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BusinessWeek MINDANAO “We Grow Minds”

2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting

Volume V, No. 172

Market Indicators

As of 6:10 pm may 23, 2015 (saturday)

FOREX

US$1 = P44.54

5 cents

PHISIX

7,810.17

25.21 points

Briefly Fear of backlash THE Promotion of Investment Sustainability Organization (PISO) is alarmed over investment sustainability in the region once the BBL turns out diluted or watered-down. The group is composed of RBOI-registered firms in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). ARMM continues to attract more investors as prospects for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law becomes promising. The Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) reported the entry of a P686.74 million worth of biomass plant project in Sultan Kudarat, a new addition to the growing list of investments in the region that so far registered around P1.5 billion in the second semester of 2015.

Education summit MARAWI City -- The Department of Education of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) conducted on Monday, May 18, the first Education Summit for Education Communities to help improve the quality and to professionalize the system of education in the region. Jamar Kulayan, DepEdARMM secretary, said the summit brought together more than 200 district supervisors, secondary principals, and members of local school boards, officials of the department, local government units and schools from the Maguindanao II Division. It highlighted innovations and best practices as well as addressed pressing needs of the region’s education sector. “The Education Summit for Education Communities seeks to solve the problems coming from our Iranun communities. Dito nasasabi nila ‘yung mga problema sa schools nila,” Kulayan said.

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Ayala Mall’s annual event unfolds:

Style Origin unveils fashion merchants

YALA Malls signature fashion event returns to Cagayan de Oro at Centrio Mall today, May 24.

“Style Origin is an annual Ayala Malls signature event that highlights its fashion merchants,” said Loren Anne Yasay, Centrio Marketing Manager. “Being a signature event, it speaks for the Ayala Malls brand in terms of the concept and quality of the event.” This year’s community fashion show will be hosted by model Victor Basa and

directed by Ariel Lozada, fashion director. It will be produced by Amilliard, a Manila-based event organizing company tapped by Ayala Malls for its various events. The group is tasked to ensure the standard of the brand and a uniform concept is applied across all the 12 participating Ayala Malls nationwide. unveils/PAGE 11

M’danao LGUs file P6-B worth of PRDP projects By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

LOCAL government units (LGUs) in Mindanao have put forward 75 infrastructure projects totaling P6 billion for possible financing under the World Bank-sponsored Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP). The new projects bring the

total Mindanao portfolio to P8.5 billion as of April 2015, including the 86 projects submitted last year, based on PRDP data. Majority of these projects, accounting for P8.1 billion, involve the construction prdp/PAGE 11

‘SIKWATE’. A local favorite chocolate drink named “sikwate” is prepared for free taste during the 2015 International Food Expo (IFEX) at the SMX-Mall of Asia on May 22, 2015. Lead Industry players highlight various kinds of valued cacao products grown from different parts of Mindanao and promote active participation of different stakeholders from the private and government sectors to further develop the cacao production technologies, processing and marketing systems.” photo by jun ayensa

Get your BWM Loyalty Card NOW at any of our participating establishments for ONLY P350.00, and avail DISCOUNTS.

STYLE ORIGIN. Catch up with your favorite fashion brands on the catwalk with the latest styles and trends.

House to probe demolition Camigun tourism of disputed Higaonon land bill gets house okay By MARK FRANCISCO, Staff Writer

THE House committee on national cultural communities will look into a land dispute in barangay Plaridel, Claveria town in Misamis Oriental. Committee chair Rep. Nancy Catamco visited the Higaonon community last Thursday whose dwellings were about to be demolished two days earlier but was averted by the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO). After hearing the plight of the beleaguered residents, Catamco vowed to take along with her all 21 of her colleagues in the committee at another day to look closely in the issue and conduct a committee hearing on the matter here. The writ of demolition

was issued by Judge Al Joseph Lloren of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Claveria-Jasaan on the basis of a Supreme Court order af f irming a trial court decision which gives petitioner Crew Resources Development Corporation legal possession of the disputed land. The lower court decision was rendered in 2004 when Crew Resources Development Corporation still possesses a pasture lease agreement which expired in 2005. The company however appealed the case until it reached the Supreme Court. “By the time the Supreme Court rendered their decision, it is now moot and academic demolition/PAGE 11

on final reading

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin -House of Representatives unanimously approved on May 19 the third and final reading of HB 5576 otherwise known the Camiguin Tourism Development Act. The policy will serve as a vehicle for job creation and economic growth and development in the province. It endeavors to provide proper mechanisms and infrastructure for sustainable tourism development as well as promote and develop potential sites identified. Tourism development areas identified in the bill includes Mount Timpoong - Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument, White Island, Katibawasan Falls, Tangub Hot Spring, Sa-ay Cold Spring, and Ardent HibokHibok Hot Spring in the municipality of Mambajao. For Mahinog town, areas identified are Magsaysay Island, popularly known as Mantigue Island, Tanguines Lagoon, Macao Cold Spring, and Queobe Eco Park. Sto. Niño Cold Spring, Bura Soda Water Spring, Sunken Cemetery, Church Ruins, Walkway to Mount bill/PAGE 11

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Economy

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Mock cultural villages showcasing ARMM’s tribes to re-open in June M A R AW I C it y - - T h e mock cultural villages that showcased the seven major tribes of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will be re-opened on June 10 at the regional government’s compound in Cotabato City. These cultural villages first opened to the public in November last year as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of ARMM. It was viewed by at least 100,000

visitors f rom dif ferent provinces in Mindanao not just from the ARMM. The seven major tribes covered in this event are Maguindanaon, Tausug, Sama, Maranao, Yakan, Iranon, and Teduray. Each village will feature traditional living, culture and arts, and would depict the people and their products on a landscape consistent with those of tribal communities in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao,

Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. The villages will be open to the general public for 100 days, specifically during the month of Ramadhan. There will also be a series of activities and entertainment in the regional government’s compound to be spearheaded by different regional agencies. “Ang pagbubukas muli ng cultural villages ay para maipamahagi, maintindihan at lalong maunawaan ng ating mga mamamayan ang kultura, kasaysayan at pamumuhay ng mga tao sa iba’t ibang probinsya ng ARMM (The reopening of the cultutral villages will allow the people to understand better the

culture, history, and way of living in various provinces in the region,” said Tourism Secretary Marites Maguindra. “We added additional healthy living activities, which the people can join like zumba, ‘hataw’ and yoga,” she said. Aside from these, there will also be a free tour, a children’s day, and an indigenous arts and handicraft exhibit, among others. A competition among participating tribes and their villages is also part of the event wherein the winning village would be announced during the closing program, or after 100 days.

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The Tausug village was recognized as the best in last year’s event. The re-opening of the mock villages will bear

the theme “100 Days of Journey in understanding the culture and history of the Bangsamoro towards peace and development.”

Extension workers train on climate change-resilient strats WITH its continuous effort to promote sust ainable agriculture amidst challenges brought about by climate change, t he Department of AgricultureRegional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted a training for the Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) handling rice and corn on May 12-14, 2015. The activity which was attended by around 30 AEWs from the municipalities of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City aimed to enhance t h e c ap abi l it i e s of t h e AEWs and strengthen their information dissemination and extension activities at the grassroots level. Experts coming from the Bureau of Plant Industry ( D A- B P I ) , P h i l i p p i n e Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Philippine Crops Insu r anc e C or p or at i on and the Northern Mindanao Ag r ic u ltura l Crops and Livestock Research Complex (DANMACLRC) have imparted relevant information which are essential in the prom ot i on of c l i m at e smart agriculture in order to build climate-resilient farming communities in their respective areas. Topics tackled include:

the contribution, effects and impact of agricultural activities on climate change; mitigating and adaptation measures for climate change; climate change resilient strategy through enhanced farmers’ field schools (FFS); Prevention, Avoidance, Monitoring and Suppression (PAMS) as pest management strategy; weather index based on crop damage assessment; and r ice crop manager and ot her management strategies. Moreover, the AEWs have also learned about technical report writing which is relevant in the enhancement of their report writing skills as most of them are FFS facilitators. With the conduct of the training, the DA is expecting that the local agriculture offices through t he t r ai ne d A EWs w i l l be able to extend the information to the farmerclienteles and encourage them to adopt efficient and appropriate technologies. The training was also previously conducted for the AEWs in Camiguin and Misamis Occidental, while the next leg will be conducted in June 2015 for the AEWs of Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon.

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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Maintenance works put BDO banking service at halt BDO Unibank (BDO) has an n ou n c e d it s rout i n e preventive maintenance activity between 4-7:30 a.m. this morning, May 24, has led to the temporary suspension of its ATM and other mobile banking operations nationwide.

But the country’s biggest lender said this is part of its continued commitment to improving customer service. During this period, the following services were not accessible to clients: • ATMs bdo/PAGE 11

K to 12 Challenge By REX LAGO PAGAPULAR Teacher III Jasaan National High School

E d u catio n i n t h e Philippines is regulated by the Department of Education (DepEd). DepEd pedals the Philippine Educational System including the curriculum used in school, distribution of funds, construction of schools and other educational facilities and the employment of teachers and staff. Before the DepEd adapted its current curriculum, the Philippine educational system adapted several education curricula. For the country to compete with the world, it has assumed a new curriculum that would level up the Philippines with the same educational standards of the world. Thus, the K-12 BEC has come to life. Ye a r s a g o t h e K-12 curriculum already started. The pioneer batch for this basic education curriculum will be in Grade 10 level. The K-12 BEC as mandated by law will add two years of education to high school students. Thus, instead of a total of four years, there will be six years of high school education already before proceeding to college.

A question somehow tingles the whole country: Are we ready for the K-12? “We are ready!” according to some experts who are the authority. Some prominent individuals say otherwise. Senator Antonio Trillaneslll is very vocal of his disapproval of the implementation because it lacks consultation and unconstitutional. A person from Commission on Higher Education said it is not about readiness. The country has to pursue it because we don’t have a choice. The K-12 challenge is not strange for the beginner like us because all big things start with small things and that the result will be our readiness. The curriculum remains a work in progress. The President said, “we are still true to our promise to implement changes in the education system. Fundamental to these strategies is our investment in our most important resource: the Filipino people.” Ready or not! We have to. Otherwise, we will be left behind!

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Ford sales growth mainly from Asia in next decade: executive FORD Motor Co sees most of its corporate sales growth over the next decade coming from the Asia Pacific region despite the recent slowdown in China auto demand, a top executive said Thursday. “When I take a look at Ford’s growth over the next five to 10 years, we believe roughly 60 percent of the growth will be in the Asia Pacific region,” said Dave Schoch, president of Ford’s Asia Pacific region. Ford’s Asia Pacific sales in the first quarter totaled $2.3 billion, or 6.8 percent of the company’s total. China and India will be the big engines for growth, Schoch said. Ford sees China industry sales hitting 32 million vehicles in 2020, up from 23 million in 2013, and doubling to 6 million in India in the same period. S c h o c h s a i d Fo rd believes 7 percent industry growth is sustainable in China despite the recent slowdown. Ford, General Motors Co and Volkswagen have recently cut vehicle prices in China in response to the market. Ford’s Explorer

SUV is now more than 8 percent cheaper. A slowing economy has weighed on domestic auto demand in China, leading to a 0.5 percent drop in April sales, and foreign car makers are facing more intense competition from their Chinese rivals, especially with SUVs. Ford’s April sales in China inched up 0.1 percent. Nevertheless, foreign automakers continue to pour money into factories in the world’s largest auto market.

Schoch affirmed comments made last month by Executive Chairman Bill Ford that the U.S. automaker would slow production if market demand dictates that. Schoch said the company took such actions in the first quarter, but noted that they were immaterial and declined to give details. Ford’s joint venture with Chongqing Changan Automobile Co Ltd said last month it would take over and upgrade a northeast China factory in a $1.1 billion deal that would

increase Changan Ford’s annual China production by 200,000 vehicles next year. Schoch said Ford hopes to close that deal in about a month. That deal followed Ford’s March launch of a new factory in eastern China’s Hangzhou, with an annual capacity of 250,000 vehicles. Ford also has grand ambitions for its luxury Lincoln brand in China, including plans to grow its dealership count from 14 now to 25 by year-end and 60 by the end of 2016, Schoch said.

Vitarich sinks deeper in the red VITARICH Corporation widened its loss in the first three months of the year. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, t h e p ou lt r y a n d f e e d s producer said it lost P63 million in the January to March period, more than the P42 million in the same three months of last year. The company blamed the first-quarter deficit on losses it incurred from the sale of investment properties. These losses surged to P94.6 million this year from P5.5 million in 2014.

Despite a wider loss, Vitarich grew its revenue by 11 percent to P685 million this year from P613 million in last year. Sixty-three percent of its revenue came from the feeds business, while nearly a third from the production of chicken. “Our first quarter results show that we are on track. We’ve seen a higher feed volume that resulted from higher demand, and we owe it in part to better innovations wit hin t he company and its products,” said Vitarich chief operating

officer Ricardo Manuel Sarmiento. “We believe that 2015 is the turning point for Vitarich. We also believe

that this turnaround came because we have created and applied innovations to how we run the business,” he added.

0935-160-0668 HERMILINO VILLALON

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

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Bad Filipino kids: like parents, like children

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “... Teach the child in the way that he should go, and he will never depart from it when he grows old...” (Proverbs 22:6, the Holy Bible). -ooo FILIPINO KIDS WITH REBELLIOUS ATTITUDES: WHY? Have you noticed how Filipino children who are still very young---so young, in fact, that it wouldn’t be hyperbolic to say that many of them have not even been separated from the umbilical cords of their mothers---are already displaying rebellious, wild, and totally disgraceful behaviors, as if they have been born with evil in their hearts and minds? Many parents will probably deny this, but the truth is very compelling and can no longer be swept under the rug: a great number of children from almost all sectors of Philippine society, from the rich and the poor, from the cities and from the provinces and from almost all corners of the archipelago, can no longer be controlled by their parents, their elders, their teachers in schools, or even by the authorities, whether from the barangay or from the police. It maybe a little too hard to swallow this but, did you notice that Filipino kids are acting really weird and strange nowadays,

Philippine Press Institute

A Tricky Problem

hink a minute.Have you ever stood by a fire when the smoke was so thick you almost thought you could grab it with your hands. But if you try, the smoke just disappears right through your fingers. It’s like that when we try to be humble. We grab for humility, but as soon as we think we’ve got it, it disappears like smoke through our fingers. You see, we trick ourselves when we start to think that we’re humble, because in our mind and heart we actually start feeling proud of ourselves that we’re humble. So you see, we’re still very proud. Our problem is the subtle, deceptive nature of pride. It makes us self-conscious, thinking about ourselves and how we good we are or look in front of others. Our pride competes and compares ourselves with others. That’s why we get angry when someone treats us like we’re not important. Our pride makes us want to act and impress others with how humble we are, when inside we still think we’re more important than some people. This is also why many people want to become rich millionaires. You see, if everybody in the world had a million dollars, then not many people would

as if rebellion is already carved in their very persons? Even children who have yet to sufficiently express their feelings in words are already capable of throwing bad tantrums, cursing and hurling invectives, even against their own parents or elders, like they have been doing it all their lives? -ooo BAD FILIPINO KIDS: L I K E PA R E N T S , L I K E CHILDREN: Why did this happen? How could very young Filipino children afford to be so, well, so evil? Where did they learn to curse, throw invectives, go on embarrassing tantrums, completely adept at displaying bad manners and evil conduct, to the extent that even their own parents and relatives would often catch themselves wishing to “harm” them at the least and, at worst, “kill” them once and for all? To paraphrase the song “Sunrise, Sunset”, when did Filipino boys and girls grow so ill-mannered, so badmouthed, and hopelessly faithless morons? How come many of them now display a great capacity for crime and criminality and virtually demonic and devilish behavior? The answer? My view is that our children imbibed these negative and ungodly

actions even when they were just being transported from the groins of their fathers and later on united in fertilization in t he wombs of t heir mothers. In other words, the attitudes and behavior of our children started to be formed right within ourselves, their fathers and mothers, taking after how we, as fathers and mothers, behaved, acted, thought, and conducted ourselves as we were growing up. -ooo CHANGING OUR C H I L DR E N F OR T H E BET TER: Consequently, when us, fathers and mothers, were ourselves rebellious, wild-mannered, and totally disgraceful in our conduct, it is a synch that our own children would take after us, for the children inherit the character traits and even the manner of thinking of their own parents. For it is true that a fruit is known by the tree where it came from. Parents who were bad when they were themselves growing up, when they were still children, could definitely give rise to nothing but bad children likewise. How can a fig tree bear grapes, right? Unless parents would come to realize this, it would seem that there is nothing we can do to change our tantrum-throwing kids. Unless, of course, we

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

Atty. Batas Mauricio ask God to intervene and change our children. How is this done? We must know God’s principles for raising children, and then carefully obey all of these. For starters, we can start with the Bible, and read its Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4, and Deuteronomy 6:4-9. It is of course understood that parents who were once bad kids themselves and who want to change the destiny of their children should allow God to change them first. -ooo REACTIONS? Please call me at +63 917 984 24 68, +63 918 574 0193, +63 922 833 43 96, or Skype (batasmauricio), Viber (+63 918 574 0193) and Line (+63 917 984 24 68). Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, melaniolazomauriciojr@ o u t l o o k . c o m , mmauriciojr111@gmail.com. -30-

Truly loving the Pope

Oro Chamber

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THINK

A Minute

Jhan Tiafau Hurst really want to be a millionaire because they would not be richer than anyone else. If everyone in the world had a high political position of respect and power, then not many people would want that kind of position because they would not be more respected and powerful than anyone else. Did you know that it is our pride which causes most of the problems in our life, whether it’s in our family, at work, school, or with friends and neighbors. Our hidden, tricky pride is the reason we get hurt and angry at others. It’s also the reason we will not forgive them, but instead even try to hurt them back. So is there any hope for us? Can we ever start becoming genuinely honest and humble in our hearts?

e have to be wary of our tendency to be easily taken in by some kind of media-orchestrated swooning over the Pope without the accompanying substance of truly loving him not only affectively but also effectively. The Pope himself has warned us of what is called the ‘Pope Francis effect’ that tries to portray him as some kind of rock star or superhero to whom are attributed qualities and accomplishments that he himself said are not quite true. One of them claims that he secretly slips out of his Vatican quarters at night to be with the vagrants and homeless of Rome. He said that while such act is very commendable, it actually has not crossed his mind to do so. Other similar claims are being made, but he disowns them. He considers them as some kind of theatrical ‘special effects’ that some people, supposedly with good intentions, shower on him or on his name. T he y c an b e sp ark l i ng at the present moment, but they actually leave no lasting effect, much less some deep impression if not transformation in people. They are precisely just for effects, but without the real substance. In fact, they detract

from the true character and purpose of the papal of f i c e . T h e y a re t h e re mainly to pander to people’s curiosity and lust for the extraordinary, and leave behind the elements of purity of intention and gratuitous magnanimity that would seek to do good things without expecting any earthly reward. They tend to undermine and distort the spiritual and supernatural dimensions of w hate ver go o d deed is made, since they gloss over the requirements of humility and the spirit of sacrifice with which the go o d deed oug ht to b e done. In the end, they tend to spoil people. If we t r u ly l ove t he Pope, we have to see him as the ‘sweet Christ on earth,’ as St. Catherine of Siena once described any Pope. Irrespective of the Pope’s personal qualities, we have to see him as the successor of Peter to govern the Church, and to serve as the principle of unity of all Christian believers. As the catechism would put it, t he Pop e is t he “perpetual, visible source and foundation of the unity of the Church. He is the Vicar of Christ, the head of the College of bishops and pastor of the universal Church over which he has by divine institution full, supreme, immediate and

universal power.” If we truly love the Pope, we would pray for him, whoever he may be, and help him in any way we can to carry out his most delicate and demanding minist r y. We would go beyond sentimentalism in our attitude toward him, though we should always be affectionate to him. We should listen to him carefully, and make his concerns ours too, pursuing t hem according to our possibilities. In short, we should remember that our way to Christ always passes through the Pope. We have need to refer everything in our spiritual and ecclesial life to him. Saint Josemaria Escriva, who had a great love for the Pope, irrespective of who he was, popularized a slogan that deserves to be a guiding principle to all of us. “Omnes cum Petro ad Iesum per Mariam!” (All with Peter to Jesus through Mary!) This is the proper attitude to develop. Do we regularly follow the pronouncements and st atements of t he Holy Father? Do we spread them around? Do we consider the Pope when we make plans and projects, no matter how technical or temporal and mundane they may simply be? These are questions we have to ask ourselves always.

HINTS

and

Traces

Fr. Roy Cimagala Our usual problem is that we often ignore the Pop e and t he e c cl e s i a l dimension of our earthly businesses and activities. We often think that the Pope has nothing to do with them, or that our mundane affairs have nothing to do with our ecclesial life. Worse, we can go to the extent of thinking that by referring things to the Pope and the ecclesial dimension, we would be undermining our freedom, our autonomy and our creativity. This is a misconception, since referring things to the Pope and to the ecclesial dimension of our life can only bring these things to their ultimate spiritual and supernatural goals which they should all pursue. Otherwise, they would just be useless, dangerous and even harmful insofar as our ultimate goal in life is concerned. roycimagala@gmail.com

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FFeature eature

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Pinoys are under-insured, Globe Telecom joins Lazada’s Big App Sale on May 21-24 says FWD Life president

by URIEL C. QUILINGUING, Contributing Editor

nly about four percent of Filipinos are holders of insurance policies, according to FWD Life Insurance Corporation president and chief executive officer Peter Grimes. “Clearly, this shows that Filipinos are under-insured,” Grimes told BusinessWeek Mindanao during the FWD Life business hub launch at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City yesterday (May 21, 2015). Cagayan de Oro business hub, he said, is the first to open outside the company’s main Philippine office in Taguig Global City after the Insurance Commission granted the Hong Kong-based life insurance firm certificate of authority in April 2014 and started business operations five months later. “We’re excited and optimistic of Cagayan de Oro as one of

the 10 ‘emerging cities’ in the world,” said Grimes whose company has been in life insurance business in the Asian region, namely Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand and brand presence in Indonesia. “With this vibrant city’s growing economy and population, we are confident this hub will significantly contribute to the growth and expansion of our business in the Philippines.” He said they are expanding their presence to reach more under-insured Filipinos and help them achieve financial peace of mind through relevant products and services that best suit their individual lifestyles and financial needs. The company’s extensive portfolio include individual life, group life, medical, education, retirement and savings schemes Insurance Commission record in 2014 shows FWD Life is one of the 27 life insurance

companies with license to operate in the Philippines and has a bancassurance partnership with Security Bank. In 2013, the IC indicated that the insurance penetration in the Philippines was only 1.78%. FWD Life Insurance’s license was the first to have been issued under the amended Insurance Code under Republic Act No. 10607 which President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law on Aug. 15, 2013, the old being under Presidential Decree No. 612. It is also the first foreign life insurance company to have been issued license by the IC since 2004. “We expect the market for life insurance in the Philippines to grow and the more industry players the better for Filipinos,” said Grimes who was president and chief executive of the Philippines for Prudential Life UK until 2010.

Globe customers entitled to a 10% discount on all purchases on Globe Sunday on May 24

Globe Telecom is joining Lazada’s Big App Sale on May 21-24, 2015 as part of its partnership with top online retailer and marketplace player Lazada Philippines. With Globe Sunday, Globe customers are entitled to a 10% discount on all purchases made via the Lazada Philippines mobile app on Sunday, May 24, giving them significant savings when they shop at Lazada, which offers a diverse collection of affordable products ranging from fashion and accessories, health and beauty, electronic gadgets, home appliances, among others, giving its customers a riskfree, effortless shopping experience. To avail of the 10 percent discount voucher, just download the Lazada mobile app from App Store or Google Play for free. There is no minimum purchase required. Globe Sunday is the first exclusive activity to be introduced by Globe and Lazada after the two parties signed a partnership on the use of Globe Telecom’s internationally-acclaimed GCash mobile wallet as a mode of payment at Lazada’s eCommerce website in the coming months. Through mWallet, Globe customers no longer need to own a credit card or even have a bank account to engage in eCommerce. Instead, they can turn their mobile phone into a virtual wallet to shop at the speed of a text message.

“We are excited about this partnership with Lazada because of its customer traffic and the innovation it has done with online shopping. It is a great opportunity for us to leverage on this collaboration by bringing GCASH at the forefront of eCommerce. By increasing transactions through mWallet, we will once again expand the online ecosystem of Globe and provide our customers with a full digital lifestyle experience,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu. Lazada Philippines is part of the Lazada Group which has become one of the top B2C eCommerce market places in South East Asia in the span of only three years with presence in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Lazada Group has over 15,000 merchants, and 1.4 million active customers and is currently valued at US$1.2 billion with US$700 million of investment funding. It has an online footprint of approximately 4 million daily visits to its websites and the largest Facebook following in Southeast Asia with over 12 million fans. Lazada is owned by Rocket Internet, an internet platform that identifies and builds proven internet business models then transfers them to new, underserved or untapped markets where it seeks to scale them into market leading online companies.

The 9th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards is now open

The road to excellence starts here!

he Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards (BLAJA) team made a series of roadshows across key cities in the Philippines in efforts to collect more entries every year and invite local media practitioners to submit entries as well as answer any queries about the awards. On the evening of May 18, the roadshow made its way to Cagayan de Oro City at the NHotel where two-time winner Bong Fabe shares his thoughts to fellow media personalities. Fabe shares “there is no formula” to winning the Bright Leaf competition, since there are different sets of judges each year, “write a story that is close to your heart and write it from the heart, and do a lot of research”. Since 2007, Bright Leaf Awards has been looking for the best stories and photos that were aired or published on national and local TV, Print and Radio media from a certain period of time. This year stories and photos between September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015 will qualify as entries. The Bright Leaf team introduced the following awards to vie for: Agriculture Story of the Year, Agriculture Photo of the Year, Tobacco Story of

the Year, Tobacco Photo of the Year, Best Television Program or Segment, Best Radio Program or Segment, Best Agriculture News Story STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART . Bright Leaf two-time winner Bong Fabe shares his thoughts to fellow media National, Best Agriculture personalities. All Photos by SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY News Story Regional, Best Agriculture Feature Story National, Best Agriculture Feature Story Regional, and The Oriental Leaf Award, this special award is given to those who have won a Bright Leaf Award in any category for five years. The Oriental Leaf Awardees become part of an elite group of individuals that comprise the Bright Leaf Ms. Didet Danguilan, communications director of CDO media practitioners PMFTC, project director of BLAJA Hall of Fame. If you wish to know more about the Bright Leaf Awards, please visit our website at www. thebrightleafawards.com or call our secretariat at (0915) 550-8301 or (0918) 413-0797. You can also send us an email at secretariat@ thebrightleafawards.com

Ms. Thelma Oliver, Philippine Information Agency -10 Regional Director and CDO media practitioners

Ms. Grace Sta Elena of the Department of Agriculture Region 10, shares success stories to give media practitioners some story ideas

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Community

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Gov. Emano welcomes agriculturists and technicians to its 15th annual convention; waits for its output By Jerome Liñan Jungco

isamis Oriental needs the output of the 15th annual conference of city and municipal agriculturists and technicians as he may use it as the solution on the effects of climate change issues on the province’s agriculture sector. “The success of our agriculture sector will also define how successful we are on our main development plan which is anchored on tourism.” Gov. Emano said in his message to the delegates. Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano speaks during the 45th general assembly of The Governor, who is an Misamis Oriental Electric Service Cooperative (Moresco) I Friday in Laguindingan, Misamis agriculturist by profession, Oriental. PHOTO BY MARK FRANCISCO said this is the main reason why all tourist spots there is a comprehensive provide farmers with viable plans piggy-backed with our developed in the several agricultural and marine livelihood projects. tourism development plan areas of the province, development plans to “That is why we have these because the success of our farmers mean we can feed those who will come to our province as tourists and ourselves. For if we cannot feed our own people, how can we satisfy the needs of our tourists?” Gov. Emano added. Further. he told the delegates that he was constrained to have a holistic approach to the development of the province after he found out it has limited funds but with so much indebtedness left to him by the previous administration. “However, our investors on the agricultural sector and farmers need to go on a critical paradigm shift as new issues arise brought about by climate change,” Gov. Emano added. He also told the delegates DISASTER-READY MISOR – VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ speaks before the 120 participants of the Disaster Preparedness Training at Tagoloan Dome, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. The training was organized by the Boy Scouts of the PhilippinesMisamis Oriental Council (BSP-MisOr), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). All the participants are summer job trainees at the Municipal Offices of Tagoloan. Also present during the activity were (upper right photo, from L-R) Mr. Geronimo Beja (BSP Training Team), Mr. Rogelio Roferos (BSP Council Scout Executive), Mr. Roger Achas (Local Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office), Senior Inspector Maricris Y. Mulat (Tagoloan Chief of Police) and Mr. Lorimer Cabunoc (Public Employment Service Office). Vice Governor Pelaez is currently the Council Chair of BSP-MisOr and at the same time, a Regular Member of the BSP National Executive Board. SP COMMUNICATIONS

that under his administration, the province has undertaken some innovative approches in increasing agricultural productivity on which upon hearing such, many of the delegates said they would recommend to their local chief executive for adoption and duplication. “One of the sure measures on increasing agricultural productivity is through mechanized farming. But majority of those in the agricultural sector are small farmers who have no chance of acquiring any piece of farm equipment. That is why through our provincial agriculture office we have been plowing farms with the use of our tractor at no cost to the farmers; not even for gas,” Gov. Emano said. Guests to the event included Sen. Cythia Villar, chairperson of the Senate’s Agriculture Committee.

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Environment

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Dry soil condition still to prevail nationwide By Catherine J. Teves

MANILA - The countr y will continue experiencing mostly dry soil condition during the 10-day period ending May 31 this year. According to g o v e r n m e n t’s w e a t h e r station Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), it expects such condition a c r o s s r e g i o n s I , I VA, IV-B, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X and XII as well as

Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), National Capital Region (NCR) and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). PAGASA forecast rainfall there to range from zero to 25 mm (Reg ion XII and NCR), zero to 50 mm (regions I, IV-A, IV-B, VI, VII and X), zero to 75 mm (regions VIII and IX, CAR and ARMM). A m on g a g r i c u lt u r a l activities in progress

there include plowing and cleaning of fields, watering and mulching of standing vegetable crop as well as harvesting of rice, corn and other crops. According to PAGASA, the easterlies, high-pressure area and low-pressure area (LPA) will affect the country during the 10-day reference period. “During that decade’s first half, extreme Northern Lu z on w i l l e x p e r i e n c e cloudy skies with light to mo derate rain showers

and thunderstorms due to possible development of an LPA while the rest of the country will generally have good weather condition,” PAGASA said in its forecast for the 10 days until May’s end. T h e e nt i r e c o u nt r y will likely experience f air we at he r cond it ion afterwards, PAGASA said. PA G A S A a l s o s a i d t he droug ht-driving El Nino phenomenon was in progress. Elsewhere, PAGASA also

expects dry soil condition to prevail during the 10-day reference period but only in parts of some regions. For Region II, where forecast rainfall ranges from zero to 25 mm, PAGASA said moist soil condition was likely in Batanes province only as dry condition was expected in other parts of the area. PAGASA said between zero and 50 mm was forecast for regions III and V, both of w h i c h wou l d l i ke ly experience dry condition

PH supports UNEP report on resource DENR highlights role efficiency in Asia-Pacific of biodiversity in current patterns of resource sustainable development use can further help us make By Patricia Ruth Cailao

MANILA -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paj e s aid t hat t he Philippines fully supports the latest United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report that calls for more efficient use of resources and waste minimization among Asia-Pacific nations. According to Sec. Paje, the UNEP report could serve as an essential guide

for governments and policymakers in the transition to low-carbon and resourceefficient economy. C a l l i n g f o r a “n e w industrial revolution” to promote equitable human w e l l - b e i ng w it h l ow e r resource use, the report cautions that the region cannot depend on declining natural resource costs for its future growth. “ T h is k now l e dge of

decisions about our policy priorities, development, and implementation towards a low-carbon, resourceefficient economy,” Paje said. The Philippines has been taking part in various i n it i at i v e s t o i mp rov e resource efficiency in the country. In 2011, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Executive Order No. 26 which established the National Greening Program (NGP), resource/PAGE 11

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte – In celebration of the I nt e r n at i o n a l D ay f o r Biological Diversity on May 22, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) underscores the critical role that biodiversity play in achieving sustainable development. DENR’s Bio diversity Management Bureau (BMB) Director Theresa Mundita Lim said that this year’s

The local government of Baguio enforces the City’s Clean Air Ordinance. Here, the Roadside Inspection, Testing and Monitoring Team (RITMT) checks the motor of vehicles if they are emitting the standard allowable engine smoke.(PIA)

global theme, “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development”, reflects the close links of biodiversity with the fate of humanity in the aspect of economic growth, health and food security as well as in climate change mitigation. “Biodiversity plays a critical role in sustainable development. It contributes to several aspects of people’s livelihoods and well-being, providing goods and environmental services,” said Lim. She stressed the importance of mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into the public’s consciousness, Specifically since the philippines remains to be considered a biodiversity hotspot despite its being one of the world’s 17 mega-diverse countries. “People ought to understand how biodiversity sustains life on this planet. This way, they will value and care for these resources more, not only for themselves but for the future generations,” she said. In obser vance of the celebration, DENR Region 8, through its Conversation and Development Division shall conduct a lecture/Dalaw Turo for its employees. This learning event on biodiversity denr/PAGE 11

except in the former’s Aurora province and the latter’s C at a n d u a n e s p r ov i n c e where moist condition was expected. Dry condition is also forecast for Region XI and XIII but moist condition is likely in Central Davao and Surigao del Sur provinces there, respectively, noted PAGASA. PAGASA forecast rainfall there to range between zero and 75 mm (Region XI) and 25 mm to 145 mm (Region XIII). (PNA)

DILG ARMM launches ‘Oplan Listo’ MARAWI CITY -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DILG-ARMM) has launched its disaster preparedness program, dubbed “Oplan Listo,” ai me d at i mprov i ng the region’s immediate response to natural and man-made calamities, including armed conflicts. O p l an L i s t o i s a disaster preparedness program of the DILG provided under Republic Act 10121. It is basically an orientation drive on local government units (LGUs) on what to do in times of calamities. Anwar Malang, ARMM S ecretar y of the Interior and Local Government, said the orientation campaign will be replicated to cater not only to LGUs but also to civil society organizations, and the youth, including that outof-school, in the entire region. Sec. Malang also said that his department has already started rolling out the same campaign in the island provinces as well as in Maguindanao. listo/PAGE 11

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) delegates pose for a souvenir photo at the poolside of the Crown Regency Hotel in Boracay Island, Aklan, during the Preparatory Conference on High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on Science and Technology in Higher Education led by Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) chairman Undersecretary Laura del Rosario of the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (May 19, 2015). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

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MindanaoOutlook

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Mothers urged to adapt ‘Pinggang Pinoy’ C A G AYA N DE ORO CIT Y – The Department of Health (DOH) reiterates its call on mothers to prepare a healthy food plate for the family despite money and time constraint. Nutritionist Telesfora G. Madelo of DOH region 10 said it is high time to start now, considering the increasing rate of persons suf fer ing f rom chronic e n e rg y d e f i c i e n c y an d obesity. She recommended the ‘Pinggang Pinoy’ concept

develop ed by the Fo o d Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), a daily nutritional guide especially designed for Filipinos that complements with the food guide pyramid. It’s a simple and easy to understand visual tool that uses a familiar food plate model to convey the right food group proportions on a per-meal basis. The model suggested that each healthy meal should compose of 33 percent rice, 33 percent vegetables, 17 percent meat, and 17 percent fruit.

Madelo suggest to buy fruits in season so it won’t be costly as well as to opt for variety in vegetables

served. She drummed up the call during the media health advocates quarterly media

forum on May 20 held in the city. She said while ensuring that children as well-fed

and healthy, this would also help build good healthy food habits for the children. (JCV/PIA 10)

Potassium in bananas helps regulate blood pressure Bananas are one of the most popular fruits among people of all origins because these can be available fresh yearround and cheaper compared with other tropical fruits. To the consumer, the banana seems a simple name for the yellow and elongated fruit that is ser ved as a

dessert. The word “banana” is a general term embracing a number of species or hybrids of the genus Musa of the family of Musaceae, closely related to plantains. Bananas are classified either as dessert bananas or as green cooking bananas. The ripe banana is popularly

served as a dessert. It is a delicious addition to fruit salads or simply eaten out of hand. Overripe bananas make excellent breads, cookies, muffins and cakes. They make attractive garnish in ice cream. Unripe or green bananas are used in cooking. Unripe bananas can be fried, boiled, baked or made into chips. Bananas are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Potassium is a mineral that is important for controlling the body’s fluid balance. It is also needed for muscle contraction, t r a n s m i s s i on of n e r v e impulses, and the proper functioning of the body’s heart and kidneys. Potassium helps regulate water balance and blood pressure in cells, together with other minerals like sodium, calcium, and magnesium. Besides being a good source of vitamins and

minerals, banana is also a natural remedy for a number of illnesses and conditions. Ripe banana relieves diarrhea, whereas the unripe banana relieves constipation. Banana is highly recommended for patients suffering from high blood pressure because of its potassium content. The fresh leaves of banana are also used as bed spreads for bed ridden patients to avoid bedsores. One piece of banana each day restores the balance of potassium. So make it a habit to include banana in your daily meals. According to the 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos developed by the Technical Working Group headed by the Food and Nutrition Research InstituteDepar tment of S cience and Technology (FNRIDOST), you should eat more vegetables and fruits.

‘Keeping your baby away from food-borne illness’ Taking care and feeding the baby are your major responsibilities as a m o t h e r. It i s y o u r j o b to ke ep your b aby s afe from food-borne illness. It is important to practice food safety because infants and young children are vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. Their immune systems are not yet fully developed. Also, their stomachs produce less acid, w hich ma kes it easier for harmful m i c ro or g an i s m s t o g e t through their digestive systems. Here are some important b a s i c fo o d s afe t y T I P S when taking care of infants and young children: Always begin food preparation by washing your hands. Wash your h a n d s w i t h h o t , s o apy water after changing the diaper or after any activity in which your hands could have picked up germs. You d on ' t w ant to t r ans m it those germs to your child. Keep your fingernails clean and trimmed especially when handling baby’s food. Do not smoke, cough or sneeze near baby’s food and dishes. Use detergent and hot water to wash and rinse all utensils including the c an op e ne rs t hat c ome in contact with a baby's foods. Thoroughly clean baby’s utensils. Heat or sterilize baby’s utensils carefully. Harmful bacteria

c an i n fe c t an i n f ant i f the utensils used are not washed and sterilized properly. Do not feed your baby from a bowl of homemade b aby fo o d. D o n ot put left over back in the refrigerator. Saliva on the spoon will contaminate the remaining food. Instead just put enough food on a d i s h for on e s e r v i n g using a clean spoon before feeding the baby. D o n o t u s e l e f t o ut at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Do not give leftover foods to your baby. Do not feed a baby honey or syrup -- at least for the f i r s t 6 m ont h s . Hon e y and syrups can contain spores of clostridium botulinum. The immune systems of adults and older children can prevent the spores from growing once ingested. However, in an infant, these spores can g row a n d c au s e i n f a nt botulism. Us e o n l y c l e a n a n d u n c o nt a m i n at e d w at e r for washing and cooking food for your baby. If you are in doubt ab out t he quality of water, boil the water by bringing it to a vigorous rolling boil and ke e p it b oi l i ng for t e n to twenty minutes. This will kill the germs that cause cholera and other diarrheal diseases. Wit h a l l t h e s e f o o d safety tips, you are assured that your baby is eating quality and safe food.

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Unveils... from page 1

Ariel Lozada previously directed Mensweek, which featured a collection of the Philippines’ most famous designers, for Centrio’s Style Origin 2014. Style Origin 2015 was launched in Greenbelt last May 8 and as expected, it was attended in droves by Manila’s glitterati. Style Origin returns to Centrio Mall for the third straight year on May 24 at its Activity Center featuring professional models from Manila (mostly foreigners) and community models from in and around Cagayan de Oro. For this year’s edition, Style Origin participating brands include Artwork, Asics, C ollezione C2, Columbia, DC, Folded and Hung, Gforce, Giordano, Jockey, Mags, Mango, Merrell, Nautica, Original Penguin, Petrol, Planet Sports, Promod, Quiksilver, R.O.X, Robinsons Department Store, Roxy, Spruce, Wrangler, Bambu, Bratpack, Claire’s, Herschel, Ipanema, Leaveland, Onitsuka Tiger, Parfois, Res Toe Run, Sanuk, Skechers, Sperry, Sunglass Haven, The Travel Club and Watch Republic, Now on its fifth year, Ayala Malls’ annual lifestyle series Style Origin, is presented in partnership with The Philippine STAR, Star World, Tiger Media Corporation and YSTYLE, continues to energize and elevate the experience of shopping with inspirations from the runway and the experts.

PRDP... from page 1

or renovation of farm-to market roads spanning 741 kilometers across the country’s second biggest island. Other proposed projects include single-lane bridges, irrigation systems, potable water systems and postharvest facilities. Broken down per area, the proposals come from: south-Central Mindanao with P2.1 billion; Northern Mindanao, P1.9 billion; Western Mindanao, P1.54 billion; South-eastern Mindanao, P1.5 billion; Caraga Region, P1.1 billion; and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, P361 million. The PRDP, an expanded version of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) that ended in 2014, has a P27.5-billion budget over the period 2015-2020, the bulk of which will go to Mindanao at P13.9 billion while Luzon will get P7.3 billion and the Visayas, P6.3 billion. T h e Wor l d B an k i s bankrolling the program with counterpart funds from the national government as well as the LGUs, which are required to cover 10% of their project cost. Lealyn A. Ramos, PRDP cluster director for Mindanao,

said the proposed projects are evaluated through site validation and technical review before being endorsed for implementation. T h e D e p a r t m e nt of Agriculture is the lead implementing agency for P R D P. “ I n f r a s t r u c t u r e projects that do not adhere to quality standards and specifications are required to adopt corrective measures including remove-andreplace orders,” Ms. Ramos said in a media statement. Proposals are assessed based on the economic impact on enterprise and agricultural production, particularly in relation to developing priority commodities identified under the local investment plan. Proj e c t prop on e nt s , Ms. Ramos added, are also required to submit geotagged photographs to ensure that the projects are legitimate. Geotagging is one of the tools used by the program to monitor project implementation. Under the MRDP, about P300 million worth of projects were found to have been bogus thanks to inspections using geotagging.

Demolition... from page 1

because the pasture lease has already expired. So why is there a need to execute a demolition now? You cannot demolish something of prior p oss ession,” prov inci a l attorney Cecil Faelnar, who is lawyering for the Higaonons on the basis that they are Misamis Oriental residents, argued. While demolition was on progress last Tuesday, like a scene unfolding in an action thriller, a sheriff from a higher court–the sala of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Executive Judge Dennis Alcantar–surfaced with the TRO. This prompted the demolition team to stop the clearing operation. Rudy Ibale, spokesperson of the group of Higaonons who named themselves as the New Indigenous Barangay Plaridel Farmers Association, said the seven houses were torn down and the affected families are now temporary sheltered in their neighbors’ houses. Meanwhile, Provincial agrarian reform officer Zoraida Macadindang said that the 43 hectares of Higaonon enclave in barangay Plaridel is covered by a joint administrative order with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in favor of the residents. Macadindang warned that the Crew Resources Development Corporation would be charged with trespassing if they insist on getting back to their expired property.

Bill...

from page 1

Vulcan Daan or to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross, and Tuasan Falls are likewise listed a priority

under the municipality of Catarman. The new rising tourist attraction sites in Sagay like Binangawan Falls, Langojanan Ki Inggoy, and Pamunglo Spring are also included, together with the Moro Watch Tower and Mount Ilihan in Sagay town. Once enacted the Camiguin Tourism Council shall be the primary policymaking, planning and coordinating the development of tourism in Camiguin and administration of the tourism development areas. (JCV, PIA 10)

BDO... from page 3

• ATM Debit Card and Cash Card usage • P e r s o n a l a n d Business Online Banking, Mobile Banking and Phone Banking The bank has encouraged clients to do their banking transactions ahead of the scheduled activity to avoid inconvenience. It thanked them for their “continued understanding and patience.”

Resource... from page 8

a massive forest rehabilitation program that seeks to grow 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide. The program is expected to undergo within a period of six years, from 2011 to 2016. NGP is also seen as a climate change mitigation strategy to enhance the country’s forest stock to absorb carbon dioxide which is largely blamed for global warming. DENR has also issued a directive requiring the use of cleaner fuel in the country and imposing stricter emission standards for all vehicles starting on July this year. The implementation of vehicle emission limits is consistent with Republic Act No. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. (MACV/PRC// DENR)

Listo... from page 8

R e c e nt l y, t h e D I L G distributed disaster pre p are d n e s s m anu a l s , which will serve as a guide for LGUs in planning responses to incoming disasters as well as in formulating disaster preparedness plans that will assist them in knowing what to do and how to meet the minimum levels of readiness. The manual contains a checklist of actions necessary to be taken accordingly by Municipal L o cal Government Operations Officers, Mayors, Chief of Police and Fire Marshalls in case of disasters. It also provides appropriate steps in order to avoid preparation mistakes during disasters. Although ARMM hardly experiences strong typhoons, the region is still ver y vulnerable to other disasters such as

flooding, drought, change in temperature, and conflicts among others. Sec. Malang, however, encourages LGUs to do more, beyond what is within the manual depending on the context and conditions. “We advise them to make careful disaster planning based on local hazard and risk maps to help them be hundred percent ready and not entirely dependent on the disaster manual,” he said. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/ PIA-10)

DENR... from page 8

shall be conducted to enhance the awareness of key players in the Department who seek to generate public support for the conservation and sust ai nabl e us e of t he country’s rich biodiversity. As DE N R R e g i on 8 Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca puts it, “we take pide in the richness of the country’s biodiversity, so we should all respond to the pressing challenge of biodiversity conservation and protection. We should take care of our resources, we must act.” Along with 195 member countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Philippines celebrates IDBD every May 22 to promote understanding and awareness of bi o d i v e r s it y i s s u e s . (DENR-08/PIA-08)

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