Mindanao Daily Set A (December 16, 2016)

MINDANAO DAILY T H E P U RV E YO R O F T R U T H , J U S T I C E , A N D D E V E LO P M E N T

Volume VI, No. 165

Website: www.mindanaodailynews.com

Friday

December 16, 2016

Iligan official:

‘Name-shaming’ not Regencia’s handiwork

By GERRY LEE GORIT Correspondent

CAGAYAN de Oro City-The city government of Iligan has maintained Mayor Celso Regencia is not responsible for name-shaming two of that city’s former legislators who were mentioned by President Rodrigo Duterte and alleged them as illegal drug protectors.

Iligan City spokesperson Jose Pantoja said Regencia has no motive to have Lawrence Cruz and Vicente Belmonte included in Duterte’s so-called narco-list and even challenged the two to file legal action against the President for implicating them in the region’s illegal drug activities.

Cruz served as Iligan city mayor and representative, while Belmonte, who accused Regencia as the mastermind in an See handiwork, page A7

P15.00

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Let God change your kids-VGP

By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN Contributing Editor

LEAVE it all to God who is the only One who can reform your children hooked on prohibited drugs.

This was the call of former governor Valentina G. Plaza in her moving speech at the start of the Congress which was spearheaded by Moral Recovery and Values Formation (MRVF) program of Agusan del Sur which she chairs.

“Ihalad nato sila sa See CHANGE, page A7

Another coal plant to rise in Mindanao Lord Jesus Christ and second is the spirit of Camaraderie among each and every soldier of 4ID.” “This activity is our way of sending the message of Peace to every Filipino, particularly in our area of responsibility both in Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions.

THE Alcantara-led Alsons Power Group will raise around USD60 million for its coal-fired 105-megawatt (MW) Sarangani Energy Corp. phase 2 and the 105MW San Ramon Power Inc. located in Zamboanga next year.

Alsons Power vice president for coal operations Nicandro Fucoy bared in a press briefing Monday

See santa, page A7

See coal, page A7

Christmas Sports fest ends with Santa Run CAMP Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City ––The 4th Infantry Division conducted its first-ever Santa run to culminate its Christmas Sports fest on December 15, 2016.

Wearing different fancy Santa claus attires, more than 100 soldiers of 4ID took a time out to celebrate the moment of joy during the fun run

followed by the culmination of the month-long Christmas sports fest.

Major Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., 4ID commander, said: “Indeed, the spirit of Christmas is just around the corner. This kind of activities will always remind us of two very important things, one is the celebration of the birth of our

Editorial: e-mail: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com • Advertising: e-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com Contact: 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776

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Friday, December 16, 2016

In Focus

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black PIDS study: Giving crop insurance Rat, bug infest to poor farmers helps reduce poverty farming villages in

CROP insurance can be an among agricultural house- Philippine Institute for Deeffective safety net that can holds. This is according to velopment Studies (PIDS).

In a forum held recently significantly reduce poverty a study by state think tank at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, PIDS Senior Research Fellow Celia Reyes noted that around half of the households who are engaged in agriculture can be considered as “sometimes poor”. According to Reyes, these are farmers who usually become poor when they are unable to recover from losses in their farm producKagay-an Festival 1st tion after typhoons, flooding, and other calamities.

Oro Lechoneros Encuentro Champion She noted that providing for Orders, Contact Yoyong: safety nets such as crop insurance can protect these vulnerable households from sliding into poverty.

“Crop insurance helps farmers manage risks by

09354145759 09169249371

RTWPB-X CONDUCTS PROVINCE WIDE CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON PRODUCTIVITY AND INCENTIVES RTWPB-X conducted a series of consultative forum on productivity and incentives for the service sector industry in the region on the following dates: September 8, 2016- Malaybalay City; September 9, 2016- Gingoog City; September 22, 2016- Camiguin; October 6, 2016- Cagayan de Oro City; October 20, 2016Ozamiz City and October 21, 2016- Iligan City.

The service sector was identified as a priority industry since it is the biggest top growth contributor to the regional economy comprising of 42.9% share in the 2015 GRDP Percent Distribution with 49.3% or nearly half of the workers in the region are employed in the service sector. The said forum was extensively attended by various industries engaged in the accommodation and food service activities, wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, professional, scientific and technical services, administrative and support services activities and other service industries.

The highlight of the consultations was the Productivity Based Incentive Scheme (PBIS) a pay scheme based on productivity, performance, quality, profit, and other pay related criteria agreed upon by the workers and management. It is the Tier Two of the Two-Tiered Wage System, a reform within the current minimum wage system and an approach to minimum wage setting which aims to improve the coverage of minimum wages, promote worker and enterprise productivity and address the negative effects of minimum wage policies.

The forum was concluded by letting the participants share their best practices on the grant of productivity incentives to qualified employees who have meet the criteria for Perfect Attendance, Best Customer Service, Clean Work Station, Quality Work Performance, among others. For those enterprises that have not yet implemented the Productivity Based Incentive Scheme, they were highly encouraged to create a Productivity Committee or tap any existing labor structure/committee to design and implement productivity incentives program.

providing them with funds to cover production costs for the next season and finance household expenditures after a shock such as typhoon, flood, and drought,” Reyes stated.

Reyes’ presentation at the House of Representatives was based on a PIDS study that aims to evaluate the design and implementation of the government’s crop insurance program vis-à-vis its objectives as well as its sustainability and impact on farmers. The forum is part of the Legislative Forum Series organized by PIDS and the Congressional Planning and Budget Research Department of the House of Representatives.

The PIDS study, which was conducted in collaboration with major universities around the country, concluded that the Agricultural Insurance Program has a positive impact on farm households’ income and welfare. However, it also noted that the program, which is being implemented by the

Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), leaves a lot to be desired.

“Improvements in the design and implementation of the crop insurance program of the PCIC, particularly with regard to the penetration rate and insurance cover, can further increase its benefits to farmers,” Reyes emphasized.

The crop insurance offered by the PCIC is considered as a “production cost insurance” as it typically insures the cost of production inputs of farmers, with prescribed cover ceilings.

One of its programs is the free insurance to farmers and fisherfolk that are listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). RSBSA is a database of farmers, farm laborers, and fisherfolk in the 75 poorest provinces in the Philippines which the Philippine Statistics Authority maintains.

For the past three years, PCIC’s annual budget has See poverty, page A7

Kabacan

COTABATO City––Rat and black bug infestation in farming communities in Kabacan, North Cotabato have destroyed more than PHP11 million worth of agricultural crops from October to December this year, disaster officials said yesterday.

David Don Saure, Kabacan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), said seven of 24 villages have been affected by rat attacks and black bug infestation.

Kabacan is North Cotabato’s rice producing town that earned recognition not only in the province but region-wide. It is more known as North Cotabato’s rice granary.

Saure said the municipal agriculture office, in its assessment report, reported that the infestation has affected more than 500 hectares.

It also affected 491 See INFEST, page A7

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In Focus

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Friday, December 16, 2016

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DOT cancels Miss Universe fashion show in Davao due to ‘controversy’ DAVAO City––The Department of Tourism cancelled the Miss Universe fashion show originally scheduled in Davao City on Jan. 19 purportedly to avoid further “controversy.”

“As head of the ancillary events of the DOT for Miss Universe, I have decided to cancel the fashion show in Davao City. This is to prevent controversies that may arise from the statement made by the local designers of Davao City,” DOT Undersecretary Kat de Castro said in a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon.

In response, the Davao Fashion and Design Council Foundation, Inc. (DFDCFI) said in a statement: “We respect Miss Universe Committee’s decision to cancel the show in Davao.

However, the Davao visit of the Miss Universe candi-

dates should push through even without the cultural show event. The candidates should not be deprived of the experience and distinct hospitality of Dabawenyos.”

Earlier this week, the group of designers expressed disappointment at being “brushed off ” from the fashion show.

“We are taking this seriously,” designer Dodgie Batu said Wednesday morning during a guesting in a weekly press conference in Abreeza Mall.

DFDCFI has 11 registered members, although there are around 30 designers recognized by the group in Davao City.

In a statement, DFDCFI expressed disappointment on the “explicit disregard of local Davao-based and Mindanaon designers, in general, at the January 19th event of Miss Universe in

SMX Convention Center in Davao City.”

“No consultation among local designers was done by the Miss Universe Committee, represented by Renee Salud, to address cordiality and propriety, at the least, as to the participation of the local designers here,” the group said.

“Call it proper and befitting, the Mindanaon designers have all the rights and benefits to best represent the distinctive fashion and style of Mindanao, in the first place,” the statement said.

“Adding insult to injury, is the proposal of the committee to ask local designers in dressing up local models instead during the preshow cocktails of the main event ironically featuring a non-Mindanaon designer, Renee Salud, himself,” the group said.

Boy Guinoo, veteran fashion designer in Davao City, had this to say: “I am displeased by the insensitivity of the Miss Universe Committee, led by DOT Sec. Wanda Teo, to allow Renee Salud, a non-Mind-

anaon designer, to showcase the tapestry of Mindanao fashion in the Davao event of Miss Universe.”

“Sec. Teo, who is supposed to be a Mindanaon herself, must have used her capacity to intelligently

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Davao fashion designers slam Teo on Miss Universe gown design DAVAO City––A group of homegrown designers blasted Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo for brushing them aside in designing the gowns of the Miss Universe contestants during its fashion show here that is supposed to feature “Mindanao fabrics and tapestry.”

Davao Fashion and Design Council Inc. immediate past president Dodgie Batu, in a press conference on Wednesday, said that they are not taking lightly what appeared to be an act of excluding them in making the gowns to be worn by the Miss Universe contestants.

He maintained that the pool of homegrown designers know better the culture of Mindanao and that they should be given the chance to showcase their outputs.

“I think we have to talk to the group again to see what we will do. We are not taking this lightly. We wanna be heard. The sentiment of the group, with their theme showcasing Mindanao fabrics and tapestry, it is best See DESIGN, page A7 Publication Notice R.A. 10172 NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Date: December 8, 2016 In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that JURY ALBARACIN GEVEROLA has filed with this Office, a correction of entry in sex from “FEMALE” to “MALE” in the certificate of live birth of JURY GEVEROLA at Malita, Davao del Sur and whose parents are LEONILA GEVEROLA and NERIE ALBARACIN.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than December 29, 2016.

MDN: Dec 16 & 23, 2016

(SGD) JOSEPHINE A. MARQUEZ Municipal Civil Registrar

think about the impact her decisions must have caused our local pride of place and its people. I would like to think mediocre politicking has overran her,” Guinoo said. (Jesse Pizarro Boga / MindaNews)

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Friday, December 16, 2016

Opinion

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Yahoo mail security breach

The Mindanao Daily is pubished by MINDANAO DAILY NEWS PUBLISHING CORPORATION. It is Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with Reg. No. CS201531735. With Business Plate No. BP-28984, Under Business License Certificate No. 2015-15224, BIR-TIN No. 464682-324-000. Main Business address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa St., Brgy. Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. Tel. Nos: (088) 856-3344, 857-8447, 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776 E-mails: Advertising:mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com, Editorial: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com DANTE M. SUDARIA Publisher and President TERESA ZAFRA PELONE Comptroller melanie rivera SAIRA E. GUMISING Advertising WEMALYN GARCIA Marketing Rolando sudaria Production felix santillan Layout Artist manila marketing office 9th Flr, Unit 918, CityLand Herrera VA Rufino cor. Valero St. Salcedo Village, Makati City TEL. #: 5555392, Cell No.: 0977-152-8860 lani vallido

Marketing and Sales

Manager

MIJIE JUAT MAY IGLECIAS Account Executives

EDITORIAL ALLAN M. MEDIANTE Editor-in-Chief ruel pelone Managing Editor

CRIS DIAZ Executive Editor

CHENG ORDOÑEZ Associate Editor

MARK FRANCISCO Lifestyle Editor

GILBERT Y. CHAO Motoring Editor

gerry lee gorit Photo Journalist

YAHOO Chief Information Security Officer Bob Lord has confirmed reports that a copy of certain user account information was stolen from its network in August 2013.

I registered with Yahoo mail, a web-based email service offered by the American company Yahoo, in 2002 or, five years after it was launched in 1997.

Despite the birth of a free web-based e-mail services, only a few have access to the World Wide Web (WWW) in the ‘90s where Internet users worry much about the Y2K, the Millennium bug, and very slow Internet connection. Before you can access the Internet, you need to call a telephone number assigned by an ISP (Internet Service Provider).

We are still using the The Intel 80386 (“eightoh-three-eighty-six”), also known as i386 or just 386, a 32-bit microprocessor introduced in 1985, computers, powered by MS-DOS, a discontinued operating system for x86-based personal computers mostly developed

by Microsoft. Back then, we are using WordStar, a word processor application that had a dominant market share during the early-to mid-1980s. It was published

by MicroPro International, and written for the CP/M

operating system but later ported to DOS. You can never use any computer before without first having a DOS, short for Disk Operating System, installed on a floppy disk, and another disk for the word processor (We were using WordStar).

I can still recall when Boss Froilan Gallardo was editing our stories back then when all of a sudden our server bogged down. By the way, Sun. Star-Cagayan de Oro, after buying the defunct Daily Tribune, was the first newspaper to install a local-area network (LAN), a computer network using a server, in Cagayan de Oro City. Sun.Star’s server was installed with WordPerfect, another word processor a bit higher than the WordStar.

At 7:45 in the morning on 15th December 2016, I received an electronic mail (e-mail) from Yahoo security expert informing me about a data security issue that may involve my Yahoo account information.

Too bad, I am part of the One-Billion Yahoo Mail users affected by the recent security breach on the Yahoo network. Good that my email account doesn’t have anything (sensitive information) that is beneficial for the hacker and I don’t have credit card, and bank

account to worry about.

I don’t even have money on my pocket and wallet because, in the first place, I have no wallet and my pockets do not even have a single penny. In short, I am penniless. The truth is my money goes directly to other people’s pockets and wallets. Ga-sweldo pa lang, naglinya na ang gapaningil.

So, I am not afraid about my e-mail account being hacked.

“We have taken steps to secure your account and are working closely with law enforcement,” said Lord in his e-mail message.

Lord said that law enforcement provided Yahoo in November 2016 with data files that a third party claimed was Yahoo user data.

“We analyzed this data with the assistance of outside forensic experts and found that it appears to be Yahoo user data. Based on further analysis of this data by the forensic experts, we believe an unauthorized third party, in August 2013, stole data associated with a broader set of user accounts, including yours. We have not been able to identify the intrusion associated with this theft. We believe this incident is likely distinct from the incident, we disclosed on September 22,

P130m the true bribe for immigration officials?

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed PAT SAMONTE CHRIS PANGANIBAN in his name, he gave the Regional Editor Caraga Regional Editor-Davao right to become children of

God—13 children born not Rene Michael BaÑos uRIEL C. QUILINGUING of natural descent, nor of hu Regional Editor Northmin Contributing Editor man decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

AL JACINTO JOE FELICILDA SHOULD A PERSON Regional Editor-WestMin Editorial Consultant WHO HAS BEEN BAPTIZED BE BAPTIZED FOR ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI THE SECOND TIME? QuesNOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE tion: is a person who had CELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 already been baptized before CRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY still required to be baptized Legal Counsel again? The Anak ng Diyos --------------------------------------------------------------Kadugo Ni Kristo (AND bureau and mktg staff KNK, or the Children of God Blood Kin of the Christ) candy macabale - 09161326483 Church believes that if the RIZA O. ARES - 0915-9753-277/0926-2242-653 previous baptismal did not MISOR - LOLONG NABONG - 0906-875-8650 grant to the believer the right GINGOOG CITY-MANNY ANSIHAGAN-0936-287-7788 or status of being a “child of North Buk. - DAHLIA S. BENEMERITO-0936-303-0410 God”, as the Bible requires, VALENCIA CITY - PHILIP PHIL CALUMBA-0905-652-5407 there is a need for another MARAMAG - roFINA CUALES - 0926-336-1585 baptism. quezon, buk. - ROSE GENON -oooIligan City - JEFFREY OPONDA-0936-1174378 P50 M BRIBE IS JUST tangub city - bobby mag usara OROQUIETA CITY - PJ TREMEDAL-0919-3452375 TIP OF ICEBERG: If we ARMM - Sony Sudaria-0947-4810371 are to backtrack a little on cotabato - ANALISA ESPAÑOLA-0916-9351714 the raging controversy over davao - tom a. caballero-09756023684 the receipt of P50 million as davao - tomas canoy avancena jr.-09177017010 bribe by Deputy Immigradavao del norte - sarah castor - 09263988293 tion Commissioners Mike digos city, dvo sur & kidapawan - romeo d. sanchez Robles and Al Argosino davao city - rene s. arias (Photo Journalist,) allegedly from international butuan - PAT SAMONTE-0912-8091093 online gambling operator san frans - CRIS PANGANIBAN-09277974193 Jack Lam, we will readily San Francisco - deding PANGANBAN-0927-7974193 deduce that the bribe here Pagadian City - GRACE FRANCISCO -0912-8484037 will not only be that amount ZAMBOANGA - AL JACINTO -09177103642 of P50 million.

Member: Fact is, when Justice ORO CHAMBER Secretary Vitaliano AguPhilippine Press Institute irre II started his public

disclosures about Lam’s efforts to bribe him so the Department of Justice could be Lam’s godfather in his casino businesses here in the Philippines to protect illegal Chinese nationals working here, the amount of P100,000.00 per illegal Chinese was being bruited about as the routine fee so the illegals can be allowed to come in and work, even without visas or permits.

Now, if we multiply this P100,000.00 bribe per Chinese illegal national with the figure 1,300 (which is the number of illegal Chinese nationals arrested in Lam’s casino at the Clark Freeport Zone), it would be clear that some P130 million would have to be paid for the 1,300 illegal aliens that Lam employed in his gambling businesses.

-oooIS P130 M THE TRUE BRIBE FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS? The question is, why are we hearing the amount of only P50 million as having been paid

by Lam by way of a bribe to Robles and Argosino? What happened to the remaining P80 million from the P130 million which, if we are to believe Aguirre’s disclosure, is supposed to be paid for all the 1,300 illegal Chinese nationals who were arrested by the Bureau of Immigration several weeks ago?

Vic Somintac, the Malacanang reporter of Radyo Agila DZEC (1062 kHz on the AM band) and my partner at “Tambalang Batas at Somintac” (which is a Mondays-to-Fridays 6 am to 7 am program at DZEC), and I, believe that if the delivery of the P50 million to Robles and Argosino was not captured by CCTV cameras and then aired on national television and exposed in a newspaper column, the P80 million would also be paid.

The question is, to whom will this remaining P80 million be paid? Are we to believe that mere deputy immigration commissioners would be the only ones that would be bribed here? Do they not have officers higher in rank than they, whose palms should also be greased with bribe money? Who are these higher officers?

-oooSECOND BAPTISM NEEDED FOR TRULY ENLIGHTENED BELIEVERS: When does the baptism of a believer transform him or her into a “child of God”?

The Bible, in John 1:12-13, has the answer, and it says: “…but to those who received him, to those who believed in his name, to them he gave the right to become children of God. Their being children of God is not the result of any human will or desire, but they became children

From the newsroom

Ruel V. Pelone

2016,” he explained.

The stolen user account information may have included names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, hashed passwords (using MD5) and, in some cases, encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers. But Lord said: “Not all of these data elements may have been present for your account.”

“The investigation indicates that the stolen information did not include passwords in clear text, payment card data, or bank account information, he said, adding, “payment card data and bank account information are not stored in the system we believe was affected.”

“We are taking action to protect our users,” Lord assured in his e-mail message, required potentially affected users to change their passwords.

See SECURITY, page A11

Kakampi mo ang batas

Atty. Batas Mauricio

of God because they were born of God…” T h i s s e e ms s i mpl e enough. In fact many are saying they are already children of God because they, too, “received and believed”.

But there is more to this than simply “receiving and believing”. Who, or what, must a person receive and believe in so he or she can become a child of God? The person who cannot say who or what he or she must receive and believe in needs to be baptized again, after receiving enlightenment on this issue.

-oooPLEASE LISTEN: “Ang Tanging Daan” (The Sole Way): a Bible study and prayer session online could now be heard, 24 HOURS a day, in the Philippines and the world at www.facebook.com/angtangingdaan or www.facebook.com/ANDKNK (and look for “Ang Tanging Daan” broadcasts).

Phone: 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0977 805 9058.

Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com

Forum

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A5

Friday, December 16, 2016

Reducing rates for electricity in Mindanao

By David A. Tauli

Lately, we have heard proposals, mostly foolish, coming from the Department of Energy and from the Mindanao Development Authority that supposedly will reduce the rates for electric power supply in Mindanao. Even if the proponents were wiser, none of the proposals will result in significant reduction of power rates unless the main cause for high rates in Mindanao is addressed: incompetent, if not corrupt, power supply contracting by distribution utility companies in Mindanao.

In the sordid history of baseload power supply contracting in the electric power industry in Mindanao in the past decade, the one good episode was the power supply agreement in 2013 between the Power Supply Aggregation Group Corporation (PSAGCOR) of the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO) and the GN Power Kauswagan (GNPK) of the Ayala group of companies.

All other power supply

agreements for baseload power between distribution utility companies and generating companies in Mindanao have been just one form or another of moro-moro, all show and no substance.

It was only early this year 2016 (in the power supply agreements for the generation of the Malita coal power plant of the San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation) that the electric cooperatives resumed honest-to-goodness leastcost acquisition of baseload power supply, conforming with the EPIRA requirement that “the contracting and procurement of the equipment, assets and services have been subjected to transparent and accepted industry procurement and purchasing practices to protect the public interest.”

But that was a fluke, resulting only because the electric cooperatives have become wary of continuing to flout the EPIRA requirement for least-cost acquisition of power supply, and because the SMCPC did not fear facing competition for baseload power supply for

the electric cooperatives.

Unless legal charges are carried out against the electric cooperatives involved in the Apo IPPA Scam and in the Coal Power Plant Scam, the errant electric cooperatives will resume their incompetent (if not corrupt) ways of “negotiating” power supply agreements without carrying out legitimate least-cost acquisition.

The power supply agreement between PSAGCOR and GNPK resulted in an effective rate of around 4.16 pesos per kilowatt-hour.

All other PSAs (excepting again the Malita coal power plant of the SMCPC, but including all coal power plants embedded in the distribution systems) have an effective rate per kWh of 5.00 pesos or more. The power supply agreements for power supply from the SMCPC coal power plant in Malita also resulted in a price of around 4.16 pesos per kWh. The Department of Energy of the government of President Rodrigo R. Duterte has placed the reduction of power rates in the Philippines as one of its key

objectives. However, based on recent pronouncements of the DOE as to how they are going to attain that, there are only two chances that it will happen while PRRD is president: fat and slim. It is clear that no serious thinking has gone into the pronouncements coming from the Department of Energy concerning the electric power industry in

the Philippines.

But even if the DOE seriously considered the available opportunities to reduce electric power rates, any program they will carry out will prove futile for reducing rates unless the main obstacle to having fair and reasonable prices for electricity were removed: the regulatory capture of the Energy Regulatory Com-

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas!

mission by the corporations (mainly MERALCO and the generating companies) that it is supposed to regulate.

One day, hopefully while PRRD is still president, we may have an Energy Regulatory Commission with honest and competent commissioners. When that happens, power consumers in Mindanao can See RATES, page A7

Greeting from!!!

Hon. Jimmy G. Dureza Councilor 2nd District Davao City

R.A Form No. 10.1 (LCRO) Republic of the Philippines Province: North Cotabato Municipality: Magpet OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL REGISTRAR RA 9048/RA 10172 CCE-0059-2016 RA 10172

Date: December 12, 2016

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2003-1 No. 1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that JORY DAVID PORRAS has filed with this Office a petition for correction in the entry of sex from “FEMALE” to “MALE” in the Certificate of Live Birth of JORY DAVID PORRAS who was born on February 28, 1978 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Raymundo Porras and Myrna David.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than January 02, 2017.

(SGD) CHONA M. PROVIDA, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar

MDN: Dec 16 & 23, 2016

Republic of the Philippines PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON Municipality of Don Carlos NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CCE - 11-2016 R.A.10172 In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2012 (IRR on R.A 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that Ernie C. Daquiado has filed with this office, a petition for correction of clerical error in SEX from “MALE” to “FEMALE” in the certificate of live birth of Ernie Coronel Daquiado born 28 June 1989 at Don Carlos, Bukidnon and whose parents are Zosimo Jabunero Daquiado and Maximiana Oblianda Coronel.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than December 16, 2016.

A Reminder From: National Nutrition Council X Second Floor, Door 1, Rego Bldg., Agoho Drive, Zone 1, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City

(SGD) MELISA R. CAVALIDA Municipal Civil Registrar

MDN: Dec 16 & 23, 2016

R.A. Form No. 10.1 (LCRO) Republic of the Philippines Province: North Cotabato Municipality: Magpet OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL REGISTRAR RA 9048/RA 10172 CCE-0062-2016 R.A. 10172

MDN: Dec 16 & 23, 2016

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

Date: December 14, 2016

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2003-1 No. 1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that JENNIFER TIBAY FORDAN has filed with this Office a petition for correction in the entry of sex from “Male” to “Female” in the Certificate of Live Birth of JENNIFER BAñados Tibay who was born on September 4, 1984 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Edwin Tibay and Verlita Bañados.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than January 04, 2017.

Republic of the Philippines LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL Cagayan De Oro City

(SGD) CHONA M. PROVIDA, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a NOTICE is hereby served to the public that VINCENT U. LIM has filed with this office a petition for the change of first name from “VICENTE” to “VINCENT” in the Certificate of Live Birth of VICENTE U. LIM who was born on January 27, 1957 in Cagayan de Oro City and whose parents are CLIMACO L. LIM and GLICERIA M. UY.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than DECEMBER 16, 2016.

MDN: Dec 9 & 16, 2016

(SGD) NORMA S. DIPUTADO City Civil Registrar

Publication Notice R.A. 10172

ANNEX “B”

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CFN - N/A CCE - CCE-0056-2016

Date: 07 DECEMBER 2016

In compliance to the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172). Notice is hereby served to the public that DONESAN CATANE PACATANG has filed with this Office a petition for correction of entry sex/gender from “MALE” TO “FEMALE” in the Certificate of Live Birth of DONESAN CATANE PACATANG who was born on 01 MAY 2016 in Kadingilan, Bukidnon whose parents are DIONESIO T. PACATANG and EMMA B. CATANE.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written Opposition not later than 26 DECEMBER 2016.

MDN: Dec 9 & 16, 2016

(SGD) GERARDO D. JURADO Municipal Civil Registrar

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Friday, December 16, 2016

Unique Christmas light displays make for a true ‘Paskong Pinoy’

By Lily O. Ramos of PNA

IT is hardly one’s idea of a Christmas tree, but the “Higante” lording it over the CCP complex in Pasay City may well be the most unique Yule tree around, proof of how Christmas brings out the ingenuity in Filipino artists.

At daytime, the Angono-inspired Higante of the Bagobo and Manobo fertility goddess Mebuyan,

looks almost like one of those papier mâché giants paraded during the Rizal town’s annual Higante Festival (held in honor of St. Clement, the patron saint of fishermen). After all, a head with bulging eyes and hair made from strips of rattan, and woven arms dangling all the way to its thighs are not elements of a traditional Christmas tree. The only semblance the figure bears to that seasonal tree is its conical body, along with

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the assortment of fiberglass balls that make up its outfit.

But wait till it lights up in the evening when the Christmas balls of various colors and sizes glow and illuminate the complex, evoking among onlookers that all-too-familiar feeling of Yuletide cheer.

The 53-foot tree was the winning design of Leo Gerardo Leonardo, who bested several other contestants in this year’s CCP-Omni Outdoor Light Installation Competition. The contest was launched to find an “attractive and inspiring lighting solution” to illuminate the CCP Liwasang Asean Park for this year’s holiday season.

The criteria were simple -- entries must be innovative and unique, and must reflect the theme of “Paskong Pinoy.”

Leonardo, who completed his sculpture stud-

ies under National Artist Napoleon Abueva at the UP College of Fine Arts, with honors, and was a recipient of the 2000 CCP’s 13 Artists Awards, won first prize and P400,000 for his efforts.

The tree’s creator calls it the “Puno ng Diwa” or “tree of spirit”. But put an accent on the second syllable of “puno” and the phrase takes on another meaning – “filled with spirit”.

CCP’s communication man Raul Asis said the ‘Puno ng Diwa’ is unique in that it is a meld of hundreds of indigenous materials, such as navigational marks, coconut and bamboo wood, bottles, tinfoil, Japanese paper, wires, nails and holders, stuff that are lying around but are nonetheless treasures to the artistically-inclined.

“We are trying to save and take care of our environment, (so) why not make use of things that are still

valuable,” Asis said of the art installation.

Why an outdoor and not an indoor installation?

Asis said the giant artwork is a fitting testament to the Filipino talent and it is out there for everyone -- art enthusiasts, art sponsors, and potential business clients alike -- to view and appreciate.

He expressed admiration for Leonardo’s effort to distance himself from preconceived notions of what a Christmas tree should look like, and instead give it a new spin by “indigenizing” it.

To make it more meaningful, the sheer size of the artwork made it imperative that it become a communitybased undertaking, with Leonardo seeking the help of the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) community, Museo Pambata volunteers, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Painters’ Club, and members of the academic, theater and the visual arts

in putting up the structure.

The tree, lighted early last month and will be on display until Jan. 8, is part of the Parul Sampernandu, an exhibit of San Fernando Christmas lanterns at the CCP’s facade.

Meanwhile, that stunning 70-foot golden Christmas tree at the grounds of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in España Ave. in Manila, lighted last Dec. 1, is actually a 10-yearold “relic” that is given a sparkly makeover every year by a team of talented artists, according to Rudy Olaso, interior designer and faculty member of the UST colleges of architecture, and fine arts and design. ”This year’s tree was put up in the few days of November and proudly stood the winds and rains that could have felled most organic ones,” Olaso said, describing how its iron trunk was buried in the ground and surrounded with See LIGHT, page A7

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Rates... from page A7

petition the ERC to bring down the rates of the power supply agreements for baseload power to the levels that could have been attained if the distribution utility companies carried out legitimate least-cost acquisition processes. Then, and only then, would we see the reduction of the rates for electricity in Mindanao.

••• (Engr. David A. Tauli is the President of the Mindanao Coalition of Power Consumers)

Security... from page A4

their passwords.

He said the Yahoo has invalidated unencrypted security questions and answers so that they cannot be used to access an account-and continuously enhance its safeguards and systems that detect and prevent unauthorized access to user accounts.

The Yahoo, on one hand, encourages web-based email users to follow the security recommendations below: • Change your passwords and security questions and answers for any other accounts on which you used the same or similar information used for your Yahoo account.

• Review all of your accounts for suspicious activity.

• Be cautious of any unsolicited communications that ask for your personal information or refer you to a web page asking for personal information.

• Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from suspicious emails.

• Additionally, please consider using Yahoo Account Key, a simple authentication tool that eliminates the need to use a password on Yahoo altogether.

More information about this issue and our security resources, please visit the Yahoo Security Issues FAQs page available at https:// yahoo.com/security-update.

Handiwork... from page A1

attempt to kill him in 2014, used to be a congressman in the city’s lone district.

Pantoja said there is no truth to the allegation that it was Regencia and Iligan city police director Senior Superintendent Leon Roy Ga who provided Duterte the names of Cruz and Belmonte.

In his speech before business leaders on Monday, Duterte mentioned “Representative Vincente” and “Mayor Lawrence” as just two of the political figures involved in the illegal drug trade in Nothern Mindanao.

Duterte also said his exposé would eventually lead to the prosecution of the two former officials.

In an interview on Love Radio-Iligan on Tuesday, Cruz he was the “Lawrence”

being alluded to by the President, but denied he is a drug protector.

“I just want the people to know that [the accusation] is not true. I am innocent.

Even if I have to undergo a drug test today, I will test negative,” Cruz was quoted as saying.

Now that his name was mentioned by Duterte, Cruz said he is afraid that he will end up like the slain Albuera, Leyte mayor, Rolando Espinosa, who was killed by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) inside his cell at the Baybay, Leyte sub-provincial jail last month.

He said fears that his house will be raided and searched and if law enforcers find nothing, they will resort to “planting” illegal drugs, and then later killed.

Cruz said politics may be behind the accusation and assured his political opponents that he has no plans of running in the next elections.

But Pantoja challenged Cruz to sue Duterte instead of putting the blame on Regencia and Ga. Pantojo said it’s not like they can just order the President to include Cruz and Belmonte in the narco-list.

“Duterte has the power to order the law enforcement authorities [like the CIDG, PDEA and the NBI] through their intelligence units to verify the name of politicians involved in the illegal drug trade. He (Cruz) must not blame Regencia right away,” he added.

As of t his wr it ing, Belmonte has yet to issue a statement regarding Duterte’s shame campaign.

Coal... from page A1

that the SEC phase 2 costs USD250 million, while SRPI amounts to USD320 million.

The company issued a notice to proceed to its contractor Japanese-firm JGC Philippines Inc. for the construction of SEC phase 2 last October, which will be completed by April 2018.

Anton Alcantara, corporate planning officer of Alsons Power, also said that the company is presently developing the 15-MW Siguil run-of-river hydro project in Maasim, Sarangani. It will cost around USD 50 million.

He pointed out the company is also seeking offtakers for its incoming 5 runof-river hydro projects in Mindanao, with a capacity of 80-100 MW. Alcantara further said Alsons is in talks with a potential offtaker for its 20-MW Sarangani solar project, which will cost USD30 million.

Tirso Santillan, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Alsons Power, also expects that the company will have a net income of PHP600 million this year, which is lower from last year.

Friday, December 16, 2016 For 2017, Santillan projects that the company will earn around PHP800 million in net income driven by its three-oil fired power plants at PHP400 million and the SEC unit 1 at PHP360 million.

Alsons Power will have a capacity of 588 MW by 2020.

It also owns the 103-MW diesel-fired Mapalad Power Corp. in Iligan City, 55MW Southern Philippines Power Corp. in Sarangani, and the 100-MW Western Mindanao Power Corp. in Zamboanga City. (PNA)

Change... from page A1

Diyos (Let’s us offer them to God)” Madame Plaza said citing that she herself gone before confronting the problem of having children becoming victims of drug abuse referring to Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza who mend his ways to become a totally changed person.

She said it was only God’s intercession and blessings that prodigal children lost in the “flock” could come back to be good again and become responsible members of the society.

“Mga ginikanan ayaw sige og yawyaw sa mga anak hinonoa tambagi sila sa maayong paagi dinuyogan sa pagtugyan kanila sa Ginoo ( Parents, do not always scold your children but just patiently give them with good advices along with offering them to the Lord),” she stressed.

Ms. Plaza also told the children not to fight and disobey their parents whom she felt thankful for joining the two-day event where they can also listen to the moral teachings to let them realize about the evils of drug abuse.

The former long-time governor of the province expressed her pride to Gov. Plaza for taking a bold step of leading a no-nonsense drug reform program.

“He initiated the drug reform program that gave the great opportunities to rxperiencesidents of the province who want to undergo rehabilitation from being victims of drug abuse,” she said.

Just like what she taught to her children, Ms. Plaza believes that her son is sincere and committed to reform former victims of illegal drugs coupled with the blessings from the heavens up above.

Having gone to the kind of bad experience, she said her son fully understands the predicaments of beig hooked into drugs that he politely called them victims of substance use disorder rather than brutally call them drug addicts.

Santa... from page A1

We want our people to know that behind our Battle Dress uniforms are soldiers who are more than willing to sacrifice and offer the best services that will unite the whole nation. We may not

be that santa claus whom everyone knows, but we are your soldiers whom you can truly depend on.

Merry Christmas to all and Congratulations to the winners of the just concluded Christmas Sports fest.”

The activity ended after the ceremonial lowering of flags of the different teams.

Infest... from page A2

families in seven villages.

Saure said as of December 13, the total cost of damages to crops was pegged at PHP11,420,942.

With the situation, Saure said the MDRRMC has recommended to the office of Mayor Herlo Guzman and the town’s Sangguniang Bayan to place the entire town under state of calamity.

Guzman said he was considering the MDRRMC recommendation and sought the help of town council members. Today, the town council will discuss the proposed declaration, Guzman said.

Severely affected villages are Cuyapon, Dagupan, Katidtuan, Lower Paatan, Malamote, Kilagasan and Aringay. Saure said other communities were also affected, not only by bugs and rat attacks but also floods due to frequent light to moderate rains.

Last year, Kabacan had experience massive rat infestation that affected more than PHP24-M worth of crops. The local government also launched “rat tails for rice,” where farmers collect rat tails in exchange for a kilo of rice. (PNA)

Poverty... from page A2

been an average of PHP 1 billion. This amount was increased to P2.5 billion in the proposed 2017 national budget. Under the program, farmers with farm sizes of three hectares and below are the priority beneficiaries. Despite the increase in funding, Reyes noted that the amount is still not enough to cover all eligible beneficiaries under the existing RSBSA program.

In addition, the PIDS study pointed out that the actual insurance cover that PCIC pays is below the average production cost particularly for rice and corn. For example, PCIC’s average amount of cover per hectare for rice in 2015 was around PHP 21, 000 under the RSBSA program while average production cost per hectare is around PHP 42,000. According to Reyes, the low insurance cover is a trade-off of targeting more farmer beneficiaries for the free insurance program.

Thus, the PIDS study suggested that given the limited funds, the free insurance premium subsidies should be directed to the poorest farmers.

“Since PCIC will continue using the RSBSA as a targeting tool for giving free insurance premium, there is a need to validate and reconcile the list of farmers

and fisherfolk in the RSBSA with the list of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs),” Reyes explained.

Another way for the PCIC to increase coverage rate of insured farmers, particularly for those not listed in the RSBA, is through partnerships with local government units (LGUs) such as in the case of Isabela, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Davao del Norte. Reyes and her co-authors suggested LGU-PCIC partnerships in the form of full premium subsidy by the LGU or the provision of loans to farmers as the LGU’s counterpart in the insurance premium.

Lastly, the PIDS study highlighted the low level of awareness of target beneficiary farmers about the programs of the PCIC. “Some farmer groups and LGUs are not aware of the different types of PCIC programs. There are also farmers who are not aware that they are insured under the RSBSA and that they are the priority beneficiaries of the program,” Reyes stated.

Design... from page A3

a Mindanawon designer will be the one to showcase,” Batu said.

He added that they were only informed that their participation to the Miss Universe will be limited to designing the costumes of the local models for the pre-fashion show event.

“They want us to be a bit player in the event,” Batu lamented.

He said they were disappointed when he learned that fashion designer Rene Salud will be doing all the designs for the contestants.

“We are rooted to our culture. Hindi naman tipong nakabili ka lang ng isang Mindanao fabric and make it as a dress, you are a Mindanawon. Mas kultura natin ito, dapat tayo ang magkukwento,” he said.

Council honorary member Alfonso L. Guinoo, who is dubbed as the “Mindanao fashion czar,” said that he was perplexed by the reaction of Secretary Teo when he informed her of the local fashion group’s sentiments.

“The way I understand it, we are being excluded.

Why did this thing has to happen samantalang we are capable of doing things in Davao? Besides, Wanda is from Davao, the President is from Davao,” he said.

Guinoo added he will get in touch with Wanda to see what is happening.

He said that he does not believe the secretary who said she had no hand in choosing the artists who will create the gowns, when in fact she sits on top of the organizing committee.

“That’s impossible because you are secretary of tourism, bakit hindi mo kami i-protect. The way I looked at it, Wanda and Rene Salud, who are good friends, nag-usap sila.

Wanda commissioned Rene Salud to do the dresses to be worn by Miss Universe

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[contestants] here in Davao.

Ayaw ko, bakit ganun?” he said.

The fashion show for 40 Miss Universe contestants will be held at the SMX Convention Center Davao.

Organizers have yet to finalize the schedule but it will be between January 15 and 19, 2017, more than a week earlier of the coronation night on January 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

Light... from page A5

pipes soldered for strength, and how the “ever-reliable abaca rope” keeps it from leaning on one side.

This year and for the past three years, recyclable plastic has been a part of the UST Christmas tree to make it environment friendly, he said.

The tree’s body is “clothed” with yellow and white plastic sheets and is decked with a rhythm of crescent moons, spirals, studs and stars, and “chains” of crystal lights, shimmering pure charm when the Christmas tree is lighted in the evening.

Olaso favors the use of LED lights for that extra sparkle because they are energy savers. ”LED lights can be tiny but wrapped with plastic (fiber optic) before they are lighted, they become much safer. They do not get too hot to cause fire, unlike the incandescent bulb that absorbs a lot more heat,” he explained.

UST’s full-sized Nativity Scene is equally head-turning with its Russianinspired art. ”The ‘belen’ used to be a mosaic three years ago until we thought it would be more fun and realistic to have some differently painted (Holy) Family,” Olaso said, crediting students having their on-the-job training for the new concept.

They gave the Jesus, Mary and Joseph figures a new appearance -heavy-lidded eyes, tiny lips and round patches of rouge on their cheeks, yellow and red halos on their disproportionately large heads, and vibrantly colored garb -- a look that is unmistakably that of matryoshka dolls.

More than being a showpiece, the Nativity Scene -- although sans the Three Kings and the traditional ox, sheep and donkey -- beneath UST’s Arch of the Centuries shows what the celebration of Christmas is all about.

On the other hand, the season did not bar the University of the Philippines’ light installation from making a political statement.

The “Budyong” was designed by sculptor and painter Toym Imao, who earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture and masters degree in fine arts from UP Diliman and his master of arts in sculpture from the Maryland Institute College of Art under a Fulbright Scholarship.

In keeping with the theme “Himig ng Diliman”, Imao spiraled the lantern around the Oblation, shaping it like a giant conch or a ‘budyong’, a shell that is blown like a horn to announce the arrival of visitors, signal the start of festivities, call the people to a gathering or warn of an impending calamity or approaching enemies. Also attached to bamboo stilts were miniature lamps shaped like the ‘budyong’ and the ‘tambuli’, the carabao horn.

In its website, the state university noted that in the past 108 years, it has stood as the metaphorical ‘budyong’ or ‘tambuli’, and it will “always sound the alarm and move against imminent threat to the liberties of the Filipino people”.

During the lighting ceremony last Dec. 2, UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Lim Tan said the “Pag-iilaw” tradition continues with a deeper meaning for the university in this season of hope.

As the lanterns give light and hope, so has the university when it hosted this year thousands of farmers and indigenous people fighting for their cause and when it moved to protest the burial of a “certain corpse” at the heroes’ cemetery, he said.

Tan enjoined the UP Community, “Magpapatuloy tayo sa pagbibigay liwanag sa pamamagitan ng paglaban sa mga magtatangkang takpan ang katotohanan, sirain ang mga institusyong pang-edukasyon, ang ating kasaysayan at ang ating kultura. (We will continue to shed light by standing against those who would dare bury the truth, destroy the educational institutions, and the country’s history and culture.)”

Three artists, three light displays, three interesting interpretations of ‘Paskong Pinoy’, all with one purpose – to get everyone into the festive spirit as the countdown to Christmas continues. (PNA)

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Friday, December 16, 2016

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