BusinessWeek Mindanao (October 18, 2017)

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Volume VIII, No. 57

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Wednesday | October 18, 2017

Market Indicators

As of 6:00 pm October 17, 2017 (tuesday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P51.293

8,497.74

X X Briefly

18.9

49.8

cents

points

LNG hub

SURIGAO City -- The Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to develop the domestic natural gas industry, and eventually transform the Philippines as the liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading and trans-shipment hub in the AsiaPacific Region.

According to Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, the DOE is “already preparing the necessary policies as we approach the depletion of indigenous natural gas supply from Malampaya by 2024.”

“By diversifying our energy mix through LNG, we are ensuring a secure and stable supp l y o f e ner gy. Thi s i s a priority,” Cusi pointed out.

Philippine eagle DAVAO City – Sending selected Philippine Eagles to overseas wildlife centers is a necessity to conserve the species, says the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).

“It is sort of an insurance if something happens to our eagles here,” Dennis Salvador, PEF President said.

Salvador said that having Philippine Eagles in facilities abroad is part of risk management measures in case of an Avian Flu outbreak in the country.

“Bird Flu has been happening in the region; Philippines used to be unaffected until recently,” Salvador said.

Unliquidated figures THE city’s own social welfare department will reconcile its unliquidated figures of downloads from the Department of Social W elfa re a n d D evel opm ent’ s (DSWD) supplemental feeding program.

This, after the CSWD led by Early Child Care Development (ECCD) program coordinator Anecia Tongson disputed the DSWD report alleging that the city government has an unliquidated balance of P16,938,610 from the supplemental feeding program as of September, putting the city as number five in the Department’s so-called “shame” list.

Tongson told the City Council committee on social services, which heard the matter last Friday, that DSWD was “misinformed” about the actual amount of the unliquidated balance. M. FRANCISCO

DELAYED REPAIR. A backhoe (left photo) works on the cofferdam on the Cagayan River on Saturday, Oct. 14, which will enable Rio Verde engineers to fix the underwater pipeline damaged by quakes and river debris. However, heavy rains on Monday hampered the repair works (right photo). photos provided

Water pipes repair hampered by rain Oro businessmen declare 15% loses due to Monday’s transport strike

By MIKE BAÑOS Editor-at-Large

C

AG AYA N de Oro bulk water supplier Rio Verde Water Consortium, Inc. said repair and rehabilitation works of its main 650mm underwater pipeline across the Cagayan River would be further delayed for another week as a result of heavy rains over the weekend.

R i o Ve rd e f or m a l l y informed the COWD Engineering Division early Tuesday morning (Oct 17) repair/PAGE 11

Sandigan clears ex-CDO mayor

By JIGGER JERUSALEM, PNA

THE Sandiganbayan has absolved former city mayor Vicente Emano over illegal acts by demoting an administrative officer into a security guard, a legal counsel said.

Lawyer Francis Khu said clears/PAGE 11

By MARK FRANCISCO Staff Writer

LANTERNS. An inmate works on a lantern at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail which is part of their income generating project while serving their terms. A finished product would cost ranging from P250 to P1,600 depending on the size. photo by gerry lee gorit

Oro Chamber, the largest group of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region, reported a 15 percent loss of revenue during the whole-day transport strike last Monday.

Oro Chamber president Robertino Pizarro said that the bulk of the loss came from retail outlets such as groceries, department stores and shopping malls.

Pizarro added that the President Duter te’s declaration of a holiday in loses/PAGE 11

Bukidnon peasants to gov’t: ‘Give us land’

By GERRY LEE GORIT, Reporter

ABOUT a hundred farmers from Bukidnon are demanding from the government to consider their petition and distribute about 517 hectares of land located inside the Central Mindanao University (CMU) campus in Barangay

D o l o g on , Mar am a g , Bukidnon as they staged a protest action outside the Department of Agrarian Reform central office in Manila.

Three farmer groups consisting of more than 500 members, more commonly

known as Buffalo-TamarawLimus (BTL), are petitioners of the 517-hectare land located within the compound of the Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Barangay Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon.

Winnie Loable, BTL chairman, said there is no reason for CMU not to award the contested land to them

since the school has not been using it.

“It has been idle for quite some time now. In fact, its other land holdings were being leased out to various firms,” Loable said in a phone interview Friday.

He said the about 500 hectares of land are being land/PAGE 11

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Economy

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wednesday|october 18, 2017

Bahay Pag-asa Project launched for Marawi displaced families

I

LIGAN City -- To provide immediate shelter and accommodation to the families affected by the Marawi siege, Bahay Pag-asa (Home of Hope) was launched in Barangay Bito Buadi Itowa, Marawi City.

With the collaborative efforts of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. and the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army, a total of 50 nipa huts were constructed in a 1.2

hectare land.

Attaching raincatching systems for water supply and solar panels for electricity, the 8x8 ft. houses were built using bamboos, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and nipa palm.

A total of 30 comforts rooms, 30 bathrooms, 10 sinks and 10 cooking facilities were also built.

Dubbed as Hardin ng Lunas (Garden of Cure), a vegetable garden was constructed where different crops were planted. Giant bamboos were also planted

along the vicinity.

A customized model was also built to show to the beneficiaries that they could beautify the basic nipa hut.

According to Major Rodolf John dela Cruz of Judge Advocate General Service, Joint Task Force Marawi, the main beneficiaries of the project

are those owners of houses situated at the main battle area.

Meanwhile, the Task Force Bangon Marawi currently works for the

transitional shelters in Barangay Sagonsongan, Marawi City, which will be ready for occupancy by December.(LEAntonio-PIA ILIGAN/LDN)

Trading posts gain farmers in North Cotabato KIDAPAWAN City -With the establishment of a rubber trading post, farmers in North Cotabato, including agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), are now earning more from their farms.

According to Cenon

Original, OIC-Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, among the direct beneficiaries of the rubber trading post were 73 farmers who are members of two agrarian reform associations in the villages of Kidapawan City.

Perez ARB Rubber Farmers Association and Mua-an Small Coconut Farmers Association in Kidapawan City, were identified and accredited by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist as trading posts that

buy cuplumps from its members and other rubber farmers in the area.

Original noted that the two ARB organizations (ARBO) could cater more than 600 rubbers under the Meohao Expanded farmers/PAGE 11

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Vehicles sales up 9.5% in Sept. ‘17 SALES of automotive vehicles in the country reached 34,445 units year-on-year in September this year, up 9.5 percent from 31,451 units in September 2016, the joint report of Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed Monday.

Compared to August sales, industry sales declined by 2.4 percent from 35,309 units sold in August.

“September sales result decreased compared to August sales result because of decrease in sales of major distributors.

Despite the decline in September sales, the outlook for succeeding months remains strong, driven by the good sales performance of key models,” CAMPI President Rommel Gutierrez said.

The single-digit growth in September was pulled down by decrement in passenger car sales, which slid by 13.2 percent to

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CorporateWorld

10,516 units this year from 12,110 units in September last year.

On the other hand, sales of commercial vehicles remained robust growing by 23.7 percent to 23,929 units in September 2017 from 19,341 units in the same period in 2016.

Under commercial vehicle segment, Asian utility vehicle (AUV) sales were flat at 0.5 percent growth, selling 5,981 units in the previous month compared to 5,954 units this sub-segment sold in September last year.

Light commercial vehicle sales were upbeat last month with 32.6 percent increase, reaching 16,137 units from 12,174 units in September 2016.

Light trucks sales grew 44.3 percent year-on-year to 1,088 units; trucks and buses category four sales jumped 59.1 percent to 525 units; and trucks and buses category five increased 53.5 percent to 198 units.

For the first nine months of the year, sales/PAGE 11

Italpinas launches first phase of Luzon expansion

C

AGAYAN de Orobased Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC) is stamping its presence in Luzon with the launch of the first phase of Miramonti, which includes a P780million tower located in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

In a statement issued over the weekend, IDC President Jose D. Leviste III said Miramonti will be the listed property firm’s biggest project to date, slated to bring in revenues of P1.4 billion.

“Miramonti is the biggest project we have so far at IDC. We are looking

forward to serving Luzon for the first time. We have met with the brokers and they are very excited as well to market the project,” Mr. Leviste was quoted as saying in a statement.

IDC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Romolo Nati noted that the company was waiting to secure its license to sell before formally launching the project. It has been granted permits and other documents.

Miramonti marks IDC’s third project after Primavera Residences and Primavera City in uptown Cagayan de Oro.

The project will feature green strategies and the company’s authentic Italian design.

“We chose Batangas because the place is booming. It is one of the most progressive provinces in the country. The strategic location of Sto. Tomas is one thing that attracted us. It is near to industrial parks and it has an amazing view in 360 degrees,” Mr. Nati said.

Mr. Leviste added that the project’s accessibility will be one of its defining characteristics, given that it is located “right at the hub of these expressways

connecting to the Metro area.”

Miramonti will have a total of three towers developed in three phases, with the first phase covering an area of 2,057 square meters. This will offer 352 residential units, 14 commercial units and 88 parking units.

Amenities will include a fitness center, swimming pool and playground, among others.

IDC has tapped Damiani Property Management and Services, Inc. to be Miramonti’s property management italpinas/PAGE 11

RFM net income up 20% to P221M in Q3 2017 NET income of listed food and beverage firm RFM Corp. rose to PHP211 million in the 3rd Quarter this year, up 20 percent from net income in the same period in 2016.

In a disclosure with the Philippine Stocks Exchange, RFM said revenues, which grew 7 percent to PHP3.16

billion, pushed RFM’s strong net income for Q3 2017.

RFM President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Concepcion III attributed the company’s robust performance from July to September to ice cream sales, with less-than-usual wet weather during the third quarter of the year.

RFM sells ice cream brand such as Selecta, Cornetto, and Magnum, among others, through a joint venture with Unilever.

On the other hand, sales from its pasta brands -- Royal and Fiesta -- as well as from Selecta Milk and Sunkist juice drinks remained flat in Q3

2017.

But RFM expects revenues from these brands to increase by fourth quarter of the year as Christmas selling season kicks off.

Moreover, the company is optimistic to surpass its PHP1.0billion net income in 2016 by year-end.

(PNA)

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Opinion

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The long and short of it

HOTLINE Businessweek Mindanao Corporation Publisher DANTE M. SUDARIA President/CEO

ALLAN mario MEDIANTE

Vice President for Corporate Affairs

RUFINO T. MAGBANUA

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Juni Law Office Cruz Taal St., CDO Legal Counsel

Ruffy magbanua THIS plan has been derailed many times over.

From former President Fidel Ramos to Pnoy, the long overdue rehabilitation o f M i n d a n a o’s a g i n g 982-megawatt Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric power plants (HEPP) was practically left

manila office: 9th Floor, Unit 918, CityLand Herrera VA Rufino Cor. Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City Tel. # : 5555392,Cell No.: 0977-152-8860 lani vallido-Marketing Manager

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More Than a Feeling think a minute

jhan tiafau hurst Think a minute…A little b oy was asked what he thought about marriage.

He answered: “God says that a man should have on ly on e w i fe. T h i s i s called monotony!” That little boy, of course, meant to say “monogamy.” But s ome adu lts t hin k t hat being married to one wife or husband for the rest of their life is monotony and boring! Possibly because we’ve listened to the love songs about the wonderful feeling of being in love. So we start to actually believe that real love is just the feeling of being in love.

But loving a person is not just the feeling of being in love with them. That may have been the beginning attraction and sparks that started the fire. But feelings are not enough to keep the

fire going and your marriage s t r o n g a n d s at i s f y i n g , especially through the hard times! You see, our moods and feelings change all the time.

So love is not a feeling; love is a choice! It’s a choice you and I make with our heart, mind, and will. Love is a decision that says: I choose you and only you, now and always, as my friend and lover for the rest of my life. I’m not throwing you back in the sea and going fishing again for a new wife or husband. I’ve caught my limit! I’m keeping you for good.

This is why Jesus Christ taught that a husband and wife become one person. So when you divorce, it’s like cutting off half of your body.

It tears apart not only your life, but your children’s lives!

If we keep needing a new thrill, then our thrills will just get fewer and weaker, until we’ve become a sad, lonely old man or woman.

Because we never learned and chose to truly love. So why not ask Jesus to forgive you, and to take full charge of your heart? That’s when you can start enjoying the thrill of marriage and real love that lasts.

Just Think a Minute…

The root cause is simply this: the national government (read: Imperial Manila) inaction to do the right thing at the right time.

Added to this is the lack of strong national leadership on the issue to pursue a series of long term solution required to solve the power issue in Mindanao.

Fact # 1: Mindanao grid is not connected to the Luzon-Visayas grid. This would have accomplished an integration of the country’s one grid energy policy.

Fact # 2: the base load of power generation for Mindanao was not increased sufficiently. The government’s d e c i s i on t o u n d e r t a ke approvals was snail paced.

Fact # 3: the privatization plan of the generating power plants, following the logic of EPIRA (Electricity Power Industry Reform Act), was not undertaken to the fore, to the extent of being sidelined, and eventually gone with the wind.

Fact # 4: Mindanao’s power distribution grid is linked mainly with hydroelectric p owe r ge n e r at i on , t h e cheapest power source up to this day.

But for obvious reasons, Imperial Manila has always held the potentials of hydro power from Lanao’s Agus river, a rich source of water emanating from Lake Lanao in Marawi. hotline/PAGE 11

“Patriotic” Foreign-Funded Media Organizations

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in the dustbin, with nothing but all rhetoric.

An empty promise as it were --- thanks but no thanks to Imperial Manila’s ‘second-class’ treatment to Mindanao power consumers.

And here comes another round of rhetoric. This time, the rehab plan is being revived under the Duterte administration.

Now, let’s take a quick look of the past. The power problem in Mindanao is not a stranger to all of us Mindanaoans.

It has been power crisis, year in and year out. Fact is: Mindanao’s power problem has been there for quite some time, and always waiting to happen.

Lucell larawan Can there be a nationalistic media that has taken its sauce from foreign countries? Yet, this is surprisingly what three Philippine organizations have become: they claim to be nationalistic in drive, but do not immediately take that hook, line and

sinker, as one checks their records –they have been receiving funds from the National Endowment for Democracy, a front of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

This revelation from a writer at Poutpourri Blogs is really disturbing. Among us, there are vicious wolves preying on society. And what makes us uneasy is that they almost make some buy their ideas—that they are serious about the society’s wellbeing-- until we uncover the meaning of Allen Weinstein’s (NED co-founder) quote in 1991: “A lot of what we do today was done covertly 25 years ago by the CIA.” I believe the writer of

Poutpourri Blogs did not make up stor ies ab out the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), and Vera Files.

These organizations allegedly received substantial funding from NED. According to the poutpourri writer who had access with NED documents, the CIA front, since 2015, gave the PCIJ $106,900; Vera Files, $70,000, and CMFR, $278,000. (Another funder of Vera Files is Reporters without Borders, which is also a recipient of NED funds.)

As a backgrounder, the NED also gave funds to Ukraine’s opposition groups which caused a political crisis

in that country leading to the overthrow in 2014 of the pro-Russia Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych, to be replaced by pro-US leaders.

As certain media groups publish articles to discredit the Duterte administration, be careful: I do not see Elijah in the Old Testament calling down fire from heaven to consume an arrogant king’s minions; rather, I see Baalam who was bribed with a sum to curse God’s people. These entities are paid to destroy our destiny as a nation. Should we allow them and the powerstarved politicians who use these outfits—the members of the Liberal Party—to deprive us of freedom that patriotic/PAGE 10

Message on terrorists’ death: you can’t fight government Kakampi mo ang batas

Batas Mauricio LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…

Endless ruin has overtaken my e ne m ie s , you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished…” (Psalm 9:6, the Holy Bible).

-ooo MESSAGE ON THE DEATH OF TERRORISTS: YOU CAN NOT FIGHT GOV’ T: If there is any important message that can be derived from the violent deaths of Isnilon Hapilon ang Omar Maute last Monday, October 16, 2017, it is the truth that the official armed forces of the country will always prevail even against the most dreaded, most heavily armed, and most fearsome terrorists and enemies of the people.

It would just be actually a matter of the exact hour before terrorists or rebels are ruthlessly decimated

or roundly defeated, and their illicit aspirations against the duly-constituted government pitiably crushed to the ground, in the manner that cockroaches and other crawling pests are mercilessly grounded to bits and pieces.

Because of this, the call from our people for those who are fighting the government and who are causing untold hardships upon our nation is simple: stop all rebellion and any form of lawless anarchy and mayhem, and pursue peace and progress for our countrymen instead.

-ooo DUTERTE’S FOES SHOULD STOP

UNFOUNDED CRITICISMS: Too, we also would like to call upon those who regularly oppose and contradict the government, especially the Duterte government, to similarly stop their noisy and rambunctious barrage of criticisms and conspiratorial pursuits to discredit the government at all cost, principally President Duterte, even if there is a conceded good that is coming out from official actions.

It is no longer acceptable, to say the least, to always view any pronouncement or any action of Duterte and his officials as inappropriate message/PAGE 10

Nadya Emano-Elipe could be remembered as anti-education

By Remy Cagape-Dabatian Labiano II

A political opposition is an important element of democrac y. Opposition strikes to balance the ruling party.

According to a French philosopher and political scientist Raymond Aron, “democracies are systems in which the peaceful rivalry

for exercise of power exists constitutionally.”

The functions of the opposition a include counter weight; offers political alternatives; and improves decision making by ensuring debate.

In C ag ay an d e O ro City, we have witnessed the

clashing of the Executive and Legislative departments over several policy issues.

We remember the “Babag” 17th City Council presided by vice mayor Ian Acenas.

This council held hostage the budget for several beneficial and landmark programs of City Mayor Oscar Moreno.

History will remember this council as obstructionist to the development of the city.

While presided by Acenas, the main protagonist was C ouncilor Prexy Elip e, who was later on found guilty of serious dishonesty and falsification of public Remembered/PAGE 10

DISCLAIMER: All articles and commentaries published in this section are construed to be the sole responsibility of the writers and do not in any manner reflect the stand of the newspaper, its publisher and editors -- The Editor in Chief

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wednesday|october 18, 2017

Banking&Finance

Special financial packages from OFW bank sought

Z

AMBOANGA City -- Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have welcomed the establishment of the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFB), which will start its operations next year.

Mary Joy Ersando, on Tuesday said she hopes the new bank will feature special financial packages for them to avail the benefits compared from the usual offerings being made by commercial banks in the country.

Ersando had been working as a nurse for at least 10 years in Saudi

Arabia.

“Sana yan bank na yan (I wish this bank) will grant loans na meron (that has) low interest rates for housing, small scale business or personal loans,” Ersando said.

“Makakatulong yan kung yung (It will help if the) secured banking system are same sa mga (to the) top banks sa Pilipinas (in the Philippines),” she added.

True to his campaign promise, President Rodrigo Duterte issued last month Executive Order No. 44 allowing the

state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to acquire Philippine Postal Savings Bank, Inc., a subsidiary of of Philippine Postal Corporation, and convert it to OFB. Under E.O. 44, the LBP is also ordered to infuse fresh capitals to strengthen the capital base of the OFB to effectively provide the needed banking services to the OFWs. The OFB will have nine-member board that will be chaired by LBP president.

Another Filipino

banker, who is based in Doha, Qatar, noted they have yet to see the benefits and programs of the newly-established bank.

“It is a welcome development since there are millions of Filipinos who are sending their money to their families back home,” the banker, who only identified himself Nathaniel, said.

He said proper investment is one of key elements to help OFWs achieve financial security, especially those who are eyeing return home for good. (PNA)

OFW remittances up 7.8% to $2.5-B in Aug. STRONG domestic spending is seen to continue in the Philippines as remittance inflows remain robust, an economist of ING Bank Manila said.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Monday showed that cash remittances reached $2.499 billion last August, 7.8 percent higher than year-ago’s $2.319 billion and the $2.283 billion last July.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng, in a research note, said the faster growth of remittances from month-ago’s 7.1 percent expansion is an “upside surprise” since it made the margin between remittances and trade deficit “practically disappeared.”

Exports grew by 9.4 percent last August although imports posted a rebound and increased by 10.5 percent.

“The increase also supports higher domestic spending which in turn means firm imports ahead,” Cuyegkeng said, referring to growth of remittances.

Remittances has been among the major growth drivers of the Philippine economy for some decades now as is accounts for around 10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

In 2016, cash inflows

from Filipino workers overseas grew by five percent, higher than the central bank’s four percent target.

This year, the BSP’s remittance growth assumption is still four percent.

As of end-August this year, remittances rose by 5.4 percent to $18.595 billion. Including inkind remittances, total remittances posted an uptick of 6.4 percent to $20.723 billion. (PNA)

BOC hits highest daily collection in September THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has posted more than PHP3 billion in collection for two consecutive days last month – a first in the bureau’s history.

Based on the preliminary collection report of its Financial Service, the BOC on Sept. 28 and 29 collected a total of P3,316,889,000 and P3,193,804,000, respectively.

The figures are a milestone in the collection performance history of the bureau, the country’s second largest revenue-generating agency.

Likewise, the BOC achieved a total cash collection of P39.54 billion in September, regarded also as the highest cash collection achieved for a month, based on records.

“The Bureau is happy to report that we were able to make significant improvements in terms of collection.

We were looking at the financial reports dating back to 2010,

and our director for financial service, Cecile Soriano reported that indeed, this is the first in BOC history, even if we reviewed records farther back 2010,” Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena said in a statement.

Lapena attributed the improvement to a 20.92 percent increase in valuation compared to the same period last year.

The bureau, he said, was able to collect duties and taxes for September based on the total dutiable value of imports amounting to P420,204,629, compared to the assessed dutiable value of P347,504,895 of the same month in 2016, despite the higher percentage of nondutiable value of 84.5 percent from the 81.2 percent in 2016.

Lapena has called on all district collectors, examiners and appraisers to apply the correct valuation instead of using benchmarking.

September figures also indicate a year-on-

year increase of 14.71 percent in terms of volume of imports. In September 2016, there was a total of 8,504,422 kg. of imports while current volume posted amounted to 9,755,082 kg.

Preliminary collection report showed that despite the three nonworking holidays in September, BOC achieved 96 percent of the total collection, collecting P40.15 billion against the monthly target of P41.75 billion

based on the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF) target.

It was previously reported that the BOC needs to achieve a monthly target of P50.1 billion from September to December for the bureau to hit the fullyear BESF target of P467.89 billion.

“We will try our best, and I am optimistic that we will be able to fully hit our target by yearend,” Lapena added.

(PNA)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

METRO BANK- GAISANO 8561720

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

CM Recto Ave. Lapasan, Cdoc, 8563991/727731

BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK RER kauswagan,HW Cdoc 8573733 /722519 BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK Gaston Park Cdoc | 8801518 BPI – LAPASAN Cm Recto HW Lapasan Cdoc 724076/ 8524602 BPI- VELEZ Velez-JR Borja St.Cdoc 8564213/722406 BPI – CAPISTRANO Capistrano St. Cdoc 8574264/8574263 BPI- COGON Osmeña St. Cdoc 8571297/8571298 CHINA BANK –GAISANO 745887/745880 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 DBP – CORRALES Corrales Ave., St. Cdoc | 8572087/722649 DBP – CAPISTRANO JR Borja Capistrano St. Cdoc 8567776/722819

13 Nov. 2017

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

#58 Tiano FernandezSt.CDO 727215/ 8563552 *805

SECURITY BANK- OSMEÑA Osmeña St. Cdoc | 8563965/ 723411/728774 SECURITY BANK- LKK Limketkai | 8801258/8801625

EAST WEST BANK #5 Juan Sia Bldg. Apolinar Velez St.Cdoc 8578801/720081

SECURITY BANK- VELEZ Velez Montalvan St., Cdoc | 728334/856632

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

STERLING BANK OF ASIA Tiano Velez St. CDO | 8528171/8528168

FIRST CONSOLIDATED BANK CM Recto Ave., Cor.Agudo Road Cdoc 8565360/2316678

In compliance with the publication requirement & pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. No. 10172). Notice is hereby served to the public that MAULIDAH MANGANTANG PANGCATAN has filed with this office, a petition for correction of entry in sex/gender from MALE to FEMALE in her Certificate of Live Birth. She was born on 22 March 1988 at Mulondo, Lanao del Sur and whose parents are NORMA PATINO MANAGANTANG and NAJIB DIMASANGCAY PANGCATAN. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office.

(SGD.) RAISALAM D. MARANGIT

Municipal Civil Registrar BWM: October 18 & 25, 2017

OROBANKERS DIRECTORIES

ENTERPRISE BANK INC. Centro Mariano Bldg Osmeña St. Cdoc 723869/ 3093395

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CCE-0004-2017 (R.A. 10172)

5

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

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

6

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wednesday|october 18, 2017

DENR partners with Radio Veritas to boost climate change awareness

T

he Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has partnered with Catholic Churchowned Radio Veritas in providing the public with better understanding of climate change and other environmental issues through a weekly radio program.

The radio program, entitled “ANG TINIG KLIMA” and aired every Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m., is hosted by Radio Veritas anchor Riza Mendoza and DENR Undersecretary for Climate Change Service AnalizaRebueltaTeh. Its theme,

“NagbabagonaangPanahon, PanahonnaparaMagbago” draws inspiration from Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home), the encyclical letter of Pope Francis addressing man’s destruction of the environment and its threat to man’s relationship with nature and one another.

“This program aims for values transformation,” Teh explained. “There is so much we need to change in our lifestyle to prevent further degradation of our environment and to address climate change.”

Teh said people can start with waste segregation and proper

waste disposal, noting that the Philippines is the third contributor of marine litter in the world, and ranks third in the list of countries most vulnerable to climate change.

It will be recalled that DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu has said that among the priority thrusts of his administration are solid waste management, clean air and clean water, adding: “When we disregard these things, we will face more serious problems in the future.”

Cimatu, however, has realized early onthat the fight against climate change require unity

among the government, the people and all sectors of society. “Uniting for the environment, for Mother Nature, is not just a battle cry or a call of the moment. It is a lifelong necessity, particularly in this era of climate change, when every individual is expected to contribute to solutions that require mass participation,” he stressed.

On the part of government, Teh said the DENR-chaired Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction has prepared a road map, which identified as a primary action the

need to make communities and infrastructure resilient to climate change.

“It is important for communities to adapt to climate change because this is now the new normal,” Teh said.

On its pilot episode aired last Oct. 7, the program discussed Climate Change 101 with guests Rosalina de Guzman of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Aservices Administration (PAGASA) and Yzabella Nazal of World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) Youth Council.

De Guzman explained

that climate change is based on a 30-year data on temperature and rainfall monitored by PAGASA. “Data from PAGASA stations all over the country show the rise in the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall,” De Guzman said.

She added that there has also been a marked difference in temperature with more warm days and lesser cold days.

“Typhoons get their strength from water bodies. When the seas are warmer, stronger typhoons are formed,” De Guzman explained. denr/PAGE 11

DICT, NICP Launch Digital Cities PH in National ICT Summit The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), will jointly launch DigitalCitiesPH Launch during the 9th NICP ICT Summit on November 16 to 17, 2017 in Cagayan de Oro City.

The DICT and NICP are the umbrella organization of information and communications technology (ICT) Councils across the country Hosted by the Cagayan de Oro ICT Business Council, this year’s summit proper is set on the first day with the theme, CDOx or Countryside Digital Opportunities Exchange.

The second day will highlight the 6th eGov Awards (Awards for Excellence in ICT for Good Governance for Local Government Units), an annual search for the best practices in local government units.

Entries are evaluated

according their relevant utilization of information and communications technology (ICT) to effectively and efficiently deliver public services directly to their respective constituents and other stakeholders.

The awards are in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Office of Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government and the DICT. The two-day event is also supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc., (OroChamber), the Cagayan de Oro ICT Business Council and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro. The Summit brings together about 700 stakeholders and experts from the public and private sectors to

share industry trends, developments, best practices, and identify challenges and ways to generate new investments and create jobs especially in the countryside.

This year’s Summit aims to keep up with the current trends in the global ICT industry, prepare for and embrace countryside digital opportunities, enable a sustainable ecosystem for tech industry and innovation to flourish, and link people in the countryside to global ICT companies for career opportunities.

Key panel topics include enhancing country competitiveness, developing talent development programs, building innovation and startup ecosystems, stepping up to knowledge processes, promoting open governance, identifying strategies to attract specific niches to the countryside, and harnessing role of ICT councils.

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Wednesday | October 18, 2017

New Mexican resto opens in CDO Story by MARK FRANCISCO Photos by ERCEL MAANDIG

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – From the same company which gave you Tokyo Bubble Tea comes Gringo.

Gringo has just opened its first branch in Mindanao and ninth nationwide at SM CDO Downtown Premier.

Gringo’s specialties are

its Original Chicken, Baby Back Ribs and Southern Spice Chicken.

A purely Mexicanthemed resto, they also have the Chili Con Carne Fries, Nacho Grande, Garlic Calamari, Baked Mussels, Mango Chicken Salad, Clam Chowder,

(Photo source: Miss Scuba International 2017’s Facebook page.)

Xavier Ateneo alumna crowned Miss Scuba Philippines 2017 A Business Administration graduate of the class of 2017 of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan emerged as Miss Scuba Philippines 2017 on Tuesday, October 10.

XU alumna Sherlyn Legaspi Doloriel, 23, won the title as the representative of Misamis Oriental.

“Lord, I thank you for this achievement, all glory to your name alone! You are my strength and my voice, for without you I am nothing! Ad majorem Dei gloriam!” the beauty queen prayed after the coronation night held at the Plaza Atrium of Resorts World Manila.

She is set to represent our country in the Miss Scuba International 2017 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on November 18.

While studying

at XU, Doloriel has managed to explore the sea through scuba diving, and eventually became a PADIcertified (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) scuba diver.

“Her advocacy on promoting love and respect for the environment is very commendable,” said XU vice-president for mission and ministry Irene A Guitarte in her memo on Thursday, October 12.

“As one Xavier Ateneo community, let us support Miss Sherlyn Legaspi Doloriel as she continues to excel in her advocacies. She is definitely one beautiful woman with a heart for the environment,” Guitarte added.

Doloriel was also crowned Miss Cagayan de Oro 2016 and a finalist in the Miss Earth Philippines 2017.

Chicken Soup, Mexican Rice, Smokey Beans, Mashed Potato, Marbled Potato Salad, Fried Saba, Macaroni Salad, Roasted Squash, Roasted Eggplant, Okra, Mashed Camote, Garlic Mushroom, Lemon Garlic Butter Crab, Smoked Chili Shrimp, Crispy Catfish Salsa, Ajo Pork Adobo, SouthernStyle Meatballs, 1875 Pot Stewed Beef, Pork Adobada, Slow-Cooked Beef, Dream Dory Aioli, Spicy Tuna, Adobo Blackmole, Latin Salpicao, Chicken Onion Melt, Truffle Queso, Spinach Mushroom Melt, Queso Sorbetes and Mango Cream Sticky Rice, among others.

The Southern Spice Chicken ups the heat a bit combined with an interplay of Latin flavors with every bite. On the other hand, the Gringo Original Chicken has rich Mexican spices oozing from the skin right down to the meat and a hint of smoky flavor. Their Baby Back Ribs comes with two sauces – one tangy and the other aromatic.

Their two sauces – Lemon Herb and Hot & Spicy – can be bought and brought home so you can still taste the distinctive Gringo flavor right in your own dining space.

Basic Barbers – a bar and barber shop in one

By MARK FRANCISCO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Roll into the Great Spot Arcade along JR Borja extension and you will see a drinking bar and barbershop curled into one.

Basic Barbers was conceptualized to exactly be that – get your hair trimmed and enjoy a couple of shots afterwards with your buddies. They got a function room inside that can sit 20 persons plus dozens more in the al fresco place outside.

Basic Barbers’ wine list is impressive. They have Jack Daniels, Johnnie Walker, Jim Beam, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Hardy’s Cabernet, Hardy’s Merlot and of course your regular dose of San Miguel Pale Pilsen, San Miguel Light and Red Horse

Stallion. Their caramelflavored craft beer is amazingly yummy too and is even considered this early as a bestseller.

Their own brand of pomade is available in eight variants – Paco Rabanne, Jo Malone, Bubblegum, Calvin, Tommy, Extreme, Polo, Vanilla and Incanto at P180 only.

And of course the basics: cut (P120), wash (P30), shave (P30) and a 15-minute massage (P50). Plus they sell balicombs too for only P300.

The five-seat barbershop is open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. while the bar is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12 midnight. Basic Barbers is your goto chill place every weekend or during Thirstday Nights.

8

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wednesday|october 18, 2017

When you’re in Davao City, Read:

HOTELS & RESORTS DIRECTORIES

VILLA MARGARITA HOTEL J. P Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City, Philippines Tel. No.: (082) 221-5674 / Fax No. (082) 226-2968 MICROTEL

By Wyndham Davao Damosa Gateway Complex Angliongto Rd., Lanang Davao City 8000, Philippines Tel +63 82 233 2333 / Mobile +63 917 795 3548 www.microtelphilippines.com PINNACLE HOTEL Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City.

No. (082) 300-5885 Telefax: 300-1881/ 221-3025 Website: www.thepinnaclehotel.com ALU HOTEL M. Roxas Avenue corner Padre Faura Street, Davao City.

Tel No (63 82) 221-5232 / Mobile (O943) 652 3927 Email: aluhoteldavao@yahoo.com info@alu-hotel.com / www.alu-hotel.com GRAND REGAL Km 7 Lanang, Davao City, Philippines Tel. 235-0888 / Fax 235-2335 email: grandregalhotelegmail.com

VIAJEROS ECONOMY HOTEL Patnubay St., Sandawa, Matina, D.C Tel. No. 297-5710 / Telefax (6382) 298-5134 Mobile: 0922.-8268425 Website: www.viajeroseconomyinn.com

ROYAL MANDAYA HOTEL J.Palma Gil St., Davao City 8000 Phils.

Tel. No. (082) 225-8888 / fax No. (082) 225-1885 info@theroyalrmandayahotel.com www.theroyalmandayahotel.com HOMITORI Bangoy Street corner Santa Ana Avenue, Davao City Tel. No. (082) 295-2969 & 295-2471 / Mobile: (0922) 8994646 Email: homitoridvo@gmail.com or Like us on www.facebook.com/pages/Homitori-Davao BIG APPLE HOTEL Brgy. Angliongto, Lanang, D.C. Hotline Nos.: (082) 234-8459 Facebook account: bigapplehotel@ymail.com Email: bigapple_hotel@ymail.com

THE PERIDOT SUITES Carmelite Drive, Lanang, Davao City Tel. no.: (082) 305-6530 / Fax no.: (082) 305-38I2 Email: theperidotsuiles@gmail.com AZIENDA MEO APARTELLE 11 Corner Pioneer and Doña Vicenta Village, Phase 1, Davao City Telefax. No: (082) 227-4119 & 284-6689 Cell Phone No. 09256652626 Website: www.aziendameo.com Email Add: aziendameo@yahoo.com.ph Big 8 Corporate Hotel Visayan Village, National Highway, Tagum City Mobile nos. 09173029063 & 09328539372 Tel. No.: (084)216-0888 Email: info@big8corporatehotel.com www.facebook.com/big8corporatehotel.com www.big8corporatehotel.com

Kagay-anons go global with YSEALI programs

T

wo Xavier Ateneans were chosen to participate in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellowship programs from October 10 to November 17 in the United States of America.

Xyla Mercedita “Tat” Gualberto, program officer at the XU - Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute (SEARSOLIN), is one of the two professional fellows for the YSEALI environmental sustainability cohort from the Philippines.

Gualberto previously worked as a coordinator for the Xavier Ateneoled resettlement village for TS Sendong (Washi) survivors, Xavier Ecoville, located at Barangay Lumbia in the uptown portion of Cagayan de Oro City.

In her current post at XU-SEARSOLIN, she manages various training programs in the thematic areas of rural development, natural resources management, indigenous peoples' welfare, local governance, and leadership.

Gualberto will be hosted by Berlin, Worcester County in Maryland, under the office of the town administrator to work on water management issues.

Environmental

sustainability cohort fellows are expected to learn practical skills focusing on local governments’ role and responsibility on ecological challenges in their communities, specifically on climate change, sustainable energy, environmental justice engagement, and promoting transparency. The program also aims to foster fellows’ interaction with leaders of federal, state, and local organizations.

On the other hand, Victoria Melissa “Becky” Cortejos Pulido, who works as program officer of Xavier Ateneo’s Service Learning Program (SLP) under the Social Development cluster of the university, was chosen as one of the four professional fellows for the legislative processes and governance cohort from the Philippines.

As an SLP program officer, Pulido coordinates the service learning engagements of XU students with partner communities, organizations, and local government units.

She previously worked as program officer of the Volunteer Formation Program under the Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana – Social Involvement

Xyla Mercedita “Tat” Gualberto. Contributed photo.

Victoria Melissa “Becky” Cortejos Pulido. Contributed photo.

Office (KKP-SIO).

Pulido will be hosted in Tallahassee City in Leon County, Florida under the governor’s office to work on community engagement partnerships of the local government with higher educational institutions and state universities.

Legislative processes and governance cohort fellows are expected to learn practical skills focusing on the local

government's’ role and responsibility in responding to sustainable development challenges in their communities through partnership and collaboration with various development key players.

YSEALI Professional Fellowship programs are funded by the US Department of State, implemented

by International City/County Management Association and League of Cities of the Philippines.

HOTEL ELENA Avenida Santos Ave., Nova Tierra Vill, Lanang, D.C Tel. Nos. (082) 233-1941 & 305.8799 / fax No. (082) 233-1887 PARADISE ISLAND Tel. No. (082) 233-0251 & 300-2343 / CP No.: 09209546780 E-mail: paradiseislanddavao@gmail.com MARCO POLO DAVAO C.M Recto St., Davao City davao@marcopolohotels.com www.marcopolohotels.com (63 82) 221-0888 HOTEL ESSE Brgy. 9-A F Torres Street, Davao City Hotline: No: 227-37-73 / Fax: 295-34-85 Website: www.hotelessedavao.com.ph Email Add: hotel_esse_davao@yahoo.com RUEMANGO APARTELLE & SUITES 516 Mangga St., Juna Subd., Matina, Davao City ruemangoapartelleandsuites@gmail.com www.ruemango.com Tel. Nos.: (082) 295-7175/ 295-7180

Elementary and secondary graders join the regional elimination round of the 12th Philippine Sudoku Super Challenge held over the weekend at SM City Cagayan de Oro. photo by mark francisco

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Wednesday | October 18, 2017

9

Suzuki Celerio and Alto upgrade safety features

P

ioneer compact car distributor Suzuki Philippines continues to build on its successes this year with feature upgrades for the Suzuki Celerio and Alto.

These two well-known Suzuki subcompact cars are redefining comfortable and enjoyable driving by guaranteeing peace of mind with their new safety features.

SPH General Manager for Automobile Mr. Shuzo Hoshikura said, “We are delighted to share the upgrades for the Celerio and Alto compact cars. These upgrades are a testament to Suzuki’s commitment to continuously improve its product portfolio and ensure that new and existing customers get the best of the Suzuki Way of Life. We are very happy to be providing more features focused on safety and never short-changing our beloved patrons of their money’s value.”

Celerio, the country’s most fuel-efficient car in the gasoline category according to the Department of Energy, ups the ante in terms of safety by combining it with comfort to guarantee worry-free driving.

The latest updates to the Suzuki favorite aim to ensure a more peaceful drive through greater driver and passenger safety. The Celerio now features a reverse parking sensor, which promises easier reverse maneuverability. Celerio models also come with the Suzuki Total Effective Control Technology (TECT), which makes effective use of high-tensile materials to achieve a highrigidity, low-weight body for greater collision safety.

The Celerio boasts a fuel economy rating of up to 29.14km/L, the best in overall fuel rating for gasoline category, based on the Fuel Economy Run organized by the Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with Petron Corporation.

Besides fuel efficiency, the Suzuki classic features enhanced entertainment capability, including a

new 7-inch Multimedia Touchscreen Audio System for a more enjoyable ride.

The model still features dual airbags both in the driver and passenger seats and anti-lock brake system (ABS), making driving a truly safe and comfortable experience.

The upgraded Celerio is available locally in Pearl Snow White, Metallic Star Silver, Metallic Mineral Gray, Pearl Super Black, Pearl Ablaze Red, and Prime Cerulean Blue.

The newly upgraded Suzuki Alto 800 STD puts emphasis on greater safety, enabling drivers to focus on the road and maximize the driving experience.

The features upgrades

equip the Alto with an anti-lock brake system and dual airbags both in the driver and passenger seats. Like the upgraded Celerio, the Alto 800 STD also features Suzuki’s

TECT, which improves collision safety.

The upgraded Alto 800 STD is available in color options Superior White, Silky Silver Metallic, Brilliant Yellow, Granite

Grey, Blazing Red, Prime Mojito Green and Cerulean Blue.

Enjoying the new safety features of both the Celerio and Alto has never been easier with

low down-payment terms.

Bring home a Celerio 1.0 GL-MT variant for as low as P58,000 and a Suzuki Alto 800 STD for only P28,000 until October 31, 2017.

WHEELTEK opens SUZUKI 3S SHOP AND BIG BIKES CENTER IN SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA

Wheeltek opens its Suzuki 3S Shop and Big Bikes Center at the heart of one of the most progressive provinces in the Philippines - the City of San Fernando in Pampanga. The event is considered as a venue for multiple celebrations aptly called as The Royal Arrival. This is because of the following, one - the establishment of the Suzuki 3S Shop which boards the brand’s complete line-up of small displacement motorcycles, two – the opening of Suzuki Big Bikes Center which offers the Japanese giant’s well-loved higher cc motorcycles – making it a one-stop-shop for anything Suzuki motorcycle from Sales to Spare Parts and After Sales Service.

These two shops are housed in a 2-storey building measuring a total area of 475sqm.

And of course three – the royal arrival of Suzuki’s latest motorcycles! The morning program was designated for the Wheeltek-Suzuki 3S Shop opening which was kicked off by a motorcade participated by more than a hundred Suzuki riders. It was then followed by the opening ceremonies and the unveiling of the latest Suzuki small bikes led by the Beauty of Speed in Fuel Injection – the Skydrive Fi, the much awaited Raider R150 Fi and the new decals of the Raider R150 Carb plus the revolutionary GSX Series – GSX-R150

and GSX-S150. The Wheeltek-Suzuki 3S Shop San Fernando which measures 187sqm is Wheeltek’s 3rd Suzuki 3S Shop and the second in the province of Pampanga.

The Suzuki Big Bikes Center on the other hand was formally opened in the evening which was attended by more than 200 big bike riders from all over Luzon.

The San Fernando shop is also deemed as the biggest Suzuki Big Bikes Center in the Philippines (as of now) with an area of 288sqm.

Launched during the event were the full faired street sportbike Suzuki GSX-S1000F – a thrilling machine with the genuine engine and main components of the world-beating

GSX-R1000 and the answer to all adventure – the V-Strom 650XT ABS, your ultimate tackle to do-it-all. The shop is Wheeltek’s 3rd Suzuki Big Bikes Center with the other 2 located in Makati City and Cabanatuan City.

Present during the opening ceremonies were Wheeltek Motor Sales Corporation Executives led by its President and CEO Mr. Reynaldo Odulio Sr., VP for Finance Mr. Raymond Odulio, VP for Sales and Marketing Mr. Roscoe Odulio, Big Bikes General Manager Mr. Bobby Orbe, Marketing Manager Mr. Mark Chuidian and Regional SalesManager for North Luzon Mr. Philip Garcia. From Suzuki, the President Mr.

Hiroshi Suzuki, General Manager for Motorcycle Sales and Marketing Mr. Jun Bulot and Regional Sales Manager for North Luzon Mr. Erick Fernandez attended the event. Honourable Edwin “Edsa” Santiago, City Mayor of San Fernando, Pampanga also came to the opening specifically of the Suzuki Big Bikes Center. The WheeltekSuzuki 3S Shop and Big Bikes Center in San Fernando is located at McArthur Hi-way, Brgy.

San Agustin, Ramar Village and is part of the two’s expansion project to bring Suzuki motorcycles closer to the Filipinos. They also announced the opening of another 3S Shop and Big Bikes Center in Calasiao, Pangasinan within the year.

10

Patriotic... from page 4

we have longed for in decades: freedom from old systems that are only good for junk shops, freedom from the reins of the oligarchs whom they turn into real power brokers, freedom from being ensnared via sweet talks only to be meat for the lowlifes?

The opposition of the c ur rent administ rat ion professes to be crusading for some noble cause— democrac y, the rule of law, human rights—but in reality have only advanced the interests of their gang of well-heeled people with the help of foreign governments.

No wonder eight out of ten Filipinos still trust the president, albeit many issues were hurled at him, from orchestrating the death of Kian De Los Santos to a refusal to sign a bank secrecy waiver. (Who in his right mind plays the game of a vile Trillanes?)

The public cannot just ignore the ambitious forces turning us into dotterels who are mindful of nothing but a bowl of soup in exchange of our state and all that we worked hard for. To deal with this crisis of meddling from outside and internal treason bent on creating a public outrage to unseat a legitimately elected president, lawmakers must immediately create laws that require political or media entities to disclose their sources of funding. Such laws must also disallow and criminalize any foreign governments’ or private groups’ support to such organizations. This will protect us from many more attempts to create a Trojan Horse in our society.

This is an eye-opener: at least we see now the real identity of so-called nationalism tack espoused by

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hero-looking but treacherous organizations. They might have persuaded some netizens, but we are thankful of zetetic minds who exposed them.

Message... from page 4

and incorrect. It is likewise no longer right that, instead of giving due recognition to the good that governmental projects produce, biting criticisms always come out f rom h i s p ol it i c a l foes, especially from their supporters in media.

One glaring example of this malady that I can refer to here concerns the killing of Hapilon and Maute in the hands of the brave soldiers of the AFP, in their latest skirmish on Monday. Instead of expressing gratitude that terrorists and rebels who have conspired to dismember the Republic by giving Mindanao away have been finally neutralized, critics are instead harping on the incident as an “empty” victory, whatever that meant to them.

-ooo DUTERTE’S FOES ARE CRITICIZING HIM TO DERAIL HIS GOV’T: The truth is that, many of these critics are criticizing President Duterte only because they are rabid supporters of the political foes of the President.

They are opposed to whatever Duterte is saying or doing, not because of issues, but because they are known friends and associates of the President’s political enemies. This is the reason why the President, to them, is incapable of doing anything good.

What I cannot understand from these critics is this: their friends who are the political detractors of President Duterte not only failed to do anything good for the country when they were the ones running the government,

but more because on the basis of evidence that are coming out now, they were actually the very reason why the Philippines is in deep trouble today, particularly on the matter of shabu and illegal drugs.

Is it not a fact that shabu and other illegal drugs got openly traded in the country during the time of the previous administration? Is it not a fact likewise that the terrorists who are moving to separate Mindanao from the Philippines today come from the country whose leaders conspired with the relatives of our own Filipino leaders so we will no longer run after a big portion of that country’s territory which rightfully belongs to us?

Indeed, Duterte’s critics are scandalously silent on these points. ` -ooo WATCH “ANG TANGING DAAN” AT FACEBOOK: “Ang Tanging Daan” is a Bible exposition and prayer session for everyone, in English and Filipino, 24/7, worldwide, that can be viewed at w w w. f a c e b o o k . c om / angtangingdaan. Please see the video section. Reactions: 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0977 805 9058. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com.

Remembered... from page 4

documents and meted the penalty if perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The Cagayanons have spoken in the May 2016 ele c t ion. C andidates of the Padayon Pilipino lead by Dongkoy Emano suffered stinging defeat.

Nadya Emano-Elipe, wife of Prexy and daughter of Dongkoy however survived w it h p olit ic a l butter f ly Leon Gan and lawyer Leon Gan. The remnants of the obstructionist cult have been reduced to a noisy minor it y -- most of the time for the wrong reasons. Other members of PaDayon who won, Ian Na c ay a , In d ay D a h i n o, Su z e tt e Ma g t aj a s - D ab a and Annie Daba, saw the light and and expressed support for Mayor Moreno Take for example the grandstanding of Nadya E m ano - E l ip e w he n she

questioned the decision of Mayor Oscar S. Moreno to expand the Local School Board (LSD) in a special report on Oct. 10, 2016.

It would wor thy to remember this as Mayor Moreno has been vindicated when the c it y w a s aw a rd e d w it h Seal of Good Education Governance by the Synergia Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd Philippines), PLDT and Smart Communications, In c . a n d s u p p o r t e d by USAID. It i s n ow c l e a r t h at C ouncilor Emano-Elipe is anti-development and anti-education.

The LSB is a sp ecial body created by virtue of Republic Act No. 7160, popularly known as Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC 91). Its main duty is to allocate Special E ducat ion Funds (SEF) to meet the supplementary needs of local public school system. The SEF is an additional 1% levy that is collected together with real property taxes paid to the local government.

Councilor Nadya Elipe questioned as to why Mayor Moreno added several nongovernment organizations to compose the LSB. She argued that what is not included is deemed excluded, citing the LGC which states local school board shall be composed of eight members.

The present composition of LSB under Mayor More n o’s b at on h a s 2 1 m e m b e r s c om i n g f rom civil society organizations like the Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industr y, interfaith sector and youth sector.

But Mayor Moreno argued that it is elementary in law that w hat is not prohibited is allowed.

Mayor Moreno added that he used the version of late DILG Sec. Jessie Robredo, which has been cited in the Galing Pook Award. He stressed that the minority of the City Council does not want him to build more classrooms and to level up the education system

in the city.

According to the USAID, Cagayan de Oro City demonstrated a commitment to improving e d u c at i o n g ov e r n a n c e .

All nominees for the Seal of Good Education Governance were assessed on a transparent criteria including, the ef fective and efficient use of the Special Education Fund; community involvement in identifying education priorities; and an increase in student learning outcomes.

Na d y a E m a n o - E l i p e must remember that there are enough legal provisions that actually support greater local government i nv o l v e m e n t i n p u b l i c education. Unfortunately, t hat is way b e yond her conventional mind..

Wi t h t h e e x p a n s i o n of the membership of the local school board, it brings local communities an d ke y p l aye r s i n t h e public school system in d i s c u s s i ng t h e s t at e of local education, which can be the basis for positive and informed collective action.

Na d y a E m a n o - E l i p e mu s t k n ow t h at b r o a d LSB composition ser ves as entry points for greater and more meaningful stakeholders participation in the delivery of public education services.

Regular grassroots consultation makes not on l y g o o d p o l it i c s but an avenue for multi-level assessment.

Nadya Emano-Elipe’s l a ck of appre c i at i on to people’s participation is clearly inherited from his father, Dongkoy. During her father’s watch as mayor for 12 years and vice mayor for three years, there was less p ar t icip at ion f rom non-government and civic g roup s . T h e y h av e n ot built a single classroom from the SEF. Dongkoy not only mismanaged the city for that long, but has reduced the people to patrons of their dir ty p olitics and insatiable greed for power.

It is a pit y, t he lady councilor, a lawyer cannot can’t rise up to the dark shadows of her father.

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

EXTRA-JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late JULIA B. GOMEZ, that the said deceased left no debts and no will or testament, but left a property; A PARCEL OF LAND, known as Lot No. 3748-P located in Tawantawan, Initao, Misamis Oriental; containing an area of SIX THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED (6,200) square meters, more or less, and covered by Tax Declaration No. 21-0010-05215 in the name of Julia B. Gomez; The late JULIA B. GOMEZ is the subject of EXTRA-JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE; is made and entered by and among; NIÑO B. GOMEZ, APOLLO B. GOMEZ, MARIA LOURDES G. SANCHO and SHEILOU G. SANCHO, all of legal ages, Filipino citizens, and residents of Tawantawan, Initao, Misamis Oriental, hereinafter referred to as the VENDORS, and ELVIS D. GALARROZA, also of legal age, Filipino citizen, marries to VIRGIE M. GALARROZA, and a resident of San Pedro, Initao, Misamis Oriental, hereinafter referred to as the VENDEE; That for and in consideration of the sum of Seventy-five Thousand Pesos (Php 75,000.00) to the vendors in hand paid by the vendee, receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged to the full satisfaction of the vendors, the vendors do hereby SELL, TRANSFER and CONVEY and by these presents, have SOLD. TRANSFERRED and CONVEYED unto the said vendee, his heirs and assigns, the above-described parcel of land; Under Notary Public of ATTY. IKE L. ROA; Doc. No. 176; Page 36; Book No. 13; Series of 2017.

BWM: October 4, 11 & 18, 2017

North I and North II Launch Inter-District Research Congress By: Marites O. Lagamon Teacher 1 School Research Coordinator Bongbongon Elementary School

The District Research Officers (DRO) with the collaboration of Public Schools District Supervisors (PSDS) of North I and North II Districts held its annual Inter-District Research Congress for School Year 2017-2018 with the theme, “ Promote and Strengthen the Culture of Research in Basic Education”. It was held last September 28, 2017 at Bonbon National High School. The said activity was participated by teacherresearchers of different eight (8) elementary schools and six (6) secondary schools within

the said districts.

Ms. Grace Lavidez, the contestant teacher-researcher of Bongbongon Elementary School garnered the first place winner in CI-Based action research Oral presentation with her research title, “Project CREATE”. Project CREATE is all about corrective reading which enhances pupils’ ability to understand and read eloquently.

Action Research has been recognized to produce positive effects for many reasons.

Accordingly, action research is deemed appropriate to the

participants where the focus of each project is determined by the researchers who are also the primary consumers of the findings. Thus, the end users of the study shall directly benefit from the positive development of the research.

Indeed, Action Research helps educators be more effective on what they truly care most – passion for teaching.

Seeing pupils improve are one of the greatest joys any teachers can experience in the field of teaching and learning.

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Repair... from page 1

that repair and rehabilitation works of its main 650mm underwater pipeline across the Cagayan River would be further delayed for another week as a result of heavy rains over the weekend.

In a text message to Kag. Teodulfo Lao, Jr., chairman of the SP Committee on Public Utilities and Engr. Edward Tesoro, head of COWD’s Production Department (copy of which was provided to media), Rio Verde Vice President Joffrey E. Hapitan said the bulk water supplier could only continue to deliver 40,000 cubic meters per day (m3/day) or 40 million liters per day (MLF) through its back-up HDPE pipe.

Previous to the earthquakes and river debris which damaged Rio Verde’s main pipeline to COWD, it was already delivering 60,000 m3/day (60 MLD) which COWD was distributing to its West Service Area due to increased consumer demand.

“Fu r t h e r, p l e a s e b e informed that the above mode of water supply by Rio Verde to COWD will continue for another week because our River Diversion Earth Works for the Underwater Pipe crossing Cagayan River has been affected by the heavy rain where a huge portion of the filling material and earth works were damaged by the rampaging waters,” Hapitan said.

He further encouraged COWD to activate its own booster pumps to be able to service its customers in the West Service Area.

“Since Oct 7 up to now, Rio Verde has been delivering 40,000 m3/day to the COWD Take-Off Point (TOP) at Pueblo de Oro area using our spare HDPE pipe, powered by a 650kW booster pump having a discharge pressure of 185 psi at Rio Verde side,” Hapitan explained in his text message.

“The residual pressure at COWD TOP is zero psi, but since the elevation at the point is of delivery is also 150 meters, which is equivalent to 220 psi, water will flow by gravity to most of COWD West Service Areas,” he added.

Ho w e v e r, C O W D Production Dept. Head Engr.

Edward Tesoro said it’s not possible for COWD to utilize its booster pumps to bring water to elevated areas like Lumbia since their booster pumps need at least 55psi at the TOP to be able to operate properly.

Earlier Saturday afternoon, Hapitan informed Lao and Tesoro in another text message (copy furnished to media) that the expected completion date of repairs for its underwater pipe would have to be moved two days to Wednesday, October 18 instead of Sunday, 15 October, due to the breakdown of their rented bulldozer at the work site.

“Please be informed that the completion of the repair of Rio Verde underwater pipe will be delayed by 2 days

because the bulldozer unit that we rented from Metalite Builders Development Co.Inc, (c/o Arnel Dumalaog) broke down yesterday (Oct 13/Fri) at 10:00AM until today. Metalite was not able to mobilize an immediate replacement.

Repair of the bulldozer unit will take 2 days,” Hapitan said.

“Therefore, the resumption of normal pressure at COWD TOP is estimated to happen in the afternoon of October 18 (Wed) instead of Oct. 16 (Mon).”

In an update Tuesday, Hapitan said additional backhoe units have been mobilized in lieu of the bulldozer which has been pulled out since Medialite was unable to provide a replacement.

The ongoing repair of Rio Verde’s main transmission pipeline which was earlier damaged by a series of e ar t hqu a ke s w h i ch h it Mindanao and debris driven by flash floods along the Cagayan River as a result of torrential rains, has rendered many barangays of COWD’s West Service Area waterless for about 2 weeks now.

These include Lumbia, Canitoan, Pagatpat, Upper Carmen, Patag, Bulua, Iponan and Opol. Some areas have nil to zero pressure while others have had to solely rely on water delivery for their daily needs by water tankers.

Aside from COWD’s two tankers, and another from Rio Verde, fire trucks and water tankers from the Bureau of Fire Protection in Cagayan de Oro and Opol, Misamis Oriental have also been deployed for water distribution in the affected areas.

The private sector has also pitched in with tankers and fire trucks from the Cagayan de Oro Volunteer Fire Brigade, Cepalco and Limketkai & Sons. It was learned that COWD provided the water and fuel for the tankers, and snacks for the fire fighters participating in the water distribution.

Loses... from page 1

all government offices and classes in all levels plus the lack of public utility jeepneys in the streets had a cascading effect.

“People were staying at home. Only a few were left shopping,” he said.

In a related development, L a n d Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 10 director Aminoden Guro said he will summon today (Wednesday) all jeepney operators who joined in Monday’s transport strike to explain why they should not be held in violation of the certificates of public convenience issued to them.

Guro said he has already known the names of all operators who participated in the strike and they all belong to the left-leaning Solidarity of Transport Alliance in Northern Mindanao (Starex).

Starex secretary-general R i ngo L ago cl ai me d a membership of 2,500 jeepney operators and drivers all over Region 10, the bulk of which

are plying in Cagayan de Oro City and the province of Bukidnon.

Guro said one of the provisions in the certificate of public convenience states that suspending of operations of public utility vehicles as a sign of protest is a violation.

LT F R B ’s m o t h e r agency, the Department of Transportation (DoTR), earlier threatened to slap criminal complaints of economic sabotage against the national organizer of the transport strike.

Clears...

from page 1 the Sandiganbayan cleared Emano of graft charges lodged

by Leonor Esparcia, who accused Emano of persecution following her demotion from Administrative Assistant III to a city library watchman when Emano was mayor in 2013.

Esparcia said Emano violated Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as the the Civil Service Law for refusing to reinstate her despite an order from the Civil Service Commission.

In Emano’s defense, Khu said their camp argued that the former mayor was not liable in refusing to reinstate Esparcia due to the election ban.

“If you remember early in 2013 was an upcoming election. So, everything was frozen including the mayor and all other officials and personnel, they cannot make any movement including reinstating Esparcia,” Khu said in a statement released to the media on Oct. 13.

In an earliler decision, the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to file a criminal case against Emano for demoting Esparcia.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the filing of violation of the Revised Administrative Code of 1987 against Emano.

Emano, who sat as mayor for 12 years and vice mayor for three years, ran but lost against incumbent Mayor Oscar Moreno in the 2013 and 2016 elections. (PNA/ Jigger J. Jerusalem)

Land...

from page 1 rented by companies which planted sugarcane and rice inside the CMU property.

Created as an agricultural school in 1910, CMU was granted an area of about 3,401 hectares by the government through a proclamation issued by then-President Carlos Garcia in 1958.

According to the school’s official website, a portion of t he C M U prop e r t y, about 321.9 hectares, was apportioned to claimants in 1974 leaving the university with 3,080 hectares.

If CMU awards the 517 hectares to the BTL members, Loable said it won’t pose no problem to the university since it has huge expanse of land left for its use.

“They (CMU) can’t use all the land for its research, they might as well give it to us,” he added.

In its previous statement, the CMU has maintained that the land occupied by the peasants is owned by the university based on a Supreme Court ruling in 1992.

Over the years, CMU said, there were efforts made to compel the farmers to vacate the area but they refused to leave.

A proposed relocation site was also offered by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri but the BTL members remained committed to staying at the CMU land.

A hundred members and officials of the BTL are in Manila to bring their voice to the national government agencies such as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in a protest action dubbed as “Baktas BTL: Fight for Land and Life.”

“Other than the right to till the land, Baktas BTL brings farmers’ issues of lack of social services in Bukidnon.

While they are able to stay on their land through their collective assertion, services such as irrigation, food, health, and others are absent, making the lives of farmers difficult,” the collective said in a statement.

Aside from the land, the groups are also asking the Duterte administration to extend to them the muchneeded assistance such as fertilizers, seeds, and farm tools, as well as the construction of necessary infrastructure.

Since Thursday, Oct. 12, the peasants are camping out outside the DAR national office in Quezon City.

Farmers... from page 2

Agrarian Reform Community in Kidapawan City.

“The rubber trading post provides a great opportunity for farmers, especially among ARBs who are engaged in rubber farming to earn higher income because of the P5 to P8 price difference than directly selling it to the local traders,” Original said.

For instance, Original explained, when the prevailing farm gate price is at P27/kg, buying price at the rubber trader post usually ranges from P32 to P35 or even higher depending on the winning bidder’s quoted price.

Aside from enjoying a higher price for their produce, farmers could also save more from transportation cost because the buyer will pick their produce at their farm.

One thing worth noting about the rubber trading post program, Original added, is that the project provides profit and enhances the economic activity of ARBO. “For every kilo of cuplump delivered, the buyer gives one peso incentive to the ARBO. As per monitoring records, the organizations are now earning an average income of P12,000 per month. The income supports the ARBOs’ operation and maintenance in managing the enterprise,” he said.

The ARB Os ser ve as facilitator and consolidator that ensure systematic flow of activities before and after the delivery of products, which is scheduled every 15 days.

C omment ing on t he program, Perez Barangay Chairman Allan Masibay described the establishment of rubber trading posts in their area as “an answer to their prayer” for a better pr i ce of r ubb e r i n t he province.

“The rubber farmers in our barangay, especially t he A R B s w ho are t he recipients of the rubber production project of the Support to Agrarian Reform Communities in Central Mindanao (STARCM) in 2008, benefited a lot in the establishment of the rubber trading post. We are now even more inspired in our farming because we are assured of a higher price,” Masibay said, noting that Perez ARB Rubber Farmers Association is now earning P6,000 per delivery.

“We are really hoping that the rubber trading post will be sustained, for us to gain leverage in marketing our produce at a higher price.

If this program continues, this means that we can put more food in our tables,” he added.

The rubber trading post program is an initiative of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and is coimplemented by the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist in North Cotabato.

(DEDoguiles-PIA12 with report from ROrejudos-DAR North Cotabato)

Italpinas... from page 3

partner, which will give buyers the option to rent out their properties to other people, giving them passive income.

The company is also looking at other emerging cities in the county such as Dumaguete, Davao, Mindoro, Pangasinan and Subic or Bataan for future projects.

IDC reported a 114% increase in net income for the first half of 2017 to P19.4 million, on the back of a 60.9% increase in revenues to P94.87 million.

Sales... from page 3

CAMPI and TMA sales improved by 15.9 percent to 302,869 units from 261,370 units in the same period in 2016.

Sales of passenger cars went up by 4.8 percent to 101,655 units, while commercial vehicle sales increased by 22.4 percent to 201,214 units year-to-date. “ We m a i n t a i n o u r opt imism in achie v ing the year-end target with competitive promotional suppor t and marketing activities to further push vehicle sales,” Gutierrez noted.

Total sales for January to September period is 67 percent of the industry’s initial target sales for this year of 450,000 units. (PNA)

Hotline... from page 4

The irony of it all was that the national government only undertook the privatization of transmission assets of the country with the exception of the generating power assets including those located in Mindanao.

Subsequently, the revival of the idea to rehabilitate the Agus-Pulangi HEP is critical to improve the value of the plants as it is among the remaining government assets set for privatization.

As reported, the staterun agency is trying to take advantage of the period next year when Mindanao would have excess power capacity.

As planned, the rehab timeline would start next year since the process would take a little longer depending on the upgrades needed, which units will undergo rehab first, etc, etc.

Of the six units, Agus Units 6 and 7 are the ones needing most attention and upgrades. At present, the plants operate at about 60 percent of their more than 900-megawatt rated capacity.

The P54 billion money from China would finance the rehab plan – f rom the replacement of old transformers to the old electrical equipment to make the facilities more reliable, and well, up for running in the next 30 years or so.

The rehab work could take from four to five years and would increase, as envisioned, the total generating capacity by an average of 10 percent for each facility.

By then, total generating capacity of both Agus and Pulangi HE plants would reach more than 1,000 megawatts after the rehab work.

Well, that’s the long and short of it. This time around, we’ll see if the Duterte administration can make it happen. (ruffy44_ph2000@ yahoo.com)

DENR... from page 6

Temperature rise, she said, has also melted glaciers and caused sea level rise.

Teh added that given the country’s long coastline, some 822 coastal municipalities are vulnerable to sea level rise and susceptible to storm surges.

An international nongovernment organization with focus on environmental conservation, WWF is the organizer of t he E ar t h Hour, an annual event held every March that seeks to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by switching off electricity for an hour.

“From 60 (minutes), it’s now 60+ which calls on everyone to be responsible and conscious of energy conservation beyond the Earth Hour,” Nazal said.

Other topics lined-up for “ANG TINIG KLIMA” are water pollution featuring the DENR’s Adopt-an-Estero, solid waste management, Philippine response to climate change, and biodiversity loss.

12

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