Mindanao Daily Caraga (February 27, 2014)

Mindanao Daily NEWS

Volume II, No. 203

web portal: www.businessweekmindanao.com

Thursday

February 27, 2014

P15.00

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Gov’t agency distributes land titles to 178 farmers 5mw solar power plant to rise in SouthCot

GENERAL Santos City–– The provincial government of South Cotabato has formally endorsed the planned development starting this year of a US$12-million solar power plant project in Surallah town by a foreignbacked renewable energy company.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Wednesday they issued the endorsement to allow NV Vogt Philippines Inc. to begin with the preparations for the development phase of the five-megawatt (MW) solar power plant venture.

She said the project mainly involves the construction and development of an eight-hectare solar farm and power plant facilities in Barangay Centrala in Surallah.

At 5MW, NV Vogt’s planned solar power plant would be the biggest photovoltaic power project in the country once completed, surpassing the 1MW solar facility in Cagayan de Oro City.

See solar, page 11

By PAT SAMONTE Regional Editor-Caraga and GIL MIRANDA, Contributor

B

A R A N G AY Macalang, Bu e n av i s t a , Agusan del Norte– –A total of 178 soil tillers here became

CAGAYAN de Oro City–– The leader and two members of the Macari kidnap-forransom gang died in a gun battle with police officers and army soldiers in Lanao del Norte, belated police reports from the provincial police said.

Provincial police director Sr. Supt. Madid Paitao said Nasser Macari, alias Commander Tigre, and two gang members identified as Kabig Wali and Usman

See FULL STORY, page 4

Police intercept bomb-making component in Zambo Norte

Misamis Oriental Telephone Company acting general manager Fernando Vincent Dy Jr. (second from left) and Sr. Insp. Pepito Reyes (third from left) of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-10 question J. Tan (right), the manager a junk shop, about the sacks of bronze wire. The CIDG raid was conducted with representatives from Misortel, PLDT and Globe on the strength of a search warrant. photo by gerry lee gorit

PSA holds barangay civil registration confab today

ZAMBOANGA City––The police have intercepted a shipment of bomb-making chemical powder aboard a passenger bus in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, a police official announced Wednesday.

Police Regional Office-9 (RPO-9) information officer Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca said the bomb-making component was intercepted around 7:30 a.m. Monday at the bus terminal in Sindangan town,

Zamboanga del Norte.

Huesca said the bombmaking chemical was intercepted after an informant sent a text message to the police station in Sindangan about a “suspicious flour” shipment by a female passenger aboard a bus from coming from Dipolog City en route to Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Huesca said the shipment turned out to be See police, page 11

By Arjay Serafin Felicilda, Assistant Editor

CAGAYAN de Oro City––The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-10) culminate the Civil Registration Month Celebration, with the holding of the 6th Barangay Civil Registration System (BCRS) Convention stating today, February 27.

This will be participated in by all Lo-

cal Civil Registrars, Mayors and Barangay officials from all over the region, the activity is aimed at strengthening the BCRS “which is very significant for us, BCRS started here in our region,” said PSA OIC Regional Director Marilou B. Igdon.

Cops, army bust Lanao kidnap-for-ransom gang

By GERRY LEE GORIT Correspondent

owners of the land they have been tilling for decades as they received titles to 175.47 hectares of agricultural land from the Department of Agrarian Reform last week.

Wali, opted to shoot it out with the authoritities who were armed with a warrant of arrest issued by a court in Iligan City.

Paitao said they were to serve four warrants of arrest after weeks of surveillance on a safehouse of the group in barangay Gamal, Sapad town, Lanao del Norte.

He said the surveillance was on suspicion that the men were involved in kidnapping, extortion and gun for hire.

One of the arresting police officers, PO1 Oliver

See today, page 11

Espira was wounded in the firefight. He was honored on Monday at the regional police headquarters with a Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting and a Medalya ng Kagitingan while his companions were awarded the Medalya ng Kagalingan.

Paitao said the arresting officers seized from the dead suspects an M79 grenade launcher, and two caliber 30 Garand rifles.

He said the Macari KFRG had been responsible for the recent kidnapping of See gang, page 11

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Bukidnon • Camiguin • Lanao del Norte • Misamis Occidental • Misamis Oriental

CIDG-10 raids junk shop, seize bronze wires worth millions

By GERRY LEE GORIT CIDG-10 said the manager of the junk shop, identified Correspondent only as J. Tan, was not able CAGAYAN de Oro City–– to show any papers for the Operatives of the Criminal possession of the bronze Investigation and Detec- wires some of which were tion Group-10 raided a identified by Misortel actjunk shop in Cagayan de ing general Fernando VinOro City on Wednesday cent Dy Jr. as belonging morning and seized sev- to Misortel.

Reyes said the CIDGeral kilos of bronze wires believed to be stolen cable 10 confiscated the items wires of telecommunication as evidence in a an antifencing case they will file companies.

The CIDG-10 team was against the owner of the accompanied by repre- junk shop identified as sentatives of the Misamis Chin Hong Che of Manila.

He said the seize items Oriental Telephone Company, PLDT and Globe, were not scrap metal but as well as the barangay new.

“Our presumption is chairman of Carmen in serving the search warrant that these were bought issued by Regional Trial from thieves,” Reyes said.

He added that the toCourt Branch 38 Judge tal value could not yet be Emmanuel Pasal.

Sr. Insp. Pepito Reyes of estimated due to the large Republic of the Philippines Province of Agusan del Sur Municipality of Trento OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1. Guidelines in the implementation of Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172 and R.A. 9048) . Notice is hereby served to the public that CHERELLE MALIMBAG ESTOMATA has filed with this office a petition for Change of Gender from “Female” to “Male”.

In the birth certificate, the gender was wrongly written. Instead of “Male” it was registered as “Female”. He was born on September 22, 1983 at Isdaon, Trento, Agusan del Sur and whose parents are Claudio Estomata and Fely T. Malimbag.

Any person adversely affected by this petition may file written opposition with the office of the Municipal Civil Registrar of Trento, Agusan del Sur. (Sgd.) ELISEO G. MIGUEL

Municipal Civil Registrar

MDN: Feb. 27 & Mar. 6, 2014

amount of confiscated items but said it could run to millions if bought new.

Dy said they were tipped off by an informer that the junk shop has been buying bronze wires.

He said Misortel and other telecoms have constantly lost cable wires to thieves, and that the last time Misortel lines were stolen happened on Feb. 8, 10 and 19.

He said in these three instances company lost some P3-million-P3.5-million worth of cable wires to thieves.

On Feb. 8 Dy said 110 meters of cable wires were stolen, on Feb. 10 100 meters and on Feb. 19 another 100 meters.

The junk shop is located Sr. Insp. Pepito Reyes of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-10 questions at V. Castro Street in ba- junk shop manager J. Tan on the source of bronze wire in sacks loaded in a container van to be shipped to Manila. The Cargo was confiscated by the CIDG-10 as evidence rangay Carmen. in a case of anti-fencing law to be filed against the owner of the junk shop.

photo by gerry lee gorit

‘Silent telecom war’ rages in Misor

By CRIS DIAZ Executive Editor

MISAMIS Oriental–– Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano of Misamis Oriental on Wednesday called for a deeper probe into the alleged “silent telecommunication war” as a source of rampant cable wire pilfering in the province.

Emano issued the cha l l e nge to t he l o c a l enforcers following the ar rest of two susp e c ts last Monday in Bulua,

Cagayan de Oro City while at the same time asked for the speedy resolution of the case.

He said that the steali ng of c abl e w i re s i n Cagayan de Oro City an d Mi s am i s O r i e nt a l were rampant in the past years, sending a crippling effect on telecommunication companies in the province.

“Aside from compromising the s er vices to subs cr ib ers, t he province-owned Misamis Oriental Telephone System

(Misortel) has incurred millions of losses in projected revenues and replacements of stolen cable wires,” Emano said.

There is half-a-dozen tele communic at ion companies in Misamis Oriental, most of them were based in Cagayan de Oro City. “However, the Misortel cable wires appeared to be the favorite of thieves,” Emano added.

Emano said that he has re c e ive d u n c on f i r m e d reports that the “stealing of communication cable wires” were initiated by comp etitors w ho want to capture a bigger slice in t he communication market at t he exp ens e of others.

Emano made the statem e nt af te r on e of t h e a r re s t e d s u s p e c t s l a s t Monday, reportedly confessed that the filching of Misortel cable wires done on the instruct i on of an “E ng i n e e r” who works for a major telecommunication firm in Cagayan de Oro City.

“While the report sounds incredible, there is a need to investigate

the allegation b ecaus e t h e r e p u t at i o n o f t h e telecommunication companies, including Misortel, is at stake,” Emano added.

Last year, the police h a s c o l l a re d t w o s u s pects in cable pilfering who used a utility truck and equipped with wire cutting tools. One of the suspects was reportedly a lineman who contract jobs with a telecommunication company here.

Since then, the result of the investigation was never known until another two suspects were collared Monday.

Emano said he comm e n d s t h e o p e r at i v e s of the Criminal Investigation and Detective Group (CIDG) who made the arrest as a result of e x c e l l e nt i nt e l l i g e n c e operation.

However, the issue on the alleged “silent telecommunication war,” as the primar y reason that has l e f t t he c abl e pi l fering issue unresolved for the past years here, should not be taken lightly, he said.

Mindanao Daily 3 News in Focus Guv wants peace efforts put into actual practice thursDAY | february 27, 2014

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By DAVE M. SUYAO PIA-Agusan del Sur

PROVINCIAL Capitol, Agusan del Sur––Governor Adolph Edward Plaza has urged stakeholders in the local government’s peace building efforts to level up into actual practice in achieving the still elusive genuine and lasting peace and development.

“I said outcome because I am expecting that this activity will gain results not only on the table but in actual practice. I am also hoping that this activity will make a difference on the peace and order situation in the province,” Plaza told participants of the two-day local and peace and development planning workshop held at Paseo de San Francisco on Monday.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process

(OPAPP) conducted the two-day planning workshop in order to mainstream peace and development in the province.

Plaza said he is grateful that DILG and OPAPP came up with the activity that will empower all stakeholders of peace and development in the province do their share according to their respective mandates.

The governor also encourages the participants of the planning workshop to actively participate and share their bright ideas in order to come up with an effective outcome.

Participants of the workshop include mayors, military and police officials , government agencies representatives and some selected representatives from the private sector.

As guiding points of the workshop, DILG Agusan del Sur Director Arlene Ann Sanchez discussed women’s rights and convention, the

rights of children, rights of indigenous peoples, localization of the Magna Carta for women, violence against women and children (VAWC) act, Republic Act 7610 or the “Anti-child abuse act and other referral systems.

“This Local Peace and Development Assessment and Planning Workshop that we conduct today primarily aim to promote peace and development in the local government units (LGUs) by defining the LGUs’ role in peace

building, which mean more than reducing crime and danger and giving weight in development and peace; mainstreaming human security and conflict sensitivity in local governance and government partners.

All these are expected to

NEWS

result to conflict prevention and peace building,” Dir. Sanchez said.

According to Sanchez, human security can be mainstreamed when supported by legislation and be understood by all stakeholders of the prevailing issues.

BOOKS TURN-OVER- Misamis Oriental VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ, along with the Barangay Pook Officials and School teachers, turn-over high quality books to Pook Elementary School in Barangay Pook, Talisayan, Misamis Oriental last February 11, 2014. The said book donation is made possible through the generosity of Children International Philippines Incorporated (CIPI) and aligned with Vice Governor Pelaez’ advocacy of uplifting the competence of every student in the province.Vice Governor Pelaez is the Chairman of the Committee of Education in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

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Agusan del Norte • Agusan del Sur • Surigao del Norte • Surigao del Sur • Dinagat Islands

178 farmers get land titles

By PAT SAMONTE and GIL MIRANDA

BA R A N G AY M a c a l a n g , Buenavista, Agusan del Norte– –A total of 178 soil tillers here became owners of the land they have been tilling for decades as they received titles to 175.47 hectares of agricultural land from the Department of Agrarian Reform last week.

In a ceremony here, Provincial Agrarian Reform Project Officer Andre Atega, together with Municipal Councilor Ruben Gonzaga, who represented Mayor Norbert Pagaspas, and Barangay Chairperson Shirley Edoc, led the distribution of Certificates

HAT

of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to the beneficiaries.

Among the beneficiaries was 83-year old Geronima Rante, who profusely thanked the Department of Agrarian Reform for facilitating her land ownership papers.

“Dako akong pasalamat sa DAR sa ilang programa sa pagpangapod-apod og yuta. Karon, sigurado na ako nga mas mulambo ang among luna (I gratefully thank the Department of Agrarian Reform for their land distribution program. I am now certain that my piece of land will be more productive).”

PARPO Atega encouraged the new landowners to take care and make their land more productive since government support and development interventions would continue aimed at raising their living standards.

: AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST “ Hagdanan Sa Kabantog 2014”

HEN : March 02, 2014 Time: 06: 00 PM HERE : Purok Center, Purok 13 Batangan Valencia City, Bukidnon Roel T. Manglangit Freddie Aguilar II Pokwang

GRAND FINAL

Purok 13 Officials and Members Golden Harvest Eagles Club Adelaida T. Ucang Venus A. Gacasan Cecelia T. Lorono

: 1st P 10,000.00 + Trophy : 2nd P 7,000.00 + Trophy : 3rd P 5, 000.00 + Trophy : Consolation Prizes Jose M. Galario, Jr. City Mayor Bukidnon Lodge no. 245 F & AM Dr. Bernadeth T. Dayondon Hipolito B. Ucang, Jr.

OCTOGENARIAN SOIL TILLER FINALLY BECOMES LANDOWNER.

Geronima Rante, 83, (left) of Macalang, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, can now declare the parcel of land she patiently tilled for decades as her own as she receives her Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) from Provincial Agrarian Reform Project Officer Andre Atega (right). Buenavista town councilor Ruben Gonzaga (middle) congratulates the new landowner. Photo by Gil Miranda.

Agsur Pablo victims get Salintubig project

By Melody E. de Vera MORE than a year after Typhoon Pablo hit Agusan del Sur and its neighboring provinces with hundreds of fatalities and many Agusanons particularly in Veruela, Sta. Josefa, Loreto and Trento towns rendered without homes and livelihood sources, the provincial government is relentlessly providing rehabilitation assistance through the Salintubig project.

At a recent meeting of the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) provincial chapter held at Veruela town, Governor Eddiebong Plaza and Veruela Mayor Salimar Mondejar, the LMP president formally handed over to typhoon victims in eight affected barangays rain wa-

Agusan del Sur Governor Eddiebong Plaza and Veruela Mayor Salimar Mondejar , the LMP president along with Sangguniang Panlalawigan members formally handed over to typhoon victims in eight affected barangays a rain water collectors and upgraded biosand water filter facilities at a recent League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) provincial chapter meeting held at Veruela town. (Photo by EDG/PPIO-AGSUR)

ter collectors and upgraded biosand filter facilities.

The recipients were Katipunan with 25 rain collectors; Sta. Cruz, 20; Sisimon,

Tel.No. (088) 880-1474

15; Anitap, 20; San Gabriel, 2 and la Fortuna, 1 while Sawagan and Sampaguita each got one biosand See PROJECT, page 11

Mindanao Daily 5 NorthMin News Importance of Education in Society Team MISOCC readies VEEP Visit

thursday, february 27, 2014

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NEWS

By Rodel C. Estenzo

Earlier people were recognized for their clothes, shoes, etiquette, background etc. But today the first impression of a person is inferred from his education. No matter if you do not belong to a royal family, you can always earn a name by educating yourself well. Education is one of the most important things you need to acquire in life. It decides where you stand in life. Education gets you many things in life which probably other things can’t.

Education, if looked at beyond its conventional boundaries, forms the very essence of all our actions. What we do is what we know and have learned, either through instructions or through observation and assimilation.

When we are not making an effort to learn, our mind is always processing new information or trying to analyze the similarities

as well as the tiny nuances within the context which makes the topic stand out or seem different. If that is the case then the mind definitely holds the potential to learn more, however, it is us who stop ourselves from expanding the horizons of our knowledge with self-doubt or other social, emotional, or economic constraints.

While most feel that education is a necessity, they tend to use it as a tool for reaching a specific target or personal mark, after which there is no further need to seek greater education. Nonetheless, the importance of education in society is indispensable and cohering, which is why society and knowledge cannot be ever separated into two distinct entities. Let us find out more about the role of education in society and how it affects our lives.

By PJTREMEDAL, Correspondent

Oroquieta City – The Local Government of Oroquieta City in coordination with the Provincial Government and the Misamis Occidental PNP Provincial Command prepares for the up coming visit of the Vice President of the Republic, VP Jejomar Binay on Friday.

As the advance party of the Vice President has landed to prepare, a command conference was conducted by the Misamis Occidental PNP Provincial Command under its OIC Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Archival Mac a l a toget her w it h Team MISOCC and the 55th Infantry (VIGILANT) Battalion under the new Commanding Officer, Lt. Col Gerry Besana.

Said advance party is now with the PNP to coordinate and plan out security preparation while the provincial and city government is readying everything to accommodate all guests and visitors in the said visit of the nation’s Vice President and his party.

Mindanao Daily News Misamis Occidental Bureau has confirmed that the visit of the Vice President is to inaugurate some of his HOUSE ON A HILL. Residents of this little house on a hill project and to visit his sister must have a spectacular view of the sunrise. Spotted at city for during his adminBarangay Tomas Cabili in Iligan City. istration as the City Mayor

(MindaNews photo by Bobby Timonera) of Makati City he inked it

with the city government of Oroquieta to be Makati’s sister city in Mindanao.

It was also known that in the morning of February 28 (Friday) Vice President Jejomar Binay is schedule to have a boodle fight with the Oroquietanons in the public Market Area to pronounce his respect and love for oroquietanons.

Then the Vice President will proceed to the towns of the 1st District to visit them and thank for their support in his administration as the Vice President of this republic, accordingly the vice president will visit the towns of Lopez Jaena, Sapang Dalaga, Calamba and other nearby towns of the Congressional District of Congressman Jorge Taghap Almonte.

Congressman Jorge T. Almonte is not only a political friend but the Vice President Sister Mayor during their term when they inked the Sisterhood of Makati and Oroquieta in 2008. It may be recalled that with the sisterhood pact, Oroquieta was advice by then Makati City mayor to grow fast and develop into what it is now, a growing and glowing Oroquieta, the City of Good Life.

On his part, City Mayor Jason Paredes Almonte said this is not political maneu-

His Excellency Jejomar Binay, Vice President of the Philippines

ver for the Vice President for he is not an LP but, a responsible sister of Oroquieta, and we owe him a lot for his challenges in becoming what is Oroquieta now.

With the boodle fight on Friday morning will enhance the relationship of the

City and the Vice President and it will be a interesting day to everyone especially with the participation of every city and provincial officials, military and police, VP staff and ordinary Oroquietanons having breakfast with the Vice President in a boodle fight.

ROTARY CLUB OF CAGAYAN DE ORO RI DISTRICT 3870 Meeting at Seda Hotel, Executive Club Lounge, 11th floor every Thursday

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Editor: ALLAN M. MEDIANTE, Email: amediante@yahoo.com

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The Mindanao Daily nORTHMIN, Mindanao Daily CARAGA , mindanao daily westmin and , Mindanao Daily DAVAO newspapers are published daily by MINDANAO DAILY NEWS at Door 2, Tanleh Building, Abellanosa St., Brgy. Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certififcate No. 01791042, and with Business Permit No. BP-02275 Under Business License Certificate No. 2014-00525, TIN No. 209-980-927, Tel. Nos: (088) 856-3344, (08822)7233-44, 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com, mindanaodailynews@gmail.com

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Import rules tweaked by Customs bureau

MER SUDARIA Publisher ALLAN M. MEDIANTE Editor-in-Chief ruel pelone Managing Editor cheng ordoÑez Associate Editor CRIS DIAZ Executive Editor Arjay Felicilda Assistant Editor felix santillan Layout Artist Rene Michael BaÑos Regional Editor-Northmin PAT SAMONTE CHRIS PANGANIBAN Regional Editors-Caraga AL JACINTO Regional Editor-WestMin VINCENT NAVARRO

Provincial Editor-Bukidnon irene dayo Reporter-NorthMin gerry lee gorit Photo Journalist ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI NOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE CELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 CRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY Legal Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------

ADMINISTRATION

ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, Ph.D. General Manager DOLLY PELONE Comptroller melanie rivera Advertising orlan bulotamo Circulation

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THE CUSTOMS bureau has tweaked regulations governing import transactions as part of a continued reform effort.

Rules on the processing of applications for import accreditation and registration were tightened effective Feb. 1. At the same time, it also removed the need to secure Office of the Commissioner approval for amendments to import documents.

In a notice, the bureau outlined rules to be “strictly implemented” for transactions with its Interim Customs Accreditation and Registration (ICARE) unit.

ICARE will now only entertain window to window transactions, it said.

Accreditation folders with incomplete requirements will not be received or processed.

“Al l folders for accreditation shall be pre evaluated for completeness check before it may be officially received by ICARE. Applicants are required to wait for the pre evaluation process to be finished, otherwise, the application shall not be considered and ICARE shall not be accountable for lost folders,” the bureau said.

Once an application is received, ICARE will give the applicant a notification slip indicating when follow ups shall be entertained. In case

special report of new applications, the applicant may follow up after 15 days. For renewals, the waiting period is after ten days.

“Approval or denial of applications shall be sent thru e-mail. Please do not follow up at ICARE office unless e-mail notification has not been received within 15 days or 10 days as the case may be,” the bureau said.

Importers were likewise mandated to file applications for renewal at least 30 days prior to the expiration of accreditation.

Only the applicant will be entertained for any transactions with ICARE “unless the authorized person is armed with the pertinent Special Power of Attorney/Secretary’s Certificate or Board Resolution in case of corporation, or has a company ID.” Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 03-2014 dated Jan. 13, meanwhile, streamlines the rules for any modifications of inward foreign manifests (IFMs).

IFMs are cargo control documents that contain information such as the consignee and the origination and destination ports, among others.

All requests by importers for amendments to

IFMs, “whether of clerical or of substantial nature,” will no longer require clearance from the Office of the Commissioner. Approval of the concerned collection district will now suffice.

The move seeks “to effectively rationalize the procedure on the amendments of IFM,” Customs Commissioner John Philip J. Sevilla noted.

“All Collection Districts shall maintain an official log of all requests for amendment/s and should make available all supporting documents to the enforcement agencies of the BoC (Bureau of Customs) as well as other anti-smuggling offices/ agencies of the government upon official request thereof,” Mr. Sevilla said.

The BoC accounts for about a fifth of the government’s revenues.

As of November 2013, the bureau had raked in P280.742 billion in duties and taxes. This was 6.2% more than the P264.341 billion collected in the same period in 2012 but short of the P312.001billion goal for the period.

The bureau was mandated to collect P340 billion in taxes and duties last year. Full-year data is expected to be announced late this month at the earliest.

For 2014, the BoC needs to collect P408 billion.

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Demonizing the EPIRA (Part II)

By David A. Tauli

After denigrating the major institutions that were created by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or EPIRA, David Celestra Tan in his second opinion piece published in a national broadsheet , proposes seven amendments (1a, 1b, 1c, 2, 3, 4, and 5) of the EPIRA that purportedly would significantly improve the security of power supply and reduce the rates paid by electric power consumers.

The amendments proposed by Tan, however, are minor and piecemeal or irrelevant, and not the proposals for comprehensive structural and institutional changes that one expects from him after reading his sweeping claims that virtually nothing good and everything bad for power consumers has come out of the EPIRA. Moreover, the amendments he proposes are unnecessar y, and most of the results he wants from his proposed amendments could be obtained without amending the EPIRA or its Implements Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Following are the amendments proposed by David Tan, and my comments on his proposals.

The quoted words are from his commentary, except as noted.

1a. Amend the EPIRA so that “bilateral contracts intended to serve the captive market should be subjected to competitive bidding”.

These bilateral contracts are the Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) or Power Sales Agreements (PSA) or Contracts for the Sale of Electric Energy (CSEE) that distribution utilities (DUs) enter into with generating companies for the purpose of supplying electric power to customers of the DUs who do not have a choice as to their supplier of electricity (the captive market).

The EPIRA contains safeguards to contracting for power supplies by

DUs to ensure that the rates passed on to the DU customers are fair and reasonable. The main safeguard is stated clearly (in contrast to Tan’s claims of ambiguity in the provisions of the EPIRA) in Sec. 23, paragraph 2, which Tan himself cites, as follows: “A distribution utility shall have the obligation to supply electricity in the least cost manner to its captive market, subject to the collection of retail rate duly approved by the ERC.” Procurement of power supply in least-cost manner usually means that the DU will conduct bidding among competing generating companies for the power supply to the DU. Regardless of how the DUs do procurement of power supply for their captive consumers, they will have to prove to the ERC, on pain of disapproval of passthrough to consumers the costs of the contracts, that the power supplies they contracted for are the least cost among those that are available to the DUs. Moreover, the EPIRA envisions that the captive market of DUs will eventually be an insignificant proportion of their power supply market, with most of their customers exercising their choice of power supplier.

Even residential consumers with small power requirements would have this choice of suppliers through the aggregation of their demands. When this state of the electric power industry is attained (and there are no technical or institutional obstacles to its attainment), then DUs need not be concerned about bilateral contracts with generating companies because the contracts for power supplies will be between end-use customers and the generating companies or retail suppliers.

There is no need to amend the EPIRA to ensure fair and reasonable prices for power supply to electricity consumers. The need is for effective imple-

Wickedness

Special Gospel of the day: Luke19:41-44(February27, 2014-Thursday)Luke 19:41-44-And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou had known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy peace! but now they are hid from his eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that his enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knew not the time of thy visitation: This prophecy was happened around 70 A.D. in the first century when the Roman Empire attacked Jerusalem and destroyed the holy temple. This can be found in the Book entitled, “Why Do Catholics Do That? Page 31.Why God allowed that His own chosen people will suffer from such devastation? This was because they rejected the Messiah who was born in their midst. Take note, John15:5-I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abided in me, and I in him, the same brought forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. This is the consequence if we will reject God in our lives. No one will protect us if we will

mentation of the EPIRA by the DOE, the ERC, the PEMC, and other government and non-government organizations whose roles are defined by the EPIRA. 1b. Amend provisions on the control of power plant capacity by DUs (actually it is only MERALCO that Tan wants to be controlled as to ownership of power plants, not the more than a hundred other DUs in the Philippines) in order “to moderate market domination and concentration of capacity”.

There are ade quate safeguards in the EPIRA, particularly in the WESM Rules, against market-power abuse that would ensure that prices in the market are established competitively regardless of dominant control by players of the aggregate generating capacity.

1c. Reduce the requirement for inward remittance by foreign investors from 75 percent to 40 percent in order to encourage foreign direct investments in electric power plants.

Making the amendment will not significantly increase the amount of FDI in electric power plants.

And it is not necessary to attract foreign investors because the local capitalists are very much involved in the development of power plants in the Philippines.

2. Allow the national government to own power plants that “can be the provider of ancillary services as reserve and emergency power to the national grid transmission company”.

Provision of adequate ancillary services to ensure reliability of the transmission grids can be done without government ownership of power plants. The regulatory agencies only need to ensure that the NGCP complies with its

obligations for security and reliability of the grids. (The NGCP has failed dismally in this responsibility in the Mindanao Grid since March 2013, and they need to be prosecuted for their negligence of duties. But that is another story.)

3. “Rationalize roles of the DOE and the ERC.” That is precisely what the EPIRA has done. The officials of DOE and the ERC need only to be diligent in carrying out the roles that have been defined for these government agencies by the EPIRA. One thought that comes to mind is to make David Celestra Tan the secretary of the DOE or a commissioner of the ERC. But reading his commentary on the EPIRA does not provide comfort that he would do a better job than past or incumbent DOE secretaries or ERC commissioners.

4. “Reinstate the VAT exemption of power.”

It is not the EPIRA that needs to be amended to do this, but some other law.

5. Amend the EPIRA to ensure that DUs do not pass on to their customers “the cost of management inefficiencies and misjudgments that result in higher cost to consumers”.

There are enough provisions in the EPIRA and its IRR to insure that management inefficiencies by DUs are not passed on to consumers. And the ERC is given enough authority to prevent this and penalize any practice of it by DUs. It is not necessary to amend the EPIRA for this purpose.

(David A. Tauli is the president of thte Mindanao Coalition of Power Consumers. He is the former Sr. Vice President for Engineering of the Cagayan Electric Power & Light Co. or CEPALCO)

Speak Out Send us your views, and comments e-mail: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com

Word on fire Bro. Edcel L. Closas not make our God as our shield against our daily enemies.

Psalm 28:7-The LORD [is] my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiced; and with my song will I praise him. Bear in mind, In Ephesians 6:12-For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against “spiritual wickedness” in high [places]: Printing paid by: Neneth - Bobong Balino- Dr. Edith, PhD- Tony Jordan - CDO. St. Peter Calungsod, pray for us! Listen: Radio Ultra AM-1188-3:30 PM - Sunday: #09284149490-09266607505: Question – Prayer request: Please follow me “WORD ON FIRE” on CCTN channel 12-CDO @ 10 PM- Mondays and Tuesday @ 3:30 PM. God loves you!!!

Mindanao Daily 7 NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

thursday, february 27, 2014

Plausible lie A deeper view Jesse E.L. Bacon II If one has to lie, it would be better to make such lie appear plausible instead of simply denying outright charges hurled like that proverbial playboy husband caught by his wife on top of another woman who still would not admit anything and just told his wife, “kay ngano si ako ni?”

It would serve the interest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and company who are linked by witnesses to the P10 billion pork barrel fund scam if they present plausible explanation to justify their claimed innocence.

The claim Estrada repeatedly say that he does not know any of the personalities from Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged architect of the multi billion-peso fund scam, to the witnesses who pointed a finger at him as involved in the fund mess is not helping him and the others.

The people want to hear an explanation that appears nearer to the truth than outright denials. The charges hurled against Estrada and the other senators similarly situated are serious that can’t just be answered by giving blanket denial.

While the whistleblowers such as Benhur Luy, Ruby Tuason and now Dennis Cunanan say they personally know that Estrada and company received kickbacks by the millions of pesos from their pork barrel fund euphemistically called priority development assistance fund coursed through bogus Napoles-owned foundations, his response had consistently been denial for what they say.

Of course, no one believes he and company will admit any wrongdoing for it would be a kiss of death to their political life. Like that proverbial playboy, they will insist they have not committed any wrong which is what they are actually doing now. But the burden of debunking the State’s accusations against them, which many believe are strong backed up by equally strong evidence, both testimonial and documentary, is on them.

In denying any complicity in this fund mess, they are expected to at least present similarly strong evidence that will debunk the State charges against them. An evidence, testimonial and documentary, can only be debunked with opposite evidence. In my view, it was in this regard that the Senate as an impeachment court convicted Supreme

Court Chief Justice Renato Corona of the impeachment charges against him.

He somehow failed to present evidence to debunk the evidence of the impeachment prosecutors that clearly established his having wealth not reflected in his annual statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Estrada and company, except for Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., convicted Corona on this ground thus making his manner of explaining his side on this fund mess involving his own pork barrel untenable.

When he was linked by Benhur Luy, a cousin and man Friday of Napoles, and the other whistleblowers to the pork barrel fund mess, his reply was that he does not know Luy or Napoles. Later, however, he was forced to admit knowing personally Napoles.

When Tuason, the former social secretary to then President Joseph Estrada, came out in the open with guns blazing accusing Estrada of having received kickbacks from her no less, at first there was an attempt to deny she was one of his father’s confidential staff in Malacanang thus he does not know very much.

But he then claimed that what Tuason brought to his Senate office was not bundles of money but snacks that is why he had to send some of his male staff to help her bring the snacks up to where his office was.

And now that Cunanan, the head of the very government agency made conduit in funneling pork barrel funds from him and the others, claims Estrada and the others personally called him or sent him official communications advising him to release their pork barrel fund to foundations linked to Napoles, Estrada denies having called or having sent official communications to the former.

The others named by Cunanan as having coursed their pork barrel fund through his agency, notably Marcos, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and then Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, denied having called him and likewise claimed that the signatures appearing on the letters Cunanan received from them were theirs. Their defense now is that their signatures had been forged or faked.

Let’s grant them their claim. But why can’t they not present evidence, very See bacon, page 11

8 Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

WestMin News

thursDAY | FEBRuary 27, 2014

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Zamboanga del Norte | Zamboanga del Sur | Zamboanga Sibugay | Dipolog City | Dapitan City | Pagadian City | Isabela City | Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City DAR –OPAPP - LGUs ground break 25 projects AMBOANGA del Sur - The Decelebrates 77th partment of Agrarian Reform – Zamboanga del Sur with the ‘Dia de Zamboanga’ Provincial and Labangan Local Govern-

Z

Z A M B OA N G A C i t y – This city celebrates Wednesday a triumphant milestone marking the day when the first set of city officials were formally installed into office 77 years ago.

The celebration of 77th “Dia de Zamboanga” (Zamboanga Day), anchored on the theme “Build Back Better Zamboanga,” kicked off with the inauguration of the Cinematheque Zamboanga and the unveiling of the Manuel Conde statue at the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) building at 9 a.m.

Wednesday in Barangay Zone, this city.

It was followed by the opening of the Second Zamboanga International Film Festival and the twoday film viewing from February 27 to 28.

The activities are organized by the FDCP in partnership with the city government in line with its commitment to promote quality short films in the countryside.

The grand civic-military parade will start at 4 p.m. from Mayor Ledesma Street to Paseo del Mar

where the commemorative program will follow.

The celebration will culminate with the Dia de Z amboanga Peace Concert at 6 p.m. also at Paseo del Mar. Spanish Ambassador Pedro Domecq to be represented by Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Ignacio Perez Cambra will be the guest of honor during the program.

Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III has declared February 26 as a special non-working day in this city through Presidential Proclamation 717 to allow residents to fittingly celebrate the occasion.

The Dia de Zamboanga activities initially reeled off February 9 with the Dia Roseller Lim and will end March 1 with the culmination of the first ever Birds’ Festival.

The city government honored Tuesday night nine individuals, companies and agencies for their invaluable service and outstanding contributions to this city in a fitting affair dubbed as “Local Achievers’ Award.”

(PNA)

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG THE HEIRS

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AND PARTITION OF THE ESTATE OF JUDE T. BONTOL

Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late AGUSTIN G. GIMOTEA, JR., who died on the Jan. 5, 2005 at Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental; at the time of his death left Three (3) Parcels of Land, and more particularly described as follows to wit; PARCEL ONE – TCT No. T-6964 “A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 27-E-1, of the subdivision plan (LRC) Psd- 67639, being a portion of Lot 27-E, (LRC) Psd-49752, L.R.C. Cad. Record No. 1570), situated in the Barrio of Patag, City of Cagayan de Oro. Containing an area of ONE THOUSAND (1,000) SQUARE METERS, more or less.” PARCEL TWO – TCT NO. T-143968 “A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 27-D-2-A-2, Psd10-038445, being a portion of Lot 27-D-2-A, Psd-10-034911), situated in the Barrio of 6th Division, Patag, City of Cagayan de Oro. Containing an area of TWO HUNDRED (200) SQUARE METERS, more or less.”

PARCEL THREE – TCT NO. T-130232 “A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 27-D-2-C, Psd-10-034911, being a portion of Lot 27-D-2, Psd-10-000654), situated in the Barrio of 6th Division, Patag, City of Cagayan de Oro. containing an area of EIGHTY ONE (81) SQUARE METERS, more or less.” is the subject of DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG THE HEIRS, namely; LAURA P. GIMOTEA, of legal age, widow, Filipino; AUDREY P. GIMOTEA, of legal age, single, Filipino; JEANETTE P. GIMOTEA, of legal age, single, Filipino; GEMMA THERESA P. GIMOTEA, of legal age, single, Filipino; CAROLYN P. GIMOTEA, of legal age, single, Filipino; GLEEN P. GIMOTEA, of legal age, single, Filipino; and KENNETH P. GIMOTEA, of legal age, single, Filipino and residents of 6th Div., Patag, Cagayan de Oro City; are the only sole, legitimate and surviving legal heirs. As per Doc. No. 176; Page No. 36; Book No. 103; Series of 2014; under Notary Public of ATTY. BUENAVENTURA E. SAGRADO.

Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late JUDE T. BONTOL, (hereinafter “DECEDENT”), Filipino, a resident of Barangay San Miguel, Iligan City, during his lifetime, died intestate on April 28, 2010; the estate of the DECEDENT consists of his conjugal share and inheritance share in the following real properties; A. Certificate of Title No. TCT No. T-20336 (a.f) Location: San Miguel, Iligan City; TCT No. T-188863 (a.f), Location: San Miguel, Iligan City; TCT No. 59558, Location: Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City; TCT No. T-63,932(a.f.)

Location: Tibanga, Iligan City; TCT No. 67,899(a.f.) Location: San Roque, Iligan City; TCT No. 31447, Location: Cordova, Cebu; OCT No. OP-39111, Location: Cordova, Cebu. B. One-half (1/2) undivided share, title and interest of the improvement situated in San Miguel, Iligan City, covered by and particularly described as follows: Tax Declaration No. 02-029-02959 covering a one-storey residential house with a floor area of 101 square meters. C. One-half (1/2) undivided share, title and interest of the improvement situated in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City, covered by and particularly described as follows: Tax Declaration No. G-04130, covering a one-storey residential house with a floor area of 315.75 square meters, is the subject of DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AND PARTITION OF THE ESTATE OF JUDE T. BONTOL, is executed by and among: DELLA M. BONTOL, of legal age, widow, Filipino, residing at Barangay San Miguel, Iligan City; and CLARIE M. BONTOL, of legal age, Filipino, single, likewise residing at Barangay San Miguel, Iligan City; (each of which is an “Heir” and collectively, the “HEIRS”). That the Decedent’s one-half pro indiviso share in Real Properties, except the Cebu Properties, including all titles, rights to and interest therein shall be owned by CLARIE M. BONTOL, the remaining one-half pro indiviso share belongs to DELLA M. BONTOL, as her conjugal share. DELLA M. BONTOL hereby waives her inheritance in favor of CLARIE M. BONTOL in the Real Properties pertained to in item Number 1. As per Doc. No. 31; Page No. 7; Book No. 21; Series of 2013; under Notary public of ATTY. ZARA TEODORA B. CABANLET.

MDN: FEB. 13, 20, & 27, 2014

MDN: FEB. 13, 20 & 27, 2014

ment Units did the general ceremonial groundbreaking of 25 sub-projects for the 25 Barangays in Labangan Municipal Public Market on February 24, 2014, under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn in Agrarian Reform Areas’ (PAMANA – ARAs) of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Hon. Mayor Marlon Valenzuela hinted that the progress of Labangan depends on the citizens themselves. “Progress serves as the bridge to the future - our gift to our children and our grandchildren. It is rooted, starting from our hearts and minds. Truly, we are thankful to DAR for the 25 projects granted (not loaned) to all our 25 barangays of Labangan”, Mayor Valenzuela voiced.

Hon. Governor Antonio H. Cerilles encouraged the constituents to be united under the new Mayor. He challenged all, irrespective of religion and ethnic tribe, to live in peace, freedom, unity, and congeniality to develop and restore Labangan as one united, leading, happy local Filipino - center of trade & industry. This is our nucleic contribution to sound and solid nation –building to help recover our country from being 3rd from the bottom among Asian countries to be back from where it was – up, highly competitive and not left behind. He cited instances & places of unrests and disorder as

enemies of advancement.

“Try hard, give your best, be serious and excel in public service. If you do these, you will be respected, given protection and your community will prosper”, the exemplar Father of ZDS advised.

Gov. Cerilles, as his custom, honored and recognized those concerned.

Among them, on this occasion, Mayor Valenzuela at the same time each of the Sangguniang Bayan Members, the Barangay Captains, the Division Chiefs, including DAR Prov’l. Agrarian Reform Officer II Arturo Soria’s Representative - PARPO I Sherwin Tubog and Municipal ARO Lorna Salera and all the Workforce present.

PARPO II Soria earlier disclosed that PAMANA aims to : build & establish peace and order by making communities resilient to conflict; alleviate poverty and empower them through the delivery of appropriate basic social services in these ARAs. Closing the Program, PARPO I Tubog acknowl-

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province of Misamis Oriental MUNICIPALITY OF CLAVERIA NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that NANCY BARROS ZAYAS BATOBALANI has filed with this Office a Petition for Change of First Name from “CORAZON” to “NANCY” in the Certificate of Live Birth of CORAZON BARROS ZAYAS who was born on APRIL 6, 1951 at CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL and whose parents are SANTIAGO ZAYAS and BUENA BARROS. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this Office not later than March 7, 2014.

edged ZDS PAMANA – ARA Point Persons Myfanwy Decena & May Christine Bomes. He echoed DAR - Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes’ declaration that DAR will go beyond June 30, 2014.

F u r t h e r, PA R P O I informed that the ZDS PAMANA – ARA approved projects are minor Repairs of Farm to Market Roads, Drainage, Training / Health/ Day Care Centers, Repair / installation of Potable Water Supply, C onstr uction of Brg y.

Health Stations, Multi – Purpose Bldgs. (MPBs), MP Drying Pavements, Solar Dryers and Tribal Halls.

He added that PAMANA ARA grants 122 projects in the 5 municipalities of Zamboanga del Sur including Labangan.

Lastly, PARPO Tubog reminded the Labangan MLGU of their roles and functions which are vital for the successful implementation of the PAMANA – ARA projects in the locality. (MCDecena/ MCVBomes/LQVALDEZ)

Zamboanga del Sur, Hon. Governor Antonio H. Cerilles, Labangan Hon. Mayor Marlon B. Valenzuela, DAR Prov’l. Agrarian Reform Officer (PARPO) I Sherwin B. Tubog – DAR PARPO II Arturo N. Soria’s Representative & Municipal AR Officer Lorna L. Salera looks on as LGU Officials first take their turn in ceremonially groundbreaking the 25 projects granted under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process - DAR – PAMANA – ARA – tie up project to Labangan ( Photo by Leon A. Tubog).

Zamboanga del Sur Hon. Gov. Antonio H. Cerilles, Hon. Mayor Marlon B. Valenzuela, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR ) Prov’l. Agrarian Reform Officer (PARPO) I Sherwin B.Tubog – DAR PARPO II Arturo N. Soria’s Representative, Municipal AR Officer Lorna L. Salera, PAMANA – ARA Focal Persons Myfanwy C. Decena & May Christine V. Bomes and the recipient Labangan Local Government Officials posing during the ceremonial groundbreaking of the 25 projects granted under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) - DAR PAMANA – ARA tie up to Labangan, ZDS ( Photo by Leon A. Tubog).

READ!

(SGD.) ANNA VICTORIA A. EVANGELISTA

Municipal Civil Registrar

MDN: FEB. 27 & Mar. 6, 2014

Republic of the Philippines LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 10172, a NOTICE is hereby served to the public that LORENA TURADO MISTULA has filed with this Office a petition for the correction of clerical error in the entry of the child’s SEX from “MALE” to “FEMALE” in the Certificate of Live Birth of LORENA CASINTAHAN TURADO who was born on NOV. 8, 1980 in Cagayan de Oro City and whose parents are LAURITO TURADO and DELFINA CASINTAHAN. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than FEB. 28, 2014.

(SGD.) NORMA S. DIPUTADO

City Civil Registrar MDN: FEB. 20 & 27, 2014

www.businessweekmindanao.com

Republic of the Philippines LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a NOTICE is hereby served to the public that MOHAMMAD SALMAN L. GURAR has filed with this Office a petition for the change of first name from SALMAN to MOHAMMAD SALMAN in the Certificate of Live Birth of SALMAN LASIM GURAR who was born on December 18, 1989 at Cagayan de Oro City and whose parents are MAMONDIONG A. GURAR and SALAM A. LASIM. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than March 8, 2014.

(SGD.) NORMA S. DIPUTADO

City Civil Registrar MDN: FEB. 27 & Mar. 6, 2014

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Davao News

Mindanao Daily 9 NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

DAVAO DEL NORTE l DAVAO DEL SUR lDAVAO DEL ORIENTALl COMPOSTELA VALLEY

Farmers deplore Minda agribiz drive for more exports

D

By TYRONE A. VELEZ, DAVAO TODAY

AVAO CITY – Farmers and the business community don’t see eye-to-eye with regards to what the direction Mindanao’s agri-business is taking under the East Asia Growth Area (EAGA) Triangle and ASEAN integration.

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Investments and Public Affairs Director Romeo Montenegro announced after hosting the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-EAGA senior officials’ meet last February 11-13, that Mindanao can capitalize on its status as ‘food basket’ for exports.

“We are in a position towards improving, and in EAGA we can make a strong positioning for our agriculture (economy),” said Montenegro.

Mindanao is said to be the top exporter of eight of ten products in the Philippines including banana, pineapple, coconut, sea-

weeds, cacao and coffee.

But the farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Southern Mindanao is worried that conforming the agri-business to exports under EAGA or ASEAN will only worsen the plight of farmers and farmworkers.

Their spokesperson Pedro Arnado, a farmer from North Cotabato, said agriculture is now “monopolized” by plantations and traders.

“Plantations are monopolized by capitalists, who tend to control prices and wages that leave farmers poorer,” Arnado said.

Business observers said another aspect in agricul-

ture in Mindanao is to cultivate some 100,000 hectares for hybrid rice production.

Montenegro said EAGA’s current investment blueprint aims to “harmonize” production among member-countries that will produce high-value products for the international market.

“For example, if the Philippines is viable for poultr y, Indonesia can provide us corn feeds and Malaysia which has in Halal will certify our poultry towards a bigger market in the Middle East. That’s the idea, there’s integration and cooperation. We put together a product viable for a larger market,” said Montenegro.

He said this harmonization also complements the goal of ASEAN integration of having the sub-region function as a one-production base by 2015.

“We don’t talk now about trading the same products within ourselves, now we talk of coming up with

consolidated products that we can give to markets abroad,” Montenegro said.

The BIMP-EAGA is a subregional cooperation program formed in 1994 to promote agro-industry, tourism and small-and medium-enterprises.

After falling silent in the 1997 Asian financial crisis, senior officials decided to regroup the EAGA in 2001 and came up with a series of economic roadmaps focusing on infrastructure development especially in transportation and community tourism.

The plans are being supported by the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), which will push their main product of fresh Cavendish for the world market.

“We have comparative advantage over our partners in terms of natural and human resources. The banana export industry is one sector that the other countries can tap for processing or value-adding

and re-exporting,” said Yvette Asunto, an official of PBGEA. Asunto mentioned the usefulness of Cavendish banana which can be processed into flour, puree, vinegar, catsup and other food items. Dried chips can be used from ingredients for animal feeds up to industrial glue, and banana fiber can be utilized for crafts and paper bills.

Mind anao’s b anana industry covers 248,675 hectares including 82,050 for Cavendish, and provides 165,000 jobs with annual wages worth P42.3 billion.

But Asunto said government must double its efforts to “educate and prepare the industry” on the scenario of ASEAN. “Government agencies should upgrade their facilities and services to guarantee the safety of local businesses and safeness of products. 2015 is just around the corner and yet the psyche of majority of Filipinos is still not attuned

of what it would be like under a “One Asean”. We believe government has to double-up its efforts in drumbeating the “positives and negatives” of the Asean economic community,” she said.

But Arnado of KMP is worried that with massive conversion of farm lands, such as the thrust of Davao City to create a cacao plantation of over 169,000 hectares covering Paquibato District.

“Our production is based on the demands of the global market. But what if the demand for one product such as cacao or banana suddenly drops, then growers and farmers would be left with empty pockets,” Arnado said.

He urged government to look instead into food security and farmers’ security by implementing a new agrarian reform program that would distribute farm lands to poor farmers and subsidize production. (Tyrone A. Velez/ davaotoday.com)

Foreign investors consider Davao City as new business sites DAVAO City - The chief that will be shipped to its

executive officers (CEO) of two different investments came to Davao City on separate schedules to check on areas where to relocate its existing projects in China.

Davao City Investment and Promotion Center officer Ivan C. Cortez said at the Davao Business Forum at DermPath organized by business reporters here in coordination with SM City and San Miguel Pure Foods said one of the CEO is a British national for a toy manufacturing while the other, a Japanese national that will venture on wellness hospital for foreign retirees and training center for caregivers.

The British owner of toy manufacturing is married to a Dabawenya who wants to initially transfer its assembly line of products here. The CEO came in first week of February and the DCIPC endorsed the economic zone in Sasa which is near both to the airport and seaport.

The assembly plant has BACKBREAKING A laborer carries a sack of newly delivered eggplants at the Bankerohan market in Davao City on Monday (Feb. 24, 2014). Bankerohan market is a known 'bagsakan' of vegetables mostly coming from Kapatagan, about 30 workers that will a mountainous barangay in Digos City.

(MindaNews Photo by Keith Bacongco) handle the finishing of toys

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Contact: 09066723045/GEMMA Tel. (088) 857-7857 MDN: Dec. 20, 2013-Jan. 24, 2014

market at Toys R' Us in the United States and their existing toy stores partner in Europe.

The Best Power Company owner said Cortez felt that it is no longer feasible to remain in China with the increasing cost of doing business plus the fact that in China light manufacturing like toys are no longer its priority as it focuses more on the manufacturing of heavy equipment and others.

Cortez also said that during their discussion other owners of toy manufacturers in China considers locating in Davao once they find the success of the first stage of the British company's transfer of bringing to Davao 6 types for assembly of toys.

The owner, Cortez said, is already definite in relocating its business and will eventual transfer the whole manufacturing line of its 15 types of toys.

As this developed and given the time that these investors would come to Davao, Cortez said they will be situated in the city's manufacturing zone as each businesses complement one another in production.

Meanwhile the Japanese investor on wellness hospital and training center is exSee investors, page 11

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MDN: Jan. 27-Feb. 26, 2014

10 Mindanao Daily NEWS

Fun Page

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Daniel Padilla reveals current relationship status with Kathryn Bernardo Daniel Padilla remarked that though he is already bidding goodbye to Got To Believe, he would be keeping a lot of fond memories of the show.

“Hindi ko na rin po napansin na ganon na po pala katagal ‘yung show. Kasi talaga ang saya po talaga sa mga director namin, talagang ang sarap lang po magtrabaho, kasama ‘yung mga cast na naging mga kaibigan ko rin po. Tapos ‘yung mga staff eh kasama ko rin po

clifford’s

Daily HOROSCOPE AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18) - Make sure you can enforce a bit of discipline on yourself today -- otherwise, things are sure to fall apart by nightfall. The good news is that you should be able to get work done without distraction.

PISCES (February 19 – March 20) - Things are going your way today, even if you feel a bit troubled by your latest setback. That’s less significant than you may think, so don’t worry too much about it. Face forward as much as you can!

ARIES (March 21 – April 19) - You need to seize this big opportunity -- or create one, if you don’t see anything likely to be a hit. It’s one of those days when almost anything is possible, but you have to act to create change.

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) - You feel more connected to your people today, and it’s easier than ever before to have difficult discussions when they’re needed. Make sure that you’re pushing for new things in your relationships.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) - Interpersonal business is trickier than it ought to be today -- you may want to go it alone for a bit. Things should start to settle down by tomorrow, so it’s not like you’re heading into exile.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) - You need to deal with something new and weird today -- so make sure that you’re ready for whatever comes your way. Things are sure to get better, but only if you face today’s troubles.

sila sa Princess and I kaya hindi po ako nahirapan sa pagtatrabaho,” he said.

He added that he’s happy that the soap has left its mark on the viewers who have supported it throughout its seven-month run. “Tapos masaya po ako sa naging show po namin dahil kahit magtatapos na po at malapit na ang katapusan, napansin ko po na tumatak po sa tao ‘yung palabas at medyo napiga po ako ni direk Cathy

Kuya Clifford’s ---::

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CIRCLE A WORD feathered friend

blue jay kite crane rail duck rhea

funch woodpecker ibis coot lark dove

reeve egret snipe heron booby kiwi

crow raven eagle robin hakw

Garcia-Molina dito sa show,” he said.

D e s p i t e m a n y fa n s requesting to extend the show, Daniel stated that he’s now ready to move forward and take on a new role.

“Bago naman po kasi okay na po tayo sa Got To Believe eh. Kumbaga napasaya na po tayo ng show at mas masarap ‘yung iba naman ‘yung tatahakin natin at para ibang experience naman po,” he stated.

With his onscreen partnership with Kathryn Bernardo going stronger than ever, is it the same in real life? Are they now a couple? “Hindi pa pwede,” Daniel replied, saying that Kathryn is not yet at the right age to commit to a relationship. “Magde-debut pa eh, hindi pa pwede,” he said. Daniel relayed that they are still on “M.U.” status.

“Same-same pa rin,” he said. push.abs-cbn.com

-MovieWatch-

STALINGRAD

The movie Stalingrad is an epic look at the battle that turned the tide of World War II. A band of determined Russian soldiers fight to hold a strategic building in their devastated city against a ruthless German army, and in the process become deeply connected to two Russian women who have been living there.

Presented in IMAX 3D, the scale of the battle contrasts dramatically with the human drama of the Russian soldiers, the few remaining civilians and their invaders into Stalingrad.

The movie Stalingrad is Russia’s first completely shot in 3D, as well as its first IMAX release, and earned $66.1 million during its 2013 theatrical run.

release date :

February 28, 2014

SUDOKU How to play the game?

Fill in completely every rows, columns and diagonals of each puzzle without repitition

Yesterday’s Answer

of the same digit.

LEO (July 23 – August 22) - You are all fired up over something new and exciting -- so share it with the class! Not everyone is on the same page, but that’s okay. In fact, you may form a splinter group of your own.

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22) - It’s time to ask out that new hottie -- or to step up your current relationship. Your personal energy can easily be channeled into romance, so find the right person and turn on the charm!

LIBRA (September 23 – October 22) - You aren’t quite up to the stresses of the day -- and that’s fine! Sometimes you get to be sad or cranky, and as long as you’re honest with yourself and your people, things should slip back into place soon.

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21) - Sure, you’re ambitious -- and that’s okay!

It’s one of those days when you can make solid plans to boost your career goals -- or anything else you want! It’s easier than you’d think.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21) - Your way of seeing the world is clear, forceful and direct. Today brings a new chance to convert others to your cause, as long as you go about it plainly. Subterfuge just isn’t your style!

CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19) - Good news is coming your way -- maybe from several different sources. You should get ready to act, because things are just about to change for the better. You may feel obliged to make a big move.

Amazing Facts!

Did you KNOW?? ..

The male giraffe will continuously headbutt the female in the bladder until she urinates. The male then tastes the pee and that helps it determine whether the female is ovulating.

If she is, it’s business time.

CROSSWORD puzzle

across 35. Old 1. Introductory book 36. Give in 6. Singer Fernandez DOWN 10. Trip by vehicle 1. Fit 11. Jai — 2. Frost 12. Augury 3. _of March 13. Affectionate 4. Of the mind 14. Pounding device 5. Governed 16. Balanced 6. Cover with asphalt 17. Assistant 7. Singer Newton John 18. Film spool 8. Window glass 20. Discharged indebted- 9. Affix a signature to ness 15. Lithium symbol 22. Upholstered seat 19. Extensive territory 25. Narcotic drug 20. Pale and light in 28. Squanders color 31. Lanao del Norte city 21. Arid land 32. Rubber object 23. Proprietor 33. Aloe_ 24. Musical tone 34. Arabian ruler 25. Prima donna

26.

27.

29.

30.

Designer Cassini Mild oath Opportune moment Ireland

Yesterday’s Answer

Mindanao Daily 11 NEWS

thursDAY | february 27, 2014 Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

Police...

Bacon...

Project...

Today...

Gang... from page 1

a businessman from Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, a contractor from Ozamiz City and an Indian national from Cotabato City.

Paitao added that the group was also behind the burning of a fish car at Sultan Naga Dimaporo town in a case of extortion.

He sai the group not only operated in Lanao del Norte but also in Cagayan de Oro and Central Mindanao.

Solar... from page 1

Fuentes said the project’s endorsement was based on an earlier recommendation from the Provincial Development Council (PDC), which is the province’s highest development policymaking body.

The PD C, which is chaired by the governor, is composed of the mayors of the province’s 10 towns and lone city, provincial government officials and department heads as well as representatives from accredited non-government organizations in the area.

“We endorsed the project mainly because of the benefits that it will bring, specifically in filling the energy vacuum in the province using the best alternative power from sustainable clean energy,” the governor said in a statement.

Fuentes said they also saw huge potentials with the venture in terms of job generation, increase in local tax revenues, expansion of eco-tourism opportunities and enhancement of local and foreign investors’ confidence to the area.

Considering the massive investment that the company will contribute to the local economy, she

said the local government initially offered a 10-year tax exemption to NV Vogt as incentive pending the revision of the province’s revenue code.

She said the provincial government will shoulder the costs of the concreting of three-kilometer road from the national highway leading to the solar farm as additional support for the project.

“We assured them that the province will exert all efforts to provide them with safe, secure and peaceful environment to conduct their business,” Fuentes said.

Aside from its initial US$12-million or roughly P535.49-million investment, the governor said NV Vogt signified to invest an additional US$10 million for the project’s expansion in the next few years.

She said the company committed to later fund the establishment of a training center on solar technology in the province.

NV Vogt is backed financially by the Berlin, Germany-based ib vogt GmbH. Aside from the Philippines, the company has offices in the United Kingdom, Poland, India and Singapore.

The company signed an agreement with South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative (Socoteco I) in June last year for the streaming of power supplies from the facility.

Socoteco I serves this city, eight municipalities in South Cotabato and Lutayan town in Sultan Kudarat.

The electric cooperative signed the supply contract with NV Vogt to provide additional power supplies to the area and cope with shortage caused by the declining capacity of the National Power Corporation’s (NPC) hydropower plants.

In September last year, Socoteco I was forced to implement daily rotational brownouts lasting eight hours due to the reduction of its supply contract with the NPC by 20MW or 12MW less than the area’s daily peak demand of 32MW. (MindaNews)

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expected to start the project with the groundbreaking scheduled in October this year. Second ocular of the site will be on Thursday, Cortez said.

The area he said is at Catigan, Toril which is just adjacent to the Retirement Village.

The investor has an existing hospital for the retirees in Japan with several clients already in the lists with their respective insurance companies ready to pay for their services.

The hospital will initial have 300 rooms that will serve clients coming from Japan and China.

On the other hand he said it can accommodate about 1,000 trainees for caregivers, he said.

Cortez said while they are trained as caregivers they get paid of their services at the same time with salaries commensurate to what their caregivers are getting in Japan.

He said that during their discussion the Japanese investor will bring in their top trainers so that the caregiver scholars will from page 1 be issued accreditation that a nine-kilo ammonium are accepted in hospitals nitrate packed in two plastic and other related wellness bags.

It is being used in fabfacilities abroad. (PNA) ricating improvised bomb.

He said the owner of from page 7 the cargo managed to elude strong evidence where they arrest.

He said investigation had their pork barrel allocated? Is this very hard showed that the unidentified to prove instead of simply female passenger boarded saying they did not course the bus in Barangay Galas, any amount of their pork Dipolog City.

However, he said the pasbarrel to any of the Napoles senger disembarked when foundations?

This is what I mean by the bus reached Barangay controvert evidence with Dohinob in the town of evidence. What the accused Roxas.

She paid P20 fare for the Estrada and company are cargo to be brought to the doing is controvert evidence bus terminal in Ipil, Zambowith implausible lies by simply denying involvement in anga Sibugay, where it will the fund mess. This strategy be picked up by “someone.” will not be of help to them. (PNA) If they still have not realized this, their implausible lies are actually pushing them from page 4 deeper into this fund mess. filter facility. Their re (Reactions at jelbacon@ spective barangay head foryahoo.com or at jelbaconii@ mally accepted the projects gmail.com. Read me also at and committed to sustain www.raconteurme.blogspot. the facilities. com.)

Residents of these communities will be assured of a steady supply of clean from page 1 and safe drinking water and According to OIC Igdon, eliminates the possibility of the system is now imple- contracting diseases from other water sources. mented, nationwide.

The Provincial EngineerBCRS strengthens Reing Office implemented public Act 3753 (Civil Regthese projects sourced out istry Law) by introducing from the Department of the a strategy that sets up a subsidiary civil registration Interior and Local Governassistance service in the ment’s Performance Chalbarangays, it is envisioned lenge Fund.

Speaking before the to facilitate the service by bringing the system closer other mayors, Governor Plaza said that he has prito the people.

She explained “BCRS oritized the projects in said enables the barangays to localities considering the function as support mecha- need for potable drinking nism in civil registration, as water as they try to recover it provides inputs for devel- from the damages wrought opment planning, leading by the disaster.

On his part, Mayor to the formulation of health Mondejar also said these and social programs.” barangays are gradually The development of Civil rising above the calamity Registration System in the Philippines, started imme- and in fact are already re-

cipients of DILG’s Seal of Good Housekeeping.

Tubig Imnunon Natong Agusanon (TINA), a project started in 2009 by then Governor and now 2nd District Rep. Maria Valentina Plaza and now untiringly pursued

by Governor Plaza aims to provide Agusanons in remote potable water sources.

(PPIO-AgSur)

VELEZ STREET VELEZ STREET

from page 9

diately after the Philippine revolution against Spain in 1898, it initiated the preparation of the record books of births, deaths, marriages and the census in every locality.

OIC Director Igdon continued, it was in 1930 where the systematic registration and archiving of vital events was legally defined and instituted, with the enactment of R.A. 3753 (Civil Registry Law).

Now, every municipality has its own civil registration unit, reconstituting the structure for a central depository of all civil registry documents, as mandated by RA 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991).

“As a state policy, the system mandates the compulsory registration of all vital events and the accompanying changes in the civil status of every citizen,” OIC Director Igdon further related.

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno and DILG-10 Director Rene K. Burdeous are expected to grace today’s convention. (asf )

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Traversing the Tourism Hi-way Ped T. Quiamjot

Service charge law A reminiscent of the late Senator Blas F. Ople who was the Labor Minister during the Marcos Presidency brings memories of the first draft of Presidential Decree No. 442, which was later sign into law to be known as the New Labor Code of the Philippines.

As a young hotel manager in 1978 in one of the 5-star hotel establishments in Metro Manila, I was one of those invited as a resource person to participate in the discussion for an important provision that will be included into the final draft by the legal panel working for fine tuning of the provisions of Chapter 111, Article 96, that intents to provide Service Charge to the hotel and restaurant employees on top of the bills for the food and beverages and rooms accommodation in the entire hotels in the Philippines.

The consultation took several meetings at the board room of the Department of Labor Building in Intramuros, Manila with the presence of Lawyers who were setting as Human Resources Manager of the different hotels and Accountants who were CPA’s presumably because they were designated as Comptrollers of the major 5-star properties.

As a service provider in the young hotel industry, I was one of those who articulated that a 10 Percent surcharge on top of the total bills be incorporated in the billing. I have my arguments that it will legalize tipping from the customers and the employees will share equally the cash gratuities. Others made their points to prevent fraud and employees individualism in the young tourism industry.

There were bright minds in the group who proposed how the percentage is shared between the employees and the hotel management to protect hotel investors. Minister Blas F. Ople was neither a lawyer nor an accountant but he was patient to elicit ideas from the industry leaders.

Presidential Decree No. 442, was not dictated by anyone not even the long serving President Ferdinand Marcos who ordered its study. There was no Congress or Parliament at that year since the Philippines was still under a Martial Law regime.

The labor and management sector groups participated in the cordial and productive brain storming to help draft the labor code. I remember the words of Minister Ople, the only Labor Minister or Secretary of Labor in the history of the Philippine labor department who was not a lawyer, which to quote, he said, “Gentlemen, the proposed labor code must stand public scrutiny and the ideas of the committees must equally represent labor and capital”.

There were known personalities in the business community and professors from the Asian Institute of Tourism in the University of the Philippines who were present.

Representatives from the political opposition acting as lawyers for big business participated in the discussions which were cordial and productive. How Minister Ople was able to gather a cross section of the professionals who were perceived to be majority anti Marcos was a fate easily achieved by the former labor leader.

The final draft which was submitted to the President later contained in toto the agreed 85 percent sharing of the SC to be divided and equally distributed to all employees of the establishment and the remaining 15 percent of the total collection from the 10 percent service charge must be allocated to the management to answer for the breakages and losses of the operating equipment and other hotel capital equipment that needs repairs or replacements.

The Service Charge provisions in the new Labor Code represent an economic multiplier to the income of the lowly service providers in the hospitality industry. It also gives leeway to hotel investors for a faster return of investments. In the national capital region where revenues of international hotel chains runs to billions of pesos annually, the share of the service charge per employee irrespective of rank or position would matter most as the amount could reach more than the basic salary.

The collection was mandated to be made transparent by posting the total collection for the month and the percentage of distribution in the company bulletin boards.

There were attempts in the succeeding Congress after the Marcos regime to remove the SC in lieu of the new VAT Law which took effect in 2004 in order to streamline customers billing. But a clause in the Service Charge law provides that should the SC be abolished, the share of the employees shall be considered integrated in their wages.

It was the brilliants of Minister Blas F. Ople, who made sure such clause is appended into the law.

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Agus to add 90MW for M’nao grid

By MYRNA VELASCO, Contributor

THE rehabilitation and integration of the Agus 1 and 2 hydropower generating units into the P1.9 billion Balo-i Plain Flood Control Project could beef up Mindanao grid supply by additional 90 megawatts.

In a statement to the media, NPC president Gladys Cr uz-Sta. Rita noted that the rehabilitation will result in 260MW total load for Agus 1 and 2 from the current combined

capacity of 170MW for an “additional 90MW capacity for our Mindanao grid.”

At present, Agus 1 has a limited load of 120MW, but this is seen reinforced to 180MW post-rehab; while Agus 2 capacity at 50MW will be increased to 80MW. “The plant management of Agus 1 and 2 intends to increase the confidence levels of the major plant components and auxiliaries

such as the Marawi Lake regulation dam, Agus 2 plant spillway gates and the power intakes of both plants,” the state-run power firm has noted.

It added that the repair work will cover the “upgrading of the control and protection system of Agus 2 hydroelectric plant and the present computerbased controls and protection systems.”

Ac c ord i ng to Ag u s plant manager Lomondaya Palawan, part of the

rehabilitation is to “convert the unreliable electromechanically-operated radial gates into more reliable hydraulically-operated control gates to avoid ‘crabbing’ problems in the opening and closing of the gates which cause water wastage and frequent downtime.”

At least two prospective contractors, he said, “have already visited the structures and will soon be submitting their respective proposals.”

Update investment code for more revenues-Mayor Rivera

By Mindanews

GENERAL Santos City The city government is pushing for the revision and updating of the city’s investment code in a bid to enhance further the local government’s revenue generation initiatives.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Tuesday he has issued Executive Order 206 to facilitate the review and amendment within this year of the city’s Investment Code of 2004, which last underwent some minor revisions in 2010.

He said the move will mainly focus on the updating of some provisions of the code to complement with the city’s current socio-economic condition and the continuing

developments in the area.

The mayor said the amendment of the code was among the strategies earlier adopted by the local government to achieve its goal of increasing local revenues this year by around P200 million.

He noted that for this year, the city government has projected an income of around P300 million from local taxes and P900 million from its Internal Revenue Allotment share.

“We’re continually finding additional resources so we can invest on more sustainable projects that would reinforce the growth of the city’s economy,” Rivera said.

In amending the investment code, the mayor said the local government will link up with the city’s busi-

ness sector, specifically the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. He s a i d t h e y a l s o sought the business chamber’s help in the creation of the city’s investment promotion plan, investment promotion center and business promotion center.

Rivera said these initiatives are aimed to further boost the city’s role as the business and trade hub of Region 12 and maximize the capacity of the city to consolidate future investment ventures.

The mayor initiated last year a comprehensive study on the city’s trade and investment policies in a bid to sustain the area’s economic growth.

It covered a review of the city’s ordinances and other local regulations involving business, investments and taxation.

The city government, through the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office had also commissioned a technical working group (TWG) composed of representatives of vari-

ous sectors to draw up changes that would make the investment code more responsive to the present business environment.

Among the initial revisions recommended by the TWG was the incorporation of an investment priority plan that will contain the city’s approved investment priority areas, guidelines and implementing rules and regulations.

It pushed for the rationalization of business or investment application procedures and improve the responsiveness of the code to rapidly changing investment areas.

T h e T WG r e c o m mended the removal of the minimum capitalization requirement to allow micro, small, and medium enterprises avail of and benefit from investment incentives offered by the local government.

It set the inclusion of locational restrictions to certain investment areas to encourage the dispersal of industries to more rural barangays, decongest highly urbanized areas and expand the city’s development areas.

The government-owned firm emphasized that “the clogging of the power intake trash rack of Agus 2 caused by garbage flowing with the river has been a major problem because clogging limits the power supply going to the turbine.”

It stressed though that this dilemma “will be solved with the arrival of the trash

rack cleaner in May 2014.”

The implementation of the Balo-i flood control plan moved headway following the offer of P16.7 million as financial assistance to flood victims in the past, hence, enticing the host local government units to finally issue the project’s environmental compliance certificate.

PCCI cites measures to address challenges in electric power industry without amending EPIRA The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said on Wednesday the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) may be an imperfect law but tinkering with it and tweaking the processes, which was already done over the last eight and a half years, would not result to anything concrete or positive.

In a press statement, PCCI said that contrary to a newspaper report on Feb. 24 stating that the business sector supports initiatives to amend the EPIRA, PCCI maintains that there is no need to amend the law.

At t h i s t i m e w h e n the countr y is in need of more investments in power generation, PCCI said amending the EPIRA will only create an unstable framework andengender uncertainty in the industry.

PCCI said the current state of affairs, where prices spiked as a result of Malampaya’s scheduled shutdown and the simultaneous forced outages of several power plants, only served to highlight the insufficiency of supply of electricity.

The Chamber pointed out that there are other viable alternatives which the government should pursueif its intent is to avert a critical or crisis situation.

Instead of initiating activities that could induce a wait-and-see attitude among potential investors and financial institutions, PCCI said government should instead be adopting measures to induce more investments in power generation. Among its proposals is to strengthen the market power of electric

cooperatives, including allowing them to act as a pool or aggregating their demand, to achieve economies of scale and productive efficiencies.

PCCI said this could help resolve the issue where there is a high level of intents and interests in investing in power generation but no clear road to off-takers and the process of winning supply contracts. It further pointed out the need to streamline the business permits and licensing system, especially in power generation which require more than 150 such permits.

To help address escalating cost, PCCI suggested a review, revamp or suspension of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), which has not added value to the system, and removing items that add to electricity tariffs such as the VAT (valueadded tax) on franchise tax, systems losses and the ICERA (Incremental Currency Exchange Rate Adjustment).

Stressing that power supply sustainability, quality and reliability is a challenge that must be concretely laid-out annually and solidly planned and executed in a minimum of five years, PCCI reiterated its call on government to come up with a concrete, national, well-coordinated power development plan implementation program, including identifying the specific location, type of fuel, size,actual date of commissioning of power plants...and to do it with a sense of urgency. ( A report from Philippine News Agency)