BusinessWeek Mindanao (March 7, 2018)

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Briefly Kaamulan 2018 MALAYBALAY City – The Kaamulan 2018 festivities are already underway, with major activities kicking off in the run-up to the festival’s grand celebration on March 24. Taking center stage at the Capitol Stage on Monday (March 5) was the 10-day Kaamulan Jam, followed by the Bukidnon Coffee Brands Launching on March 9 at the OTOP Pavilion at the Capitol Grounds. The Kaamulan MTB Circuit Race, meanwhile, is slated on March 10 at the Capitol Grounds, including the SMB Night at the Capitol Stage. On March 11, the Enduro Competition will take place at the Grandstand, including the Inter-Municipality Volleyball Tournament Championship at Bukidnon State University (BukSU) Covered Court.

IN-DEPTH

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Wednesday | March 7, 2018

By MIKE BAÑOS, Editor-at-Large

cmyk

Dealer of hardware and construction materials: Product Lines: Angle Bars; Gl Pipes; C-Purlins; Holow Blocks; Coco Lumber; Carrying Channel; Double Furring Channel; Single Furring ; Acoustic Board; Polycarbonate; Power Tools; Good Lumber S4S; Panel Doors; PVC Laminated Panel; PVC Vertical Blinds; Roller Blinds ; Wooden Blinds; Armstrong Vinyl Tiles; Kent Vinyl Tiles; Parquet Tiles - Apo Vinyl Tiles.

“YOU NAME IT, WE HAVE IT.”

HE Philippine private sector and government agencies have teamed up to lock down Japanese investments in Northern Mindanao by collaborating on two trade missions to Japan in the previous four months to explore possible Public-Private Partnerships through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Osaka Japan.

P15.00

Distributor & Dealer of: Steel Bars; Holcim Cement; Davis Paint; Sand & Gravel; Plywood; INdustrial Supplies; Finishing Supplies; Electrical Supplies; Power Tools; Air Compressors

“The opportunity was given by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) during the 43rd Philippine Business Conference & Expo (PBC) held October 18-19, 2017 at the Manila Hotel,” said Maria Teresa R. Alegrio, PCCI Regional Governor for Northern Mindanao. pursues/PAGE 11

NORMIN INVESTORS. Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (Oro Chamber) Vice President Irene Floro meets with representatives of Frigo Co., Ltd. during a B2B meeting last February 14 in Osaka, Japan.

Mindanao Technopark gets around 10-yr delay By MARK FRANCISCO, Staff Writer

Sardines fishing EVEN as the government continuously implements a three-month ban on sardine fishing every year, the sardines industry in Zamboanga still ended up growing P20 billion, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said. The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has formally lifted the fishing closed season for sardines in the waters off Zamboanga peninsula midnight of March 1, 2018. Commercial fishers may now resume their operations in the waters of East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay following a three-month ban on sardine fishing.

Patag Highway, Cagayan de Oro City

Tel. No. 858-5789 / Fax No. 850-5020; Cel. Nos. 0919-655-3754, 0923-304-2676 Email: verticalhomebuilders@yahoo.com

Oro biz group pursues Japanese investments www.businessweekmindanao.com

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MAJESTIC FALLS. The Maria Cristina Falls in Iligan City, whose water is used to run the Agus VI hydroelectric plant, as photographed on March 1, 2018. Agus VI is one of the six plants along the Agus River from Lake Lanao in Marawi City. The National Power Corporation strictly regulates visits to the waterfalls, requiring visitors to get permits to gain entry. mindanews photo by froilan gallardo

THE fruition of the Mindanao Technopark in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental will be delayed by 10 more years with the untimely death of University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) president Ricardo Rotoras in December last year.

Ac c ord i ng to U ST P vice chancellor Ambrosio Cultura, Rotoras had too many linkages both in the government and in the private sector and even with foreign aid agencies to realize the project and fasttrack the calendar frame to only three delay/PAGE 11

More Dabawenyos not pleased MinDA seeks P1.35-T with existing tax reform law 2019 Mindanao budget By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, MindaNews

DAVAO C i t y – M o r e Dabawenyos don’t favor the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law saying it has resulted in

higher prices of oil products and other goods, a survey conducted by the Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO) of the University of Mindanao

showed. Administered between January 28 and February 9, 81% of the 1,200 respondents a c ro ss t he c it y ’s t h re e congressional districts said reform/PAGE 10

By LILIAN MELLEJOR, PNA

THE Mindanao Development Authority MinDA) is pushing for a higher budget share for Mindanao at PHP1.35 trillion for 2019-2020

to usher in sustainable d e v e l o p m e nt a n d t h e realization of the Duterte administration’s vision for the island. budget/PAGE 11

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Economy

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FIRM, creating business, job opportunities for Marawi

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Cagayan de Oro Talent Center, a house of modeling and dancing talents based in this Northern Mindanao capital, presents its new school-inspired uniform for 2018 during its unveiling last February 18 at Gaisano. CDOTC is founded and led by Gabby Bacarro. photo by mark francisco

By JOHN PAUL SORIANO

ARAWI City -- Go Negosyo and Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Provincial Government of Lanao Del Sur and the City Government of Marawi launched the program, “Franchise Intervention to Rebuild Marawi (FIRM)” for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in effort to restore Marawi City’s once-thriving business economy.

FIRM, a two-day program held at the Provincial Capitol of Lanao Del Sur that provides franchise and entrepreneurial seminars and offers special franchise investment packages. According to Go Negosyo – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Program Head Ana Margarita HontiverosMalvar, the program’s goal is to help rebuild the economic fabric of the city by providing a viable investment option,

promoting local trade activities, generating jobs in the community and giving opportunities to the residents of Marawi to revive their livelihood. There were various franchise brands supporting the program, with some willing to waive their franchise fees. Representatives of some of the franchise brands discussed what they offer, pointing out the necessary requirements to avail their franchise. Seminars focused on how to be a successful franchisee, entrepreneurial mind-setting and franchise

business model were presented during the program. Through this, the participants gained additional knowledge on business and were given a vision on what franchising is. Assistant Secretary Abdul Gani Macatoman of DTI noted that what happened to the city’s economy is hard but he believes that Maranaos, who are innately good in business, can help rebuild the City. With the decline of Marawi’s economy due to the siege, FIRM is the FIRM/PAGE 10

Anti-trafficking council strengthens drive vs trafficking of women, children

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TO protect the rights of women and fight for injustice for the victims of modern-day slavery, child pornography and violence as well as to highlight the National Women's Month celebration, the Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against TraffickingViolence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC)-10 held the Regional Conference for the Creation/Reactivation of Local Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (LCAT-VAWC). Northern Mindanao Department of Social

Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Nestor Ramos said that the efforts of the local government units (LGUs) and partner agencies in advocating and implementing the laws on trafficking and providing interventions in protecting children and women against pornography, exploitation, trafficking and violence is significant to address the increasing number of trafficking cases. He further said that the conference was conducted to reactivate the functions of the LCAT-VAWC in response to laws created

to protect and prevent trafficking and violence against women and children. For her part, Councilor Edna Dahino shared that she actively advocates for protecting the rights of women. She also said that she will lobby with the LGU to create a Gender and Development Center since this will provide a holistic approach in protecting the rights of our women and their children. To further strengthen the anti-trafficking councils, the RIACATVAWC emphasized the composition of LCATVAWC such as the Provincial Committee Against Trafficking, Child Pornography and VAWC which is composed of the local chief executive (LCE) or governor, local deputy chief or vice governor and the Local Social Welfare and Development Office as the chair, co-chair and secretariat respectively. For the City/Municipal Committee Against Trafficking, Child Pornography and VAWC, the local chief executive trafficking/PAGE 10

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Opinion

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Sen. Manny, quit boxing now and become RP prexy

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Is your family climate-controlled think a minute

jhan tiafau hurst T h i n k a mi nute…What kind of climate do you enjoy living in? Did you know t hat you can live in the exac t climate you w a n t ! I ’m n o t t a l k i n g about the weather climate, but the more imp or tant c l i m at e o f y o u r h o m e . The daily mo o d of your marriage and family. Just like a garden or plantation lives and grows best in a cer tain kind of climate, so does your marriage and family. Your wife or husband and children live happiest when you control the climate of fe elings and emotions in your home. We do this by the way we talk and treat each other. The way we react to the daily problems, mistakes, or disagreements we may have. Do you wish your

family was more peaceful and happy? That you and your wife or husband did not argue and f ig ht so much? That your kids were more happy and conf ident? Well, no one is forcing you and your family t o l i v e i n t h at k i n d o f unhappy atmosphere. It’s y o u r c h o i c e . Yo u mu s t decide to b e the f irst to change and control your own he ar t, mo o ds, and anger. You can’t have a peaceful, happy marriage and family until you yourself first have peace a n d h ap p i n e s s i n y o u r own heart. Jesus can give you that kind of p eace, p ower, and s elf-control you need. Then you can h e lp c re at e t h e l ov i ng , happy climate in your home. It’s ne ver to o late to change. So today, why not ask Jesus to forgive you for your past anger and lack of s elf-control with your family? Then ask Him to take charge of your hear t, marriage, and f am i ly, s o you c an finally start enjoying a satisf ying, peaceful climate in your home ever yday—for the rest of your life. Just Think a Minute…

Batas Mauricio LIFE’S INSPIR ATIONS: “And God said…`Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare’…” (Isaiah 55:1-2, the Holy Bible). -oooSEN. MANNY, PLEASE STOP FIGHTING, AND I NST E A D FO C US ON BECOMING PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES ALREADY: If the offer to be an undercard for the fight of boxing champion Jeff Horn is an insult, why then did Top Rank ’s Bob Arum offer it to you, Sen. Manny Pacquiao? Could it be that, from the point of view of Bob Arum, a hard-nosed and veteran boxing promoter of international fame, fighting

in an undercard is already the best offer that can be made to you, Sen. Manny, at this stage of your career as a boxing world champion? For us your fans even w he n you we re a ju s t boxing start-up who was unable to pay his rents in an “entesuwelo” in Malabon or Navota s (prompt i ng the late Ompong Nazario, you r for mer promoter/ manager then, if you can still remember, to call me to talk to your landlord), what we ask you to do, Mr. Senator, is for you to stop fighting now since you have a lready ea rned bi l lions anyway, and instead focus on your political career so our forecast that you will become president of this country someday will already come true, God willing! -oooNOYNOY, BUTCH, JANET, “PUSHERS” ALL DURING THE ELECTIONS IN 2016: Okay, let me be clear here w it h my s y nony m s or antonyms: they were really “pushers”, as it were, and I refer to former President Noynoy Aquino, former Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch Abad, and former Health Secretary Janet Garin, when they pushed (there, that is the word) for the purchase of the Dengvaxia vaccine at a staggering cost of P3.4 billion on April 04, 2016. No matter how we look at this, the purchase by these three, with the cooperation of

others from the Department of Health, Department of Budget, and the Office of the President, of the vaccine fell within the 45-day election ban for government projects, as mandated by Section 261 (o) and (v) of the Omnibus Election Code. They were indeed “pushers”---pushing for violation of existing laws, for their personal and party interests. -oooCONGRESSMEN, S E N AT O R S S H O U L D NOT M E DDL E W I T H SC: Really, Sen. Antonio Trillanes continues to baffle, manifesting the need for him, perhaps, to already undergo a cleansing process using coconut oil to clear the mind (which, in my Ilocano native tongue from Tarlac, is often referred to as “agpagulgol”). The reason is simple: he is again ordering justices of the Supreme Court not to oust Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Aranal Sereno via means other than impeachment. Since when can a lawmaker meddle or interfere with the workings of the Supreme Court? Somebody should tell these lawmakers that the Supreme Court is independent of the legislative department, and cannot b e t a k i ng orders f rom t hem, especia lly if t hey are unschooled in the law. Pronouncements like this constitutes a sorry waste of taxpayers’ money...

-oooSU PR E M E C OU RT IS SUPREME: With due respect to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) which is bewailing what it said was the “shortcut route” in the removal of Sereno, all lawyers know that when a sufficient number of Supreme Court justices say something about any thing under the sun, what they say automatically becomes a part of the law of the land, whether lawyers agree to what they said or not. Under t he 1987 Constitution, the Supreme Court is the final authority on what is to be considered legal or not, including, but not limited to, how to remove anyone of them from the tribunal. -oooPA S T O R A P H E N , OU T STA N DI NG I N M A K I NG G OW NS , FORMAL DRESSES: For anyone out there who needs gowns, formal dresses or uniforms, we have a lady pastor at the Simbahang A na k ng Diyos Kadugo Ni Kristo (AND, or the Chi ld ren of God Blood Kin of the Christ Church), Pastora Josephine Ambay Altarejos who is outstanding in making all of these. She has already prepared gowns for Aldub Queen Maine Mendoza, and is making a name as a fashion designer. You can get in touch with her at her Facebook account, Phen Ambay Altarejos.

Solving puzzles hints and traces

roy cimagala Someone gifted me with some boxes of puzzles the other day. I thanked him profusely, of course. But I immediately turned those puzzles over to the school where I work, because I feel the students would need and enjoy them more than I would. Truth is, I have more than enough puzzles to solve every day. Just figuring out what to say in the homily for my daily Masses is already one, and a big one at that. What to advise a penitent in confession, how to motivate a student with f lagging spirit, how to help the many beggars I meet every day

in the streets, are some of the puzzles I have to solve. And there are a lot more daily challenges to face, trials to cope with, mysteries to fathom, surprises and other unexpected things, sometimes unpleasant ones, to tackle, etc. Of course, from time to time, as a form of rest and recreation I play games and I’m already happy with a few minutes with Sudoku. That would already refresh my mind. I suppose we just have to be game again when these puzzles come. I have learned to look at them as God’s way to make my life exciting and adventurous, drawing f rom me some creative juices. Sometimes I feel God is playing games with me, just to humor me. Thus, I was happy to discover in the Book o f P r ov e r b s a p a s s a g e saying that Wisdom, the Old Testament allusion to Christ, enjoys, laughs, and plays with the people of the world. “He rejoiced in his whole world,” it says, “and delights in mankind.”

(8,31) As a young boy, I would be easily and badly affected by life’s puzzles, distressed and pained as I felt I was confused and getting lost. It was only sometime later that I dis covered there was no point to react and to feel that way. I realized that feeling worried over them did not help any, but would just make things worse. That’s thanks to my spiritual adviser who showed me the light. So, I suppose, we just have to play along, doing the best that we can give, though it’s clear that many times, our best would still not be enough and would still be made a lot better. So we should just be game with the whole thing. Besides, Christ told us clearly: “Do not be anxious a b o u t t o m o r r o w, f o r tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” (Mt 6,34) What a relief to hear those words! Of cours e, a cer t ain toughness is needed

h e re a l s o, a t ou g h n e s s that is compatible with flexibility and adaptability, a toughness that does not make us lose our human tenderness. We should still manage to smile, to b e light-hearted, positive, and optimistic in outlook and behavior. This, of cours e, will require struggle and continuing practice. We have to learn to be humble so as to be open to the twists and turns of the many puzzles in our life and still able to hold on to our faith and trust in God’s merciful providence. We should expect to get dirty sometimes, to suffer cuts and bruises as we play with life’s puzzles. But as long as we keep our union with God, at least in intention, God will always be on our side. We have been reassured of this in the psalms. “This I know, that God is on my side.” (56,9) And, “With God on our side will win. He will defeat our enemies.” (108,13)

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CorporateWorld

McDonald’s PHL franchisee to spend P2B for new stores

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HE exclusive franchisee of the McDonald’s brand in the Philippines plans to spend up to P2 billion for the rollout of at least 40 new stores this year, following the doubledigit growth in sales the company booked in 2017.

In a statement on Thursday, Golden Arches Development Corp. (GADC) said the capital spending will also cover other growth initiatives centered on customer experience, value, and convenience. “We are confident that

our expanded presence will also spur employment in our new areas of operations. By opening more new restaurants, we will be able to generate jobs and provide world-class training for thousands of young Filipinos. We also enhance

San Miguel sells P30-B fixed rate bonds DIVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) on Monday announced the start of the offer period for up to P30 billion worth of fixed rate bonds, raising fresh funds to either refinance debt or invest in its existing businesses. SMC, in a disclosure with the Philippine Stocks Exchange (PCE), said the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued on March 2, a permit to offer for sale some P20billion fixed rate bonds , with an oversubscription option of up to P10 billion. The bonds, which represent the third tranche of the conglomerate’s P60billion shelf registration, include five-year Series E Bonds due 2023, sevenyear Series F Bonds due 2025, and 10-year Series G Bonds due 2028. These carry fixed interest rates equivalent to 6.2500 percent, 6.6250 percent and 7.1250 percent per annum, respectively. The offer period would run until March 9 this year. The bonds will be listed in the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on the issue date on March 19.

SMC said the entire proceeds of the offer will be used either for refinancing the existing loan and/or redenomination of US dollar denominated obligations, or investments in its existing businesses, such as SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., San Miguel Holdings Corp., and San Miguel Properties, Inc. “The decision to use the net proceeds for either purpose is subject to the sound business judgment of Management taking into consideration among others, favorable market conditions; the demands of the business and operations of the company; the capital requirements of its relevant subsidiary, including funding requirements of its projects; and opportunities and developments in the relevant industries of the businesses,” it said. SMC is engaged in various industries such as beverages, food, packaging, properties, fuel and oil, energy and infrastructure. Meanwhile, BDO Capital & Investment Corporation, BPI Capital

US tariff on steel no direct impact on Steel Asia THE country’s largest steel producer, Steel Asia Manufacturing Corp., does not see any direct effect from the plan of the government of the United States to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum, its president said in a statement. “The Philippines is not a big trading partner of the US for steel. So, there will be no direct impact,” said Adrian Cristobal Jr., adding that the US is not a main market for Philippine steel products. Last week, US President Donald Trump said his government would impose higher tariff on steel and aluminum imports to 25 percent and 10 percent, respectively. “Our steel and aluminum industries (and

many others) have been decimated by decades of unfair trade and bad policy with countries from around the world. We must not let our country, companies and workers be taken advantage of any longer,” said Trump in his Twitter account. “Indirectly, the new policy may divert commodity steel products from the US market to other markets, including Asia, which could benefit us,” Cristobal said. The Steel Asia executive also said he sees no challenges on construction supply as a result of the new policy. Steel Asia is also Southeast Asia’s biggest manufacturers of rebars (reinforcement steel). (PNA)

Corporation, China Bank Capital Corporation, First Metro Investment Corporation, ING Bank, SB Capital Investment Corporation and Standard Chartered Bank serve as joint lead underwriters and bookrunners for the offering. (PNA)

economic activity in areas where we will be present,” GADC President and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth S. Yang said in a statement. Last year, the company opened 52 new stores, piercing through new territories such as Antique, Sorsogon, Masbate, and San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. This brought the number of McDonald’s stores in the Philippines to more than 570, employing around 60,000 regular employees in the process. The store openings pushed up the company’s system wide sales to P42.6 billion in 2017, 14% higher year on year.

GADC further attributed the positive performance to innovations in its menu offerings and local store marketing activities. The company noted that it also delivered a double-digit growth in earnings for the year, but did not disclose the actual figures. GADC previously reported that net income in 2016 stood at P1.2 billion, on the back of revenues worth P38 billion. The chain of quick service restaurants (QSR) is also working on expanding its market share with the use of its delivery system, McDelivery, as well as on focusing on customer

experience and the sustained demand for its products. “Alongside expansion of our physical stores, we see e-commerce as another strong source of incremental business growth as our delivery service has been growing year on year. We’re proud of our gains in McDelivery as the first QSR to have an online delivery site in 2009 and an app in 2014,” Mr. Yang said. GADC is majority owned by its founder, businessman Dr. George T. Yang, and his family. It has been a wholly-owned Filipino company since 2005.

DTI, DPWH join forces to boost infrastructure development in CALABARZON The Department of Trade and Industry Region and Department of Public Works and Highways Region in CALABARZON Region recently conducted a Regional Orientation for the Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL-IT) Program to facilitate efficient and coordinated efforts among the two Departments to identify, prioritize, and implement road access infrastructure leading to various industries and economic zones in a technically-correct and politicallyparticipative process with input and support from the business and civil society, as well as, local government units (LGUs). The Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade or ROLL IT Program aims to further the growth of investments and other economic activities in the country through more road projects leading to manufacturing and economic zones. DTI CALABARZON was tasked to identify potential industry road projects using the Road Leveraging Linkages Evaluation Rating System (ROLLERS)—identification, importance, necessity, and implementability/readiness. “DTI and DPWH joined forces to address the damaged

and impassable roads leading to industries and trade development cities and towns in CALABARZON because we aim to have inclusive economic growth,” said DTI CALABARZON Director Marilou Toledo. Launched in November 2016, the two government agencies signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the ROLL IT project implementation on road connectivity for industry and trade development. Under the agreement, DTI will identify areas where industry sectors need road facilities and connectivity. For 2018, ROLL IT has 229 total approved projects nationwide, with estimated number of 502.1 kilometers amounting to P12.5 billion. In CALABARZON, there are eight ROLL IT projects amounting to P479 million in the following areas namely, Dasmarinas, Cavite; Cabuyao City, Laguna; Lopez, Quezon; Alabat, Quezon; Guinayangan, Quezon; Gumaca, Quezon; Atimonan, Quezon; and Tagkawayan, Quezon. The ROLL IT Convergence Program will be one of the strong platforms of the promise of a Golden Age of Infrastructure for the Philippines, through a target

of national infrastructure budget of 7% of Gross Domestic Product, roughly equivalent to around P8.2 trillion. The ROLL IT Program will further fuel the recent high growth of domestic investments as well as the surge in foreign direct investments of the country, through more road projects funded within 2016-2022. The ROLL IT program’s goal is to prioritize infrastructure development in the country. It will leverage on the success and experiences of the DOT-DPWH Convergence Program or the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) that lead to the upgrading of roads leading to tourist destinations. The initiative of DTI and DPWH is intended to contribute in delivering accelerated infrastructure development and inclusive economic growth. Through better road infrastructure connecting the industries, industrial and regional development strategy can be realized and will further facilitate balanced development, dispersal of industries away from urban areas towards the rural areas, creating more job and income opportunities to more Filipinos.

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Smart conducts emergency response training for USTP studes

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LDT wireless unit Smart Communications conducted an emergency response and management training for students of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) 24 February 2018 in Cagayan de Oro City. The whole-day workshop was a “training of trainers” to equip students with knowledge and skills to conduct their own preparedness lessons for members of their respective communities. A day earlier, the training team also ran some simulations for members of the media covering the event. The activity is part of TNT’s Tropang Ready program, a nationwide caravan of Smart’s TNT brand, which tours schools in the Philippines to impart to the youth and their friends (tropa) the importance of disaster preparedness. TNT Tropang Ready is an initiative under Smart’s advocacy for a #SafePH, which promotes

preparedness through mobile solutions and onground activities to help communities mitigate disaster risks. Last January 16, 2017, flood waters spawned by the “urban rain” phenomenon trapped a thousand students, faculty and staff of USTP in classrooms with no water and food as most of the campus was flooded. They had to clamber up to the upper floors of buildings until they were rescued way past midnight. The USTP campus has been one of the most floodprone areas in Cagayan de Oro city. A few weeks later, over 2,000 students attended the TNT Tropang Ready Disaster Preparedness Caravan initiated by Smart at the university campus. The event featured talks and disaster preparedness lessons by emergency management experts and representatives from the local government, disaster risk reduction and management office, University of the Philippines Nationwide Operational Assessment

of Hazards (UP Noah) Center, and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), among other organizations. For this second phase of the Tropang

Ready program, Smart tapped the expertise of Louie Domingo and Tan Palma of Emergency Management Center to teach the participants how to prepare for and what to do during typhoons,

earthquakes, landslides tsunamis, and other calamities. Among the lessons taught the students were first aid and self-defense techniques, pointers on how to assemble a Go

Bag or an e-Balde, an emergency kit meant to help an individual or a family survive the next few days following a calamity. The kit included canned food, water, flashlight, Training/PAGE 10

A student learns to use a fire extinguisher during TNT Tropang Ready “trainor’s training” conducted 24 Feb 2018 at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP)in Cagayan de Oro City.

Globe myBusiness offers digital solutions for hotels and restaurants Supports Food & Hotel Expo Manila

The country’s tourism industry has just recently reached an all-time high tourist arrival of 6.6million, an 11 percent unprecedented growth compared to last year. As a result, a growing demand for quality service and five-star experience in hotel and restaurants is expected over the next years as the Philippine landscape evolves into a hub for both tourism and food culture. On the other hand, the food sector has also been seen growing over the recent years with over 2,000 registered restaurants that opened and a noticeable rise of food parks around the metro in 2017.

Despite the business opportunities mushrooming across the country, most small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are still struggling to survive in the market. And while competition is tough, Globe myBusiness has opened its boundaries to further reach out to its users and consumers by offering affordable digital solutions that are keys to upgrading their businesses. In the recently concluded Food & Hotel Expo Manila at the SMX Convention Center, Globe myBusiness presented interesting solutions to help SMEs cope with the growing demand. solutions/PAGE 10

Globe myBusiness Segment Head for Tourism and Hospitality Mitch Peralta talks about creating perfect destinations

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Cimatu: DENR to reclaim ‘missing’ Boracay wetlands T he Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will reclaim four wetlands encroached by business establishments and illegal settlers in Boracay, Secretary Roy A. Cimatu assured on Friday. Cimatu made the assurance during the public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, chaired by Senator Cynthia Villar, which was held at a resort in the pollution-challenged island paradise. “They (wetlands) need to be restored because they act as catchment during the rainy days and they prevent flooding,” Cimatu told the committee. Wetlands are the link between land and water, and are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world. Wetlands are important because they protect and improve water quality, provide fish and wildlife habitats, store floodwaters and maintain surface water flow during dry periods. Cimatu noted that there actually a total of nine wetlands in Boracay, based on an old map of the island. But an investigation by the DENR’s National Task Force Boracay (NTFB) revealed that four of these wetlands remain to be accounted for, he added. The “missing” wetlands, he said, are now occupied by a mall, a resort hotel and around

100 illegal settlers, who contribute to water pollution in the island. He said the DENR has already issued notices of violation (NOVs), cease and desist orders and demolition notices to these “encroachers.” “We have advised them to self-demolish. We will reclaim all nine wetlands,” Cimatu promised. In the same hearing, Cimatu said he plans to revive the Community and Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Boracay, which was abolished as a result of the government’s rationalization plan in 2014. Cimatu said he was surprised to learn that the DENR has no office in Boracay. According to the DENR chief, the abolition of the CENRO Boracay

7

Wednesday | March 7, 2018

posed a problem on the management of the island in terms of compliance to environmental laws. “The weakest link of the DENR is enforcement of environmental laws,” Cimatu said. As of February 26, the DENR had already issued 207 NOVs to establishments found violating environmental laws. NOVs were issued to 116 establishments for violating Republic Act No. 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act; 77 for violation of RA 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act; five (5) for violation of both laws; and nine (9) for those operating without a valid environmental compliance certificate (ECC), which is required under Presidential Decree No. 1586 or the Environment Impact

Air quality monitoring station eyed in Boracay By Catherine Teves

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is planning to install an air quality monitoring station in Boracay Island next year. This is to intensify government's efforts to clean up and stop further environmental degradation in the country's famed tourist spot, EMB officerin-charge and air quality chief Jerry Capulong told the Philippine News Agency (PNA). "Boracay's air quality is still good, since the island has few sources of air pollution at present," Capulong noted. He said the planned monitoring would help

detect changes in Boracay's air quality, so the EMB or DENR could address the matter fast. He said the station would monitor the daily level of gases and other pollutants in Boracay's air, so the EMB could act accordingly if these exceed tolerable limits. Encroachment in public land and water pollution from the release of untreated discharges are Boracay's top environmental problems at present, Capulong noted. Among the limited sources of air pollution there, he said, are the establishments' stand-by generators, which are not used often. Capulong said last month, the EMB air/PAGE 10

Statement System. The NTFB reported that out of the 578 establishments surveyed and inspected, 383 are connected to the sewage line of the island’s water and sewage system providers and 195 are not. A total of 382 are connected to the Boracay Island Water Corp. (BIWC) sewer line and one to the Boracay Tubi System Inc. Meanwhile, Cimatu has directed the BIWC to repair and rehabilitate its wastewater treatment plants (WTP) in barangays Manoc-Manoc and Balabag. The Balabag WTP has exceeded capacity and caused wastewater to leak from its burst pipes. The leak has been found to be the source of the foul odor in some parts of the barangay.

WILDLIFE CRUSADE. Environment Undersecretary Rodolfo Garcia (right) poses with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Bulacan District Office (BulDO) supervising agent Rudthen Mendoza (left) while USAID Protect Wildlife project Chief of Party Dr. Ernesto Guiang (back) looks on at the 5th Wildlife Law Enforcement Awarding Ceremony in Metro Manila this week. Mendoza was awarded for helping bolster the campaign against wildlife crimes including the confiscation of 113 heads of various bird species in Bulacan province. photo courtesy of denr

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will push for more public action against the further destruction and loss of Philippine wildlife. “It’s important to educate people about the matter. We’re aiming towards that direction,” DENR Undersecretary Rodolfo Garcia said. Garcia said the DENR plans educate the public more about wildlife’s importance since, he noted, people can only act based on what they know. He said public action and cooperation on protecting wildlife

would help bolster government’s campaign to curb trafficking and other crimes against this natural resource.Republic Act 9147 or Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act defines wildlife as “wild forms and varieties of flora and fauna, in all developmental stages, including those which are in captivity or are being bred or propagated.” According to scientists, wildlife helps maintain nature’s balance and serves as various species’ gene bank.Wild plants and animals are used in producing new and hybrid

DENR to intensify wildlife info campaign agricultural varieties and in conducting scientific experiments, they noted. They added wildlife species could also be ecotourism attractions. “There’s so much to be gained from wildlife -- it’s our life and future,” Garcia said.”Let’s be reminded of our responsibility as stewards,” Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Director Theresa Mundita Lim agreed. Protecting wildlife and other species would yield various benefits even for future generations, she added. wildlife/PAGE 10

8

Banking&Finance

OROBANKERS DIRECTORIES CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

AMANAH/ISLAMIC BANK V. Neri Street Carmen, Cdoc 858988/8587965 / 722274

METRO BANK- COGON Osmeña Hayes St. Cdoc | 726438/8572057

ASIA UNITED BANK Cor.Camp Alagar Road Lapasan, Cdoc 729678 / 8568893

METRO BANK- CARMEN Max Suniel St. Carmen, Cdoc 8581722/ 8585162

BDO – VELEZ Velez-Rn Abejuela Street, Cdoc 2314246/8572075

METRO BANK- LAPASAN CM Recto Lapasan HW, Cdoc 724461/8561721

BDO – SM G/F SM City, Master Son’s Avenue Upper Carmen Cdoc | 8592623/8592637

METRO BANK- OSMEÑA Brgy Osmeña St. Cdoc | 722014 /8800924

BDO – XU XU Lib. Annex Corrales St. Cdoc 8574108 / 8573796

METRO BANK- CORRALES Corrales Avenue, Cdoc | 8572635/728731

BDO – CDO HAYES Trendline Bldg.,Hayes Street, 8568151/727405

METRO BANK- GAISANO 8561720

BDO – COGON Sky hi Bldg JR Borja St. Cogon, Cdoc 8577963/ 725209/ 725203 BDO – OSMEÑA Osmeña corner Ramon Chavez St. Cdoc 724567/8563727 BDO – LAPASAN Lapasan Highway Cdoc 8563233 /8563234 / 725178 BDO – RN- PELAEZ George Town CyberMall Rn Pelaez Blvd Kauswagan Cdoc | 8562617/729052 BDO – CARMEN Maxsuniel cor.V Neri St. Carmen, .Cdoc 8584854 /8581133 BANK OF COMMERCE- VELEZ Akut- Velez St.Cdoc | 8564371 / 726880 BANK OF COMMERCE- LAPASAN

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PNB- CARMEN Elipe Bldg.Carmen, Cdoc | 8583158/ 8584203 PNB- LKK LKK Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564347/722872 PNB CDO– DIVISORIA Tiano Bros.Cruz Taal St., Cdoc 722861 /722816 PNB CDO– LAPASAN LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc | 8564732 / 723992 PNB CDO– COGON LKK Center Lapasan, Cdoc 8571991/ 723992 PHILIPPINE POSTAL SAVINGS BANK, INC. bels_domingo@yahoo.com.ph Rizal Chavez Cdoc 8572194/725438 PS BANK Velez Corner A. Mabini St., Cdoc 8574183/725184 PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK Tiano-Abejuela St. Cdoc 722644/8573386 QUEEN CITY DEVELOPMENT BANK, INC. Sacred Heart Mont. Cm RectoAve., Cdoc 8562390 RCBC- VELEZ Velez-Borja St. Cdoc | 8564982/8568888 RCBC- COGON Simplex Bldg. Osmeña St. Cdoc 8562888/725863/8521329 RCBC- LAPASAN Cm. Recto Lapasan HW. Cdoc 8561888/722449 RCBC- LKK Gateway, Tower 1 LkkCenter, Cdoc 8563707/722449 RCBC SAVINGS- CARMEN Walingwaling St.,Carmen St. Cdoc 8585793/ 8586248 RCBC SAVINGS- VELEZ Velez St. Cdoc | 729083/8562460 RCBC SAVINGS- AGORA 8807891/8807892 RURAL BANK OF CABADBARAN, Inc.

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EAST WEST BANK Cogon De Oro Constraction Bldg. LKK Drive 8500339/8500331

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ENTERPRISE BANK INC. Centro Mariano Bldg Osmeña St. Cdoc 723869/ 3093395 FIRST CONSOLIDATED BANK CM Recto Ave., Cor.Agudo Road Cdoc 8565360/2316678 LBP – CAPISTRANO Capsitrano St. Cdoc | 8565515/727678 LBP – VELEZ LunaVelez St. | 723549/8563198 LBP – PUERTO Puerto Cdoc | 8558858 MAYBANK JR Borja Tiano Cor. Bldg. Cdoc 8574439/726060 METRO BANK- DIVISORIA Pabayo Abejuela St. Divisoria Park, Cdoc 724783/8576999 METRO BANK- VELEZ A. Velez St. Cdoc | 8561724/726054 METRO BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc | 8572999/724415

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Increase in sin tax may push Feb. inflation to reach 4.1% T AX increases on sin products might have pushed Philippines inflation rate in February 2018 to 4.1 percent from monthago’s 4 percent, according to the Department of Finance (DOF). In an economic bulletin, DOF said that while its inflation projection for the second month of the year is already above the government’s 2 to 4

percent target range until 2019 this is not a cause of concern given its source. It explained that sin products accounts for 0.4 percentage points of its inflation projection for last month, up from 0.3 percent share in the previous month. Inflation rate of sin products is seen to hit 16.4 percent from last month’s 12.3 percent and year-ago’s 6 percent. It traced this to increase on sin taxes as

well as price adjustments of products of Mighty Corporation, which has been charged for tax evasion and has been required to pay around PHP30 billion for tax deficiencies and other taxes. Also, under the amended Sin Tax Law, tax on a pack of cigarette will be at 4 percent starting this year, up from PHP30 in 2017. “These are nonessential and are even harmful, products which

we want the general public to steer clear away from on health reasons,” the bulletin said. Inflation of food and non-food commodities, in turn, is “relatively unchanged” at 4.4 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively, while inflation of electricity and fuel rose on a month-on-month basis but down year-on-year to around 5.5 percent from around 7.2 percent in 2016 due to base effects, it added. (PNA)

Moratorium on enforcement of truck anti-loading policy extended anew are semi-trailers with three axles on the towing trucks and three axles on the trailer. These truck types are commonly used to deliver container cargoes. Other truck/trailer codes must follow the current maximum allowable gross vehicle weight (MAGVW) under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8794 (An Act Imposing a Motor Vehicle User’s Charge on Owners of all Types of Motor Vehicles and for Other Purposes), or Anti-Overloading Act. The Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP)

earlier suggested a higher MAGVW for trucks with codes 12-2 and 12-3 so that truckers can finally comply with R.A. 8794 and the government will no longer have to repeatedly extend the moratorium. CTAP, in a position paper, has asked DPWH to consider amending the MAGVW for code 12-2 from 41,500 kilograms to 53,500 kg, and for code 12-3 from 42,000 kg to 54,000 kg. The group noted that the proposed increases would be the same weight if the basis of apprehension moratorium/PAGE 10

Women-favoring laws will improve financial inclusion

DOF cites need for flexible exchange rate

The Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) have once again extended for another six months the moratorium on the enforcement of the antioverloading policy for trucks categorized under codes 12-2 and 12-3. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade have signed the public advisory extending the moratorium to June 30, 2018 “to give haulers/truckers more time to acquire additional

LAWS protecting women against harassment is key to ensuring financial inclusion success in a country, an ongoing study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said. “Protection against harassment, including at the workplace, and more equal rights for men and women are strong avenues to enhance women’s access to financial services,” an IMF Working Paper “What is Driving Women’s Financial Inclusion Across Countries” said. The topic is also discussed on the IMF Blog: Ending Harassment Helps #TheEconomyToo, by IMF managing director Christine Lagarde, with the paper’s authors Corinne Deléchat, and Monique Newiak. The working paper based its observations on 140 countries’ policies, structural reforms and unique characteristics that would define its financial inclusion efforts, especially relating to women. The IMF indicated

transport equipment to conform with the latest GVW (gross vehicle weight). “Despite the delay in the release of the official advisory, DPWH has been observing the moratorium since January 1, 2018. Set to expire December 31, 2017, the moratorium relating to trucks coded 12-2 and 12-3 has been continuously extended since 2013 on repeated requests from truckers. Code 12-2 trucks are semi-trailers with three axles on the towing trucks and two axles on the trailers; code 12-3 trucks

initial results according to attitudes and social norms relating to women and “legal restrictions” are “strongly related to women’s use of financial services.” “Introducing laws to protect employees, including women, against harassment is clearly desirable from a development perspective. It will also increase women’s productivity and allow them to make more optimal economic choices,” the paper said. “In addition, our results suggest that introducing these laws would benefit men’s financial inclusion as well. In turn, more equal access to financial services would lead to increased economic welfare, lower income inequality and higher economic diversification, as demonstrated by previous studies.” To complement its own notes and previous studies on the matter, the IMF authors also tapped the micro-level information of the Findex 2014

survey to show individual demographic factors including age, gender, educational attainment, and income level which “are strongly related to an individual’s financial inclusion.” The IMF paper emphasized on financial sector policies that support financial inclusion by increasing the number of sectors in the population that have access to financial services – “in turn, higher access to financial services would support further private sector activity, economic diversification and growth.” Based on some of the results of the paper, individual characteristics are “strongly associated with financial inclusion at the micro-level.” “Men, individuals at the higher end of the income distribution and those employed in the formal sector, as proxied by individuals having received wages in the last 12 months, have a improve/PAGE 10

THE Department of Finance (DOF) cited the need for a flexible exchange rate to ensure that market players easily adjust to economic developments. This was stressed by the DOF in its economic bulletin that cited the latest movement of the local unit. Movement of the exchange rate “should not be taken as a sign of structural weakness in the economy,” it said. “In an environment where macroeconomic fundamentals are sound -real GDP (gross domestic product) growth is higher than six percent, inflation is within projected levels, international reserves are in excess of eight months of imports of goods and services, BOP (balance of payment) and fiscal deficits are financeable and the debt ratios are declining, it is best that the exchange rate should move flexibly so that economic players are able to adjust promptly to market dynamics, thus sustaining flexible/PAGE 10

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10

Reform... from page 1

they are aware of the new tax reform system. Of the respondents who said they’re aware, at least 47% said they don’t favor TRAIN, 34% said they favor, and 17% could not decide as they are still in “the waitand-see behavior of the law’s impact on them, not only on the escalating prices but perhaps on the many effects, both positive and negative, that they have not experienced as yet.” The survey said 62% of Dabawenyos now feel the effect of the higher prices of market products, but only 16% pointed to TRAIN as the cause of higher oil prices. On the other hand, 23% said they now have higher take home pay, and 20% noted a decrease in income tax. “It may be surmised that people do not see the new tax law as primarily causing the volatile movement of the oil price; the unstable oil price cannot be solely be due to the TRAIN,” the survey said. It said among the goods that showed price increase are soda and other sweetened drinks. It added a combined 43% of Dabawenyos recognize the positive effect of the law in the form of higher take home pay and lower income tax. However, 41% of the respondents could not decide whether TRAIN’s long-term effect for the country is good or not. The law is good for the country, according to 28% of the respondents but 22% are opposed to it. It a d d e d t h at m a l e and female Dabawenyos belonging to the 18-29 age bracket strongly believe that the law is good for the country. Most of them are married and belong to income Class C or those who are earning between P10, 000 and P36, 000 a month. They are those who have obtained better education, college and masters’ degree holders, and have perhaps maximize the benefits of tax exemptions. The respondents are composed of adults aged 21 to 40 years old (60%), 41 to 50 years old (17%), 51 to over 70 years old (14%), and 18 to 20 years old (9%). Females comprise 50% of the sample, males 42% and LGBT 8%. The bulk of respondents belong to income Class C (56%). income Class D accounts for 31%, income Class E 11%, and combined income Class AB 4%. Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said it’s not the tax reform law but profiteering by some businesses, among other reasons, that caused an increase in the year-on-year inflation in January this year. Chua said in a press br i e f i ng i n Ma l a c añ an o n T hu r s d ay t h at t h e implementation of package 1 of TRAIN was unlikely the reason for the 3.95-percent inflation rate between January 2017 and January 2018. He explained that most firms are selling food and non-

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Wednesday|March 7, 2018

food goods bought in 2017 yet and that the consequence of higher excise tax has not translated into inflationary effect yet. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

FIRM... from page 2

first program related to franchise assisting the city to recover. Mayor Majul Gandamra said that there has been overwhelming and outpouring support from the government, private sectors, other communities, and friends of the country which they are thankful for. However, the Marawi city’s government wants their residents to be able to stand on their feet again and set the wheels of the local economy turning after months of inactivity. (JPFS/ PIA ICCC)

Trafficking... from page 2

or mayor, local deputy chief or vice mayor and the Local Social Welfare and Development Office will respectively become the chair, co-chair and secretariat of the committee. The LCAT-VAWC in every area should ensure the strict implementation of all laws related to trafficking, child pornography and VAWC. Ramos also said that LCATVAWCs should formulate p o l i c i e s t h rou g h l o c a l ordinances and resolutions, and develop programs that will prevent and respond to human trafficking, child pornography and VAWC. LCAT-VAWCs should also strengthen their systems on surveillance, investigation and rescue to ensure effective and efficient coordination, undertake information, education and advocacy campaigns on trafficking, conduct regular coordination meeting, ensure establishment and monitor functionality of VAW Desk in every barangay, and submit quarterly report to the office of the chairperson of the regional council. LGUs may use respective funds such as Gender and Development (GAD) budget and other sources or grants applicable to activities, programs and initiatives related to anti-trafficking, child pornography and antiVAWC.(RTP/PIA10)

Training... from page 6

batteries, cell phone and an umbrella, among other essentials. Participants were tapped to be part of the Tropang Ready community on Facebook, where they could meet online with members of other Tropang Ready schools and share ideas on preparedness and response efforts in their own areas, among other topics. According to Ramon R. Isberto, PLDT and Smart public affairs head the youth play an important role in disaster preparedness. “They have the mobility, the skills, the technological know-how—they have what it takes to spread the culture

of preparedness,” Isberto said. “TNT Tropang Ready aims to turn the youth into ambassadors of preparedness in their own communities,” s aid Smar t communit y partnerships senior manager Nova Concepcion. “We are also working to help include disaster preparedness in the educational curriculum,” she said, noting that the goal of the workshop was to empower students to conduct trainings in their respective communities as part of their school’s extension program.

Solutions... from page 6

“Our goal is to help create success for all Philippine businesses, most especially to our small and medium enterprises. We want them to be our partners, to drive operational efficiency and build a digital business ecosystem that can assist them in their business needs,” said Debbie Obias, Vice President, Segment Marketing of Globe myBusiness. According to Obias, most SMEs, especially in the hotel sector lack the tools, guidance and experience in setting up digital solutions. Globe myBusiness offers the right connectivity service to provide businesses, whether big or small, an edge over competition and stay ahead of the game through managed services and business solutions such as I.T. equipment, support and maintenance, automation and training , among others. Mitch Peralta, Head, Segment Marketing for tourism and hospitality of Globe myBusiness also shares that “the thrust is to create a five-star experience, making these hotels and restaurants the perfect destination. With customers putting more value to unique experiences, these business improvements can equip owners to give their patrons the service they deserve.” Peralta continues that “here at Globe, we help our partners help their customers. We constantly find solutions to help them upgrade their business so they can be competitive in the market and offer customers the services they need so they can earn more and grow their business even further.” The attention to detail is also as crucial. Millennials have an average of 420 friends in their social media network and, “41 percent of them use their phones in fine dining, 69 percent use their phones in fast food places and 25 percent take photos and upload it on Facebook. Free WiFi does not cut it anymore, it has to be strong, fast and stable.” In the food and restaurant sector, Globe myBusiness has back-of-house and front-ofhouse technology that can be offered to entrepreneurs. Backof-house technology includes automated food purchasing and inventory, financial reporting, kitchen display system, menu management and engineering and employee staffing and training, while front-of-house technology includes the POS system, table

management, e-payment, gift and loyalty programs, guest services and customer WiFi. A l low ing ow ners to connect and service their customers as well as meet their growing demands, Globe myBusiness offers solutions such as the RUSH Loyalty App and GoPay Mobile QR Payment. Marketing tools such as SMS Blasts as well as WIFI Setups are also available for their customers to connect while dining in their hotels and restaurants. To know more about Globe myBusiness and its solutions visit https://mybusiness.globe. com.ph/.

Air...

from page 7

temporarily installed in Boracay Island high-volume s amplers for gat her ing information on air quality, one each in the villages of Yapak, Balabag, and Manocmanoc. These villages are in Boracay's northern, central, and southern parts. Capulong said the EMB had begun analyzing information the samplers had gathered, eventually enabling the bureau to establish baseline data on air quality in Boracay. He added that the EMB could then compare these data and its future monitoring results to check for changes in Boracay's air quality. Earlier, the DENR said 716 of Boracay's 834 wastewaterdischarging establishments do not have dis charge permits and are presumed to be illegally discharging respective wastewater into the sea. The DENR has a ls o reported serving since last month over 50 notices of violation to establishments found polluting Boracay. The establishments have two months to either connect to Boracay Island Water Company's sewage treatment plant or install their own wastewater treatment facilities, so these can stop directly releasing untreated discharges into the environment, the DENR added. President Rodrigo Duterte has given the DENR and the Department of the Interior and Local Government six months to clean up Boracay. (PNA)

Wildlife... from page 7

This month, the BMB led the country’s 2018 celebration of the annual World Wildlife Day (WWD). The celebration included for m a l r e c o g n it i on o f 2 0 Nat iona l Bu re au of Investigation operatives and eight Philippine National Pol ic e p e r s on ne l , w ho helped boost Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ campaign against wildlife crimes.Garcia led the awarding of medals and plaques to them. “With our partners and a committed DENR workforce, the days of remaining wildlife violators are numbered. I bel ieve t hey ’ l l soon be apprehended, tried, and

convicted,” he said. I n D e c e m b e r 2 013 , U N G ener a l A s s embly proclaimed March 3 of every year as WWD to help raise awareness about global wild fauna and flora. The date set for WWD is the day when countries in 1973 adopted the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). (PNA)

Moratorium... from page 8

would still be the 13.5 tons per axle on codes 12-2 and 12-3. The group pointed out that the current MAGVW for both codes under the revised implementing rules and regulations “failed to consider that the average weight of containers arriving in the Philippines is around 30,000 to 36,000 kg. “ If the minimum weight is added to the tare weight of the tractor head and trailer, which averages 15,000 kg, the total weight would be 43,500 kg, which is an automatic violation of the law, CTAP explained. The confederation also noted that to comply with the MAGVW, “we would need a truck and trailer with a tare weight of around 10,000 kg to 11,500 kg, which would be impossible since the average tare weight of such is 15,000 kg for code 12-2 and 16,000 kg for code 12-3.” It added that even if truckers acquired equipment to comply with the law but the MAGVW for codes 12-2 and 12-3 remains the same, “the problem of overloading will still persist.” CTAP chairman Ruperto Bayocot said, however, that DPWH might deny the truckers’ request to increase the MAGVW for codes 12-2 and 12-3 because the country’s bridges cannot handle the requested bigger weight limit. CTAP called for a meeting with DPWH late last year, which resulted in the extension of the moratorium. Mandatory cargo weighing Aside from a higher MAGVW, the group is also proposing the mandatory weighing of cargoes inside port premises, and the honoring or recognizing of the results “in order that overloaded container cargo that exceeds the maximum weight shall not be permitted to exit the port premises.” CTAP noted that to date, no mandator y weighing of container cargoes is conducted within the ports before the cargoes leave. The group said that if the MAGVW for codes 12-2 and 12-3 is implemented, 80% of containers coming from the Manila port “could no longer be transported which would put to naught the effort of the government to facilitate a seamless and sustainable mobility of container cargoes at the Port of Manila.” CTAP said that while truckers want to comply with R.A. 8794 and do recognize its noble intentions, majority are “not financially ready to purchase new trailer

units” due to the economic slowdown and spiralling cost of trucking operations. -www.portcalls.com

Improve... from page 8

higher intensity of using financial services,” the paper said. “Interestingly, the relatively small coefficient on ‘female’ (albeit statistically s i g n i f i c ant ) h i g h l i g ht s that other inequalities of opportunity and factors are contributing to driving the large gender gap in financial access highlighted earlier in the text. For example, equalizing education levels for men and women could help narrow the gender gap in financial access significantly.” “A legal environment that provides safe conditions to be economically active, will increase their economic participation and bargaining power, translating in higher demand to access financial services,” it added. “More generally, social norms and societal attitudes towards gender matter for women’s f i nanc i a l i nclus i on , i n addition to legal rights. In line with other studies … stronger legal rights and positive attitudes towards women, are related to stronger financial inclusion by women in both the global and emerging and developing economies.” Financial inclusion has gained prominence as a global policy agenda as it complements other policy initiatives on reducing poverty, addressing inequality, and promoting financial stability and integrity. Based on the 2017 Financial Inclusion Initiatives report of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), while there are no data yet on gender-specific numbers on financial inclusion, it said 31.3 percent adult Filipinos have a transaction account (citing Findex 2014) and 14 percent have a savings account (National Baseline Financial Inclusion Survey 2015). T he B SP s ai d s i nc e 2000, it continues to create an enabling environment for financial inclusion in the country. Most policy initiatives already laid down are focused on promoting e f f i c i e n c i e s , c on s u m e r protection and a level playing field.

Flexible... from page 8

economic growth,” it said. In recent weeks, the peso registered another depreciation and touched the 52-level to a greenback as investors expect more hikes in the Federal Reserve’s key rates, which in turn, boosted the US dollar. Citing data from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Bloomberg, the bulletin said the currency that posted the highest appreciation during the said period was China’s renminbi at 23.55 percent followed by Singapore dollar, 21.60 percent; Thailand baht, 19.49 percent; and Taiwan dollar, 8.21 percent. (PNA)

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Wednesday|March 7, 2018

Pursues... from page 1

“During the 1st Plenary S e s s i on of t h e Jap a n P h i l ippi n e s Tr a d e an d Investments Partnership: Updates and Assessment, the Minister of Japan announced $9-billion (B) worth of infrastructure projects for the Philippines under the Phil. Government’s Build, Build, Build Infrastructure Program and the intent of 100 Japanese companies to relocate to South East Asia for real estate development, financing, warehousing, food processing and logistics projects .” In response, Alegrio said the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber) organized two trade missions to Osaka in close coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Cagayan de Oro Trade & Investment Promotion Center (TIPC), and the Misamis Oriental Provincial Planning Office. The Japanese side of the two missions’ itinerar y was arranged by the DTI P h i l i p p i n e Tr a d e a n d Investment Center-Osaka. The first mission led by Oro Chamber President Robertino E. Pizarro last November 21-25, 2017 called on Air Water Inc., a conglomerate with interests in industrial gas, chemical processing, medical equipment, energy, agribusiness and food and logistics which previously expressed interest to explore further the establishment of a logistics hub in Laguindingan through its affiliate Air Water Logistics Co, Ltd., in coordination with Ayala Corporation which owns properties around the airport. A fact-finding team has previously visited Laguindingan to look at the airport expansion and proposed establishment of

a seaport by the Philippine Ports Authority in the area. A i r Wat e r In c . h a s also expressed interest in importing coconut water and coco sap sugar, which are among Northern Mindanao’s chief exports. From Osaka, the mission proceeded to Tokyo where they met Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V, who shared the plan of a Japanese investor to establish an AIC Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City. Pizarro was joined by Ruben Vegafria, Past President and concurrent VP for Trade and Commerce, VP Service Sector Pio Baconga, Trustee Manuel Boniao and Exec. Dir. Chris Ivan Lagapa. The second trade mission last Feb 14-16 was led by Alegrio, also a past president of the Oro Chamber, with VP for Business Support Organizations Irene Floro and Trustee Jessie Co. The group held Businessto-Business (B2B) meetings with four Japanese companies (Sojit Corporation, Hasegawa Ltd., Frigo Co, Ltd., and Kato Transport), visited four institutions (Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Consulate Office, DOT Office, Osaka Wholesale Central Market) and Business Link 291(INTEX Osaka) over the course of the three-day mission. “Overall, the business trip looks promising as we are finalizing plans for the visit of two Japanese firms to Cagayan de Oro , to look into the possibility of establishing an Integrated Cold Chain Facility in Cagayan de Oro,” Alegrio said. “Another of the firms we visited is also interested in setting up a technical service workshop for the maintenance and repair of industrial machineries and equipment for manufacturing and power plants in Mindanao,” she added.

Most industries and power plants in Mindanao are constrained by the lack of technical service providers which can perform maintenance and repair of heavy equipment such as boilers, turbines, compressors, and blast furnaces. There is only one service provider for Japanese heavy equipment but is located at the CALABAR Special Economic Zone. Majority of the medium and large industries in Mindanao have to ship their mechanical parts to Cebu, Laguna or Bulacan. With the presence of 7 coal–fired power plants in Mindanao, and many other diesel, geothermal and hydro power plants, and about 300 manufacturing companies in Mindanao, the need for a highly competent and technical service provider is critical. As a follow-up activity to the two missions, Susumu Saito, Director, International Division Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry suggested the Oro Chamber organize a Trade Road show and B2B meetings for the comprehensive presentation of the potentials and business opportunities in Northern Mindanao. Osaka Chamber has some 35,000 members, mostly SMEs. In addition, Department o f To u r i s m A t t a c h é Leona Nepomuceno also recommended a parallel event in partnership with DOT, the Osaka Chamber of Commerce, and Osaka Investment Office for a tourism trade show to involve businessmen, hotel operators, resorts owners, the City Government of CDO, and Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental to present Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental’s business opportunities in tourism to include testimonials of Japanese investors and tourists and B2B meetings between interested parties.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10TH Juducial Region BRANCH 39 Cagayan de Oro City IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF MR. FRANZ JOSEF WEIS FOR HIS NATURALIZATION AS FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP, AND/OR TO BE ADMITTED A CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES, FRANZ JOSEF WEIS, Petitioner.

FOR: NATURALIZATION

Petitioner, through counsel, filed a verified Petition of Mr. Franz Josef Weis for his Naturalization as Citizenship and/or to be admitted Citizen of the Philippines. In his Petition, Petitioner Franz Josef Weis alleges that he was born on 28 September 1937 at Gerolstein Rheinland – Pfalz, Germany; that he is presently residing at No. 46 Airport, Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City; that he arrived in the Philippines from Germany on 1 May 1992; and that he proposes to introduce the following witnesses in support of his Petition: (1) Atty. Datu A1 Ponciano, resident of 032-B Amparo, Velez St., Apovel Subdivision, Cagayan de Oro City, and (2) Datu Mahusay Isidro R. Ramos, Chieftain, Higa-anon Tribal Association, resident of Nikdao, Baungon. Finding said Petition sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby given due course. This case is set for hearing on 3 April 2019 at 8:30 AM. Let copies of this Notice be published, at the expense of the petitioner, at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in the Official Gazette, and in one of the newspapers of general circulation in Cagayan de Oro City and the Province of the Misamis Oriental. Let copies hereof with the Petition attached be posted at the bulletin boards of the following offices and buildings, to wit: hall of Cagayan de Oro City, Barangay Hall of Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City and this Court. Any person having or claiming any intrest in the aforesaid Petition may, within fifteen (15) days from notice of this Petition, or from the last date of publication of such Notice, file his/her opposition thereto. Petitioner is futher ordered to furnish a copy of this Notice and the Petition to the office of the Solicitor General, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Breau of Immigration. On the date set for hearing, petitioner is directed to submit proofs of publication, posting, and service of the Notice and copy of the Petition as aforestated. SO ORDERED. Cagayan de Oro City, 8 February 2018. (Sgd.) MARITES FILOMENA B. RANA-BERNALES Presding Judge

BWM: Feb. 21, 28 & Mar. 7, 2018

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years or around 2020. But with Rotoras gone, the project will likely take more time before actual construction of structures start, Cultura said. Mindanao Technopark was a planned regional government center and private economic zone inside the spacious 300-hectare property of the USTP in barangay Lourdes, Aluibijid town in Misamis Oriental. In 2017, the Regional Development Council (RDC) here in Northern Mindanao had already recommended it s c re at i on u nd e r t he Northern Mindanao Regional Development Plan 2022. Under the plan, the following agencies should be relocated there – Commission on Audit (COA), Commission on Elections (Comelec), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Commission on Higher Education (Ched), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC). At Capitol, Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano also claimed last year that USTP had expressed interest for the seat of the provincial government to be transferred there considering that Cagayan de Oro City is no longer part of the province. In fact, Emano had already created two public-private partnership committees to explore proposals for the privatization of Capitolowned land in Cagayan de Oro. Aside from transferring its main campus in the area, USTP also has ambitious plans to create a Center for

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10TH Judicial Region Branch 28 Mambajao, Camiguin IN THE MATTER OF PETITION SPECIAL CASE NO. 2018-509 FOR DOMESTIC ADOPTION OF THE MINOR PRECIOUS PAULEEN ANDIG ABECIA

NOTICE OF INITIAL HEARING

Delay...

SPOUSES MICHAEL FRANCIS FITZSIMMONS AND IMELDA IMELDA ABECIAFITZSIMMONS, X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -/

Petitioners,

This is a petition for the adoption of minor Princess Pauleen Andig by petitioners-spouses Michael Francis Fitzsimmons and Imelda Abecia –Fitzsimmons. Finding the petition in form and substance, the same is hereby given due course. Let the hearing be set on MARCH 23, 2018 at 8:30AM. At the expense of the petitioners, let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of camiguin. The Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Region 10, Cagayan de Oro City, is directed to assign a Social Welfire Officer to conduct a home and child study on the adopting parents, the natural parents and the child to be adopted, including the conduct of counseling sessions with the biological parents of the child to be adopted. The report thereof shall be submitted to the court within sixty (60) days from receipt of this Order. Petitoner is likewise directed to make arrangements with the assigned Social Welfare Officer for the scheduling and incidental expenses in conducting the case study. The petitioners are futher directed to furnish copies of this Order and the petition to the Local Civil Register of Butuan City, the Office of the Solicitor General and Provicial Prosecutor of Camiguin. SO ORDERED. January 26, 2018 at Mambajao, Camiguin.

BWM: Feb. 21, 28 & Mar. 7, 2018

Budget... from page 1

MinDA Chair Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto said the appeal for higher budget is for Mindanao to catch up with the Dutertenomics target of boosting the islandregion’s economy by seven to eight percent, and reducing poverty to 20 percent by year 2022. A l ont o s a i d b u d g e t increase is focused on the prioritization of sustainable infrastructure development to support industries, the small medium enterprises, and other projects to bring down poverty. Among t he proj e c ts included in the budget are the priority projects under the Mindanao Development Corridors (MinD C) amounting to PHP603 billion. These are the Trans-Mindanao Highspeed Railway System, Land Transport Connectivity and the Mindanao gateways –

ports, airports. MinDA is also pushing for the Tawi-Tawi Freeport and Economic Zone, the Picong Freeport, Airport, and Industrial Estate, and the establishment of AgriEconomic Cooperative Zones in the Bangsamoro areas to address food security. Mindanao Budget MinDA, which is the lead agency for socio-economic development, has already submitted a position paper on the allocation of equitable budget share for Mindanao in which it emphasized on the importance of public investment vis-à-vis to sustainable development. It also cited a World Bank study stating that in order to ease infrastructure constraints, the country needs to increase infrastructure investments to at least five percent of its GDP. According to Alonto, Mindanao has been receiving on the average 11.45 percent of the total budget of the country over the past years. He said this is less than Mindanao’s contribution to the economy, which stands at an average of 15.29 percent from 2007-2018. “We have all the potentials here – we are the source of food and industrial raw materials of the country. Building roads, upgrading ports and airports, and establishing economic zones are the key to unlocking Mindanao’s potentials,” Alonto said. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)

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https://www.facebook.com/BusinessWeek.Mindanao Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10TH Judicial Region Branch 41 Cagayan de Oro City RURAL BANK OF INITAO EJF NO. 2018-433 (MISAMIS ORIENTAL),INC., Petitioner-Mortgagee, FOR : -versus- EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECELOSRE REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE ROSARIO MARQUEZ LAS PIÑAS, Respondents-Mortgagors. X-----------------------/ NOTICES OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

ORDER

Food Security, Technology and Business Incubation, Manufacturing and Industries Au t o m a t i o n C e n t e r, Entrerpreneurial Technology Center and Center for Energy Security there, according to Cultura. Three of these centers will have a soft launch this Thursday during an Innovation Summit hosted by the university at its Cagayan de Oro campus. B ut w it h R ot or a s’ assassination in 2017, the edifices though have to wait.

(Sgd.) NANNETTE MICHOTE E. LAO Presiding Judge

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act No. 3135/4118 filed by RURAL BANK OF INITAO (MISAMIS ORIENTAL),INC., against ROSARIO MARQUEZ LAS PIÑAS, a resident of Cagayan de Oro City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of January 31, 2018 amounts to TWO MILLION THREE HUNDRED THIRTY FOUR THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE PESOS AND 76/100(P2,334,145.76), Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest, penalties and other charges as shown in the Statement of Account The undersigned or his duly authorized deputy wil sell at public auction on April 20, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at the main entrance of this Court, Regional Trial Court, Branch 41, Goldridge Bldg. Masterson Ave. Cor. PNR Sr. Ave. Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidders, for cash or manager’s check and in Philippine Currency, the following personal properties, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-90431 A Parcel of Land (Lot-20, Blk-22, of the Cons. Subd. plan, Pcs-10-0012007, being a portion of Lot 1 & 3, Pcs-104305-001147. situated in the Barangay of Carmen, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE (185) SQUARE METERS, more or less. including all improvements existing and to be constructed/erected thereon. All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated date, time and place. In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date for whatever reason, the same will proceed on the following working day, without further notice, posting and publication. Prospective buyers may investigate for themselves the property herein-above described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be. Cagayan de Oro City, February 20, 2018. BWM: Feb. 28, Mar. 7 & 14, 2018

(Sgd.) ALDEN V. SAMBAAN Sheriff IV

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Grade 8 & 9 Students Public Schools in Mambajao join Consumer Forum DTI- Camiguin Provincial Office conducted Information and Education Campaign to selected Grade 8 & 9 students in four schools in the municipality of Mambajao, namely: Tupsan National High School, Mambajao National High School, Kuguita Integrated School and Mambajao National High School. It is a half day activity and was conducted last February 21-22, 2018. The focus of the information and education campaign is to inform consumers at an early age of their rights so that consumer laws and regulations

gets implemented accordingly. The forum is also timely for students to prepare on one of the highlights of the consumer month celebration observed every October, that is the

Consumer Quiz for high School students. Consumer month celebration reminds us how important consumers and their vulnerabilities in the market place. The activity was spearheaded by the

Consumer Protection Division (CPD) of DTI to emphasize on the importance of consumer protection and consumer empowerment among the youth. As consumers, we have the right to basic and

prime commodities at affordable prices and of good quality, to be protected against the marketing of goods or the provision of services that are hazardous to health and life, to be protected

against dishonest or misleading advertising or labeling, and to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services, among others.