Mindanao Daily Set A (February 4, 2017)

MINDANAODAILY THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND DEVELOPMENT

WEEKEND

BUSINESS | ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE | REALTY | EVENTS Volume VI, No. 204

Duterte to create central water agency

DAVAO City––President Rodrigo Duterte bared on Thursday (February 2) a plan to establish a central water agency in the country.

Duterte broached the idea as he delivered his keynote speech at the 38th National Convention of Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD) See create, page 11

P15.00

We need more power in Lasureco -- Adiong Website: www.mindanaodailynews.com

Saturday

February 4, 2017

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By SONNY V. SUDARIA Mindanao Daily/Armm

MARAWI City--“The Lanao del Sur Rural Electric Cooperative (Lasureco) needs more power, not the massive appointment of officials.”

Thus the message of Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Bombit Alonto Adiong during the justheld installation of the new officials of Lasureco held at the Capitol Complex in Marawi City.

Lasureco Assistant General Manager Solaiman Mutia turned over his post to Acting General Manager Dr. Norjiana Dipatuan See power, page 11

NEW OFFICIALS OF LASURECO. From left, Solaiman C. Mutia, Assistant Manager of Lasureco; Mamintal

“Bombit” Alonto Adiong, Vice Governor of Lanao del Sur; Habib W. Macaayong, President of the Mindanao State University System; Atty. Goldelio R. Revira, Chairman NEA-Assistant Administration Deputy for Cooperative Management Services Task Force Duterte Lanao Sur Power; Dr. Norjiana Dipatuan Ducol, the newly appointed acting General Manager of Lasureco and Task Force Duterte Lanao Sur Power; and Professor First Lady Macaayong of MSUS during the ceremonial turnover of the new officials of Lasureco. Photo by Sonny V. Sudaria for Mindanao Daily

SM extends assistance to flood victims in Davao T H E SM Sup e r m a l l s , through its social arm SM Foundation Inc. activated its Operation Tulong Express last January 30 to assist the victims flooding in Davao del Norte.

The mall operator distributed 750 relief packages at Barangay Liboganon, Tagum City. The packs contain easy to cook goods to help the victims survive while they are coping with the effects of calamity. There were 10 employee volunteers from SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier as well City Davao mall manager than a hundred families as SM Supermarket who Lynette Angala-Lopez. were affected by the tail joined the relief mission.

Based on a report from end of the cold front in the The team was led by SM DSWD, there were more See flood, page 11

PVB: Bank with a heart

By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat

Dr. Roberto F. de Ocampo has nothing to prove anymore. The country’s former finance chief was instrumental in catapulting the Philippines as Asia’s new tiger economy with his tax reform measures during the time of then President Fidel V. Ramos.

But he is not one who would run away from challenges. With that he accepted to head what could be the most challenging bank in the country: The Philippine Veterans Bank.

THE BANK On June 18, 1963, the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) was created with the enactment of Republic Act No. 3518, which became its charter. While PVB was conceived and created as a private commercial bank owned by the veterans, the law provides that it would be a government depository as a gesture Dr. Roberto F. de Ocampo

See BANK, page 11

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Saturday, February 4, 2017

Education

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Permanent welcome signature in CDO entry points underway Contributed story by Gean T. Cesar

THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro through the City Tourism Council is now finalizing construction plans for permanent welcome signages that will soon rise in entry points to the City. Tourism Chair Dorothy Jean Pabayo reported this update during the general monthly meeting of the City Tourism Council- after the City Government approved the Board’s proposal for such project. Initial phase will be the construction of two signages that will be installed in Brgy. Iponan and Bugo highway entry points which will have a unique look relevant to the identity of the City. The City Tourism Council is also responsible for the redevelopment and beautification of the Duaw Park which is in partnership with the Kagay-anon International.

Other tourism related projects under the Tourism Board is the re-opening of the Kagay-an Resort (formerly Lawndale Spring Resort) in close coordination with the City Tourism and Cultural office under Mr. Elmer Wabe, the construction of the White water rafting embarkation area and the creation of a Pasalubong Center in Divisoria.

The members of the City Tourism Council, Cagayan de Oro during its General Membership Meeting, January 31, 2017.

NPA kills 3 soldiers in B’non

By GERRY LEE GORIT Correspondent

CAGAYAN de Oro City-Three soldiers were shot to death by a group of armed men belonging to the New People’s Army in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon Wednesday, a statement from the group released to the media on Thursday said.

The shooting happened just as the Communist Party of the Philippines, through its armed wing the NPA, hours after it terminated its unilateral interim ceasefire yesterday after it accused of

the Duterte administration of failing to fulfill its promise of releasing more than 400 of political prisoners.

Allan Juanito, NPA spokesperson for the Northcentral Mindanao Region, said three soldiers from the Phil. Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion’s Community Organizing for Peace and Development were on board two motorcycles when they were flagged down by the Maoist rebels in Sitio Kalib, Barangay Kibalabag in Malaybalay, at around 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

The troopers tried to

fight back pulling out their firearms but they the NPA shot them first.

“The NPA fighters were forced to fire first to defend themselves resulting to their (soldiers) death. Taken from them were three .45 caliber pistols,” the NPA said.

Recovered from one of the dead soldiers was an identification card identifying him as a certain Pat Olango from Barangay Cugman, this city.

Aside from that, the NPA also conducted harassment to troops conducting See soldiers, page 11

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MINDANAO DAILY BUSINESS | ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE | REALTY | EVENTS

GILBERT Y. CHAO - Motoring Editor

motoring

Saturday

Yamaha MotoGP Racers Rossi and Vinales at YGP8 Opening Photos by Christian Pena

What a way to start the year by Yamaha Motor Philippines; the arrival of “The Doctor” Valentino Rossi and “Top Gun” Maverick Vinales was an event that went above and beyond anyone’s expectations. The two icons for Yamaha Racing were introduced for the first time as new teammates before they embark on their maiden MotoGP season together.

Just before dawn on a Saturday Morning the two riders landed in Manila from Indonesia and even after a tiring trip they were all smiles for the cameras as they exited the airport. It was a short rest for them as they headed to Robinsons Novaliches Trade Hall for their press conference. The jam packed venue was mixed with supporters of both riders who waved red and yellow flags respectively. As Maverick and Valentino came on stage they were greeted by a thunderous roar.

For the young Maverick, this was his first time in the country and could not believe the overwhelming support of the Filipinos for him before he formally starts his career with Yamaha. It was

a display that he appreciated immensely and hoped he could properly reciprocate with his performance in the MotoGP. He shared to those who aspired to reach the level he was on that they do not need the best facilities or the best circumstances to achieve greatness; all it takes is passion and determination to succeed, that the desire to win can take you and your motorcycle anywhere. He also stated that the opportunity to race alongside Valentino will See yamaha, page A11

February 4, 2017

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What is EcoBoost? source: www.ford.com.ph

The award-winning EcoBoost is Ford’s most technologica l l y a d va n ced engine ever. Delivering up to 20% better fuel efficiency with outstanding performance, it truly offers the best of both worlds. Ford engineers combined three key technologies designed to save fuel and boost power: direct fuel injection, variable camshaft timing, and turbocharging. An advanced software program ensures their seamless performance.

A high-pressure fuel system injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber, regulates how much fuel is needed at any given time, and cools the charge to enable higher compression ratios. This greatly improves efficiency while generating more power compared with a port-injected engine. EcoBoost engines precisely control the intake and exhaust valves to match changes in engine speed and load. The result is improved fuel economy, reduced exhaust emissions, and increased low-end engine torque. EcoBoost’s lightweight design improves fuel economy, while fewer cylinders mean less friction and more energy saved. Yet, thanks to turbocharging and direct injection, EcoBoost delivers the power of a much larger engine.

Turbocharging uses the engine’s exhaust gases, which would otherwise be wasted, to push more highly compressed air into the engine. This provides a huge boost in power while variable cam timing helps eliminate “turbo lag” at low rpm.

In 2015, Mustang was launched with its first ever EcoBoost engine. Despite its smaller size, it generates 100kW/L. That’s 66% more power per liter than the 3.7L V6. Ford’s groundbreaking 1.0L engine has won eight engine “Oscars” in four years. It is the only engine ever to be named overall winner three times in a row.

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Saturday, Ferbruary 4 2017

Opinion

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Speaking Out 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

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Drug war turning dirty?

President Rody Duterte’s war against illegal drugs started with a bang! ( Or shall we say with a Bang….

Bang …. Bang ) But of late, the campaign is mired in so much controversy that it probably needs a systems re-set.

No thanks to those whom Bato de la Rosa collectively refers to as “mga siga, bastos at undisciplined” - the rogue cops. Poor Bato can only publicly cry in shame as he admitted this during a senate inquiry.

But didn’t he know this from the very start?

From day one, President Rody had them in his so-called drug matrix. In fact, the President flaunted several matrices before the media. There was one list for cops, another for politi-

Regional Editor-Davao

Feature Editor

ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI

NOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE CELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 CRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY Legal Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------

bureau and mktg staff candy macabale - 09161326483 RIZA O. ARES - 0915-9753-277/0926-2242-653 MISOR - LOLONG NABONG - 0906-875-8650 GINGOOG CITY-MANNY ANSIHAGAN-0936-287-7788 North Buk. - DAHLIA S. BENEMERITO-0936-303-0410 VALENCIA CITY - PHILIP PHIL CALUMBA-0905-652-5407 MARAMAG - roFINA CUALES - 0926-336-1585 Iligan City - JEFFREY OPONDA-0936-1174378 tangub city - bobby mag usara OROQUIETA CITY - PJ TREMEDAL-0919-3452375 ARMM - Sony Sudaria-0947-4810371 cotabato - ANALISA ESPAÑOLA-0916-9351714 davao - tom a. caballero-09756023684 davao del norte - sarah castor - 09263988293 digos city, dvo sur & kidapawan - romeo d. sanchez davao city - rene s. arias (Photo Journalist,) butuan - PAT SAMONTE-0912-8091093 san frans - CRIS PANGANIBAN-09277974193 San Francisco - deding PANGANBAN-0927-7974193 Pagadian City - GRACE FRANCISCO -0912-8484037 ZAMBOANGA - AL JACINTO -09177103642 Member: ORO CHAMBER Philippine Press Institute

public detractors was both intimidating and chilling.

As he shocked and awed the people during the initial months of his presidency, President Rody’s popularity stayed in the high 80’s.

Rightly or wrongly, the President interpreted this as a sweeping mandate to pursue, in any way and in any manner, what he needed to do.

He hopped from camp to camp, reaching out to the police and army grass roots. He assured them of total support - and even immunity against undue criminal prosecution. There were talks of “pre-signed pardons” for those who would be wrongly charged because of their participation in the drug war.

“I will never allow any-

Ignacio Bunye one of you to go to jail for doing your job,’’ he assured his shock(ed) troops.

As if to bolster this promise, he reportedly gave instructions to Bato to take it easy on Police General Marvin Marcos and others who were implicated in the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Sr. while the latter was in police custody.

This despite the fact that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had filed multiple murder charges against Marcos and 27 other persons.

See dirty, page 11

Think A Minute

The unlocked door

THINK a minute.

This is a true story about a young lady who got so tired of living with her strict parents that she ran away from home. But she soon found out that life EDITORIAL was not easy on her own.

ALLAN M. MEDIANTE She couldn’t find a job, Editor-in-Chief and it didn’t take long for her friends to get sick of her

ruel pelone CRIS DIAZ living off of their kindness

Managing Editor Executive Editor so they kicked her out. Well,

CHENG ORDOÑEZ MARK FRANCISCO this young 19-year-old girl

Associate Editor Lifestyle Editor got so desperate she decided GILBERT Y. CHAO gerry lee gorit to start making money by

Motoring Editor Photo Journalist becoming a prostitute.

Years passed. Her father

PAT SAMONTE CHRIS PANGANIBAN died. Her mother grew Regional Editor Caraga Regional Editor-Davao

older. And the daughter’s Rene Michael BaÑos uRIEL C. QUILINGUING life just got worse and ter Regional Editor Northmin Contributing Editor ribly unhappy. But she still

AL JACINTO JOE FELICILDA would not write or go home Regional Editor-WestMin Editorial Consultant to see her mother.

One day the mother

RODRIGO B. SEVILLA JOE PALABAO heard that her daughter

cians and other persons of influence.

One list identified “narco cops” at all levels of the police hierarchy from the lowly SPO3s to the starstudded officers.

And what did Bato, as the President’s chief enforcer, do about it? Only Bato can answer that.

One can not dispute the President’s zeal when he declared his all-out war against drugs. He campaigned on a promise to rid the country of illegal drugs (in 3 months, mind you) and legions believed him.

His message was clear.

There would be zero tolerance for drugs. And woe to anybody who would try to prevent him, or even just publicly criticize him, in his crusade. His livid reaction to

was seen in a certain part of town, so she went there looking for her daughter.

She went to every store and cheap hotel asking to put a picture on their walls. It was a picture of herself, now a gray-haired woman. Beside her picture was this message to her daughter which simply said: “I still love you! Please come home!”

Months went by and nothing happened. Then one day the daughter who was now very skinny and sick wandered into one of those hotels. You can imagine how shocked she was to see her mother’s picture on the wall of that dirty, cheap hotel. As she read her mother’s message to her she began to cry.

That night she started

walking the many miles back to her home.

It was early in the morning when she finally arrived at the front door of her parent’s house. She began to knock but the door was already open.

Afraid that someone had broken into her parent’s house, she ran inside and woke up the sleeping old lady and told her she had finally come home.

Mother and daughter began to cry as they held each other.

The daughter said: “I thought someone had broken open the door!” But the mother shook her head and answered gently: “My dear, from the day you left I’ve kept the door unlocked.”

You know, it does not

Jhan Tiafau Hurst

matter to Jesus Christ what wrong things you’ve done or how badly you’ve lived.

The moment you decide to turn to Him and ask His forgiveness, He will always accept you and give you another chance.

Jesus is the One Who will enable you to start a new life all over again, but this time living His way with Him in charge. He said that’s the only way you’ll ever have real love, peace of mind, and satisfaction that lasts.

Just Think a Minute.

Letters from Davao

Jesus Dureza

By Jun Ledesma of PNA

I AM awed by the tenacity of (Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) Secretary Jesus Dureza in pursuing peace with the CPP/NPA/ NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front). He is admirably living up to his name. But what prize this noble deed?

The NPAs withdrew from the ceasefire it declared.

Jorge Madlos, aka Ka Oris, spokesperson of the NPA, in announcing the withdrawal, virtually declared resumption of war in seething language and raging temper.

There were instances of breaches in the unilateral ceasefire ordered by the government and the NPAs but both are guilty of these violations. In similar situa-

tions peace negotiations in community of nations are fraught with such breaks but in the end stable peace is achieved. I want to believe that Madlos is merely raising a yellow flag in same manner that Secretary Dureza issued an alarm to the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines).

From his retirement, Fr. Terry Barcelon counsels that while there are ruptures in the talks peace has to be pursued. No let up. Dureza was not expecting the declaration from the NPAs but as far as he is concerned the peace negotiations are on track.

Come to think of it, never in the annals of our search for peace was there so much effort and concessions done by the government than what the Duterte administration had granted.

He had appointed leftists

in his cabinet fulfilling his promise of a participatory governance. This to the point that the President was being pilloried by critical media for being lovey-dovey with the NPAs. In all these, Secretary Dureza sought out the rebels bringing the message of peace and reconciliation of President (Rodrigo) Duterte. Very so often he leaves behind an ailing wife who allows and even pushes her husband to go leave and accomplish your mission for peace on one hand and saving lives of kidnap victims of the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) on the other.

Ordinary mortals would cave-in in frustration after this declaration made by the NPAs. But Dureza has a task to achieve and he is made of sterner stuff. However the recent development begs

the questions now: • are the NPAs acting on their own as such was Dureza been talking all along with just the CPP and the NDF? The former a moribund party while the other a legal front that serve as the narrow conduit between government and the armed insurgents.

• what happens now to those so called “political detainees” that had been released or about to be released?

• are all these simply a case of double talk?

• is Jose Ma. Sison still in control of the NPAs? Few questions to ask for now. For now, however, the AFP must brace for assaults.

The weather in Oslo is getting colder it’s about time the peace makers come home and wait till the See DUREZA, page 11

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Feature

Saturday, February 4, 2017

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Love tests Kim Rodriguez and Albie Casino’s faith in Wagas KAPUSO star Kim Rodriguez joins Albie Casiño in a love story between a Christian and a demonologist this Saturday (Jan. 28) on Wagas.

Chris (Albie) and Sarah (Kim) grew up in two different beliefs. Chris is a ‘demonologist’. Since he was in high school, he has been fascinated in studying various chants or enkantasyon, and has even joined the ‘dark side’. Sarah, on the other hand, is a devout Christian who came from a family of ministers. She is also one of the leaders in their church.

The two would cross paths through a college organization, and later on would become best of friends. Sarah is known for her piousness, while Chris tries to hide his association with the dark side.

Soon, Chris would receive a mission that is said to have come from his leader: to damage Sarah’s reputation as well as her faith.

The demons are about to succeed in their mission when Chris inadvertently falls in love with Sarah. With their opposing religious beliefs, the love for each other will be put to the test.

Joining Albie and Kim in this episode is Arny Ross. Catch Wagas every Saturday, 7 p.m. on GMA News TV. PR

Northern Mindanao farmers now on social media selling their produce

About 116 trainees complete their course in the Life Skills Training under the Jobstart Program on January 27. Jobstart Program is a collaborative effort of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Asian Development Bank, Canadian Government, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the city government of Cagayan de Oro. cio

But he was disappointed with his dwindling sales that he wanted to give up his humble small cacao farm in barangay Canituan altogether.

So when Cagampang heard from a friend in 2015 that the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) serves as a conduit between farmers and the marketplace, he gave it a try. Today, Cagampang is selling more than 1,000 tablea rolls each day in places even outside Northern Mindanao thanks to a new online marketing tool launched by ATI, FilFARM. FilFARM is a website with a string of social media pages attached to it (Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus) that is an avenue for Northern Mindanao farmers and buyers from all over the world to meet. As ATI 10 director Angelito Quirog would put it, “FilFARM foresees a future where markets are brought to the comforts

of the home of the buyers at a much lesser price.”

“We link buyers and sellers online, we establish a traceabaility system to assure quality and get immediate feedback from buyers,” Quirog said.

FilFARM was conceived in the ATI 10 complex in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental and slated to be piloted nationwide in 2015 under Quirog’s dynamic leadership. ATI did a oneday roadshow in Cagayan de Oro City last September but apparently, the mainstream media did not take notice.

Today its network of supply farms is growing – more than a dozen of them located in Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Camiguin and Lanao del Norte.

Each of them has its own unique products to sell, Cagampang’s uniquely shaped tablea rolls are just one of them. There’s organic

veggie salad and black rose lettuce from Alomah’s Place, cassava bibingka from Margeurie’s, black rice from Guiniabo Farm, rambutan syrup from Vima’s Agriventure, spicy coco vinegar from Buhian Diversified Farm, rice coffee from Engallado’s Nature Farm and many more.

Quirog is proud to say that products browsed at FilFARM’s website have been ordered from as far as the Australian continent. “The Australians love our salted eggs,” he said during an interview last Wednesday at the sideline of the launch of a partnership between ATI and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (Tesda).

Under the new partnership, Tesda will provide training for all enrollees in ATI partner-farms already identified as “farm schools” under the government’s

benefits program for patients and families. It should also coordinate with regulatory offices to ensure that improved financing is complemented by readily available and quality health services.

However, should the government choose to retain the existing structure, Caballes maintained there should be at least a common definition for catastrophic health expenditures so that institutions will have a unifying concept to base their policies and strategies on.

At present, each financing institution has its own definition of catastrophic health expenditures anchored on its organizational

mandate and operational capacities. This, according to the study, leads to discrepancy between what patients perceive as a severely distressing situation and what most institutions consider as merely usual.

Thus, the timeliness of response provided by financing institutions oftentimes do not match patients’ urgency of need.

Caballes also pointed out there is no systematic documentation of how these agencies actually select and support their beneficiaries. He highlighted the importance of looking into whether these agencies can effectively and equitably

address catastrophic health expenditures or not.

Likewise, the paper also highlighted the varying amount and timing of financial support across different agencies.

“For example, in terms of magnitude, PhilHealth and PCSO are providing more substantial support, although the former can be accessed only at the end of a hospital confinement while the latter can be expected earlier, as enabled by guarantee letters,” the author explained.

The PIDS paper also pointed that the documentary and procedural requirements for availing

of financial assistance are not uniform across agencies.

This problem is exacerbated by the limited awareness of patients about these requirements and their incapacity to readily comply.

In conclusion, the study described the existing institutional responses to catastrophic health expenditures in the country as disparate and inadequate.

The burden to seek help from one financing source to another is on patients and families, despite the serious illnesses and social costs they are already shouldering. The enhancements proposed by the PIDS study are aimed to improve this scenario.

By MARK FRANCISCO

BENJAMIN Cagampang used to sell his tablea (chocolate rounds) in his hometown of Kalilangan, Bukidnon.

His tablea is unique because it’s cubed in shape rather than the usual flat ones.

See farmers, page 11

PIDS proposes oversight agency for ‘catastrophic’ health financing A RECENT paper released by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) recommends the setting up of a dedicated organization that will oversee the development of policies and implementation of strategies regarding catastrophic health.

At present, various forms of financing for catastrophic expenditures are being provided by different public and private institutions, each of them having its own rules and procedures on how to avail them. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of

Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Gaming Corp., and some members of Congress are among the government entities that provide financial support to patients faced with catastrophic health problems.

The Department of Health (DOH) defines catastrophic health expenditures as out-of-pocket spending on health that can drive patients and their families to or further into poverty.

Alvin Caballes, author of the PIDS study, said the proposed organization may be organically within the DOH or a semi-autonomous body. Such unit, he said, may create a comprehensive

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Saturday, February 4, 2017

Bank... from page 1

of appreciation by a grateful nation to the veterans for the sacrifices that they offered on the altar of freedom.

But the bank fell prey to political excesses during the Marcos era. Because of capital deficiency, PVB was closed by the Monetary Board of the Central Bank on April 10, 1983 and placed under receivership. Subsequently, it was placed under liquidation on June 17, 1985.

On May 6, 1992, the Central Bank granted PVB the authority to operate as a private commercial bank. On July 3, 1992, then President Fidel V. Ramos symbolically opened PVB. Commercial operations began a month later with the opening of the main branch on Paseo de Roxas in Makati. While reopening of the bank was an achievement by itself, the greater part of the challenge was putting PVB back on its feet and nurturing its growth.

VETERAN’S SON For someone who came from managing the country’s finances at a time of great challenges and successfully restored its financial health over a six-year period and ended up as the best global finance manager, managing the Philippine Veterans Bank could be nothing, but chicken.

After his term with the government ended, De Ocampo had been coaxed by heads of the government’s banking and finance people to handle PVB to which he kept on ignoring because he had lots of commitments, including as President of the Asian Institute of Management while sitting on some 35 boards. But when one major job he waited went kaput, he had no reason not to accept the offer.

De Ocampo’s entr y though into PVB went beyond his sterling qualifications. He has an emotional attachment with the bank.

His uncle, a World War 2 veteran Col. Emmanuel V. de Ocampo, was former PVB chairman while his father Jose de Ocampo was a guerilla, who instigated the establishment of the bank in the early 60s as a tribute to the heroism of the guerillas who were instrumental in restoring the country’s democracy. That makes him a son of two World War II veterans.

He knew the pains that the World War II veterans went through. As they begged on their knees for what is due them, De Ocampo said, all they received was nice speeches recognizing the blood flowing out of their heroism but there was no money flowing.

“When I came in, the bank had very low ratings at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” recalls De Ocampo noting how the bank was riddled with PCA (prompt corrective action) items that were pretty serious as its financial standing was far from good. In addition, the bank’s governance mechanism was

largely questionable.

RESTORING THE BANK “My idea was to restore the bank to good health as the basic premise because the veterans can only be assisted if the bank is strong,” says De Ocampo.

More than its having a fighting chance, PVB must have good governance mechanism and be run professionally with a good vision to be able to contribute to the banking industry. De Ocampo did a shake up of the organization that employs around 1,000 people.

Majority of the Board Members, mostly WW II veterans themselves were already in the advanced age and it was time to pass on the torch to the younger generation.

With the great task at hand, De Ocampo managed to bring in new blood mostly composed of people from the Department of Finance with outstanding records and many were also war veterans themselves. He brought in the likes of former labor secretary Nieves Confessor, who is in charge of good governance, and former Customs Commissioner Willy Parayno.

“I was able to bring in new blood, new officers to man the bank,” says De Ocampo.

This also means finding the bank’s own niche market.

More importantly it should position itself frontally for the care of the majority WW II veterans themselves and all the veterans who are in their advanced age already.

The BSP was hoping the bank could be improved in five years, but it only took De Ocampo to attain wonderful achievements in three years.

Last year, on his third year at PBV, the BSP has already upgraded its status having wiped out most PCAs and passed audit.

The next move now is to target the bank’s profitability. To attain this goal, De Ocampo has built its portfolio with good lending position and making sure the bank is judicious in terms of expenditures.

“This year we are not only batting for good rating but profitability and larger portfolio and much better image in society,” says De Ocampo. This is to correct the impression that PVB is a small bank catering to the veterans of WW II who are already senior citizens and therefore it has little room for expansion.

In defining its niche, the bank is trying to convey to the public mind that PVB is in a resurgent process.

The target niches are areas identified in the bank’s own reason for being that PVB is a bank for veterans of WW II and the only commercial bank that by law allows it to serve both public and private entities both local and national levels.

“We are not just a bank for the purpose of making lots and lots of money, but we are concerned that we give the right financial assistance to customers, whether individual or entrepreneur,

whether a veteran’s pension or to expand opportunities for local governments projects,” he adds.

WITH A HEART – THE BANK’S SLOGAN As a result, PVB now carries the tagline “Bank with a heart for every Filipino.” The tagline differentiates them from the rest of other banks in the country that sell on pretty brand ambassadors.

“We want to strike an image that is unique, so in our ads rather than having those beautiful faces the message is that we are helpful, we take into account what your dreams are and our role in life is to assist your dreams, not get your money,” he adds.

Aside from the WW2 veterans and their children, the bank now caters to all other war veterans. It expanded its assistance to the Armed Force of the Philippines. This to acknowledge the heroism of the veterans as it has also internalize the patriotism and achievements of the AFP personnel who put their lives on the line for the cause of the country.

This has led to a spike in its loan portfolio in less a year to billion pesos from only a few hundred million pesos. The bank also targets to assist LGUs in packaging their projects, including financing. It is now among three banks, the two others Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines, with similar assistance programs. The only difference is that PVB is a private commercial bank. It is also addressing corporate clients. Part of this image building is to refurbish its 60 branches because De Ocampo said nobody would like to do business with a bank that is located in a decrepit place in a rundown office.

Its logo has been updated with definitive look that can be identified as the Veterans Bank.

One beautiful image in the bank’s interior is a portion where a History Wall or the Wall of Heroism is prominently displayed. It is a big acrylic display relating in prose the veterans’ deeds in that particular area with names of veterans plus photographs of battles that took place and a documentary during the WW II. PROFITABILITY Veterans Bank may not be publicly-listed, but this is the only private commercial bank that is totally publicly owned by thousands of veterans as stakeholders, De Ocampo pointed out. There are at least 5,000 veterans now that come during their annual meeting mainly from Luzon. It has assets of R50 billion.

If you look at its core income, which is income before provisioning, it is pretty good though still small. On total, the bank is still in the red but the balance sheet is pretty healthy with a capital adequacy ratio that allows them to build its portfolio for the long term.

“Our target in the coming years is to have steady profitability so we can provide with

the mandated law to grant 20 percent of net income for the WW II veterans, like stock dividends,” he adds. De Ocampo hopes to give out dividends starting next year.

De Ocampo also expressed optimism of the bank becoming profitable for the first time this year if not next year. The bank has already brought down its losses to R300 million from a billion peso level before he came in.

“It is self-defeating if you have bad credit because how can you convince people to do business with the bank knowing you are in bad shape,” he adds.

Overtime, the bank is slowly building up back to its healthy state while fixing other government issues.

Already, De Ocampo has been divining the positive comments from the members of the Bankers Association of the Philippines and the many happy depositors of the bank.

The lending operation is more than deposits. The lending pensions side only already hit P2 billion. It is banking on smaller loans because it gives them more profitability and easier collection rather than having gigantic loans where profitability is smaller and the risk is big. The average pension for a veteran is between P5,000 to P6,000.

“We are open to assisting the entire range from sergeant to retired general up to the age of 90 years old,” he adds.

De Ocampo has done some promotional campaigns to daughters and sons of veterans that PVB is back in business and is the premier commercial bank in assisting the military and the veterans.

“So far so good,” says the former finance chief, who spearheaded the passage of the country’s tax reform program during his time.

“I would say the bank is now in a much better shape to be of assistance to the veterans and we make sure we will continue to be in better shape,” he adds.

LEGACY De Ocampo sees some similarities in his work before as DOF chief and now at PVB because it has been part of his mindset to make a difference rather than make profit or pile up lots of money for himself using his position.

“I might say that it is a challenge to bring about economic development, helping majority of our people towards better opportunities and to see our country progressed. With that you build a legacy that you can pass on to the next generation, which is a good name and a meaningful life here on earth,” he adds.

He cited the WW II veterans for their patriotism.

They were still teenagers who forgot about the ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) to become guerillas and fight against the much more superior establishment of the imperial Japanese army.

“They are our footsoldiers that is not something that should be forgotten through

speeches. They have instilled that set of values to our youth, which I am a bit worried that this set of values is slipping because we’ve forgotten our veterans,” said De Ocampo, whose uncle served Veterans Bank in the 90s.

CREDITS De Ocampo is blessed in many ways. His hard work in government and the private sector have not been left unnoticed.

During his time as finance chief, he introduced measures that eventually led to the Philippine becoming a new tiger economy of Asia with tax reform, expanded VAT and capital market reform and all the way down the line. He was chairman of APEC and ASEAN Ministers.

He managed to attain some degree of influence on global opinion until now.

He became the first Filipino to receive the most internationally prestigious award to Finance Ministers, the “Global Finance Minister of the Year” award from Euromoney in 1995. In 1996, Euromoney named him as Asian Finance Minister of the Year. In 1997, he was again recognized as Asian Finance Minister of the year, this time by Asiamoney.

These achievements have not blinded him though. “You have to start from up there.

The Lord maybe is right in providing me openings and opportunities. He gave me parents who instilled values that inspire me to aspire a life that is dedicated to others than myself,” he adds describing himself from a poem as someone who took the less travelled road and made all the difference. He also cited the people around him for the having the same mindset as he credits his achievements as a team effort.

His only regret or rather a big diversion but otherwise a great experience was when he attempted to join politics. At one time, he was considered a Presidentiable after the end of President Ramos term. He lost in the Senate bout.

“Maybe the lord was kind enough, I did not win so I could move on to where am better,” says De Ocampo.

If there is any compliment, it is that De Ocampo ended his term with unsullied record and a clean reputation despite having supervised the most corrupt government agencies the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs, the most sensitive positions in the economy.

“I was never brought to court for graft and corruption before during and after my tenure in office,” says De Ocampo, whose free time is preoccupied with his three precocious grandchildren.

His good name is his only inheritance to his children.

On the softer side, De Ocampo serves as president of the British Alumni Association. He organizes concerts as a way to promote Philippines-UK cultural friendship. Proceeds of the concert go to a foundation for disadvantaged children in

the Philippines. On the occasion of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, he was conferred by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his outstanding efforts in promoting Philippine-UK relations during his years in public service and more recently in his capacity as Chairman of the British Alumni Association.

De Ocampo was also a recipient of many international and national honors.

In September, 2001, he was named to the Ordre National de la Legion d’ Honneur by the Republic of France with the rank of Chevalier for his successful efforts and initiatives to promote closer Philippine-France relations.

This musically-inclined banker also goes out of his way to be with a friend’s band where he plays the guitar.

He also finds time to mentor some parents aside from giving out speeches and writing. Currently, he helps in the crafting the tax reform package as the administration is tinkering a law he introduced in 1996.

“So I am still in the arena but only in the background,” adds De Ocampo.

He believes the Duterte administration will succeed as long as he gets things done in the fields of infrastructure because that is a big economic booster. With new investors coming in from China and Japan, there are new sources of funds. Besides, he said, President Duterte has made a mark in fighting illegal drugs and that is positive thing.

“If Japan and China make good on their pledges and if infrastructure comes in then there will be lots of job creation and bigger tax base,” he adds noting that the traffic jams in Metro Manila can only be solved by urban decongestion and the building of trains.

“I don’t see any let up in the remittances even with weaker peso and the BPO industry will continue to grow because I don’t see what alternatives the west has,” he adds noting that a 7 percent GDP will be achieved if not surpassed this year.

As a manager, De Ocampo leads by example, “I would not demand more than I demand for myself.

I demand excellence so I am not too patient with less than excellent work.”

He said that people read memos over and over but it would take him five seconds to digest or spot an error. Despite his being an exacting boss, De Ocampo listens to third parties and gives people the benefit of the doubt.

A blackbelter, De Ocampo still does his martial arts stuff including kick, skip rope for about 200 times. He does sit ups and push ups for 45 minutes on weekends and runs three times a week.

When there is enough time, he would play golf to meet people and friends. He stays healthy shunning any soda drinks.

He is living his life to the hilt.

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Saturday, February 4, 2017

7

and

Present 3

rd

NORTHERN MINDANAO

PARTIAL LIST OF FINALISTS: News Writing Sports Writing

Science Reporting

1. Rico C. Libling, (YNHS) Camiguin 2. Nadine Cyra Valdehuesa, (CDONHS) Cag de Oro 3. Alysza Jewel V. Buna (Kong Hua) Cag de Oro 4. Julie Marie S. Bongaos, (Cugman NHS) Cag de Oro 5. Laurence M. Pabatao (BNSHI) Maramag, Bukidnon 6. Jhoris Mea Lamigo, BNSHI, Maramag. Bukidnon 7. Rheanelyn Arquilos, BNSHI, Maramag, Bukidnon

1. Ysobelle B. Navales 1. Rico C. Libling - Kauswagan NHS, Cag de Oro -Yumbing N. H S Camiguin 2. Jerome E. Cantong 2. Gerald G. Solidor - Macabalan NHS, Cag. de Oro

MOGCHS, Cag de Oro 3. Myrette Jeshielle P. Bandoy 3. Lenmark A. Monsanto, CMSU -BNSHI, Maramag, Bukidnon

Musuan, Bukidnon 4. Earl Joy B. Lopina 4. Dave Clarion V. Daing - Yumbing NHS, Camiguin - Bulua National High School, CDO 5. Cryschia Faye C. Tayong 5. Michelle P. Balas Business Reporting - CMU, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon - Tablon National High School, CDO 1. Mark Palad, PIO, Camiguin 6. Nerimer Grace V. Pornia 6. Ernesto B. Plaza Jr., 2. Francis Jose Luspo, Yumbing National High School - CMU, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon

Macabalan NHS, Cag de Oro 3. Jediah Jaira Ll Bualat, Kong Hua School, CDO 7. Rowena T. Sabellita 7. Evans Jake C. Dacut 4. Justine G. Pamisa, BNSHI, Maramag, Bukidnon -Tablon NHS, Cag de Oro

BNSHI, Maramag, Bukidnon 8. Shane Erica Beniga 8. Pamela C. Noveros Bayanga NHS, Cag de Oro

CMU, Maramag, Bukidnon

Feature Writing Photo Journalism 1.Kristina Casandra L. Pava - Central Mindana State University HS

2. Ivy Joyce D. Naparan - CMU High School, Musuan, Bukidnon 3. Neil John J. Jomaya -Central Mindanao State UniversityHS 4.Jade Angeline B. Flores - BNSHI, Maramag, Bukidnon 5. Alyssa Mariel C. Tagaan -BNSHI, Maramag, Bukidnon 6. Philipp Gabriel T. Casano - CMUHS, Musuan, Bukidnon 7. Troy Valdehueza, - CMU High School, Musuan

1. John Homer C. Tabas - Kong Hua School 2. Andre’ Socorro F. Doria - Yumbing NSH, Mambajao, Camiguin 3. Meybelle Rose R. Esid - Lapasan National High School, CDO

FINAL ROUNDS & AWARDING March 20, 2017

Announcement:

The Regional Qualifying Rounds scheduled in other cities andprovinces, are still on-going.

Finalists will be published in addition to the list in this page.

For inquiry, pls call 09153190138.

- The Secretariat

MINDANAO DAILY business

BUSINESS | ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE | REALTY | EVENTS

Editor: NELSON CONSTANTINO

Saturday

February 4, 2017

8

Mindanao power grid targets Visayas link date by end-2020 THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has set a target to connect the Mindanao grid to the grids in Luzon and the Visayas by December 2020, in a P52-billion project that it described as the biggest in its history.

“If we have everything done, then [December] 2020 deadline should not be a problem,” said Cynthia P. Alabanza, NGCP spokesperson, as she appealed for

support from both the local and national governments to speed up the permitting process.

Ms. Alabanza said NGCP has just finished an initial survey and has yet to come with cost estimates, although she said a rough estimate should be around P52 billion “but most likely will go up.”

“We want to comply with the direction of the current administration and we are doing every-

thing to align our program with the program of the government,” she said during a briefing at the NGCP office on Wednesday.

Redi Allan B. Remoroza, head of NGCP’s transmission planning department, said the interconnection of Mindanao to Visayas will start from a new substation in Dipolog City, in Zamboanga del Norte, which will then traverse a 102 kilometer overhead route before going via submarine cable

to the southern tip of Cebu island.

A 112-kilometer transmission line will then carry the electricity to another substation in Naga in Cebu. A line from Naga to Ormoc already exists. The two lines in the two phases of interconnection will each be capable of carrying 450 megawatts (MW) of power.

“This was initially designed to address the deficiency in Mindanao but now it’s really to enable the transfer of power among the

grids,” Ms. Alabanza said.

NGCP’s briefing comes after the top official of National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) told reporters that the agency was planning to review the congressional franchise granted to the grid operator.

“We have to look at [the concession agreement] whether it has served its purpose,” said Melvin A. Matibag, TransCo president and chief executive officer.

Cebu Pacific uses world’s lightest aircraft seat

The members of the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) hold protest rally Friday afternoon (February 3) before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office 10 in Cagayan de Oro City against Department Order 168 mandating for regularization of workers to their recruitment agencies but not to their host employers. Photo by Mark Francisco for Mindanao Daily

LPG prices up sharply by P58.30/tank

By MYRNA M. VELASCO Contributor

FILIPINO households are up for another financial stress this month, as the pick-up price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) had been up by P5.30 per kilogram or P58.30 for the

standard 11-cylinder used for home cooking.

The country’s LPG players made announcements on the upward price adjustment following rise in contract prices in the world market.

As of this writing, the LPG firms that already enforced price movements

include Petron Corporation for its Gasul brand; Eastern Petroelum for its EC Gas; and Isla Petroleum and Gas Corporation for its Solane LPG. It is effective 6:00am Thursday (February 2).

With this hefty price hike for a household commodity, the Department of Energy

(DOE) has toughened up on its monitoring of the LPG market to safeguard consumers’ interest and making sure that only products that are reasonably-priced and of guaranteed quality would be sold to them.

“Our Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) is

closely assessing the global trend of supply and demand, while also taking into consideration other factors affecting the prices of LPG,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi has asserted.

He stressed “we are being more thorough See lpg, page 11

San Miguel eyeing ecozone locators as off-takers of its Davao City power plant

By MYRNA M. VELASCO plant of SMC Global Power Contributor Holdings Corporation, an energy subsidiary of San TWO major locators at its Miguel Corporation.

According to SMC Presiself-developed economic zone in Davao will soak dent Ramon S. Ang, a steel up a significant pie of the mill plant will be locating generated electricity of the at their Davao ecozone and 600-megawatt Malita power that will be in need of 130

megawatts of electricity.

Another anchor and major off-taker (capacity buyer) of the power plant’s capacity will be the cement manufacturing-affiliate firm of San Miguel that would be needing another 30MW of power supply.

He emphasized that the demand of these two bigticket locators will be met by the next two blocks of the Malita coal-fired power plant, which will be another 300MW capacity.

Steel mill facilities could be a production line for

rolled products from iron ore, or could also be engaged in the design of semifinished casting products.

The first two units of the Malita power plant, he said, have already been on commercial operations See plant, page 11

CEBU PACIFIC will soon start using the world’s lightest aircraft seat for its ATR 72-600 planes, seen as more fuel efficient and allows more passenger seats.

Cebu Pacific aircraft at NAIA terminal 3 taken on September 12, 2013 -- BW FILE PHOTO In a statement, the Gokongwei-led carrier said Expliseat’s titanium seat will be installed on all 16 aircraft of Cebu Pacific, two of which are already being used.

“The lighter seat is expected to help decrease fuel burn, while allowing the carriage of more guests and cargo on board,” the budget carrier said.

Cebu Pacific earlier placed an order for 16 high capacity aircraft ATR 72-600 units worth $673 million at the 2015 Paris Airshow, which also includes an option to acquire additional 10 more planes.

“With Expliseat’s ultralight seats, Cebu Pacific is able to provide comfortable seating to its guests while allowing for a more fuelefficient operation which will lead to more affordable fares,” Cebgo President and CEO Alexander G. Lao was quoted as saying.

For its part, Benjamin Saada, chief executive officer of Expliseat said the titanium seats feature a “balance between passenger comfort, high reliability and weight savings,” and are made of materials such as titanium and carbon composite resources. news release

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9

Saturday, February 4, 2017

A THOUGHT TO PONDER

By Geraldin E. dela Rosa

The biggest lie we’re told When we’re growin up is that Soon as we’re adults as soon as we’re In college,get that job,have that steady Income,find that someone special,”find ourselves” Have those children,get that retirement Fund,everything will fall into place.

Heres a secret;It won’t.Every new development In your life,good or bad,big or small Will come with its own very special set of challenges The sooner you accept that,the better off you’ll be.

So stop trying to get it together As Brian Fulginiti said, Focus on the good Focus on your goals and not worrying about The future.Focus on your blessings and not counting Your flaws.

PH STRENGTHENS TRADE TIES WITH RUSSIA. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (6th from L) recently (26 January) met Russian Deputy Minister for Economic Development Alexander Tsybulskiy (5th from L), along with the heads of Russian Ministries in Makati, exchanging views on how to put forward the PHRussia Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. Sec. Lopez emphasized the continuous effort of the government to forge stronger trade relations with other countries, as well as to build innovative, inclusive and job-generating industries in the Philippines, as both sides prepare for the planned presidential visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in Russia. The trade chief also assured that the long overdue partnership between two sides will finally push through under the Duterte administration. Both sides called for a strengthened PH-Russia trade relations. Joining Sec. Lopez were DTI Undersecretaries Ceferino Rodolfo (3rd from R), Nora Terrado (2nd from R) and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Maria Cleofe R. Natividad (rightmost).

Focus on living a positive life and not a temporary negative Situation.

Mindanao Daily TARPS-STICKERS-EWS

CHANGE IS COMING: A ROAD MAP TO EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE AND POLITICAL SERVICE AMONG POLITICAL LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE

By LOVE JOY E. LOZARITA Teacher-Imbatug Elementary School

“Change is coming”, a hope for evry Filipino. This was a known term since 2016 when Duterte was elected as President of the Republic of the Philippines.

As this was brought out by our President, many people hoped for a less corrupt and progressive Government.

But questions arise as time goes by under the administration of President Aquino.

Is this a good motivation for our leaders to perform well? Do economic crisis which is the problem of the Philippine Goverrnment solved through this?

During the campaign of 2016 Presidential Election, people felt the hope upon hearing of the promises from politicians. Filipinos

chose their good leaders to be elected who they think would be a hero for our nation. As President Duterte was elected and chosen by people, enclosed of the Filipino votes were the hope and trust as he said; “ Change is Coming”. What a big hope we had hearing those words of promises. In my own point of view as a Filipino Citizen, “Change is Coming”is really a road map to effective Governance and Political Service among Political leaders and Government Employees if only those people are responsible enough for our nation’s progress.

Being a leader, w e knew it’s not that easy. As it was said by Spider man, “Great

DepEd’s early registration

By REBECCA B. TRABADILLO Teacher III MOGCHS

IN preparation for the opening of classes for SY 2017-18, DepEd has se January 28 to February 24, 2017 as the period for early registration from Kindergarten up to Grade 10 in all public elementary and secondar y schools nationwide. This effort primarily aims to reach the expected number of students for the next school year and to better prepare for and be able to address the possible issues and concerns teachers will face come June.

This effort also aims to ensure that all five-year-old children are enrolled in Kindergarten and to locate, identify and enroll OSY and out-of-school children who are in remote/geographically isolated areas or difficult circumstances. Learners with certain exceptionalities, which require unique

learning inter ventions, are also one of the targets of this early registration initiative. Furthermore, it seeks to understand the barriers to access education and identify local solutions or interventions to bring them to school and ensure that learners do not drop out. School personnel are expected to conduct various activities such as

power, comes a great responsibility”. Our President and leaders of the nation did their best to aim high. to work for the improvement of this Government. We have our highways now repaired, k-12 for the development of our children’s learning and many more improvements driven by our Political leaders and now, we can see how DRUGS as a very known problem in our country were slowly solved.

Leaders must be more competitive and get their selves involve to prove to people that this administration is really a way to a successful and progressive nation.

Whatever lapses and shortcomings the leaders and the Government employees have, I believe that house-to-house campaign and meetings with local and barangay officials and civic organizations to help locate children who should be in school.

The requirement to enroll in Kindergarten is birth certificate showing the child is already five years old. For Junior High School, the requirements are birth certificate, certificate of good moral character and diploma.

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we still have the chances to achieve our goals. Political leaders and Government employees still have all the time to prove how people were right in choosing them.

That this “Change is Coming- a promise by our President” is really a road map to effective Governance and Political Servives.

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0935-1613398 mdntarps@gmail.com

www.mindanaodailynews.com

NOTICE to All CEPALCO Customers Subject: Scheduled Power Interruption on Sunday, February 5, 2017

The Cagayan Electric Power & Light Co., Inc. (CEPALCO) would like to inform all customers of a SCHEDULED POWER INTERRUPTION on Sunday, February 5, 2017 as shown below.

REASON

: TO FACILITATE LINE TAPPING WORKS OF 69KV NATUMULAN LINE AT TABLON SWITCHYARD. CEPALCO WILL ALSO CONDUCT 34.5KV LINE RE-CONFIGURATION AT CORRALES EXTENSION CORNER MENDOZA STREET IN PUNTOD.

A. TIME OF INTERRUPTION AFFECTED AREAS:

: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (12 HOURS)

69KV CUSTOMERS

1. Cagayan Corn Products, Tablon

2. Alwana, Cugman

3. Limketkai Mall, Lapasan

4. Gaisano City, CM Recto Ave.

5. Limketkai Mill, Puntod CIRCUIT AFFECTED AREAS

1. Along Corrales Extension from Gaabucayan Street to PPA.

2. Portion of Tablon at Ravidas Compound, Sitio Sapong, Sitio Palalan and Sitio Manila.

B. TIME OF INTERRUPTION : 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM (1 HOUR); LOAD TRANSFER 6:00PM – 6:30 PM (30 MINUTES); LOAD TRANSFER AFFECTED AREAS: (ALUBA FEEDERS 1 AND 2)

1. All of Taguanao, Brgy. Macasandig including Tropo, Lower Sumpong and CEPALCO PV Plant.

2. Along Tomas Saco St. from Capt. Edrote St. towards Fernandez St. including St. Augustine Cathedral.

3. Along 26th St., Nazareth from corner 15th St. towards Fernhill St.

4. Along Hayes St. from corner Velez St. towards City Hall area.

5. Along the streets of Burgos St. and Capistrano St. bounded from Hayes St. up to corner Mabini St.

6. Along T.Chaves St. from Burgos St. up to corner Tiano Bros. St.

7. Along the streets of Rizal St., Tiano Bros. St., and Velez St. bounded from Hayes St. up to Pacana St.

8. San Agustin St., Gaerlan St., Abejuela St., Tirso Neri St., Cruz Taal St. Gomez St. and Pacana St.

9. Along JR Borja St. bounded from Tiano St. towards Burgos St.

10. Along Mabini St. from Velez St. up to Burgos St. C. TIME OF INTERRUPTION : 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM (3 HOURS); LOAD TRANSFER 3:00PM – 6:00 PM (3 HOURS); LOAD TRANSFER AFFECTED AREAS: (KAUSWAGAN FEEDERS 1 AND 2; PUEBLO FEEDERS 1 AND 2)

1. Brgy. Iponan, Brgy. Bulua, Brgy. Consolacion, Brgy. Puntod and Brgy. Macabalan

2. Along Kauswagan Highway including RER, NHA and Capisnon area.

3. Upper Carmen, Upper Balulang, Brgy. Lumbia including Rio Verde and BPC-HEP and Silver Creek Subd.

4. Along Capistrano St. bounded by Echem St. up to corner Akut St. including CDO Medical Center, UCCP area, Licoan and Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School.

5. Along Corrales Avenue from corner A.Luna St. towards Gaisano Mall up to Gaabucayan St. including Mabulay Subd. portion of Capt. V.Roa St.-Luna St., Provincial Capitol and Northern Mindanao Medical Center.

Power will however be restored immediately without further notice when Cepalco line and switching works are completed earlier than scheduled.

We hope the affected customers and the public in general will be guided by this announcement.

Thank you.

Released by: Ms. Marilyn A. Chavez Assistant Vice President Head, Customer & Community Relations Dept.

MDN: Feb 4, 2017

MINDANAO DAILY BUSINESS | ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE | REALTY | EVENTS

journalism

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February 4, 2017

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MDN Journalism Excellence Awards writing contest, qualifying rounds held in So. Bukidnon Mindanao Daily Editor in Chief, Allan Mediante, conducted the actual writing contests for the qualifying rounds of Mindanao Journalism Excellence Awards 2017 in Southern, Bukidnon.

The contest for this year is supported by Phinma Education Network COC College of Arts & Sciences - AB Communication as partner; major sponsors Veterans Bank, Ayala Corporation, Jetti Petroleum Inc., and the Philippine Press Institute.

In Maramag, Bukidnon, some 56 student writers from Bukidnon National School of Home Industries and San Andres High SChool participated in the qualifying contest held January January 26. contest.

Categories were News Writing, Feature writing, Photo Journalism, Sports Writing, Business Reporting and Science Reporting.

At Central Mindanao State University, January 27, about 40 student writers joined the qualifying rounds.

The results of the two schedules are published in the event ads, which included the results of the December 10 qualifying rounds held at PhinMa COC campus for Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental student writers.

For Northern Bukidnon and Malaybalay City, the qualifying round will held February 4 at Bukidnon National High School. Mediante got the approval from Ms. Susan Olana, Campus writers of Central Mindanao State University in Musuan, Bukidnon (left photos) and Bukidnon National School of Home Industries, Maramag Bukidprincipal of BNHS. non (right photos) joined the Southern Bukidnon leg for the MDN Journalism Excellence Awards, January 26 to 27.

Celebrating films and their creators: Looking forward to Cinemagis festival’s first decade

By Angelo Lorenzo

A fter attending t he opening night of this year’s Cinemagis on Wednesday, January 25, I managed to engage a brief conversation with Carlo Pailagao, the director of “Mama” to congratulate him for this year’s film festival.

His film was one of the entries under the student category. I also wanted to inquire about his film as its trailer showing a mother weeping with a stranger on the street seemed dramatic.

Carlo, an Electronics Engineering major at Xavier Ateneo, initially conceptualized “Mama” to fulfill a requirement for his English 41 class. With Carlo’s potential and decision to join, he qualified for the festival. His passion for filmmaking made me realize how anyone of any background can become a filmmaker, a patron of the visual and literary arts, and an advocate for storytelling.

Three days later, at SM Cagayan de Oro City Event Center, XU Development

Communication senior Brian Anay echoed the same sentiment during the awarding ceremony. Accepting the awards on behalf of the cast and crew of Harold Villegas’s “Penpenhod,” he said in his speech, “There is an actor within each of us.” He elaborated that if one truly has the passion and the will to pursue this craft, fulfilling a film is plausible. He exemplified “Penpenhod” which won Villegas the Best Director for the student category and neophyte Friah Pagaduan the Best Actress despite having only four people worked on the film.

For nine years now, Cinemagis has made a venue for local filmmakers like Pailagao and Villegas to present the beauty of their craft. As a festival for digital short films, it also holds a venue for competition. But with the triumph each filmmaker has achieved with their talents and films revealed to the viewers, competition has become an afterthought.

Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) director and festival author

VISUAL STORYTELLING. Cinemagis 9 shortlisted five professional entries, 12 student films, and seven special film features, screened at the XU Little Theater (pictured here) and SM Cagayan de Oro City Cinema 1 from January 25 to 28. photo by rico magallona

Hobart Savior explained that more than the awards, Cinemagis celebrates “the good harvest.” Cinemagis derived its name from the terms “cinema,” which pertains to film or motion pictures and “magis,” a Latin word which relates to striving for excellence.

What Cinemagis genuinely upholds through the years are the stories — the overlooked, the odd, the unheard of, and the new perspectives — in films and told by their storytellers.

“Northern Mindanao filmmakers — they film because there is so much to show and

share!” exclaimed Savior.

By this, Cinemagis has discovered and introduced artists in the region whose talents have been recognized in the foreign screen.

In Marc h l a s t y e ar, Germany’s 17th Landshut Short Film Festival included Joe Bacus’s “Happy

Fiesta” among the many entries from filmmakers around the world. This is an achievement which the Filipino community can be proud of, along with Brilliante Mendoza and Lav Diaz and their lauded cinematic pieces. Bacus, who previously competed in the previous years of Cinemagis with his entry, “Ika-3 Putahi,” also participated this year with his new short film, “Tanya.”

A decade of Cinemagis looms ahead. As its scope recently expanded towards the Caraga Region, we hope to see more filmmakers pursuing their passion to tell stories, encourage artists of the same bunch to follow suit, and for people who love films — released locally or internationally — to support them and appreciate what they do.

As long as there are stories to share and people willing to share them, and with festivals, such as Cinemagis, to celebrate this endeavor, film, like many forms of art, will endure and succeed through the years.

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Farmers... from page 5

Training for Work Scholarship Program. From a mere supply farm, these land tracts will be transformed into agricultural learning sites under professional Tesda expertise.

“All the curricula must be hands on. We will only develop programs where the commodities are available,” Tesda 10 director Edgar Sales said during the program launching last Tuesday in Cagayan de Oro City.

Short courses such as Agricultural Crops Production NC I and II, Animal Health Care and Management NC III, Rice Machinery Operations NC II, Rubber Processing NC II, Raise Poultry, etc. are introduced to the system so that farmerstudents could easily avail of exams leading to Tesda national certification.

The program – called Accelerating Farm School Establishments – is meant to assist in the promotion of sustainable agriculture and fishery productivity by providing access to professional vocational training at the countryside, according to Sales.

Through this, the ATI supply farms would be strengthened to give more qua lity pro duce and by-products, making them tourism farms and cementing the farmers as agripreneurs themselves.

Yamaha... from page 3

better rider and their good relationship will be the key in winning together. His opinion on why he moved to Yamaha was how much better he could become with the a racing team filled with championship experience guiding him, the class of machinery he will be using to reach his maximum potential, and revving alongside one of the best to ever ride in the MotoGP. The returning Valentino seemingly doesn’t get used to the outpouring support he gets in the Philippines.

After competing for more than 15 years he is still grateful and overjoyed by the love he gets in this part of the world. Beyond his fame and championships, it was the witty charm of the all time great that makes him popular as he drew laughter from the crowd with his quips. He looked forward to one day training a Filipino in his camp and cited that it takes patience to develop talent. It’s important for programs like the Yamaha Grand Prix to ensure growth and passion of aspiring riders. As to how long he was going to race, it was still up in the air for the 9-time World Champion. He recognizes that he is already seasoned and will have to hang up his helmet one day but before that happens he had a surprise that every Filipino will cherish. When the 2017 MotoGP season starts his YZR-M1 will have

a sticker of the Filipino flag as he represents the country all over the world; this news was naturally received with deafening applause and cheers. He ended his remarks with an advice for his new teammate “Go Slow” a joke that made everyone laugh. Of course he said that remark was because of how much talent Maverick had and his admiration of how good the his new partner can really be.

After the press conference it was time for some action on the racetrack. This was the first time the public will witness the duo in action; they rode a specially designed Sniper 150 MXi that showcased MotoGP graphics and the riders’ signature monickers. Thousands were around the track and their appearance caused pandemonium because of the uncontainable excitement. When they finished their laps they greeted the Filipino crowd one last time as they stood alongside Yamaha Motor Philippines President - Toru Osugi to declare the Yamaha Grand Prix 8 officially open.

Dirty... from page 4

To the lowly policeman or soldier, the message could not have been any clearer. It was a carte blanche.

To the rogues in uniform, who had been in the drug trade, it was a perfect cover to silence the competition or others who might incriminate them.

At the same , it continued to provide a lucrative opportunity to extort from just about anybody. Senator Ping Lacson has the videos to prove it.

There is talk that the minimum asking price (to be let off the hook) is P100,000 for small fries. But for high profile extort victims, the price could go up to the millions. But even after they have paid, some victims still were permanently silenced.

Any wonder then that a rogue SPO3 would have a SALN of P17 million?

The rise in body count of alleged druggies has been alarming. At least for them, that is the end of their physical suffering. But this would not be case for their families who would have to continually suffer mental anguish.

And what about the several thousands who are now detained in overcrowded, smelly jail cells for the simple reason that they could not cough up the P100,000 demanded of them by police extortionists?

I heard that even PAO lawyers are AFRAID to handle cases of these detainees lest they be branded as obstructionists in the war against drugs.

At least a group of petitioners, led by a survivor in a police drug raid, mustered enough courage to petition the Supreme Court for a writ of Amparo. The writ seeks to stop the police from using Oplan Tokhang to “skirt due process, kill unarmed suspects and scare witnesses

Saturday, February 4, 2017 into silence.”

Of course, it is not too late for Bato. Or is it?

Senator Ping Lacson suggests that Bato create a body that will work full time on monitoring/disciplining the rogue cops. We need to get back the trust of the people, Lacson said. Another former police officer (whose name escapes me at the moment) explained it another way: “Bato concentrated too much on the operational side of the campaign. He simply neglected the administrative side.” In so many words, Senator Chiz Escudero chastised Bato: Just cut down on playing to the camera and do your job.

But Bato listens only to the President. And lucky for Bato. For the moment at least, the President’s confidence in Bato remains rock solid.

••• Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@gmail. com. You may also “like” us in Facebook at “Speaking Out”.

Sur Power chaired by Atty.

Goldelio R. Rivera, also the deputy administrator for electric cooperative management services of the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

Vice Governor Adiong also reported to Rivera the inaction committed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) saying the grid operator did not take action to restore the damaged 69KV line located in Tugaya town.

He said the 69KV line distributes power to the coastal towns of Kapatagan, Dumalondong Calanogas, Picong, Malabang, and Balabagan, all in Lanao del Sur. The vice governor said Muslim Pilipino Commissioner Raida Maglangit has already asked him to help them ask the services of Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Magelco).

He said that what the affected towns need is a waiver of rights from Lasureco so Magelco can provide them the needed power supply.

For his part, Ducol assured Governor Bedjoria from page A4 Soraya Alonto Adiong and snows melt and hopefully Vice Governor Adiong that gets warmer for yet another Lasureco will do its best to round of talks. satisfy the electric consumPatience is what makes ers provincewide. peace negotiation progress to accomplishments of goals.

Jesus Dureza has a well- from page 1 at the SMX Convention spring of this virtue. (Mr. Jun Ledesma is a community Center. It was attended by journalist who writes from representatives of more than Davao City and comments 500 local water districts from the perspective of a nationwide.

“We will establish a Mindanaoan) central water agency under which all water related from page 1 functions will be addressed.

Davao Region including Tama ‘yan. It’s coming durDavao del Norte, Compos- ing my term,” the President tela Valley, Davao Oriental told PAWD, which primary and Davao Occidental. In function is to provide susTagum City alone, more tainable, affordable and 2,000 families were affected. safe water to all Filipinos Mayor Allan Rellon, who especially those in the counwas also at the distribution tryside.

“I’d like to remind all, site, extended his appreciawhen I say all it is all: Do tion to SM Supermalls. not be a hindrance sa pagThe Tagum CSSD O propagate pati cultivate and through the help of the Department of Social Wel- make use of the surface fare and Development Office water. Huwag ninyong paXI identified the affected hirapan ang local utilities,” barangay. Barangay captain he added.

He likewise told the naEdwin P. Ballesteros organized his community who tional organization not to were mostly fisher folks. ask money from contractors Resident Bairinda Bago and hasten the processing Payapas, 54-year old resi- of papers and permits for dent of Barangay Liboganon key public services.

“The central government accounted that they have been experiencing heavy that is Manila, they only rainfall since the second have one month to process week of January. According papers. The directors are to Payapas, there came a only given 15 days sa bureau point when her family and nila,” he said.

The President stressed her neighbors were stranded for 3 straight days because the need to rationalize and water level made it impos- streamline government sible for them to mobilize structures citing “overand for help to reach them. lapping” procedures and SM Foundation Inc. has jurisdictions.

“Who gives to authority been conducting relief misto what and whose final sions in areas where SM malls operate as well as its judgment is it that we folnearby provinces which are low?” he asked.

The Chief Executive unstruck by calamities. In the past, SM malls have become derscored that Davao City temporary shelters for the was the first in the country to pass a water code to lovictims. calize the National Water Code to ensure protection from page 1 and management of its water Ducol supervised by the resources.

“In the city of Davao, Task Force Duterte Lanao

Dureza...

Create...

Flood...

Power...

there is the water code passed by the City Council during the incumbency of my daughter, the first time,” he said referring to her daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

“She would insist on it and, well, there was this attempt to reconfigure the river of, I think, one of the tributaries that comes out of Tamugan.

She stood her ground and hindi talaga pumayag si Inday na maggawa ng bago. I don’t know what they were up to but I think it’s big business,” the President recalled.

Duterte also commended the local water district in Davao City for being one of the best performing government entities in his home province.

“Insofar as I’m concerned, in Davao City, it’s working well. I hope it is happening all over the country,” he said.

He quipped that he would always pay his water bills on time as a gesture of appreciation for the effectiveness and hard work of the local water districts.

Meanwhile, the President reiterated his appeal for government officials and employees to give the public a respite from graft and corruption.

“I would not want to zero in or focus on any administration. But for so much of our lives, it has always been corruption and it is the one thing that really pull down almost to the drain,” he said.

“Iyong indolence ng taga-gobyerno if not outright making money. It does not exempt any organization, even the police have been criminals,” he added.

He vowed to reform the Philippine National Police (PNP) lamenting that “it is rotten to the core.”

He again mentioned that about 6,000 policemen are involved in illegal drugs, and trade is still being carried out behind prison bars.

Aside from the PNP, he said there will also be cleansing and purging of abusive personnel at the National Bureau of Investigation.PND

Soldiers... from page 2

community outreach activities in Barangay Concepcion, Valencia City on Monday.

In a separate interview, Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the Phil.

Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said the three soldiers were unarmed and wearing civilian clothes when they were “murdered.”

“They were not just gunned, they were murdered,” said Martinez.

Capt. Norman Tagros, 403rd Infantry Brigade civic military operations officer, said the soldiers were on their way from Malaybalay to Barangay Manalog “to secure some documentary requirements for a livelihood project that they were facilitating in the

11

community.”

“This perpetrated by the NPA only shows that they are not fighting for an ideology anymore. They have resorted to criminal acts and banditry the moment that they murdered our troops and took their money and personal belongings,” Tagros said.

Taken from the killed dead servicemen were more than P12,000 in cash as their subsistence allowance, he added. Each soldier has received about P4,500 in subsistence allowance, Martinez said.

LPG... from page 8

in monitoring the local market because some LPG traders might take advantage of this international market scenario to the detriment of the public.”

Typically, LPG prices in the domestic market move along with the fluctuations in Saudi contract prices, the known benchmark for LPG markets in Asia.

Initially, the energy department indicated that based on its market tracking, the upswing in the global LPG prices had been “due to the increased demand by the cold weather continents such as North America, Europe and even Northern Asia.”

Cusi cited the prolonged frosty temperatures in these jurisdictions, which in part had been attributed to the La Niña weather phenomenon.

LPG is used as a heating fuel by these freezing weatherstricken countries.

Plant... from page 8

since last year – and capacity off-takers were mostly electric cooperatives in Mindanao.

Ang noted for the next units that are targeted on stream next year, locators in the San Miguel-developed economic zone will be considered its key markets.

Asked on what are being eyed on this sphere, Ang indicated that “these are heavy industries,” but he kept their identities under wraps for now because of the non-disclosure agreement that the relevant parties have entered into.

“Our ecozone has been attracting a lot of attention now,” he stressed, adding that despite the very tough competition in Mindanao due to the grid’s over-supply state, the company still logs comfortable margins on its power generation ventures.

The Malita coal-fed plant comprises of four generating units at 150MW each and is also equipped with circulating fluidized bed (CFB) combustion technology.

The Davao power generating facility forms part of the San Miguel group’s greenfield power developments that have been comfortably cementing it at the top spot when it comes to capacity count in that segment of the energy sector.

MINDANAO DAILY BUSINESS | ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE | REALTY | EVENTS

MARK D. FRANCISCO - Editor

Dear Heart,

Saturday

Love Letter

I am a girl who is fun of setting standards so i can find the right man for me which sometimes thats the reason why i ended Breaking them up.

Lately, I met a guy who is the tall dark and handsome type and its one week after i broke up with my 3mos old boyfie.

He also had a 4year old gf and “a cool off thing”. We started dating, watching movies,getting along with my family / friends and we had so much fun.He fetch me up from school or accompany me sometimes wherever i needed to go.We had this sparks of friendship and i know im starting to fall for him .His efforts made me feel that im so special to him until he went to the place where i fear the most.The place where his ex gf was and of course they talked of their past and his ex gf wanted him back on her life.The guy said he is not ready for commitment yet coz he still wanted to focus on his career path but i know that he is confused because of the presence

of his ex gf.Right now im in the middle of nowhere like the best option is letting go and ignore him whatever his decisions will be or pretend that im not affected?But the thing is I am affected.Im hurt inside like i wanted him to realize that im here.Would i go for my feelings or just let it be?Would I prefer to expect from us or wait for him or just forget him?

What will I do hearty?

Love, TONY PIE Dear TonyPie, Love just comes around anytime, anywhere and it will come to anyone whom you least expect .Oftentimes,we set standards or shall we say qualifications for our dream guy.But the more we kept on doing this,the more it is disappointing because there will be no perfect man to suit to be a perfect lover.Your situ-

feature

12

February 4, 2017

ation now is a good sign.You feel that this new guy is the one your falling in love with but he has this ex girlfriend issue.All you have to do now is wait.Time is really a factor for you to understand if your feelings is true for him and also if his feelings is love for you.There are guys who gets confused of their feelings to a girl whether you are a friend or perfect for a lover.

He is now confused whether to choose you who is new to his life and he gets along with or the ex girl friend whom he knew a lot.Time is all we need now.You should still get along with him and be the best girl when your with him.Always support him when he needs you.Be friend to him when he wanted to.Dont push him away coz of the issue.Be who you are to him.Love is not something you find,Love is something that finds you.

If time comes he is ready to commit with you,then its the best feeling but if he chooses to be with his exgirlfriend,then theres always a better guy for you..

Just keep loving,TonyPie. Sincerely yours, Hearty of Dear Heart P.S For those who want to send their love issues or any simple problems on their relationships,or for those who just want to send letters for encouragement, do send us message at @dearheartcsd page or email me at charlotte.dakay@gmail.com.We will publish the column every fridays/saturdays at Mindanao daily.....

Decision Making

By Amy C. Malagum

“There is a choice we have to make in everything we do. So we must keep in mind that in the end, the choice we make, makes us.” – John Wooden In the teaching profession, there are so many factors we need to consider in decision making, we have to consider that being a good teacher is not a popularity contest. We must not aim that everyone will like us because it will lead to avoidance in making tough decisions for people might get upset. What is important is that we must aim to do the right thing and the motivation to act comes from the benefits that we envision producing students equipped with the right competencies to cope with the challenges ahead.

As a professional we must dig dipper on what our senses plainly see and

identify the needs to be addressed. Take for example in deciding whether to pass and fail a student, a teacher should always evaluate herself and asked questions like “Were my efforts enough to help the student?” or “Were my teaching strategies effective?”. Think of your students as your family and see to it that nobody is left behind in every decision that you make.

We must always remember that we do not only make decisions, we are made by them. Every one of us is a result of the decisions we made yesterday. As teachers, our decisions powerfully shape our lives and the lives of our students. We have to put in mind that the effects of a major decision can linger for years or can even last for a lifetime.

KEEP A HEALTHY HEART

By RHESTY AMOR P. MARAON, RN

Every February we celebrate Heart month. For this year it’s important to make small changes towards a healthier lifestyle. Being aware of heart disease and its prevention strategies is a primary message given during the month and repeated throughout the year.

According to WHO (2012) CVD complications are the number one cause of death globally; more people die annually from CVDs than from any other cause. By 2030, almost 25 million people will die from CVD’s, mainly from heart disease and stroke.

Keeping your hear t healthy, whatever your age, is the most important thing you can do to help prevent and manage heart disease.

Heart disease and stroke can be prevented through a

healthy diet, regular physical activity and by avoiding smoking and the harmful use of alcohol (WHO, 2012c).

Physical activity will be regular, progressive, and it will look for oxygen consumption and sweating.

A favourable diet will be rich in fruits and vegetables, and very low in fatty, sweet, and salty foods. And alsoachieving and maintain a healthy weight can reduce the risk of heart disease and other health problems. It can help to know your body mass index and waist measurements.

Finally, this lifestyle will avoid smoking altogether or being in a smoky environment, and will avoid high use of alcohol. Those who avoid alcohol consumption completely may have additional protection, for instance, less car accidents with their respective risk and fatalities.