Mindanao Star (July 27-August 2, 2013)

Mindanao Star northern mindanao

The Purveyor of Truth and Development VOL. I

Moreno is cities’ league chairman

No.241

Cagayan de Oro City

July 27-August 2, 2013

P10.00

M

AYOR Oscar ‘Oca’ Moreno of Cagayan de Oro City was recently named as Chairman of the Board of the League of Cities of the Philippines, Roy Raagas, City Administrator said on Thursday.

Moreno’s election as the league’s chairmanship only showed the utmost respect and confidence of the 130-strong members of the League of Cities of the Philippines, Raagas said.

As the league chair-

man, Cagayan de Oro City is now in a prime position to lead developmental efforts and initiatives in pushing the growth and progress of cities all over Mindanao, Raagas added.

He said that Mayor Herbert Bautista of Que-

zon City is the current President of the Mayors’ league. Moreno is also the Chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Vice Chairman of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP).

EMERGING ECONOMY. The emergence of several high-end residential projects such as posh condominiums, luxury hotels and subdivisions in Cagayan de Oro City indicates a strong economy. The latest of which is Vista Residences’ “The Loop”, a twin-tower 25-storey condominium project that will rise within the Limketkai Complex .

Gawad Kalasag winners declared

Vista Residences’ ‘The Loop’ rising in to Cagayan de Oro V ISTA Residences , t he condominium development a rm of Vista La nd a nd Lifescapes, is expanding it s re ach i n M i nd a nao

with its newest high-rise condominium project called The Loop.

The twin tower, 25-storey

By Elaine O. Ratunil

vista | page 7

Turnover of Day Care Center in Bugo - Congressman Rufus Rodriguez and Bugo Barangay Chair Raul Aleria lead the ribbon cutting in this turn over ceremony for the repair of the Day Care Center in Villa Trinitas amounting to P70,000. Also in photo are Abante Mindanao Party List Cong. Maxie Rodriguez, DPWH Dist. Engr. Allan Borromeo, ADE Cesar Hipona, parents and pupils.

(Photo Supplied)

Klarex to partner with City Hall in making CDO climate-resilient

ON FIELD - Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano inspects the P1.3 million spillway at Sitio Tig-ilas, Barangay Hinigdaan, El Salvador City on July 24. The said damage was due to heavy rains.

(Photo Supplied)

Mayor Oscar S. Moreno

Rep. Rolando Uy

NOTING the threats the city is facing from a changing climate, Rep. Rolando “Klarex” Uy yesterday said he will partner with City Hall in the implementation of “green” policies and programs that will make Cagayan de Oro client-resilient.

Uy said that since hotter summer and wetter rainy seasons brought about by the changing climate are now

the “new normal,” there is a need to prepare communities, especially coastal and riverine barangays — like his very own Barangay Carmen — against the impact of climate change.

“Programs on disaster/ climate change mitigation and adaptation must go together with programs that will make our communities resilient klarex | page 7

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDDRMC-10) has named the winners in this year’s Gawad Kalasag, with Cagayan de Oro City topping the highly-urbanized city category As announced during this year’s RDRRMC 2nd quarter meeting, Bukidnon tops in the provincial, with Lanao del Norte placing second and Ozamiz City as sole winner in the component city category.

Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Ana C. Cañeda, who also chairs the RDRRMC-10, said Quezon, Bukidnon won the 1st to 3rd class municipalities category.

Sole winner in the 4th to 6th class municipalities category is Mahinog, Camiguin.

The other winners are Barangay Bañadero, Ozawinners | page 7

Editorial: e-mail: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com • 72-33-44, 856-3344 Advertising: e-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com Contact cell nos.: 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776

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Cagayan de Oro MindanaoStar

jULY 27August 2, 2013

EDITOR: : Jun Felicilda, E-MAIL: msbmdn_2012@yahoo.com

The Purveyor of Truth and Development

northern mindanao

Philippine Standard Time launched in CdeO

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno with Anianita Fortich, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Senior Weather Specialist, unveil the Philippine Standard Time (Juan Time)-- a rubidium atomic clock, a GPS receiver, a time interval counter, distribution amplifier and a computer to help calculate the time difference with every satellite within its antenna’s field of view, during the National Science and Technology Week kick off at Pearlmont Inn, Cagayan de Oro City on July 16.(Romeo James Halley L. Paculba/PIA 10)

THE Philippine Standard Time (PST), also known as Philippine Time (PHT) was officially launched here on July 16 during the opening program of the National Science and Technology Week of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 10.

The Rubidium Atomic Clock installed by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) was also unveiled.

According to Anianita R. Fortich, senior weather specialist of PAGASAD OST Mindanao, this clock is a GPS receiver, a time interval counter,

distribution amplifier and a computer to help calculate the time difference with every satellite within its antenna’s field of view.

Anianita said that all government offices and media networks will be required to use the PST starting June 1, 2013 as basis to set their timepieces according to Republic Act No. 10535 better known as the "Philippine Standard Time Act of 2013" which was signed by the President on May 15 this year.

Further, all national and local government offices are mandated to display the PST on their official time devices, including bundy clocks, in accordance with the official time being provided by (PAGASA) using

its network time protocol, she added.

More importantly, all of these offices shall coordinate, at least once a month, with PAGASA to synchronize their official timepieces and devices.

Meanwhile, for computers with Microsoft XP, here is the instruction: First, double-click date and time in system icon tray located in the lower right corner of the taskbar; date and time window will pop up, click the tab “Internet Time.”

Once done, you may type on the server box ntp.pagasa.dost.gov.ph then press update now. Finally, wait for your computer to sync to the server. A message will inform you if update is successful. (JMOR/PIA10/asf)

Golden Mermaid statue unveiled

A Golden Mermaid statue has been unveiled at the City Tourism Hall.

The statue was donated

by Cagayan de Oro’s sister city Norfolk, Virginia, symbolically indicating closer ties between the two cities.

The unveiling ceremony was held during the four-day visit of Janis C. Weisberg, immediate past president of Norfolk Sister Cities Association, Guia Caliwagan, chair of the Norfolk-Cagayan de Oro Sister City Committee and Dr. Juan Montero, who spearheaded the NorfolkCagayan de Oro sister city ties.

Vice Mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas, who welcomed the Norfolk delegates on

July 18 expressed gladness over their goodwill visit as he expects more exchanges between the two cities.

The city has existing sistership ties with Norfolk, which is known as a Mermaid City.

The program was attended in by former Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula, Councilor Dante Pajo and Councilor Lourdes Candy Darimbang, chair of the City Council committee on tourism, among others.

It was facilitated by Eileen San Juan, chairperson of the Events Committee of the City Tourism Office.

Dr. Montero informed the vice mayor that after the five-year hiatus, the city can mermaid | page 7

FIRE PROTECTION & PLUMBING SERVICES “Dedicated to Quality, Commited to Service.”

Gaabucayan Extension, Agora Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City

09269678094 / (088) 3092357 Services Offered: > Wasteline Installation > Leak Pipe Repair > Water Pump Installation & Automation > Downspout Installation & Repair > Waterproofing > Accept Plumbing Estimates > Water Tank Installation > Fire Suppression Installation > Gas Burner Cleaning & Repair > Pull-out Wasteline system Clog-up > Sprinkler Installation > Painting > Window Grill Making > Welding > FREE CHECK-UP w/in 5km radius

‘Golden Lady Mermaid’ statue unveiling @ Duaw Park- City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno warmly thanked the 3-man delegation of the Norfolk Sister Cities Association who vowed their support to the new administration’s thrusts on good governance and reform agenda. Mayor Moreno welcomed the delegation headed by Ms. Janis Weisberg, together with Norfolk-Cagayan de Oro Sister City Committee Chairwoman Guia Caliwagan and Dr. Juan Montero during the recent ‘Barrio Fiesta’ dinner in a local hotel here. Highlighting the group’s visit was the unveiling of the ‘Golden Lady Mermaid’ statue, the official symbol of Norfolk City, Virginia, USA, at the Duaw Park in City Hall compound which was attended by Acting Mayor Atty. Roy Raagas, former Congressman and Mayor Tinnex Jaraula and other city officials. The sister-city relationship between Cagayan de Oro and Norfolk City was forged in 2008 at the time of then Mayor Tinnex Jaraula.

(Photo Supplied)

Mindanao Star Regional Update The Purveyor of Truth and Development

northern mindanao

Editor: ROLANDO N. SUDARIA • Email: rolando_sudaria2000@yahoo.com

july 27august 2, 2013

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DAR-North Bukidnon turns over 3.182 km. FMR to LGU

By Ferdinand E. Villanueva

Malaybalay City - The Department of Agrarian Reform North Bukidnon Provincial Office (DARNorth Bukidnon) turned over the Barangay Namnam to Sitio Langasihan farm-to-market-road to the local government unit of San Fernando, Bukidnon on July 18,2013.

This road is courtesy of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which granted the soft loan to finance the implementation of the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project Phase III (ARISP III) with contract

cost in the amount of TEN MILLION TWO HUNDRED FORT Y THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FOUR PESOS & 82/100 (P10,240,704.82).

DAR Asst. Regional Director for Operation Nicanor V. Peralta handed the ceremonial key of the turnover to Kagawads Cesaria Lauron and Rogelio Yeke who represented the LGU of San Fernando, Bukidnon.

PARO Julio C. Celestiano, Jr. assisted ARDO Peralta while barangay officials and residents, agrarian reform beneficiaries and students of Namnam Highland High School wit-

nessed the ceremony.

The ceremony started with the unveiling of the marker and was followed by the blessing of the completed FMR. An inaugural drive was then made through of the 3.182 km. project that will benefit not only the ARBs but also the residents of Barangays Namnam and Langasihan.

The project is expected to boost the income of the farmers who regularly transport their agricultural products from the barangays to the town proper.

Before the project, farmers used to transport their products through carabaos Unveiling of the permanent marker for the Namnam proper-Sitio Langasihan FMR under and horses at high cost. ARISP Phase III at NAMLUGSAD ARC, San Fernando, North Bukidnon.

LGUs undergo training on PPP project preparation, structuring

Opol, Misamis Oriental – TO foment the implementation of infrastructure and/or development projects throughout Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corporation (DA-PADCC) and the National Economic Development Authority – Public Private Partnership (NEDA-PPP) Center, recently held a three-day Training-Workshop on PPP Project Preparation and Structuring for Local Government Units (LGUs) on July 23-25, 2013, in this town.

Attended by representatives from the Provincial Planning and Development Offices, Provincial Agriculture Offices and the Provincial Enterprise Development Offices of the LGUs, the training-workshop primarily aimed to capacitate the participants in preparing the required technical documents during the initial stages of a potential PPP project and

LGU participants from regions 10, CARAGA and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao round up as they undergo the Multi-Variate Analysis workshop, wherein they get to screen in choosing projects which can be feasibly ventured through PPP. Meanwhile, DA-10 RED Lealyn A, Ramos (left) extended her appreciation to the attendees for joining the training-workshop in pursuit of becoming catalysts for change. Inah Geneve Tolentino, a staff of the NEDA-PPP Center, on the other hand, heads the discussion on the introduction to PPP and the project structuring module during the first day of the event.

in structuring its corresponding business plan.

Despite recognizing the challenges in conveying deeper and lasting impact on development, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Lealyn A. Ramos expressed her optimism that through the activity, it will be able to bridge

the problems among the LGUs in complying with the technical requirements entailed for the preparation of potential PPP projects.

According to Inah Geneve Tolentino, a staff of the NEDA-PPP Center, PPP is a range of possible contractual arrangements between the government and private

PENR Officer Antonio Mala (left) of Misamis Occidental and Punong Barangay Charlie Serohijos (right) of Lampasan, Don Victoriano headed the tree planting activity in celebration of the 2013 Philippine Independence Day. DENR employees of the said province joined the stdents of Lalud National High School in planting 1,000 rubber seedlings. The day’s activity was also an advance commemoration of the Philippine Arbor Day which is celebrated every 25th June as per Presidential Proclamation No. 643. (Beverly Cabatuan/PENRO Misamis Occidental) RPAO # 07-223-2013

entities to accelerate the provision and/or execution of infrastructure and/ or development projects/ services, characterized by clearly-defined roles and the sharing of rewards/ revenues/costs/rises among the partners involved.

Major topics tackled were the Business Case

Development and the Feasibility Study Preparation. In which, the former intended for the LGUs to craft a comprehensive business case to assess the initial viability of a certain project; while the latter dealt with the rudiments in preparing project feasibility reports which will be used in es-

tablishing the practicability of chosen PPP projects.

With the training-workshop at hand, the LGUs were able to initially draft concept notes of their probable PPP projects and a tentative structure in the conduct of an appropriate business case. (Joanne L. Olson, DA-10)

The Web of Life-Students in Baliangao Fisheries School of Misamis Occidental demonstrated that harming one part of the web of life brings consequences to other parts. The management of Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape conducted a Dalaw-Turo to the different schools in Baliangao as information drive on the importance of biodiversity conservation and preservation. Dalaw-Turo or interactive role playing is an approach to aid program implementers communicate message to its intended audience. (Beverly Cabatuan/PENRO Misamis Occidental) RPAO # 07-223-2013

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Opinion MindanaoStar

july 27-august 2, 2013

Editor: RUEL PELONE • Email: ruel_pelone2002@yahoo.com

The Purveyor of Truth and Development

the business of happiness Girlie Gualberto-Suan

Harmony in our relationships “The most difficult thing to maintain in this world, is our relationships.”

It is close to impossible to live with another person in perfect harmony, understanding and peace. No matter how precious or important or beloved this person is, at some point, conflict will inevitably rear its ugly head.

This is due to the principle of separate realities. We all interpret things differently.

We look at the world through unique, individual eyes. Our reality is made up of the memories, experiences and beliefs that we have collected through our journey in life.

It is separate, different and distinctly our own.

The principle of separate realities is not a heavy philosophical concept. It is practical and full of common sense. We already know that we all think differently, yet we ignore this fact and forget to apply it in our lives. When we deeply understand that we will always have different thoughts and opinions, and we put this understanding into practice, we will enjoy harmony in all our relationships. Our family ties and interaction with other people will flourish, like a hardy Talisay tree planted by the river bank.

We will not only strengthen our bonding, but we will also acquire serenity. We stop dissipating our time and energy in the futile attempt to wrestle people into our way of thinking. Everytime we dig in & defend our ideas, believing them to be the right ones, we add to the chaos, pain & sadness of the world.

When I hammer away at my husband or children, trying to convince them of the correctness of my viewpoint, it’s like prying loose the septic tank cover. I feel the filthy slime of suffering starting to ooze.

I now tightly embrace the principle of separate realities, like a dangling mountaineer hanging on to his rope for dear life.

As an added reinforcement, I also enthusiastically espouse the practice of loving detachment. We do not have the power to control people, so we have to give them space to grow at their own pace. That is the principle of loving detachment. We can only guide them, pray for them and love them. But we cannot control them and arrange their lives for them.

There is a point where we have to detach, lovingly.

Many families break up, and nations go to war, and people commit murder, because they don’t understand harmony | page 7

Mindanao Star The Purveyor of Truth and Development

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rolando sudaria Associate Editor clifford santillan Arjay felicilda Online-Editor News Editor joy ann bolotano jun felicilda Advertising City Editor allan legaspi Circulation

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I love my Mindanao My Mindanao” Sounds very egoistic, doesn’t it?

Daybreak. dawn. early morning. Arduous I do try to keep my eyes open, so that I must not miss this great spectacle again: an unforgettable sunrise paints the environs with all color the nature puts at its disposal. I’ve put in a large portion of my life just trying to make things easier for my loved ones and myself. I feel having all the time of my life I want in my hands. I pray to God that this might be the place to settle down, where I can relax, take things easy and where I can spend the second half of my life.

Once upon a time... .

Meanwhile, that’s reality.

I am here since more than

15 years.

Why do I love Mindanao?

This natural beauty makes me cheerful as well as the relationship to the arm and friendly people living here.

I can learn from them about diverse ethic cultures and its very special way to live life even with the struggles and trials or in painful poorness.

I experienced the sea gypsies from Zamboanga, the Badjoas and their boats, their vintas, which are the caravans of the oceans. Mindanao, this part of the Southern Philippines is the melting pot of Christians and Moslems, of foreigners (let’s call them expatriates and count me in!), or such tribes such as Badjaos, Subanon, Tansug, and Yakan.

Have my say Klaus Doring I mention this already earlier at this corner: I really don’t care travel advisories regarding Mindanao and the whole Philippines. I stayed in Egypt and other “dangerous” countries. I have never care about travel advisories. How much more now!

Yes, my dear fellows, I am a foreigner who lost his heart to Mindanao. I am staying for good after visiting the second largest

island of the Philippines with mosques towers and women, dressed in MALONGS, blessed paradises for nature loving people, who admire exotic plants, boiling volcano springs, plunging waterfalls, torrential rivers and much more. I love “my Mindanao”.

I clasped Mindanao to my bosom. I would like to recommend Mindanao warmly to everybody. Mindanao, the land of hope and promise... .

Is peace possible in Mindanao?

Yes, nothing is impossible in the island but it needs the sincere and diligent attention of the national leadership. To be frank about it, Mindanao has been neglected badly for years. The government paid so much attention to the provinces in Luzon and the Visayas.

There you will see first class highways, beautiful bridges, farm-to-market roads, developed countryside, factories, government projects and so many other things as sources of business, profits and livelihood.

These things are not found in Mindanao. Many of the Mindanoans fetch water to drink from river and creeks because water system is unknown in many areas. I should know this because I am a Mindanoan by birth.

Unemployment in Mindanao is high, land disputes are common. Farmers have little support. Irrigation is a big problem as the farmers cannot develop more areas for cultivation. Bukidnon province has vast areas good

for farming but they are prohibited because the place is public land. Besides, there are no roads where agricultural products could be transported. In Mindanao, railway system is unknown. Good roads are rare. Because of hardship in life, some people prefer to keep guns than plows and make criminality a business that truly give them bigger profits and prestige.

Mindanao has never produced a President. We had very few top politicians who made it to the top. We did not have influential people whom the national government could listen . During elections, we cannot drum up enough votes to produce a a president, enough senators and powerful politicians because we are out powered by the votes in Luzon and the Visayas. Always we drop under the bridge in any political activities and we remain sad in this great misfortune. We love deeply our place but not all Filipinos love us --- especially the

The Striker

Ben Emata Jr. government.

I am looking forward to the day when a Mindanaoan will sit in Malacanang and make commands. Perhaps, on this day our place will see developments. Our people will get employed or given the encouragements to go farming. Many of our angry people will throw away their guns and instead develop farm areas. Peace will not be as elusive as today when hunger rule the island. Many are hungry. Families could not send their children to higher education because of lack of resources. Manufacturing firms are very few and could not accommodate enough people. Foreign investors are confined in Luzon.

For the moment, we need

attention from the national leadership. They should open their eyes and have a look of the misfortune taking place in the island. Give us assistance. Give us peace through satisfaction and contentment. We do not need promises. We do not need false hope. We do not need dreams. We need fulfillment and reality. Pour more development programs in Mindanao and surely people will behave better. We are peace-loving people. We worship God. We do not want to be separated from the entire country. Just give us an identity. Give us honor and dignity. Give us respect.

Remember our island is a big asset. (ben-emata.com) BENNEX NEWS SERVICE

FDIs, free trade boon or bane?

In this high-tech age of communications, truth manipulation is not farfetched. But such manipulation becomes a matter to be wary about when intellectual leaders of the country become victims to it.

Over the years, we as a people have been made to believe that economic growth and development is hinged on foreign capital being poured into the local economy. And to assure the free flow of foreign capital into the domestic economy, we were likewise made to believe that foreign business interests should be accorded unhampered operations and be left to their own designs in dong business here.

To achieve this economic objective, parity rights were granted to the citizens of the country, America, which colonized us and only forced

to grant our independence in 1946 because of the worldwide clamor of colonized countries for independence.

That right granted American citizens equal rights with Filipinos to own land here and exploit our rich natural resources.

The grant of that right was made a condition sine qua non for the granting of our independence by our American colonizers. It was this treaty that many say made our independence a sham. The parity rights treaty expired in 1974.

But even after its expiration, almost four decades now, American control of the country is still very much real and very much felt. The Filipino way of life alone is indisputable proof how much we have become more Americanized than the Americans.

Even in the election of our

A deeper view Jesse E.L. Bacon II president, America’s influence is more real than imagined.

Any president who does not kowtow to American dictation is removed from office, Marcos and Estrada.

When Marcos became very sick, America was forced to withdraw its support for his dictatorial regime. And when Estrada showed signs of being nationalist in his stance proved by his closer association with the local businessmen in Binondo than with the Makati Business

Club, he was ousted from power.

In the case of Marcos, the cry for his ouster was legitimate. He had become ruthless after being corrupted by absolute power aside from being too sick already to lead the country. But in the case of Estrada, it was different.

Official pronouncement had it that he was ousted because of jueteng, the illegal numbers game. However, did you hear of any barangay boon | page 7

Mindanao Star Development The Purveyor of Truth and Development

northern mindanao

july 27-August 2, 2013

6

Editor: rolando n sudaria Email: rolando_sudaria2000@yahoo.com

NGCP joins Air Force Group Reserve fun run For the second year in a row, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) extends its support to the Philippine Air Force and the 71 st Air Force Group Reserve (AFGR)’s fun run.

Dubbed as the “2nd PAFRun for Service”, the July 7 event was focused on continuing AFGR’s mission to serve others. Proceeds from the event will be utilized to improve the group’s response during emergency operations. Last year’s donations were used to purchase rescue equipment, a feat which AFGR hopes to repeat this year.

NGCP Mindanao Security Division Head Maximo Trinidad confirmed the transmission system operator’s support. “In recognition and appreciation for their invaluable support to NGCP, particularly during the power restoration and rescue operations in the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong, AFGR can be assured of NGCP’s participation in their noble cause.”

AFGR is also a partner of NGCP in the implementation of anti-pilferage information drives in the region.

The program is a continuous effort to boost security of NGCP facilities nationwide by encouraging greater community participation. The information campaign also includes an introduction to NGCP operations, transmission line safety reminders, and Republic Act (R.A.) 7832, also known as the Anti-Pilferage Act. NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets.

As a corporation with a public service orientation, NGCP partners with relevant institutions to support the communities hosting its transmis- Representatives of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) join Air Force Group sion facilities, which it considers as Reserve’s (AFGR) 2 nd fun run, titled “2nd PAFRun for Service”, in Cagayan de Oro City last 07 a true partner in nation-building.

July 2013. (Photo Supplied) Preventive Maintenance Schedule 210 (net) MW Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant 1. The following preventive maintenance schedule (PMS) for the 210MW (net) Mindanao Coal Fired Power Plant will be implemented for the remaining months of CY 2013: l Unit 1 105MW (net) : July 27 to August 14, 2013 l Unit 2 105 MW (net) : September 21 to October 27, 2013 2. STEAG State Power Inc (SPI) plant manager Dr. Carsten Evers said that the preventive maintenance works need to be carried out to ensure efficiency and reliability of the two power generating units.

3. The planned PMS has been coordinated closely with the National Power Corporation (NPC) and the grid operator NGCP. 4. In determining the timing of the PMS, SPI always takes into consideration the power plant’s operations and maintenance guidelines including the anticipated electricity demand-supply condition of Mindanao during the period. The goal is to minimize the impact of any possible power supply shortfall in the island.

5. Dr. Evers said that since start of the power plant operations beginning November of 2006, SPI has sustained a remarkably high availability rate of 93% and an unplanned outage rate of less than 1%. “SPI has consistently delivered on its promise to secure an efficient and reliable supply of power to Mindanao” he added.

6. SPI’s power plant is considered the most modern and the biggest in Mindanao on a per unit capacity. It accounts for about 20% of the island’s electric generation mix. As of June 2013, SPI has delivered more than 9.6 billion kWh of electricity to the Mindanao grid.

7. SPI is a special purpose company established to build, operate and maintain Mindanao’s first, and so far the only coal-fired power plant.

The company is principally owned by a German company, Steag GmbH. Steag GmbH www.steag.com STEAG State Power Inc. www.steagstatepower.com For further inquiries, contact: Jerome Soldevilla Communications Jerome.soldevilla@steagstatepower.com +639178841494

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Mindanao Star The Purveyor of Truth and Development

Winners...... from page 1

serving the people is my passion.”

He vowed the pursue in the 16th Congress policies that will ensure that nongovernment organizations (NGOs), non-governmental agencies (NGAs)and institutions with the expertise in disaster/climate-change adaptation, mitigation and building resilient communities are supported by the government to pursue their programs for the good of everyone.

Uy said Cagayan de Oro can no longer afford a repeat of Sendong and Pablo, which devastated the city on December 16, 2011 and December 4, 2012, respectively.

He said he plans to work with Barangay Carmen’s partner NGO in the implementation of climate-change adaptation/disaster-risk reduction (CCA/DRR) programs, especially in making the first district communities disaster-resilient.

miz City - first place for the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Committee (BDRRMC); and Department of Education (DepEd) Camiguin Disaster Risk Reduction Management Team - best volunteer organization category.

Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr Regional Training and Teaching Hospital - first place in Regional Training and Teaching Hospital category; and Camiguin General Hospital - best provincial hospital category.

The winners were chosen after the Regional Selection Committee (RSC) finished a two week inspection and evaluation of the nominees in the region.

Composing the evaluation committee are the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), OCD-10, Department of Heath (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department from page 2 of Science and Technology expect more friendly links (DOST), Philippine Informa- with the Mermaid City. tion Agency (PIA), National Councilor Pajo thanked Economic and Development Norfolk, Virginia for its Authority (NEDA), Philip- continuing collaboration pine Red Cross, Balay Mind- with Cagayan de Oro as anaw and Xavier University its only sister city in the Engineering Resource Center country.

(XU-ERC).

The mermaid statue will Given annually, Gawad be mounted at the soon to Kalasag or KAlamidad at open Duaw Park adjacent Sakuna LAbanan, SAril- to the tennis court near ing Galing ang Kaligtasan the Cagayan de Oro River. was initiated by NDRRMC “This is the symbol of since 1998, as the principal friendship and partnership mechanism by which the with our sister city,” CounNDRRMC advances aware- cilor Pajo added. (LCR/ ness of the best practices ELB/CdeOSP/PIA/asf ) on DRRM, climate change adaptation programs and also humanitarian response and assistance. (OCD/PIA10/ from page 1 jdelpf ) condominium development will rise within the Lim Ket Kai Complex, the central business and commercial from page 1 districts of Cagayan de Oro to the impacts of climate City, to offer Kagay-anons change and environmental and those from nearby cities degradation,” he said. and municipalities the best Uy said he is willing to city living experience. learn how he can best help his Vista Residences caters to constituents in the first con- almost all income segments, gressional district, especially serving the needs of mid to his own Barangay Carmen — upper middle and high-end where he served as a longtime income markets, making chairman before becoming it the only clear choice for a congressman — become vertical residences. disaster/climate change re- Vista Residences carries silient since many parts of Vista Land’s expertise in the district are vulnerable residential development that to the impacts of climate spans over 38 years, as well change and environmental as its reputation for spacedegradation. planning, thoughtful design, He said Tropical Storm and ability to select the most Sendong (Washi) was “a great attractive locations for its learning experience” for him, projects. which “made me more eager Vista Land is the country’s to run [for congressman] l a r g e s t h o m e b u i l d e r, because I don’t want to bring building 250,000 homes in my people suffering since 33 provinces and 65 cities

Mermaid......

Vista......

Klarex......

july 27-august 2, 2013

northern mindanao

and municipalities across the country. It is the only real estate company that operates nationwide, catering to every sector of the homebuyers’ market.

Soon after Vista Land introduced Vista Residences as its high-rise residential marketing arm in 2006, the latter has created a powerful presence and a compelling portfolio of 23 condominium projects across the country, setting a new standard for urban living.

Vista Residences has become a major player in the country’s multi-level, mixeduse property development industry, with a prestigious line-up of vertical projects namely KL Mosaic, Salcedo Square, and Laureano Di Trevi (Makati), The Currency (Ortigas), The Symphony Towers, Wil Tower Mall, Vista Residences Katipunan, Madison Place Pine Crest, Brescia Residences (Quezon City).

It also includes 515 Shaw (Mandaluyong), Cerritos Residences (Pasig), Marfori and Presidio (Sucat), Vista Residences Taft, 878 Espana, and Crown Towers U-Belt (Manila), Pacific Residences, Avant at the Fort, and The Hudson (Taguig).

I n M i nd a nao, Vi s t a Residences’ vertical developments are the British colonial themed mid-rise condo community called Northpoint in Davao City, and the soon to be launched The Loop in Cagayan de Oro, its first high-rise outside Manila.

Inquiries on The Loop can be made at 0917-8102445 or Communities Cagayan Inc., 2nd Floor Pelaez Arcade, RN Abejuela corner JP Rizal St., Cagayan de Oro City, and at www.vistaresidences.com. ph.

mount a lot of problems that estrange us from our loved ones. Instead of trying to change them, we acknowledge their right to their own personal opinions. We no longer argue over differences.

We are just grateful to share their love, and rejoice in their presence. A heavy load is lifted, and this sets us free to be happy.

You may argue that there are some things that are really bad, and they need to be confronted. Like we are appalled why this intelligent guy chooses to live life as a lazy bum. Or we are dismayed why this attractive girl picks a loser for her lifetime partner.

Armed with understanding and acceptance, we treat these things as unfortunate weeds scattered in the glorious landscape of life. We do the best we can, with what we have and what we know.

Looking through the eyes of love, we see the innocence and lack of malice in their behaviour.

We will never be justified to pull the trigger on the loaded gun of judgment.

Rather, we are called upon to reach out with compassion and forgiveness to those who are misguided and mistaken, because “they know not what they do.”

No matter what success and honors we achieve, if there is no harmony in our relationships, they taste like ashes in our mouth.

As we practice the concept of separate realities, the clear waters of peace will gush out from the cool spring of harmony. It is ours to drink, to enjoy and to be refreshed.

If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear? ~ Confucius ~

Harmony......

Boon...... from page 4

and accept the concept of separate realities.

By respecting people’s separate realities, we sur-

captain removed from office because of jueteng which is very rampant in Luzon?

If a barangay captain can’t be removed from office be-

from page 4

cause of jueteng, is it believable for a president to be removed from office because of jueteng? Was Estrada not impeached overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives because at that time he did not give the congressmen their pork barrel that we now want totally abolished?

Is it not funny that when Estrada was impeached by congressmen deprived of their pork barrel we did not support him but now we want the same pork barrel abolished? My friends what happened to Estrada and even Marcos is a clear case of truth manipulation. We were all made to believe they deserved the fate that befell them.

This is the same truth manipulation that is being peddled to justify changing our Constitution so that foreign direct investments (FDI) will be poured into our country. With these FDIs, Charter change proponents such as Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, want us to believe our country will then be flowing with milk and honey.

There is no truth to the claim of Rodriguez and company. Economic development can never come from without but always from within. Look at America and China. Did these two countries develop because FDIs were poured into their domestic economies? No, sir!

Ame r i c a and C h i na worked hard putting in place the basic economic

7

fundamentals leading to their industrialization without any FDI. They first developed their agriculture and with a highly developed agriculture went into manufacturing and eventually went into highly mechanized farming and highly mechanized manufacturing. China even shut its doors from any foreign business interests salivating over its gigantic population and rich natural resources that they want to be consumers of their goods and as source of their raw materials, respectively.

To imagine that FDIs can help propel the economy is misplaced. Logically and realistically, can we expect our rich neighbor to financially help us so we can improve our economic lot? FDIs are never poured with the intention of helping the host country of such money to develop economically. FDIs are tools of the rich countries to perpetually oppress and exploit poorer countries to forever become their dumping ground for their surplus goods and capital so that they can maximize their profit to unimaginable levels.

A personal note: Allow me to correct an error in yesterday’s column. The killing of the two Ozamiz gang leaders happened in San Pedro, Laguna not in San Pablo. My apologies!

(Reactions at jelbacon@ yahoo.com or at jelbaconii@ gmail.com. This column can be read also at www.raconteurme.blogspot.com)

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