BusinessWeek Mindanao (September 17-18, 2015)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

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YOUR Mindanao-wide BUSINESS paper

Volume VI, No. 036

Market Indicators

As of 6:10 pm september 17, 2015 (thursday)

FOREX US$1 = P46.44

21

PHISIX 7,123.99

X X Briefly

cents

30.07 points

Water conservation SURIGAO DEL NORTE, which hosts six active mining companies, said its royalties surged by 277% over the past five years after the province tightened up its collection process, the governor said yesterday.

“There was a significant increase in royalty. We took pains to inspect remittances because how will I run my government if I have very little budget?” Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas told reporters on the sidelines of the Mining Philippines 2015 International Conference at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City.

The province’s share of royalties rose to P117 million last year from just P31 million in 2010, she said.

“Tourism is just a new field in Surigao while there’s little progress in the agriculture food programs, but mining already has revenue-sharing in place so we focused on that,” Ms. Matugas said. “We sent a message that we really mean business in getting the share of the province.”

Anti-poverty projects ALORAN, Misamis Occidental – A total of P41,199,999.50, have been allocated for the poverty-alleviation projects, here, under the BottomsUp Budgeting (BuB) Process, from 2013-2015.

Of this amount, P13,700,000, was for the BuB projects in 2013, P14,999,999.50 for 2014 and P12,500,000, for 2015, Sanivier G. Patoc, Provincial Director of DILG, said.

The implementing agencies, their projects and amounts are as follows: For 2013 - Department of Education (DepEd), Gulayan sa Paaralan Program, P100,000, Department of Health (DOH), Health Facilities Enhancement Program, P400,000, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and protective services (PS), P1,400,000.

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Therma’s new 150-mw boosts Mindanao grid www.businessweekmindanao.com

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NEW 150-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant will start delivering power to Mindanao starting today, Sept. 20, as power firm Therma South, Inc. announces the start of commercial operations of one of its two units.

The 300-MW Therma S out h E n e rg y Proj e c t , operated by AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South, Inc., consists of two 150MW generating units and estimated to cost P24-billion.

POWER BOOSTER. With the new 150-megawatt added to Mindanao grid beginning today, power consumers expect lesser outages to grip the island. file photo by mindanews

Aboitiz teams up with firm for bid to buy Steag’s IPPA

By JUZEL L. DANGANAN, Philippine News Agency

AB OITIZ Power C or p. is te aming up wit h L a Filipina Uy Gongco Corp.

for its bid to acquire a contract for 210-megawatt (MW) Mindanao coal

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.

independent power producer administrator (IPPA), which entitles a firm to have a power plant capacity. aboitiz/PAGE 11

The power plant will deliver contracted power to its more than 20 customers – electric cooperatives and distribution utilities all over Mindanao. therma/PAGE 11

DOE to look into impact of impact El Niño on M’danao power supply

By MYRNA VELASCO, Contributor

SCORCHING summer could be an under-estimated weather event next year as this may also distress consumers with power interruptions especially in the Mindanao

grid which is ser ved by season-cyclical hydropower generation.

Department of Energy (DOE) officer-in-charge Secretary Zenaida Y. Monsada in a Congressional hearing has raised probabilities that “Mindanao can be impacted

by El Niño due to dependence on hydro.”

This then prompts the department to draw up measures for contingencies on such extreme weather event which will likely dry up or extremely lower the elevation of water sources for the hydro plants. doe/PAGE 11

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DOLE releases P1M livelihood grants in Misamis Occidental

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UDEL A, Misamis Occidental -- The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-X) through its Misamis O c c i d ent a l Prov i n c i a l Field Office Head Leonardo G. Rodrigo released P1,013,000.00 to fund three livelihood projects under the Bottom-up Budgeting

(BUB) system of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tudela on 4 August 2015 at the ABC Hall, in Misamis Occidental.

Vice Mayor Samuel L. Parojinog, received the check with the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Members of Tudela.

T he e ve nt w as a ls o witnessed by Tudela Public Employment Service Office

(PESO) Manager Nicasia Cagoco and Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO) Chuchi M a r i e L . Ig a r o f t h e Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DOLE-10 Regional Director R aymundo G. Agravante disclosed that an amount of P513,000.00 was granted to 201 members of the Farmers Organization of Tudela to finance the GoatRaising Project (Multiplier), while the Federation of Women Organizations with 54 beneficiaries received P500,000.00 for the Starter

Kits for manicure, pedicure, hair and foot spa, body scrub and sewing machines for the Dress Making Project.

Parojinog said, on behalf of Mayor Estela O. Estano, “these livelihood projects w i l l prov i d e you w it h additional income and work opportunities to improve your standard of living.

Moreover, these projects will bring on a beneficial impact, not only to the recipients but also to majority of the residents in our town.”

As a start-up venture, the livelihood funds released will be initially used for the purchase of raw materials and

other supplies as well as the necessary skills training for the beneficiaries.

The associations have also verbalized their long-term plans for the projects. The Farmers Organization plans to venture into an alternative livestock enterprise such as processing of goat milk into dairy products for retail distribution in the future.

BUB implementation is part of the government reform plan of the Aquino administration with the Millenium Development Goal of poverty reduction.

It aims to achieve grassroots empowerment and

participation, providing the citizens an equal opportunity to determine the projects that accurately respond to the needs of their community.

Give n t he s e p oi nt s , Rodrigo in his closing message said, “I strongly encourage you to take responsibility of this project because its sustainability lies in your hands. May you give your full support and commitment to this opportunity. If this becomes a success, most likely we will be recommending you for an additional capital of the organization for project enhancement.”

Shellfish from Murcielagos Bay, MisOcc is safe to eat, says BFAR OROQUIETA City – All types of shellfish and minute shrimps or “alamang” collected from Murcielagos Bay, between Misamis Occidental and

Zamboanga del Norte, have continued to be safe to eat.

This information is published in Shellfish Bulletin (SB) No. 22, the

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latest publication dated Aug. 29, 2015, of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which has declared the area to be free from toxic red tide contamination, Atty. Benjamin F.S. Tabios, BFAR Officer-in-Charge, said.

The declaration was made by BFAR based on the results of laboratory examinations of sea water from the above-mentioned areas it conducted, in coordination with the concerned local government units (LGU).

Also found free from red tide toxins in Mindanao are Taguines

Lagoon in Benoni, Mahinog, Camiguin, in region 10, Dumagillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibuguey, region 9 and Hinatuan, Bislig and Llanga Bays in Surigao del Sur, region 13.

Meanwhile, Regional Director Visa Tan-Dimerin of BFAR, region 10, said the SB explains that all types of shellfish and alamang gathered from the above-mentioned areas can be harvested, sold, bought and safe to eat.

However, Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental, region 11, have been found positive for paralytic shellfish poisoning that is beyond the regulatory limit, such that the shellfish and alamang gathered from the area are not safe for human consumption.

Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption only if they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking, as explained in SB No. 22.

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Grace, Chiz: weighed and still wanting?

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IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting…” (Daniel 5:27, the Holy Bible).

-ooo NEW CAMPAIGN BASED ON CLEAR PROGRAMS: I am certainly awed that the Grace Poe-Chiz Escudero tandem made it a point to highlight their 20 priorities if and when they get elected president and vice president of the country in the aftermath of the 2016 elections.

Candidates talking about what their platforms and intended projects would be are a rarity in the Philippine politics for a long, long time.

Filipino electorates have been made to bear with character assassinations and personal issues every election time since time immemorial, but never with issues and the things winning candidates will pursue once they get elected.

Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero certainly raised the bar of political campaigning with their very announcements of their respective candidacies, and no matter how Malacanang may try to downgrade what the two did Wednesday and Thursday by saying they also did what Poe and Chiz had

Member:

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Oro Chamber

The Juggler hink a minute…There was a young man who moved from his home in Italy to live in America. He studied juggling and soon became famous all over the world. Later in his life, after years of success as a juggler and performer, he decided to return home to Italy and retire. He sold almost everything he owned and bought a big, expensive diamond. Then he boarded the ship for his home in Italy.

One day he was showing a boy on the ship how he could juggle several apples at one time. Soon a crowd of the passengers gathered around to watch. Then the old juggler got more and more carried away with himself, wanting to impress the crowd.

He ran to his room and got his precious diamond. He showed it to the people and explained how the diamond represented his whole life’s work and savings.

Then, to the people’s shock and amazement, he started juggling the diamond! At first, he was careful; but each time he threw the diamond higher and higher. Finally, he told his audience that he would throw the diamond one last time so high that it would disappear for a few seconds. The people begged

done, it is like a fresh whiff of air to hear that concrete programs are being talked about this early.

-ooo GRACE,CHIZ:WEIGHED AND STILL WANTING? Yet, as the Biblical prophet Daniel told Belshazzar, the king of the Babylonians who was given a dream of a hand writing cryptic messages on the walls of his palace, it is indubitable that there is still something greatly wanting about Poe and Chiz that may yet doom their candidacies or, if they manage to win, their term of office.

I noticed that, except for a brief reference to God at the end of Grace’s speech, there was absolutely no plan or program in her vision of governance touching on reviving the spirituality of Filipinos regardless of religion.

In the part of Chiz’s speech that I caught, I also did not hear anything about spirituality.

This, to me, is highly unfortunate, and may yet signal another failed campaign, or failed governance (if and when they win and overcome the machinations of those holding the power of computerized elections, if you know what I mean), for there is really nothing of substance or significance that anyone can

do in six years that he or she is in power, other than renewing the spirituality of people.

-ooo FILIPINOS NEED TRUE SPIRITUAL REVIVAL FROM LEADERS: Yes, we maybe able to reduce corruption, crime and criminality, smuggling, foreign domination and aggression, and even political and territorial meddling, and many more, in six years. Yes, we can perhaps terrorize those in public service to do good for once. But unless and until there is a true and sincere spiritual change among our people, nothing lasts forever, not even the earth and sky, in fact.

C o n s e q u e n t l y, a n y president or vice president wanting to leave a real legacy to a nation of troubled compatriots must aspire beyond the earthly and the mundane day to day concerns of the flesh and of materiality.

The president and his (or her) vice president must endeavor to lead our people to a true relationship with God, based on regular reading of His Bible and obedience to His commands.

This is the only way we can assure that under any and all circumstance, Filipinos will stand upright and do what is good and just and

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

Atty. Batas Mauricio righteous, even when no one is looking, even when no one seems to care. This is the only way we can expect government officials not to steal and plunder, not to abuse and lie, nor cheat in any way, even if they are left all alone to themselves.

-ooo PLEASE LISTEN: “Ang Tanging Daan” (The Sole Way), a Bible study and prayer session on radio, airs Mondays to Fridays, 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at DWAD 1098 kHz on the AM band. For replays, go to www.facebook. com/angtangingdaan or www. facebook.com/ANDKNK and scroll for “Ang Tanging Daan” broadcasts. Phone: 0922 833 43 96, 0918 574 0193, 0917 984 24 68. Email: batasmauricio@ yahoo.com.

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At home with God

Philippine Press Institute

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THINK

A Minute

Jhan Tiafau Hurst the old man not to do it, but he wouldn’t listen. So with the confidence of all his years of experience, the juggler threw the diamond so high into the air that it actually did disappear, before it started falling back down, shining and sparkling in the sunlight. Then, just as he was about to catch the diamond, a huge wave suddenly caused the ship to move and lurch forward, causing the juggler not to catch his diamond, which fell into the ocean and sunk, lost forever.

What a sad story. To risk and lose everything you own and have worked for all your life. Yet some of us are just like that juggler.

We’re very confident in our own strengths and abilities.

We want to be in control and hurst/PAGE 11

his is how we should feel with God. We have to feel at home with him because in the first place we come from him and we belong to him. Our true, definitive home is God himself. He is where we find our true rest, where we really would know who we are, what our dignity is, what rights, duties and responsibilities we have.

Bluntly said, unless we feel at home with God, we actually would not be at home no matter how much we feel we are with our own ideas of home.

We therefore have to make certain adjustments in the way we think, feel and view things in general, such that we always are keenly aware that we come from God and go back to him as our home destination every day.

In fact, in several liturgical prayers, we express this truth quite clearly, as when we pray the following: “Go before us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, in all our doings with Thy gracious inspiration, and further us with Thy continual help, that every prayer and work of ours may begin from Thee, and by Thee be duly ended. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Failing to feel at home with God can only mean one thing. It would be as

if we are vagrants in this world, homeless and quite at sea as to what purpose and direction our life here on earth should have.

It would be a situation replete with dangers, even mortal dangers. We would be inviting a lot of temptations and easily fall into sin or at least error and confusion, as we foray into our daily life simply on our own. We would be prone to reprise what is mentioned in the gospel about people not entering by the narrow gate but rather by the wide gate that leads to destruction. (cfr Mt 7,13) Yes, it’s true that while here on earth, we are like travelers or pilgrims. We are not yet in our definitive home. The Letter to the Hebrews tells us that clearly: “Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come.” (13,14) But this does not mean that we cannot feel at home with God right here and now. And that’s because even if God is in heaven, he is also here on earth.

And even if he is always a mystery to us, that mystery has incarnated in Christ and continues to be with us, ever adapting himself to our human condition, through the Holy Spirit, making use

of a variety of instruments.

There is the Church, the sacraments, God’s word in the gospel and the doctrine of our faith, the hierarchy, etc. God comes to us through them, as well as the things of nature that somehow can already evoke the presence of God. We have to learn to live with the mystery of God, knowing that such mystery is true and real-in fact, the most true and real thing in the world-even if we cannot fully comprehend it. What is needed is to exercise our faith and to develop the appropriate and working piety.

This is the challenge we actually have today. And we have to contend with a variety of conditions that we need to clarify, if not purify and correct. There’s atheism and agnosticism, for example, not so much of the theoretical kind as of the practical one.

There’s a dominant layer of secularism in the world today that practically puts God away from our daily and temporal affairs.

There’s also what is known as moral relativism where the concepts of good and evil sit on shaky and shifty grounds, highly subjective and prone to be reduced to what is merely practical,

HINTS

and

Traces

Fr. Roy Cimagala profitable, popular, etc., or criteria that still need more solid foundations.

Feeling at home with God all the time should be second nature to us. It’s not a fantasy we are creating.

It’s what is proper to us. It’s what we need and what God himself wants.

Christ reassures us of this when he said: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt 11,28-29) We have to learn to take these words more seriously.

They are not just nice words to hear. They are divine words that contain nothing other than what is true, good and redemptive for us. They are no bluff.

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Tattoo modem fraudster nabbed

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BUY-BUST op er ation conducted by a joint police and Globe Telecom security team resulted in the arrest of a fraudster in Cabanatuan City engaged in illegal sale of Globe Tattoo LTE modems.

Ar reste d was Pau l John Edison Ramirez, 21 years old, a resident of No. 219 Ilang-ilang St. Barangay DS Garcia, Cabanatuan City. Ramirez is believed to be engaged in a modus operandi that involves retrieval of LTE or WiMAX modems from legitimate customers on pretext of an upgrade or

repair. The modems are then reconfigured and sold at a one-time cost payment in popular social networking sites such as Facebook.

Globe General Counsel Atty. Froilan Castelo said the unscrupulous sale of Globe Tattoo modems could compromise mobile data services provided by the company to its legitimate customers.

“We would like to call on our customers to report to us any dubious offers involving Globe Tattoo mo d e ms p ar t i c u l arly those that are inclusive of free internet offers.

We would like to inform

our customers that such offers do not exist and are coming from illegitimate sources. As Globe will not tolerate any unlawful use of our network, rest assure d t hat we w i l l continue to work closely with police authorities in resolving such illegal activities,” Castelo said.

He e mp h a s i z e d t h at appropr i ate cr i mi na l charges will b e f iled against those who engage in illegal sale of Globe Tattoo modems.

Closely coordinating with police authorities, a Globe security team launched an entrapment operation targeting

Ramirez on reports he was actively selling Tattoo LTE and WiMAX modems through a social media network account.

Responding to a query through a fake account in Facebook for the purchase of a Tattoo LTE modem, Ramirez agreed to meet police operatives posing as buyers at NE Pacific Mall in Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija.

Police recovered from him 1 unit of Globe LTE modem, 1 unit of LTE antenna, 1 power cord and 1 LAN cable. Ramirez was brought to Cabanatuan City police station following his arrest.

Lafarge S.A. completes divestment of assets THE JOINT venture of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) and a unit of Irish building materials c omp any C R H P l c h a s completed the acquisition of Lafarge Republic, Inc.’s (LRI) Philippine assets, according to a regulatory filing.

AEV CRH Holdings, In c . a n d C R H Ab o i t i z Holdings, Inc. -- the investment vehicles for the sale -- “closed today the acquisition of Lafarge S.A. Philippine ass ets,” AEV said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

CRH has partnered with AEV for the investment in Lafarge to comply with foreign ownership rules in

the Philippines. The Irish company is also taking over some of Holcim Ltd. and L afarge SA’s business es in Europe, Canada, and Brazil as part of moves to bag antitrust regulator y approval for the merger.

“Post-acquisition integration activities are e x p e c te d to c omme nc e prompt ly i n t h e n e w ly acquired businesses,” the disclosure read.

LRI said the sale involved shares held by Calumboyan Holdings, Inc., L afarge Holdings (Philippines), Inc., Round Royal, Inc. a n d S o u t h We s t e r n C ement Ventures, Inc., representing a combined 88.85% of the listed cement

manufacturer.

LRI earlier said its estimated value, including its Mindanao assets, stood at P10.26 per share, which means CRH should pay rou g h ly P 5 3 . 0 9 bi l l i on to buy t he 5.17 bi l lion common shares held by those shareholders.

AEV and Lafarge did not respond to Bu s i n e s s Wor l d qu e r i e s ab out t he t rans ac t ion’s value.

NEW BOARD L R I vote d on a ne w board of directors following the resignation of its directors in the wake of a successful tender offer that rais ed AEV CRH’s stake in the cement maker

to 99.09%.

Elected to the company b o ard were Er ramon I. Aboitiz, Sabin M. Aboitiz, Kenneth McKnight, Peter James Edwards, Manuel R. Lozano, Roman V. Azanza III and Peter Jos eph Buckley.

The newly elected o f f i c i a l s w i l l “s e r v e immediately upon the end of the unexpired term of the resigned directors for the year 2015 to 2016 and until their successor shall have been duly elected and qualified,” LRI said.

AEV CRH, following the buyout of LRI’s minority shareholders, said its next move would be to delist L R I ’s s h a r e s f r o m t h e

Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

“A f t e r i t a c q u i r e s control of LRI, AEV CRH i nt e n d s t o c au s e L R I’s newly-elected B oard of Directors to approve the filing of an application for voluntarily delisting of the LRI shares with the PSE,” the company said in an earlier disclosure.

AEV CRH is a 6040 joint venture firm between AEV and Cement Roadstone Holdings, Inc., a domestic firm and whollyowned subsidiary of CRH Philippines Holdings BV. CRH Philippines is a Dutch company and an affiliate of CRH International.

AEV earlier obtained

a facility from The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. in the form of a bridge loan of up to $400 million, which will partially finance the company’s foray into the cement business.

AEV said earlier this year that its venture into the cement business with CRH s er ves as “a s olid opp or tu n it y ” t h at w i l l supp or t t he c omp any ’s thrust to provide a more diversified source of income for the conglomerate t h rou g h i n f r a st r u c tu re development.

Infrastructure will be an addition to the conglomerate’s four core businesses: power, banking, food, and property.

New Budget Phones Fit For the Lives of Pinoys!

ZHK Mobile released another set of budget phones that are made to cater to every Pinoy’s need and lifestyle.

ZHK Mobile, one of the country’s most sought after brand of smart phones, can’t be stopped in developing new and competitive budget phones to make Filipino’s lives easier through technology, and give Pinoys the best and budget friendly tool for communication.

Be communication-ready with ZHK ODYSSEY SAGA For Pinoys who prioritize being available through calls and text, while having a stylish and advanced-looking gadget, ZHK ODYSSEY SAGA is the best for you.

For only P1,799, you can own a phone with an Android Lollipop based OS, 1.2 GHz Quad Core processor, with a nice 4.0-inch display screen and 512MB that is just right for a pinoy whose lifestyle runs with every call and text. ZHK SAGA is also has a Bluetooth and WiFi-connect capability.

Capture random moments

with ZHK ODYSSEY SPIN In this Selfie-generation, a decent camera phone is definitely a must for Pinoys.

And for those who want to own the most affordable camera phone with satisfying performance and function, it’s about time you grab ZHK ODYSSEY SPIN. It is an Android phone that runs on 5.1 Lollipop and is powered by a QuadCore processor at 1.3GHz. It owns a 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal memory, and an expandable memory that supports up to 32GB of external memory, which makes saving pictures an easy task.

As for its display, the ODYSSEY SPIN boasts a 5.0’ LCD. For only P2,799, SPIN makes every Pinoy enjoy taking photos with its 5MP rear camera with flash, and a 2MP front camera perfect for selfies!

Enjoy images on bigger screen with ZHK BLITZ For some, bigger screen means more stylish and

advanced looking gadget.

Not just that, it also allows us to appreciate images more, and does not give us a hard time reading on text messages, and even for those who are into online games too! ZHK developed an answer to that specific need of a pinoy with ZHK Blitz.

The ZHK Mobile Blitz allows one to appreciate images and texts more with its 5.5-inch display with qHD resolution, for only P2,699!

Isn’t that just amazing? It is also powered by a 1.3GHz quad core processor with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of ROM that can be expanded up to 32GB via micro SD card.

ZHK shall continue to develop more functional and technologically-competitive mobile phone models that suits the lifestyle, needs and requests of every Filipino. To know more about the wide range of ZHK mobile phones, you may visit them at their stalls nationwide, or you may visit their facebook page at facebook.com/zhkmobile.

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Environment

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DENR paves way for national tenure reform Amidst the challenges of climate change and food security, DENR proposes new policy on tenure to forge the way for sustainable forest and land management The national government and Germany’s foremost official development assistance agency have scheduled a National Conference on the Governance of Tenure in the Context of Climate Change, Food Security and Sustainable Forest Management as a way forward to sustainable land management and a national tenure system reform, The Conference, to be led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in cooperation with the German Corporation for International Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH), will be held on September 22, 2015 at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Libis, Quezon City.

DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje will grace the event together with German Ambassador Thomas Ossowski. Lawmakers, officials, and representatives from national government agencies, the private sector, civic groups, academe, and people’s organizations will also be present during the

event.

The Philippine government recognizes the need to identify and close gaps in the forest management and tenure regime as well as to provide clear guidance in the issuance of tenure and land use rights.

In this context, DENR, in cooperation with GIZ, has conducted a Study on the Governance of Tenure in the Philippines to develop a policy instrument for the issuance of a unified tenure system. Such a system would improve the governance of natural resource management and enable broader access to forest land with positive impacts on environmental management and rural development.

The policy proposes a shift toward a unified tenure system and strengthened inter-government cooperation. It also aims to address issues of land and forest governance, and lead to sustainable land and resource management.

Governance of tenure is crucial for sustainable development of the Philippines Millions of Filipinos depend on forests, farmland, and fishing waters for livelihoods and food security. With continued economic and demographic growth, competition for land and natural

Fishermen in Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin fixing their nets.

resources is increasing, often leading to unsustainable use, loss, and depletion of the country’s rich forest, soil, biological diversity, and water resources.

Climate change and natural disasters exacerbate these pressures. In this context, the governance of land and natural resources – their conservation, management, distribution, and use – is of vital importance for the country’s sustainable development.

The Philippine government recognizes forests are crucial

in the fight against climate change Forests play key roles in the mitigation and adaptation of climate change, from mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, to adapting to the severe impacts of climate change. The Government of the Philippines recognizes this important linkage and implements a broad array of related programs and strategies.

Among these are the National Greening Program (NGP) and the Philippine National REDD-Plus Strategy (PNRPS), implemented by

photo by mike baños , npn

the DENR-Forest Management Bureau (FMB) aimed at reducing deforestation, promote sustainable forest management, rehabilitate the country’s forests, and improve livelihoods of the people.

Addressing challenges in land governance: Clear tenure provides perspectives for a better future for people and the environment “Open access” forestlands and contested land tenure are among the major drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in the country. In the Philippine’s upland

areas, millions of people (approximately one-third of the population) live illegally on public forestlands, without security of tenure, and frequently many overlapping claims exist for the same pieces of land.

This is often at the root of unsustainable resource use practices and resource-related conflicts. By clarifying tenure rights, people will have incentives to preserve and sustainably manage land, forests, and biodiversity. This benefits people and the environment alike.

(PR)

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Banking&Finance 9 Personal remittances reach $15.7 B in January-July 2015 Bangko Sentral eyes to have the NRPS foundation by this year 2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting

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PERSONAL remittances from overseas Filipinos (OFs) reached $2.3 billion in July 2015, bringing the total over the seven-month period to $15.7 billion, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Tuesday.

July’s $2.3 billion figure was higher by 0.5 percent compared to the same period a year ago. The cumulative 7-month personal remittances of $15.7 billion meant a yearon-year growth of 4.6 percent, according to BSP Officer-inCharge Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. Personal remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more grew by 5.4 percent, while those from sea-based and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year rose by 2.9 percent. The 0.5 percent growth in personal remittances in July 2015, however, was lower than the previous year’s 7.3 percent growth - a matter attributed partly to the depreciation of currencies in the OFs’ host countries against the US dollar, which reduced the dollar equivalent of their remittances.

Similarly, cash remittances from OFs coursed through banks increased by 0.5 percent year-on-year to $2.1 billion in July 2015. This brought

cash remittances for JanuaryJuly 2015 to $14.2 billion, 4.8 percent higher than the $13.5 billion recorded in the same period last year. Cash remittances from land-based and sea-based workers reached a total $10.8 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively.

The bulk of cash remittances were sourced from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and Canada.

Steady demand for Pinoy workers The continued demand for OF workers remained the key driver of sustained remittance inflows, officials said. Preliminary reports from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) indicated that total job orders reached 526,345, of which 38.7 percent were processed, intended mainly for service, production, and professional, technical and related workers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.

Moreover, efforts of bank and non-bank remittance service providers to expand their international and domestic market coverage through their network of remittance business partners worldwide provided support to the steady remittance flows.

T

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) targets to f inish w it h i n t h e y e ar, w it h the help of the banking industry, the foundation for the planned national retail payment system (NRPS). “(We plan to finish the laying of foundation) this year. That is what we’re fasttracking,” BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. told reporters at the sidelines of the first Ayala-led BPI

Sustainability Summit at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati Thursday.

The said payment system targets to provide a unified system for all kinds of electronic payments made through mobile phones, online and point-of-sales (POS) devices among others.

“This creates the payment s y ste m of e - c om me rc e (ele c t ronic commence) transactions,” Espenilla said.

The central bank official

said dialogues among the central bank, banks, and telecommunication companies are on-going because “you need to have a good constitution so people will properly coordinate and compete in a healthy way.”

He disclosed that results of a survey done with the help of the Better-thanCash Alliance showed that 99 percent of the more than PHP 2billion monthly transactions in the domestic

economy is through cash payment or paper-based checks.

“What we want to do is to move the dial significantly towards doing most of that electronically. But that won’t happen unless you create an ecosystem that is trusted, efficient and affordable,” he said.

Espenilla added that they target to implement the payment system within three to five years. (PNA)

NPL ratio of rural, coop banks rises slightly THE gross non-performing loans (NPLs) of rural (RBs) and c o op e r at ive b an k s (CBs) represented 12.04 percent of the banks’ total loan portfolio (TLP) at end-March 2015.

The latest NPL ratio increased marginally from the 11.85 percent posted at end-2014, the lowest quarterly NPL ratio recorded by RBs and CBs since end-September 2012.

The rise in the NPL ratio was caused by gross NPLs growing by 2.17 percent while TLP increased by only 0.51 percent.

Among economic sectors, the largest recipients of loans from RBs and CBs at end-March 2015 were agriculture, forestry and fishing; wholesale and retail trade; loans to individuals for consumption purposes; and real estate activities.

To mitigate credit risks, the banks also set aside loan loss reser ves amounting to 57.56 percent of their gross NPLs at end-March.

The figure is marginally lower than the 58.30 percent posted a quarter earlier.

In line with its Financial Stability agenda, the

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas monitors the loan quality of banks as part of its broader

efforts to promote sound credit risk management among these lenders.

10

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Therma...

Aboitiz...

“ We h av e i n f o r m e d our c ustomers and our stakeholders that we will soon be on full commercial operations and will supply Mindanao with reliable and cost-effective baseload p ow e r,” T h e r m a S out h Inc. president and COO Benjamin A. Cariaso, Jr. said.

“We are here not only to help Mindanao solve the current power crisis. The Aboitiz group is committed to helping Mindanao sustain its economic growth and finally fulfill its potential,” Cariaso added.

The second 150-MW unit is scheduled for commercial operations in early 2016.

The power plant started construction in 2012 and, at its peak, employed more than 4,500 workers, mostly from its host communities.

It is t he f i rst maj or power plant added to the Mindanao grid since 2006.

The power plant also fe atu re s t he f i rst “c o a l dome” in Southeast Asia – a modern coal storage facility that will ensure security of the fuel and safety and well-being of the surrounding areas. It will utilize circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology to ensure it meets government standards on health, safety and protection of t he e nv i ron me nt w h i l e operating in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

The power plant will supply p ower to maj or cities of Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Gen. Santos, Butuan, Kidapawan, Cotabato and Tagum. It will also serve the provinces of Davao, Caraga, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, parts of Bukidnon, parts of Misamis and parts of Zamboanga peninsula. (PNA)

“We’re bidding, as a matter of fact the bidder is La Filipina. We’re partnering with them,” Aboitiz Power Corp. president and chief operating officer Antonio Moraza told reporters.

He added Aboitiz will be aggressive on the bid.

The president noted La Filipina was already its partner in the Mindanao coal-fired power plant.

Aboitiz Power has a 34-percent stake in the power plant, while La Filipina has a 15-percent stake.

German-firm STEAG, on the other hand, owns 51 percent of the coal fired power plant. The consortium is called STEAG State Power Inc., (SPI).

The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) has earlier said it will reschedule the bidding of the power plant’s capacity to Nov. 25.

The corporation said it will heed the instructions of the Department of Energy (DOE) to postpone the auction, which was initially set for Sept.

The DOE earlier said it had to delay the auction -- to ensure rates would be stable -- until more capacity comes in Mindanao. Three power plants are expected to start commercial operations from 2015 to 2016.

PSALM president and ch i ef exe c ut ive of f i c er Lourdes Alzona earlier disclosed that the initial 12 bidders dropped to six, as some entered into joint ventures while some had not paid the bid documents.

Alzona, however, declined to disclose which companies continued with the bidding process.

But , P S A L M e arl i e r revealed that the initial 12 bidders for the power plant’s

from page 1

from page 1

capacity are: Conal Holdings Corp., FDC Davao Del Norte Power C or p., FirstG en Northern Power Corp., GDF Suez Energy Philippines Inc., Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd., Meralco Powergen Corp., Nexif Pte Ltd. , SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., SPC Power Corp., Team (Philippines) Energy Corp., Therma Southern Mindanao Inc. and Vivant Energy Corp. (PNA)

DOE... from page 1

Monsada said the y have been re-assessing the power supply situation, not just in Mindanao but across all grids to ensure that the El Niñostricken year of national elections will not be marred by unwanted rolling brownouts.

She noted that so f a r, b a s e d o n i n i t i a l calculations, Luzon power supply will not be as dismal despite the t h re at s of d r y w e at h e r f rom t h e l atte r p ar t of 2015 to next year.

“For Luzon, power supply situation will not be as bad. The worst impact will be on Mindanao by fourth quarter this year to first quarter of 2016,” Monsada stressed.

As cou ld b e g le ane d from updated data of the energy department, Luzon grid’s available capacity

next ye ar w i l l hover at 9,883 megawatts versus peak demand of 8,889MW. This then sets a room for re s e r ve c ap a c it y of 994MW. Visayas supply will be comparatively tight with just an estimated reser ve capacity of 125MW; and Mindanao portends a relatively unfavorable supply situation with just a spare of 20MW for reser ve capacity.--www. mb.com.ph

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

from page 4

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10TH Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIF NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF File No. 2015-165 Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act No 3135 as amended by Act No. 4118 filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT FUND ( PAG-IBIG) with branch Office at Pag-ibig Fund Bldg., J.R. Borja St., Cagayan de Oro City against PANTINOPLE C. CASTILLANO, JR. married to MARYFE V. CASTILLANO, of legal age, Filipino citizen, with postal address at Lot 10, Block 22 Libertylc Woodland Heights Subdivision, Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of July 6, 2015. Amounts to THREE HUNDRED THRITY EIGHT THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY TWO PESOS & 38/100 PESOS ( P 338,972.38), Philippine Currency, inclusive of interests, and penalty charges, the undersigned will sell at public auction on October 29, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Regional Trial Court, Office of the Clerk of Court, Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City to the highest bidder, for cash or manager check and in Philippine Currency, the following property described below including all existing improvements found thereon, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-192900 Lot : Portion of Lot : As surveyed for : Heights) Land use : Location :

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947

Hurst... l i v e l i f e ou r ow n w ay, even though our Maker has clearly shown us that the only way to really live successfully is His way. The only way to stay satisfied and safe is the way Jesus Christ showed us. Yet, we keep juggling with our own priceless life just one more day.

B u t w e n e v e r k n ow when our life will suddenly end—and we will have lost our eternal life and suffer forever. Friend, for your own sake and happiness, why not ask Jesus to forgive you for all your wrongs and living your own way?

Then ask Him to give you His power so you can start changing to live His way ever y day of your life— before it’s too late. Just Think a Minute …

Lot 10, Block 22, Psd-10-044328 2833-B, Psd-10-042604 Liberty Land Corporation ( Woodland Residential Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City

11

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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

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10TH Judicial Region Branch 28 Mambajao, Camiguin NOTICE OF EXTRA JUDICIAL SALE Extra-Judicial Foreclosure No. 13-2015

Upon Exta-Judicial Petition for Sale under act 3135 as amended, file by PHILMEN’S CREDIT CORP., with business address at Door 3 Trinidad Building II, Osmeña-Luna Ext., Cagayan de Oro City, against EMERITA E. BLAKEMORE, of Agoho, Mambajao, Camiguin to satisfy the Mortgage indebtedness which as of July 7, 2014 amounts to TWO MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED TEN PESOS ( Php 2,760,210.00) Philippine Currency inclusive of interest and penalty charges and expenses of foreclosure the undersigned or his duly authorized deputy will sell at public auction on Novemeber 11, 2015 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the main entrance of the Camiguin Hall of Justice, Mambajao, Camiguin to the highest bidder, for cash and in Philippine Currency, the following properties to wit: ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 9269 “ A parcel of land ( Lot 4986, Case 9, Cad. 473) situated in the barangay of Bug-ong, Municipality of Mambajao, Province of Camiguin, bounded on the NW., along line 1-2, by lot 4987; on the NE., and S., along lines 2-3-4,

by Barangay Road; and on the W., along line 4-1, by lot 5331 all of Cad. 473, Mambajao, Camiguin , Beginning at a point marked “ 1” on the plan being S. 74 deg. 32’W., 3,905.57 m. BLLM No. 1. “ Containing an area of ONE THOUSAND FORTY THREE ( 1,403) Square Meters.“ ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 9270 “ A parcel of land ( Lot 4988, C-9 Cad 473). Situated in the barangay of Bug-ong, Municipality of Mambajao, Province of Camiguin. Bounded on the E., along lines 6-12-3, by lot 5002; on the S., and SW., along lines 3-4-5 by Barangay Road; and on the NW., along lines 5-6. By lot 4989, all of Cad. 473, Mambajao Cadastre. Beginning at as point marked “ 1” on the plan being s. 74 deg. 03’W., 3821.44 m. from BLLM No. 1, cad 473. Containing an area of ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED NINETY FIVE (1,595) square meters. “ TAX DECLARATION NO. 0711029 “ A parcel od agricultural land located at Upper Bugong. Mambajao, Camiguin with all the improvements found thereon, covered with Tax Declaration No. 0711029, declared in the name of BLAKEMORE, EMERITA EBARLE, with the following boundaries : North – lot 4984 Antonio Madarieta ; South – lot No. 4986 Quirico and Sebastian Babia; East – Barangay Agoho and on West – lot 5331 Juana Cabalang, Containing an area of ONE THOUSAND THIRTY FOUR ( 1,034) Square Meters more or less. “

Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY SEVEN (187) SQUARE METERS, more or less, more or less, registered in the name of PANTINOPLE C. CASTILLANO, JR. married to MARYFRE V. CASTILLANO. All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date.

In the event auction sale cannot take place for whatever legal reason, the same will proceed on the following day without further notice, posting and publication.

Prospective buyers may investigate for themselves the title here-in aboved-described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Cagayan de Oro City, September 14, 2015.

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

(Sgd) ANTONIO A. CAGULANG, JR. Sheriff IV

(Sgd) TEOFILO G. SABUGA, JR.

Sheriff IV

BWM: Sept. 25, Oct. 2 & 9, 2015

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

Prospective buyers may investigate for themselves the titles herein above described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Mambajao, Camiguin this 14th day of February 2014.

BWM: Sept. 25, Oct. 2 & 9, 2015

12

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CDO lensmen top Higalaay photo contest

T

by SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

he conclusion of the Oro Photographic Society (OPS) organized 2nd Higalaay Festival Photo Contest paved the way for two Kagay-anons to win the top prizes in the Conventional and Mobile categories. The contest kicked-off August 1 through 31 during the Higalaay Festival 2015 celebration, and features images from the month-long activities.

The conventional (DSLRs/SLRs) category received a total of ---- entries while the mobile (smart phones, tabs, cellphones) received a total of ---- entries.

This was then trimmed down to 14 finalists for the conventional category and 7 finalists for the mobile category.

Rhafael Arcaina, “Raphy” as he is

known to his friends, won the 1st place award in the conventional category and also took home the 15,000 pesos cash prize for his entry featuring one of the many fireworks display during the month of August.

CONTEST

Page B2

2nd Higalaay Photo Contest Mobile Category winning photo by Gian James Maagad

2nd Higalaay Photo Contest Conventional Category winning photo by Raphy Arcaina

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GSIS offers new benefit enhancements for members, pensioners

State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) today announced that its members and pensioners will receive additional benefits starting this September 2015.

First, the funeral benefit of GSIS members and pensioners will be increased from Php20,000 to Php30,000.

“The funeral benefit was last increased in 2001 or 14 years ago when it was raised from Php18,000 to Php20,000. The increase is long overdue”, President and General Manager Robert Vergara said.

In addition, more than 272,000 regular old-age and disability pensioners as of 31 December 2014, will receive a one-time benefit equivalent to one-

month pension, or Php10,000 whichever is lower.

Finally, GSIS will be introducing a “milestone” benefit scheme for nearly 6,000 pensioners who, as of 1 September 2015 are 90 to 94 years old that will be granted a milestone benefit of Php20,000; over 1,100 pensioners who are 95 to 99 years old will receive Php50,000; and 181 pensioners who are 100 years old and above will get Php100,000.

Starting 2 September 2015 and thereafter, regular pensioners will be paid the following milestone benefit on their birthday: Php20,000 to pensioners who will turn 90 years old; Php30,000 to pensioners who will turn 95 years old; and, Php50,000 to

pensioners who will turn 100 years old.

“Our pensioners who are 90 years old and above are the most vulnerable members of GSIS”, Vergara said.

GSIS is in a position to enhance these benefits due to its record financial performance in 2014. Total assets reached Php908 billion while income spiked to Php140 billion and revenues to Php231 billion.

Under Republic Act No. 8291 (GSIS Act of 1997), the GSIS Board of Trustees is empowered to approve and adopt guidelines that will increase the benefits of GSIS members.

The benefit enhancements will not have any adverse impact on the fund life of the Social Insurance Fund which stand at 2049 or 35 years.

Great news to all Iligan City residents!

Avail 10% discount on a minimum P1,500 purchase on September 16 - 30 at The SM Store CDO. Simply present a valid ID with your SMAC to avail this exclusive promo.

Only government, company, and school ID with Iligan City residents will be accepted.

Happy shopping! #TheSMStoreCDO

Finalists, winners, OPS Officers and members, and sponsors pose for the cameras during the awarding ceremony of the 2nd Higalaay Festival Photo Contest, 2nd floor activity area, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Sept. 13. Photos Courtesy of Oro Photographic Society

CONTEST from Page B1...

“Overwhelmed” Arcaina says in an interview, “We came from Wao that day to visit the wake of our lola, my wife and I went home ahead to CDO to hopefully catch the fireworks display that night at Duaw Park, and thankfully, we did” Arcaina continues.

Arcaina also mused “it’s my first time to win First Place with Cash Prize.”

Gian James Maagad, one of the top street photographers in Cagayan de Oro, took home the 1st prize in the mobile category with 5,000 pesos cash prize.

Maagad said “the shot was taken from a low angle looking upwards; it was about almost 4pm so it’s difficult to compose on a phone because even if the phone exposure setting is in full brightness, the sunlight was still very bright during that time” “I took several frames from that point of view but almost didn’t submit that photo, knowing my style, there’s a little clutter in the background like sidewalk signs which I don’t like, but I still took the

risk to submit it” Maagad continues.

“My shot was taken prior from the official start of the street dancing. The performers were doing a warm up session.

Instinctively, I already foresaw the composition because that was really what I was looking for – the formation of dancers at the back, then the festival queen in front breaking the pattern hopefully doing some gestures – and, boom!, it happened” Maagad enthused.

Arcaina, on the other hand mused that “mine was ‘BOOM!’ of the fireworks before I could mount my camera to the tripod, almost didn’t get the shot.”

“I was blessed to have the little boat with a group of people when we got to the area and there were no other photographers around that time, I thank God for letting me shoot at that spot where there were no other shooters that time, I mean, blessed that He directed us to move to the right spot” Arcaina enthused.

Maagad affirms Arcaina’s photo “That’s a beautiful photo with the boat and the kids, that was the entry point of your photo directing towards the fireworks

filling the frame, it’s always a plus factor when the photo has human element, in my opinion”.

Both Maagad and Arcaina are thankful to the Oro Photographic Society and their partners for organizing the photo contest.

“I’m very thankful to OPS for this photo contest”; “I feel lucky and blessed knowing that there are a lot of good photographers in CDO” said Arcaina and Maagad respectively.

“Oro Photographic Society Inc. started Higalaay Photo Contest last year as way of giving back to the community and to promote city tourism. Our participants last year was overwhelming enough that we decided to give it another go this year.

We have more participants this year and with that we thank everyone who joined our contest and hope to see more great photos and more camaraderie with the photographers next year. The Cagayan de Oro City Fiesta has many great activities and the Higalaay Photo Contest is our way of helping in promoting them” said Lauriel B. dela Cruz, President, Oro Photographic Society Inc.

LIST OF WINNERS Conventional Category: 1st Place - Rhafael M. Arcaina 2nd Place - Timothy Glenn J. Palacio 3rd Place Tie - Rafael Noel S. Nadayag 3rd Place Tie - Joel V. Azcuna SMART People's Choice Award - Aleina Buenavista Finalists: Arnil M. Lim, Earyk Ian R. Nual, Ilimar M. Polaos, Jigo Racaza, Jojo Carcasona, Nelly Anne Gante, Ralph James Arcaina, Rhoel Condeza, Romel C. Lonoy Mobile Category: 1st Place - Gian James Maagad 2nd Place - Nicasio R. Ramos 3rd Place - John Michael B. Go Finalists: Jedalyn C. Gamolo, Jojo Carcasona, Josepl Al M. Yamit, Ruwilynn B. Peguit

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Beers, music, stars, and history in San Miguel Oktoberfest Beer and Music Festival The country’s biggest beer and music festival this year will be extra special as San Miguel Pale Pilsen celebrates its 125th year. The quintessential iconic Filipino beverage was first introduced in 1890 during the inauguration of the La Fabrica de Cerveza de San Miguel.

“This gives San Miguel Brewery Inc. good reason to bring back legendary performers past and present most enjoyed with the best beer brands in the country,” says SMB Inc.’s Marketing Manager Menlou B. Bibonia.

Beer and music lovers are in for an ultimate treat as the event gathers

an array of music legends, brand ambassadors, and popular movie, TV, and social media sensations at the MOA Concert Grounds on September 18.

Now considered a national tourism event, the festival will also gather some of the top favourite bars in the metro to make the event a musical and bar-hopping experience like no other.

From the ultra modern lights and sounds show, the beer pyramid and giant global artists featured in the past, this year’s edition will again feature a massive beer shower, giant inflatable displays, virtual sports

game booths, and a grand fireworks display.

Revelers will likewise enjoy performances of University bands and brands’ evangelists, including Red Horse Beer’s Ely Buendia, Pepe Smith, Slapshock, Greyhoundz, and Razorback. San Mig Light Party All-Night DJs top-billed by this year’s champion, DJ Kouta Kutsuma.

The music and beerpacked party will be also be held in Laguna Central, Greenfield City in Santa Rosa City, Laugna on September 26; Cebu IT Park in Apas, Cebu City on October 2; and Limketkai Center in

Cagayan de Oro City on October 3.

For more of San Miguel

Beer Oktoberfest, visit www.sanmiguelbeer.com. ph or check the official

Facebook page athttps:// www.facebook.com/ SanMiguelOktoberfest.

HOPE from Page B4...

Used soaps from Diversey’s hotel clients are being recycled by following a simple process using a proprietary soap press machine being donated to them.

First, weigh the soaps. Second, physically clean the soaps by removing any foreign materials using a steel brush.

Third, slice the soaps into cubes around one inch square.

Fourth, place the cubes into a strainer. Fifth, drop a quarter of a Diversey sanitizing tablet into a basin of water and soak the cubes of soap into the sanitizing solution for about 10 seconds. Sixth, strain and let the water fall from the soap cubes. Seventh, put the soap cubes in an empty basin and mix desired ingredients (some use lemongrass, calamansi, grated carrots, tea, lemon zest, etc.). Eighth, put the mixture into the soap press machine. Ninth, use the machine to press the soap and to remove the excess air inside. Tenth, remove the bar of soap from the soap press machine. Eleventh, put the bar of soap on a table to dry for 30 minutes. It’s that simple.

This livelihood project could be done in 11 simple steps (approximately 7 minutes per bar) without using electricity.

For this particular project, we have chosen the housewives in Barangay 17 so that they could help their husbands support their respective families. While their children are in school, they can make a lot of soaps in less than an hour. But I tell them, by the time that their children come home from school, they should be there to attend to their needs and simply be there for their respective families. Most of our beneficiaries are housewives/women, some men, LGBTs, oppressed members of society and/or anyone who is willing to learn and improve their lives.

I asked Stefan what keeps him going with what he’s doing. He said, “I love what I do. At the end of the day, if I can help a family be spared from the pain of having to sell a child to survive then it’s all worth it. That’s what keeps me going. I spent 22 years of my life doing this.”

Stefan, like my husband, Elmer, is also a child protection advocate wherein they create projects on how to protect children from different kinds of abuses. They are members of the International Child Protection Network of the United Kingdom that protects the rights of children especially those who are being abused.

I also asked my husband, Elmer, on why he is doing this.

He said, "I love helping people. Whenever I help people however I can no matter how small or how big it is, I feel happy." Then he added, "Most of the world’s problems could be categorized as economic problems; therefore, to solve them we must use economic solutions like livelihood projects and providing jobs or employment.”

If you ask me why I love doing this… It is because I believe in the saying, “If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. The world needs more of that.” or as what Mother Teresa said, “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”

In our own little ways, we can make this world a better place for everyone.

For more photos and to learn more about Soap For Hope, visit www.ElmerFrancisco.org and www.

EmpressMichelleFrancisco.com.

Quote of the day... "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

- Maimonides

Stefan and Elmer distributing soaps to the kids for health and hygienic purposes because it is very important to use soaps when washing hands to remove bacteria (Photo credit: Jacob Maentz)

Stefan explaining how to use that Diversey sanitizing tablets (Photo credit: Jacob Maentz)

Introducing Soap for Hope to the Beneficiaries

Giving away soaps to families in nearby houses

M

Love,

You can follow me at these social media: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ EmpressMichelleFrancisco https://www.facebook.com/EmpressMCF https://instagram.com/empressmichellefrancisco https://twitter.com/empressmcf

Used leaves that we got on site for packaging (Photo credit: Jacob Maentz)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

2013 PPI’S BEST IN BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC REPORTING

YOUR DAILY MINDANAO-WIDE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER THU-FRI | SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2015

EMPRESS M

by

Michelle Francisco

L

www.EmpressMichelleFrancisco.com

2014 PPI’S BEST IN ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING

Section Editor: SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

SOAP FOR HOPE Livelihood Project

ast Tuesday, we did our Soap For Hope livelihood project at Barangay 17, Cagayan de Oro City. Barangay Chairman Jerico Ebabacol is a friend of mine. I know him to be very efficient so for sure he can continue and supervise this project for the benefit of the families in his Barangay.

Soap for Hope is a continuing livelihood project of www.

ElmerFrancisco.org in cooperation with Sealed Air / Diversey Corporation represented by Mr. Stefan Phang. www.ElmerFrancisco.org is a non-profit organization established by my husband, Elmer, in 2011 to turn some of his advocacies into action with the help of volunteers, which are to help make this world a better place to live in by saving the environment and helping the less fortunate stand on their own two feet.

Sealed Air / Diversey is a multinational corporation based in Singapore with its headquarters in New York City, USA that supplies cleaning chemicals worldwide to the leading hotel chains, restaurants, huge commercial and industrial establishments, and so on. As part of their corporate social responsibility, they ask their hotel clients to collect their used soaps so that we could safely recycle them and turn their trash into cash for our less fortunate members of society.

HOPE

Page B3

Drying the bars of soap (4 laundry bars on the left)

Wacky group photo

B4

Soap for Hope bar (Photo credit: Jacob Maentz)

With Kap. Jerico Ebabacol of Barangay 17 and Elmer Francisco

Groupings for the production line

Turnover of the soap press machine for Barangay 17