Mindanao Star (August 3-9, 2013)

Mindanao Star The Purveyor of Truth and Development VOL. I

P2m reward out vs bomb suspects

No.242

Cagayan de Oro City

Misamis Oriental- Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez accepted the Plaque of Appreciation from Regional Director Rosa H. Lacanglacang, CESO V and Administrator Manuel G. Go, CESO II of the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA)-Region 10 after his keynote speech during the closing program of the 5th Regional Assembly and Enhancement Seminar of Volunteer Probation Aides with the theme “VPA...A Keeper Conduit to Reformation” on July 25, 2013. Volunteers of Probation Administration from Misamis Occidental, Iligan City, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon are the participant of the event.

(Photo Courtesy of the Office of Vice Governor)

August 3-9, 2013

P10.00

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AGAYAN de Oro City-Mayor Oscar S. Moreno yesterday announced the city government’s offer of P2-million reward money to any individuals and groups who could provide vital information leading to the arrest of perpetrator(s) of the brutal bombing incident on July 26 at Rosario Arcade in Limketkai Center.

Moreno clarified that the reward money will be shelled out from the discretionary funds of the City Mayor’s Office, or the so-called “intelligence funds.”

“We are more than willing to give P2 million to any informant who could help us solve this crime by giving important information on the suspect or suspects’ identities and lead to their arrest,” said Moreno.

“The perpetrators must be put behind bars in order to bring justice to the victims and their families, and also to Cagayan de of at least 173 slots for his Oro and Northern Mindanao, and put an scholarship program.

See reward, page 7 These slots are for barista, bartending, waitering/food and beverage services (FBS), and housekeeping, which are being offered in partnership with the Skills Mastery Institute (SMI).

There are 24 slots available for barista; 47 for bartending; 52 for waitering/FBS; 25 for housekeeping; and another 25 for FBS. Uy strongly believe that his scholarship program will enable thousands of intelligent and smart students, especially those coming from the hinterland barangays of

Congressman Klarex opens 173 scholarship slots for poor-butdeserving students

FULFILLING his role as a “bridge” for poor-but-deserving students to reach their goal and achieve their dreams, Cagayan de Oro City First District Rep. Rolando “Klarex” Uy yesterday announced the availability

northern mindanao

Solidarity Walk for Peace-Mayor Oscar Moreno and wife Arlene along with former Vice Governor Norris Babiera of Misamis Oriental, CSWD chief Teddy Sabugaa joined the Solidarity Walk for Peace held on Friday in response to the recent bombing at Limketkai Mall, that killed eight innocent lives and injured 47 persons. The activity was initiated by CDO for Peace, a multi-sectoral group composed of business, medical, Church, civil society, the academe and other agencies. (Photo Supplied)

See klarex, page 7

‘A crime of cowardice’ Calling the explosion at Kyla’s Bistro and Candy’s Café in Limketkai Center on July 26 as a ‘crime of cowardice’, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas listen intently to local police authorities and other law enforcement investigators who briefed the DILG top official on the status of the investigation of the bombing incident during his visit at the blast site, a day after the explosion at the city’s premier business and entertainment district. The brutal attack left eight persons dead and injured 44 others. Looking on (center) is Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez.

(Photo Supplied)

When your in Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City, Davao City, read...

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

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august 3-9, 2013

Cagayan de Oro MindanaoStar EDITOR: : Jun Felicilda, E-MAIL: msbmdn_2012@yahoo.com

The Purveyor of Truth and Development

northern mindanao

Calls mount for police to solve CDO blast; P2-M reward up CAGAYAN de Oro City--Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma called for caution and sobriety Friday as calls intensified for the local police to solve the July 26 Limketkai bombing that killed eight persons and wounded 48 others.

This developed as Mayor Oscar Moreno offered a P2 million reward for any information that would lead to the arrest of the lone bomber who planted the deadly bomb at Kyla’s Bistro at the Limketkai Rosario Arcade.

Ledesma made his appeal during the Mass for Peace attended by residents at the blast site on Friday, exactly a week after the explosion ripped through the row of upscale restaurants here.

Among those killed was Misamis Oriental provincial board member Roldan Lagbas and two doctors from Manila who attended the national midyear convention of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians.

“I caution everyone not to rush judgment against any group now that our city is confronted with terrorism,” Ledesma said.

“We must instead forge ties of solidarity with the tri-people that live in Mindanao,” the prelate said.

Moreno also reiterated the appeal of Ledesma, cautioning the police not to resort to fall guys or wrongly accuse any ethnic groups.

“This reward money is only for the right suspect who planted the bomb.

Please avoid wrongly accusing anyone,” Moreno said.

Residents banded together and organized the “Walk for Peace,” marching from the Limketkai Rosario Arcade to the Divisoria Freedom Kiosk in Cagayan de Oro also on Friday.

They were joined by Moreno and contingents from the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police.

Carrying placards that say “We want justice,” the residents-composed mostly of doctors,

medical representatives, teachers and students-- urged the police to arrest the lone suspect and bring him to justice.

“We want to know the motive of the bombing so we can move on,” said Dr. Tricia Marie Obrero, president of the Philippine College of Physicians in Misamis Oriental (PCPM).

In a statement, the PCPM said: “Let us work with everyone in the city in the efforts of rebuilding and moving forward to a better Cagayan de Oro. This is the only way we can go beyond our anger, sadness, hurt and shame of what had happened last July 26.”

But the healing for the survivors will be longer because many of those who survived the blast are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to Stella Ferrariz, a psychologist from the Cagayan de Oro Social Welfare and Development Office.

Ferrariz said three survivors— all medical representatives—have already sought help from the Capitol University Medical Center last Sunday despite surviving the blast without injuries.

She declined to give the names of the three medical representatives who have sought medical help for PTSD. “They have difficulty sleeping and [are feeling] nervous. Because they are medical representatives, they knew they are suffering from post stress disorder and sought medical help,” she said.

Ferrariz said the three were given medical attention until Wednesday when they have to leave for Manila to attend the burial of one of their colleagues.

She said they are hoping the three will come back to continue their psychological treatment.

In light of this development, Ferrariz said the Philippine Mental Health Association has offered its expertise for every survivor who thinks they are suffering from post stress disorder because of the incident. (Froilan Gallardo/ MindaNews)

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WALK FOR PEACE. Teachers and students joined the “Walk for Peace” in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday, August 2. The march was spearheaded by doctors and medical representatives who are calling for justice for the 8 persons who were killed and the 48 others wounded in the July 26 Limketkai Arcade.

MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo

Congressman Rolando Klarex Uy of Cagayan de Oro City 1st district representative and Congressman Peter Unabia of Misamis Oriental 1st district representative with some law maker exchanges ideas during there presence on President Benigno Simeon Aquino III 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA)

Mindanao Star Regional Update The Purveyor of Truth and Development

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

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august 3-9, 2013

RIC women undergo Cassava livelihood training

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte-Members of the Provincial Rural Improvement Club (RIC) have completed the Cassava Livelihood Training at the Pasalubong Center Building, Barangay Sagadan in the capital town of Tubod, Lanao del Norte, on July 25 to 26.

Twenty five of them, all women, are the concurrent presidents of their respective

municipal RIC’s, all coming from 16 towns, this province.

“This is the fufilment of our long desire to provide this kind of training to our RIC municipal leaders so that they can further enhance their livelihood skills,” Provincial 4-H Coordinator Merlyn Palomares said.

The workshop is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Region

10, so with the provincial government unit.

Regional trainors were Julie Dalito and Rick Bacalares. DA-10 also provided the supplies and materials for the livelihood workshop, while the provincial government provided the training venue and accommodation of trainors.

Among the cassava grates recipes taught to the par-

ticipants are jolly roll, yuca sticks, pichi-pichi, cassava cuchinta, binangkal, cassava rolls, egg ball and cassava puffs, and cassava cake.

“I hope that the knowledge and skills they learned from this training will be re-echoed in their respective towns so that other homebased women will also be able to earn extra income,” Provincial Agri-Business

Coordinator Rosalinda Ecot said.

The Rural Improvement Club is a voluntary, nonprofit, non-sectarian, nonpartisan, socio economics association whose members are rural women, cognizant of their dynamic role in bringing about progressive improvement to home and community life and of their belief that these can be best

promoted through cooperative efforts.

RICs serve as channels for harnessing the leadership potentials of rural women through various developments oriented activities.

They get technical assistance from the Home extension economist supported by the Department of Agriculture at all level. (VNL/PIO-LDN/ LVG/PIA-10)

DOLE 10 walks, children smile By: Monadette N. Balanay, Labor and Employment Officer II

Tagoloan , M i s a m i s Oriental - In coordination with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tagoloan, the Department of Labor and Employment -10 Eastern Misamis Oriental (DOLEEMO) Provincial Field Office distributed schools supplies and rain gears to 100 identified indigent children coming from the different barangays in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

Distribution of supplies done at the Tagoloan Covered Court, the DOLE-EMO Provincial Field Office Head, Mr. Rogelio B. Doydora, and supported by the Municipal Mayor, Paulino Y. Emano and the Sangguniang Bayan Members of the LGU led the distribution. Also witnessing the event are its Public Employment Service Office, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), and Philippine National Police.

The 100 recipients who are in their Kindergarten, Elementary, and High School and belong to the 4Ps (Pantawid Pampamilyong Pilipino Program of the DSWD) recipients as identified by the MSWDO, were the beneficiaries of the “Lakaw ta Para sa Bata, Tibuok Amihanang Mindanao” activity during the Labor Day Celebration

last 1 May 2013.

“Lakaw ta Para sa Bata,” is a region- wide walk-fora-cause. It envisions for the community to join the mass hike along prescribed routes, wherein sponsors will donate at least Php 20.00 per participant. The funds raised are used to purchase school supplies and uniforms to identified working children in each province in the region.

Likewise, the activity introduces and launches the Angel Tree Project of DOLE in the municipality and in support to the Child Labor Free Municipality Program.

Project Angel Tree gather and grant the wishes of child laborers through the building up of a network of patrons and supporters to the national efforts against child labor.

The project endeavors to get to the heart of the wishes of child laborers, adding that the project is a vehicle for child laborers through which they can articulate their wishes for assistance.

Interested benefactors may contact the DOLE-EMO Provincial Field Office at the Corner Motoomull & Dugenio Sts., Gingoog City with telefax number (8842) 7051 or at the Satellite Office at Villa Manga, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

DOST 10 installs 43 weather monitoring instruments

Some 100 recipients Kindergarten, Elementary, High School student come from identified indigent family who recieve the school supplies from Department of Labor and Employment -10 Eastern Misamis Oriental (DOLE-EMO) Provincial Field Office. This distribution during the Labor Day Lakaw Ta Para sa Bata walk for a cause.

RED TAWANTAWAN VALIDATES NGP SITES IN MALITBOG, BUKIDNON -DENR 10 Regional Executive Director Ruth M. Tawantawan (right) meets with the members of the Small Community of United Farmers Association in Rainforest Management Inc. (SC-Uni Farm, Inc.) at Sitio Sabanga-an, San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon during her National Greening Program site Validation for 2013 plantation recently. OIC, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Ferdinand Dagulo (left) of CENRO-Manolo Fortich meet RED Tawantawan during the said validation. A tree planting activity immediately followed after the site validation. (MParagas RPAO # 07-217-2013)

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN de Oro City--The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 10 have installed a total of 43 weather monitoring instruments in crucial areas and major river basins in Northern Mindanao as of July this year.

According to Narvinso S. Tan of DOST region 10, this is an initiative of the department in disaster prevention and mitigation and also in response to the call of President Aquino through its Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH).

In region 10, there are already 29 stations of automated rain gauges (ARGs) installed in parts of Bukidnon specifically in Kisolon Sumilao, San Luis Malitbog,

Impalutao, Impasug-ong, Maramag, Malaybalay, Quezon, Musuan, and Manolo Fortich, among others.

Narvinso said that these ARGs are composed of a tipping bucket that measures the amount of rain or precipitation. Then, rainfall and air pressure data is sent via SMS at a desired interval to a server, usually with default interval of 15 minutes.

Transmitted data are then validated and processed by the server through PAGASA. Evaluated data and possible warning can be accessed by the public through www. noah.dost.gov.ph.

This instrument can provide six to nine hours warning prior to flooding, he added.

Moreover, he said that a See dost, page 7

Executive Director Leonardo Sibbaluca (center) of the DENR’s River Basin Control Office discloses the importance of the meeting to review and evaluate the inception report of Center for Environment Studies and Management Inc. (CESM) on the Integrated River Basin Management Master Plan of Cagayan de Oro River Basin. Also in photo are Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Forestry Agustilo A. Obsioma and RTD for Research Danilo C. Cacanindin.

The meeting was held on July 23 at the DENR 10 conference room, Cagayan de Oro City.

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Opinion MindanaoStar

AUGUST 3-9, 2013

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

The Purveyor of Truth and Development

Cagayan de Oro will remain strong

Health In Focus Dr. Mary Jean Loreche

Realities of Teen Pregnancies Teenage pregnancies is a universal concern, be it a third world country or a highly industrialized nation.

It is likewise no respecter of religion, status in life, educational attainment and even family ties.

In most instances, the pregnancy gets unnoticed during the first trimester and sometimes extending to the second trimester. Unless, of course, if the parent/s, are kind of attuned to the changes in their daughter’s appearance, behaviour and bodily changes.

It is not uncommon for teen age pregnancies to go undetected. I have encountered these cases wherein they are brought to the hospital for consultations, for something else. The signs and symptoms related to pregnancy like nausea, vomiting ( commonly referred to as morning sickness), sore nipples and breast, unusual fatigue, aversion to certain foods or smell, mood swings, may not be felt by the teenager.

A missed menstrual period may be considered as normal, especially if one’s cycle is not regular. There was even this particular patient who was rushed to the Emergency Room by an unsuspecting mother because her daughter is complaining of severe abdominal pain.

After a thorough physical

examination, I then asked the patient point blank if she missed her period and if she has a Boyfriend. At first she denied. But, having pregnancy as one of the clinical impressions, I requested for a Pregnancy Test, which turned out to be positive.

There are also instances when only upon doing an abdominal ultrasound, trying to rule out a surgical abdomen that the real diagnosis of a pregnancy is seen.

Problem with teenage pregnancies is that, it puts greater medical risks to the upcoming mother and her baby. Due to the fear of being discovered, she tends to hide the pregnancy and thus, prenatal care is neglected.

Prenatal care is critical during the first months of the pregnancy, as this is the time wherein medical problems are screened like the haemoglobin level ( to detect anemia ), blood pressure, hepatitis C, to name a few of the tests that may be requested for. Premature births or low birth weights are not uncommon.

Not forgetting that, due to lack of emotional support either from the father of the baby or the family, the teenage mother to be, may suffer from depression. Alcohol and drug abuse is not far off too.

And, it also goes without teen | page 7

Mindanao Star The Purveyor of Truth and Development

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The bomb that rocked the city will not deter the growth of Cagayan de Oro. It will go on growing livelier and more beautiful than ever and will remain strong no matter what. The people are determined to protect the place and will help solve crimes. The residents are pure-blooded Kagay-anon and their friends from other places became permanent residents too. Everyone has been supporting the city in all weather and surely the bomb will not scare them a bit. Soon they will apprehend the culprits to answer the heinous crime they had committed.

I know the place so well and its people. They do not shed tears in misfortunes.

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

The Striker Ben Emata Jr. every Kagay-anon. I can hear the beating of their hearts.

I am hoping soonest the perpetrators will be in the bag to realize how angry the people are. And for them to understand how serious their crime is. It is really horrible and everyone could hardly believe such a thing could be done by human beings. It is a job for a devil, a heartless monster walking insane on the surface of the planet.

To everyone in the city, I wish the incident will make us all understand that the place has metamorphosed into the size of modern cities in the world where people from all walks of life cross the streets doing their everyday business. Let us maintain the emblem of friendship with one another as well as with strangers and commuters. Be very cautious and suspicious See strong, page 7

Know the motive, solve the crime Police investigators are for sure now piecing together the various physical evidences that may lead them to the culprits of the dastardly act that marred the last day of a physicians convention in Cagayan de Oro City Friday evening when an unidentified explosive device was detonated instantly killing six people with two more dying while treated in local hospitals.

But the physical evidences gathered will simply bolster the theory about the motive of the crime. Unless the motive is established with certainty, the danger is always there that the perpetrators will not be identified.

At this point, as a media practitioner, I can think of the following as possible motives for the cowardly act.

It was possibly motivated by provincial level partisan politics since one of those who instantly died was an incumbent member of its legislature. This should be

northern mindanao

Mindanao STAR , Door 3, Tanleh Bldg, Abellanosa St., Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certififcate No. 01787396. and with Business Permit No. 2013-10945, TIN No. 311-832-910, Telefax Nos: (088) 857-8447, Cell nos.: 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776

They open their eyes wider and hunt whoever tries to disturb its tranquility or do stupidity anytime of day.

The murderers will soon realize the grave blunder they had committed when they exploded that bomb.

Everywhere you go, in the marketplace, in bus terminals, the pier, the airport and anywhere you will find people in anger. Cagayan de Oro is their only city, they made it sure will be peaceful and happy. It is the only place they have where their children were born, growing and attending school.

I am extremely angry too. I cannot describe the emotion deep in my heart. I know the victims.

I understand the feeling of

seriously considered because the bomb was exploded not far from the table where the provincial board member was seated.

The other possible motive, which I believe is farfetched but likewise needing to be given consideration is that it was carried out to serve as warning to, if not to insult, the drug manufacturer sponsoring the physician’s convention.

If it was a warning, then it may have ideological underpinnings. If it was meant to insult, then business competition may have something to do with it. But as what I’ve said, this is farfetched. But since investigations cover all possible angles, this may be worth looking into as well.

Another possible motive is that partisan political rivalry in the city may have something to do with it. One political group may be out to discredit the capability of the incumbent city leadership to ensure that peace and order

A deeper view Jesse E.L. Bacon II reigns in the city. If this is the motive, the brains behind such dastardly act need to have their brains removed from its cranium.

This is the worst motive, if ever, because this looks at people as mere pawns who can be sacrificed in the altar of political greed.

Considering the hi-tech make-up of the bomb used the possibility of involvement by those seeking to secede from the country or those seeking to take over the reins of government should likewise be looked into. The type of bomb used in Friday’s incident was no ordinary bomb

per earlier news reports.

It is also wise to ask who are in possession or capable of possessing such type of bomb. Or see if the bomb is standard military issue type that fell into the hands of criminals for one reason or another.

Whatever be the real motive, it would be good if the investigators tasked to solve this heinous crime would be able to establish clearly the motive. They should never leave any room for misreading of the motive because its successful resolution depends solely on it.

As a peace loving citizen, See CRIME, page 7

The fruit of the Spirit One of my favorite young preachers shared one of my favorite topics, the Holy Spirit in church last Sunday.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Take note that it did not mention ‘the fruits” but singly says “the “fruit”.

I was amazed to know that figuratively saying that when the Holy Spirit is upon one person by believing and receiving Jesus Christ, he bears the one fruit that carries many flavors, all packed in one. (Romans 8:9).

One of the primary purposes of the Holy Spirit coming into a Christian’s life is to change that life.

It is the Holy Spirit’s job to conform us to the image of Christ, making us more like Him.

If there is fruit of the Spirit, there is also the acts man’s sinful nature described in Galatians 5:19-21 that’s says, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” This passage describes all people, to varying degrees, when they do not know Christ and therefore are not under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Our sinful flesh produces certain types of fruit that reflect our nature, and the Holy Spirit produces types of fruit that reflect His nature.

The Apostle Paul says, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the

The New Generation Alex A. Podador desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.

They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want”, (Galatians 5:16-17).

Paul knew in himself that the Christian life is a battle of the sinful flesh against the new nature given by Christ.

As fallen human beings, we are still trapped in a body that desires sinful things.

As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit producing His fruit in us and we have the Holy Spirit’s power available to conquer the acts of

the sinful nature.

God is love. The very first flavor we can taste (experience) in this fruit of the Spirit is love, followed by joy, and then peace.

It revealed to me that these things man is so longing to have, can be achieved nowhere else but by the third person in the Triune God. We just need to walk in the Spirit and by the Spirit in order to shun evil actions.

The fruit of the Spirit is what God desires our lives to exhibit and, with the Holy Spirit’s help, life is indeed worth living.

Mindanao Star The Purveyor of Truth and Development

NORTHMIN .WESTMIN

PrimeNews Editor: ARJAY FELICILDA • Email: msbmdn_2012@yahoo.com

AUGUST 3-9, 2013

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Cops asked to strictly implement Oro’s CCTV law CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The implementation of the law requiring high-risk establishments to install closedcircuit televisions (CCTV) in the premises will strictly be implemented in Cagayan de Oro City.

Following Friday’s bomb blast, the City Council committee on police, fire and public safety, chaired by

Councilor Ramon G. Tabor adopted a resolution requesting City Police Director Graciano Mijares to immediately inspect the city’s business establishments and submit a report of those not complying with Ordinance No. 11075-2008.

The ordinance requires the installation of CCTVs or video surveillance systems

in the premises of private establishments and public places. It provides the specifications of the cameras to be installed.

Banks, department stores, shopping malls, secondary schools, colleges and universities, gasoline stations, pawnshops, lending institutions, convenience stores and all similar establishments

that are open for more than 12 hours a day are covered by the ordinance.

Section 1 of the ordinance provides that the video surveillance system shall have, at a minimum, separate cameras dedicated to each register/ check–out stand, entrance/ exit, and parking lot or area designated for customer and/ or employee parking use.

The placement of cameras included in the video surveillance systems required under the ordinance shall be approved by the police department.

The City Police Director or his/her designee is required to conduct an assessment of each site required to install a video surveillance system prior to installation, and

upon approval will issue an approval notice which will be placed in plain view inside the premises.

Councilor Tabor, who is the principal author of the CCTV law, expects police station commanders to submit their respective reports on the compliance of establishments at the soonest possible time. (The Power/asf )

VM Acenas: Report shows growth, unity among Kagayanons CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) report citing Cagayan de Oro being the most competitive city in the country in 2012, shows the city’s growth and unity among Kagay-anons, said Vice Mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas.

The vice mayor was glad that based on the 2012 Cities/ Municipalities Competitiveness Report released by the NCC recently, Cagayan de Oro bested 122 other cities in the country

including Manila, Quezon City and Olongapo City, in terms of competitiveness.

According to the report, Cagayan de Oro garnered a total of 72.09 points, ranking third in governance efficiency and in infrastructure and seventh in economic dynamism.

Vice Mayor Acenas is hopeful, the momentum continues despite the bombing incident on July 26 in one of the city’s business districts where eight persons died. (The Power/asf)

Amendment of law on protection of children seen CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The amendment of City Ordinance No. 8624-2003 that created the Cagayan de Oro City Council for the Protection of Children (CCPC) is in the offing.

This, as the City Council committee on social services, chaired by Councilor Enrico D. Salcedo, has endorsed to the laws and rules committee such changes, particularly with regards to the composition of the CCPC. CCPC is composed of the city mayor, as the chair; chair of the committee on social services, as cochair; and the committee on health, as vice-chair.

Members are chair of the committee on women and family relations, SK Federation president, City Health Officer, City Budget Officer, City Treasurer, City Social Welfare Officer, City Planning and Development Coordinator, ABC President, Public Employment Services Officer, City DILG, DepEd; City Police Office, Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor, Commission on Human Rights, a child representative and three

other NGOs accredited and nominated by the city coordinating committee for the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD).

During discussions it was agreed that the Community Improvement Division, DSWD and City Prosecutors Office representatives be included as members of the council.

The new CCPC will no longer have a child representative, as proposed.

The meeting was attended by Councilor Dante Pajo, chair of the City Council committee on health; Councilor Edna Dahino, committee on women and family relations; Councilor Lourdes Candy Darimbang and Councilor Teodulfo Lao, among others.

The CCPC ordinance was enacted to promote the welfare of the youth as mandated in the Philippine Constitution and cited in the International Declaration for the Rights of Children. It is also in compliance with Article 205 of Presidential Decree, otherwise known as the Child and Youth Welfare Code.(LCR/asf)

Day Care Center Renovation - City Councilor Enrico Salcedo and Lapasan Barangay Chair Omar Labuntog lead the ribbon cutting in the turn over ceremony of a new Day Care Center project of Congressman Rufus Rodriguez that cost P300 thousand pesos. Also in photo are Cong. Maxie Rodriguez, Jr. of Abante Mindanao Partylist, City Councilor Teodulfo Lao, DPWH employees, parents and the pupils.

TESDA-10 reiterates call for Galing Mason 2013 nominees

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN de Oro City-The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Office 10 has reiterated its call for individuals and organizations to submit nominations for the 2013 Holcim Galing Mason Awards.

The search is open to all Filipino masons, male or female aged 25-55 years old and holder of a valid TESDA National Certificate on Masonry, said TESDA Regional Director Edgar Sales.

Candidates, which must be nominated by a reputable individual or legitimate organization, must possess a good moral character, in good health condition, with no derogatory records or administrative infractions, and practicing masonry of at least one year.

Nominating individual or organization may get nomination forms and submit the accomplished entries from TESDA Regional and Provincial Offices, Philippine Contractors Association (PCA) Offices, Association of Construction and Informal Workers

Edgar Sales, TESDA-10 Regional Director, says that practicing masons has still time to undergo assessment for NC II Masonry from TESDA to qualify in Galing Mason awards because the submission of entries is until August 16, 2013 during the press conference on Galing Mason Awards held in Cagayan de Oro on July 30.

(Romeo James Halley Paculba/PIA10)

(ACIW) Chapters, Holcim Philippines CSR Department Offices, and selected Holcim dealers nationwide.

The deadline for the submission of entries is on August 16, 2013.

Nominees will go through three levels of s election pro cess, the Documentary Screening which reviews the mason’s credentials and personal background, the Regional Search which subjects the masons to a masonry skills competition, and the Na-

tional Search where finalists undergo a panel interview with the leaders and experts of the construction industry.

Prizes at stake include Holcim Cement bags and P25,000 cash prize each for the 17 regional finalists and Holcim Cement bags and P150,000 cash for the Holcim Galing Mason champion.

Now on its fourth run, the Galing Mason Awards aims to salute outstanding masons who have shown tremendous pride and utmost

improvement at work while being responsible members of the community.

It is part of Holcim’s flagship corporate social responsibility program done in partnership with TESDA, PCA, and ACIW. “We encourage every mason in the country to join in this search as this is one way of showing how Holcim is proud of the Filipino mason,” said Michael Cabalda, head of Holcim’s Sustainable Development Group. (APB/PIA-10/asf )

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August 3-9, 2013

Bukidnon

Traktora nadawat sa duha ka kooperatiba Sinulat ni: Rosemary Allo-Genon

Daku ang kalipay sa duha ka mga kooperatiba sa lungsod sa Pangantucan,Bukidnon tungod sa ilang nadawat nga duha ka traktora gikan sa Department of Agriculture RFU sa Rehiyon 10.

Usa ka pormal nga programa ang gipahigayon sa balay lungsod uban sa mga opisyales ug mga dinapit nga mga bisita nga misaksi sa mabulokong okasyon.

Ang mga kooperatiba nga midawat sa maong mga traktora mao ang Sta.Monica of Pangantucan MPC ug Bayanihan Millineum MPC sa Barangay Bacosanon

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Igong supply sa bugas, gisiguro sa NFA Bisan pa man sa sobrang taas nga presyo karon sa bugas sa kamerkaduhan, gisiguro sa National Food Authority-Bukidnon nga adunay igong supply sa bugas ang ahensya alang sa mga konsumante sa probinsya.

Kini ang kasigurohan nga gipadangat ni NFABukidnon General Manager Victoria Duray sa hawanan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan niadtong Hulyo 22, atol sa gihimo nga 3rd Regular Session sa 12th SP diin nahimong temporaryo nga nanguna

ug Pigtauranan.

Si Mayor Manolito G. Garces uban ni Vice Mayor Armando S. Evangelista,Jr. ug mga sakop sa konseho Municipal ug ABC ang mitunol sa dakung pasalamat ngadto sa DA-RFU 10 Director Lealyn Ramos ug mga kaubanan sa nahatag nga traktora alang sa mga kooperatiba diin ang matag usa mobalor og P2,118,000.00 diin ang matag kooperatiba naghatag og “counterpart” kun “equity” nga balor P 317,700.00 ang matag usa ka koop.

Sinulat ni: Sammy Te HAPPY 51st ARAW NG

PANGANTUCAN on July Ang Manager sa Quezon 1,2013.

Water District sa lungsod sa Quezon,Bukidnon ang gipa RESIGN sa mga sakop sa hunta deriktiba tungod sa kawalay pagsalig sa iyang pagdumala sa QWD. Alayon sa usa ka BOD resolution numero 2013-701 nga gipasa kaniadtong Hulyo 17,2013 giaghat sa BOD nga iparesign si GM Eloisa C. Navarro.

niini si 3rd District Board Member Gordon Torres sanglit ang Halangdong Bise Gobernador Alex P. Calingasan, adunay official travel sa kaulohang Maynila.

Gipanghingusgan ni 4th District Board Member Rene Centillas nga makuha gikan sa NFA ang tinuod nga sitwasyon karon sa bugas diha sa merkado, sanglit tataw usab nga sobrang taas na gayud ang presyo.

Ang presyo kaniadto nga 37 pesos, karon mapalit na sa 44 pesos, ug kung

aduna ma’y NFA rice nga mapalit sa presyo nga 27 o 28 pesos isip alternatibo sa ka-mahal sa commercial rice, sama sa dili na usab kini makaon gumikan sa baho.

Subay niini, gibutyag ni GM Duray nga ang krisis sa presyo sa commercial rice, nasinatian sa tibuok nasud tungod kay lean months karon. Apan kung dili na gayud makaya sa budget ang ka-mahal sa bugas, aduna matud pa’y mapalit nga NFA rice sa kamerduhan nga mas ubos ang presyo.

Giklaro usab ni GM Duray ang ilang mandato sa NFA nga maka-provide ug bugas sa panahon kung adunay kalamidad ug dili aron nga makig-compete sa mga negosyante sa bugas. Dili usab matud pa sila mobaligya ug bugas kung dili na angayang kaonon sa mga konsumante.

Sa pagkakaron, adunay 40mil ka sakong bugas ang NFA nga andam na nga galingon sa bulan sa Agosto alang sa ilang quota nga 250mil ka sakong bugas dinhi sa Bukidnon.

Manager sa water district gipa-resign Ang BOD nag-aghat ngadto sa Manager nga ipa “turn-over” ang mga kabtangan sa QWD aron mahapsay sa ilang pagpadagan sa serbisyo sa kapin 3,206 ka mga konsumante sa maong Water district.

Kasamtangan gipaabot sa QWD ang hukom sa LUWA (Local Utility of Water Adminstration) kung kanus-a sila magpadala ug Manager nga mo dumala sa QWD, nga mopuli kang Navarro.

Nasayran nga ang BOD nagpagawas og kamando-an nga suspendihon si Navarro sulod sa 90 ka adlaw alayon sa taho sa Commission on Audit nga ang maong Manager napalgang nakahimo og pagpanglimbong ug pagka dili matinud-anon sa iyang serbisyo.

K a n i a d t o n g Hu l y o 27,2013 atol sa gipahigayong regular sa BOD confrerence,nadawat sa QWD ang usa ka pormal

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nga resignation letter sa nahisgotang manager nga giuyonan sa BOD. Kauban nga gisuspende ang ilang book keeper nga si Mr. Romeo Morante.

Ang QWD gipadagan sa mga mosunod nga mga miyembro sa hunta: Mr. Pablo Lorenzo III Chairman of the Board, Director Demetrio B. Llagas,Sr. Director Nestor P. Sundo,Director Ruby S. Macabaya, ug Director Sedronio Neri, Jr.

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Reward..... from page 1

end or closure to this atrocious act,” the mayor said.

The city mayor, however, cautioned would-be informant to be extra careful in giving out information to authorities so as not to jeopardize the speedy investigation and put basic human rights freedom at risk.

Moreno is apparently referring to any “fall guy or guys” who will be innocently tagged by the informant as potential suspect/s of the bombing incident.

“As much as we tried our best to solve this crime, we must also be cautious and sensitive enough on the person’s basic rights,” Moreno stressed.

The announcement came even as investigators of the Rosario Arcade interagency task force are now zeroing in on the identity of the suspect or group of the senseless crime that left eight innocent persons dead and injured over 40 people.

CIO

Klarex..... from page 1

PrimeNews

northern mindanao

elected congressman for the first district of Cagayan de Oro. “I ran during the last election because I believe I have something to contribute towards the improvement of our city. And this scholarship program is just my humble contribution to improve our city because these scholars will one day serve our city through the industries and trades where they will be gainfully employed, like what our past scholars are now doing,” he said.

Crime...... from page 4

I really can’t find any justification why human beings could do this to their fellow humans who have done them no wrong.

The bombing incident Friday in Cagayan de Oro is no different from the suicide bombings in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is a cowardly act. There is nothing in the act that will show any bravery or courage on the part of the perpetrator.

Why some people can be as heartless, is truly baffling.

Can you imagine a hi-tech bomb being exploded in a crowded place where everyone was just enjoying for a moment before calling it a night?

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, here’s my unsolicited advice. Leave no stone unturned in the investigation of the incident.

It is a big slap on your face already. Failing to solve it is adding insult to injury.

I will not even be surprised if the dastardly act was directed at your leadership to show to all and sundry that you are inutile in such a situation where your administration had been thrust into. Do not balk out from this challenge, Hizzoner.

Show them you are equal to the job and prove them wrong in messing up with you in your own turf. Short of this, your constituents will lose their trust in you and may withdraw the trust and confidence they reposed on you in the last midterm elections.

This is one challenge, if I were in your shoes that I will never shy away from.

I will surely make the real perpetrators answer for their cowardly act.

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

the first congressional district, to chart a bright future and help alleviate poverty in the country.

“One scholar who successfully finished a course and is now gainfully employed means we are able to help one family get out of poverty,” he said.

Uy said that his congressional office is partnering with SMI for this particular scholarship program because “SMI stands for excellence and quality and ensures that students gain direct experience to equip them to become leaders in their chosen trade someday.”

SMI, located along Capistrano-Mabini Sts., is not like any other technicalvocational schools in that its graduates are highly marketable and competitive in the local and global job markets and are properly employed in sectors they trained for.

Irene L. Floro, president and CEO, said that SMI is the leading provider of techvoc education in Mindanao, which is why the school is highly-preferred by enrollees, employers, and industry partners.

Through our partnership with Rep. Rolando “Klarex” Uy’s office’s scholarship program, we will be able to provide the scholars the necessary tools to further hone their God-given skills, from page 4 of strange things around talents and abilities and be able to gainfully use them to you and call the police whenhelp their families get out of ever something is abnormal.

Let us join forces in making poverty,” Floro said.

She said that through the this place forever a city of scholarship program, Uy is golden friendship amidst acting like a bridge so that features of modernization poor scholars can finally and growth.

Notwithstanding the tragachieve their dream of a bright future for them and edy, it is so nice to notice too that business is as usual. for their families.

Ever quick to downplay Everything returned to norany praises, Uy said that he mal as if nothing serious ever is just doing what he is sup- took place. People do their posed to do as the people’s daily business and occupa-

Strong......

august 3-9, 2013

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Bukidnon’s CMU bags top spots in 2013 agriculturist board exam MALAYBALAY City -- A graduate of the Central Mindanao University (CMU) topped the 2013 agriculturist licensure examination last month while two others from the same school also landed in the top 10 spot.

Raul Margate, a faculty member of the CMU College of Agriculture –Horticulture, got the highest rating of 90.17 percent.

CMU also landed in the top 10 spot with Eddiemar Lagua (86 percent) and Jerilyn Peligro Gabato (85.17 percent) placing in the fifth and ninth spots,

respectively.

Two other top achievers are also from Mindanao, Douglas Doloriel of Xavier University and Melani Provido of Ateneo de Davao University, both with 85 percent rating and ranked 10th.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 1,712 out of 4,861 passed the Agriculturist Licensure Examination given by the Board of Agriculture in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Le-

gazpi, Lucena, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga last July.

Of the 342 CMU graduates who took the board examination, 181 passed, giving the university a 52.9 percent performance rating, including those who took the exam for the second time.

One hundred fifty-six passed out of a total of 286 who took the board examination for the first time, giving the university a 54.55 percent performance rating.

CMU, based in Musuan,

Maramag, Bukidnon, prides itself as the “Center of Excellence in Agriculture Education.”

According to its website, it started as the Mailag Industrial School (MIS) by virtue of Act 74 of the Philippine Commission at Mailag, Malaybalay, Bukidnon in 1910. Eight years later, it became the Bukidnon Agricultural School (BAS).

It became Central Mindanao University (CMU) by virtue of Republic Act 4498 on June 19, 1965. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)

tion while vehicular traffic remains regular and smooth.

The government and the people have learned better and are more particular of maintaining peace even more.

Church bells ring as usual a sign that the inhabitants have not lost their faith in the Almighty. It looks like people are more united now and able to cope up with a grave misfortune. (benemata.com) BENNEX NEWS SERVICE

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 and accept the concept of separate realities.

By respecting people’s separate realities, we surmount 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?. ~ Confuciu ~

DOST......

Teen...... from page 4

saying, that she may have to stop her schooling for the duration of the pregnancy and through the coming months in order to nurse her infant.

The list of negative effects for a teenage pregnancy can go on and on. According to the United Nations Family Planning Agency, in 2011, among the ages 10-19, teenage pregnancies has increased to 70%. Educating the young on their sexualities , making them understand responsibility, keeping them aware of the negative effects as well as the health risks, will help the young make intelligent , morally correct informed choices. For after all, the young are the backbone and the future of our nation.

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

from page 3

total of 14 stations of water level sensors (WLS) were also installed in identified major river basins in the region.

In Bukidnon these were mounted in bridges of Bubunawan, Diversion, Zamboanguita, Manuto, Busco, Maramag , Manupali, Valencia and Arch in Malitbog.

In Cagayan de Oro city, WLS were installed in Golden Mile and San Simon Bridge, while in Iligan City, in Abuno and Pugaan C3 Bridge and in Tagoloan Bridge, Misamis Oriental.

These WLS will determine and monitor the height of water in rivers and can provide warning three to six hours before flooding, Narvinso said.

He further emphasized that these instruments are installed five kilometers away from each other so that there won’t be redundancy in the reading and transmittal of data.

Finally, he said that they will still install more of these technologies as they are currently validating some locations that are crucial in disaster prevention and mitigation. (JMOR/PIA)

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XU confers honoris causa on Cardinal Tagle

As part of its Ruby Jubilee celebration, Xavier University bestowed an honorary doctorate in the humanities on Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G Cardinal Tagle in a special academic convocation on Aug 1 at the university’s Immaculate Conception Chapel.

“We are indeed privileged to have you as our honoree for we look up to you as a servant leader,” XU President Fr Roberto Yap SJ said to the Cardinal. “We look up to you as a leader formed the Ateneo Way,” he added.

X U’s t he me for it s Ruby Jubilee celebration is “Forming Leaders the Ateneo Way.” The Call to a New Evangelization In his response, Tagle offered three points for reflection based on the Catholic Church’s call to a New Evangelization for the transmission of the faith.

He explained the phrase simply by relating the story of the Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at a well.

First, he said, Jesus is presented in the Gospel as a traveler who experiences weariness, tiredness and thirst. The Samari-

tan woman is fetching a jar of water from the well when Jesus, tired from the day’s journey, asks her for a drink.

“The New Evangelization is inviting the Church to be a co-traveler to people in their weariness, tiredness and thirst,” Tagle said.

Given that in Jesus’ time Jews did not associate with Samaritans, the Cardinal echoed Pope Francis’ call to “get out of ourselves and go toward the periphery.”

Tagle bid XU to “go to the wells frequented by our people,” just as Jesus reached out to the woman and spoke to her about the life-giving water.

His second point was on the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, which involved a conversation. He said that like Jesus, the Church comes as a beggar, a listener and a giver.

“Ever yone can be a giver to the Church,” he said, adding that the New Evangelization calls for the Church to be a listening Church.

“This is a Church that is not embarrassed to admit its confusion…its lack of answers,” Tagle remarked.

XU President Fr Roberto Yap SJ, Cagayan de oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno take a pose with Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G Cardinal Tagle. This during the Academic convocation at XU Immaculate Conception Chapel on August 1 2013. (Supplied Photo)

He asked, “What type of Church are we? Can we receive? Can we listen?”

Lastly, the Cardinal related that the encounter at the well centered on truth, particularly truth about the woman who was living in sin. Tagle said that Jesus conveyed the truth with much compassion and love that the woman experienced enlightenment and a renewed spirit.

“Let us utter with humility and sympathy a word of truth,” Tagle said. “The New Evangelization is about the truth of God. People will encounter the truth when the ones who communicate it are also truthful.”

While all of these lessons are not new, the Cardinal shared that going back to Jesus makes the mission ever new.

“Evangelization will not

become new in fervor… if the evangelizer is not renewed in the spirit of Jesus,” he said.

Ignatius, Francis and Pope Francis Cardinal Tagle’s speech was not all serious. It was also peppered with humor.

He made audiences laugh when he recalled his casual conversations with Pope

Francis. He even joked that the Pope is, indeed, a Jesuit because when he gives a sermon, he always talks about three points.

In his personal encounters with the Pope, Tagle mused, “He leads us back to the Gospel and the call to spiritual indifference.”

He called on everyone to pray for the Pope and the Society of Jesus.

“We pray that the sons and daughters of Ignatius, Francis (Xavier) and Pope Francis… learn about the truth of Jesus,” Tagle said.

Responding to the call and challenge of the Cardinal, Fr Yap renewed XU’s commitment as a Jesuit institution.

“We recommit today that XU is and always will be an apostolic instrument of the Church,” he said. “We will always strive to foster the ideals of cura personalis, magis, and finding God in all things.”

Furthermore, Yap said that XU will apply the three words that Pope Francis gave the Jesuit community at La Civiltà Cattolica to characterize XU as a Jesuit university. These words are dialogue, discernment and frontier.

Energy commission approves PVB Chairman Welcomes WorldAS agreement between Class Board Members NGCP and 3 Aboitiz firms The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is looking at ancillary services (AS) charges that may be 30% to 40% less than the current structure for the same amount of reserves.

This is after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) recently granted provisional authority to NGCP to implement its Ancillary Service Procurement Agreement (ASPA) with three Aboitiz-owned power firms – SN Aboitiz PowerMagat, Inc., SN Aboitiz Power – Benguet, Inc. and Therma Luzon, Inc. NGCP President Henry Sy, Jr. has long been pushing to lower AS rates for NGCP grid customers. “We are constantly looking for ways to lessen AS cost by engaging power generators who are technically capable and willing to provide AS at a rate acceptable to gridusers,” Mr. Sy said.

The Commission issued the order in response to the petition of NGCP to procure Ancillary Service (AS) from the three power plants to augment the existing reserves for the Luzon Grid wherein the demand is increasing. According to NGCP, the available reserves are not sufficient to comply with the required levels of

contingency and dispatchable reserves prescribed in the Philippine Grid Code (PGC).

The agreement will also address the possible AS supply deficiency during the dry season when Kalayaan Hydroelectric Plant has low water reserve.

NGCP Spokesperson Atty. Cynthia D. Perez-Alabanza explained, “By entering into an agreement with the AS suppliers, NGCP is ensured of the reliability of the supply of reserves necessary to maintain the quality and frequency of electricity transmitted to distribution utilities and other grid-users.”

The ASPA, which will be effective for a period three years, is a result of negotiations between NGCP and the three power firms to arrive at an AS rate that is beneficial for both the generators as supplier and NGCP’s power customers as consumer. In turn, the ERC-approved AS rate indicates that AS charges may be 30% to 40% less than the current structure for the same amount of reserves.

Mr. Sy added, “We continue to push for less expensive ancillary services to make sure that we only get the more efficient and affordable ancillary services

providers. We want to serve our grid customers better.

We will secure the reliability and stability of the grid, but we will not burden the end-consumers.”

The Commission also granted NGCP the authority to schedule the contracted AS capacities with the reminder that the system operator shall “optimize the economic and technical dispatch of the said resources”.

ERC also reiterated that in scheduling, the system operator shall consider the “AS provider with the least cost for the reserve needed to maintain the quality, security, reliability, and integrity of the grid”. Further, NGCP is directed by the Commission to submit a monthly computation of AS rates for monitoring purposes.

Ancillary Services, as defined in Section 4 (b) of the EPIRA, are “those services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility practice and the Grid Code”.

AS are needed to regulate the frequency of transmitted electricity to avoid fluctuations and to help

the system adapt to sudden loss of power supply to prevent the occurrence of massive blackouts. AS also provides assistance to back-up generating plants to recover from a shutdown to temporarily augment lack of supply in the system, thereby, normalizing the system during a power loss.

Apart from contracting AS providers, NGCP is also responsible for dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required ancillary services and for developing and proposing wheeling charges and ancillary service tariffs to the ERC. As grid operator, NGCP is tasked to bill and collect AS charges based on the ERC-approved rates.

These charges, however, do not form a part of NGCP’s revenues and are only passon charges remitted entirely to the generation companies from which the AS are sourced.

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 and towers, substations and related assets.

Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) Chairman Roberto F. de Ocampo introduced four new members of the bank’s Board of Directors to help in pursuing bank-wide strategic directives that would put the bank into a more relevant position in the local banking industry.

Named to the bank’s Board were Guillermo Parayno, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs; Judith Lopez, Chairman of Isla Lipana & Co. (Philippine member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers), and concurrently President of the Financial Executives Association of the Philippines or FINEX; Professor Nieves Confesor, Dean of the Asian Institute of Management and former Labor Secretary; and veteran banker Alfonso “Boy” Cruz, formerly with the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

When asked about the involvement of these notable personalities, Chairman de Ocampo said, “I cannot overemphasize the fact that with names like these and with the names of other Board members that are still with us who are also in their own right

PVB Chairman Roberto F. de Ocampo

outstanding members of the community, you have a leadership of the Bank that is second to none.”

Earlier last month, de Ocampo was elected chairman of the PVB Board of Directors, and said that his term marks a fresh new beginning for the bank, with the aim of revitalizing the mediumsized commercial bank to be an active major player in the banking industry in both local and regional markets.

“I’d say we have established a Board that is going to signal to the community that this bank intends to be a major player in banking,” de Ocampo added.

PVB is owned by more than 300,000 Filipino World War II veterans and their heirs.

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