BusinessWeek Mindanao (November 13, 2015)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting

YOUR Mindanao-wide BUSINESS paper

Volume VI, No. 061

Market Indicators

As of 6:10 pm November 12, 2015 (thursday)

FOREX US$1 = P46.99

13

PHISIX

X Briefly

cents

X

6,909.82

73.90 points

Ro-Ro line DAVAO City -- Proponents of the roll-on roll-off (RORO) ferry service between Mindanao and northern Sulawesi are now studying the option of using a Philippine-flagged vessel.

The RORO project, conceptualized in 2012 and originally scheduled to start operations last year between the cities of General Santos and Bitung, has yet to be implemented due to regulatory delays on the side of Indonesia.

The General Santos-Bitung route was to be served by a vessel owned by the local government of Talaud in Indonesia, which has domestic operations in the KupangTalaud-Miangas route.

Carrer-coaching MALAYBALAY City -- The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. X (DOLE-X), through its Bukidnon Provincial Field Office (BPFO) coached some 1,315 graduating students from the 25 sections of Bukidnon National High School (BNHS) during the Career Guidance Week on 14 October 2015 at Bukidnon National High School Gymnasium, Fortich Street, Malaybalay City.

DOLE-X Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante considers Career Coaching an essential program of DOLE in helping students decide what courses to take for college.

DOLE-X BPFO Head Raul L. Valmores reported that the said students will be in their Senior High by next school year due to the K-12 program.

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Solon urges PH to join TPP ‘with reservations’ www.businessweekmindanao.com

C

Friday | November 13, 2015

P15.00

By BONG B. FABE, Contributing Editor

AGAYAN de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez urged the Aquino administration to pursue its ambition of joining the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership to boost the Philippines’ development and progress.

If accepted, the Philippines will become the 13th nation to join the TPP, after the United States, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, Ne w Z e a l and, C ana d a , Mexico, Chile and Peru.

Ro driguez, howe ver, expressed “reservations” about a provision in the Dispute Settlement chapter of the TPP, which appears to side with private companies against governments.

Article 28:1(c) of the 19-page Dispute Settlement chapter (Chapter 28 of the TPP) states that the dispute settlement provisions shall apply “wherever a party considers that a benefit

it could reasonably have expected to accrue to it under Chapter 2 (National Tre at m e nt an d Mar ke t Access for Goods), Chapter 3 (Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures), Chapter 4 (Textiles and Apparel), Chapter 5 (Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation), Chapter 8 ( Te c h n i c a l B ar r i e r s t o Trade), Chapter 10 (CrossBorder Trade in Services) or Chapter 15 (Government Pro c u re me nt ) i s b e i ng nullified or impaired as a result of the application of a measure of another party that is not inconsistent with this Agreement.” tpp/PAGE 7

Residents of Brgy. San Vicente, Baungon, Bukidnon buy fish from mobile vendors on Friday , Nov. 6. mindanews photo by h. marcos c. mordeno

LGUs urged to come up adaptable methods to disaster-proof villages

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV, Mindanews

DAVAO City -- Mindanao stakeholders are encouraged to come up

with a better “plan, priority, and pr ac t i ce” i n te r ms of disaster-proofing the

communities to improve their adaptability to climate change and ensure food security. methods/PAGE 7

NGCP seeks help to secure towers

By CRIS DIAZ Contributing Editor

Get your BWM Loyalty Card NOW for only P350.00 valid for one year, and avail of discounts to more than 150 participating business establishments.

OFFICIALS of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) are seeking the assistance of the military to secure dozens of transmission towers in Mindanao. secure/PAGE 7

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Economy

Camiguin woman finds respect among peers, insists gender equality alleviates poverty

By SHAUN ALEJANDRAE UY, Contributor

CATARMAN, Camiguin -Rising above any adversity is a daunting task for most

people; it takes sheer will and determination, and a little help from the community.

Nor t her n Mind anao region has come a long way in empowering women and instill the volunteerism in the communities.

Charina Torayno, 34, from Purok 4, Kompol, Catarman town, is a Pantawid

the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community Driven D e v e l opm e nt Pro g r am

Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) parent leader who was chosen by fellow volunteers as chairman for the organized Barangay Sub-project Management Committee that implements projects under

(KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP).

Despite the stereotyping and resource limitations, Charina together with women beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya, implemented the construction of a multipoverty/PAGE 7

Oro dads repeal P1 charge for carryout plastic bags

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RETAIL establishments here will no longer have to collect a P1.00 pass-through charge from customers requesting for single-use plastic carryout bags.

Cagayan de Oro City Councilor Prexy Elipe said on Thursday that Ordinance NO. 12440-2012, which regulates

Ordinance 12440-2012.

The P1.00 per plastic carryout bag law was enacted in 2012 in compliance with Republic Act 9003, which required local government units to enact a waste reduction and reuse program that will decrease the use of single-use carry out bags.

the distribution of singleuse plastic carryout bags by requiring establishments to collect P1.00 per plastic bag, has been repealed.

Elipe said that during their regular session last Monday, the city council approved Ordinance 13008-2015, an Ordinance that repealed the

Elipe said that although implemented for over 10 years, the ordinance has not been properly implemented and there has been no report on fees collected for the purpose.

He said that the city council is now considering repeal/PAGE 7

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More Power! An Entrepreneur’s Road Map to SUCCESS

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

How to Become a Thought Leader

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

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Businessweek Mindanao Corporation Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, Ph.D. Vice President for Finance

ALLAN mario MEDIANTE

Vice President for CorporateAffairs

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Vice President for Administration

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NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

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n our globalized economy, having a skill or two under your belt won’t help you stand out from the crowd - but being a thought leader will. Being called a thought leader is one of the highest compliments that you can get. Being

Member: Philippine Press Institute Oro Chamber

Doing the Damage

T

hink a Minute…This is a true story about a young Jewish boy named Karl who grew up in Germany. Karl’s father was very religious and made sure his family went to the Jewish synagogue and studied the Torah or Jewish bible every day. When Karl was a teenager his family moved to another German town where all the important people were Christians not Jews.

Suddenly, Karl’s father change d religions—not because he learned the truth that Jesus Christ is the only true God, but because he wanted to be popular and liked by the important people in the community. Karl’s family was so surprised and confused. Young Karl especially became deeply disappointed and angry at his father for being such a hypocrite. A few years later, Karl went to England to study and there he decided not to believe in God anymore.

You see, that young teenage boy who was deeply disappointed and embittered by his hypocrite father was Karl Marx—the father of atheistic socialism. It was Karl Marx who wrote the Communist Manifesto. So now for almost a hundred years, over a billion people

THINK

A Minute

Jhan Tiafau Hurst have suffered under the hopeless rule of atheistic socialism which was started by that hurt and bitter young man, Karl Marx. That’s the terrible damage and influence which resulted from Karl’s hypocrite father.

Our children are watching the way you and I live every day! Our character and attitudes speak much louder than our words. Our kids aren’t stupid. They see the act we put on to look religious and good in front of other people. Then they see how we really are at home. They see when we’re not honest.

They see when we’re twofaced and gossip about others.

They see us when we lose our temper and self-control.

They see when we won’t forgive someone who hurt hurst/PAGE 6

a thought leader means that you are the go-to expert for what they do, and are considered indispensable by both your company and the broader public. If you’re ready to start down the path of leadership, follow these five steps on how to become a thought leader: • Become an expert in your field. Don’t settle for mere competence.

Not only do you want to be an expert— you want to be your field’s go-to guy, trend-forecaster, and all-around guru. Be the authority and build your credibility.

• Manage your online presence. Connecting

with others via a blog, Twitter, or other social networking venue will give you the chance to link up with like-minded people, some of whom might offer considerable assistance along your path.

• Give public talks.

Get over that fear of public speaking—flaunt what you know in as many places and in front of as many people as possible. This will help you build your credibility as well as establish your authority.

• Win some awards.

Nominate yourself, compete, win, and add that award to your list.

Once everyone knows

who you are, people will be handing you rewards just to draw more visitors to their events.

• Publish a book.

Once you’ve proven yourself and established your platform, it is time to take your ideas to print. If you succeed here, it makes the other four steps all the more easy. A thought leader doesn’t just participate in the conversation— they drive it.

Now that you steps for getting there, it’s time to get cracking!

Employ these techniques and see how you can transform yourself from a leader to a thought leader.

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Aquino gov’t persecuting Christian schools

L

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Train the child in the way that he should go, and he will never depart from it even if he grows old…” (Proverbs 22:6, the Holy Bible).

-ooo S O M E T H I N G SINISTER AGAINST TEACHING THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS IN RP: A group of pastors from several B orn Again churches met with me on Tuesday, November 04, 2015, and they confirmed to me once more that something s i n iste r is re a l ly goi ng on in this country when it comes to teaching our children about the Bible, about righteousness, and about spirituality.

Yo u s e e , t h e s e pastors constitute the leadership of a group called the Association of Christian Educators of the Philippines or ASCEP. Ever since I was introduced to ASCEP sometime in 2010 or thereabouts, they have been complaining about not-so-discreet attempts to persecute them, with the end in view of closing the elementary and high schools operated by their churches.

ASCEP by the way is the organization of schools owned and managed by Born Again pastors and churches. In 1996, they were given a special permit to

operate by then Education Secretary Ricardo Gloria, w hich enabled t hem to put up modest schools in equally modest, if not more modest, facilities, to teach basically the children of their members.

-ooo CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS DO A GREAT SERVICE TO COUNTRY: The objective of the schools was not just to teach what the other public and private schools had been teaching. They are also deep into teaching spirituality, righteousness, and Biblical principles, particularly the lives of Biblical characters whose unwavering faith in God allowed them to triumph at all cost, which is something that has been removed from mainstream education in our country.

These Christian schools, which have banded together and formed A S C E P, p r o v i d e g r e a t help to the government in terms of decongesting the already-burgeoning public and private school system, precisely because children who enrolled with them no longer join the millions who jam public and private schools every school opening.

Then, too, Christian schools tremendously contribute to the molding of law-abiding and Godfearing citizens, not only

among the children who are taught by them the teachings of God in the Bible, but also the parents of their children who are encouraged to study the Word of God, too, so they can continue providing spiritual guidance to their kids even at home.

-ooo AQUINO GOV’ T P E R S E C U T I N G CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS: So, one would think that the government, particularly the Aquino government, should be doing all it can to help these Christian schools to thrive and to succeed in their operations, correct? The answer should of course be a resounding “ y e s ”. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, however, the education of f icia ls of t he Aquino government are doing the reverse.

Instead of helping the Christian schools, the Aqu i n o g ov e r n m e nt i s persecuting them. Right n ow, f or i n s t a n c e , t h e Department of Education under Catholic priest Bro. Armin Luistro, is refusing to honor the special permit given by then Sec. Gloria to the Christian schools for them to operate, excluding them from its list of accredited schools.

What is more, the DepEd is refusing to recognize t h e g r a du at e s of t h e s e Christian schools.

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

Atty. Batas Mauricio Luistro should be reminded that there are laws in the Philippines, including the Constitution itself, that safeguard the te a ch i ng of rel i g i on to elementar y and high school students. He should therefore reconsider his stand against Born Again C h r i s t i an s ch o ol s , an d allow them to continue operating under the permit given to them by Gloria.

-ooo PLEASE LISTEN: “Ang Tanging Daan” (The Sole Way): a Bible study and prayer session online could now be heard, 24 HOURS a day, in the Philippines and the world at www.facebook. com/angtangingdaan or w w w. f a c e b o o k . c om / ANDKNK (For ANDKNK, l o o k f or “A n g Tan g i n g Daan” broadcasts). Phone: 0922 833 43 96, 0918 574 0193, 0917 984 24 68.

E m ai l : b at a s m au r i c i o @ yahoo.com.

Economic depression cannot be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement. Economic wounds must be healed by the action of the cells of the economic body - the producers and consumers themselves.

-- Herbert Hoover,

31 st U.s. President

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CoporateWorld 5 Vista Land buys Starmalls stake in growth push Globe signs with ADP as payroll solutions distributor in PH 2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting

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BILLIONAIRE and former Senator Manuel B. Villar, Jr. is consolidating his residential and commercial leasing businesses under Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. in a deal valued at P33 billion, accelerating its transformation into one of the Philippines’ biggest integrated property developers.

The countr y’s largest homebuilder is acquiring 88.25% of Starmalls, Inc. from the Fine Group, owned by Mr. Villar and his family, both companies said in separate disclosures to the stock exchange on Wednesday.

Vista Land shares rose 1.23% to P5.75 apiece and Starmalls shares lost 4.89% to P7.78 each on Tuesday.

The acquisition of Starmalls will make Vista L and the countr y’s top four integrated property developer after Ayala Land, Inc., SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and Megaworld Corp., respectively, capitalizing on synergies as it transforms its Camella housing projects into integrated “communicities,” Vista Land Chief Executive Officer Manuel Paolo A. Villar said in a briefing yesterday.

‘A GAME-CHANGER’ “Without question, that changes the dynamics of

Vista Land from a purely residential developer to now an integrated developer... We not only have a very strong, best-in-class residential business, [but] we also have a very good mass marketdriven consumer retail platform, which is Starmalls.

It’s a game-changer for Vista Land,” the younger Mr. Villar said.

Vista Land has identified about 100 areas or over 600 hectares of land from its existing Camella projects around the country with ready population catchment areas for potential Starmalls projects.

With Starmalls adding to Vista Land’s recurring revenue stream, the leasing side of the business may eventually account for 20% of revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), the younger Mr. Villar said.

St ar m a l l s ow ns an d operates 10 retail malls in key cities and municipalities, and two business process outsourcing (BPO) commercial centers in Metro Manila, with a combined gross floor area of 509,385 square meters. It also has four retail malls and one BPO commercial center currently under construction. vista/PAGE 6

G

L O B E Te l e c o m , through its IT Enabled Ser vices G r o u p, h a s f o r g e d a n agreement with ADP, a pi one er in outs ourc e d payroll services with over 65 years of experience, to launch Globe Managed Payroll, the latest expansion to the roster of business solutions offered by the telecom company to its enterprise clientele.

Globe Managed Payroll provides an end-to-end s o l u t i o n t h at i n c l u d e s T i m e a n d At t e n d a n c e , Payroll, and e ventually

a Human R es ources Information System, prov i d i n g c u s t om e r s a sp e c i a l i z e d out s ou rc e d team to manage payroll and human resource re qu i re m e nt s t h at w i l l let the organization focus on its core business.

“We chose ADP because we wanted to implement a solution that has proven itself to be cost-efficient which we know will benefit o u r c l i e n t s ,” s a i d G i l Genio, Chief Technology and Information Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at Globe. “The addition of ADP products strengthens

our own portfolio of business solutions. Since ADP’s s olut ion is bui lt on a cloud platform, we will be able to offer more innovative ser vices that can scale and support the needs of our major enterprise clients.”

“We’re delighted in this vote of confidence from Globe,” said Don McGuire, senior vice president and general manager of ADP As i a Pa c i f i c . “ T h e y ’v e ch o s e n t o e n h an c e t h e value they deliver to their clients by relying on ADP’s more than 65 years of payroll expertise.

It’s gratifying to see that the depth and scope of our solutions have enabled us to forge a deeper and an even more rewarding relationship that benefits both ADP and Globe as we both continue to grow.”

Genio pointed out that Globe is very excited about the market opportunity its relationship with ADP will open up for the company.

“It’s very important for us to choose a partner who can support this vision and roadmap,” Genio stated.

“ADP’s payroll solution allows us to add value for our clients.”

PAL earnings in first 9 mos rose to P6.55-B E A R N I N G S o f PA L Holdings Inc., the holding company of flag-carrier Philippine Airlines Inc., rose to P6.55 billion in the first nine months this year from P169.1 million in the same period last year.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), PAL said that total revenues for the nine months reached P81.99

billion, up 10.8 percent from P73.98 billion during the same months in 2014.

PAL said attributed the favorable performance to higher passenger revenues and other revenues generated during the period.

It noted that passengers volume rose by 30 percent mainly for Americas, Au s t r a l i a , Jap an an d Middle East routes

coupled by the effect of interlining arrangement with PAL Express in the domestic sectors.

Other revenues include excess baggage revenues, anc i l l ar y re ve nu e s and lease income arising from aircraft operating lease arrangements with an entity under common control and another airline.

PAL generated a profit

of P611.2 million in the third quarter alone, a turnaround from the same quarter total c o mp r e h e n s i v e l o s s o f P192.3 million during the same quarter the previous year.

The company said the increase in revenues was brou g ht m ai n l y by t h e effect of the depreciation of t h e P h i l ippi n e p e s o versus the US dollar.

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AgriBusiness

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PH ranks 4th in Asia in land devoted to organic agriculture

T

HE Department o f A g r i c u l t u r e’s National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) on Thursday said that the Philippines now ranks fourth among the leading Asian countries in terms of land devoted to organic agriculture.

A g r i c u l t u r e Undersecretary for Special Concerns Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that from the initial baseline data of 14,140 hectares in 2006, the NOAP was able to devote an estimated 101,278 hectares to organic farming system.

The figures are contained

in the International Foundation for Organic Agriculture (IFOAM ) 2015 report.

“Since the inception of the program in 2012, the DA has been actively promoting the adaption of organic farming in the countr y.

According to the latest

Lanao del Sur farmers receive farming equipment, machineries M A R AW I C it y - - T he Department of Agriculture – in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAARMM), led by Assistant Secretar y for Finance A l e x a n d e r “B oy e t” G .

Alonto, Jr. and Provincial Director Pangalian “Alexie” Alonto Balindong, Jr., turned over farm machineries and equipment to almost 80 accredited farm cooperatives in the province.

The official turnover ceremonies were held on November 4, 2015 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, this city.

A l o nt o r e p r e s e nt e d ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman during the event.

“Governor Hataman is very supportive of the farmers in Lanao del Sur and he

sees the huge agricultural potential of the province,” Alonto said.

After lobbying for the release of these equipment and machineries to the farmers in his province, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Bombit Alonto Adiong, Jr. was overwhelmed with joy upon receiving them and lauded the agriculture department.

“Our farmers can now easily work on their lands to ensure they produce quality and abundant rice and corn for our constituents,” he said. “ We c a n n o t t h a n k Governor Hataman and of course, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino, III enough for their support to our farmers.”

The machineries included hand tractors with trailers,

threshers, floating tillers, pedal threshers, shellers, corn mills, hammer mills, a cassava chipper and granulator and 4-wheel drive tractors.

Balindong said the machineries and equipment shall replace carabaos which usually prepare agricultural lands in days.

“The 4-wheel drive tractor can now easily prepare the lands in just two hours,” he claimed. “The benefits include less labor, minimal time and additional income for the farmers as they can rent out these equipment and machineries to nearby barangays.”

Adiong further said that investing in the agricultural sector is one of his key strategies to help eradicate poverty in his province. (PIO Lanao del Sur/PIA-10)

FROM THE FARM. A farmer glances at ukay-ukay items displayed on a truck in Barangay San Vicente, Baungon town in Bukidnon while walking home with his bull on Thursday (Nov. 5, 2015). mindanews photo by h. marcos c. mordeno

statistics, it is undeniable that more farmers are now shifting to organic farming and more consumers now prefer organic products,” Romulo-Puyat said.

“With this development, the Philippines now ranks as the 4th leading organic country in Asia,” she said.

Incidentally, Agriculture Secretary Processo J. Alcala was the main author of the Organic Act of 2010, a law which promotes the development and promotion of organic agriculture in the Philippines.

T h e l aw i nt e n d s t o promote, propagate, develop, and fur ther implement the practice of organic agriculture in the country to improve soil fertility, increase farm productivity, reduce farm-source pollution, further protect the health of the farmers, consumers, and the general public, as well as save on imported farm inputs.

President Benigno S.

Vista... from page 5

BENEFICIAL T he inte g rat ion w i l l e n a b l e Vi s t a L a n d t o achieve higher selling pr i c e s , i n c re a s e d s a l e s velocity and higher ret ail rental rates f rom its improved integrated product offering, as well as lower land acquisition and infrastructure costs, the younger Mr. Villar said.

With a strong leasing business, Vista Land can also take on the larger-scale projects being offered to the company by landowners, the former senator added.

Vista L and and Starmalls have the widest geographical reach in the real estate business, with an established presence in 92 cities and municipalities across 35 provinces. “ T h e m ove c an a l s o be seen as a way for the business units to effectively diversify and spread its portfolio across all other segments, ensuring that it

Aquino III has also declared the month of November of every year as the Organic Agriculture Month thru Presidential Proclamation No. 1030, enjoining everyone to provide national focus on the importance of organic agriculture.

Romulo-Puyat said that in support of Proclamation No. 1030, the regional offices of DA will be conducting activities that promote organic agriculture such as organic trade fairs, regional organic congresses, and a series of school on the air programs about organic farming.

Likewise, the Department of Education will spearhead a national poster making and essay writing contest to highlight the importance of organic agriculture.

Meanwhile, the celebrat ion of Organic Agriculture Month will c u l m i n ate i n t he 1 2 t h National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC) in Bacolod

City on November 25-27, 2015.

The DA official said that this year’s NOAC, with the theme “Halin Talamnan Tubtob Kalan-an” or “Farm to Table,” focuses on the importance of understanding the organic agriculture supply chain and helping our organic farmers build linkages with the consumers.

The NOAP will also honor the top performers in organic agriculture through t h e Na t i o n a l O r g a n i c Ag r i c u ltu re Ach i e ve rs’ Awards during the said festivities.

“Major industry players, including farmer producers/ practitioners, operators of organic establishments, researchers, educators, policy makers and other industry enthusiasts will get together during the NOAC. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about organic agriculture and share related experiences,” Romulo-Puyat said. (PNA)

is “well-insulated” from any external shocks to the local prop er t y s e c tor,” C l aro dG. Cordero, Jr., head of research and valuation at real estate advisory firm Jones Lang LaSalle, said in a mobile phone message.

Vista Land is buying the Starmalls shares at P4.51 each, a 44.87% discount to the latter’s closing price of P8.18 apiece on Nov. 9.

The Fine Group will then subscribe to approximately 4.6 billion new Vista Land shares at P7.15 per share, a 25.88% premium to Vista Land’s last traded price of P5.68 per share on Nov. 9.

As a result of the transaction, Villar-led Fine Properties, Inc. will hike its stake in Vista Land to 67.45% from 54%.

A tender offer will be conducted for the remaining Starmalls shares under the same terms and conditions. Vista Land may apply for the delisting of Starmalls from the stock exchange fol low ing t he completion of the tender

offer.

Vista L and p o cketed P1.9 billion in the third quarter, 35% year-on-year from P1.41 billion. This pushed the property firm’s nine-month earnings by 18% to P5 billion f rom P4.25 billion on higher sales.

Hurst... from page 4

and wronged us.

Our kids know whether or not we’re real Christians who live Jesus’ way every day.

But if we are hypocrites, it not only means we ourselves are in danger, it also does great damage to our children’s relationship with God and the kind of people they become as adults. So won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you? Then ask Him to take charge of your heart so He can start helping you change. That’s the only way your kids canlearn from you how to follow and become like Christ in their character and lifestyle. Just Think a Minute…

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TPP...

from page 1

For many experts, the language of this provision is unequivocally “pro-private companies”.

Zeph Repollo, Philippine Campaigns coordinator of 350.org said such provisions laid the foundation for private corporations to attack and “directly sue governments in private and non-transparent trade tribunals over laws and policies if corporations consider they would reduce their profits. This means legislation designed to address climate change, curb fossil fuel expansion and reduce air pollution --among many crucial environmental and human rights protections -- could all be subject to attack by corporations as a result of TPPA.” The TPP Agreement, signed in October but whose text was made public only on November 5 after five years of secret negotiations among the 12 original countries “empowers corporations while undermining national economies, people’s democracy, environmental protection, health standards, and workers’ rights, allegedly to ensure policies do not hurt trade and investment.”

“Building inclusive economies for a better world requires people’s participation and definitely not corporate manipulation,” Rep ollo stressed.

The TPP is a landmarked piece of agreement among the 12 Pacific Rim economies t h at h ave a c ombi n e d population of 800 million, and projected to account for 40 percent of the world’s gross domestic product and 30 percent of world trade.

They are also among the 21 economies making up APEC. Collectively, they could create a Pacific economic bloc that could rival China.

The Department of Trade and Industry called the TPP is a “significant component” of the country’s international trade strategy.

However, the Friends of the Earth said that while the TPP can be a platform for economic integration and government deregulation, it is also “a potential danger to the planet, subverting environmental priorities, such as climate change measures and regulation of mining, land use, and biotechnology.

FOE urged signator y

countries to rejec t the [provision/s] “that would authorize foreign investors to bypass domestic courts and bring suit before special international tribunals biased in favor of multinationals.

Foreign investors could s e ek aw ards of mone y d amage s , of u n l i m ite d size, in compensation for the cost of complying with environmental and other public interest regulations.

T h e y c ou l d e ve n s e e k compensation for lost future profits.”

Ro driguez, howe ver, warned of hindering the Philippines’ growth and progress by joining the TPP nations just because of the “perceived danger brought

by Article 28:1 (c).” “ We h av e n o o t h e r recourse but to join the TPP. We cannot afford to be left behind. However, we can express our reservation to this particular provision. Also, the TPP will still be subject to Congress’s ratification and even if Congress ratifies it, it will still be subject to our Constitution,” he said.

Methods... from page 1

At the second day of the two-day 1st Mindanao River Basin Organization Conference held at the Grand Regal Hotel on November 11 to 12, Jose Maria Lorenzo Tan, vice chairman and chief-executive-officer of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in the Philippines, told reporters that there will be more typhoons with the same or stronger intensity as Yolanda that ripped through the Central Visayas in 2013.

“Change in heat will have the change in extreme weather. Storms become stronger and stronger every year. We have seen typhoons over short period, over three typhoons every year,” he said before over 240 river basin stakeholders coming from all over Mindanao.

For the last three months, he said a shift of direction of weather patterns has been obser ved going towards Mindanao, an island region that used to be free from typhoons for several years.

“Mindanao has seen Pablo and it won’t be the first one,” he said.

Tan, however, added that the sea level must also be considered when bracing for disasters because the sea level for every area would

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province: LANAO DEL NORTE City/Municipality: KAPATAGAN NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Rule 7 of R.A. Act No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that MARIEL V. FERNANDEZ has filed with this Office a petition for CHANGE OF GENDER from MALE to FEMALE in the Birth Certificate of MARILE V. FERNANDEZ who was born on December 6, 1999 at La Libertad, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte whose parents are TEODULFO S. FERNANDEZ, JR. and HELEN M. VILLACRUSIS. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than 15 days

(SGD.) IVY R. TONGCO

MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR BWM: November 6, 13 & 20, 2015

vary depending on the area.

“The sea levels are not the same, sea level changes in every part of Mindanao,” he said.

In Davao City, where a jump in population is expected over the years brought about by migration from Luzon, Tan said it is important that the people shou ld underst and t he concept of “biocapacity,” defined by the WWF as “the capacity of ecosystems to produce useful biological materials and to absorb waste materials generated by humans, using current management schemes and extraction technologies.”

Wit h t he r is e i n population, Tan also said that the food, energy, and water are interrelated and crucial in Mindanao.

“If you look at food, look at how much of this are agriculture. It is very clear that Mindanao should learn how to integrate water and energy planning,” he said.

He also pointed out that it is necessary not to push the sustainable limit of the natural resources.

For instance, he explained that local governments must look at other sources of potable water other than what is existing to possibly lessen the risks of overusing the ground surface water.

“We have to learn multisourced water supply option for Mindanao. We cannot do what it was, in the future,” he said.

“If we talk about planning, p r a c t i c e , p r i o r i t y, t h e importance is how do you encourage the private (sector) to think about careful what they wanna do,” he said.

Secure...

from page 1 Elizabeth Ladaga, NGCP’s corporate communication head, said on Thursday that unidentified culprits tried to topple down another transmission tower in Patani, Marawi City, in Lanao Del Sur last Tuesday.

According to Ladaga, the incident caused power interruptions in some parts of Mindanao, which was restored in the afternoon of Nov. 9, after NGCP implemented temporar y measures to transmit power produced by Agus 1 and Agus 2 hydropower plants to the rest of Mindanao.

She said that the incident took place eight days after

three NGCP towers were filled with explosives in the same area.

While the explosion did not topple the tower, the damaged it sustained caused it to lean, putting the transmission facility in a more critical condition, Ladaga said.

She said that the NGCP has issued a public appeal to help monitor the safety of t h e t ow e r s s o t h at transmission services remain uninterrupted.

Sometimes the restoration of transmission services to affected areas were likewise hampered by uncooperative landowners who are preventing NGCP from conducting much needed vegetation clearing activity, she said.

The NGCP has als o rep e ate d ly app e a le d to the government and the Philippine Army for assistance in resolving the escalation of security problem and right-of-way issues in Mindanao.

Ladaga said that elements of the Philippine Armed Forces are currently assisting NGCP in entering the properties of the uncooperative landowners to expedite restoration. (PNA)

Poverty... from page 2

purpose building which would serve as the barangay center of her village as an evacuation center during calamities.

Charina’s participation in the construction of the barangay hall made her realize that women can be agents of change and eventually help in protecting the vulnerable members of society such as the elderly, women, children and persons with disability.

“It is only through gender equality that women can help promote economic growth and alleviate poverty,” stressed Charina, who also joined in other women and men in her village in putting sands on sacks, piling hollow blocks and mixing cement with aggregates during the construction of the building.

“Before, I would only stay at home struggling to make ends meet,” Charina said, adding, “I will not bother to participate in any activities in school and in our community.”

Furthermore, Charina said “Wala ko magdahom sa dako

Republic of the Philippines Region X Province of Lanao del Norte Municipality of Kapatagan Office of the Municipal Civil Registrar R.A. 9048 From No. (LCRO) NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with section 7 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that VERONICA L. DURANO has filed with this office a petition for change of Name from BELEN to EVELYN in the birth certificate of EVELYN SANTOS DURANO who was born on December 24, 1954 at Lapinig, Kapatagan Lanao del Norte and whose parents are RAFAEL DURANO and MARGARITA SANTOS. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later 15 days.

BWM: November 6, 13 & 20, 2015

(SGD.) IVY R. TONGCO Municipal Civil Registrar

nga responsibilidad (I did not anticipate the magnitude of the responsibility) but insisted that women like her can manage and do the tasks usually done by men).”

Charina further shared that her husband is also supportive and that some of her fellow volunteers had doubts if they can finish the tasks, but insisted to them that “Kaya ra ni ninyo, kay nagseminar baya ta ani (they have the capability to make things work since we already had a seminar about this).“ Empowerment Charina reveals that her volunteer work led her to do almost all construction management tasks. She also admitted that before the actual work she did not know some of the terminologies in construction. She, however, was enlightened during the seminars.

Charina’s tasks during the project were to organize and manage the volunteers. She also revealed that she has earned the respect of her peers and fellow volunteers as the project progressed.

Charina also said that she was ver y hands-on during the construction by actively doing follow-ups on deliverables; she also added that she was relatively strict and non-complacent.

She insisted helping out in tasks usually given to their male counterparts, like cement mixing and segregation of aggregates and sand, but also admitted that there are certain tasks that she cannot do like bending of steel materials.

After three months of construction work, Charina and he r fel l ow v i l l age volunteers finished the building. “We feel proud.

This is a nice office and during calamities, this will serve as an evacuation center and this place is also safe

7

2014 ppi’S Best in ENVIRONMENTAL Reporting

from floods.”

Home and family life Charina said that despite the three-monthlong construction work, she still managed to do all her daily tasks as a parent.

She revealed that her usual routine is to cook meals and prepares her husband’s things the night before so her husband can get ready for work faster, bathes her twin 2-year-old daughters, prepares milk, cook for noontime and dinner, and constantly communicates with her fellow Pantawid Pamilya members.

Charina also said that the DSWD program like the Pantawid Pamilya along with the conduct of the Family Development Session really boosted her confidence as a woman and a mother.

She revealed that DSWD’s programs helped her manage her home and financials.

Now, their family can have savings, payment for school fees, and most of all, they can now attend to the well-being of their children.

Charina concludes that through the DSWD’s integrated programs, she now has full confidence in her daily life and said that she has also gained the respect of others and more importantly, earning a sense of self-respect.(Shaun Y. Uy/ DSWD/PIA10)

Repeal... from page 2

an ordinance that would completely ban the use of plastic carryout bags in retail stores here.

Elipe said that the ban on plastic carryout bags would replace the repealed PHP 1.00 carryout bag ordinance in compliance with RA 9003, an act providing for the adoption of solid waste management program. (PNA)

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province: LANAO DEL NORTE City/Municipality: KAPATAGAN NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Rule 7 of R.A. Act. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that JEFSTER PACQUIAO GUMERA has filed with this Office a petition for CHANGE OF GENDER from FEMALE to MALE in the Birth Certificate of JEFSTER PACQUIAO GUMERA who was born on March 07, 1990 at KAPATAGAN, LANAO DEL NORTE whose parents are ORLANDO GUMERA and JULIETA GUMERA. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than 15 days.

(SGD.) IVY R. TONGCO Municipal Civil Registrar

BWM: November 6, 13 & 20, 2015 Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province: LANAO DEL NORTE City/Municipality: KAPATAGAN NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Rule 7 of R.A. Act. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that JASMIN P. TAÑAÑA has filed with this Office a petition for CHANGE OF GENDER from MALE to FEMALE in the Birth Certificate of JASMIN P. TAÑAÑA who was born on October 21, 2000 at La Libertad, Kapatagan Lanao del Norte whose parents are NELSON TAÑAÑA and MARLYN C. PACULANAN. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than 15 days.

BWM: November 6, 13 & 20, 2015

(SGD.) IVY R. TONGCO Municipal Civil Registrar

8

friday|November 13, 2015

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WHAT EVERY WOMAN (AND MEN..) MUST KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER:

TOP 12 FAQs I HAVE HEARD FROM MY PATIENTS

By JOSE RHOEL C. DE LEON, M.D., FPCS, FPSGS BREAST AND CANCER SURGERY

1. What is breast cancer?

Breast Cancer is a malignancy involving the mammary glands (breast). Like any other cancer, it usually starts from a damage to a single cell leading to a rampant growth of those cells and spreading to other normal cells (tumor) with a potential to invade and spread to other organs (metastasis) 2. What is the incidence of breast cancer?

It is the most common cause of cancer and cancer death among women, with a worldwide incidence of breast cancer is 22.9% of all types of cancer.

It causes almost half a million deaths a year worldwide, and about 1.4 million women were affected. In the Philippines it is the most common cause of cancer for both sexes combined.

3. Does it only affect women?

Although it commonly affects women, about 1.7% or close to 2 men for every 100 women will develop breast cancer.

4. Who are at higher risk of getting breast cancer?

There are identifiable risk factors: • I n c r e a s i n g a g e – m o s t common in the 50s but incidence starts to rise dramatically at age 40.

• Family History of Breast Cancer – about 20% of breast cancer has a family predisposition and 5% are truly hereditary (with identifiable genetic mutation like BRCA 1 and 2) • Hormonal factors – late (above 35) or not being able to get pregnant, early menstruation (12 and below), late menopause (45 and above). In other words, the longer (number of years) a woman is exposed to the monthly menstruation, the higher the risk. Long term use of oral contraceptives is also a risk.

• Diet and lifestyle – alcohol and smoking are risk factors, as well as obesity.

• Pre malignant breast lesions – if you have been diagnosed with a breast mass with atypia. You are at risk fourfold.

• T h e r e a r e o t h e r t h i n g s associated with breast cancer but are not wellestablished, what is important to remember is that almost 80% of breast cancer only have BEING A WOMAN AND AGE above 40 as identifiable risk factor.

5. Can Breast Cancer be prevented? How do we detect it early?

Breast cancer cannot be prevented, but it can be cured when diagnosed early. The following are the recommended screening methods: • S E L F - B R E A S T EXAMINATION a week after menstruation • BREAST EXAMINATION by a healthcare professional, annually for women 40 and above and every 2-3 years for younger women • MAMMOGRAPHY annually beginning age 40 6. What is the first probable sign of breast cancer?

The presence of a mass or a thickening of the breast is the only symptom of breast cancer, rarely, it can present as a palpable lymph node in the

armpit. However, with screening mammography, and seeing your doctor early – it can be detected at its earliest stage.

7. How do I know I have breast cancer?

If your doctor suspects that your mass is a breast cancer, he will request for some imaging like mammography and breast ultrasound to characterize the mass. However, THE ONLY CONFIRMATORY diagnostic procedure is a BIOPSY procedure, either through needle or open biopsy.

8. What should I do when I have breast cancer?

First, see a qualified doctor to take care of you.

The first thing to be done is surgery. You can either have your whole breast removed (mastectomy) or have it preserved (breast conservation). Surgery is the cornerstone of treatment of breast cancer.

9. Are there other treatments needed after surgery?

ADJUVANT treatments are added after surgery – meaning, they are added to improve survival and decrease the chance that breast cancer will come back.

The following are the adjuvant treatments: • CHEMOTHERAPY is the giving of toxic medicines to kill whatever cancer cells remained in your system.

• RADIATION is added to improve local control and prevent breast cancer from coming back. If conservation was done, radiation is a must • HORMONAL TREATMENT in the form of oral drugs are given to those with HORMONE RESPONSIVE breast cancers (ER or PR positive tumors) 10. What has to be done when I completed treatment?

There is always that risk that it may come back, so you need to see your doctor on a regular basis for surveillance. He will

be requesting some tests to monitor you.

11. What are the stages of breast cancer and its significance?

STAGE 0: Breast cancer cells are confined inside the milk ducts (In situ breast cancer) Cure is almost 100%.

STAGE I: Breast cancer less than 2 cm in size with no axillary spread or distant organ spread.

About 90% 5-year survival and 80% 10-year survival.

STAGE II: More than two cm in size, with or without axillary spread. About 70% 5 year and

60% 10 year survival.

STAGE III: Locally advanced, more than 5 cm, with positive lymph nodes. 40% 5 and 35% 10 year survival STAGE IV: Metastatic, cancer has spread to other organs. 10% 5-year survival, less than 7% 10-year survival.

Survival and chance for cure depends on the stage. The earliest the stage, the greater chances for cure.

12. What to do when cancer returns?

It has to be determined where the cancer has recurred, some

recurrence have better prognosis than the other, you have to see your doctor immediately.

There are many other questions that I get from my patients and in the many lectures I give to doctors and laymen alike. But these are the top 12 questions that everybody should basically know about breast cancer. There are many resources available on the web and on published articles. Just always remember, the best chance for breast cancer is getting it early.

So be screened and be informed.

DR. JOSE RHOEL C. DE

LEON is a surgical oncologist, breast surgeon. He is a nationally recognized authority in breast cancer and has given many talks and lectures on the topic. He is the head of the Capitol University Medical Center Department of Surgery in Cagayan de Oro City, former national president of the Philippine Society of General Surgeons, and a member of the board – Surgical Oncology Society of the Philippines, and Philippine Breast Cancer Society.

THE BREAST AND CANCER CLINIC (www.facebook.com/ breastclinicCDO)

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Editor: Cheng Ordoñez

YOUR Mindanao-wide BUSINESS paper

B1

CSC cites DOST-10 PSTC director Outstanding Public Official 2015

T

he director of the Department of Science & Technology (DOST)Region 10’s Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) in Bukidnon has been recognized as one of the awardees in this year’s Outstanding Public Officials and Employees Awards of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Senior Science Research Specialist Virgilio M. Fuertes, director of DOST Region X’s PSTC, was conferred the CSC Pagasa Award for “his scientific and extensive research to improve the products of the small csc/PAGE B2

SM launches Christmas 2015 Story by MARK FRANCISCO

SM City Cagayan de Oro launched the Christmas season of 2015 with a performance by Ballet Manila last November 7 as well as the unveiling of its Christmas tableau and a photoshoot experience with Santa Claus.

From November 6 to December 31, there will also be a Toy Sale

with up to 50 percent off on selected toys at Toy Kingdom’s popup stores. There will be a Santa Meet and Greet on selected dates – December 6, 13 and 20. And since Christmas is the season of giving, you may share a bear this Christmas.

For only P200, you take home a bear and give one

to a child in need. The Bears of Joy are available at the Christmas Toy Fair located at the ground level between Pizza Hut and Chowking just adjacent to the activity center.

The management of SM City Cagayan de Oro is likewise encouraging one and all to bring out your phones, take a photo with your family and sm/PAGE B2

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The Sombrero Galaxy is an unbarred spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo located 28 million lightyears from Earth. photo courtesy of C amiguin N ightscapes facebook page

CAMIGUIN NIGHTSCAPES

“Discovering the Universe by the Volcanoes” A

By Joe Palabao, Editor-at-Large

nother tourist destination and attraction in Camigiuin “Paradise Island of the Pacific” is Camiguin Nightscapes. It is situated on Mt. Itum, Baylao, Mambajao, Camiguin Province.

It’s an amazing, phenomenal first Stargazing Park in the country on top on an active volcano.

It is a place where tourists, students and heavenly body enthusiasts discover the wonders of the universe by the volcanoes. In here one can see the amazing and mesmerizing universe and its heavenly bodies whose beauty is beyond the capacity of human describing.

Kilaha Foundation and Provincial Tourism Office usually bring the students, foreign, domestic, local tourists and heavenly bodies’ enthusiasts on

top of the island at Mt. Itum. It is a magnificent and amazing location between three (3) major mountains.

The tourists and students usually observe the night sky and learn from it while the universe remains healthy and the risk of our planet to become ill. Observation through star gazing, astronomy talks and courses, climate change and disaster risk. The universal correlation to the present situation can be observed and studied while the tourists and students will see the wonders of the universe.

With Camiguin Nightscapes, Kilaha Foundation found the need to increase the need preserving the ecosystem of Camiguin Island.

Climate change while natural disasters happen more often in Camiguin.

To enjoy the tourism destination and sites of Camiguin, it is imperative for Camiguinons together with tourists a need to increase awareness about preserving the ecosystem of the island. Local students and its inhabitants need to understand this correlation as well as the key role of preserving the ecosystem of Camiguin.

On the other hand, this activity offers the foreign, domestic and foreign tourists an alternative way to appreciate the beauty of Camiguin.

In the response to Kilaha Foundation vision and mission and in coordination with the local authorities, a NIGHTSCAPE OBSERVATION PARK with all the necessary facilities and equipment like telescopes, projectors, screen, tablets, session center, snack facilities, toilets and camp sites will soon be provided for the students and the tourists to have unique and lively experience with the universe.

The Nightscape Observation Park will have lectures, courses and interactive sessions on several topics including, Astronomy, Climate Change, and Natural Disasters (interaction of

universal movements of the stars like Milky Way, meteors and other heavenly bodies. Materials will be produced, books, pamphlets and Facebook e-learning courses to bring message to the schools of the island and also to all students from the all over the country who wish to experience the nightscape of Camiguin Island.

ECO TOURISM ATTRACTION- For tourism industry, Camiguin creates the most important Star Gazing Project and Nightscapes Park in the Philippines.

Kilaha wishes to make the project and its venue a successful tourism attraction in terms of daily visitors, economic feasibility, local, national and international recognition in terms of tourism industry.

New subjects will then be introduced in the schools in coordination with the Department of Education.

Development of a Memorandum of Understanding for more than 6,000 students focused in: 1) understanding the balance of natural environment; 2) Climate Change and 3) Natural Disaster Risk Prevention.

For Project Sustainability, KILAHA will manage the first year operation to assure the project is developed under the eco-tourism

framework; and generating direct income for the inhabitants of the area, respecting their activities, traditions and values. After which the project will be turned over to the Local Government Units.

The Sombrero Galaxy is one heavenly body that can be seen in the Nightscape.

It is an unbarred spiral galaxy in the constellation

CSC...

from page B1

businesses in Bukidnon.”

“Most of our awardees are unknown to the public,” said Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III in his speech during awarding rites last November 9, 2015 at Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace. “They are just working quietly.

Although no one can see what they are working on, they are still doing their job passionately and correctly. So let us take this opportunity to recognize them and make their noble deeds known.”

The CSC Pagasa Award is handed out to an individual or group for an outstanding contribution resulting from an idea or performance which directly benefited more than one department of the government.

Fuertes received a gold-gilded medallion crafted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and a presidential plaque.

In addition, Fuertes and his fellow CSC Pagasa awardees received a cash prize of P100, 000.

The Outstanding

Virgo located 28 Million lightyears from Planet earth. The Galaxy has a diameter of approximately 50,000 light-years, 30% the size of Milky Way. It has a bright nucleus, an unusually large central bulge, and prominent dusk lane in its inclined disk. The dark dust lane and the bulge gives the galaxy appearing like a Sombrero-thus named SOMBRERO GALAXY. Public Officials and Employees Awards is an annual nationwide search for the country’s outstanding public servants conducted by CSC, as part of their Honor Awards Program.

It aims to motivate and inspire civil servants to improve the quality of their performance and encourage profound involvement in public service. (S&T Media Service)

SM...

from page B1

friends at the Christmas centerpiece and post it using the hashtag #MerrySMChristmas2015.

Also to pump up your excitement, there will be a Christmas Bonus Sale this weekend from November 13 to 15 where you can whip up to 50 percent off on great selections. And dig this – the mall’s gonna close at 10:00 p.m. on November 13 through 14.

For a complete schedule of upcoming holiday activities, please follow the official Facebook page of SM City Cagayan de Oro.

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