BusinessWeek Mindanao (March 11-12, 2013 Issue)

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Issue No. 174, Volume III •

Market Indicators As of 5:56 pm mar. 8, 2013 (Friday)

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Century Properties

CENTURY Proper ties, one of the biggest real estate developers in the countr y, known for its upscale high-rise condominiums that offer world class amenities is finally coming to Cagayan de Oro. Newspaper report said Century Properties is going to expand in other key areas outside Metro Manila namely Pampanga, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. One of the biggest projects of Century Properties is Azure, a condominium that has a man made beach which was designed and endorsed by no less than the Hollywood Star Paris Hilton.

Everything about Azure is conceptualized by Paris and the creative team of Century Properties.

Century’s presence is another milestone in the burgeoning real estate industry in Cagayan de Oro.

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DOT-10 urges Bukidnon to accredit more hotels Offers to assist people interested in availing ‘Bed and Breakfast’ thru Bottom Up Budgeting

D

By CHENG ORDOÑEZ, Associate Editor

EPARTMENT of Tourism Regional Director Catalino Chan has encouraged owners of accommodation establishments to register with the Department of Tourism for accreditation purposes, following the successful conduct of the Kaamulan Festival held from middle of February to March 10, 2013, at Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

“Just recently, the DOT Manila made an accommodation survey in Bukidnon. We found out that the province has 70 accommodation establishments with a total of 1,136 rooms. However, only five are accredited by DOT 10. We hope this will increase this year. Only Campo Juan for adventure, New Mindys

in Malaybalay and Valencia, RR Family Resort and the four accommodation facilities at Dahilayan Adventure are accredited by DOT,” Dir. Chan said.

Dir. Chan said the benefit being taken by the accommodation establishments once they are accredited by urges/PAGE 8

KAAMULAN 2013. Kitaotao contingents walk on bamboo poles to fight and level off with giant Aragasi during the Street Dance Competition of the Kaamulan Festival, which culminates on Sunday, March 10, in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. photo by froilan gallardo/mindanews

Italpinas plan cited Asia’s top NextGen Clean Energy Project

Business training M A L AY BA L AY Ci t y - The Bukidnon Kaamulan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (BKCCII) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have conducted a series of free training for new, existing and would-be entrepreneurs in the province.

The training runs from March 4 to 8 at the BKCCII booth, capitol grounds in Malaybalay City.

DTI Provincial Director Ermedio J. Abang said the training included an introduction to entrepreneurship and a discussion on consumer rights and responsibilities.

Visual merchandising, frontline quality service and costing and pricing were also tackled.

Now

Architect Romolo Valentino Nati, Chairman & CEO, and Finance Officer Harold J. Dacumos receive the citation for Italpinas Euroasian Design & Eco-Development Corp. as one of the 10 Most Attractive Energy Investments from CTI-PFAN. Also in photo are CTI-PFAN’s chairman Elmer Holt, Charles Cole B. Navarro, Philippine country coordinator and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry.

A NEW project by the designers and developers of this city’s first eco-friendly building has been cited as one of the top 10 clean energy projects that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Asia annually by nearly 1.1 million tons.

Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corporation’s new project

was among those presented to investors at the CTI-PFAN Asia Forum for Clean Energy Financing (AFCEF-3) held February 22, 2013 at Singapore.

“We are very happy to be recognized among Asia’s elite clean energy projects for the next generation,” said Architect Romolo Valentino Nati, Italpinas president and

chief executive officer, upon receiving the citation for Italpinas new project which officially finished fourth in the final ranking.

Over 100 financiers, clean energy experts and representatives of financial institutions from across Asia and overseas participated in the Forum. The meeting was orcited/PAGE 8

Mrs Hanep Buhay among GoNegosyo’s outstanding Pinay Entrepreneurs 2013 Villar to continue advocacies on women, livelihood and entrepreneurship

J.P. RIZAL - CRUZ TAAL STS., (NEAR SHANGHAI BAKERY) DIVISORIA, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

CYNTHIA Villar, Managing Director of the Villar Foundation, receives another recognition for her tireless efforts in creating livelihood opportunities, empowering women, and promoting entrepreneurship as a way out of poverty.

The former Las Pinas

Representative is selected

by Go Negosyo among the ‘The Women Entrepreneur Icons and Filipina Entrepreneurs of 2013’ and was awarded during the 5th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit at the World Trade Center on Friday outstanding/PAGE 8

villar

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Armed intrusion in Sabah a blow to BIMP-EAGA

By Newmond Tibin

KOTA KINABALU, Sabah -- The armed intrusion into Sabah by Sulu terrorists is a blow to the progress of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), says BIMP-EAGA Malaysia Business Council chairman Datuk Roselan Johar Mohamed.

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Expressing profound dismay over the incident, he called on BIMP-EAGA member countries to go back to the original status quo, focusing more on accelerating economic development in the four countries in a safe and conducive manner.

Quoting the age-old saying “we cannot negotiate if you are pointing a gun at me”, Roselan said that it was true in the context of the sub-regional grouping, which was launched in 1994.

“We must a ll retract and go back to the drawing board, rethink and revisit our strategy and go back to the negotiating table,” he told Bernama.

Roselan was commenting on the recent statement by Former Philippines’ Presi-

dent Fidel Ramos with regard to the standoff in Lahad Datu in the east coast of Sabah, that the BIMP-EAGA should be revived by the countries concerned as the grouping was the key to improve the people’s conditions in south Philippines, Borneo Island and adjacent areas.

“The BIMP-EAGA is the win-win strategy if we are looking from the perspective of a better, more prosperous, more peaceful, more harmonious and more sustainable future for all peoples,” Ramos was quoted as saying.

Ramos said the potentials of the BIMP-EAGA were so great that even foreign local governments such as Australia’s Northern Territory and Western Australia states had joined the grouping as

associates.

Ramos said that during his administration, he tried to set up a corporation that would develop the BIMPEAGA sub-region.

The company is to be jointly run by Malaysia, the Sulu Sultanate’s heirs and private sector partners.

The company’s revenue can substitute the annual RM5,300 as the rent to the sultanate’s heirs, Ramos said.

In this respect, Roselan acknowledged Ramos’ role in the establisment of BIMPEAGA, saying that the Former Philippines’ President was both vocal and wise when he initiated the BIMPEAGA concept together with Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“The concept is good but falls short in its implementing process due to technical glitches,” he said Roselan, however, expressed confidence that the BIMP-EAGA can move in with fresh strategies, giving priority to opportunities and exposure.

DOT lauded for tourist arrival growth

By Joey Sem G. Dalumpines

DAVAO City -- President Benigno Simeon Aquino III gave the Department of Tourism high marks for sprucing up the tourism industry by making its more fun in the country advocacy worked.

T he President spoke before participants to the Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, Exhibitions Conference yesterday at SMX Convention Center.

He said the DOT in 2011

exceeded by two million its 2016 target of 30.5 million domestic travels.

“It means that in just a year and half, we already surpassed our target for the whole six-year term. So we have revised our 2016 target to 56.1 million domestic travels,” Aquino said.

He expressed optimism that the country is catching up in its growth in the tourism industry with its

Asian neighbours through creativity and hard work.

Aquino recalled that back in 2001, the tourist arrivals were only 1.8 million which grew at 3.1 million only in 2009.

“As of 2012, we had increased that number at 4.3 million tourists, the first time we reached a four million mark,” he said.

Highlighting the activity was the signing by the president into the law, Senate tourist/PAGE 10

PH to campaign for more international events: PNoy DAVAO City -- The government will be actively bidding to host international events in the next few years.

President Benigno Aquino III disclosed this during his speech, Thursday, at the opening of the 2013 MICE

(Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibits) Conference at the new SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

“We in the Philippines have long wanted to explore other avenues for growth.

In fact, my administration

has been actively campaigning to host some events in the next few years—events that typically involve the participation of top global leaders in both industry and government,” the President said in his speech.

Among the events which would be held in the country, PNoy revealed, include the 2014 East Asia Summit of the World Economic Forum, the Joint Session of the UNWTO (United Nations World Trade Organization) Regional Commission for East Asia, and the Pacific and Regional Commission for South Asia which will also be in 2014, and the 2015 APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Leader’s Summit.

“Some of you may ask: what gives us the confidence campaign/PAGE 10

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Toyota Motor Philippines Awards Top-Performing Dealers Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) recently hosted its Annual Dealer Conference and Gala Awards at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu last February 22, 2013 to recognize the remarkable performance of its dealer network. The event was held to honor individual achievers and top-performing dealers in the areas of Sales, After Sales and Customer Satisfaction and Overall Dealer Operations. Moreover, TMP was also awarded by Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), Toyota Motor Asia Pacific (TMAP) and Mitsui & Co., for its achievements from the previous year. One of which is attaining its 11th consecutive Triple Crown Title.

Toyota Cabanatuan City, Inc. (TCC) won severa l awards that night including

the most coveted President’s Award of Excellence. TCC was able to obtain the highest rating in overall dealer performance. Meanwhile, the 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up of the sought-after award (President’s Award of Excellence) are Toyota Cagayan de Oro City, Inc. (TCO) and Toyota Shaw, Inc. (TSI) respectively. TCC was also awarded the President’s Cup of CS Excellence for garnering the highest rating in Customer Satisfaction rating amongst all Toyota Dealers nationwide. TCC President, Mr. Jose Tan, Jr. received the awards in behalf of Team Toyota Cabanatuan.

Among the other awards presented during that night, a Special Award for the Highest Selling Dealer Outlet was awarded to Toyota Pasig toyota/PAGE 11

(From L-R – TMAP Deputy General Manager, Field Operations Dept, CS Planning and Operations Division Mr. Yuichi Onoe, TMAP Senior Vice President Customer First Group Mr. Pairoj Hiranruangrong, TMAP Executive Vice President Mr. Vince Socco, TMP Executive Vice President for Manufacturing Mr. Kenji Kitamura, TMP President Mr. Michinobu Sugata, Toyota Dealers Association President Mr. William Li, TMP Vice Chairman Mr. Alfred Ty, TMP Executive Vice President for Marketing Mr. Yohei Murase, TMP Senior Vice President for Marketing Mr. Santos Guerrero, TMP Vice President for Customer Service Operations Mr.Rainnier Gregorio, TMP First Vice President for Vehicle Sales Operations Mr. Jose Maria Atienza)

Kia Motors global sales up 4.5% (From L-R – TMP Executive Vice President for Marketing Mr. Yohei Murase, TMP President Mr. Michinobu Sugata, TCC President Mr. Jose Tan, TCC General Manager Mr. Joel Canlas, TMP Vice Chairman Mr. Alfred Ty, TMP Senior Vice President for Marketing Mr. Santos Guerrero, TMP First Vice President for Vehicle Sales Operations Mr. Jose Maria Atienza)

KIA Motors Corporation has announced its global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles through February 2013, recording a total of 408,822 units sold. This figure represents a 4.5% year-on-year increase for the first two months of 2013.

In February, Kia posted a year-on-year sales increase in Europe of 3.1% (39,861 units sold) along with positive gains in General Markets* of 2.9% (40,647 units sold) and

China of 1.7% (38,660 units sold). North America and Kia’s domestic market of Korea had a year-on-year sales decreases of 8.1% (45,666 units sold) and 17.8% (32,900 units sold), respectively.

Cumulatively, through kia/PAGE 8

Auto parts makers optimistic about 2013

MEMBERS of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) expressed their optimism that demand for auto/PAGE 8

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Parasat launches triple play:

Cable, landline, Net in one

By CHENG ORDOÑEZ, Associate Editor

PARASAT Cable TV has launched a first in Mindanao -- triple services in one – dubbed as “Triple Play”, where cable, landline and internet service come to the living room of subscribers in just one transaction.

photo by gerry lee gorit

Both existing and new subscribers can apply for subscription to the Triple Play service.

“There will be no laying down or rolling up of cable wires for existing Parasat cable TV subscribers. They may simply plug our unit that will provide all three services, a cutting-edge technology,

VOB enables the delivery of an integrated voice service with cable-Internet and/ or cable TV subscription,” Parasat President Elpidio M. Paras, said during a press conference, yesterday, at Gloria Mariz, Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.

CDO-based Parasat Cable TV, Mindanao’s leading digi-

With the discount, the offer attracted strong interest from investors and was almost three times oversubscribed, ALI said. The final deal size was also upsized from the original 320 million shares with UBS AG acting as sole bookrunner and placement agent.

Similar to previous deals coming out of the Philippines, most of the buyers, or 75 percent, came from Asia, with US and European investors accounting for 11 percent and 14 percent, respectively, UBS Philippines Managing Director Lauro Baja III said in a

phone interview on Thursday.

Baja added that the transaction was closed in over one hour and involved 85 investors. He noted that investors were drawn to ALI’s “brand name and management” as well as its good governance practices.

The final offer price settled near the bottom of the range set from P30 each to P32 each, based on a report by the Thomson Reuters publication IFR, which saw the term sheet.

Strong buying support, meanwhile, helped ALI close above the placement price with its shares declining 5.63

percent to P31 each on Thursday even as the benchmark stock exchange index sank 1.61 percent.

ALI said the transaction was an overnight bookbuilt offer structured as a topup placement with shares of parent firm Ayala Corp. This type of transaction is favored by many corporations as it gives them speed in carrying out deals while ensuring that all proceeds end up with the issuing firm.

This is the second time ALI returned to the equity markets to raise cash. In July last year, ALI sold 680 million shares at a then 4.9-percent discount to P20 per share.

ALI shares have gained about 24 percent year-todate before the deal was announced, beating the roughly 17-percent gain for the benchmark index.

“The company will use the proceeds of the share placement primarily to fund its next phase of development, enabling it to sustain its high growth trajectory,” ALI said in the statement.

Parasat Cable TV president Elpidio M. Paras announces the launching of the company’s “triple play” service in Cagayan de Oro City. The service offers “voice over broadband” and allows home-owners to use cable, landline phone and internet all at the same time.

ALI completes P12.2-B equity placement PROPE RT Y g ia nt Ay a la Land Inc. (ALI) completed on Wednesday a second overnight equity placement in eight months, raising P12.2 billion as it sought to take advantage of the upswing in its share price to raise funds for capital spending this year.

ALI said in a Philippine Stock Exchange f iling on Thursday that it sold 399.52 million shares, equivalent to 2.5 percent of the builder, at P30.50 each for a 7-percent discount to its previous closing price and a 3.6-percent discount to the five-day volume weighted average price.

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Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region BRANCH 42 Medina, Misamis Oriental NOTICE OF SALE ON EXECUTION OF REAL PROPERTY

WHEREAS, by virtue of an Order of Execution issued by Hon. JUDY SIA-GALVEZ, Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 42, on October 25, 2012, in Civil Case No. 998-M wherein. ALFREDO CALINGIN (rep. by his Atty-in-Fact, LORIMER CALINGIN) is/are the plaintiff/s and Spouses DEMOSTHENES and MARLENE LIMBACO is/are the defendant/s, FOR: ANNULMENT OF TITLE RECONVEYANCE OF REAL ESTATE and DAMAGES with PRAYER FOR PRELIMINARY MANDATORY INJUCTION for the recovery of the sum of Eighty Thousand Pesos (P 80,000.00), including interests, and costs, etc., levy was made by Sheriff ALFRAN R. MABELIN , thru the Register of Deeds of Provincial of Misamis Oriental, on the rights, interests, and participation of said defendant/s Spouses DEMOSTHENES and MARLENE LIMBACO in the real property more particularly described as follows: TAX DECLARATION NO. 020001-C2396 Property Identification No. 052.02.0001.015.19.1001 OWNER: LIMBACO, DEMOSTHENES (deceased) Administrator: c/o MARLENE LIMBACO Address: North Pob. Medina Misamis Oriental Kind of Property: BUILDING No. of Story 1 ½ Residential Classification: Residential Building Area: 167.12 Market Value: P 258,100.00 Actual Use: Residential A. Level: 10 Assessed Value: P 25,810.00 Total Assessed Value: Twenty Five Thousand Eight Hundred Ten Pesos.

TAX DECLARATION NO. 02-0001-C2395 Property Identification No. 052.02.0001.015.19 OWNER: LIMBACO, DEMOSTHENES (deceased) Administrator: c/o MARLENE LIMBACO Address: North Pob. Medina Misamis Oriental Location of Property: North Poblacion, Medina Misamis Oriental North: Lot 28 South: Lot 20 & Medina River East: Lot 17, 21 & 21 & Cabana St. West: Lot 18 & Medina River Kind of Property: LAND Lot No: 355-C-347 Classification: Residential Area: 2,076 Market Value: P 438,020.00 Actual Use: Residential A. Level: 10 Assessed Value: P 43,800.00 Total Assessed Value: Forty-Three Thousand Eight Hundred Pesos.

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of said Order of Execution and in accordance with rule 39, Section 19, of the Rule of court, Sheriff ALFRAN R. MABELIN, will sell at public auction to the highest bidder, for CASH and Philippine Currency, on March 27, 2013, at 10:00o’clock in the morning, at Regional Trial Court Branch 42 Province of Misamis Oriental, in the rights, interests and participation of Defendant/s Spouses DEMOSTHENES and MARLENE LIMBACO, in the above-described real property in order to satisfy said Order of Execution, together with interests, cost, sheriff’s fees and the expenses of sale.

MEDINA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL, January 15,2013

(Sgd.) ALFRAN R. MABELIN

Sherriff BWM: March 11 & 18, 2013

tal cable TV service provider, which operates Cable 21 Technologies, its cable broadband service arm, unveiled the groundbreaking technology.

“It’s being offered now.

You can go to any Parasat outlet and ask for the Triple Play service, Engr. Paras said.

Parasat executives explained that the VOB technology is a voice service that will be transmitted via the broadband network of Cable 21. “This means that existing Parasat cable TV and Cable 21 broadband Internet subscribers can now avail of the

VOB service on top of their present subscription service to experience seamless and integrated connectivity.

Parasat has partnered with Bayan Telecommunications, Inc. for the voice service feature of this triple play offering, which initially be available in CDO area and will eventually be expanded to cover the other service areas of Parasat such as the municipalities of Opol, Tagoloan, Balingasag, and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental, and Malaybalay, Valencia, and San Carlos in Bukidnon.

PEPSI- C ola Produc ts Philippines Inc on Friday said its net income nearly tripled last year on the back of high volume growth, lower sugar prices and stringent cost management.

In a statement, the beverage maker said its net income surged 192 percent to P844 million in 2012 from P289.05 million the year before after doubling its earnings to P147 million in the fourth quarter.

“On the back of this remarkable performance, we expect to improve further in 2013 with prudent cost management, increased marketing efforts and a generally positive economic environment. We will continue to innovate with brands that will satisfy the thirst-quenching needs of the Filipino consumers,” said Pepsi-Cola Philippines president Partho Chakrabarti.

Gross sales jumped 14 percent to P22.73 billion from P19.96 billion in 2011, supported by a 15 percent increase in sales

volume across brands and categories.

“This is a significant feat given the aggressive competition, marketplace challenges and heavy monsoon rains. We focused on driving growth of both the carbonated and non-carbonated drinks segments, in line with the strategy on ensuring affordability and availability across the Philippines,” said Jika Dalupan, Pepsi-Cola Philippines vice president for corporate affairs and communications.

Cost of sales inched up 6 percent driven mainly by higher sales volume.

A licensed bottler of PepsiCo Inc and Pepsi Lipton International Ltd, the local unit manufactures beverages under brands such as Pepsi-Cola, 7Up, Mountain Dew, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Lipton Iced Tea, Tropicana/Twister, Propel and Sting.

Pepsi-Cola recently made its foray into the powdered juice segment with Mirinda Powder Fun Mix.

Higher sales volume, cheaper sugar boost Pepsi’s earnings in 2012

Seaoil, Flying V reduce fuel prices again AT least two oil firms considered small players in the oil industry rolled back prices of at least four of their products last Saturday.

Seaoil and Flying V rolled back prices of premium and unleaded gas; regular gas; diesel; and kerosene.

The two firms were quoted in the report as saying the rollbacks reflect price changes in the international market.

Both companies reduced prices by: - P1 per liter for premium and unleaded gas - P1 per liter for kerosene - 90 centavos per liter for diesel - 50 centavos per liter for regular gas Last week, both companies also rolled back their prices then other oil companies followed suit.

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Schistosomiasis WHILE on my way out of the hospital, I met a patient from years back. We got into “kamustahan” and I inquired how she is and I was happy to know that, with her religious follow up with her attending doctor, and the intake of her medications, she feels better and has not experienced the recurrence of her symptoms.

This particular patient was referred to me for a rectal tissue imprint reading. She complained of abdominal pain and the occasional finding of blood in her stools.

I gave out the diagnosis of positive for schistosoma ova.

Schistosomiasis is not yet eliminated from the roster of diseases in our country.

As a matter of fact, it ranks third after Tuberculosis and Malaria.

According to the National Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Schistosomiasis is endemic in 28 of the 79 provinces. Thus, a history of travel to an endemic area plays a major role in making Schistosomiasis part of the working clinical impression.

For the past 20 years of my practice, the patients who get positive during a Laboratory examination, whether it be a tissue biopsy that happens

Health in Focus

DR. MARY JEAN LORECHE

to be an incidental finding only (when a specimen is submitted for something else), a rectal imprint with specific requests for a look out for the eggs, or during a routine stool or urine tests, are actually patients that either live or have travelled to an endemic area. Thus, a very thorough history taking and a complete physical examination play a major role in arriving at a correct diagnosis.

Schistosomiasis is caused by a parasite.

The importance of an Informed consent, an active participation and cooperation in one’s treatment cannot be underestimated in the success or failure of the chosen modality.

Honest Love THINK a minute…

There’s a story about a man and woman who had been married for over 60 years. They had shared and talked about almost everything. But the wife had kept a special box in her closet.

She had asked her husband never to open it or even ask her about it.

Then one day, the old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would never recover. Her husband began to sort through all of his wife’s belongings.

When he found the box, he brought it to his wife’s bedside. She agreed that it was finally time he knew what

was in the box. Her husband opened it and found 2 little handkerchiefs and a stack of money totalling $25,000!

H i s w i fe e x pl a i ne d : “When we were married, my grandmother told me that the secret of a happy marriage was to never disagree or argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you I should just keep quiet and sew a handkerchief.”

The old ma n was so touched and moved he had to hold back the tears. Only 2 handkerchiefs were in the box. He almost burst with joy and pride that in over 60 years she had only been angry with him 2 times!

“Dear,” he said, “that explains the handkerchiefs, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?” She answered: “Oh, that’s the money I made from selling all the other handkerchiefs.”

Well, that’s definitely an interesting way to keep peace in your marriage, and make $25,000 at the same time!

But that husband probably wondered what he had done to make his wife angry so many times! He’d always thought they had a close marriage.

But it wasn’t based on the truth. Obviously, they had not been completely

Think a minute

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

honest with each other. Instead of sharing their real feelings, they had built a wall between them—a wall of handkerchiefs.

Think a Minute…

Reaching out to the unbanked and under-banked FINANCIAL inclusion has become one of the top advocacies of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) over the last decade.

Financial inclusion means that the BSP, through its enabling and empowering policies, wants more Filipinos—who are currently classified as unbanked or under-banked—to have access to banking services.

The BSP believes that economic growth will not be meaningful if this significant segment of our population is not given the opportunity to participate in, and to benefit from, economic development.

According to Pia Bernadette Roman Tayag, head of the BSP Inclusive Finance Advocacy Staff (IFAS), the Philippine banking system is a strong and stable one.

However, she pointed out, the challenge of increasing access to financial services remains daunting.

“Aside from the lack of banks in a large percentage of the country’s municipalities (37% have no banking office), concentration of banking services are generally biased

OUR times, I believe, call us to be tough yet flexible, tolerant yet discerning. And now that we are in an election season, these qualities are in great need.

To be sure, the only and best way to acquire these seemingly contrasting traits is to be with God, to have a living relationship with him, where an intimate and ongoing conversation between him and us takes place.

Some people are questioning the feasibility of such a situation, that is, to be able to talk with God. I don’t know where they get that idea, since as far as I as well as many others are concerned, God is everywhere and he wants us to talk to him.

We need to reinforce our belief that only in God can we have everything. Let’s be wary of suggestions, now becoming very popular, that there are things in which God has absolutely nothing to say or contribute and that

toward higher income areas leaving much of the low income areas significantly underserved,” Tayag said.

For example, more than 40% of the country’s deposit accounts are found in the National Capital Region. In addition, the 2009 Consumer Finance Survey revealed that only 2 out of 10 households have access to simple deposit accounts.

To address this issue, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has taken deliberate steps to build a more inclusive financial system that is responsive to the needs of the Filipino people— especially those who are underserved and “unserved.”

“A strong a nd stable banking system can be more meaningful if it services the needs of majority of the population,” Tayag said.

The BSP’s initial foray into financial inclusion involved the creation of an enabling policy and regulatory environment for sustainable microfinance to flourish in the banking system.

This provided a framework and opportunity for our

banks to service the needs of millions of our country’s unbanked yet bankable micro entrepreneurs.

As of September 2012, over 180 banks have been serving over a million micro entrepreneurs with an outstanding loan portfolio of P7.9 billion and an equally impressive savings portfolio of P4.2 billion.

The BSP’s regulations, which have since then expanded the range of microfinance products (i.e. micro housing, micro insurance, micro deposits), have also made the banks more responsive to the needs of their clients.

“We have also created the necessary space that has allowed continuous innovations in business models and the use of technology-driven process improvements (i.e. e-money, mobile banking) which hold the promise of reaching more of the unserved markets at lower costs and higher efficiencies,” Tayag said.

In the latest Economist Intelligence Unit Sur vey of Microfinance Business

Put God in politics

we are just on our own to think, say and do whatever we want.

A passage from the Psalms can remind us of this need for God. “The Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer. My God is my helper, and in him will I put my trust. My protector and the horn of my salvation, and my support.” (18,2) Sad to say, there are now a rising number of politicians who not only put God and his Church aside, but also mock and openly attack him and the Church. Or to be politically correct, they also make appeals to God but a God according to their own terms, a god and church of their own making.

Some have gone to the extent of saying that this business of including God in politics, for example, hinders their freedom and effectiveness. In short, that God is a spoiler.

And they can be Catho-

lics who pride themselves to be good Catholics because according to them, they do this and do that, just like any fawning politician would parrot, and yet they go against Church doctrine.

They even dare to say that the Church should change, otherwise it will be depleted of members, and that there would be a mass exodus of faithful to other sects, etc.

I would say, no problem, since the Church has always experienced this mass exodus in the past and it will still continue to have such thing in the future. Remember that even in the time of Christ, massive defections already took place, and in spite of the systemic persecutions through the years, it is still around.

That thinking of some of our Catholic politicians or politicized Catholics only show their poor and politicized understanding of what it means to be in the Church.

Speaking out

IGNACIO BUNYE

Environments of over 50 countries, the Philippines has been named—for the fourth year in a row—as having the best policy and regulatory environment for microfinance in the world.

In addition, a Steering Committee on Inclusive Finance was created in February 2012 with the BSP Governor as Chair—a clear indication of the high priority given to financial inclusion and a recognition that is a key strategic initiative to further the BSP’s mandate of economic and financial stability.

The creation of the ComBunye/PAGE 8

Hints and traces

FR. ROY CIMAGALA

It would indicate they think of the Church as a kind of prison such that they now are threatening a massive jailbreak. Well, they can go ahead. No one is preventing them.

With moral issues now becoming more and more political, we have to make sure that God is in the middle of politics. Of course, there is such thing as autonomy of temporal matters like politics and business, and cimagala/PAGE 8

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Urges... from page 1

the DOT is that they will be promoted by the DOT offices here and abroad.

M a l ay ba l ay h a s 413 rooms, Valencia has 343 rooms, Maramag has 232 rooms, Manolo Fortich has 123 rooms and few rooms in other municipalities.

“We also hope that more rooms will be opened soon so that we can accommodate more tourists to come to the province,” Dir. Chan said.

“For those who are interested, the BUB or Bottom Up Budgeting headed by the Department of Interior and Local Government is now offering to people who wants to open “Bed and Breakfast” in the province. We will help you on how to avail this program. Just visit our tourism offices in the two cities and in the province or any DILG offices. They will be very happy to help you,” Chan said during the awarding of winners of Street Dance and Ground Competitions, March 2, 2013, at the Capitol Grounds, Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Chan said that every time he is being interviewed locally and internationally, he always emphasize that Bukidnon is a “living museum,” where people, both Lumads and the populace, are working in harmony; they understand each other and are still practicing both modern and traditional methods.

“And that it is the Summer capital in the Philippines and that the people are so warm, hospitable and open to friendship,” Chan added.

“This is the only place where the clouds kiss its people. It is not only ecotourism, adventure, nature, agri-tourism, but it is best example of wellness, because it is centralized air con, and that the air is so fresh that even cleanses your spirit,” Chan stressed.

He said: “Bukidnon is the home of the country’s cowboys, topnochers in professional exam, two consecutive overall champion of the Kumbira Culinary competition, Philippines best cultural master on bead works proclaimed by the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, Philippines best brewed coffee of the monks and Hinaliban, home of the beautiful lakes -- Lake Apo is declared as one of the emerging destinations in the country as proclaimed by the Women in Travel Association of the Philippines and the BSU Chorale that amazed the people in Manila during the Pasundayad Sa Northern Mindanao at Mall of Asia.”

Dir. Chan said that DOT hopes that the municipal officials will continue to support the staging of the Kaamulan Festival and give tourism a chance. “Make it as one of you priority projects in your area of responsibility, for tourism is everybody’s business. You and I should be involved in developing tourism in our places, and we will be happy to say it together that it is more fun

in Bukidnon and more fun in the Philippines,” Chan added.

For his part, Bukidnon Governor Alex Padua Calingasan and Vice Governor Jose Ma. Rubin Zubiri, Jr., thanked all the eight contingents for joining the Kaamulan 2013, and extending their gratitude to Director Chan and DOT 10 staff for their support.

“It is our vision to turn Bukidnon into a tourism adventure destination and eco-agricultural capital of the Philippines five years from now,” Gov. Calingasan said.

Cited... from page 1

ganized by the Climate Technology Initiative’s Private Financing Advisory Network (CTI PFAN), a global multilateral initiative dedicated to connecting clean energy businesses with financing and “bridging the gap” between clean energy project developers and investors.

“By matching project developers from around the region with investors, this forum helps make projects happen and increases the flow of investment into developing clean energy markets in Asia” said Peter Storey, CTI PFAN Global Coordinator.

The projects showcased at the Forum, with a total aggregate investment value in excess of USD 297 million, included bio fuels, solar, biogas, waste to energy initiatives developed by entrepreneurs and companies from India, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

“Italpinas new project is the lone Philippine entry which made it to the finals and the top 10,” noted Jojo Leviste, Italpinas President.

“What is so exciting about the CTI PFAN program is that it is not about process, but instead is facilitating the implementation of real projects, having not only economic returns, but social and environmental benefits as well,” said Elmer Holt, CTI PFAN Manager.

CTI PFAN screens business plans, selects the most economically viable and environmentally beneficial projects, and provides multiple rounds of coaching and guidance before projects are presented to investors. CTI PFAN is now working on more than 164 clean energy projects across Asia, Africa and Latin America. Globally, CTI PFAN has raised over USD 432 million dollars of investment for clean energy spread over 38 projects.

For investors, AFCEF-3 was a great opportunity to access a select group of clean energy projects with high profit potential, verified environmental and development benefits, which are ready for investment. It also provided a unique networking forum for Asia’s clean energy entrepreneurs.

Nagaraja Rao, Regional Coordinator-AFCEF3, said “CTI PFAN is providing a vital link between investors and project developers and

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this forum is ideally tailored to creating deal flow for clean energy investors in Asia”.

“The key to a successful realization of this growth lies in the bankability of these projects that demonstrate the high quality investment potential due to their scalability and the dilution of risks. These are the kinds of projects that have been handpicked and coached for the AFCEF-3.

Singapore is proud to have established itself as Asia’s financial hub and thus a great location for financing platforms such as AFCEF-3”said the Chairman of SEAS, Mr. Edwin Khew.

AFCEF-3 is sponsored by the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) and its Private Financing Advisory Network (CTI PFAN), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Energy for All Program of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer (ICETT) and is co-organized by the Dawn Consulting, Clean Energy Solutions International (CSI), PPL International, Economic Development Board of Singapore, the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) and ReEx Capital Asia.

CTI PFAN is a multilateral, public-private partnership initiated by CTI in cooperation with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Expert Group on Technology Transfer.

Outstanding... from page 1

March 1—in time for the celebration of March as International Women’s Month.

Villar thanks Go Negosyo for the recognition and said it serves as an inspiration for her to carry on with her advocacies as well as a validation of her continued efforts to help her fellow Filipinos.

“The award is really a bonus. It feels good to be recognized. But it feels even better to know that you are making a difference in people’s lives through your advocacies and actions as well as programs and projects,” Villar said.

According to Go Negosyo, Villar and the other awardees were chosen “to recognize their valuable contributions in their respective fields and to promote their stories to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs that they can also make it in life.”

The success of Villar’s green social enterprises that have provided livelihood to over 500 families in Las Pinas, where it started 10 years ago, has earned for her the moniker ‘Misis Hanep Buhay.’

The Villar Foundation’s livelihood enterprises: water hyacinth basket weaving, coconet weaving, plastic pulverizing, organic composting, handloom blanket weaving, and recently citronella oilmaking have been duplicated nationwide. So far, pilot centers have been built in 111 towns all over the country.

“There are 1,600 municipalities and cities in the Philippines, so we still have a lot

of tasks ahead of us. I will continue promoting these livelihood programs because the benefits they provide to the people, especially the poor, are direct and fast. They do not need capital also because the raw materials are from wastes and our foundation provides the training and technology,” said Villar.

According to Villar, her livelihood programs create jobs and help ease the unemployment problems in the country. Villar, as a congresswoman from 2001 to 2010, also authored legislation that promotes entrepreneurship.

Among which is the Republic Act 9178 or the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) Act of 2002.

“I support entrepreneurship as the key to creating jobs.

Even my livelihood programs are geared towards helping people gain the skills to start their own small businesses, even micro-enterprises can help boost our economy and provide livelihood or jobs to our countrymen. I will continue advocating those,” said Villar, who is a senatorial candidate in the May 13 national elections.

Go Negosyo cited in a statement: “From being a college professor and an entrepreneur, Cynthia Villar diverted her focus to social entrepreneurship through the Villar Foundation in 1992.

The organization has helped thousands of families—from the OFWs to the mothers living in the poor communities, by teaching them an alternative and sustainable means of livelihood.”

It adds, “We have been partners with her for quite sometime now, teaching the advocacy to the OFWs to help them invest their hard-earned money wisely.” The Villar Foundation and Go Negosyo are co-organizers of the yearly OFW & Family Summit.

Auto... from page 3

local auto parts will increase once the proposed 2013 auto parts roadmap is adopted anytime this year.

“We have a lot to be happy about 2013. With the coming Motorization and ASEAN integration, local auto production from Completely Knockeddown (CKD) vehicles will increase by about 15 percent annually, thus providing an equivalent increase in local auto parts production,” MVPMAP President Ferdi Raquelsantos enthused.

He said that for the last few years, local CKD productions has been badly battered from two fronts: the increasing importation of brand-new Completely Built Units (CBU) vehicles and the increasing importation of used vehicles by the so-called informal sector.

“Last year alone, of the new vehicles registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), 44 percent were CBUs, an astounding 26 percent from the informal sector and only 30 percent from local CKD production. Overall, there is no local value added in terms of local parts and labor to 70 percent of the total new vehicles registered,” Raquelsantos deplored.

He explained that while CBU grew from 94,000 in

2010 to 98,000 in 2011 and the informal sector increased from 52,000 to 57,000 units, local CKD production dropped from 74,000 to 67,000 units. “This has been proven detrimental to both our local auto assembly and parts manufacturing industries,” he stressed.

Raquelsantos continued that “in terms of production last 2011, we lagged behind our ASEAN neighbors. We locally produced only about 65,000 units, this pales in comparison with regional leader Thailand which produced 1.56 million units, Indonesia, 838,000 units and Malaysia, 534,000 units.

Even the new kid on the block Vietnam has surpassed us with 100,000 units.” ”This is one pressing matter that the auto and parts manufacturing industries and the government will have to address. Assembling a vehicle locally costs about US$ 1,800 or 14 percent higher than our ASEAN counterparts.

To be competitive, we have to bring this down, we need government support in terms of viable incentives to cut the production cost,” he stressed.

However, he said that “all these are expected to change once the proposed “parallel” auto assembly industry roadmap that was presented last month to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is approved.”

He expressed his confidence that the government would not allow the auto industry to run on its own steam alone because the auto manufacturing industry accounted to 31.5 percent of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). ”With an output value of P368 billion, the auto industry contributes about 12 percent of the Industrial sector and 3.8 percent of the total GDP. It employs some 70,000 workers, 30,000 in vehicle assembly including downstream and upstream industries and 40,000 in parts manufacturing,” he explained.

“We are very optimistic that all these concerns will be addressed once the proposed roadmap is approved, legislated and implemented in the soonest possible time,” Raquelsantos said.

He said that aside from the local parts production issue, there are other things that are needed to be looked into under the proposed roadmap such as product testing facilities, joint ventures and transfers of technology, management upgrading with corresponding funding, development of product technolog y, common development facilities, an Automotive Excellence Center, adoption of a national standards and acquisition of international quality standards like ISO and TS, among others. ”We believe that if these will all come to fruition, our long suffering auto and parts manufacturing industries will soon come back to life, be regionally competitive and local and foreign investors will come in,” Raquelsantos concluded. (PNA)

Cimagala...

from page 6 t he of ten-misu nderstood doctrine of the separation of Church and state, but all this does not mean God has no place in politics.

Quite the contrary. If God

is not in our temporal affairs, then those temporal affairs would be harmful to us. They would not be ruled by truth, justice and charity, mercy and prudence, but merely by human calculations that will always benefit the strong, the powerful, the rich more than everybody else.

If we still want our country to be God-fearing, then we have to be wary of candidates peddling platforms that not only are alien to faith but are in open war against God and his Church.

There are now initiatives started by some lay people, perhaps with some inspiration from Church leaders, to precisely put God in politics.

That thing about the Team Buhay vs. Team Patay is one of them. I hope there be more.

I am thinking of some groups vetting all the candidates as to their position about moral issues. Obviously, all this should be done in great delicacy and respect, with courteous dialogue and positive explanations made rather than indulging in gutter language and logic.

Also, that all this should be done with clear delineation as to what properly falls to the clerics to do and what the lay faithful ought to do.

May God bless us all!

Kia...

from page 3 the first two months of 2013, Kia’s global sales have increased by 4.5% year-on-year to reach 408,822 units.

China experienced the highest cumulative gain to date in 2013 of 26.1% (96,235 units sold), followed by Europe and General Markets with 4.6% (77,920 units sold) and 3.5% (79,876 units sold), respectively.

Korea and North America experienced cumulative decreases of 6.8% (69,150 units sold) and 3.7% (85,641 units sold), correspondingly.

Kia’s bestselling model in overseas markets for the month of February was the B-segment Rio (known as ‘K2’ in China) with 34,831 units sold.

The C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ in some markets) was the second best seller with 27,579 units delivered, while the Sportage compact CUV, Optima D-segment sedan and Sorento mid-size CUV followed with 25,979, 20,157 and 14,727 units sold, respectively.

Bunye...

from page 6 mittee further ensures that the many initiatives that the BSP has incrementally taken toward financial inclusion form part of a clear, coherent and sustainable vision of a truly inclusive financial system in the country. *** Note: My book, Central Banking for Every Juan and Maria, is now available at the following outlets: Fully Booked – Bonifacio Global City, Powerplant Mall (Rockwel l), Katipunan. Power B o ok s – A l a b a n g Tow n Center, Greenbelt 4, Serendra. National Book Store – Greenbelt 1, Powerplant Mall (Rockwell), Cash and Carry, Market Market, SM Mega Mall. UP University Press.

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Customs sues coops execs for rice smuggling THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday sued officers of two multipurpose cooperatives for the illegal importation of P26 million worth of rice from India and Vietnam.

Those sued are eight officers of the Jerfmin Farmers Primary Multipurpose Cooperative and nine officers of the Bubog Farmers Cooperative, both based in Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental province.

The BOC alleged that the officials of the Jefmin cooperative, led by Chairman Angela George Guia DJ Kamahara, smuggled into the country 17,500 bags of rice from India worth more than P21 million.

The smuggled Indian rice arrived at the Port of Cagayan de Oro in November last year without the required import permit from the National Food Authority.

Customs also alleged that the officers of the Bubog cooperative, led by Chairman Phol Lahip, smuggled into the country 5,000 bags of long grain white rice from Vietnam worth P5 million.

The shipment also arrived at the Port of Cagayan de Oro in July last year.

“There will be no let-up in the [bureau’s] campaign against smuggling until it will really hurt smugglers and until it will no longer be viable to indulge in smuggling,” the BOC said.

“As we charge these cooperative officials in court, let me remind all importers and traders that there is no substitute for following the country’s Customs laws.

We will get smugglers and violators of the country’s Customs laws, no matter what,” it added.

The BOC has so far filed 80 cases against violators of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines.

American coffee producer seeks to expand production in M’danao TAGBINA, Surigao del Sur—An American coffeeplantation owner who supplies the commodity to a big coffee company in the United States said he wants to double his production by opening plantations in Mindanao to increase his supply volume.

California-born Mark Haylland, who owns plantations in Benguet and Bohol provinces, said he was looking around for available land when he traveled with a team from the Department of Agriculture, Nestlé Philippines and local government officials to

Campaign... from page 2

to be so aggressive in making these bids? It is because we know that we have the facilities, the skills, and the competence to get things done,” President Aquino said, confident of the country’s new capability to host more events and visitors.

Tourist... from page 2

Bill No. 3343 or House Bill No. 6022, an act recognizing the principle of reciprocity as basis for the grant of income tax exemptions to international carriers and rationalizing other taxes imposed thereon by amending several provi-

Surigao del Sur province’s Tagbina town last week for the launch of a coffeeproduction project there.

Haylland stressed that he would not directly compete with Nestlé once he embarks on a coffee-planting project in Mindanao, saying that he would be planting his own coffee to meet a California-based coffee maker and distributor’s big demand for the commodity.

According to him, he currently sends six container vans, or 32,500 pounds, of coffee beans that were produced from

his 5-hectare farm in Bohol and his 40-hectare plantation in Benguet to the United States.

Haylland started planting coffee in Bohol in 2010, and later in Benguet. He said he wanted to double his output by next year if he could find available lands in Mindanao. His production areas in the Philippines are the first outside the United States.

The coffee producer was formerly connected with the Coffee Quality Institute and a member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

Smuggled rice contained inside 10 container vans were confiscated at the Mindanao Container Terminal by the Bureau of Customs headed by Cagayan de Oro district collector Atty. Lourdes Mangaoang. photo by shaun alejandrae yap uy

DA to award N. Mindanao’s outstanding rice achievers FOR their meritorious commitment and performance in government’s pursuit to advance the rice sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will honor the 2012 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers throughout the country, including two municipalities and 11 agricultural extension workers (AEWs) from Northern Mindanao (Region 10), on March 15 at the Philippine Convention Center in Manila.

Envisioning the country as a surplus supplier of rice with the year 2013 as its earliest target, the department lauded the towns, namely, Kapatagan of Lanao del Norte (LDN) and Opol of Misamis Oriental as the outstanding rice municipalities.

Meanwhile, emerging as

the commendable extension workers are Sagrada P. Alvarez (Oroquieta City), Agnes Garcia Sue S. Butalid and Bonida A. Onos (Clarin) of Misamis Occidental.

Other honorees of the former category also include Emerita P. Capayas, Fedelina M. Cuaresma, Manuel P. Sabillo, Fe A. Enriquez, Violeta B. Florin, Ma. Luisa Q. Gabutin, Estrella M. Morilla, and Josefina J. Sabillo of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

Exemplifying as excellent rice towns, the DA chose the above achievers based on the following criteria, but not limited to the following conditions: increased rice production, area harvested and percent contribution to the national/provincial rice production; total number

of rice-related projects initiated and rice farmers served; and high quality rice seeds utilization.

The department likewise selected the extension workers by going over through the services they have rendered in terms of number of trainings/Farmers’ Field Schools conducted, trainings attended, among others.

The municipalities will be awarded P1-million worth of agricultural projects while the extension workers will be granted P 20,000 each as cash incentive.

The DA is hoping that more local government unit stakeholders become more responsive and conscientious in carrying out their respective functions and responsibilities.

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P1.6 billion to the Department of Agriculture for the construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads nationwide.

P1.38 billion of the amount was sourced from continuing appropriations under the 2012 General Appropriations Act. The remaining P214.33 million will be charged against savings

generated by DA’s regional field units (RFUs) and allocated to field units that need more funds.

All the regions will receive funds, with Region 4 being allocated P394.75 million, the largest share.

“The development of farmto-market roads will help expand our farmers’ capacity to sell their goods and gain access to a larger commercial base,” said Budget and Management

Secretary Florencio Abad.

“With this release, the DA can begin rehabilitating damaged farm-to-market roads, as well as develop new ones that will open up fresh routes for trade and commerce. Greater access to public markets will help minimize the risk of crop and food spoilage, which used to be aggravated by longer and inefficient transport routes,” he added.

DBM approves P1.6B for farm-to-market road repair

In his speech, the President emphasized the importance of the MICE Conference as a way of enhancing the Philippines’ capability in handling such events. “Personally speaking, this will be very helpful since the Philippines is positioning itself to become a player, again, in the MICE industry,” the President added.

The President also reiterated the continuing efforts of his administration in helping the tourism industry, describing it as a low-lying fruit ripe for the picking.

“Back in 2011, we exceeded by two million our original 2016 target of 35.5 million domestic travelers. This means that, in just a year and a half, we

already exceeded the target for our whole six-year term,” the President cited the exceeded tourism targets under his administration.

Before the President’s speech, in the presence of MICE delegates, he signed into law Senate Bill No. 3343 or House Bill No. 6022 which exempts all international and

shipping carriers from paying the three percent common carriers tax on receipts and income derived from transporting passengers.

Also in the new law, the carriers are also exempted from paying tax on the gross revenue derived from the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mail provided that the same

exemption is granted by the carrier’s home country to the Philippines.

President Aquino said these are among the initiatives undertaken by the government to help the tourism industry as it will facilitate more air traffic and bring in more international visitors into the country.

sions of the National Revenue Code.

The new law rationales the taxes paid by international carriers in the country, reaffirming his leadership’s commitment to the development of the tourism industry, by making tourism more fun for airline investments.

The new policy aims to

achieve the tourism industry’s target of 10 million international visitors by 2016, after a decline in tourist arrivals due to the limited direct flights from European countries to the Philippines and the limited operation of American carriers to the country since 2001.

The taxes negatively im-

pact on the ability of foreign air carriers to offer competitive rates and adequate connectivity to service target markets consequently diverting tourism flows to destinations other that the country or bypassing the country in favour of those with friendlier business environment.

Under the new law, foreign

carriers both air and shipping are exempted from paying the common carriers tax imposed on passenger traffic only.

Carriers will also be valueadded tax exempt for transport of passengers.

Foreign carriers are also exempt from paying income taxes on the basis of tax treaties or any interna-

tional agreements based on reciprocity.

The law amended the following sections of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC): Section 28 (A)(3) (a)-(b) Rates of Income Tax on Foreign Corporations, Section 109 Exempt Transactions, Section 118 Percentage Tax on International Carriers.

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Rafflesia: Nurturing Bukidnon’s magnificent flower RAFFLESIA - the flower that conquered the world, a flies’ delight, lauded and maligned, the paradoxical and amazing flower which can be seen in the Kalanganan sub-village in Barangay San Vicente, Baungon, Bukidnon.

The Higaonon tribe living near the rainforests at the foot of Mt. Kitanglad were among first to see the unimposing plant which the natives call “Kolon Busaw.”

Governor P. Alex Calingasan said the plant should be nurtured and protected to help it grow and flourish.

“We are lucky that this rare plant sprouted in our woodland because as environmentalists say, it serves as an indicator of an extreme healthy and balanced nature,” Calingasan said.

The Provincial Tourism Office, Department of Environment and Natural

Re sou rce s a nd Depa r tment of Tourism in Region 10 have coordinated with the local government of Baungon on safeguarding Raff lesia.

Pursuant to Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources and Protection Act, the local government of Baungon has ratif ied an ordinance prohibiting ripping up, uprooting and relocating the f lower.

The ordinance also prohibits pulling woody vines.

Those found guilty of violating the law will be imprisoned from six to 12 years and will pay P100,000

to P1 million as penalty.

Raff lesia is recognized as the largest f lower in the world. It lives on the stems and roots of woody vines.

Its large, pink, five-lobed f lowers are pollinated by carrion f lies (meat f lies).

It grows up to 91 cm (36 in) in width, with petals of 3 cm (1 inch) thick and 46 cm (18 in) long. It weighs as much as 7 to 11 kg (15-24 lbs).

Raff lesia, dubbed the

“corpse f lower” because of its putrid, carrion odor, is a genus of various parasitic, root less, stem less, a nd leaf less plants.

When this huge f lower blooms, it emits the smell of rotting meat to attract insects - the Rafflesia’s only hope for reproduction.

Although challenging, viewing a Raff lesia f lower in bloom here w ill be a great memory of your trip to Bukidnon.

WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL

The rise of women

WITH more women in the boardroom and increased visibility of women as impressive role models in every aspect of life, women indeed have come a long way from the past.

In the past, women were hindered from using their capabilities and knowledge because they were expected to just be in the house, said Heddah V. Largo, Gender and Development (GAD) focal person of Provincial Women and Children’s Commission (PWCC).

During the March 2 episode of “Pagtuki,” the official radio program of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), Largo shared that in the past, women had no voice in economics and political decisions. They even had no right to vote not until 1935.

She added that the issue concerning women’s suffrage in the Philippines was settled in a special plebiscite held on April 30, 1937. In compliance with the 1935 Constitution, the National Assembly passed a law that extended right of suffrage to women.

“Women play active roles in our society. We now have women leaders who continue to campaign for women’s rights. In economic aspect, women have looked for ways to be economically sustainable and dependent through micro-enterprises,” Val Gatchalian, executive assistant of RAFI Micro-finance, said.

For Ma. Lydia Jamora, nanay-client of RAFI Microfinance, both husband and wife should work to provide the needs of the family. This is especially for husbands who only earn little.

“Our meat business started only with P10, 000 capital.

We did our best to rotate the money. For three years now, we were able to sufficiently meet the needs of our family, send our children to school, and also help some relatives.

From a small capital, our life

slowly changed for the better,” she shared.

She added that she also shares her blessings to others through annual feeding programs, which the family conducts for 20 years now.

Based on data, there are 63 million women-clients availing the services of microfinance institutions (MFIs) around the world. One of the attributes of women that makes MFIs open to them, is that they are responsible clients, data reveal.

Gatchalian added that they see empowered women among their nanay-clients in Leyte, Bohol, and Cebu branches.

“In RAFI Micro-finance, we give our nanays productive opportunity to help not just themselves but also their families. Now, they can send their children to school and put food on their plates,” she said.

Rhodora Bucoy, an associate professor of Political Science in University of Philippines Visayas-Cebu College and vice president of Women Studies Association of the Philippines, shared that women have greatly contributed to economics and

politics, among others.

“Groups and other institutions will still continue to educate women not just about their rights but also to give them leadership trainings.

In our education system, we also incorporated the contributions of women in history and in the present society,” Bucoy added.

Largo disclosed that in PWCC, they do not just give economic opportunities to women but also conduct program interventions on morality. She said that technology poses a challenge to women.

March is Women’s Month,

Toyota... from page 3

(TPG) received by Toyota Shaw Group Chairman, Mr. Severino Lim, Executive Vice President, Ms. Jonalyn Lim and President Mr. Arturo Lopez.

TMP also lauded individual achievers for 2012. Toyota Cebu’s Alex Bilangoy and Christian Cabe of Toyota Baguio were awarded the Body Technician of the Year and the Paint Technician of the Year respectively.

Furthermore, Rodel Panganiban of Toyota Dasmarinas won the Body and Paint Service Advisor

which serves as a nationally recognized period to celebrate the accomplishments, contributions, and histories of women.

Pagtuki is aired over DyLA every Saturday at 10-11am.

The program, which is one of the Knowledge Sharing & Advocacy capabilities of RAFI, tackles timely and relevant issues on community development, politics and governance, micro-financing, education, environment, early childhood care and development, and culture and heritage that affect the Cebuano community. of the Year, Dennis Sadiwa of Toyota Marikina was the Parts Marketing Professional of the Year and Erwin Sibal of Toyota San Fernando was the Warranty Administrator of the Year.

Lastly, the CR Skills Competition Champion was awarded to Liezl Trota of Toyota Cebu and the Marketing Professional of the Year was awarded to Andrew Geff Go of Toyota Alabang.

Ultimately, these awards and distinctions serve as a tribute to the Dealer and its Team member’s commitment to providing the best quality service to its customers.

Xavier Ecoville joins World Read Aloud Day Texts By Xyla Mercedita E. Gualberto Photos B: Xyla Mercedita E. Gualberto and Juzavil V. Juario

READING books to children bring them to a world without limits. It gives them a sense of appreciation for words, education and the medium used-books. In celebration of the World Read Aloud Day 2013, Xavier Ecoville, the Xavier University-led resettlement community for Sendong survivors in Brgy. Lumbia organized a storytelling session for over 70 children aged 3-6.

The Xavier Ecoville staff gave a brief introduction about the World Read Aloud Day, following it with an action song to jumpstart the activity.

Small groups were formed according to the children’s ages.

The storytellers prepared books and props appropriate for the children’s level of comprehension. This activity aimed to promote literacy and book appreciation among the Xavier Ecoville children.