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Vol. 1 | No. 30 | Cagayan de Oro City | March 3-9, 2013
French carmaker Peugeot boasts of twin-economical power system Cheng Ordonez
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EUGEOT, Europe’s second-largest automotive marque, has officially opened its doors to Mindanao market through the inauguration of first Mindanao dealership, Thursday, February 28, 2013, here in Cagayan de Oro City, boasting of its twin-economical power system. PSA Peugeot Citroen is a major French automaker and the world’s leading producer of diesel engines. Peugeot is now under the distributorship of Eurobrands Distributor Inc. (EDI), a member of the Columbian Group of Companies, under the helm of its chairman emeritus, Jose Ch. Alvarez, who is known being into high-end European brands, with BMW and Korean’s Kia under his stable. The program started off after the ribbon-cutting of its newly-built and first dealership stable here in Mindanao, along Mastersons Avenue,
Pueblo de Oro Business Park. Eurobrands President Felix Mabilog Jr. led Peugeot officials to a gathering of foreign and local dignitaries, motoring enthusiasts, businessmen and media personalities. Mabilog said there are two factors that Peugeot has advantage in the automobile market here in the Philippines: All, except for one, are diesel-ran and their engines have been engineered with auto-stop system that cuts down on fuel consumption.
The Peugeot 5008 Compact MPV
PEUGEOT|Page 10
Photos by SHAUN alejandrae yap uy
Villar continues surge in poll surveys FORMER Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar, popularly known as “Misis Hanep B uhay ” du e to h er livelihood programs,” jumped from the 9th place to the 7th place in ranking as among the choice for senators in the coming May elections based on the latest survey conducted by StratPOLLS. “Misis Hanep Buhay” attributed the surge in her rankings to the increased public awareness on her achievements as congresswoman for three terms or nine years, having served as chairperson of the House Commit tee on Higher and Technical Education, President of the Lady Legislators of the House of Representatives in the 12th, 13th and 14th Congress, and President of the Senate Spouse Foundation. In going around the country, Villar says she has been conveying her
Peugeot Cagayan de Oro formally opens its doors February 28. Peugeot Cagayan de Oro is located along Mastersons Avenue, Pueblo de Oro
message to the people, particularly her platform and the programs she intends to do if she wins as senator. She also says the people are more aware now of what they do in the Villar Foundation where she is the managing director. The foundation has been helping our OFWs for the past 20 years. She says the results of this survey and the previous surveys indicate that the people believe in her and her programs and advocacies.
She says they trust her that’s why, she’s so thankful to them. While being a wife of Senator Manny Villar who was House Speaker and S enate President is also a factor, “Misis Hanep Buhay,” however, insists she doesn’t want to live in the shadow of her husband because she is proud of her own achievements. Misis Hanep Buhay” consistently land in the Top 12 senatoriables in all election surveys. ADVERTORIAL
Labor affirms dismissal by NGCP of its erring employees
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hree (3) cases for illegal termination of employment against the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) have been dismissed for lack of merit. In a Decision handed by the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) Regional Arbitration Branch No. XIII in Butuan City on January 30, the court denied the claims for reinstatement,
back wages, damages and reliefs of complainants Alvaro L. Salingay, Jose B. Siarot, and Jose C. Simogan. Said complainants were terminated from their employment for manipulating and interfering with NGCP's bidding process for a service contract hiring laborers and renting vehicles for line clearing activities. The termination was based on a decision of an administrative
investigating panel on August 28, 2012 after hearing and due consideration, which declared the complainants guilty of violating the provisions of the NGCP Code of Conduct and recommended their dismissal of employment without any entitlement to separation pay. The Executive Labor Arbiter found that the infractions committed by the complainants NGCP|Page 11
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Biyahe kiraw ta sa Iloilo Christine H. Cabiasa
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lunged as the country’s City of Love, Iloilo has never fail its constituents in enticing local and foreign tourists through bursting out to the world what this 4,663 sq. km province can offer. Iloilo has been endowed with majestic tourist destinations and has been gifted with tender and loving people, as they say, “the best of Iloilo is their people”. From hops to folks to delicacies, Iloilo got it all. What was best with our jaunt was that it was the first time for the Liceo de Cagayan University, 4th year Mass Communication students to come anew to a place together. Well, what would you expect? Of course sky high fun, all out laughter, and jump shot moods, entirely suited for the group to enjoy and cherish. We had prepared everything two weeks before February 24, from plane ticket booking to hotel accommodation reservation; all were heads off for the trip. Amidst our planned spree to Iloilo, I was diagnosed with appendicitis and was hospitalized for a week. I lost a lot and thought that it was the end yet it was not. First thing that came to my mind was my academic bearings and second was the Iloilo trip. That Iloilo convention for Mass Communication students was once in a lifetime opportunity; and as a student journalist, it is everybody’s desire to attend a conference keynoted by top caliber broadcast journalists in the country. Come February 22, a day before our flight, everything fell short and the question “Makauban kaha ko?” always popped out my mind. With my best friends Alden and Lenin’s encouragement, my mother then allowed me to go. Thanks to the Father Almighty for the fast recovery. Although, I’m still not that okay that time, I was assisted by my beloved classmates. Oh, here comes Mr. 23 and Ms. 9:40AM, all set, hurray for Iloilo! Everyone was excited, oh terribly excited indeed. When we stepped the portals of Iloilo, this feeling of difference bounded me. “What will Iloilo proffer? What do they got? For sure it is largely different from the City of Golden Friendship” These turns bubbled out through my mind. The first day was a blast. Great bonding with the Maskomistas. We went to SM City, toured around; as assumed it is bigger than SM City Cagayan de Oro. I was keenly observing the way the Ilonggos talk. Well, their dialect greatly differs;
th Ate Chiara wi t s e b ’ s Guimara . mangoes
ta s a t M a s k o m is Island. Guimaras anyway, it is not that hard to understand. Yet we tried to converse in Tagalog instead. We visited churches also, as it is Iloilo’s thrust on showing that Ilonggos are religious and on displaying how they preserve their cultural heritages at their utmost. The leap that everybody won’t forget was the Guimaras Island excursion. Oh, who won’t defy for Guimaras? It houses white sand beaches, beautiful places, and of course the “sweetest mangoes in the Philippines”. We went to Raymen Beach Resort, one of the grandiose resorts in Guimaras. We met foreign tourists also; there were Koreans and Japanese daytrippers. I saw in their eyes that for them Guimaras is truly a paradise; it
was for us, how much for them, right? Shots from cameras were everywhere, everybody were busy for photo ops. After that beach escapade, we went to Brgy. San Miguel to buy delicacies as “pasalubong”. It was my first time to see mango ketchup and mango piyaya. So tempting. Looks delicious. Mouth watering. Splendid. And, who will forget mangoes from Guimaras? Of course, as we headed our way back to Rizal wharf, we dropped by mango fruit stands; and seeing those mangoes, touching them, they were really different from the usual. Guimaras mangoes were creamy and taste very sweet. “Pinakalami ug pinakatam-is nga mangga nga akong natilawan”, I uttered. Off the record, Iloilo trip was the best ever bonding the Maskomistas
rf , R iz a l W h a
got. We had the best laughter, the best smiles, the best conversations, the best jokes, in short, all was the best ever. I almost ran out of words for that trip; it does not mean I cannot think of something but this feature could not grip the happiness I felt up to this writing. To end, with that 691 words aforementioned before this turn, no words could deeply express my gratitude and thanks for the graciousness of the Lord God during our February 23-26 Iloilo adventure. *********** “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival” ~ C.S. Lewis
The high five at the Plazuela de Iloilo, the Little Vegas of Iloilo.
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Turnover of Project in Barangay 3. Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez of the second district of Cagayan de Oro formally turns over the newly renovated Barangay 3 office that cost P50 thousand pesos to Barangay Chairman Raul Bañanora together with barangay kagawads Erlinda Bonbon, Ethel Estaño, Ely Adoraflor, Nico Torcino and Jester Dellosa. ADVERTORIAL
March 3-9, 2013
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Loan agreement signing at the BPI Head Office with (L-R) Atty. Jose D. Leviste III, President, and Architect Romolo V. Nati, Chairman and CEO for Italpinas and Mr. Alfonso L. Salcedo, Jr., Executive Vice President and Group Head, Corporate Banking Division and Mr. Mario B. Palou, Senior Vice President for Bank of PI.
Villar urges DOT, DFA to tap OFWs as tour guides, tourism ambassadors NEW CLASSROOM: STEAG State Power Inc (SPI) Plant Manager Dr. Carsten Evers (right) led the ceremonial turn-over of a new classroom building at the Sta. Cruz Elementary School in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. Tagoloan Mayor Paulino Emano (3rd from left) said the new facility is a timely intervention to address the shortage of classrooms in public schools especially in the light of the K2+12 program of the Department of Education. The new facility will be expanded this year into a two-story building with an aggregate cost of P1.5 million. The project is part of Steag’s continuing commitment to support efforts in providing quality public education for its host communities in Misamis Oriental.
CDO Bloggers, Inc. Holds First Two Tipok-Tipok for 2013
Cagayan de Oro – February 24, 2013 - The Cagayan de Oro Bloggers, Inc., holds the first two meet-up for this year last February 9 and 23 at two different fast food chains in the city. The meet-up was dubbed as “Tipok-Tipok” which was organized by Eldie “Ding” Aban, CDO Bloggers Board Member and Venus Mabale, the Vice President for Internal Affairs. “Tipok-Tipok” aims to welcome interested members and a venue for sharing tips on blogging. The existing members help new members setup their own blogs and give out tips on utilizing the full potential of social media. Also, the activity itself served as an offline social activity for most online
workers. For this year, the organization will be holding one or two “Tipok-Tipok” per month to promote unity and camaraderie among bloggers in Cagayan de Oro. “We’d like to continue the monthly meet-up which really made the organization strong and standing.” says Ding Aban. Venus Mabale also added, “CDO Bloggers started with a meet-up and I believe it is still the best way to bring bloggers in one venue aside from the internet.” Dates and venues of the meet-ups are announced on the CDO Bloggers Facebook Page and Twitter Page. CDO Bloggers opens its membership to the public until the middle of March this year. For inquiries and submission of application, you can send it to cdobloggersinc@gmail.com.
SENATORIAL candidate and former congresswoman Cynthia Villar (NP-Team PNoy) called on the Department of Tourism to tap returning OFWs as tour guides to welcome international visitors from such countries as Korea, Japan, Malaysia and the Middle East. “This can be part of our reintegration efforts for OFWs since they are familiar with the customs, culture and even languages of countries that send a lot of tourists our way. It will also help put our tourists at ease since those looking after their needs are former workers in the countries that they came from,” Villar, a noted social entrepreneur, explained. She also noted that OFWs in
different parts of the world could also be harnessed as tourism ambassadors by both the DOT and DFA. “Equip our OFWs with promotional materials and develop a program where they can speak to the business community and other sectors in the countries where they work. These OFWs are very patriotic and many of them are loved by their employers and co-workers,” she stressed. Known by her campaign monicker “Misis Hanepbuhay”, Villar said that the tourism industry is a fast-growing sector and both the national and local governments must work together to outbeat other rival countries in terms of tourist arrivals.
According to the DOT website, the Philippines welcomed over 4-million foreign visitors in 2012, marking the first time for the country to go over the 4-millionth threshhold. Korea continues to be the country’s largest visitor market with 1,031,155 arrivals, accounting for 24.13% share of the total visitor volume. The said market rose by 11.45% from its arrivals of 925,204 in 2011. Another record was achieved by the tourism industry as it is the first time that a source market of the Philippines reached its 1 millionth visitor. “Many OFWs from Korea are able to speak the language fluently. They can be trained to become professional tour guides and interpreters,” Villar pointed out. ADVERTORIAL
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Solenn Heusaff Enhancing Filipino workers global is the new face of competitiveness tops PMAP Agenda Sun Broadband
Solenn Heusaff with (from left to right) Sun Cellular Assistant Vice President for Broadband Marketing Neph Denosta, Chief Operating Officer Charles Lim and Senior Vice President for Marketing Ricky Peňa at the contract signing.
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ctress, singer, TV host and model Solenn Heusaff is the newest celebrity endorser of Sun Broadband. No doubt Solenn is one of the hottest and most raved about actress in the entertainment industry today. With numerous movies, TV shows, onstage performances and product endorsements, who wouldn’t be impressed with the fashionable and multitalented It Girl? That’s why Solenn is the good choice of Sun Broadband – the consistent, fast and reliable broadband and wireless internet provider powered by Sun Cellular that lets subscribers be
anyone, do anything and get to anywhere they want online. “Solenn embodies Sun Broadband – packed with great values, strong, flexible and reliable. She is the ideal celebrity endorser to represent Sun Broadband’s commitment to constantly innovate and offer our subscribers groundbreaking products and services,” said Sun Cellular Senior Vice President for Marketing Ricky Peňa. “She is a leading voice of her generation and we are confident that we have made a good choice with her. “We are, likewise, happy she also made the good choice with Sun Broadband”, he added.
For more information about Sun Broadband,
visit www.sunbroadband.ph.
PRESS STATEMENT: FEB 19, 2013 NPA ATTACK ON DEL MONTE, CAMP PHILLIPS At around 6:00 pm of February 19, about 100 heavily armed men belonging to the New People’s Army attacked the plantation office and truck yard of Del Monte Philippines in Camp Phillips, Bukidnon. The attack began with an attempt by rebels to rob a Caltex gas station along Damilag road. The PNP responded swiftly but an exchange of gunfire followed, during which rebels burned three heavy equipment units and a personnel bus in the Del Monte truck yard. The rebels further attempted to torch field equipment parked at Del Monte’s nearby plantation office. Though unsuccessful, the attackers fatally shot one guard and wounded two security personnel. Fortunately, Del Monte employees who were trapped in their offices escaped unharmed. After the 30-minute encounter, the rebels escaped through the road to Dahilayan where they were pursued by the police and military. The Company, assisted by the PNP, military and local governments, has reinforced security measures to ensure the safety of its workers and the surrounding community. Company operations were not affected by the incident. Its key assets at the plantation and cannery have been safely secured. It is unfortunate that this is incident happened and we are unaware of the reasons why the rebels committed such acts of violence. Del Monte has been operating in Bukidnon for the last 87 years, and it has provided gainful employment to over 20,000 people across 10 municipalities. Del Monte has undertaken numerous socio-civic projects that continue to improve the lives of many families in the province.
Cagayan de Oro City –Increasing the competitiveness of Filipino workers amidst the fast-changing global economy and the growing demands for highly skilled and productive workforce remains in the top priority agenda of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP). PMAP National President Evelyn Grace Sorongon echoed this call to all Human Resource (HR) practitioners and people managers during the First General Membership Meeting (GMM) and Induction Rites of 2013 Officers of PMAP Cagayan de Oro Chapter held recently at the Seda Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. PMAP Cagayan de Oro Chapter 2013 officers and directors include Individual Member Aida May de Guzman, President; Dr. Wilma Magdale (STEAG State Power Inc), Vice President; Ma. Alva Espiritu (Del Monte Phils. Inc. ), Secretary; Priscilla Capitan (Polymedic Medical Group), Treasurer; Jocelyn Gogo (PROIS Intl School), Auditor; Atty. Panfilo Paracuelles (Cepalco), Norwena Acharon (Synnex Concenrix Corp), Dr. Dulce Corazon Esperon (Minergy), Marycris Go (Sacred Heart of Jesus Montesori School), Ma Soledad Amir ( Ateneo de Cagayan University Xavier University) , and Suzette Caeline Maandig (Bright Rock School) as Board of Directors. President Sorongon emphasized to all PMAP CDO Chapter officers and members to ensure that global standards on people management are met and Filipino people managers’ capabilities are at par or even better compared to their counterparts in the region, if not globally. In her speech, she also posed a challenge to the new set of officers to expand, if not double, the chapter’s membership this year. She further encouraged all people management practitioners to look beyond the HR discipline and to take calculated risks in exploring new ideas. She emphasized the significant role of HR practitioners in charting, designing and implementing new strategies and approaches amidst some radical changes in the country’s work environment. Meanwhile, outgoing president Precy Capitan paved the way of the challenge to the newly inducted set of officers and directors as she lauded the members and guests with
PEOPLE MANAGERS: Personnel Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) National President Evelyn Grace Sorongon inducts into office the officers of the PMAP Cagayan de Oro City Chapter in simple ceremonies held recently at the Seda Hotel, this city. The 2013 PMAP CDO Chapter officers and directors are Aida May de Guzman, President; Dr. Wilma Magdale (STEAG State Power Inc), Vice President; Ma. Alva Espiritu (Del Monte Phils. Inc. ), Secretary; Priscilla Capitan (Polymedic Medical Group), Treasurer; Jocelyn Gogo (PROIS Intl School), Auditor; Atty. Panfilo Paracuelles (Cepalco), Norwena Acharon (Synnex Concenrix Corp), Dr. Dulce Corazon Esperon (Minergy), Marycris Go (Sacred Heart of Jesus Montesori School), Ma Soledad Amir ( Ateneo de Cagayan University - Xavier University) , and Suzette Caeline Maandig (Bright Rock School) as Board of Directors.
her euphoric valedictory address highlighting the c hapter’s 2012 remarkable accomplishments during the turnover ceremony. In deep gratitude of her leadership milestones, she awarded two member companies that extended their all- out support to the chapter during her term as chapter president. These companies are STEAG State Power Inc. and Del Monte Phils. Inc. Accepting her leadership role, newly installed PMAP Cagayan de Oro Chapter President Aida May de Guzman expressed the chapter’s commitment to align its programs and activities with the current strategic direction of the national association. She also underscored the strategic role of PMAP in creating and nurturing a community that fosters the development of the Filipino human capital and in blazing new trails as thought leaders. “As the local arm of PMAP in Cagayan de Oro City and neighboring areas, we will continue to pursue the implementation of programs and projects that fulfil PMAP’s mandate of helping companies and organizations especially the small and medium enterprises (SME’s) achieve effectiveness and greatness
Toyota S Offers Free Vehicle Safety Inspection this Summer
through sound people management, effective leadership and continuing human capital development” de Guzman said. She also expressed confidence that with the continued support and cooperation of all officers and members, the PMAP CDO Chapter will sustain its reputation as one of the outstanding PMAP chapters in the country. PMAP-CDO Chapter has been awarded six times since 2000 as best chapter in the Philippines. This year’s induction rites and first GMM was also graced with the presence of the past presidents, the Junior PMAP officers, executives and officers from the different business sectors and the academe. PMAP Chapters Committee Director Incharge Dr. Josephine Go and Chapters Committee Chair Ms. Louisa Mila Echevarria also guested the occasion to present the new set of officers and to charge them, respectively. The occasion culminated with a fun-filled fellowship dinner flavored with the sponsored hearty raffle prizes from the member companies and the discovery of the members’ hidden talents in singing the different genre of songs.
ummer is just around the corner and what better way to prepare for your long road trip than to have your Toyota checked by Toyota-certified technicians for free! Simply visit any of Toyota’s dealerships from February 25 to March 23 to avail of the Free 20-point vehicle safety inspection. Furthermore, for your peaceof-mind, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation will once again launch the Toyota Motorists Assistance this coming Holy Week – a service tradition for the past 22 years. From Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, service teams will be deployed in eight major destinations across Luzon to assist the motoring public in Bantay, Ilocos Sur; Rosario, La Union; Baguio City, Benguet; Urdaneta, Pangasinan; Tagaytay City;
Calamba, Laguna; Lucena City, Quezon; and Sipocot, Camarines Sur. The service teams will provide free roadside assistance and repairs to all vehicles with emergency concerns, regardless of makes and models. The Toyota Motorists Assistance Campaign is in par tnership with Toyota Dealers, Chevron Philippines Inc.; Philippine Auto Components (Denso), Inc.; Du Pont Far East, Inc.; Emicor, Inc; 3M Philippines, Inc.; Fujitsu Ten Corporation of the Philippines; Paint Marketing Co. Phils., Inc.; Federal Chemicals (Akzonobel), Inc.; Bridgestone; OE Works Manufacturing, Three Bond Singapore Pte. Ltd and Smart Q Systems Co., Inc. With Toyota you can be sure of safe and worry-free road trips this summer!
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March 3-9, 2013
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Agriculture Updates
DA-NFA DA-NFA supports 2013 advocates disaster National Year of Rice preparedness Marianne Chan-Tapongot Provincial Information Officer, DA-NFA, MisOr
Cagayan de Oro City – WITH the year 2013 declared as the National Year of Rice by President Benigno S. Aquino, III under Proclamation No. 494, the National Food Authority (NFA) - Misamis Oriental Provincial Office under the Department of Agriculture (DA) is currently spearheading Ugnayan activities to various palay/corn farmers and farmers’ organizations in Misamis Oriental and Northern Bukidnon, covering the towns of Talakag, Manolo Fortich, Libona, Baungon and Malitbog. In view of the declaration which stresses the promotion of responsible rice consumption for better health and lesser rice wastage and productive farming, the Ugnayan supports the initiative through informing the farmers on the procurement activities of the DA-NFA, particularly the government’s support price for rice to ensure market for their produce and to enable them to have a fair return on their production investment. Currently, the DA-NFA’s support
Marianne Chan-Tapongot Provincial Information Officer, DA-NFA, MisOr
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price for palay is at P17 per kilogram (kg), clean and dry. In addition to the basic price, the government also extends incentives to palay deliveries: Cooperative Development Incentive Fee (CDIF) – 0.30/ kg, drying fee – 0.20/kg and delivery fee – 0.20/kg – 0.50/kg maximum, resulting to an overall price range of P17.70/kg – 18.00/kg.
o instil preparedness for immediate response to disasters, the National Food Authority – Misamis Oriental under the Department of Agriculture (DA) is currently conducting a series of briefings on the agency’s Rice Loan Program to allow the local government units (LGUs) of Misamis Oriental and Northern Bukidnon, including the towns of Talakag, Manolo Fortich, Libona, Baungon and Malitbog to purchase rice on credit. Once the DA-NFA and the targeted beneficiaries will forge a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the latter will have access in procuring rice through loans for relief operations, in the event a state of calamity is declared in their locality and for stock piling purposes, in preparation of emergencies that may occur at any given time. Request forms have been
distributed to the said LGUs for the conduct of an orientation during their scheduled Sangguniang Panlalawigan sessions for them to fill-out and mail back to the agency, signifying whether they are interested or not to avail the Program. So far, briefings have already been conducted for the municipalities of Alubijid, Libona and Manolo Fortich, who have likewise expressed intent to comply with the MOA requirements. Other slated briefings are for the towns of Malitbog and Baungon on February 25 and 27, respectively. With this campaign on disaster preparedness, the LGUs can be assured of timely availment to the government’s rice supply in times of crisis, whether it be manmade or natural, that may hit the abovementioned areas.
Cynthia Villar bats for massive info campaign on new anti-trafficking law NP-Team P-Noy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar urged the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to mount a massive information campaign on the recently signed RA No. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act of 2012 to warn syndicates that the government means business in the fight against human trafficking. V i l l a r, o n e o f t h e congressional authors of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2003, said that the new law has more teeth and provides greater resources to the fight against trafficking. She also lauded President Aquino for signing the landmark law and signifying his support to its thorough implementation. “Under R A 10364, any attempt to recruit and deploy Filipinos for human trafficking is recognized as a criminal offense. The law also removes the cloak of confidentiality for the perpetrators of human trafficking, so they could no longer hide from the public by citing their right to privacy,” she explained. The former congresswoman from Las Pinas City expressed concern that illegal recruitment
and trafficking of women to countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Malaysia, and South Korea continues despite repeated warnings from the government. “The fight against human trafficking and illegal recruitment requires the cooperation of all sectors. We need to intensify access to livelihood programs at the barangay levels to give our unemployed and underemployed citizens more alternatives than to just leave the country unprotected,” Villar stressed. As managing director of the Villar Foundation, Mrs. Cynthia Villar pointed out that most of the women repatriated from abroad were forced to leave the country to provide for the basic needs of their families. “They are seduced by all these sweet promises because they could no longer stand seeing their children go hungry. They feel so helpless due to poverty and lack of income sources,” Villar noted. She said that the Technic al Educ ation and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is on the right track in taking a more pro-active stance
in promoting vocational skills training at the grassroots levels. “Alongside the awareness campaign on the Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act of 2012, we should also push skills training and micro-finance programs as alternatives for indigent families to consider. The best
protection that our workers can get here and abroad is the acquisition of skills and experience so they can move up to less vulnerable occupations,” Villar added. Villar, also known as “Misis Hanepbuhay”, said she will push for legislation to complement
the Anti-Trafficking Act that would focus on providing victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment with concrete reintegration services. “ While we run af ter the traffickers, we also need to care for the victims in a more sustained, cohesive way.” ADVERTORIAL
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Viral Infections & Self Care Measures
Health IN focus Dr. Mary Jean Loreche
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wo days ago, I had the great privilege of being drawn into a discussion by a group of future and promising Doctors. They were to do community work, where they have to immerse themselves and help out the barangay health workers in giving lectures and information to the residents of a given community. I suggested that on top of giving out information on the basics of common illnesses, and prevention, that they also teach them self- care measures. These are easy to do, effective, inexpensive, doable things that can impact one’s day to day living. A viral infection can affect anyone. It is no respecter of persons, which means it can
affect the very young, and the very old, male and female, rich or poor, educated or not. But, a viral infection has more pronounced effects on the extremes of ages ( infants and the elderly ), those who are immune-compromised ( like those with the Big C, Diabetics ), and those who live in very closed communities ( dormitories, jails, orphanages, home for the aged ). In far flung communities where parents live with their children and grandchildren and a lot more of relatives ( considering that Filipinos are a close knit family ), it is very easy for a viral infection affecting one, to spread out and infect the rest of the family members or those within the living quarters. Since transmission can
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CAGAYAN TIMES Publisher ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA General Manager SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY Editor-in-Chief RONALD MASTAIL Associate Editor | Art Director ARJAY FELICILDA CHRISTINE CABIASA DYON KARLO AGUILLON ROSELYN PAGLINAWAN MARIEL IGOT Correspondents NELSON CONSTANTINO RUEL PELONE ALLAN MEDIANTE JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA Editorial Consultants John del Bando Sales & Marketing Director PINKY DOMINGO CADAVEDO Marketing Executive ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI ATTY. ROBERTO A. CANTAGO, JR. Legal Counsels The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES newspaper is published weekly at FICCO Bldg., Lapasan Hi-way, with the editorial office at Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa St., Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 with Certificate No. 01801884, and with Business Permit No. 17211 with TIN No. 311982-549-000 Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CagayandeOroTIMES email us at
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be through droplets, close contacts, or ingestion of contaminated water and food, teaching them the basics of prevention, self –care remedies, and when to seek immediate consultation plays a central role. These simple guidelines are as applicable to the barangays and to us living in the highly urbanized areas. Antibiotics have no place in viral infections, unless there is a secondary bacterial infection. It is self- limiting, meaning, it should resolve on its own after 3-5 days. Where there is difficulty taking in fluids or food, weakness, persistent vomiting or nausea, changes in behaviour, or signs of dehydration ( for intestinal flu ), or, when the fever persists
after 2 days, or, when the patient affected has other illnesses like a malignancy or diabetes, then, it is to the patient’s benefit to seek consultation immediately. A medication that may be prescribed is usually symptomatic: meaning the medicines given is directed at a particular symptom like antipyrectics for fever, oral rehydration for signs of dehydration. Preventing one’s self from getting the disease means one must keep one’s immune system healthy, by eating healthy, exercise, rest and abstaining from smoking or alcoholic beverages. Frequent hand washing is very basic, that we often miss out on doing it. If it were you who happened to have the
illness, it is your responsibility to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough in order to contain the particles and stop it from infecting others. Simplifying one’s diet when the infection affects the stomach and keeping one from certain food and beverages will help settle the stomach like avoidance of too spicy foods, caffeinated drinks are a few examples that can be done during the period of the illness. If it were respiratory, taking in plenty of fluids, eating a balanced nutritious diet and rest will go a long way. It is said that in one’s lifetime, one cannot evade the possibility of having that virus affect you: but, you and I can do something about it and come out better and healthy persons.
Hello... Summer T
hese past few days I can’t help but notice the scorching heat of the sun. The Taxi’s airconditioning system cannot withstand the heat outside. Well it only means one thing, summer is here right? I know what you’re thinking ... White sandy beach = vacation time. Yehey! Kids will exclaim, I will shout it loud too. It’s been quite some time I’ve been longing to go to the beach and go on a vacation so I am really looking forward to it. What a blessing it is as well that one of our summer weddings will be an out of town beach wedding. Singing outdoors and facing the sea is an image I’m holding in my mind till I get there. Last summer I had a great time at Panglao
Bohol, listening to their musicians, watching very young fire dancers and exploring Bohol with old friends. This summer where should I go? Other than summer weddings and beach escapades I am also excited to have my voice workshop with the kids along with my team. Since I started teaching voice in the summer, every summer season is always a reminder of how God answered my prayer in relation to my career which eventually made me realize that it’s my personal calling to teach other s to sing. Why Kids? They absorbed like sponges. They’re simply adorable with their innocence and superstar dreams. It makes me smile when I see kids performing on stage these days.
ESIP Step 4: Learn to Protect! “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin As the “E-S-I-P” paradigm goes: Earn. Save. Invest. Protect. Risk is an inherent part of life. We simply have no foolproof way of knowing what tomorrow may bring. As many would agree, "OGK" – only God knows! As you go out striving to attain financial security by building your financial fortress through honest means of earning, saving, investing and
What about the teens? Yes I also love teaching them because they remind me when I started to learn how to sing as well. The more I teach the more I realize that I need to mentor these students because every singer musician should be well grounded in attitude as it says talent is never enough. Thus as young as they are it should be inculcated in their minds the right perspective of talent and attitude. As the summer season starts I would like to encourage all parents to enrol your kids to any summer program that is inclined to their gifting whether in the arts or sports. For it will surely boost their confidence, develop their social skills and help them unleash the gift that God gave them. For those of you who
WORDS & NOTES DEBBIE CABAGUE
are surely musically inclined, whether you are young or the young at heart our team will offer special summer classes in voice, keyboard and guitar. For inquiries you may contact 09162601807. Happy summer everyone!
The Financial Doctor
By Dr. Adonis Agcopra MBA, RFC®
accumulating your assets, it pays to bear in mind the scout motto: "Be prepared." Be ready to address all possible dangers and difficulties that lie ahead – more specifically, the financial perils and pitfalls that could occur. Lack of preparation AGCOPRA|Page 7
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THE CRIMINOLOGIST Dr.Gerry J. Caño
The Criminologist Legislative Agenda
T
he Bachelor of Science in Criminology program has been in this country for more than 50 years already. It has been a witness to the ups and downs of our Democracy, Law Enforcement, and the Peace and Order condition of this country, and it has unwittingly registered its contributions to the annals of Philippine history. The program took around 18 years to be given legal mandate as a criminology profession. Republic Act 6506 “AN ACT CREATING THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR CRIMINOLOGISTS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” which was approved last July 1, 1972. However, the realization of this law was only on April 1988 when the first Criminologists Licensure Examination was conducted. From then on the Criminology profession has evolved and it has provided the paradigm for the professionalization of the law enforcement service of the country in particular, and the public safety in general. With the advent of information technology, the landscape of law enforcement has dramatically changed. Laws have to be passed in order to catch-up with the fast pace of development both in criminality and law enforcement. After more than 35 years from the approval of R.A. 6506, it was only on March 13, 2008 that the Hall of the House of Representatives
take the initial action of amending R.A. 6506 through the relentless and gallant effort of the Congressman from the Second District of Cagayan de Oro City Congressman RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ. House Bill 3757 “The Philippine Criminology Profession Act of 2008” had laid the array of fields and interests for the Criminology profession notwithstanding the lift it made among Criminologists in the Philippines. Thereby shaping the bedrock, and the metes and bounds for the future of the Criminology profession in this country. This act is not a battle for recognition, but rather an exercise of a right. A right that has been long past overdue, neglected and worst, invaded by people and organization with vested interest. Who in one way or another would like to fit-in their selves in the Criminology profession without first getting into the rigors of its academic discipline. The B.S. Criminology program is the only formal educational program in this country that have provided the fundamental principles of Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Criminal Investigation, Industrial Security, Correctional Administration, Fire and Arson Investigation, and Forensic Sciences, etc. such fact is even a judicial notice to all and therefore all rights imbedded therewith should be afforded to all its practitioners. The passage of R.A. 4864 “The Police Act
of 1966” did not even recognized that there is such a formal education as B.S. Criminology in spite of the fact that the Philippine College of Criminology has offered and produced graduates of the program more than 10 years before the passage of R.A. 4864. The Integrated National Police empowered through P.D. 765 which was approved on August 8, 1975, in like manner failed to give due recognition and value to the Criminology profession. Wherein the academic program of Criminology was even way ahead before the Philippine government was able to set –up its crime laboratory. The academic curriculum of the B.S. Criminology program is a look alike if not a mimic of the curriculum of B.S. Public Safety a program offered in the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) which started in 1978. This would only manifest that in deed products of the PNPA and Criminologists have the same academic foundation. However, their disparity in opportunity and rights is unparalleled, for it has no basis of similar opportunities, rights and benefits. The EDSA I revolution pave the way for the passage of R.A. 6975, we were glad since it mentioned and recognized the Criminology field as a potent contributor to the human resource of the technical and leadership of the various units of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management
and Penology, and Bureau of Fire Protection. Seven years after the approval of R.A. 6975, on January of 1991, the Philippine Congress amended it, in 1998 R.A. 8551 was passed into law and it has empowered and recognized the value of Criminology graduates and most importantly the Criminologists. The efforts of the Criminology predecessors is now reaped by the new breed of Criminologists benefiting not only from the academic training inculcated but more so with legwork, networking, linkages, and voluntarism of the predecessors of the Criminology discipline curving the kind of Criminology education and the benefits attached thereto. However, we the stake holders of the Criminology profession has a duty to pay it forward to the next generation of Criminologists. While we recognized the rights and benefits we enjoy today as Criminologists we feel its not yet enough and complete. We need to push more legal mandates that would empower us and protect this profession. Protect not only from the invaders, but protect the name that it would not be tarnished nor blemished with corruption in material, moral, ethical, academic incompetence, political, social and cultural degradation. We have strongly supported the action initiated by the
Congressman from the Second District of Zamboanga Del Sur, Congressman ANTONIO H. CERELLES, who vigorously filed House Bill 6497 and House Bill 6498 amending the provisions of R.A. 8551 and R.A. 9263 respectively. The amendment is anchored primarily on the qualification of the PNP, BJMP, and BFP that the minimum qualification for appointment to any of these agencies should be B.S. Criminology graduate, and must have passed the Licensure Examination. We need to embrace wholeheartedly the developments as this would cement the destiny for a better future of our criminologists. I am calling all Criminologists to all rally behind these House Bills and pull our resources together, as we push our respective congressman in our respective congressional district to support these initiatives. If our lobby efforts would not catapult to its realization under this administration then we should not rest our laurels nor be disheartened, but rather we should make use of it as our conduit and stream of action, motivation, and inspiration, before our expiration. We should be the change we want to see in the future. Let our action be the audacity of hope for the next generation. As we create this condition we are creating the tipping point of our profession and blink it to wherever we will be.
AGCOPRA ...from Page 6 could easily lead to your financial downfall. In life, financial challenges do come to everyone with no exception. It is as sure as the sun rises to greet each and every morning. A lot of these challenges are expected. If you have a child, you'd most likely want him or her to study in the best schools to gain better footing someday. This corresponds to a future cost that you should have prepared well in advance. But for those unpredictable misfortunes that behave much like the stormy weather that sporadically comes and goes, the big question to be wary about should be: "When is it coming?"
Somehow, risk can be mitigated to a great extent. Risk protection is good preparation. Without prior protective financial buffer mechanisms in place, any of your assets could potentially be wiped out even by a single financial disaster. Your hard-earned P5M could easily go up in smoke if your house burns down without property cover. You'd have to shell out another P1M to replace your car should it get totally wrecked without sufficient insurance. Your physical business assets and stock inventory should also be part of a comprehensive business protection strategy.
At the end of the day, especially for those whose income are still mostly actively generated, it should be very important not to miss out that you – your mind and body – are your greatest lifetime assets. All your other assets wouldn't be around without you. Among the most important questions you might need to ask are: "If I cannot physically do the work expected of me due to sickness or disability, how big will its impact be to my loss of income? Do I have enough buffer in place? Are there significant others depending on my income? How financially tragic will it be for me, my family and my business, work or profession if I have
no prior preparations made?" Your mental and physical capital rightly deserves all the adequate protection it should have. Be a good scout. Be ready and prepared. Be adequately protected. Act now!
(Dr. Adonis Agcopra is a registered international financial strategic consultant with IARFC and is portfolio director of AFIC Meridian Consultants. URL: www. aficfinancialconsultants.com. Email: aficfinancialconsultants@outlook.com.)
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Features
Micronutrient deficiency in PH:
When the smallest matters most
B
CAGAYANTIMES d e O ro
AboitizPower projects on track for 2015 completion targets A
boitizPower reported that construction is ongoing for several projects committed by the company to deliver additional power by 2015 to hard-up Mindanao grid. The company has committed P35 billion in new investments to add more capacity to Mindanao, which is experiencing an acute power shortage on a daily basis. The shortage is expected to worsen with the coming summer months and the ensuing low water levels in Lake Lanao. Subsidiary Therma South Inc., which is building a 300MW, 24/7 baseload coal power plant in southern Davao City, has deployed close to one thousand workers on its construction site and is expecting to escalate the manpower requirements in the next few months. “Thanks to the support of our host barangys and local
government units as well as various government agencies, we are on our way in meeting our committed completion target in 2015,” Therma South president and COO Benjamin A. Cariaso Jr., said. “This power plant will hopefully bring a long-term solution to ongoing power crisis, by providing 300-MW of reliable baseload power to Mindanao power users thru the electric cooperatives which have and will sign up with us.” Another subsidiary, Hedcor Inc., is moving full-swing on the construction of its Tudaya 1 and 2 run-of-river hydro power plants, with more than 300 workers on the two sites in barangays Astorga and Sibulan, both in Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur. The two facilities will combine for 13 megawatts of reliable and renewable power. The two facilities will be completed by 2014. “Aside from our goal of
supplying renewable power to our customers, we have given livelihood opportunities and development projects to our farflung host communities, which make us extra proud of our project,” Hedcor COO Rene B. Ronquillo said. He said Hedcor is also in the planning stages of several other projects that will add more renewable capacity to the grid in the medium term. Therma South is using the latest circulating fluidized-bed combustion technology to ensure the clean coal power plant will meet stringent government health and environment standards. Hedcor, on the other hand has 30 years of leadership and expertise on the run-of-river hydro power technology. It currently supplies 155 MW of renewable hydro power to Luzon and Mindanao.
Cynthia Villar honors enthroned Maranao Royalty
More and more Filipino school children suffer from inadequate nutrition y t h e i r ve r y n a m e, micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that are needed only in very small amounts, but their impact on our health is huge. Micronutrients like iron, zinc, Vitamin A, and many others are responsible for the vital functioning of our body’s systems, from physical growth and vision, to brain vigor and increased immunity. When the body fails to receive the small quantities of micronutrients that it needs, serious health problems can result in a condition widely regarded as micronutrient deficiency or “hidden hunger”. The nutritional makeup of the Philippines continues to be characterized by the severity of micronutrient deficiency. According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute- Depar tment of S c i e n c e a n d Te c h n o l o gy (FNRI-DOST), 70-90 percent of Filipinos lack iron and Vitamin A in their usual diet. Two out of ten schoolchildren suffer from iron deficiency anemia, and the incident rises with age. Following closely are those lacking adequate amounts of Vitamin A in their diet. One out of ten from the same group is Vitamin A deficient. The same study also shows that two out of ten children are zinc deficient. Zinc is a trace mineral that plays a role in body metabolism, reproductive health, immune function, and more than 200 important chemical reactions in the body. Inadequate intake of these three important micronutrients may lead to several nutritional problems, including stunting, fatigue, poor concentration, lac k of focus and other signs
The
By Frank E. Dosdos, Jr.
of impaired physical and cognitive development. T h e s e m ay b e r e f l e c t e d among schoolchildren who suffer from poor mental and physical performance and frequent absenteeism as a result of impaired immunity. It is also important to have plenty of Vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that boosts immunity, prevents cardiovascular disease, and contributes to healthy skin, among many other benefits. “Making the right food choices is one of the ways to address the problems of micronutrient deficiency,” said Dr. Imelda Agdeppa, Assistant Scientist of FNRIDOST. “Unfortunately, the inaccessibility of food and money in the majority of Filipino households puts many families at a high risk of getting sic k. The good news is there are many products in the market that are affordable and fortified with these micronutrients, and many families are already benefiting from these.” Experts from FNRI recommend that when there is an inadequate intake of these nutrients, the consumption of foods that are fortified particularly with the three m i c ro n u t r i e n t s p r i m a r i l y lacking in the Filipino diet— Vitamin A, Iron, and Zinc—is encouraged so as to address nutrient gap. In response to this dietary concern, Nestlé Philippines is intensifying its campaign to promote nutritious and affordable sources of important nutrients especially needed by children, such as BEAR BRAND Powdered Milk Drink. It is for tified with tibay resistensya nutrients like Iron, Zinc, and Vitamin C plus Calcium that kids need for proper growth and to perform well in school.
At Center is Senatorial Candidate Cythia Villar with Royalties in Lanao del Sur.
One of the leading senatorial candidates in the forthcoming May 13, elections, a favorite of the Maranaos, graced the enthronement of two prominent royal personalities in Lanao del Sur last February 16. Former Congresswoman of Las Pinas and Managing Director of Villar Foundation Cynthia Villar was the Guest of Honor during the enthronement of Sultan Ansary Maongco and Bai a Labi Nessren “Eleanor” Dimaporo Lantud of Tabib, Butig, Lanao del Sur. The affair was held at the Lanao del Sur Capitol Auditorium. According to Maranao custom the Sultan is the Head of the Community while the Bai a Labi is the equivalent of the Sultan in leading the women population. Some call the Bai a Labi, their
queen. Ansary is known to be a prominent personality in his profession and among the people of Butig and the whole province of Lanao del Sur while Lantud is the incumbent Mayor of Pantao Ragat, Lanao del Norte. In her message, Villar give her wishes to Ansary and Lantud for their successes and the prosperity of their respective domains. She also praised the Maranaos for being mostly business-minded. She said that Maranao businessmen and traders are found everywhere throughout the country. She told the crowd of hundreds of people from the different Sultanates of Lanao del Sur that she has started
Livelihood Projects in Lanao del Sur among many that she has throughout the country through the Villar Foundation. These will be replicated in many more places in Mindanao and nationwide once she becomes a Senator, she said. Her mention of livelihood projects was applauded many times by the audience. It can be noted that according to NEDA records, Lanao del Sur, one of the provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is among the poorest provinces in the country. After the enthronement ceremony, Villar was welcomed at the LASURECO Offices in another part of Marawi City where she formally opened the Consumers’ Park within the compound of the said cooperative. ADVERTORIAL
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PEUGEOT ...from Page 1
“It (Peugeot) comes with an auto start-stop system that shuts down the engine when the car is on a halt, for instance at traffic intersections; and, when the driver taps on the accelerator or flicks the gear lever, it will just move ahead normally. It cuts fuel consumption by up to 15 percent,” Mabilog explained. Peugeot’s comeback was first announced in February, and yesterday the new distributor made true its promise eyeing an initial target to sell 2,500 Peugeot cars per year in the next three years, and then 10,000 units by the fifth year. "Our goal is to capture five percent of the Philippine car market in five years," Mabilog announced earlier. Part of the strategy is to put up 12 dealerships nationwide this year - five in Metro Manila and seven in major provincial cities - the first of which is the one opened here in Cagayan de Oro. On Wednesday, EDI opened one in Manila. Among the models Peugeot introduced to
Felix J. Mabilog, Jr. President, EUROBRANDS Distributors, Inc.
the market were: the 508 large sedan, the RCZ sports coupe, the 3008 compact crossover and the 5008 compact MPV. The 508, the 3008 and the 5008 have a price range of P1.5 million to P2 million, while the RCZ costs more than P2 million. Mabilog, also EDI COO, said the prices are way below other European and American-made cars and slightly higher than Asian-made models. Eurobrands' Peugeot lineup, Mabilog
announced, consisted of diesel models, except for one in the stable: the RCZ sporty coupe. The 508, the 3008 and the 5008 are all be powered by diesel engines, making them economically viable here in the Philippines due to the high cost of gasoline. Both the 3008 and the 5008 have the same two diesel engine options: the 112hp 1.6-liter eHDi Active unit and the 163hp 2.0-liter HDi Allure powerplant. The 508 also has the 163hp
Gregoire Olivier PSA COO for Asia & Member of the Managing Board of Peugeot S.A.
Photos by SHAUN UY
2.0-liter HDi Allure and the 1.6-liter eHDi Active. The 508 is said to have an output of 115hp. The lone petrol model in the lineup, the RCZ, is equipped with a 156hp 1.6-liter Turbo High Pressure engine. Mabilog said the lion-badge will make a difference in motoring through the twin brand’s advantages on diesel fuel consumption and auto-stop power technology," said Mabilog. Also present in yesterday’s event were
Peugeot Automobiles ASEAN officials led by Gregoire Olivier, PSA chief executive officer for Asia and member of the managing board, Lionel Faugeres, general director for Asean, Vincent Comyn, area director for ASEAN countries, Jean Yves Dossal, sales director for Asian Operations, Ronnie Mercado, ASEAN regional sales manager for Automobiles Peugeot, Johnny T. Hernandez, chairman, Eurobrands Distributor Inc., Bienvenido S. Santos, vice chairman,
Eurobrands Distributor Inc., Ricardo "Dong" Magsajo, marketing director, Eurobrands Distributor Inc., Demosthenes Rosales, chief finance officer, Alvarez Group of Companies, and Columbian Motors Group Regional Dealers Alex Rolida (Bacolod/ Dumaguete); Ed and Toby Ang (Davao/ General Santos); Martin Goho (Cebu); Jun Osin (Butuan); Tony dela Fuente and Bebot Pungtod (Cagayan de Oro/Ozamiz/ Pagadian/Zamboanga).
Misis Hanep Buhay is among GoNegosyo’s outstanding Filipina Entrepreneurs of 2013 Villar vows to continue advocacies focused on women, livelihood and entrepreneurship 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 will be awarded during the 5th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit at the World Trade Center on Friday (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 oil-making 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 l e g i s l a t i o n t h a t p ro m o t e s 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. G o N e g o syo c i te d i n 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.
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A Labor court rules on NGCP Performance Incentive Scheme (PIS)
complaint against the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for the payment of the Performance Incentive Scheme (PIS) for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 has been dismissed for lack of merit. In a Decision handed by the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) Regional Arbitration Branch No. XIII in Butuan City on January 29, the court ruled that complainants Amorlino L. Cudillo, Alvaro L. Salingay and 62 others have no vested right to claim the PIS against NGCP. Complainants demanded the payment of the PIS, which they claimed as a yearly incentive bonus accruing from the efficient and satisfactory service they rendered that enabled the company to meet its performance targets set for the years 2009, 2010, and 2011. They further asserted that the PIS is rewarded to entities regulated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) like the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) and respondent NGCP upon ERC's approval of the application for the Maximum Allowable Revenue (MAR) of each year. Once the application is approved by the ERC, the regulated entity is authorized to collect the funds for MAR and PIS from transmission customers. The complainants - former employees of TransCo who were absorbed by NGCP after the latter took over the business operations of TransCo in 2009 -- alleged that they
NGCP ...from Page 1
did not only violate NGCP's existing policy, rules and regulations for conduct a g a i n s t p ro p e r t y a n d company interest, but also constitute a just cause for termination under Article 282 of the Labor Code. The law states than an employer may terminate an employment for serious misconduct or willful
disobedience by the employee of the lawful orders of his employer or representative in connection with his work. The Decision further stated that NGCP fully complied with the requirements of the procedural due process before the complainants were dismissed from employment. As ruled by the court, the
s h ow - c a u s e l e t t e r, t h e complainants' explanation in writing, the administrative investigation of NGCP where complainants answers the charges against them, and the final notice of termination of employment are sufficient to satisfy the requirements of due process prescribed by the Labor Code.
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received the PIS reward earned as TransCo employees in 2008, but NGCP refused to release the PIS for the years 2009, 2010, and 2011. The court ruled that NGCP is an entity separate and distinct from TransCo and any monetary grant or benefits extended by the complainants’ former employer TransCo over and above what is required by law does not bind NGCP. The law also recognizes that any grant of bonus cannot be demanded by the employees from its employer and that any monetary grant over and above what the law requires is a management prerogative which cannot be forced upon the employer. The Decision further ruled that the complainants cannot invoke the PIS as a form of monetary benefit granted to workers for their satisfactory service to enable NGCP to meet the performance target because the PIS, as granted by the ERC, is meant to reward or to penalize NGCP should its actual level of performance exceed or go below the target level of performance in a particular regulatory year. It was further noted by the court that in ERC's reply to the letter of NGCP seeking clarification on the purpose of the PIS, the ERC wrote that "under Section 8.2 of the Rules for the Setting of Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR), the PIS in intended to reward or penalize NGCP as a Regulated Entity.
DSWD assures funds, aid for ‘Crising’ victims Charmaine P. Tadlas - DSWD/PIA10
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), on Thursday, assured that enough funds and relief supplies are in place for the victims of typhoon ‘Crising.’ Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman said that P15.84 million in standby funds, P10.45 million in family food packs, and P42.44 million worth of relief supplies were prepositioned in the DSWD Field Offices 4-B, 9, 10, 11, 12, CARAGA and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) affected by the typhoon. In Region 10, a total of 644 families composed of 3,220 persons coming from four barangays of Valencia City, Bukidnon were affected and are now staying in five evacuation centers in Batangan, Maapag, Pinatilan, and Catambalon.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of Valencia City provided 15 sacks of rice and 10 cases of sardines to affected families. Standby funds worth P607,599.96 and 10,000 family packs worth P2.31 million are available at the DSWD Field Office 10 in Cagayan de Oro City. In Region 11, a total of 19,384 families composed of 96,205 individuals were affected by ‘Crising’ in 49 barangays, eight municipalities of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. Eleven evacuation centers were set-up in Region 11 providing temporary shelter to 690 families composed of 2,996 individuals. The DSWD released 9,000 family food packs worth P2.25 million to affected LGUs of Kapalong, Asuncion and Dujali, all in the province of Davao del
Norte. More than P22.66 million standby funds and food and no-food items including family food packs were allocated by DSWD for disaster relief operations in Region 11. As of this report, the total number of damaged houses is 84, all partially destroyed in the municipality of Kapalong, Davao del Norte. In Region 12, a total of 2,929 families composed of 14,645 individuals were affected in seven barangays of Kabacan, North Catabato. Secretary Soliman directed the DSWD Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Teams in the regions affected by typhoon ‘Crising’ to monitor the extent of damage brought about by the weather disturbance, particularly the flashflood and landslide prone areas and to assist LGUs in disaster relief operations.
TransCom a major leap for peace, says Villar FORMER congresswoman and senatorial candidate (Team PNoy-NP) Cynthia Villar welcomed as a “major leap for peace” the presidential appointment of 15 members to the Transition Commission (TransCom) that would help draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law as a vital step towards obtaining lasting peace in Mindanao. “It is both symbolic and appropriate that President Aquino decided to name the members of the 15-person Transition Commission on this historic day. We must harness the spirit and essence of people power in support of peace and development initiatives for Mindanao,” she said. Villar said the Nacionalista Party fully supports the ongoing transformation of conflict-affected areas in Muslim Mindanao
into havens of peace and development as a major thrust of the Aquino administration. She said that the Transition Commission needs to begin its consultations right away and must make an effort to ensure an open, inclusive, and transparent approach in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Known as “Misis Hanepbuhay” the former congresswoman of Las Pinas City said that the Villar Foundation is willing to work with other NGOs and LGUs in promoting various livelihood projects in Mindanao. “We all have to pitch in and accompany the peace process to its rightful conclusion because a peaceful and stable Mindanao has much to offer not just our country but the world,” Villar stressed.
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| March 3-9, 2013
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Cynthia Villar gets studes, parents, teachers’ support
SENATORIAL candidate Cynthia Villar (fourth from right) receives the resolution and statement of support from the faculty members, parents’ organization, and students from the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) during her short visit in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday morning. Mrs. Villar, a three-termer member of the House of the
Representatives, won the support of the students, parents, and teachers of MUST for her effort in making the transforming the school in a university leavel. In her speech, she encourages the students to give education their top-most priorities. She also shared to students how Las Piñas managed to make money out of waste materials. ADVERTORIAL
Globe grooves in Sinulog beat
Globe Executives with hot celebrities sizzle at the Sinulog. From left, Martin Cu, Globe External Affairs VisMin Head Jerome Yntig, Retail Transformation and Management Head Joe Caliro, Tattoo Nomadic Head Dong Ronquillo, super model Georgina Wilson and PBB winner Slater Young.
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HE Sinulog Festival of Cebu, comparable to the pomp and grandeur of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, drew a record-breaking four million revelers this year and Globe was there treating the revelers to food, fun, entertainment and exclusive Sinulog offers! Grooving to the rhythm of the Sinulog music, Globe delighted the sea of humanity—locals and tourists alike who celebrated the Philippines’ biggest festivalensuring that every one would be able to connect seamlessly and are together in this grand celebration. The Globe Prepaid team showcased the gastronomical delights of Cebu in a 10day Sinulog Banchetto Festival held at the vast open field of the Cebu IT Park. It became the tourists’ favorite hang-out during the Sinulog Festival where they were treated to the different kinds of Cebu’s best-loved lechon while listening to the best local bands. After all, Cebu is home to most of the country’s more powerful singing superstars. At the Sinulog Banchetto, subscribers also got the chance to avail of exclusive Globe Prepaid offers for the Sinulog allowing them to enjoy unlimited text messages, make calls and surf the internet using their mobile phone in one affordable package. Globe Prepaid and Tattoo lounges were also set up at the Sinulog Banchetto providing the subscribers with the convenience of easily buying their favorite
Globe and Tattoo products with FREE drinks to boot! Tattoo@Home also offered new subscribers/ switchers with the best broadband bundle deal with FREE with unlimited calls from landline to mobile phones (Globe to Globe/ TM), free NDD calls for Globe to Globe/ TM, free WiFi modem, faster speeds plus the superior broadband experience Tattoo is known for. TM, the `Astig’ brand of Globe paints Sinulog red with the TM Festival Game Zone featuring various interactive games like Flips, Dice Match, and Color Drop for a chance to win various prizes including a limited edition TM Astig Ako! shirt. Tattoo, the back-to-back winner of the Frost & Sullivan Best Broadband Service Provider in the Philippines for 2011-2012, rocked the Sinulog not once but thrice with two spectacular pre-parties at the Distillery and the Penthouse and one grand Republiq party at the Ayala Terraces featuring the hottest celebrities such as Vice Ganda, Raymond Gutierrez and the lovely Georgina Wilson. The most popular DJs in the land, DJ Nina, Funk Avy and Martin Pulgar, drew Cebu’s crème dela crème and the party people to non-stop Sinulog grooving capped with a lavish fireworks display. The Globe celebration does not stop at Sinulog as it nears completion of the network upgrade in Cebu promising a more superior customer experience for all its subscribers in the Queen City of the South.