BusinessWeek Mindanao (May 16, 2014)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO Best in Business and Economic Reporting Philippine Press Institute Civic Journalism Community Press Awards 2013

Volume IV, No. 102

Market Indicators

As of 5:47 pm may 15, 2014 (Thursday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P43.66

6,849.33 points

X

31.11 points

X

11 cents

Briefly Just compensation

Friday | May 16, 2014

D

THE Cagayan de Oro City Council committee on finance and ways and means chaired by Councilor President Elipe referred the payment of just compensation for the lot owners, whose properties were affected by the existing NVPAS-Dacudao road concreting project in Barangay Lapasan to the committee on laws and rules chaired by Councilor Ramon Tabor for appropriate action.

The amount will be taken from the current appropriation “Nonoffice: Land Acquisition/ Expropriation,” as indorsed by the Local Finance Committee with Certificate of Availability of Funds (CAF).

These were favorably endorsed by the committee on subdivision and landed estate chaired by Councilor Alexander Dacer.

By MYRNA VELASCO, Contributor

EEPER trench interconnection for Visayas and Mindanao grids via Leyte will bloat project cost, thus, transmission firm National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is undertaking an alternative feasibility study before reaching decision point by year-end.

The installation of submarine cable for the Leyte-Mindanao Interconnection Project (LMIP) may require trench plunge of as deep as 34 kilometers, according to Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla.

The downside to that, he said, is skyscraping probability of project cost swell to P34 billion from what was initially estimated at P24 billion to P25 billion.

“The deepest that LMIP will reach is 34 kilometers… that is the most

challenging and the cost will be about P34 billion,” the energy chief stressed.

But rather than be in a huff over inflated project cost, NGCP opted to push forward an alternative feasibility study on interconnecting the two grids – the other one being the Negros-Zamboanga Interconnection Project (NZIP).

“NGCP is doing another study…its Negros to Zamboanga… once they finish that on December 31, a quick decision will be made whether it shall be done bloat/PAGE 7

Hedcor launches 13.6-MW hydropower plants in Davao

By LILIAN C. MELLEJOR, Philippine News Agency

El Nino “LET us be on the guard to any calamity,” says Regional Director Lealyn A. Ramos of the Department of Agriculture, Regional Field Office 10 as she encouraged the farmers, the public and the agri-stakeholders to be prepared for the onslaught of long dry season.

The DA in coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs) in Northern Mindanao has prepared mitigating measures to abate the effects of the long dry season to agriculture sector.

DA has put in place irrigation projects like small water impounding projects (SWIP), pressurized irrigation system (PIS), water pumps and shallow tube wells (STW) to ensure that it is already operational when there is a need such as this time.

P15.00

Deep trench to bloat Vis-Min link-up cost www.businessweekmindanao.com

FARMERS’ PATRON SAINT. A devotee in Malaybalay City wipes a cloth on the statue of San Isidro Labrador during the feast of the city’s patron saint yesterday, May 15. mindanews photo by h . marcos c . mordeno

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur -– Hedcor of Aboitiz Power launched on Tuesday its 13.6-megawatt (MW) Tudaya hydropower plants in Barangays Sibulan and Astorga, marking their full operation to supply Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) and Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Dasureco) with clean and renewable energy.

The two run-of-river hydropower plants were constructed in 2012 with a total investment of almost P2.4 billion.

While the full operation of Tudaya plants came in time when Davao City is experiencing long blackouts, consumers in Davao City have no reason to rejoice yet because the additional capacity will hedcor/PAGE 7

10-hour daily rotating brownout in CDO bared

By CRIS DIAZ of Mindanao Daily News

THE Cagayan De Oro Electric Power and Light Company (CEPALCO) on Thursday released a new rotating

power outage schedule in this trading hub of Northern Mindanao starting May 15 bared/PAGE 7

CAGAYAN SUNSET. The setting sun of summer provides a picturesque view of the Cagayan de Oro River. mindanews photo by erwin mascarinas

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Economy

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Raising tax exemption ceiling of gov’t DOH raises ‘red flag’ vs HIV in Northern Mindanao workers will improve the economy

By RUTCHIE CABAHUG-AGUHOB, Contributor

TANGUB City -- Raising the tax exemption ceiling of government workers to P60,000 from the present

P30,000, will improve the economy.

This is because it will increase their take-home

pay and their disposable income, as well, as encourage desirable activities, such as, home ownership and purchase of other necessities, t hus i nc re as i ng mone y circulation that further drives the economy in their areas.

These reactions came from Atty. Philip T. Tan, t he Cit y Mayor, to t he proposal of increasing the tax exemption to P60,000, which Malacañang said was under study prior to this year’s celebration of Labor Day, last May 1.

Ta n s a i d t h at s i n c e t h e i mpl e m e nt at i on of Republic Act No. 8424, “An Ac t Amending t he National Internal Revenue Code, As Amended and for Other Purposes,” otherwise known as the “Tax Reform Act of 1997” in Januar y

1998, the purchasing power of the peso has declined.

In region 10, particularly, the peso in 2011 could only buy P0.57-worth of goods and ser vices, base year 2000=100, which was lower than the national average of P0.58.

While the average family income of Filipinos increased by five percent, from 1997 to 2009, the average expenditure also increased by 11 percent, during the period, effectively reducing the net savings by 20 percent.

Considering the continuing erosion of the purchasing power of the peso, and anticipating a c ont i nu i ng i nc re as e i n pr ices of commo dit ies, increasing the tax exemption ceiling is just fair and reasonable, Tan added.

OFFICIALS of the Department of Health (DOH) in Northern Mindanao on Thursday raised the “red flag” over what they see as an alarming upsurge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the region.

Dr. Evelyn Magsayo, DOH regional HIV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) program manager, said the regional he a lt h dep ar t ment has diagnosed 30 new HIVpositive patients during the first quarter of this year.

Magsayo said that eight of the HIV positive patients came from Cagayan De Oro City while the remaining 22 are from the other cities and provinces of Northern Mindanao.

According to Magsayo, her office has recorded an increase of about 50 percent of HIV-AIDS cases in Northern Mindanao since 2012.

The Northern Mindanao region is comprised of the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon and Camiguin Island as well as eight cities with Cagayan De Oro City as the regional trading hub.

Ac c o r d i n g t o D O H records, the number of HIVAIDS cases were only 40 in 2012.

However, the number rose to 85 cases in 2013 or an increase of over 50 percent.

“On an annual patient count, the number of cases is still considered minimal.

However, an annual increase of about 50 percent is certainly alarming,” Magsayo told local media.

Magsayo urged those who have doubts of contracting HIV to immediately seek medical assistance since detecting the HIV virus at an early stage could still be doh/PAGE 7

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CorporateWorld

New stores, acquisitions boost Robinsons income THE ret ail arm of the Gokongwei family posted higher earnings in the first three months of the year, driven by new store openings, acquisitions and modest same-store sales growth.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc said its core profit, which excludes the equitized earnings from Robinsons Bank and interest income, rose 15.20 percent year-onyear to P530 million in the January to March period.

Including the equitized earnings of Robinsons Bank, the retail company’s net income grew at a slower pace of 2.4 percent to P643 million. The lender posted trading losses during the period compared to the hefty trading gains in the prior year.

Consolidated net sales went up by 16.1 percent to P17.43 billion from P15.01 billion in the prior year driven by new store openings, a 2.4 percent increase in same-store sales and the acquisition of the six-store EZ Supermarket chain, threestore Jaynith’s supermarket chain, eight Shiseido stores and two Benefit cosmetics stores.

Robinsons Retail closed the quarter with a network of 1,145 stores after adding 222 outlets from April 2013 to March 2014. This translates to an 18.8 percent year-on-year growth in gross floor area to approximately 800,000 square meters.

Robinsons Supermarket was the biggest contributor to sales, accounting for

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BusinessWeek MINDANAO Best in Business and Economic Reporting Philippine Press Institute Civic Journalism Community Press Awards 2013

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half of the total in the first quarter. The department stores contributed 16 percent, while the share of the Do-ItYourself (DIY) stores stood at 11 percent. South Star Drug accounted for a tenth of sales, specialty stores at eight percent and convenience store Ministop at six percent.

Same-store sales rose 2.4 percent in the three-month period, within the company’s target range of between two to three percent. Same-store sales of the supermarket segment grew at 3.5 percent, the DIY segment at 7.6

percent and South Star Drug at 6.2 percent.

“I am pleased with the first quarter performance of Robinsons Retail especially on the exceptional performance of Robinsons Supermarket, South Star Drug and our DIY formats. The pressure on our operating expenses should stabilize for the remainder of the year,” said Robinsons Retail president and chief operating officer Robina Gokongwei-Pe. Margins dropped to 4.3 percent from 4.4 percent on the back of extraordinary

expenses as a result of the c ar r y - ove r e f fe c t f rom Typhoon Yolanda, which included the shortage of container vans, prompting the company to use more expensive routes to deliver merchandise. Likewise, the truck ban imposed in Manila resulted in an increase in freight cost.

Robinsons Retail operates 10 retail formats under six business s eg ments: supermarkets, department stores, DIY stores convenience store s , d r u g store s and specialty stores.

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As his administration values common good for his people, Governor Emano vows to provide better service.

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Puregold’s Q1 gain slips, but sales rise in low teens PUREGOLD Price Club Inc suffered a drop in first quarter earnings despite a doubledigit expansion in sales.

In a regulatory filing on Thursday, the Lucio Co-led retailer said its consolidated net income slipped 1.9 percent to P943 million in the January to March period from P962 million in the same three months of last year.

Puregold blamed the profit drop on higher interest income realized in the prior year, coming from the shortterm investment of P5 billion corporate bonds issued by the company. The debt was pre-terminated and paid in full in April 2013.

New stores opened last year pushed consolidated net sales by 14.2 percent to P18.39 billion in the January to March period from P16.09 billion in the same three months of 2013.

The supermarket operator expects sales to grow by a puregold/PAGE 7

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Opinion

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6 Critical Questions You MUST Ask Before Starting A New Business

I

n this first issue, we will discuss what needs to happen before you start building your business. I’ve learned that it’s best to test the waters before you start swimming.

In this discussion, I’m going to help you analyze your market potential, to help determine whether your idea is good enough to succeed.

So before you become he av i ly investe d in an untested idea, here are some great questions you need to ask yourself…

1. Is there demand for your product or service?

Demand is the ability and willingness to buy a particular commodity. To determine whether there is significant demand, listen to what people have to say about your item. Buyers have a tendency to say what they think you want to hear, especially if they’re getting paid for their advice, so try conducting a marketing survey through a pay-percl i ck c amp ai g n . Us i ng sponsored ads, you can lead interested people to complete

Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com

L

Member: Philippine Press Institute

Wearing Masks

T

hink a minute…Have you ever pretended to be something you’re not? Maybe you did it to impress or please somebody. But the longer we act like someone we’re not, the better we get at it. We can even get so good at it that we actually fool ourselves and forget who we really are! It’s sad that the more we hide our real self the more lonely and unsure of ourselves we become.

What mask d o you sometimes wear? What kind of person do you pretend to be? Do you act strong and tough, so people won’t know that inside you sometimes feel weak, even afraid? Or do you wear the mask that says you’re a good religious person, even though in your heart you know you’re dishonest and sometimes lie or cheat other people of their money. Maybe you wear the funny joker and life-of-the-party mask. You feel like you always need to make a joke of everything so others will laugh and not know how lonely and unhappy you really are inside.

There are many people who get drunk or take drugs because they’re tired of wearing their mask. And it’s only after some drugs or drinks that they feel free to take their mask off and stop acting like something they’re not. Some of them are actually desperate and lonely.

They’re looking for real love

THINK

A Minute

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst

and acceptance, in spite of the bad things they’ve done and who they really are inside.

But it doesn’t matter what you’ve done, you can never shock Jesus Christ. With Him you can be your real self. The person you really are under your mask. Real Christians will love and accept you, even though they may not approve of everything you do. They won’t be shocked by anything you’ve done because some of them used to do those things too, before Jesus forgave them and gave them the power to change. So won’t you be honest with yourself and ask Jesus to forgive you for your past wrongs. Jesus will accept you just the way you are, but He won’t leave you that way. He will also free and help you to start changing to reach your potential and become the person He created you to be. Just Think a Minute…

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a short survey and qualify for a free report, excerpt, sample, or other privileges relating to your product/ service when it becomes available. This will enable you to build an email list of prospects who would opt to receive updates.

2. Where can you find potential customers?

You must be able to locate your prospects when you’re ready to launch. By identifying niche groups and loyal purchasers, you can easily locate potential buyers in centralized areas, such as discussion groups, organizations, or clubs. To hear what people have to say about your idea, find them in their chat rooms, Facebook pages, or other common interest groups and contact them. It’s easier to solicit opinions when you’re not selling anything yet.

3. Is your target market spending money?

We’ve talked a bit about demand—and the fact that your target customers must be able to pay a certain amount for your product. Target a

group that has disposable income, and is willing to part with their money in exchange for the product or service they want. Don’t expect college students to spend money on retirement annuities.

4. Is it possible to focus on a niche?

Focusing on a niche market a much more effective way to market your business, rather than casting a wide net. A well-defined target market will attract greater interest than a less defined one. People are not interested in “one size fits all” products—they want items and solutions that distinctly apply to them.

5. How should I appeal to my target market?

This w i l l deter mine what marketing strategy you need to use to make your market more responsive to your campaign. How do you determine that? By conducting market research NOW. Analyze your customer demographics so you can more precisely define your ideal prospect. More

Bob Bare

importantly, you should have an idea of your target market’s competition. Identify your competitors and determine how you can differentiate yourself from them.

6. Is this good timing?

Remember that it’s just as dangerous to be too early as it is to be late. Find out if your concept is marketable now or if you should wait awhile. With the right timing, even a poorly run business can succeed. You’ll know the timing is perfect if your business can still prosper and make money during tough economic times.

More Power to you!

Obstruction Of Justice In Pork Row

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…`I will make mere youths their officials; children will r ule over them… Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path’…

(Isaiah 3:4, 12, the Holy Bible).

-ooo O B S T RU C T I O N O F JUSTICE IN PORK ROW: The facts, gathered from media reports: as early May 2013, the digital files of Benhur Luy containing the names of 25 senators (15 incumbent and 10 no longer active), and 100 or so congressmen, and the other public officials alleged to have participated in the P10 billion pork barrel scam had already been submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the D e p ar t m e nt of Ju s t i c e (D OJ), and presumably even to President Aquino.

Then, the same digital files were also submitted to Ombudsman Conchita Car pio Morales, in the course of the preliminary investigation of the scam.

However, for reasons known only to them, it would appear that the NBI, the DOJ, President Aquino, and the Ombudsman chose to focus their attention only on t h re e s e n at or s an d around five congressmen in their proceedings, totally preventing the prosecution of the other senators and congressmen named therein.

Now, here is the law: Presidential Decree 1829, or the act “Penalizing the

Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders”, Section 1 of which says: “The penalty of prision correccional in its maximum period, or a fine ranging from 1,000 to 6,000 pesos, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who knowingly or willfully obstructs, impedes, frustrates or delays the apprehension of suspects and the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases…”

-ooo WHY WERE OTHER SENATORS NOT PROSECUTED? Prision correccional is a penalty of imprisonment which, under the Revised Penal Code, carries a maximum detention of 12 years. In addition, PD 1829, a decree issued by then former President Marcos in 1981, also imposes this punishment: “If any of the foregoing acts is committed by a public official or employee, he shall in addition to the penalties provided thereunder, suffer perpetual disqualification from holding public office…”

Sp e cif ica l ly, S e c t ion 1 (b) of PD 1829 defines “obstruction justice” this way: “… altering, destroying, suppressing or concealing any paper, record, document, or object, with intent to impair its verity, authenticity, legibility, availability, or admissibility as evidence in any investigation of or official proceedings in, criminal cases, or to be used in the investigation of, or official proceedings in, criminal cases…”

I am br ing ing t hes e matters out here, so the people can judge by themselves: was there an obstruction of justice by the President, Secretar y De Lima, by the NBI and

by Ombudsman Morales, in not prosecuting the 22 other senators and 100 or so other congressmen who were named in the Benhur Luy files which, it appears now, was part of the evidence submitted in the P10 billion pork barrel scam as early as 2013?

-ooo BETRAYAL OF PUBLIC TRUST? And, does this not constitute “betrayal of public trust” on the part of President Aquino under the 1987 Constitution--the so-called Cory Aquino C onstitution because it was enacted during the pre s i d e n c y of h i s ow n mother? I mean, if the present President Aquino had been in possession of the Benhur Luy files as early as 2013 but chose to remain silent about it, did he not violate his duty to prosecute crimes or expose them at the very least?

-ooo 2016 IS ROOT OF P OR K PROBE : T h is is the reason why I cannot blame Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. when they say that their indictment by the Ombudsman for the P10 billion scam was politically motivated. After all, if the entire Aquino government, conspiring with the Ombudsman, chose to prosecute only the three of

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

By Atty. Batas Mauricio

them, ignoring all the rest who are Aquino’s allies, politics should be behind this.

The only evident intent here, really, is to decapitate, as it were, Enrile, Jinggoy, and Revilla from mounting a serious challenge to the presidential candidate of Aquino in 2016. Obviously, all these brouhaha about the pork barrel scam was meant as a political ploy to ensure the election of Aquino’s candidate, so he can be assured that the fate of two former presidents--being jailed after their terms---will not happen to him.

-ooo REMINDERS: Please tune in: “Tambalang Batas at Somintac sa DZEC”, at 1062 kHz on the AM band, Mondays to Fridays, at 6 a.m.; “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas sa Radyo Trabungko FM”, at 103.7 mHz in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, Mondays to Fridays, at 7 a.m.; and “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas sa DYKA” at 801 kHz on the AM band (Panay Island), Mondays to Fridays, at 10 a.m.

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Banking&Finance

Remittances sustain above-target growth in 1Q REMITTANCES accelerated at the close of the first quarter, allowing the year-to-date inflows to grow above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) target for the entire year.

In a statement, the BSP said the country received $2.1 billion in personal remittances last March, a 6.9 percent growth from the $1.9 billion worth of transfers in the same month last year.

Last March’s growth was faster than the six percent in February, arresting the slowdown that began last January, and bringing the first-quarter increase to 6.6 percent year-on-year.

For the entire 2014, the BSP forecast remittances to grow by five percent from the $25.3 billion last year.

Money sent home by overseas Filipino workers has helped fuel consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of the Philippine economy.

C ount ing on ly cash remittances coursed through banks, growth also accelerated to 6.5 percent in March from 5.6 percent the previous month. Year-to-date cash remittances increased by six percent from last year.

“Robust cash transfers in the first quarter of 2014

were supported by sustained demand for skilled Filipino manpower,” the BSP said.

“Likewise, the continued expansion of the network of banks and non-bank service providers and innovations in financial products in the remittance market have facilitated the wider capture of fund transfers through formal channels,” the central bank said.

Cash remittances from sea-based workers rose the fastest at 10.9 percent to $1.4 billion, whereas money sent home by land-based workers climbed 4.5 percent to $4.1 billion.

Most remittances during the period were from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong, according to the central bank.

Moving forward, the BSP expects to sustain remittance flows as the Philippine O v e r s e a s E mp l oy m e nt Administration (POEA) approved 239,022 job orders in the first quarter, of which a fourth were for service, production, professional, technical and related workers for Saudi Arabia, UAE, Taiwan, Kuwait and Qatar.

Banking units drag down SM’s Q1 net income HENRY Sy’s listed holding company suffered a doubledigit drop in earnings in the first three months of the year in the absence of hefty trading gains.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, SM Investments Corp said its net income fell 16 percent to P6.23 billion in the January to March period from P7.42

billion in the same three months of last year.

Excluding the exceptional trading gains in the banking business in 2013, SM’s net income grew 11 percent from P5.61 billion last year. The group’s banking units include BDO and China Bank.

Banks accounted for the largest share of SM’s consolidated net income at

41 percent of the total. The property business contributed 40 percent while the share of retail stood at nine percent.

Despite the first-quarter weakness, SM chief financial officer Jose Sio said the conglomerate will end the year in growth mode, as BDO posts higher interest income and significant loan growth that will offset the absence

of trading gains.

“Depending on actual results of the property and banks, it will be in the lower single digit but still positive,” Sio said, referring to this year’s earnings growth.

Consolidated revenues inched up six percent to P60.40 billion in the threemonth period from P56.84 banking/PAGE 6

VG JOEY G. PELAEZ OPPOSES MORESCO II BID TO APPROVE PROPOSED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND TO INCREASE POWER RATES

(MORESCO II failed to fully and clearly explain CAPEX before general assembly) When all others have spoken and no one else explained the painful implications of the proposals of the Board of Directors of MORESCO II, Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez of the Province of Misamis Oriental stood for the interest of the member-consumers during the recent General Assembly opposing the move to increase its power rates.

Vice Governor Pelaez, along with Provincial Board Members Benedict Lagbas, Atty. Vincent K. Pelaez and Virgelia Dumadag, led the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in explaining to the memberconsumers what the leadership of MORESCO II is not telling them. Incidentally, they were not invited by MORESCO II but went on their own as elected officials of the province and they sat with and among the memberconsumers.

While opposing the power rate increase, Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez is also not in favor of the proposed capital expenditures (CAPEX) of MORESCO II which its leadership hastily presented and was approved by the member-consumers present without fully understanding its implications – to which he readily stood up to explain

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friday|may 16, 2014

OROBANKERS DIRECTORIES CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

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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

CM Recto Ave. Lapasan, Cdoc, 8563991/727731

BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK RER kauswagan,HW Cdoc 8573733 /722519 BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK Gaston Park Cdoc | 8801518 BPI – LAPASAN Cm Recto HW Lapasan Cdoc 724076/ 8524602

PHILTRUST BANK Ramonal OsmeñaSt. CDO 8807234/2316694/2316695 PNB- CORRALES Corrales Avenue Cdoc | 729500 / 729723 PNB- LKK MALL NORTH CONCOURSE

LKK Mall N.Concourse Cdoc 8574149/8575682

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

PS BANK Velez Corner A. Mabini St., Cdoc 8574183/725184

BPI- COGON Osmeña St. Cdoc 8571297/8571298

PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK Tiano-Abejuela St. Cdoc 722644/8573386

CHINA BANK –GAISANO 745887/745880

QUEEN CITY DEVELOPMENT BANK, INC. Sacred Heart Mont. Cm RectoAve., Cdoc 8562390

CHINA BANK- JR BORJA JR Borja St. Cdoc 8572212/8573274 CHINA BANK- LAPASAN CM Recto Lapasan HW Cdoc 8561325 /722240

CHINATRUST Suite U&5 G/LGateway Tower Lapasan Lkk Cdoc 8521846/8521844 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK HW. Lapasan Cdoc | 8564201/ 8564201 D’ASIAN HILLS BANK Vamenta Carmen Sts. Cdoc | 8585366

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.

#58 Tiano FernandezSt.CDO 727215/ 8563552 *805

DBP – CORRALES Corrales Ave., St. Cdoc | 8572087/722649

SECURITY BANK- OSMEÑA Osmeña St. Cdoc | 8563965/ 723411/728774

DBP – CAPISTRANO JR Borja Capistrano St. Cdoc 8567776/722819

SECURITY BANK- LKK Limketkai | 8801258/8801625

EAST WEST BANK #5 Juan Sia Bldg. Apolinar Velez St.Cdoc 8578801/720081 EAST WEST BANK Cogon De Oro Constraction Bldg. LKK Drive 8500339/8500331

When asked again if they will approve the proposed CAPEX subsequently after it was explained to them by Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez, member-consumers present shouted with a resounding disapproval. It was about this time when Atty. Miguel Paderanga, Councilor of Gingoog City and at the same time lawyer for MORESCO II, who was not the presiding pelaez/PAGE 6

Tiano Bros St. Cdoc | 727083 /727082

BPI – CAPISTRANO Capistrano St. Cdoc 8574264/8574263

CITY SAVINGS BANK TS Fashion Ave.Justo Ramonal Corner St.Cdoc 2316060/ 2316059

proposal,” Vice Governor Pelaez expresses.

A c c o r d i n g t o Vi c e G over nor Pelae z, once the CAPEX is approved, MORESCO II will use this approval to apply for a loan in the amount of PhP120 Million which is the CAPEX. Payment for this loan will be passed on, included in the monthly billing, and paid by the member-consumers eventually.

PLANTERS DEVELOPMENT BANK

BPI- VELEZ Velez-JR Borja St.Cdoc 8564213/722406

CHINA BANK – DIVISORIA RN Abejuela St. Divosoria Cdoc 8575759/722641

what is CAPEX and how it works.

“This proposed capital expenditures or CAPEX in the amount of PhP120 Million should be explained completely to the member-consumers. When MORESCO II did not tell the member-consumers of the sorry implication of the proposed CAPEX before its approval, there is in effect no valid approval of the

PBCOM Tiano-HayesSt. Cdoc | 726519/8571558

PHILIPPINE POSTAL SAVINGS BANK, INC. bels_domingo@yahoo.com.ph Rizal Chavez Cdoc 8572194/725438

CHINA BANK – CARMEN Max Suniel, Cor. Yakal St. Cdoc 8583903/723091

MISAMIS ORIENTAL – VICE GOVERNOR JOEY PELAEZ stood up to explain what is CAPEX and how it works during the recent General Assembly of MORESCO II.

5

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

SECURITY BANK- VELEZ Velez Montalvan St., Cdoc | 728334/856632 STERLING BANK OF ASIA Tiano Velez St. CDO | 8528171/8528168 UCPB BANK- LAPASAN Osmeña Corner Lkk Drive, Cdoc 85771842/ 725135 UCPB BANK- VELEZ Velez Corner C. Pacana St. CDO 8564474/8564527 UCPB BANK SAVINGS-CAPISTRANO

Capistrano Corner CruzTaal St. CDO 8524099/722695

UCPB BANK SAVINGS- OPOL Gf forever Books Bldg.Bulua National CDO 754519/8588063 UNION BANK Lapasan Cm.Recto Cdoc | 8566847/8563805 WEALTHBANK Velez Gomez St. Cdoc | 8568942/722174 1ST VALLEY BANK Vamenta Blvd. CornerLirio St. Carmen, Cdoc 8501871/ 8584146 OROBANKERS CLUB Inc. Pnb Carmen | 09151850242

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FIBECO’S 42ND FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATION

By Mildred B. Torrejas

FIBECO celebrate their 42nd Foundation day with the employees ,Board of Directors,Gen. Manager Engr. Renato Cortezano and the invited guest. Last May 13, 2014 at Anahawon, Maramag Bukidnon with the theme “In FIBECO we

are a T.E.A.M. for Together Everyone Achieves More” activities start 8:00 in the morning with the T han k s g iv i ng Mass at Fibeco Covered court fol lowe d by Motorc ade Around Pblacion,Maramag @ 9:30 in t he morning

after the motorcade the simultaneous games start open by the General Manager Engr. Renato Cortezano Games are all Pinoy Games Banner Raising, Tug of War,Maria went to Town, Bagol Relay,karang Relay,Takyan Relay,Bakya Relay,Patentero,Walkathon Relay,Sepak Takraw,Dampa

Relay Kaliring Ligid Relay and Water Relay. Af ter the games Culmination of Activitiesfollowed at FIBECO Main Office Covered Court with Dress code Male: wear Barong / Camisa de Chino/Pinoy Att i re an d Fe m a l e s : Filipiniana/Kimona/Pinoy Attire.

42 BALOONS RELEASE BY THE EMPLOYEES ,Board of directors and GM Engr. Renato Cortezano

KARANG RELAY GM ENGR. Renato Cortezano

WATER RELAY

KALIRING LIGID RELAY

Banks borrow less from BSP facility LOANS taken out of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) peso rediscount facility continued to decline as of last month from year-ago levels, latest available data showed.

The BSP, in a statement, yesterday said banks borrowed P572 million from the peso rediscount facility in the first four months of the year, 95.5% less than the P12.678 billion recorded in the comparable 2013 period.

The rediscount facility allows banks to borrow from the central bank to meet short-term liquidity needs, using their clients’ promissory notes as collateral.

Only thrift and rural banks tapp ed the p es o rediscount facility in the January-April period, the central bank said.

Of the availments, 79.8% went to commercial credits and 3.3% went to agricultural and industrial credits. The remaining 16.9% went to

GM ENGR. Renato Cortezano FORMALLY OPEN THE GAMES

BAKYA RELAY

other credits consisting of permanent working capital (7.4%), other services (5.9%), capital expenditures (1.8%) and housing (1.8%).

Under the central bank’s Exporters Dollar and Yen Rediscount Facility (EDYRF), meanwhile, one universal bank and one thrift bank availed of $3.8 million during the period, which the BSP said benefitted two exporters.

This was 94.7% lower compared to the $52.4 million granted in the first four months last year.

T h e re w a s n o y e n denominated availment under the EDYRF in JanuaryApril.

The central bank also said that rediscount rates applicable on loan availments t h i s m ont h u n d e r t h e Rediscounting Window I -- dedicated for universal and commercial banks -- were 5.625% for 30-day loans, 5.6875% for 90-day loans

and 5.75% for 180-day loans.

Rediscount rates in the Rediscounting Window II -- for thrift, rural and cooperative banks -- are 3.5% for 30- and 90-day loans, 3.5625% for six-month loans and 3.625% for 360-day loans.

Rates under the dollar re d is c ou nt f a c i l it y are 2.22335% for loans with a tenor of one to 90 days; 2.28585% for 91-180 day loans and 2.34835% for 181360-day loans.

Yi e l d s i n t h e ye n r e d i s c o u n t f a c i l i t y, meanwhile, are: 2.135% for one to 90-day loans, 2.1975% for 91-180 day loans and 2.26% for 181-360-day loans.

Rates under the EDYRF are based on the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate -the average interest rate held by top banks in London and used as a benchmark for the rest of the world -- plus 200 basis points as of end-April.

“Business is never so healthy as when, like a chicken, it must do a certain amount of scratching around for what it gets.” ~Henry Ford

Banking... from page 5

billion in 2013. Stripping off one-time gains, underlying revenues went up by 12 percent from P53.71 last year.

“We are pleased with our performance in the first quarter, having delivered double-digit underlying top and bottom line growth,” SM president Harley T. Sy said.

“Retail started the year with strong revenue growth even as the intensifying competition puts pressure on margins. The newly formed property group has begun operating as a more cohesive integrated unit, and the banks continue to deliver strong profit growth. The environment will continue to be challenging, but we are focused on strengthening our core businesses to build our markets,” he added.

At end-March, SM Retail sales grew 16 percent to P42.2 billion, translating to a net income of P1.2 billion and a net margin of three percent.

SM Retail opened four new stores during the period, bringing the total to 245, consisting of 48 SM Stores, 39 SM Supermarkets, 40 SM Hypermarkets , 96 Savemore stores and 22 WalterMart stores.

SM Prime Holdings Inc, the conglomerate’s property arm, posted a consolidated net income of P4.58 billion during the period, 11 percent higher than the P4.11 billion in 2013 on the strength of its

shopping mall business.

The residential business registered flat reservation sales at P7.1 billion after selling 3,000 units in the first quarter.

BDO’s earnings dropped 45 percent to P5.5 billion from P10 billion a year ago. The lender set a profit guidance of P22.8 billion this year, a percent higher than the P22.6 billion posted in 2013.

Pelaez... from page 5

officer during the general assembly, declared the Vice G ov e r n or out - of - ord e r for not being a memberconsumer and a rabblerouser. It will be recalled, however, that in the early par t of the ass embly it was manifested that only member-consumers and ele c te d publi c of f i ci a ls are allowed to speak. Vice

READ!

Governor Pelaez attended the activity as the elected Vice Governor of the province.

It will be recalled that in 2013, the Board of Directors of MORESCO II asked the General Assembly to approve PhP488,530,286.00 worth of CAPEX with an effective pass-on rate of PhP0.45/ KWH. “ This staggering amount will again be the burden of the memberconsumers who are already suffering from the effects of high electricity rates,” Vice Governor Pelaez worries.

During the general assembly, Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez also challenged the officials and members of the Board of Directors of MORESCO II to implement a significant reduction of their allowances, perks and other privileges as a show of solidarity with the suffering member-consumers.

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Bloat... from page 1

via Leyte or in Negros,” he stressed.

The targeted completion timeframe is still within four years, or by 2018 as was also laid down earlier by the concessionaire of the country’s transmission assets.

T h e D e p a r t m e nt of Energy (DOE) indicated that based on the system study of NGCP, it has been under t a k ing “te chnica l analysis of possible routes and alternative connection schemes” for the reciprocal connection of the two grids.

The realization of the LMIP or the option project will fulfill the energy sector’s longtime dream of having a “single national grid.” Luzon and Visayas are already interconnected, but fusing Vis ayas and Mindanao grids had been a “work in progress” for more than a decade already.

S t a r t i n g n e x t y e a r, Mindanao grid is seen finally set free from brownouts mess and its power supply could even be teeming in the near term.

With grid interconnection, the region can re-channel its excess supply to Visayas and even Luzon – although, there is high degree of reluctance on the part of Mindanaoans to share t heir che ap er hydro source to electricity consumers in other parts of the country.

Hedcor... from page 1

not address the power crisis.

Tudaya 1, which operates upstream of Sibulan A harnessing the Baroring River, has a total capacity of 6.6MW will supply DLPC. Rene Ronquillo, president and chief operating officer of Hedcor, said it may not solve the problem on power outages in the city and other areas serviced by DLPC but will go a long way in alleviating the power crisis.

Tudaya 2 has a total capacity of 7MW and will supply Dasureco in Davao del Sur. Davao del Sur, whose current demand is about 40MW, is the only province in Davao that is experiencing blackouts because the electric cooperative has provided generation sets to address demand when supply from the Mindanao grid decreases.

According to Hedcor, since it initially operated last March, the hydropower plant generated about seven million kilowatt hours at the peak of summer season.

“This generation is expected to rise as the rainy season approaches.

With the looming El Nino expected in June, Ronquillo admitted it will affect the power supply of hydropower plants. He however, said Hedcor already provided an impounding capacity to ensure continued supply for DLPC and Dasureco.

The Tudaya plants are Hedcor’s 20th and 21st plant augmenting its total capcity to

170MW from its hydropower plants in Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Davao City and Davao del Sur. Aside from power supply, the hydropower plants benefit Davao del Sur and Sta. Cruz municipality including the host IP community, in terms of taxes, royalties and shares.

Mayor Joel Lopez said his municipality gets P50 million in taxes, including real property taxes from the Aboitiz projects.

Aside from these, it also opened farm to market roads to upper villages of Barangays Sibulan and Astorga.

“The projects really make a difference especially for the upland communities. A thirty-kilometer road was constructed that people can easily bring down their products to the market,” Lopez said.

The launching on Tuesday was also attended

by Department of Energy (DoE) Secretar y Carlos Petilla, officers from Aboitiz Power, local officials of Davao del and Davao City Councilor Louie John Bonguyan, who represented Vice Mayor Paolo D uter te and t he representatives from the IP communities of Davao del Sur. (PNA)

Bared... from page 1

until May 21.

CEPALCO has divided the entire Cagayan De Oro district into two major power shedding feeders – each group would experience a total daily alternate 10-hour power outage starting 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 in the evening.

This means that areas under Feeder 1 will have brownout from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. while areas belonging to Feeder 2 will have brownout from 11:30 a.m.until 3:00 p.m.and back to Feeder 1 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.before changing to Feeder 2 brownout out from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The two groups will alternate the daily brownout – for instance, the brownout on Thursday morning started in areas assigned under Feeder 1. On the following day, a Friday, the areas under Feeder 2 will start the brownout in the morning, followed by Feeder 1 at noon until the afternoon.

Howe ver, CEPALC O advised residents in Cagayan De Oro City to not rely on the scheduled brownout since the power supply would always depend on the power allocation extended by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) which changes every hour.

“Most of the time, the brownout in Cagayan De Oro City extends beyond the schedule because of the NGCP allocation,” an official from the CEPALCO, the lone power distributor here said.

In the notice of power interruptions, CEPALCO said that the “actual switch-off, and switch on” of the power supply would change without prior notice.

CEPALC O s aid t hat t h e c o nt i nu i n g p o w e r interruption in Cagayan De Oro City was due to shortage of power allocation supplied by the NGCP. Cagayan De Oro City needs 140 megawatt daily to ensure a continued supply of power. In contrast, the NGCP provides only 30 to 38 megawatt power supply daily, CEPALCO said. (PNA)

DOH... from page 2

manageable.

“HIV is only an infection while AIDS is already a dis e as e w hich remains incurable,” she said.

The AIDS disease could still be contained if the HIV is detected earlier, Magsayo added.

Magsayo said that sexual contacts were the primary source of HIV - accounting for nearly 99 percent of the patients who were diagnosed with HIV infections.

According to the DOH, men who have sex with men (MSM) in the 24 to 46 years old age bracket registered the highest cases of HIV infections and AIDS diseases in Northern Mindanao.

(PNA)

Puregold... from page 3

fifth this year from the P73.18 billion generated in 2013, as the company continues to roll out new stores and acquire existing ones to expand its network.

Puregold also eyes to sustain last year’s gross profit

margin of 17.4 percent and net profit margin of 5.4 percent.

The food retailer said it will open 25 new Puregold stores annually in the next five years with bulk of the openings located outside

7

Metro Manila in a bid to serve more geographical markets.

The retailer closed 2013 with a consolidated store network of 213 Puregold and S&R stores, reaching its 200-store count a year ahead of its 2015 target.

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

Meet the Faces of DTC Mobile | Lakwatsero DTC General Manager Ferdinand Buensalida and Epp Buensalida with DTC Ambassadors Willie Miller, Gary David and KG Canaleta Established in 2011, DTC Mobile is a top-selling manufacturer of high-quality and low-cost mobile devices including classic bar phones, TV phones and Android-based smartphones and phablets. With its dedication to innovative technology and everevolving customer needs, DTC became an honoree of the Best Innovative Brand of Mobile Phones National Awards in 2011 and the National Product Quality Excellence Awards in 2013.

Today, it continues to be the leading mobile device provider of choice for discerning users across the Philippines.

“DTC is a brand that capitalizes on a strong commitment to customer satisfaction through the power of innovative technology and human ingenuity. We consider

our people as one of our best assets,” says Ferdinand Buensalida Jr., General Manager for DTC. Accoding to him, the selection of their pioneer ambassadors is a nobrainer for they are all the

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12th Judicial Region, Brach 21 Kapatagan,Lanao del Norte IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF LUCIO CUEVAS LIM, JR. UNDER THE ENTRY OF DATE OF BIRTH FROM FEBRUARY 10, 1954 TO FEBRUARY 10, 1945.

SPL. PROC. NO. 21-493

ROBERTO C. LIM,

Petitioner, - versus-

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF LALA, LANAO DEL NORTE, Respondent.

X---------------------------------------------------/ ORDER

A verified petition for correction of entry in the Birth Record of Lucio C. Lim, Jr. in the Local Civil Registry of Lala, Lanao del Norte, was filed by petitioner Roberto C. Lim on March 14, 2014, praying this Honorable Court that after due notice and hearing the Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte, be directed to undertake and effect the following : 1. CORRECTION OF THE ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH OF LUCIO C. LIM JR as to the date of birth from FEBRUARY 10, 1954 to FEBRUARY 10, 1945.

Finding the verified petition to be sufficient both in form and substance, the same is hereby set for initial hearing to June 13, 2014 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. Let this order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Lanao del Norte once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner.

The Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte, and any person who has an interest in the petition may file his/her opposition thereto within fifteen (15) days from notice of this petition or from the last day of publication of this order.

Further, let this Order be posted for fifteen (15) consecutive days prior to the date of hearing on the bulletin board of the Municipality Hall of Lala, Lanao del Norte; on the bulletin board of the barangay Lanipao, Lala, Lanao del Norte where the petitioner is residing and on the bulletin board of this Court.

The petitioner is directed to notify this Court of the publication of this order three (3) days before the scheduled hearing date.

Furnish copy of this Order to the Solicitor General, Makati City, the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Lanao del Norte; the Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte; Atty. Dorothea Saligan Basalo, Tubod, Lanao del Norte and Roberto C. Lim, Lanipao, Lala, Lanapo del Norte.

SO ORDERED.

KAPATAGAN, Lanao del Norte.

April 11, 2014.

BWM: May 2, 9 & 16, 2014

(Sgd.) ALBERTO P. QUINTO Acting Presiding Judge

crème de la crème of their field, an epitome of what DTC is all about. DTC anticipates a more power-packed year as its celebrates its third year in the industry with the introduction of their first brand ambassadors

and the new smart gadgets in the pipeline which are expected for release on the third quarter of 2014.

To learn more about DTC, visit their official website at www.dtcmobile.com.ph.

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friday|may 16, 2014

XU opens Marine Station in Jasaan

MMC Director Fr. Mars Tan, SJ, XU trustee Ms. Ma Teresa R. Alegrio and XU President Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ unveil the building marker of the new XU Marine Station.

X

a v i e r Un i v e r s i t y formally opened the Xavier University Marine Station in Solana, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental on May 6. The Marine Station will be managed and supervised by the XU McKeough Marine Center (MMC).

“This facility has been given to us to serve our community and care for our environment,” said XU President Fr Roberto Yap SJ during the blessing of the Marine Station.

The XU Marine Station will support researches in biology and marine biology, and related studies on the sustainable development of the environment.

Adjacent to the Station is an Activity Center equipped with a multi-purpose hall, cottages, dormitory, kitchen and a store room for meetings, public presentations, fora and training workshops related to marine research and social outreach.

There is also a field site, fronting the Marine Station, which hosts marine resources and other ecosystems.

It will serve as a site for training in basic ecological survey methods and techniques. “ These components complete the basic make up of a good research facility:

a set of indoor laboratories, a field site for experiments, and facilities for training/ workshops,” explained Fr Mars Tan SJ, MMC director.

“MMC has already generated a 3D bathymetric and resource map of the coastal site as a source of baseline information for present and future studies,” he added.

Building on the past, shaping the future “XU is building on its past and shaping the future,” said Fr Yap. A Jesuit priest, Fr James McKeough, was one of the pioneers of marine science w hen it st ar te d in t he Philippines in the 1960s. He started XU’s Marine Biology program which launched marine science education in Northern Mindanao.

In 2006, the McKeough Marine Center was formally established as a research and social development arm in the field of marine science.

“We have a good, strong program in Marine Biology,” said Fr Yap, “and we have a chance to strengthen our achievements through the marine station.”

“Let this be a facility we can use to shape the future,” he said.

Fr Yap emphasized that caring for the environment

is part of Jesuit mission. “You cannot be a Jesuit university if you don’t have a clear environmental program,” he said.

XU’s approach in the protection of the environment has been to look at the whole ecosystem from the ridge to the reef.

T h e Mar i n e St at i on will, thus, not only support researches in marine science but also support environmental research in general.

Dr Hilly Quiaoit, XU vice president for Research and Social Outreach, related that XU had a marine station in Bulua during the 1980s, but because of the developments in the area, it became an unsuitable site for a marine station.

The search for a new location was started in the 2000s. It took many years before they finally found the place in Solana, Jasaan.

The blessing of the XU Marine Station was graced by members of the Macajalar Bay Development Alliance, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Coast Guard, local government units, Samdhana Institute, alumni of XU’s Marine Biology program, and members of the XU community.

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FRIday|May 16, 2014

THE

FOUR-WAY TEST

of the things we think, say or do

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

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

Section Editor: Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy

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The Night Stalker:

Stargate Barbecue Garden Launch

T

here’s a new cosmopolitan culinary destination in the emerging Uptown Cagayan de Oro at Upper Macasandig that’s urbane, unique and uber cool.

GM Algen De Dios with Ann Medes and DOT X RD Butch Chan and Chazz Ladera. photo by mike baños

Last May 9, Stargate Dream Vacation Resort officially launched its new Barbecue Garden with guests from the Department of Tourism, Cagayan de Oro Tourism Council and media.

After GM Alden De Dios introduced us to her management team: Ms. Louella Pablo, operations head; Irene Dajalos, restaurant manager; Missouri Gevero, marketing staff; and Joefrey Jumeras, head chef, we immediately buckled down to the business at hand.

As part of the media contingent invited by event organizer Southland Events head honcho Ann Medes to cover the event, we were treated to a culinary

extravaganza that was sure to sate the appetites of all jaded local gourmets stepped in the Kagay-anon tradition of sinugba.

After starting off with a bevy of beverages which included Iced Tropical Tea (pineapple, watermelon) and Vietnamese tea (brewed and chilled), we were off on our culinary fest with international appetizers and salads with cheese sticks, cheese & beef bacon small launch/PAGE B2

Grilled Prawns with Tamarind sizzling on the grill

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Best in Business and Economic Reporting Philippine Press Institute Civic Journalism Community Press Awards 2013

friday|may 16, 2014

Arts&Culture

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Three events to watch this July at Rodelsa Hall!

n anticipation of the upcoming Diamond Jubilee of Liceo de Cagayan University, Rodelsa Hall brings to Cagayan de Oro three must-attend events!

This coming July 4 (7pm), US based Filipino pianist Clement Acevedo will perform Chopin Sonata #3 Op. 58, Schubert Op. 120, and Mozart K. 330.

Acevedo won first prize in the 2004 National Music

Competition for Young Artists.

He was a semi-finalist in the 2009 Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition in Westport, Connecticut.

He has played with the UST Symphony and the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra. He has performed in the Philippines, China and USA. Clement taught piano and chamber music and

was the resident accompanist in the 2008 Summer at the Performing Arts Institute, Kingston, PA. He held the music directorship at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Germantown Philadelphia from 2009-2012.

Currently he is an active collaborative artist in Harrisonburg, VA, where he studies and works as a doctoral assistant at the James Madison University.

Bradley Bascon

Launch... from page B1

skewers (bacon roll with cheese), Barbecue Garden fried spring rolls with crab meat; Asian (Heart of Palm and Beef filled salad, Jalapenos with Bacon-wrapped cream cheese) and Filipino (Mango salad).

For the family or barkada on a night out, try their BBQ Combo- Family Combo 1 with Family Skewers (beef, squid, fish fillet skewers, vegetable and steamed rice) or Family Combo 2 with Family B eef (B eef with cheese, Beef 5 Spices, Beef with Lemon Grass & Chili, Beef with Honey, Vegetable and steamed rice).

If you’re coming solo or out on an intimate date, try their a la carte specialties such as Asian Meat Beef (Grilled Beef rolled on sugar cane); Asian Meat Chicken (Grilled Chicken with Lemon leaf skewers) or Filipino Meat Beef (Grilled Beef Skewers marinated with Maple Syrup).

Or you may want something more exotic like Asian Seafood such as Grilled Praw ns wit h Tamar ind or Steamed Prawns with Coconut Juice.

For those jaded sinugba enthusiasts, try their BBQ World Tour with Sesame Soy Beef Skewers, Grilled Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce or Grilled

Shrimp Skewers with Coconut.

And not to forget vegetarians or those on a diet, they have their Asian Vegetarian BBQ and Side Dishes like Vegetable Corn Griddle Cakes or Grilled Eggplant Vietnamese Style.

Of course, if you prefer something Pinoy, there’s always their Filipino Hot Pot with Prawn with Tamarind Hot Pot. GM Algen related to us that Stargate Dream Vacation Resort is owned and managed by UIG property Development Corporation.

The whole conceptualization of the resort was done in 2011 and soft opening was celebrated on the 9th of March 2013.

He is assistant to eminent Lied/Song recitalist Gabriel Dobner in teaching the MUAP 357, a masterclass setting accompanying class at the undergraduate level.

You can avail of a concert seat at P300 each.

Next on the lineup for the month is Wealth Coach cum TV Personality Chinkee Tan on July 11 (1pm) with a special lecture engagement on managing and creating personal wealth.

Chinkee Tan whose wisdom and strength are drawn from a life full of challenges.

Born in Tondo, Manila of Chinese parentage, Chinkee is the eldest of three children.

After his father experienced big losses in business, Chinkee started to realize the importance of perseverance and hard work at a very young age.

To date, Chinkee has released 5 books which also became best sellers.

He is a host of the award winning show 92.3 New FM Radio and Channel

41 AksyonTV program of Chink Positive. Similarly, he used to co-host the Hall of Fame Winner of the Catholic Mass Media program “RadyoNegosyo” of DZMM. He is also one of the cohosts of the 700 Club Asia and one of the resource speakers of GoNegosyo.

Registration fee of P500.00 comes with a free book by Mr. Chinkee Tan himself, “Til Debt Do Us Part.”

Completing the July fare at the Rodelsa Hall is young violin prodigy Bradley Bascon.

This 15 year old violinist is the 2014 Panel Finals Winner Violin Master Class held at the California State Polytechnic University organized by the Music Teachers Association of California.

Bradley also won 2nd Place at the annual California State finals for VOCE competition held in Santa Clara, California on February 2014.

He is also performed with many orchestras in the US namely - Claremont

Young Orchestra, Irvine Classical Players Orchestra, Inland Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra and the San Diego Youth Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are available at P300 each.

To know more about these upcoming events at Rodelsa Hall, kindly call (088) 8584093 to 95 local 109 or 09969612102 or 09989612107. You can also log on to www.facebook. com/rodelsahall.

Wealth Coach & TV Personality Chinkee Tan

“Stargate offers a unique vacation experience with its fascinating concepts and designs. We have four different bungalows, white house, Victorian, Mediterranean and Colonial house. We also have luxury houses, Royal house and Flower houses for big families and honeymooners respectively.

For outdoor functions we have our garden patios and for indoor functions, we offer our unique Banana Leaf and Cowboy house.”

Stargate Dream Vacation Resort is just a few minutes away from downtown Cagayan de Oro at Upper Macasandig.

Hosted by Yoyong Esmedalla and Algen De Dios BWM Publisher Dante Sudaria cooking on the grill with GM Algen De Dios

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Environment

BusinessWeek MINDANAO Best in Business and Economic Reporting Philippine Press Institute Civic Journalism Community Press Awards 2013

friday|may 16, 2014

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Diarrhea outbreak pushes officials to CEB adds Tandag, Surigao del Sur temporarily close Asik-asik Falls

to domestic network

Offers PHP1 introductory fare

TEMPORARILY CLOSED The local government of Alamada has temporarily closed Asik-asik Falls following a diarrhea outbreak in the area. File photo taken 4 February 2014.

MindaNews photo by KEITH BACONGCO

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews ) – The famous Asik-asik Falls in Alamada, North Cotabato is now temporarily off limits to tourists following the diarrhea outbreak that left eight people dead and hospitalized 180 others.

Melissa Bagsican, municipal information officer, said Asik-asik Falls will remain close until the health officials would declare the

area outbreak-free.

She said that health officials have already gathered water and stool samples to determine the cause of the outbreak.

Asik-asik, a curtain-like waterfall in Sitio Dulao of Barangay Dado, is the top tourist destination in the province.

Thirteen of the sitios in Dado, including Dulao, are affected by the outbreak, ac-

cording to a press statement released by the provincial government.

On Tuesday, the information officer told MindaNews that they suspect that pesticides may have caused the diarrhea outbreak Farmers in the upland areas have recently applied pesticides on their corn farms and the rains may have washed the pesticides down to the rivers and wa-

ter springs, Bagsican said.

Aside from Dado, other affected barangays are Mapurok, Pigcawaran and recently Rangayen, she disclosed, adding that these barangays are part of the town’s watershed area.

Most of the patients are being treated at the hospitals in Libungan and Midsayap, while some are at the barangay center in Dado, Bagsican said.

Whale beached in Forum seeks further promoting Ilocos Norte coastline resilience to climate change CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte, A shortfinned pilot whale was beached along the coastline of Maglaoi Sur village in Currimao town on Thursday, a report from the provincial fisheries office said.

Arthur Valente, fishery regulatory coordinator of the Provincial Agriculture Office, said that at about 2 p.m., members of the Philippine Coastguard alerted him about a marine mammal apparently butchered long before it drifted ashore.

Based on initial findings, Valente theorized perpetrators may have tied the endangered marine mammal with a rope and butchered it while in the open seas. After that, they just let it drift ashore until local residents found the decomposing body with its head, internal organs, bones

and tail still intact. He said the beached whale may have been dead for three days ago.

Because it was low tide as of this posting, Valente said the body will be sank in the sea early Friday during high tide.

Under Republic Act 9147 of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of the Philippines, violators, when caught, shall be penalized with 120,000 or an imprisonment of 12-20 years aside from violations under the provision of RA 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code and the C I T E S — C o nv e nt i o n on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention, a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals. (PNA)

The environment department's Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) targets helping further promote resilience-building among communities to better protect life, limb and property from impacts of climate change.

EMB aims to achieve such target through a climate change adaptation forum this agency is scheduled to spearhead in Metro Manila next month.

"The forum aims to inform communities about existing programs, projects and available technologies for helping build resilience to impacts of climate change," said EMB education and information chief Elenida Basug.

Such event is among the undertakings EMB lined up for the 2014 celebration of the annual Environment Month this June.

Basug noted EMB's climate change adaptation forum will be anchored on the theme 'Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na para Magbago' ('Time's Changing, It's time to Change').

Experts define adaptation

as adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic and non-climatic stimuli or effects of these.

Adaptation either moderates harm or exploits beneficialopportunities from such shocks, they noted.

Authorities continue raising urgency for adaptation, warning the Philippines is among countries most vulnerable to climate change's impacts.

Such impacts are sea level rise, sea temperature rise and onslaught of weather extremes, they said.

They said resilience is the ability to spring back from such impacts and other shocks.

Aside from technical discussions on climate change, EMB said its climate change adaptation forum will cover gender issues in disasters.

EMB expects various LGU and school representatives, women's groups as well as environment and natural resources officers to attend the forum. (PNA)

The Philippines' leading airline, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) will launch direct flights between Cebu and Tandag, the capital city of the province of Surigao del Sur, on June 29, 2014. Tandag will be the airline's 34th domestic destination.

"We're very proud to be soon launching CebuTandag flights, as part of our continuous commitment to enable everyJuan to fly. We hope that with direct air services to Tandag and our trademark lowest fares, we can further stimulate travel and trade to Surigao del Sur, for the benefit of the local economy," said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

According to Philippine Department of Tourism data, tourist arrivals to Surigao del Sur reached approximately 45,000 in 2013. Tandag in Surigao del Sur is the gateway to the Enchanted River, the Britania Group of Islands, Cagwait Beach, Tinuy-an Falls and the surfing spot of Lanuza.

"We continue to develop our inter-island network, so an hour and five minute flight can replace longer trips through ferries and buses. This service complements our existing Surigao, Siargao, Butuan services in the Caraga region of Mindanao," she added.

Utilizing a 72-seater ATR aircraft, the maiden flight will depart Cebu at 11:10am, and arrive in Tandag at 12:15pm. The return flight will depart Tandag at 12:35pm, and arrive in Cebu at 1:40pm.

"Cebu Pacific's CebuTandag direct flights will surely encourage more tourists to visit, and prompt the local government units to develop

other tourism assets in the area. DOT Caraga is also very hopeful that with this increased accessibility, more investments will flow into this part of the country, and local businesses can expand and become more competitive," said Department of Tourism Region 13 (Caraga) Regional Director Leticia Tan. Starting June 29, 2014, this will be a thrice weekly service (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) boosting CEB's Cebu hub operations with direct flights to tourist destinations. CEB already offers direct flights from Cebu to Camiguin, Dumaguete, Siargao, Coron, Puerto Princesa, Caticlan (Boracay), Legazpi and Davao, among others.

To introduce the new route, CEB offers a PHP1 seat sale for Cebu-Tandag flights until May 16, 2014 or until seats last.

This is for travel from June 29 to December 15, 2014.

After the seat sale, the lowest year-round fare for the Cebu-Tandag route is PHP588.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02)7020-888 or (032)230-8888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB's official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook pages.

CEB's 51-strong fleet is comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 30 Airbus A320, 3 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. It is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2014 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 11 more brand-new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 3 Airbus A330 aircraft.

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friday|may 16, 2014

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