate residents on the impact of climate change worldwide, as well as in their locality, and how to minimize it.

The campaign includes educating residents on how to prevent forest and bush fires and what they can do to help bring back the healthy environment and the forests, Garcia added.

The campaign, which recently started at Barangay Mabiga in the town of Hermosa, Bataan, kicked off a series of seminars to be held in four barangays outside the perimeter fence of the Freeport.

These are the upland communities of Mabiga, Tipo, Bangal, and Pastolan, which serve as buffer areas

under the SBMA’s “social fencing” program.

Participants in the oneday awareness campaign seminars included members of farmers’ associations in the four upland communities.

Garcia said that the local farmers’ associations serve as a vital component of the SBMA CommunityBased Forest Management (SCBFMA) system, which watches over the forests and helps protect them against bush and forest fires, illegal cutting of trees, and illegal hunting of animals and birds near and inside the fenced areas of the Freeport.

The SCBFM program also aims to promote the biodiversity of the fore st s t h rou g h t re e planting projects and the implementation of livelihood programs that are not dependent on forests such as kaingin, and charcoal-making.

Hermosa Mayor Danilo Malana, who joined the launch of the awareness freeport/PAGE 11

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Life StyLe ifestyle

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BPI brings the Lifestyle Madness in Mindanao CAGAYAN DE ORO— Bringing various financial lifestyle solutions all under one roof, BPI is holding the first-ever Lifestyle Madness event to key locations in Mindanao this March.

From March 5 to 8, 2015, the BPI Auto, Housing, & Lifestyle Madness in Mindanao will be held at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City; and from March 12 to 15 at the Ayala Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro (CDO). Through the BPI Madness events, BPI hopes to encourage people to enjoy life more by offering them lifestyle solutions, and, at the same time, helping them meet and start their financial goals.

For those who are thinking of getting a new car, you can inquire about your desired car from participating car dealers; Ford, Hyundai, Subaru, Isuzu, Kia, Toyota, Suzuki Chevrolet, and Mitsubishi in Davao; and Suzuki, Chevrolet, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Toyota in CDO. Plus, if you get your car through BPI Auto Loan, you will receive free insurance or 1 month free amortization, aside from low loan rates and a free BPI Family Auto Loan-Petron Value Card.

For families who are looking at owning a real estate property, consultants from Avida and Alveo in Davao, and Avida, Algeria, Bellavita in CDO are present to assist you. Special

deals are available if you purchase your property through BPI Housing Loan.

For those who want to upgrade their home appliances, computers, gadgets and other lifestyle needs without having to shell out a big amount of money at once, you can purchase at 0% interest rate and pay up to 12 months installment using your BPI Credit Card. Plus, you can get to double the credit limit of your credit card – ideal for high ticket purchases. Participating merchants include Octagon computers, Robinson’s Appliance, Powermac, and Globe in Davao; and CQ Appliance and Digital Hub in CDO. If you want to improve your assets through savings and investments, our specialists are on-hand to assist you.

Likewise, for those who are looking at starting their own franchising business but don’t know how to, you can talk to our franchising specialists at the BPI Ka-Negosyo Franchising booth.

Meanwhile, consultants from BPI-Philam Life Insurance are present to do a free health check and recommend the best protection with investment solutions for you.

“We hope that these Lifestyle Madness events in Davao and

DTI-DILG-Kaamulan biz group forge partnership to streamline business-licensing process MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon —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, DILGBukidnon provincial director Bruce A. Colao, and Kaamulan Chamber president Roderico R. Bioco formally signed the MOA early this year.

Under the MOU, the DILG-Bukidnon 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).

The Kaamulan Chamber, on the other hand, shall assist in the monitoring and evaluation of the compliance of LGUs, including but not limited to advocacy support for policy formulation and program enhancements, and provision of technical inputs and expertise.

For its part, DTI-Bukidnon shall provide technical assistance in the monitoring and assessment of the compliance of LGUs to the BPLS Streamlining standards, review and updating of Revenue Codes, adoption and harmonization of LIICs, and undertake other endeavors that would promote ease of doing business and competitiveness of LGUs and communities towards a more robust and productive business sector.

In August of 2010, DTI and DILG launched the Nationwide Streamlining of BPLS program to build the capacities of local governments on the service standards for BPLS. Since its implementation, 18 LGUs in the province have already streamlined their BPLS. The remaining LGUs are now in the process of completing necessary requirements, and expected to be compliant within the year.

Such undertaking aims to create a business environment that is conducive and attractive to investors, and to enhance the competitiveness of Local Government Units (LGUs), making them more business-friendly.

(Fam Villanueva, DTI-Bukidnon / RLRB, PIA 10-Bukidnon)

Cagayan de Oro would bring more financial opportunities to our customers in the Mindanao region,” says Art Gerald B. Perez, BPI South Mindanao area business director.

“We chose Davao and Cagayan de Oro because we have seen the rapid growth in these regions, specifically the growing number of real estate developments providing investment opportunities for many, the rise of many small and medium businesses, as well as the increased presence of local and foreign Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies that have brought employment to many Davaoeños and Cagayanons.”

Aside from great deals from the partner institutions, attendees also stand the chance to win electronic gift certificates and BPI premium items in daily hourly raffles. And on the final day, a grand raffle will be held for a chance to win premium gadgets and appliances.

“We want everyone to dream big and aspire to reach their financial dreams,” says Isagani M. Saguindang, BPI CDO-Northern Mindanao area business director. “Through the BPI Auto, Housing and Lifestyle Madness event and our participating partners, we hope it will be the start of that for everyone in the Mindanao region.”

Kagayanons join Globe Prepaid’s Explore Race On Challenge Globe prepaid customers can now share the beauty of Mindanao with GoCall30Plus After the successful launch of #WonderfulMindaNOW last year, Globe Prepaid is now giving Mindanaoans more reasons to explore and discover the beauty of the region as it recently kicked off ExploreRACEOn at the Lifestyle District in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City.

Using their mobile phones, more than 50 teams comprised of 3 Globe Prepaid customers each took the challenge of exploring the city and sharing what’s wonderful in every corner of CDO real-time via Globe Prepaid’s newest Mindanao-exclusive offer GoCall30Plus.

With GoCall30Plus, Ka-Globe Mindanaoans can enjoy unlimited calls to Globe/TM for 3 days, and 30MB of all-day surfing for only P30,

enabling prepaid customers to share the wonderful places and sports in Mindanao.

“We introduced #WonderfulMindaNOW last year to empower the Mindanaoan youth to share cool spots in the region and share the beauty of Mindanao to the rest of the world. This time, we want our Ka-Globe Mindanaoans to take on the ExploreRACEOn Challenge and tour around the coolest spots in Mindanao using our newest Mindanaoexclusive prepaid offer GoCall30Plus”, says Raymond Policarpio, Head for Globe Prepaid and Brand Management Portfolio.

ExploreRACEOn participants went

on an epic adventure with exciting activities and challenges set by Mystery Manila in 11 interesting pit stops within the city, which included Chingkeetea as the top cool spot during the #WonderfulMindaNOW Awards last year.

After hours of physical and mental challenges, Explore Race On participants were treated to an afterparty. Four teams including Med and Friend, Mansoft, CYF CDO and Modgang qualified to represent CDO at the final race in Davao on March 21, 2015 where they can also get a chance to win over P150, 000 worth of cash and gadgets.

To know more about ExploreRACEOn Challenge, visit www. wonderfulmindanow.com.

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‘4Ps scholars become academic achievers’ Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries are now proving to the public that they are worth the government’s investment.

Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries John Paul Ambaic, 17, and Mae Ann Ternate, 17, are among the eleven academic achievers of the 56 grantees of Expanded Student Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) who were declared by MSU-Naawan as awardees for the 1st semester of the school year 20142015.

In a simple ceremony inside the campus’ function house, the university administrators conferred the award with the presence of all Pantawid Pamilya college scholars, DSWD and other stakeholders during the recently concluded ESGP-PA Family Day on February 27, 2015.

A spark of hope John Paul, a native of Barangay Mahayahay, Manticao, Misamis Oriental and a freshman student of MSU-Naawan taking Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Major in Mathematics, is ‘thankful to the national government, especially to DSWD, for giving me a chance to achieve my dreams.”

Holding his tears while talking and sitting beside his mother, John Paul disclosed that when he graduated from high school, he had doubts that we he would be able to attend college because his parents could not afford to pay for the tuition fees.

Now that he is a Pantawid college scholar, John Paul said he is assured of his future. “Makatabang na gyud ko sa akong mga manghod ug ginikanan kung makahuman ko.” (I can help my younger siblings and parents if I finish my studies.)

John Paul is the eldest of three Ambaic siblings, a fate that made him realized that he has a responsibility to finish studies and help his younger siblings finish their study as well.

John Paul’s mother, Lucel, also shared that having his son finish a college degree would mean that supporting the whole family to lift out from poverty is possible.

With the high expectations coming from his parents, John Paul is not only determined to finish his studies, but, determined to maintain academic achievement.

No more promissory notes Mae Ann feels a sigh of relief knowing that she will no longer

John Paul Ambaic, Expanded Student Grants-In-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) scholar of Mindanao State University at Naawan, Misamis Oriental, shares a meal with his mother, Lucel, during the ESGP-PA Family Day of the state university recently. (Photo by Oliver Badel Inodeo, DSWD Northern Mindanao)

John Paul Ambaic (second from left) receives academic recognition from Dr. Proserpina Rojas (second from right), Chancellor of Mindanao State University at Naawan, Misamis Oriental. Ambaic is a freshman Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Major in Mathematics. also in photo: Dr. Gil Lumasag (extreme left); Lucel (center), mother of John Paul; Cherrylou Acobo, focal person of DSWD Field Office 10 for Expanded Student Grants-In-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation. (Photo by Oliver Badel Inodeo, DSWD Northern Mindanao)

Mae Ann Ternate of Barangay Gimaylan, Libertad, Misamis Oriental enjoys the company of her mother Regire and her younger sister during the Expanded Student Grants-In-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) Family Day of Mindanao State University in Naawan, Misamis Oriental. Ternate is one of the academic awardees of the state-run university. (Photo by Oliver Badel Inodeo, DSWD Northern Mindanao)

be making promissory notes to the school registrar and cashier after being placed under ESGP-PA this second semester.

Mae Ann, resident of Barangay Gimaylan, Libertad, Misamis Oriental, disclosed that her excellent performance in academic is not guarantee her to finish her studies because her parents could hardly send her to MSU Naawan, a state university in Misamis Oriental, due to financial instability.

Now that she is a scholar, Mae Ann assured her parents and MSU Naawan Board of Regents that she will finish her study with flying colors.

A freshman Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Mae Ann said ‘maka-relax na jud ko, maka-

focus nako sa akong pagtuon.’ (I feel relaxed and I can focus on my studies now.)

Third of the four Ternate siblings, Mae Ann considers Pantawid Pamilya as an instrument of the national government to help poor deserving students achieve their dreams.

“Gihimo jud nga instrumento ang Pantawid Pamilya aron makatabang sa mga pobre.”

ESG-PA is a college scholarship program of DSWD, Commission on Higher Education and Department of Labor and Employment for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

In Northern Mindanao, there are 2,037 scholars under the Program enrolled in eight CHED accredited state college and universities.

Tigerair PH Visit Visayas Seat Sale

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With the new routes, Tigerair Philippines now offers over 240 weekly flights. It flies to Hong Kong via Clark and 13 domestic destinations: Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Manila, Roxas, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban and Tagbilaran utilizing a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

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friday|march 6, 2015

SMEs... from page 1

will aid SMEs in increasing their competitiveness and marketability,” Boniao said.

“The ultimate goal of DTI is to increase the production capacity of SMEs because supplying the volume required by the domestic market alone has been a challenge,” she added.

Presenters also discussed mechanism for assistance and development.

DTI off icials led by Ceferino Rodolfo, assistant s e cret ar y, for Indust r y Development and Trade Promotions Group, and Agnes Legaspi, assistant secretary for Export Marketing Bureau, spearheaded the presenters from DTI-Manila.

Asec. Rodolfo talked on Philippine International Trade: FTAs, AEC and the Europe Strategy while Asec. Legaspi discussed “Opportunities Under the EU GSP+.”

“Opportunities abound for growth and investment in fields such as agriculture, food processing, servicerelated industries and trade infrastructure ser vices.

Moving forward, we need to entice more investors to come in and work closely with them so our local industries can provide the demand of our target markets abroad,” Rodolfo said.

Asec. Rodolfo stressed that the Muslim countries are among the biggest investors and should be considered by exporters for their business ventures. However, they have to secure ‘Halal Certification’ from authorized agency.

Leading the business sector into the panel discussion w e r e Ru b e n Ve g a f r i a , president, Promote CDO; Roberto Ansaldo, president of Rocky Mountain Coffee, Agriculture and Fisheries, F i s h e r i e s S e c t or s , an d trustee of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industr y ; Jonathan Godoy, vice president of BG Fruits and Nuts Sector; and Viveca Tagari of Granexport, representing the coconut -based products sector.

The DTI has been working in partnership with other international organizations to identify specific interventions to assist the local SMEs in building capacity for production, packaging and promotion, among others.

Campaign... from page 1

in Mindanao in jeopardy due to Mamasapano-induced wild conjectures and presumptions that attested to the entrenched biases and prejudices against our Moro brethren resulting to calls for war in Mindanao and the President’s resignation that continue to drown out reason, peace-loving Kagayanons and Mindanawons are seizing the moment to help define Mindanao’s future.

“At present, Manila is defining what is supposed to happen in Mindanao. That should stop. Instead, we

Mindanawans, must declare and demonstrate that it is peace, no less, we aspire and desire for Mindanao,” said Myrna Aboniawan-Siose, a CSO leader and peace advocate.

Siose of the Archdiocesan Center of Concern, Empowerment and Social Services (ACCESS) of the ACDO, added: “We are now in the final stages of the peace negotiations but because of the Mamasapano incident, the peace process is in danger of being scuttled” because of the calls for war.

T h e A l l - O u t Pe a c e Campaign in Cagayan de Oro City/Northern Mindanao is part of the national call for truth, justice and allout peace, a broad “call for peace” aimed at mobilizing all Filipinos in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to stand for peace and reject war or any form of violence.

Supporting the AOP Campaign is Xavier Un i v e r s i t y - At e n e o d e Cagayan, Interfaith Forum for Peace, Harmony and Solidarity (IFPHS), the Archdiocese Social Action Ministries, the local government of Cagayan de Oro City, Volunteers Network, gover nment agencies, business and other civil society groups in Northern Mindanao.

Health... from page 1

in the steam blowing.

According to Rodolfo, while TSI did not confirm nor deny whether the smell came from the facility, there could have been other factors.

“S o that p eople can understand the context, the area has canals and open creeks,” he said. “There could be other sources of the smell.”

R o d o l f o , h o w e v e r, committed that the company would “immediately implement mitigating measures” if the investigation finds that the plant was the cause of the odor.

The energy firm reportedly released information on the scheduled steam blowing to the communities surrounding t he plant, through leaflets distributed to the communities in English and Cebuano.

TSI also released the information in Januar y to different media outfits, including newspapers and radio stations. The Department of Environment and Natura l Res ources (DENR) was also informed.

Rodolfo assured residents that the “smoke” that they will be seeing in the next few weeks from the facility is merely water vapor.

“We assure the community that the steam will not hurt the community’s residents or the environment,” he said.

The power plant will be using diesel to power the steam operations, since the coal plant was not yet operating.

TSI aims to begin commercial operations of the 300MW coal-fired plant

by the first half of 2015.

The next phase, Rodolfo said, was the testing and commissioning of the power plant.

He added the activity will only be done during the day time, avoiding night time operations so as not disturb the communities.

The plant, he said, will also be using silencers.

At l e ast 2 0 el e c t r i c cooperative and distribution utilities will b e taking advantage of the power being generated by the power plant, Rodolfo said.

Batas... from page 4

ILIGAN CITY RD GIVES GOOD SERVICE, TOO: The fact is that, I got the same efficient and courteous service when I went to the Registry of Deeds of Iligan City in Lanao Del Norte, also to do a research, this time on a two-hectare land belonging to the heirs of a once-wealthy and propertied Iligan City resident. Without asking who I was or where I came from, Atty. Joseph Cuevas, the Register, and his staff helped me right away.

Again, mabuhay!!!

-ooo TEEN PREGNANCIES RISING IN ILOILOCITY: Still in Iloilo City, a local n e w s p a p e r, t h e D a i l y Guardian, headlined in its issue on March 05, 2015 a story about a big number of girl-teenagers (and even some of age) from its coastal barangays getting pregnant, as a result of their work as service staff members with eateries and drinking joints.

The girls, according to the Daily Guardian, gave the following as the most common reasons for their preg nancies: c ur iosit y ; rebellion; peer pressure; physical satisfaction; multisocial media effects; lack of knowledge about pre-marital sex; rape; and security (where one subject said her lover was supporting her studies).

Who was it who said that we must teach our children while they are still young, so they will not depart from our teachings even if they grow old?

-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-

Globe... from page 5

Ninety-nine percent of Philippine businesses are SMEs. Based on a TNS survey, these entrepreneurs still look at landline services as a valuable communication

platform.

For business owners, having a landline number to their business name equates to a more stable image and assures potential customers that they are running a legitimate enterprise and not a fly-by-night operation.

In the same manner, while social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter prove to be effective channels to connect and reach out to new and existing customers, an official webpage not only lends the company a credible image but makes businesses more visible and easier to search.

tampered with. Only original McDonald’s issued coupons will be accepted.

Freeport... from page 7

campaign, lauded the SBMA and the team from Ecology Center for conducting the awareness campaign, saying it was very timely.

“It is ver y important that we start protecting and preser ving our fast

11

diminishing forest areas that give livelihood and food to many of our farmers,” he said.

T h e m ay o r, w h o i s known as an advocate of environmental protection, added that there is a need to boost the awareness of residents on how badly cl i m at e ch ange af fe c t s people’s lives and livelihood so that they could start adapting to it to secure their future. (PNA)

Steel... from page 5

Phinma’s business process outsourcing units -- U.S.based Fuld & Company Inc and its Philippine unit -turned in a loss of P14 million last year, narrower than the P34.4 million in 2013.

Formerly Bacnotan Cement Industries, Phinma sold its cement business to multinational Holcim and ventured into the services industry in 2004.

McDonald’s... from page 5

The coupon cannot be converted to cash and/or other McDonald’s products.

McDonald’s reserves the right to refuse redemption if coupon was found to be Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL Cagayan de Oro City OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given to the general public that last January 30, 2015, at about 9:34 P.M., a fire broke out inside the Hall of Justice Building, located along Archbishop Hayes Street, Cagayan de Oro City. Pending investigation and considering the extent of the damage physically perceived, the losses on property, documents, records and physical evidence for and in all actions , proceedings and other cases pending in the herein below listed branches of the Regional Trial Court of Misamis Oriental, and to the Office of the Clerk of Court, holding offices thereat, are namely:

Branch 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 37 38 39

Presiding Judge Hon. Florencia S. Abbu Hon. Dennis Z. Alcantar Hon. Evelyn Gamotin Nery Hon. Bonifacio M. Macabaya Hon. Gil G. Bollozos Hon. Richard D. Mordeno Hon. Vincent F.B. Rosales Hon. Henry B. Damasing Hon. Arthur L. Abundiente Hon. Jose L. Escobido Hon. Emmanuel P. Pasal Hon. Marites Filomena Rana-Bernales

Are considered TOTAL. This Notice is in compliance with Section 2 of Act No. 3110- entitled AN ACT TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE PROCEDURE FOR THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE RECORDS OF PENDING JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND BOOKS, DOCUMENTS, AND FILES OF THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS, DESTROYED BY FIRE OR OTHER PUBLIC CALAMITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Further take notice of the following provision of the above-mentioned statute –

Sec. 29. In case the parties interested in a destroyed record fail to petition for the reconstitution thereof within the six months next following the date on which they were notice in accordance with section two hereof, they shall be understood to have waived the reconstitution and may file respective actions a new without being entitled to claim the benefits of section thirty-one hereof.

Counsels and all interested parties are hereby directed to apply for reconstitution of the records of their proceeding within the periods prescribed under the law.

Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, February 09, 2015.

(SGD.) Atty. DICK CARLO J. CABANLAS OIC-Clerk of Court V

VIBE

BusinessWeek MINDANAO FRIDAY | MARCH 6, 2015

editor: SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

PAGE 12

Tulay KAMI spearheads AOP Campaign launching in CDO/NorMin CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The Tulay Kalinaw sa Mindanaw (Tulay KAMI) is spearheading the local launching of the national campaign All-Out Peace (AOP) on March 6 (Friday), the 40th day of the tragic Mamasapano incident.

Tulay KAMI, convened by Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D., Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (ACDO) and the Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI), is a multisectoral peace conversation among civil society organizations (CSOs) and agencies working and advocating towards peacebuilding and conflict resolutions in Northern Mindanao.

The Mamasapano tragedy has dealt a serious blow on the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and consequently on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

With the attainment of the longsought after peace in Mindanao in jeopardy due to Mamasapano-induced wild conjectures and presumptions that attested to the entrenched biases and prejudices against our Moro brethren resulting to calls for war in Mindanao and the President’s resignation that continue to drown out reason, peaceloving Kagay-anons and Mindanawons are seizing the moment to help define Mindanao’s future.

“At present, Manila is defining what is supposed to happen in Mindanao. That should stop. Instead, we Mindanawans, must declare and demonstrate that it is peace, no less, we aspire and desire for Mindanao,” said Myrna Aboniawan-Siose, a CSO leader and peace advocate.

Siose of the Archdiocesan Center of Concern, Empowerment and Social Services (ACCESS) of the ACDO,

added: “We are now in the final stages of the peace negotiations but because of the Mamasapano incident, the peace process is in danger of being scuttled” because of the calls for war.

The All-Out Peace Campaign in Cagayan de Oro City/Northern Mindanao is part of the national call for truth, justice and all-out peace, a broad “call for peace” aimed at mobilizing all Filipinos in Luzon, Visayas and

Mindanao to stand for peace and reject war or any form of violence.

Supporting the AOP Campaign is Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Interfaith Forum for Peace, Harmony and Solidarity (IFPHS), the Archdiocese Social Action Ministries, the local government of Cagayan de Oro City, Volunteers Network, government agencies, business and other civil society groups in Northern Mindanao.

DOLE-X assisted suman moron:

Camigueños trending ‘kakanin’ Mambajao, Camiguin --- Suman Moron, inspired from the Visayas’ famous traditional delicacy has become a trending favorite for Camagueños and its tourists.

In an exclusive interview with the group during the project monitoring and evaluation activity conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment-X (DOLE-X) Technical Support and Supervision Division on 27 February 2015, it was learned

that the organization, started in 2007 with original 20 members of Kasamahan ng mga Liping Pilipina (KALIPI)-Balbagon Association in the island’s capital town, Mambajao, offers a "kakanin" treat or a special “pasalubong” dessert snack item in different occasions locally called suman moron.

This developed as the KALIPI suman moron women makers with now increased 53 members have

been granted the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) last 07 September 2014 through its accredited co-partner, Mambajao Water District Workers’ Association in the amount of P100,000.00.

DILEEP is the department’s contribution to the governments' agenda of inclusive growth through massive job generation and substantial poverty reduction and reduce the vulnerability to risks of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers.

Retailed at Php 8.00/each or Php 100.00/box in 13-piece package, suman moron is a rice based delicacy using white and black glutenous rice cooked in coconut milk then rolled and twirled alongside, for black and white type (tinambiran), or rolled single either white or black, then wrapped using banana leaves, then steamed.

This comes in salty or sweet taste best combined with cocoa milk or “tableya”.

It all started when the local government of Mambajao decided to showcase the municipality’s products under its one town one product during its 2014 charter day celebration spearheaded by Hon. Mayor Ma. Luisa D. Romualdo.

As an offshoot of the concept, the association lost no time and started its production and became talk of the town.

DOLE-X regional director, Raymundo G. Agravante joined the crusade and showed 100 per cent

support through the convergence support from LGU, DOST and DTI by providing trainings for new techniques, packaging and bench markings from other food handling providers of the same product.

“In February 2015, the association received laurels in our cap as a group composing of 70 coming from the different barangays in Vigan City, Ilocos Norte bench marked us with their positive feedback lauding us as “the best suman moron they ever had tasted”. Said President, Marichu A. Gulle.

“We are more than thankful to DOLE-X. For now, we prepared a project enhancement proposal for us to acquire more sets of production equipment such as coconut grater, coconut milk extractor, steamer, heavy duty stove, large woks, and a motorcycle vehicle for delivery”. Gulle added.

Soon, Mambajao, through the group’s effort will become suman moron capital of the Province of Camiguin and its quality product will be distributed to the whole Northern Mindanao and out of the country.

There could never be a trip to Mambajao without a taste of its suman moron.

So the next time you visit the Island born of fire after a memorable drop to its local tourism destinations, think and taste the suman moron of KALIPIBalbagon Association.

(Glenford Labial/DOLE-X)