BusinessWeek Mindanao (May 7-8, 2014)

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

Volume IV, No. 98

Market Indicators As of 6:10 pm may 6, 2014 (Tuesday)

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Oro skyway A CAGAYAN de Oro lawmaker is pushing for the construction of a 2.4-kilometer Skyway that would cost P 2.6 billion to ease the traffic congestion in the central district of this trading hub in Northern Mindanao.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, 2nd District of Cagayan De Oro City, said on Tuesday that he has requested the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) to fast track the inclusion of the project in the DPWH budget for 2015.

He said that the proposed Skyway would be known as the “JR Borja-Carmen-Patag Skyway”, which would start from JR Borja Extension near a private hospital that would pass through the Cogon Market toward the JR Borja Bridge.

Bangsamoro law ABOUT 40,000 people in Lanao del Sur held simultaneous rally in Marawi City and the municipal town of Balo-i on Sunday to press Congress for the immediate passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), that would create an autonomous “Bangsamoro homeland” in Mindanao.

About 30,000 residents in Marawi City joined the pro-BBL rally in the city’s downtown district known to the Maranaos as “Banggolo” while another 10,000 people participated in a separate rally in the municipal town of Balo-i, the largest municipal town in Lanao del Sur on the borders of Iligan City in Lanao del Norte.

Second Vice Chairman Ustadz Ali Solaiman said that with the passage of the BBL, the transition of the present Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) would be expedited and the establishment of the autonomous Bangsamoro homeland would take place.

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Power outages worsen Water levels in Lake Lanao, Pulangi dip

By FROILAN GALLARDO, MindaNews

W

ATER in Lake Lanao and Pulangi River, Mindanao’s main sources of electric power, had reached record-low levels on Monday forcing power utilities to enforce six- to 10- hour rotational brownouts in almost all major cities in the island. power/PAGE 11

Health, competitiveness projects up in northern Mindanao: RDC-X

By MIKE BANOS, Editor-at-Large

M AJOR U S A I D he a lt h projects in the provinces of Bu k i d n on , Mi s am i s Oriental and Lanao del Norte and the results of the competitiveness survey of the region’s towns and cities were the subjects of the 103rd Executive Committee Meeting of the Regional Development Council for Region X (RDC-X) held 29 April 2014 at a local hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Execom unanimously approved its advocacy and support for USAID supported projects aimed at helping the Philippines achieve Universal Health Care through the Kalusugan Pangkalahatan through high impact interventions in maternal and child health and family planning in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte and tuberculosis health/PAGE 11

MINDANAO IN DARKNESS. Even with their own back-up facilities, Cagayan de Oro and Davao cities are no longer spared from rotational brownouts as their respective utilities have started to implement 6-10 hours of power outages due to thinning power supply.

Photo shows blackouts in Kidapawan lend the city dramatic, though unwanted, night scenes, like this photo taken on Monday. mindanews photo by geonarrri solmerano

DOE drops three Bangsamoro petroleum blocks in PECR-5

By MYRNA VELASCO, Contributor

GIVEN yet-to-be-resolved concerns, the Department of Energy (DOE) has dropped the three petroleum blocks in the Bangsamoro region which it originally considered to be

offered under the Philippine Energy Contracting Round-5 (PECR-5) which is due for launching on May 9.

“The service areas to be offered as of Monday (May

5) have been cut down to 11,” a highly-placed source from the department has noted.

That’s a decline from the preliminary 14 blocks w h i c h t h e d e p ar t m e nt earlier mapped out for its doe/PAGE 11

Zubiri ventures into solar project

Lanao del Norte Gov. Khalid Dimaporo, RDC-SDC-X chair, closes the 103rd Execom Meeting of the Regional Development Council for Region X (RDC-X) held April 29. (Photo by Mike Banos, NPN)

A C O M PA N Y o w n e d by former senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri has tied up with Singapore-based Equis Funds Group for the construction of a solar power plant in Bukidnon.

In a media briefing, Zubiri, who is president

of Asian Greenenergy Corp, said the company will put up a 12-megawatt (MW) solar plant in his home-province. “ This project will ease rotating brownouts experienced by the people of Mindanao. Solar is the fastest to build and we

can start delivering the initial [four] MW starting September this year,” he said.

Asi an Gre enenerg y tapped Soleq Pte Ltd, a unit of the Singaporean fund manager, as joint venture zubiri/PAGE 11

Primavera hails winners of Earth Day photo tilt

By LOVELY BABE ESTOISTA DONITA HIZON and MARILYN VELUZ Liceo U Interns

PRIMAVERA Residences, the multi-awarded green property in Cagayan de Oro City, recently bared the grand

winners of the photo contest dubbed: “Living Green in a Modern World: An Earth Day Photography Contest,” held

on May 3 at the second floor of its main condominium building at Pueblo de Oro, Brgy. Upper Balulang, this city.

The tight contest of all amateur photographers in primavera/PAGE 11

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CMU hosts 1st Mindanao Social Business Summit M AL AY BA L AY Cit y -Central Mindanao University (CMU) will host the 1st Mindanao Social Business Summit (SBS) on June 4-6, 2014 at the Farmers’ Training C enter, CMU, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.

Department of Trade and

Industry (DTI) Provincial D i re c t or E r m e d i o J. Abang said the convenors will call together social innovators, entrepreneurs, prospective investors, and various interested groups to contribute, share, or gain ideas relative to the

achievement of economic growth pertaining to social enterprise development.

Anchored on the theme “We a lt h Cre at ion w it h Justice and Peace through Social Entrepreneurship,” the summit meeting aims to advocate for partnership among stakeholders emphasizing the need for a holistic support mechanism towards inclusive growth to reduce poverty.

The Summit will also put heads together to manifest vital resolves concerning peace and development issues in Mindanao, as well as its implications for social entrepreneurships, and to ge n e r ate c om m it m e nt s towards the establishment of a Social Enterprise Institute (SEI) in CMU as a mentoring hub for Mindanao.

O rg an i z e d by C M U and Gawad Kalinga, the

students, professors, social entrepreneurs, and professionals from other c ou nt r i e s w i l l a l s o b e participating in the threeday event.

Invited social entrepreneur champions to speak in the Summit are Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV; Gawad Kalinga (GK) founder Tony Meloto; GK Executive Director LuisOquiñena; Nobel Prize

awardee Nicanor Perlas; and Economist-columnist Ceilito Habito.

S o c i a l e nt re pre n e u r czars Dylan Wilk, Fabien C o u r t e i l l e , Fr. R o b e r t Reyes, Frank Chiu, and the Secretaries of Department of Education, Department of Tourism, DAR, and DTI will also deal their expertise during the big event. (Junar B. Merla-DTI/RLRBalistoyPIA 10, Bukidnon)

HUNDREDS of dairy industry stakeholders and a few foreign dignitaries are expected to meet in General Santos City for the 17th Dairy Congress and Expo (DairyConEx) in the next few days.

New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore, United States Embassy Agricultural Attaché William Verzani, and Dr. Krailas Kiyothong of the Thailand Ministry of

Agriculture and Cooperatives are expected to attend the May 7-9 event, according to a statement from the Philippine Information Agency yesterday.

Dairy Confederation of the Philippines Chairman Juan Lozano said in the statement that DairyConEx aims to raise the productivity and incomes of dairy farmers, augment the base herd, create new market niches, support food

security, and modernize the agricultural sector.

The event, which will be held at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center, will feature updates on the dairy industry, the National Dairy Authority’s (NDA) dairy upgrading program, calf rearing, feed nutrition and forage, food quality and safety, buffalo dairy products, and Halal certification, among

other things.

Dair yConEx will be hosted by the Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives with the Sarangani provincial government and the General Santos City government.

It is also supported by the NDA, the Philippine Carabao Center, and the Agriculture department in Soccsksargen.

Dairy industry to muster in GenSan

Agriculture department donates farm tractor to city gov’t THE Department of Agriculture Regional Filed Office (DA RFO) No. 10 donated a unit of tractor to the city government of Cagayan de Oro. Hence, the City Council committee on agriculture and fisheries chaired by

C ounci lor Annie D ab a favorably endorsed to the committee on laws and rules chaired by Councilor Ramon G. Tabor the request of DA RFO-10 for the enactment of an ordinance authorizing City Mayor Oscar Moreno to donates/PAGE 11

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Nickel Asia gets 1Q boost from one-time profit

Petron first-quarter gain inches up on higher sales PETRON Corp has announced a one-percent increase in net income in the first quarter, as the country’s largest oil retailer saw revenue rising in the low double-digits.

In a statement, Petron said it earned P2.23 billion in the January to March period, up from the P2.20 billion in the same three months of last year.

Revenue from its Philippine and Malaysian op e r at i ons cl i mb e d 1 2 percent to P125.2 billion from P112 billion in 2013.

Sales volume increased by four percent to 20.7 million barrels from last year’s 20 million. Retail sales alone hit 10.6 million barrels, up six percent from 10 percent in 2013.

“This can be attributed to improved network sales and its service station expansion program,” Petron said.

The company’s local business contributed sales of P75.4 billion, up 12 percent from P67.3 billion in 2013, driven by a two percent increase in volumes and an improvement in the product sales mix.

The company, to date, has a combined network of over 2,700 stations, 2,200 of which are in the Philippines where it remains the market leader with a 37 percent share.

“We are excited about the company’s prospects in the coming months with our ongoing upgrading and expansion projects. We are close to realizing our vision of a larger and stronger Petron especially with the completion of our biggest investment to date, the Refinery Master Plan-2,” Petron chairman and chief executive officer Ramon S. Ang, said.

The $2-billion Refinery Master Plan – 2 (RMP-2) will be in full commercial operation by next year, allowing Petron to increase production of gasoline, diesel, and petrochemicals at its Bataan Refinery.

C omplementing its RMP-2 and retail expansion program, the company is also expediting its Logistics Master Plan (LMP), which will integrate Petron’s supply chain with the aim of serving customers’ fuel needs in the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective means.

This project includes the upgrade of existing facilities and the construction of new storage tanks in strategic locations, modernization of tank trucks, among others. “ These projects will enhance the value generation of Petron’s key assets and gives it a unique advantage from refining to distribution to marketing,” Ang said.

Toyota revises 2014 plan in anticipation of stronger sales TOYOTA Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP), the country’s largest automotive company, is revising its annual plan to prepare for the possible surge in market demand given the start of motorization stage of the domestic economy.

This was revealed by TMP president Michinobu Sugata at the recently held 2014 Toyota Supplier Conference and 14th Toyota Suppliers Club Assembly at the Manila Hotel.

“We are now studying what and how TMP should prepare for the possible surge in market demand, together with formulating our revised annual plan,” Sugata said citing the increasing consumer demand for cars.

Part of its preparation is TMP’s projects in the pipeline

that include increasing production capacity through plant improvements, as well as localization of additional 15 press parts for the Vios, one of its two locally assembled model.

L o oking at business prospects for 2014, Sugata remarked that the first q u a r t e r ’s r o b u s t s a l e s performance was a pleasant surprise, clearly signifying that motorization in the Philippines is becoming more evident as the country’s economy continues to grow.

Local motor vehicle industry sales in the first quarter grew 22.9 percent while TMP’s sales surged 34 percent over the same quarter last year.

Sugata also congratulated and thanked its supplier toyota/PAGE 10

NICKEL Asia Corp yesterday announced a near fivefold increase in its profit in the first three months of the year on the back of onetime gains.

In its unaudited financial report, the country’s largest listed nickel miner said it earned P1.033 billion in the January to March period, a 374 percent increase from the P217.9 million in the

same three months of last year.

Excluding the share of minority shareholders, net income attributable to equity holders of the parent surged nearly sixfold to P593.7 million from the P100.3 million over the same period.

Nickel Asia said the jump in its earnings included a non-cash gain of P416.6 mi l lion ar ising f rom a

property dividend declared by subsidiar y Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp (RTN).

The property dividend pertains to RTN’s 10 percent stake in the processing plant of Coral Bay Nickel Corp (CBNC) that had b een revalued higher. Nickel Asia’s interest was subsequently transformed from a six p e rc e nt i n d i re c t s t a ke held through RTN to a 10

percent direct participation in CBNC. Without the one-time gain, Nickel Asia’s core net income attributable to equity holders of the parent reached P177.1 million, or 77 percent higher year-on-year.

The first-quarter earnings also included an P11.7million in equity income f r o m i t s 2 2 . 5 p e r c e nt profit/PAGE 11

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RESORTS, HOTEL & RESTAURANTS DIRECTORIES

Algen’s Dive Resort (088) 3872015

Philtown Hotel 726295 / 8564402 Fax: 723104

Apple Tree Resort & Hotel 735411 / 754525 Fax: 754497

Pryce Plaza Hotel 8583131 Fax: 726687

Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin (088) 3871057 / 3870131 Fax: 3870278

Prawn House (088) 3095992 Fax: 8519219

Basamanggas Resort 08822-760564 Fax: 760565 Cagayan Riverview Inn 8584245 / 729039 Fax: 8584245 Casa Crystalla 8561704 / 722465 Fax: 722480

Ridge View Chalet 8588946 / 8587946 Fax: 8588946 Seda Centrio Hotel 32288888 Southwinds Hotel 724803 / 8562036 Fax: 8562036 Stargate Dream Vacation Resort 8515003 / 8509999

Casa Isabella (088) 8564065

Casa Azucena 8563402 / 09236593973

Chali Beach Resort 732840 / 8552108 Fax: 8555941

The VIP Hotel 726080 / 8562505 Fax: 726441

Chananthon Bed & Breakfast 8568189 / 3093095

Uptown Condotel 8511800

Country Village Hotel 8583004-06 Fax: 8583006 D’Budgetel 8564200/726643 Fax: 8564300 Dahilayan Forest Park 8568562 to 63

De Luxe Hotel 8572144 / 724548 Fax: 724563 Discovery Hotel 727814 / 8563896 Fax: 8563897 Duka Bay Resort (088) 3312290 Fax: 725265 Dynasty Court Hotel 8574802 Fax: 857900 Grand City Hotel 8571900 / 728469 Fax: 723718 Hotel Conchita 8563856 / 727355 Fax: 8563857 Hotel Koresco 8589749-50 Fax: 8589748 Hotel Sogo 8520383

Kingston Lodge 8585696 Fax: 8585696 Mapawa Natures Park 8584402 Fax: 725265 Mallberry Suites 8541999 / 7249999 Fax: 8544999 Maxandrea Hotel 8572244/729943 Fax: 724090 Miami Inn 8581901 to 02 Fax: 725279/728486 N Hotel (088) 8801924

Paras Beach Resort 8568563 Fax: 8568563

Tune Hotel 8800888/8801306 Travelers Pod 8518988

Villa Paraiso Apartelle 3870419 Fax: 3870429 HONORARY MEMBERS:

Dept. of Tourism 723696/726394 / 8564048 Fax: 723696

RESTAURANTS:

Bigby’s Café 72-1071/857-5511/8575836 Fax: 711843 Café Laguna 8582999 Fax: 8567001 DM Villaruy Restaurant 733790

Golden Ajirang I 856-5271 Fax: 727876 Grand Caprice Restaurant 72-6955/856-2302 Fax: 72-4986 Kagay-anon Restaurant 728958 / 8563688 Fax: 8563843 / 729003 La Ilongga Restaurant 72-6183 / 857-3652 Fax: 72-4605 Max’s Restaurant 8586297 Fax: 8568264 Missy Bon Bon 8566852 / 09228606442 Fax: 8566852 SLERS Ham & Café 8551438 Thai Me Up 738424/3108424 Fax: 738424 Barkadahan Grill 8551234 La Tegola Cucina Italiana 8585959

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House panel approves bill revitalizing coconut industry THE House Committee on Agriculture and Food has approved a substitute bill promoting the steady, accelerated, and orderly development of the coconut industry consistent with the agrarian reform policy of the government.

The substitute bill aims to revitalize the coconut industry primarily by equipping the Philippine Coconut Authority ( P C A ) w it h s ol i d an d multifaceted mandate, which focuses on developmental, governmental, regulatory, research and development, and corporate powers and functions.

By approving the substitute bill, the committee chaired by Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza (4th District, B at angas) removes t he corporate restriction of PCA to make the agency profitable, sustainable and development-oriented.

The still unnumbered measure substituted House Bill 1998 authored by Rep, Sharon Garin (Party-list, AAMBIS OWA) and House Bill 1705 by Rep. Victoria Noel (Party-list, An-Waray), both seeking to revitalize the coconut industry.

Garin said the reorganization of PCA also

allows for more representation from the farmers, processors, traders, researches, scientists and academe comprising seven board seats out of the 11 board seats.

Moreover, since coconut is a long-gestating crop, it is also prudent to fix the term of the administrator of PCA to ensure the full implement at ion of t he policies and programs of the agency. Hence, this measure fixes the term of the administrator to six years.

To implement the policy and objectives of this Act, Garin said the measure creates and establishes a non-stock, government corporate entity known as the Philippine Coconut Industry Development Authority (PHILCIDA), hereinafter referred to as the Authority.

Garin said the PHILCIDA is mandated to formulate and adopt a general program of development geared towards increased farm productivity, through planting or replanting of suitable seedling varieties, rehabilitation and fertilization of coconut, integrated coconut-based farming systems and product processing, and whenever necessary, the construction of related support and

infrastructure facilities.

PHILCIDA shall adopt a special program to maximize the yield of small coconut farmers and their farm families particularly those farms covered by the agrarian reform program of the government;

The bill also includes potent provisions on research and development to cultivate a culture of scientific excellence and professionalism in its agricultural and industrial re s e arch and e st abl ish credence to the initiatives, bill/PAGE 10

Tagum eyes crab-growing project TAGUM City -- The local government is eyeing the revival of intensive crab growing under private investors with the construction of a multispecies hatchery.

The hatchery had been proposed as early as a decade ago by previous city officials as well as private agribusiness entrepreneurs.

Cromwell S. Bonghanoy, Tagum City information officer, said the regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR11) has extended P2.4million financial assistance to augment Tagum’s resources for the project.

“It’s a dream come true; we have already complied with all the requirements,” Mr. Bonghanoy said regarding the hatchery project.

The city is aiming for a sustainable supply of fingerlings for mariculture products, with crabs as priority along with milkfish and prawns.

The multi-species hatchery’s products will be sold to fishpond operators at below normal market price.

The hatchery is also being eyed as a venue for handson training for fisherfolk, investors, fisheries students, project/PAGE 10

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April inflation accelerates INFLATION picked up last month on the back of faster increases in the prices of food and beverage, fuel and utilities.

In a report, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) today said inflation settled at 4.1 percent in April, faster than the 2.6 percent a year ago and the 3.9 percent in March this year.

Despite the uptick, last month’s headline figure brought the year-to-date average to 4.1 percent, or at the mid-point of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) full-year target range of 3-5 percent.

“Tightness in the country’s rice supply persisted last month, resulting in higher prices of rice during the p e r i o d . S i m i l a r l y, t h e relatively higher corn prices may be attributed to lower production of corn resulting from dry spells in a number of corn-producing regions,” Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement.

Balisacan, who is also director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said the higher international price of crude also pushed up domestic petroleum product prices.

“The domestic prices of unleaded gasoline, diesel, kerosene and LPG recorded faster adjustments last month.

These are also consistent with the Dubai crude price, which increased by three percent in April, coming from a 1.2-percent annual contraction in the previous month,” he said.

Last month also saw a 9.5 percent increase in the generation charge that Meralco collects in behalf of power suppliers, Balisacan said, adding that the April increment was higher than the 0.4 percent in March.

“This was due to higher power costs from suppliers resulting from the several outages in large power plants, coupled with the increase in demand caused by the

summer season,” he said.

Moving forward, upside pressure on prices would emanate from the El Niño dry spell, the depreciating peso and the lobby for adjustments in utility rates, transport fares, and wages, Balisacan said.

“In the short term, the interventions can focus on improving the management of inventor y, including that of imports, and the efficiency of the distribution systems. In the medium term, we need to focus on increasing the productivity of agriculture and the food processing industries as well

as expanding production capacity,” he said.

Pre-emptive adjustments BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said the April inflation reading, while higher than the month before, would still allow the central bank to meet its full-year target.

“We remain watchful for any financial stability risks from the still elevated liquidity growth rate, and continue to monitor the impact of our last action which took effect only mid-last month, as well as developments globally inflation/PAGE 10

Banks seek higher rates for 6-month, 1-yr loans to gov’t

Philam Life posts P20-B gross premiums in 2013

high relative to what the Bureau of the Treasury can accept.”

“We accepted the 91-day because it is rightly priced,” he added.

The upward pressure on six-month and one-year rates comes ahead of Thursday’s meeting of the policy-setting Monetary Board of the BSP. In the last few weeks, BSP officials have said they were ready to put in place macroprudential measures to address the volatility caused by the US Federal Reserve’s withdrawal of its economic stimulus.

PHILIPPINE American Life and General Insurance Co said it was able to hit P 2 0 . 1 - bi l l i on i n g ro s s premiums in 2013 through new business generation, stronger distribution network and increased sales of unitlinked products.

In a statement, Philam Life said last year’s gross premiums was 31 percent higher than the P15.34 billion recorded in 2012 as the amount of new business jumped 62 percent to P11.8 billion year-on-year.

In 2013, Philam Life gross/PAGE 7

BANKS tried to bid up benchmark rates for sixmonth and one-year money ahead of this week’s policy meeting of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

At yesterday’s auction, the Bureau of Treasur y managed to raise P8 billion as programmed from the sale of 91-day Tbills after bids more than doubled to P20.407 billion.

The benchmark rate dropped 9.4 basis points to 1.346 percent from 1.44 percent when the threemonth debt paper was last auctioned off.

It was a different story for the 182- and 364-day Tbills, as the auction committee failed to raise the programmed P6 billion for either tenor.

Banks were asking for an 18.9 basis point increase in the six-month rate to 1.885 percent from the previous sale of 1.696 percent.

Likewise, lenders sought a 21.2 basis points hike in the one-year rate to 2.184 percent from the 1.972 percent previously.

After the auction, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said the quotes for the 182and 364-day Tbills were “too

STEAG defers ‘synchronization’ of Unit Despite Completion of Restoration Work

By CHENG ORDONEZ

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Worsening the power situation in Mindanao, which is currently experiencing varying rotating brownouts between four to eight hours, the STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI), a coal-powered plant operating in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, announced on Saturday, May 3, 2014, that it has “deferred the scheduled synchronization of one of its electric generating sets originally planned today, May 4, 2014.

SPI power plant manager Dr. Carsten Evers explained that “while the repairs and restoration works of Unit 2 is substantially completed, the company needs more time to ensure that the unit is in excellent condition

prior to commissioning and synchronization to the Mindanao grid.”

SPI’s power plant went offline on February 27, 2014, after sustaining damage on its turbine-electric generating sets.

SPI estimates the new schedule for Unit 2 to be back on line on or before May 8, 2014, while the target date for restoring Unit 1 remains set on or before June 1, 2014.

SPI’s power plant has two identical power generating sets with a net capacity of 105 MW each.

“We apologize for this delay and rest assured that we are doing everything we can to bring the units back to the grid,” Dr. Evers said.

SPI is coordinating closely

with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other stakeholders in the Mindanao power industr y to help improve the power supply condition in the island.

Cagayan de Oro City, the premier economic hub in Northern Mindanao, is among those hit by power shortage due to inadequate supply from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Initially set at three hours per day, Cagayan Cagayan De Oro City, started plunging into four-hour rotating brownnout last May 1.

The city’s lone power distribuor, Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company, Inc. (CEPALCO) said in a statement that rotating brownouts in its service area become inevitable as the

NGCP implemented power supply curtailment starting mid-April.

The brownouts affects almost all of CEPALCO’s service areas, including the coastal town of Tagoloan in the city’s eastern coast.

CEPALCO’s independent power sources such as its 1MW “Solar Energy Plant,” the largest in Mindanao, the 5MW Bubunawan Hydroplant and the 30MW Minergy Plant were just enough to supply the city’s power needs during unpeak hours.

The NGCP’s power load curtailment and the stopage of the STEAG coal-powered p l a nt h a s c o n s t r a i n e d CEPALCO to adopt the rotating brownouts, which might last until the end of summer.

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

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

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

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

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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

PBCOM Tiano-HayesSt. Cdoc | 726519/8571558 PLANTERS DEVELOPMENT BANK

Tiano Bros St. Cdoc | 727083 /727082 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

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

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

BPI – CAPISTRANO Capistrano St. Cdoc 8574264/8574263

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 CHINA BANK – CARMEN Max Suniel, Cor. Yakal St. Cdoc 8583903/723091 CHINA BANK – DIVISORIA RN Abejuela St. Divosoria Cdoc 8575759/722641 CITY SAVINGS BANK TS Fashion Ave.Justo Ramonal Corner St.Cdoc 2316060/ 2316059 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 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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Why Should We Love Our Mother Earth?

T

his is how I entitled a l r e a d y o n e o f my previous columns in MINDANAO TIMES s om e t i m e i n 2 0 0 3 ( ! ) .

Imagine: SHOULD! If this wouldn’t have been a column or special report with carr y-on thoughts or explanations, the question could get a simple but me aning f u l answer: “Because we need our Mother Earth, but she doesn’t need us!”

Did you hear this already s omehow b e fore ? Ve r y good! In 2003, I received rehe continuing poladers’ opinions telling me reading such columns are boring t hem to de at h! D e at h?

Okay my fellow creatures, during that time, I stated already that our earth is dying slowly but surely, b e c aus e env ironment a l conversaton seemed to be as an impenetrable mountain range.

But here we are! Yes WE! We are considering the continuing pollution and contamination of the environment f ree f rom worries and drive away eventually existing moral conflicts. I feel so very much

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

Ignorance Is Not Bliss

T

hink a minute…During Wo r l d Wa r I I , a n uneducated man who lived out in the hills brought this letter to the city to hand deliver it to the United States Army. Since he could not read or write, his wife had written it for him. The letter said this: “Dear United States Army: My husband asked me to write a recommendation that he supports his family.

He cannot read. Please take him. He ain’t no good to me. He ain’t done nothing but make trouble and drink beer since I married him 8 years ago. And I got to feed his 7 kids. Maybe you can get him to carry a gun. He’s good at huttin’ squirrels and eatin’. Take him. I need his food and bed for the kids.

Don’t tell him I said this, just take him.” Well, I suppose it’s safe to say that husband’s ignorance was not bliss!

What he didn’t know did hurt him!

A story is told of a thief in ancient times who stole a very valuable coat. The coat was made of the finest materials, including buttons of pure silver and gold. When he returned to his friends after selling the coat in the market, they asked him how much money he’d got for the coat. He answered, “A hundred pieces of silver.” His friends were shocked and

THINK

A Minute

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst

upset. They said: “You only got a hundred pieces of silver for that rare, valuable coat!”

The thief looked surprised and asked: “Why? Is there a number higher than 100?”

You see, if you don’t know there’s more, you won’t ever get it. There’s so much in life for us to enjoy, just waiting for us to get it. If all you’re used to eating is bread and water, then you don’t know you could be eating steak and lobster!

There’s one person who can show you everything there is to be enjoyed in life. Naturally, that is the one who created life. Jesus Christ came to show us what it means to be fully human and fully alive, so we can live our lives to the fullest!

He also knows the dangers that can trick and trap us.

He’ll protect you from the hurst/PAGE 10

pain, especially since living in the Philippines for good since 1999,while watching t houg ht le ss t hrowaway garbage at any place - not only in major place in tis country but worldwide!

Unmolested, we can see (or better, smell!) people burning even poisonous g ar b age, w h i l e, on ly a short distance away small children ae playing. Fixed in their global views, politicians accepted oppression or suppression from monopolies and allow deforestation and innumerable burnt patches.

Fishing with dynamite, warmed up ocean s, pale corals, sick animals, unlimited hunting, melting icebergs, climate change, AND the ozone hole. This won’t last long! And yes, I know, I am getting more friends mentioning such issues!

Try to understand, that “natura” means the power underlying all phenomena in the world and the universe, given by God, but not to fritter away or to dissipate or to kill. A becoming desolate globe shall be the end of viable existence. Do we really

like to waste this glorious gift of God? If I look aroundt, it seems so!

We sing our praises as the most stable and secure form of human knowledge, but we leave the practice to others without any envy.

There is something not quite kosher about it, but my dear friends, it is to be feared, that my today’s appeal might be meet with general approval.

I expressed myself already years ago: the nonobservance is so sure like the next sunrise tomorrow, if we still get the chance seeing it. Or, shall we wait up the moment the sunlight will enjoy the suffocaton of our more and ore polluted atmosphere? at sky.

While writing this piece, heat kills me and millions and more. Do you remember the time asking you, if you enjoy floods? During that time, I recalled the opion of then Regional Director of the Government Bureau Weather Bureau, Gerr y Pedrico, saying, squarely blaming the weather “especially in Region XI” (?, really only there?), is because of climate change!”

An then? Do you still

H ave M y Say

By Klaus Doring

remember? Heavy rains triggeheir shadows red floodings and landslides.

The Davao river swept away many houses and people.

And, not only this river.

Many of us breathed a sigh of relief - but one can see already the next dark clouds at the sky.

Maybe you consider my headline a little bit sarcastic.

May be it sounds like a “curtain lecture”. It might sounds as a “love’s labour lost” ... . Much ado about nothing? Really?

As Th. Campbell said in his “Lochiel’s Warning,” Coming events cast their shadows before”. No to floods!

(To be continued!)

9.5 Voters Face Disenfranchisement

L

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IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective…” (James 5:16, the Holy Bible).

-ooo 9.5 MILLION VOTERS FACE DISENFRANCHISEMENT: Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. of the Commission on Elections must be joking, in an early morning radio interview as the poll body kicked off its registration campaign last May 06, 2014, when he disclosed that he and his fellow commissioners are requiring some 9.5 million Filipino voters to undergo “biometric” registration, or face disenfranchisement in the 2016 presidential elections.

Brillantes said these 9.5 million voters appear to have been registered for the 2013 midterm elections. But Comelec records indicate that their “biometrics” have not been taken yet. “Biometrics” means the Comelec-taken picture of the voter, as well as his thumbmarks and electronic signature recorded

by Comelec machines. These “biometrics data” are intended to prevent flying voters, or any other fraud in elections.

But, be that as it may, is it not too harsh a penalty for Comelec to be

disenfranchising voters, all of 9.5 million of them, for the 2016 elections solely on the ground that their “biometrics” had not been recorded by the poll body? Wow, something awful appears to be going on insofar as the 2016 elections are concerned, which maybe more awful than the “6030-10” ratio of votes that statisticians discovered in the 2013 elections.

-ooo C ORNEJO, VHONG IN ONE BIG MOVIE? Did Deniece Cornejo’s surrender benefit her in any way in connection with the nonbailable s erious illegal detention charge she is now facing before the Taguig City Regional Trial Court?

Normally, when an accused in a criminal case surrenders to the police before being arrested, that voluntar y surrender has the effect of lessening the penalty of imprisonment that will be imposed by the court.

However, since Cornejo’s case involves a capital offense where the capital penalty of life imprisonment is the mandated sentence if she is proven guilty, there could be no reduction in the penalty of life imprisonment. So, she actually gained nothing from that voluntary surrender, except maybe a little peace

of mind because she will no longer be in the run.

But, I believe that all of this is actually much ado about nothing. Why? I am convinced that because they are all in the glitzy world of show business where the only thing that really matters is the box office earning of any actress or actor or of any film, their differences could be patched up and then they would all even be featured in a big movie. Indeed, there is no business like show business, right?

-ooo THE RAPTURE, AND HOW IT WILL HAPPEN: And now, a brief reminder from 1 Thessalonians 4 of the Bible: “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. “ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with

K ak ampi

Mo A ng Batas

By Atty. Batas Mauricio

the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Therefore encourage one another with these words…”

-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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Gross... from page 5

introduced technolog ybased sales tools such as t he i Po S , w h i ch a l l ow s customers to apply for life insurance in one sitting with a financial advisor.

It a ls o t ransfor me d customer ser vice centers in Baguio, Binondo, D a s m a r i ñ a s , S a n t i a g o, Iloi lo, and Mani la B ay, which featured a VIP lounge, modern interiors, and p e rs ona l i z e d, one stop polic y ser vicing.

As the company shifted to unit-linked products, Philam Life intro duced Fam i l y Prov i d e r, a l i fe protection plan that does not require a lifetime to pay for, and MoneyWorks, a savings and life insurance plan t h at i nv e s t s s av i n g s i n expertly managed funds that give higher returns than bank deposits over time. “ We h a d a w i n n i n g year in 2013, mainly as a result of our efforts to drive new business amidst t he Ph i l ippi ne s’ st rong economic fundamentals.

We aim to build on this success in 2014 with strategies that continue to be attuned to the needs of Filipinos,” said Philam Life Chief Executive Officer Rex A. Mendoza.

Since only 16 percent of Filipinos say they are financially prepared for

health setbacks, Philam Life launched Health Invest, a unit-linked health product to address this gap.

Philam Life is a member of AIA Group Ltd, the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group.

This year, AIA said it achieved a record Value of New Business (VONB) in the first quarter of 2014 ending Febr uar y as the g roup c ons i s t i ng of 1 7 markets in Asia Pacific, including the Philippines, reported a 22 percent increase in VONB to $354 million. This translates to a seven-percent i n c re a s e i n an nu a l i z e d ne w pre m iu ms of $ 7 9 9 million, and a six-percent increase in total weighted premium income (TWPI) of $4.43 billion.

“The consistent execution of our growth strategy has again delivered a strong operating performance, building on our established track record of profitable growth, to achieve our highestever first quarter VONB figure,” said Mark Tucker, AIA’s chief executive and president.

He said the large-scale population expansion and growing household wealth makes Asia one of the most attractive and resilient regions for life insurance in the world.

7

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Glorifying The Body

Y

es, there is such a thing as glorifying the body.

St. Paul said it clearly in one of his epistles. To those who, like the Manicheans and the Puritans, think that the body is bad, an object of shame or that it should be disciplined if not suppressed in some way, some clarification is definitely in order.

Obviously, glorifying the body does not mean either that we, like the libertarians, pamper it out of vanity, pride and their ilk. That certainly is glorifying the body the wrong, if sweet, way. That, sadly, is also a rampant phenomenon that urgently needs correction.

We glorify the body properly when we glorify God in our body. St. Paul explains it this way: “Your bodies are the shrines of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in you. And he is God’s gift to you, so that you are no longer your own masters. A great price was paid to ransom you. Glorify God by making your bodies the shrines of his presence.”

(1 Cor 6,19-20) Still in another part of the same epistle, St. Paul teaches: “Your bodies are not meant for debauchery. They are meant for the Lord, and the Lord claims your bodies...

Have you never been told that your bodies belong to the body of Christ?” (6,13)

This is, of course, a truth of faith that we need to process well so that it becomes an incarnated part of our life, an operative principle in our thoughts, words and deeds.

Our body is as constitutive of our being a human person as our soul. That is why we really have to take care of our body as much as we take care of our soul.

We have to be most wary of the current world trend - in fact, the dominant, mainstream culture - that considers the body simply as an object, subject mainly if not exclusively to physical and biological laws, and other natural and worldly condit ionings, w it hout relating it to its most radical foundation who is God. That kind of mindset divorces the body from our personhood. The body becomes a mere object, and not anymore a constitutive part of our being a person.

That understanding of the body detaches the body from its proper orbit that is made up of its intrinsic relationship with God, with our soul, and with everybody else.

The body degenerates its dignity into a mere instr ument or to ol for purely pragmatic purposes or toy to play wit h, an ornament to show off.

It loses its significance as the very expression of our

love for God and for others, especially the love proper between man and woman, husband and wife.

The body, seen this way, is vulnerable to the stirrings of pride and vanity, greed and envy, lust and sensuality. It follows a lawless path that would surely lead it to go pffft sooner or later. It loses its potential for an eternal life of bliss, exchanging it with a poor puddle of earthly and temporal pleasure.

This culture is expressed in many ways. When, for example, we consider the body only or mainly in its physical attributes, and basing our ideas or criteria of bodily beauty and health in these terms only or mainly, then we are considering the body simply as an object.

When what strikes us more is the physical beauty or strength of the body rather than its spiritual beauty as expressed in its capacity for love, fidelity, kindness, patience, mercy, etc., then we are surely treating the body as an object only.

We have to purify and overcome this culture. We should not succumb to the rationalization that to be realistic, we have to avoid making too many theological considerations about the body and just do with it whatever comes more or less naturally, which actually

HINTS

and

Traces

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

means surrendering to our passions and to merely worldly conditionings.

Glorif ying the b o dy by glorifying God in it is a very gratifying thing to do. It may require some sacrifices and self-denial, but these are meant to make the satisfaction of having glorified body surer, purer and lasting.

We have to see to it that we don’t subject the body only to the natural and physical laws. It has to be thoroughly infused with the spirit that is the Spirit of God, the source and end of all things.

The body so infused will simply be glowing with goodness, love, generosity, etc., in spite of the imperfections it may have in its physical and natural dimensions.

These are truths we should consider when thinking of what to do with our body.

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RC Central Claveria shines at 30th DisCon 2014 After four years of its e x i s t e n c e a s a C l u b, Rotary Club of Central Claveria finally had its shining moments as it garnered numerous awards during the 30th District C onference of Rot ar y International District 3870 held April 25-27, 2014 at Plaza Alemania Hotel, Iligan City.

On the Fellowship Night, RCC Claveria bested six other participating Clubs and copped first place in the Dance Competition during the Fellowship Night with their Korean Fan Dance. It was a dance entry with a truly authentic costume, music and dance steps as well as props, making the audience amazed and caught in awe with the varied formations such as f lower, mount ains, c u c u mb e r an d ot h e rs using the fans. The group received a cash prize of P15,000.00.

The tarpaulin showcasing RC Central Claveria’s highlights of activities during the year

2013 with its eye-catching lay-out design, likewise, bested more or less 42 other entries from the entire district and won first place and received a cash prize of P5,000.00 M o r e o v e r, R C C C received the following D i s t r i c t G o v e r n o r ’s Certificate of Distinction Award as Outstanding Ser vice Project in the following six areas of focus: Basic Education and Literacy, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water and Sanitation, Economic and Community Development, Pe ace and C onf lic t Prevention / Resolution and Maternal and Child Health. These awards were truly rewarding.

RC C C Pres. R ho da B. Gadrinab and Vice President Celia F. Mero, likewise, received citations from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International as Paul Harris Fellow in appreciation of their tangible and significant assistance given for the f u r t h e r an c e of b e tte r

understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.

First Class President Gadrinab also received the District Governor’s Special Citation Award as Most Outstanding President of RI District 3870. RCCC Claveria also received the District Governor’s Award of Distinction for being the Most Outstanding Club in Public Relation with the theme “ Engage Rotary and Change Lives”.

It was indeed a truly shining moment for RCC Claveria as most of its participants won prizes in the Raffle draw, in fact, Pres. Lingling Gadrinab won an HP Printer, while Rtn. Luz Posadas and PAG Sali Quirino won back packs for net book; 2 others won umbrellas, they were Rtn. Celia Mero, Rtn. Alice Montecillo, while Rtn. Logie Nagasan won a Rotary Club of Kalayaan mug.

A number of RCCC members had already preregistered for the next

(From left to right) Rtn. Dante M. Sudaria, Publisher, BusinessWeek, CDO; Rtn. Cynthia C. Tianzon, member; Past Pres. Alice Montecillo, Past Assistant Governor Rosalito A. Quirino; Charter President Danny Juruena; RI 3870 District Officer from Cagayan de Oro; Rtn. Kag. Bebot Busalla;Rtn. Luz C. Posadas; Rtn. Logie Nagasan, Rtn.Ruthchelle L.Escalona, Rtn. Rhoda B. Gadrinab,RC Central Claveria President. (seated from left to right) ; Rtn. Nueva D. Salaan, secretary; Rtn. Cathyrn L. Bacalucos, member; Rtn. Celia F. Mero, RCCC Vice-President.

District Conference to be sponsored by Cagayan de Oro while the rest of the

delegates from RCCC are looking forward with much anticipation and excitement

the next RI DisCon 2014. (by RCCC S ec. Nueva D.Salaan)

FIBECO HOLD POWER FORUM FIBECO hold Power Forum Information and Education Campaign (IEC) Last April 23, 2014 at FIBECO-Training center, Main office Anahawon , Maramag Bukidnon Participants were the Big Load Consumers, Media Practioners, and LGU representatives Mr. Armando A. Cantoy ISD Manager

FIBECO Branch Manager

recognize the participants and give the rationale of the activity and Engr Japhet P. Nermac CorPlan & Info . General Manager Engr. Renato Cortezano said that they can assured that the franchise area of FIBECO is safe from long hour brownout unlike the other cooperative or other area

Participants

in any part of Mindanao they having a 3 t0 8 hours rotating brown out . because Aside from NPC - Psalm FIBECO also got power source from Crystal Sugar Milling Company based in Maramag and the King Energy in Quezon, Bukidnon. If there is power interruption,it will not exceed to

one hour for the light to come back. some participants congratulate the Fibeco for preparing for the coming rotating brown out and all franchise area of FIBECO are also have Provision of Maintenance vehicles for the quick response to consumer request like power interruption in their area.

BOD Secretary Dir. Felix G. Vergara,BOD Pres. Dr. Regin D. Mordeno and GM engr. Renato S. Cortezano

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Cong. Rufus Rodriguez pushes for the construction of a Cagayan de Oro Skyway Cong. Rufus B. Rodriguez has requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through Regional Director Beth Barroso to fast-track the inclusion in the DPWH Budget for 2015 the construction of a 2.4 km skyway estimated to cost around P2.6 billion which is aimed at decongesting the

traffic in Cagayan de Oro City particularly within the streets in the Central Business District of the City.

This proposed skyway, to be known as the JR BorjaC ar men- Pat ag Sky w ay, will start from JR Borja Extension near the Maria Reyna Hospital passing beside the Cogon Market towards

the JR Borja Bridge. This will be the 1st approach of the 1st section comprising of 1.6 kms.

The 2nd approach of the 1st section will follow the existing Max Suniel St. intersecting Villarin St. comprising 1.26 kms which existing road will be upgraded. The 2nd section will start from Villarin St.

near Country Village to Patag after the 4th ID Road. This will total 780 meters.

With this skyway, traffic in the City will ease up with the end goal of improving the flow of goods and services which will be beneficial for the economy of the City.

Cong Rodriguez also requested the National

Economic and Development Authority to endorse the CDO Skyway, the first skyway in Mindanao, to the Department of Budget and Management.

Cong. Rodriguez will be seeing DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson and Undersecretary Romy Momo for the funding in 2015 of the CDO Skyway.

The SM Store Cagayan ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO EDUCATION de Oro Book Drive Action Research:

By JOLITO G. BASLAN, P – I Bayanga Elementary School Southwest II District Division of Cagayan de Oro City

Teachers, school heads and administrators often have different concerns in their area of work. These concerns include problems which need immediate attention and action. To solve these problems, they can conduct an action research.

Action research is a kind of research undertaken by teachers, school heads and administrators on issues in their school and area of work for them to make better decisions and solve problems affecting their day-to-day activities.

Action research

means good management since in undertaking it, different processes have to be undergone. It is very significant to teachers since through it, teachers will be able to reflect on problems arising in their classrooms. School heads will gain information on the improvement of existing conditions and the administrators can utilize this for observation and study.

F u r t h e r, a n a c t i o n research is useful not only in remedying problems, but also in in-service training, innovatory approaches, and baslan/PAGE 10

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO Correspondent

D AVA O C i t y -- A government-run school in Davao del Sur is putting up a P7-million banana center to a d d re ss t he ne e d to develop indigenous banana varieties and produce crops on a 30-hectare farm.

Dr. Irvin C. Generalao, president of the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine Aquatic School of Technolog y, said the b a n a n a c e n t e r, t o b e located in Matanao town, will apply the results of researches from various

SHARE THE FUN and value of reading books as The SM Store CDO brings back the Donate-A Book campaign from May 1 to June 30, 2014.

Through SM Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the campaign is geared to solicit books and other reading materials from mall goers, book lovers, and generous shoppers for the benefit of many underprivileged children and youth.

The project also aims to help develop interest in reading, improve functional literacy and enhance comprehension and creative skills of the younger generation.

Target beneficiaries of the

Donate-a-Book drive are : Mambuaya Elementary School Consolacion Elementary School Lumbia Central School Reception and Study Center for Children at DSWD -X Home for The Girls at DSWD -X Haven for Women at DSWD-X Shoppers who will who donate new or gently used book(s) at the Donate-A-Book Boothat The SM Store CDO shall be entitled to a P50 cash coupon.

Make a difference and help turn today’s readers become tomorrow’s leaders. Donate books at The SM Store CDO The SM Store. For inquiries, please call 859-1188.

Banana center in the works

institutions.

“We will not conduct new research because what w e w i l l d o i s t o app l y the findings of existing researches so the small farmers can benefit from them,” said Mr. Generalao.

He added that the center will also be used to propagate indigenous varieties like latundan, l a k at an an d s ab a . It will als o come up wit h marketing mechanisms.

“A l t h o u g h w e k n ow that the local market can

still absorb additional production, we are looking forward to penetrating the international market [with the indigenous varieties],” he added.

M r. G e n e r a l a o s a i d Matanao Mayor Vicente A. Fernandez has promised to help the school in the program and that the latter “assured us that he will also find ways to allocate funds for the project.”

Prof. Graciella C. Caballero, chief researcher of the school and head of the project, said the banana center will also be used to implement researches’

Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano reads letter request from residents of Naawan during his municipal visit on Monday. As his administration values people, the Governor goes to barangays to personally attend to their different concerns. CAPITOL PHOTO

recommendations on controlling major banana diseases like black sigatoka and fusarium wilt. “ We w i l l u s e t h e results [of the researches] as we look at how to c o m m e r c i a l i z e t h e m ,” said Ms. Caballero, adding

that this will help small banana growers that do not have funds to fight these diseases.

Fusarium wilt, more popularly known as Panama disease, has wreaked havoc on small b an an a g rowe r s’ f ar ms

in the Davao Region b ecause there has b een no effective solution other than to uproot the afflicted plants. One company in C omp o stel a Va l l e y h a s even abandoned its farm af t e r it w a s h it by t h e disease.

MISAMIS ORENTAL – In celebration of the women’s month, Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez and Provincial Board Member Bing F. Dumadag, assisted by Provincial Jail Warden Dominador G. Tagarda, visited the lady inmates of Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail last March 31, 2014. Board Member Dumadag sponsored a sports fest and parlor games to honor the women inside the jail and encourage them to develop themselves despite their situation. Board Member Dumadag is the Chairman of the Committee on Women, Children and Family Relations while Vice Governor Pelaez is the Chairman of the Committee on Peace and Order, Public Safety, Police, and Jail Matters of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

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Toyota... from page 3

network for their continued strong support and hard work.

He likewise cited four of its suppliers for their expansion programs in anticipation of the coming Philippine Automotive Manufacturing Industry Roadmap crafted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Tokai Rika, Toyota global’s largest supplier of automotive switches, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its Philippine unit’s P1 billion new facility, will see construction of an additional manufacturing line for automotive switches, as well as a warehouse with the latest technology of a lead-free soldering system.

Another parts supplier Technol Eight Philippines will start manufacturing their new product line – body shell parts and components – for the Vios.

Other suppliers who will expand are Toyota Boshoku Philippines which will expand its door trim line. With the help of government incentives, the company will also introduce/localize new products such as headlining and automotive fabric flame lamination.

Philippine Auto Components, Inc. will also expand their plant area to increase capacity for the dial printing molding process

which the government can capitalize on. This would also allow the government to make the most out of evolving opportunities especially with the underdeveloped niches of the industry.

Another key feature of the bill is the inclusion of palm-based products and byproducts, particularly palm oil, seeing the need to provide policy direction and support to the industry. Although it is acknowledged that oil palm and other palm trees and its products/by-products are under the PCA’s supervision, it is not explicitly stated and detailed in the existing PCA charter, inadvertently putting it on the sidelines of policy making.

“A competitive market and a plethora of socioeconomic issues affecting the coconut industry call for lasting, substantial, and comprehensive action. The band aid approaches have done more damage than good the past decades, and as changes in the industry and the environment in which it operates are becoming even more competitive and dynamic, it is high time that we respond judiciously and assiduously,” Garin stressed. from page 4 A counterpart bill, Senate findings, and innovations Bill 2116 was filed by Senator Chiz Escudero on February of PCA. Garin said the expanded 11, 2014. (PNA) powers allow the development and propagation of new discoveries and technologies from page 4

and to accommodate a new product, the Sonar Sensor.

Sugata also assured local suppliers of the industry’s continuous collaboration with the government regarding the finalization of the Philippine Automotive Manufacturing Industry Roadmap.

As the local auto industry eagerly awaits the finalization of the roadmap, Sugata reminded parts makers saying, “It is important for us to improve our competitiveness through our own efforts, but the industry definitely needs support from the government to ensure sustainable growth.”

Auto vehicle manufacturers and auto parts makers expect the roadmap to further boost the competitiveness of the local vehicle manufacturing industry which could pave the way for the Philippines to be the next auto manufacturing base in ASEAN. For his part, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Engineering & Manufacturing (TMAP-EM) purchasing group executive vice president Yasuhiro Shido reiterated that suppliers should be ready to face challenges in the AP region.

Bill...

Project...

and other interested parties from other regions.

Tagum City Agriculturist Harold S. Dawa said the project will increase the number of wild crabs along the city’s remote creeks since,

every production season, the hatchery will release some of its products to the wild, thereby benefiting the fisherfolk along the creeks that lead to Davao Gulf.

Most crabs sold in the city’s public markets come from the creeks outside the city proper.

Mr. Dawa stressed that the construction of the hatchery is along with the local government’s plan to develop a fishing village and a Crab Park along the national highway.

Fatma M. Idris, BFAR-11 regional director, said the active partnership between the agency and the local government is what made the project possible.

BFAR-11, Ms. Idris said, plans to build a provincial fisheries satellite office adjacent to the hatchery and intends to partner with the Tagum City government in the construction of a regional fisheries training center.

The plan has already received a positive response from Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon and will be pursued in the next two years.

Inflation... from page 5

that could affect domestic inflation dynamics,” Tetangco said.

“We will not hesitate to make preemptive adjustments to any of our policy levers in measured pace if the inflation target would be at risk or financial stability pressure heighten,” he added.

During its last policysetting meeting, the BSP’s Monetary Board hiked banks’ reserve requirement by a

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10TH Judicial Region BRANCH 38 Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE File Number 2014-071 UPON EXTRA-JUDICIAL PETITION FOR SALE under Act 3135, as amended by Act No.4118, filed by BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK, INC., with principal place of business at BPI Family Bank Center, Paseo de Roxas, corner De la Rosa Sts., Makati City, and branch office at BPI Bldg., C.M. Recto Ave, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, against SPS. DONATO T. ESPARRAGO AND JINKY M. TAN, with residence and postal address at Sampaguita Street, Camamanan, Adela Subd., Cagayan de Oro City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of February 21, 2014, amounts to Two Hundred Forty Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Two Pesos & 91/100 ( Php 249,892.91), Philippine Currency, as principal , interest ,charges, attorney’s fees and expenses of foreclosure, undersigned Sheriff or his deputies will sell at public auction on May 28, 2014, at 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. or soon thereafter at the Office of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 38, 2nd Floor, Hall of Justice, Hayes Street, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidder, for cash and in Philippine Currency, the following real property, with all the improvements found thereon, to wit: “TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T- 138092 (Registered in the name of Sps. Donato T. Esparrago II and Jinky M. Tan) A PARCEL OF LAND ( Lot 1, Pcs-10-002204, being a portion of Lot 2076- B-5-E-20 and 2076-B-5-E-27 (LRC) Psd- 15455), situated in the Barrio of Camaman-an, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao. Xxx, containing an area of One Hundred Twelve (112) square meters, more or less”.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated date, time and place.

In the public auction should not take place on the said date for whatever reason, the same will proceed on the following working day without day without further notice, posting and publication.

Prospective buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves the title above-described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Cagayan de Oro City, April 28, 2014.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO PROVINCIAL SHERIFF:

(Sgd.) REYNALDO L. SALCEDA

Sheriff IV BWM: May 7, 14 & 21, 2014

percentage point, a move that is seen to siphon off P60 billion in excess liquidity.

The Board is scheduled to meet again on Thursday.

It has kept its key interest rates at record lows of 3.5 percent and 5.5 percent for the overnight borrowing an d l e n d i n g w i n d ow s , respectively, since October 2012.

Hurst... from page 6

pain you and your family will have if you don’t live your Maker’s way that He designed for your happiness. So why not ask Jesus to forgive you for living your own way, and ask Him to take charge and start showing you how to live His satisfying way?

It’s the only way you won’t

miss out on every exciting, good thing He has planned for your life.

Just Think a Minute…

Baslan... from page 9

preferable alternatives to a given situation. Change is an essence of progress for all, particularly for the teachers and school heads. And change is desired not for its own sake but for worthwhile ends.

Action research therefore is a positive endeavor enabling teachers to explore things and remedy immediate problems concerning their pupils; providing data to school heads and administrators on priority needs of pupils and teachers in order to bring about positive changes in the school and the entire district as well.

IPONAN NHS “Balik Eskwela May Pag-asa Program” towards EFA Goal

By Wilfredo B. Lomibao DepEd-CDO

Philippine Basic Education is faced with a dilemma. Aside from the usual problems on dismal NAT results, scarcity of teachers, books inefficiency and lagging facilities, is the increasing rate of dropped outs. In particular, Iponan National High School is faced with the same dilemma, it is ranked 2nd in the number of highest drop-outs in the Division of Cagayan de Oro City for the SY 2012-2013. The drop-out rate ballooned from 7.32 to 8.08 for the past two years exceeding the National Planning Standard of 1%. This data posed a very alarming concern since it affected other school performance indicators such as retention rate, promotion rate, repetition rate, failure rate, completion rate, achievement rate and annual enrolment.

To address this concern, the school adopted the Open High School Program as an intervention program.

Basically, it aims to (a) provides opportunity to all elementary graduates, high school drop-outs, and successful examinees of the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) to complete secondary education;(b) prevents potential school leavers and encourages those who are out of school to finish secondary education; (c) reduces high school drop outs and increases participation rate; and (d) increase achievement rate through quality distance education. This is best suited

for high school students who are unable to attend regular classes due to physical, economic and geographical limitations.

The strategic planning were conducted among the Barangay Council – Education Committee and the School Governing Council (SGC), and came up with the “Balik Eskwela May Pag-asa Program”. The program was launched last December 7, 2013. It started with an initial 52 enrollees who were mostly composed of Students at Risk of Dropping Out (SARDO), out of school youth and working students.

Last March 24, 2014, five (5) students were able to graduate during the commencement exercises. The dropped out rate for SY 2013-14 is reduced to 2.91%, a decrease of 5.17% which somehow translated to higher school performance indicators.

With this positive development, the Barangay Council is more than willing to help and committed to provide honorarium for teachers and reproduction of modules for the next school year. There were also other benefactors committed to adopt students for their school supplies. This initiative demonstrates that with the active participation of all the stakeholders, positively offset the scarcity of resources thus, enable to realize the Education for All (EFA goal) by making every Filipino functionally literate by 2015.

R.A. 9048/10172 Form No. 10.1 (LCRO) (Revised 15 August 2001) Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL Municipality of Tagoloan NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that PRISCILLA M. BERNARDINO has filed with this office a Petition for Change of First Name from “VIRGINIA FE” to “VIRGINIA”.

In Compliance with Section 2 of R.A. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public has filed with this office a Change of Birth Date from “November 2, 1952” to “October 2, 1951” who was born on November 2, 1952 at Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental , Philippines from parents Melba A. Valdehueza and Elpidio Y. Marte.

Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file written opposition within this office not later than ___________________.

(Sgd.) MARINELA FACTURA FABELA

Municipal Civil Registrar BWM: Apr. 30 & May 7, 2014

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Power... from page 1

Ralph Paguio, vice president of the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company (CEPALCO) said they were informed that the water level in Lake Lanao fell to 699.4 meters Monday, dangerously close to the critical level of 699.15 meters.

Paguio said this has forced CEPALCO, Cagayan de Oro’s major power distributor, to impose a 7.5-hour daily rotational brownout across the city starting Tuesday night.

The Pulangi River in Bukidnon, Mindanao’s second major source of electricity, has also almost dried up forcing the National Power Corporation (NPC) to shut down two of the three turbines in the Pulangi hydropower complex.

Mindanao is currently experiencing a 300-megawatt deficit in its power supply, according to Brian Diosma of the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC).

Diosma said Pulangi hydro plant, which normally generates around 265 MW, is only producing 60 MW as of Tuesday afternoon.

Elsewhere in Mindanao, Diosma said 12-hour rotational brownouts were imposed in parts of North Cotabato especially in the towns of Midsayap, Pikit and Aleosan.

Davao and General Santos cities are experiencing six-hour daily brownouts, according to data from MPMC. Diosma said only the province of Agusan del Sur which bought a modular generating set is experiencing shorter brownouts. He said Bayugan city and other towns in Agusan del Sur are only experiencing two hours of brownouts every day.

“The entry of STEAG on Thursday will be the only welcome news. The power situation really needs the extra source of electricity,” Paguio said.

Steag State Power Inc. (SPI), which operates a 210-MW coal plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, announced that its Unit 1 power generator will start supplying 105 MW to the Mindanao grid on Thursday.

Jerome Soldevilla , SPI communications officer said the second unit of power generator which is also capable of supplying another 105 MW, will resume operations on June 1.

Both generators of Steag were damaged and conked out during a Mindanao-wide fault last Feb. 27.

Soldevilla said their entry on Thursday will add 10 percent to the supply of electricity in Mindanao.

“We hope our entry can decrease the brownouts by two hours,” he said.

Paguio said Cagayan de Oro needs 140 MW a day but presently the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and NPC only supply around 29 MW. He said CEPALCO has other power sources like their 42-MW Minergy plant and are still looking for other sources.

He said they are also keeping an eye on an impending El Nino or dry spell as announced by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Diosma said they have already requested the Department of Argiculture to conduct cloud seeding operations over Lake Lanao and Pulangi River.

President Aquino created the MPMC through Executive Order 81 on August 2, 2012 to facilitate all initiatives aimed at improving the energy supply in the Mindanao.

Supervised by the Mindanao Development Authority, the other members of the MPMC are the Department of Energy, the Energy Regulatory Commission, National Electrification Administration, NPC and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.

Health... from page 1

control in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.

“These project sites were selected on the basis of high unmet needs for family planning and maternal and

child care, and low case detection and low cure rates for tuberculosis,” said Dr. Aristedes C. Tan, DOH-X regional director.

The USAID provides technical assistance and health-related commodities which are already being distributed in the project sites. The projects are being implemented by DOH-X and USAID in collaboration with the subject local government units and regional line agencies, he added.

The Execom also unanimously authorized the request for its support for the submission of the results of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) 2014 to the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) as requested by the Regional Competitiveness Technical Working Group 10 (RCTWG) chaired

by DTI Region X. “This request stems from Executive Order No. 44 issued by President Benigno Aquino III which aims to improve the competitiveness ranking of the country by mandating the National Competitiveness Council to push for the implementation of the Action Agenda for improved governance and competitiveness in the country,” said NEDA-X’s Engr.

Alan Olavides.

As part of efforts to mainstream national competitiveness into the RDC-X Development Agenda, the RCTWG was created to lead in the submission of competitiveness indicators to the NCC. “One of our major activities is to come up with local competitiveness indicators that aim to strategically map out how to make our towns and cities more competitive vis a vis other ASEAN cities,” Engr. Olavides said.

“The Local Competitiveness Survey piloted in 2013 generated data on core indicators which enabled the ranking of towns and cities across the country to allow local comparisons that enabled lagging localities to focus on gaps and trigger catch up activities.”

In compliance with the NCC directive to the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) to conduct the CMCI for 2014, the RCTWG confirmed last April 25 receipt of the initial results submitted by 22 of the 26 LGUs in the region which are now being validated for submission to the NCC by the May 9, 2014 deadline.

“As of today, Lantapan and Libona in Bukidnon and Jimenez and Tangub City in Misamis Occidental have yet to complete their submissions,” Engr.

Olavides said.

The NCC named Cagayan de Oro City the most competitive in the city for 2013 based on survey results submitted in 2012.

DOE... from page 1

5th bid round for oil and gas exploration ventures.

The auction process though will be pursued against the backdrop of a diplomatically-disturbed West Philippine Sea – and it is seen that such may affect investment appetite for upstream oil and gas ventures in some areas.

While at the thick of preparations for the petroleum bid round, the DOE also made public its solicitation of ‘matching offers” for an unsolicited proposal on data handling of petroleum data in the country.

In the terms of reference (TOR) for Data Package Services under PECR-5, the DOE noted that the solicitation of counter-proposals is in keeping with having a “competitive and transparent system of awarding the data package service agreement.”

The DOE added that it decided “to subject the submitted proposal for open and competitive challenge” in line with government procurement systems for services.

A major component of the data package service is a virtual data room to host the country’s petroleum data online “for easy access and reference of prospective applicants or proponents.”

The department specified that interested firms must have “proven track record in providing expertise

11

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and experience in implementing data package services in different jurisdictions, with specific particularity to the Philippines’ previous contracting round, or substantially similar services.”

Those submitting proposals are also “expected to be familiar with the Philippines petroleum industry and previous petroleum contracting round.”

The PECR-5 is a follow through to the earlier bidding rounds for service contracts of oil and gas blocks as well as coal operating contracts – based on sites offered by the DOE. The selection of winning firms shall be based on the prescribed legal, financial and technical criteria of the contracting round.

In the last bidding exercise, two blocks had not been awarded yet for petroleum exploration as the government is still weighing on the potential impact of the diplomatic tussle on areas close to those being claimed by China.

Zubiri... from page 1

partner for the project.

Soleq is a regional builder, operator and owner of solar plants in Asia and has a portfolio of 110 MW in Thailand alone, with more in the pipeline across the region.

Adam Ballin, Soleq director, said the joint venture will invest $20 million in the Bukidnon solar plant, which will rise in Brgy. Labuagon in the town of Kibawe.

The renewable energy plant, which is Soleq’s maiden project in the Philippines, will connect to the First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative Inc’s franchise area.

Ballin said the joint venture is also scouring for other renewable energy projects in the country. “Equis intends to be a long-term partner of the Philippines in the renewable energy sector,” he said.--InterAksyon

Primavera... from page 1

Northern Mindanao who submitted and showcased their original entries that has a concept revolving around the theme, has finally been judged according to its relevance to the theme, originality, composition, overall impact and artistic excellency.

The panel of judges, composed from ITALPINAS officials, members of the CDO press and bloggers community, and prominent Cagayan de Oro photographers, include Architect Romolo Valentino Nati ITALPINAS (ITPI) Chairman and CEO, Architect Ranke Lim – current president of the Oro Photographic Society, Shaun Alejandrae Uy – the editor of The Cagayan de Oro TIMES, Froilan Gallardo of MindaNews and veteran photojournalist, Michael Ray Ungab – founder of TsadaGyud. com, Timothy Glenn Palacio – Professional Photographer and Fuji-X photographer, Butch Enerio – veteran photojournalist and business correspondent, and Judee DizonChaves.

The preliminary judging on the online gallery was done on April 23, where the judges chose ten photos out of 63 entries. “Out of 63 pictures, it’s hard for us to choose the best ten. But then again, these best ten can compete nationwide or even internationally.” said Architect Ranke Lim while announcing the top ten finalists.

In no particular order, the top ten entries are: Entry #5: SALVAGED WOOD REVOLUTION by Arch.

Marianne Basa, Entry #6: SOLAR ENERGY IS BRIGHT! by Engr.

Harry Sio, Entry #8: WIND FARM – SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN AND COST EFFICIENT by Ms. Angelie S. Azcuna, Entry #30: GROUND GREEN by Mr. Kim Zaldivar, Entry #37: LIVING LIFE WITHOUT COMPLICATIONS

by Ms. Krizzia Demetilla, Entry #42: GEOMETRY IN NATURE by Dr. Carlo Romero, M.D., Entry #43: A NEW BEGINNING by Dr. Carlo Romero, M.D., Entry #45: IT IS IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE INSECT LIFE IN OUR OWN GARDENS by Ms. Michelle Fernando, Entry #46: FISHING FOR

A LIVING by Dr. Victor Francis R. Orencia, and Entry #48: UYAPA, FISHERMEN’S HOME by Dr. Victor Francis R. Orencia.

For the final round of judging for the top three finalists, Shaun Uy said “We really had a hard time going over the 63 entries. We have our own favorites… but we have three that are very much in common”.

The top three winning entries are (3rd place) Entry #6: SOLAR ENERGY IS BRIGHT, (2nd place) entry #30: GROUND GREEN and the grand winner is Entry #5: SALVAGED WOOD REVOLUTION by Arch.

Marianne Basa. The announcement of winners was done by one of the board of judges, Mr. Butch Enerio.

According to Kim Zaldivar, the 2nd placer, he was motivated by his favorite part of Primavera building as seen in his winning entry #30: GROUND GREEN. Mr. Zaldival was the only one, among the top 3 winners, present during the ceremony and some of the top ten finalists.

The top three winners received the following major prizes: 2 nights (1st and 2nd placer) and 1 night (3rd placer) luxury stay for 4 (1st placer) and for 2 (2nd and 3rd place) at Primavera Residences with free breakfast, spread (1st placer) and feature (2nd and 3rd placer) in the Primavera newsletter, opportunity to showcase his/her portfolio on the Primavera Blog (1st placer only), Plaque, 3-month membership to Wellness Wednesday Club at Primavera including 2 months pool & gym use, and 1 LTE Pocket Wifi (1st placer only) and additional gift items from Smart Communications to all. It was announced by Ms. Cheryll Barriga, the General Manager of Primavera Residences.

The event was in partnership with BusinessWeek Mindanao Magazine and Smart Communications.

the $22.21 in 2013.

The transactions used an exchange rate of P44.87 to the US dollar, higher than last year’s P40.69.

“Due to the seasonality of our business, typically the first quarter is the slowest quarter. As we have continued to do in prior years, our ore shipment volume will increase this year, mainly as a result of the first full-year of operations of the new Taganito processing plant”, said Nickel Asia president Gerardo Brimo.

In a meeting earlier today, the company’s board of directors approved an initial investment of P460

million for the Montelago geothermal power project in Oriental Mindoro.

The investment will be in the form of a collateralized one-year loan, the proceeds of which will finance the first two geothermal holes.

Nickel Asia has the option to convert the loan into a 49 percent equity in the project, which involves generating 40 megawatts (MW) at a cost of at least P8 billion. The output of the plant would be sold to electric cooperatives of the two provinces of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro.

This is Nickel Asia’s second power generation venture after a 10-MW bunker-fired plant in Surigao City.

Donates... from page 2

sign the deed of acceptance of donation of a farm tractor.

DA RFO-10 donated one unit farm tractor to the city government to be used by the City Agricultural Productivity Office under terms and conditions specified in the Deed of Donation.

The DA-RFO is implementing the Agri-Pinoy Corn Program to enhance agricultural productivity and production and as a strategy of realizing the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan (AFMP).

One component of the program is the provision of farm tractor to qualified farmer organizations and local government units (LGUs).

The Deed of Donation cites that the LGUs is in need of a farm tractor to maximize production and improve the efficiency of land preparation thus addressing the critical field operations.

The DA-RFO provides farm equipment through arrangement with LGUs to ease and alleviate the burden of farmers in cultivating their farms and to lessen the cost of farming.

Profit... from page 3

investment in Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp (THPAL).

Revenues from the sale of ore and services reached P1.70 billion this year from P1.40 billion in 2013.

Ore sales reached 2.65 million wet metric tons (WMT), higher than the 1.74 million last year.

Nickel Asia ascribed the 52 percent increase in shipments to the start of regular deliveries to the new Taganito processing plant, which is scheduled to process at least four million WMT of limonite ore from the Taganito mine this year.

Two million of the ore sold in the first quarter were priced at an average of $6.59 per pound of payable nickel as quoted in the London Metal Exchange (LME), lower than last year’s $7.82.

The remaining 661 thousand WMT of ore shipment were sold at neogitated prices averaging $19.93 per WMT this year, also lower than

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Environment

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‘Science for Safer Communities - Davao’

DOST 11 to host ‘Iba na ang Panahon’ T HE Philippines has experienced different kinds of natural calamities for the past few years. In 2012, typhoon Pablo (Bhopa), the strongest tropical cyclone to ever hit Southern Philippine Island of Mindanao landed in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley Province, leaving thousands of homeless and hundreds of fatalities.

In October 2013, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake shocked the whole province of Bohol and nearby provinces, including Cebu. A month later, the deadliest, super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), flattened parts of Visayas area, destroying hundreds of houses, trees, buildings and other properties, and leaving thousands of dead people.

The past two years proved to be one of the most difficult years for the Philippines due to the number of casualties and fatalities the country encountered from earthquakes to super typhoons. It also proved that Philippines is not yet fully prepared for calamities.

With these, the Department of Science and Technology XI (DOST XI), in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government XI (DILG XI) and the Office of

the Civil Defense XI (OCD XI), will be hosting “Iba na Panahon: Science for Safer Communities” on May 1516, 2014, at the Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City.

“Iba na Panahon” is a two-pronged slogan, which means (1) Time (Panahon) has changed (Iba na) and (2) Climate (Panahon) Change (Iba). It is a two-day activity geared to respond to calamities and disasters that continually affect the country.

It aims at arming the Local Government Units (LGUs)

with knowledge and Science and Technology information materials and tools that will help communities prepare against natural calamities and disasters. Thus, every LGU from the provincial down to the municipal/city level will be oriented and directed in designing disaster preparedness plan before disasters occur.

A total number of 450 participants from the four provinces of Davao Region, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

are expected to attend the said activity. These participants include the local government leaders, from governors to city and municipality mayors; Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) program managers and officers, and member agencies of the academic and private sectors.

Science for Safer Communities is a wholeyear program that aims to institutionalize adaptive strategies for disaster risk reduction and climate change in order to mitigate hazards, reduce the risks to life and property, and to build safer, adaptive, disaster resilient Filipino communities toward sustainable development.

A major activity in this program is the two-day event for the LGUs and disasterrelated institutions, where DOST technologies and innovative programs and services, like Project NOAH

for disaster risk reduction and management, will be featured.

During this event, DOST will be conducting consultancy sessions with local leaders and disaster

managers for communitylevel disaster preparedness based on geohazard maps produced by DOST-supported initiatives. (CO/DOST XI S&T Promotions Section)

South Cotabato braces for El Niño Confab seeks help to boost

By Allen Sam V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato is set to convene the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to discuss the necessary preparations for the possible onslaught in the area later this year of the predicted long dry spell or El Nino phenomenon.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Tuesday she has called the attention of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and other concerned local government offices to start formulating their mitigation plans for the El Nino, which was foreseen to hit the area by the month of October.

“Based on the initial

projections, the coming El Nino will be quite intense so we really need to prepare early to properly mitigate its potential impact,” she said.

The governor said they will prioritize the agriculture sector, which was hit hardest in previous droughts that had affected the province, for the implementation of the mitigation measures.

She s aid a lter nat ive programs specifically need to be in place for farmers in areas that would be directly affected by the dry spell.

Fuentes said the local government will coordinate with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority to ensure the availability of enough food supplies,

especially rice, during the predicted calamity.

She urged residents, especially those situated in the upland areas, to start planting food crops in suitable sites like those near the river banks to ensure that there will be available supplies in case a shortage will happen during the drought.

She cited crops like ube, sweet and white potato, cassava, banana and other crops that could thrive in dry periods or climate.

“If the El Nino will come as predicted from October to January next year, it means a longer dr y period for our area since we usually experience reduced or low rainfall and intense warm weather from January to May. That is primarily bad news for our farming sector and

food production,” she said.

For his part, provincial ag r ic u ltur ist Francis co Domingo said he has scheduled a series of meetings with the agriculture officers and members of the agriculture and fisheries councils of the province’s 10 towns and lone city to discuss the preparations for the coming drought.

He earlier met with personnel from the DA’s Bureau of Soil and Water Management to initially discuss the possibility of conducting cloud-seeding operations in case the El Nino will hit the area. “ We w i l l i n i t i a l l y propose for the allocation of counterpart funds to facilitate the conduct of the cloud-seeding operations,” he said.(PNA)

DOLE-12 installs solar power system GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- In a bid to offset the impact of the daily rotational brownouts in its operations and at the same time help promote the use of “green technologies,” the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 has installed a solar energy system at its regional office compound in Koronadal City.

Ofelia Domingo, DOLE Region 12 director, said Monday they initially set up a 300-watt solar power system to provide for their b as i c e ne rg y or p owe r requirements during power outages, which currently reaches two to three hours daily.

S h e s a i d t h e p ow e r system comprises several

solar panels and a mini generator that is directly connected to the regional office compound’s main line.

The 300 watts of power that could be generated from the system is capable of lighting up 20 nine-watt bulbs at the two buildings within the compound, she said.

The buildings host the offices of DOLE-12’s regional director and assistant regional director, internal management service division, technical support services division and the South Cotabato field office, Domingo said.

Domingo said the solar power system includes a 220-volt inverter that could support a computer unit

with Internet access and two electric fans. “ We’r e p l a n n i n g t o expand the system later this year to around 2,000 watts so we can use more office equipment during brownouts,” she told PNA. Domingo said they were the first DOLE regional office in the countr y so far that adopted the system, which costs around P100,000.

She said its installation was completed last April 28 or three days before its scheduled formal launching and initial test last May 1.

“We’re hoping that this initiative will be replicated in other regional offices and encourage some local companies to give it a try and eventually adopt it,”

she said.

A statement released

by D OLE-12 said the installation of the solar energy system is part of the agency’s contribution to climate change mitigation initiatives in the area and commitment to continually improve on it s qu a l it y management systems.

It is also in compliance with the “Green our DOLE Program”, an initiative that seeks to “strengthen the advocacy and readiness of the agency to engage in green issues and mitigation solutions on climate change for b etter deliver y and quality of programs and services to its stakeholders and customers, including facilitating the creation of green jobs.”(PNA)

communities’ resilience

MANILA -- A UNESCOaffiliated non-profit organization is spearheading at Far E astern University (FEU) in Metro Manila a t hre e-d ay conference aimed at helping enhance communities’ resilience to disasters and climate change.

UNESCO refers to t he Un ite d Nat i ons Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

“With so many disasters happening, we want to help communities b e ready in a wholistic way,” said Dr. C aroline de Leon, treasurer of the organization Asia-Pacific Network for International E d u c a t i o n a n d Va l u e s Education (APNIEVE).

She noted through the May 6-8 convention, APNIEVE aims to help enhance capability of teachers and other stakeholders concerned to instill in the youth values essential in building up resilience.

APNIEVE chose for the event, which is its 13th national convention, the theme ‘Values for building resilient individuals and communities.’

A m o n g t h e e v e n t ’s target participants a r e p u b l i c a n d p r i v at e school teachers, other members of the academe, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups.

To h e l p p r o m o t e resilience-building n a t i o nw i d e , A P N I E V E decided presenting during the convention research

and best practices on disaster risk management.

Representatives from John B. Lacson Foundation Mar itime University in Iloilo City, University of Saint Louis in Tuguegarao C i t y, Un i v e r s i t y o f Pe r p e tu a l He lp Sy s t e m D alt a in L as Pinas and University of La Salette in Isab ela province are scheduled to make such presentations.

“Delegates to the convention can learn from and even adapt such practices,” De Leon said.

Topics for discussion during the conference a ls o i nclu d e c u lt iv at i ng resilience, positively c o p i n g w i t h l i f e’s challenges, the teachinglearning process, psychosocial first aid and therapeutic teaching.

The discussions will likewise cover local environmental knowledge tow ards e nv i ronme nt a l management of Diliman c r e e k i n Q u e z o n C i t y, global warming mitigation a s w e l l a s F E U ’s l i f e safety system and energy conser vation practices.

APNIEVE-Philippines is a regional network of individuals and institutions focused on promoting values education and international education.

T h e o r g a n i z a t i o n’s main goal is to live out the values of peace, human r i g ht s , d e m o c r a c y a n d sustainable development among individuals and groups, especially educators and the youth.

(PNA)