Volume III, No. 1
website: www.mindanaostarbalita.com
P10.00
March 28-APRIL 3, 2015
MindanaoSTAR THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
0935-160-0668 HERMILINO VILLALON
22nd/31st Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City
RDC-10 endorses priority programs and projects for 2016 The Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao (RDC-X) endorsed on March 19, 2015 a total of P83.2-billion worth of programs and projects proposed for implementation in 2016 by 24 agencies and eight state universities and colleges in the region. This is 26% higher than the P65.9-billion worth of proposals approved for implementation in 2015. Budget allocation was Nel ieta Nova l, Cha i rhig hest for t he Socia l person of the Social DeSector (47%); followed by velopment Committee, the Infrastructure Sector requested the body’s en(46%); Economic Sector dorsement of the Social (5.0%); and t he Macro Development Sector’s requirement of P39-bilSector (2%). RDC-10 C ha i r a nd lion for CHED, DepED, Lanao del Norte Gover- DOH, DSWD, NCIP, NHA, nor K ha l id Di maporo TESDA, BSU, CMU, CPSC, led the Council’s review NMSC, MOSCAT, MUST, and endorsement of the M S U- I I T, a n d M S Uproposed budgets. Mayor See projects, page 7
Free entry to the WWII museum
The First Quarter 2015 National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill. The Provincial Capitol of Misamis Oriental under Gov. Bambi Emano as chair of RDRRMC Region 10 represented in the national drill enjoined by the rest of the regions in the country at 9:00 AM March 27, 2015. Misamis Oriental Capitol was evaluated by the RDRRMC-X with high marks and graded with 9 out of the perfect 10. One of the country’s best performing Provincial Government participants.The Department of National Defense - Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council initiated the nationwide drill thru the regional offices of OCD. photo supplied
P25.7M worth of crops in GenSan damaged due to El Niño GENER A L Santos Cit y -- Around P25.7-million wor t h of ag r icu lt u ra l crops here have been devastated due to t he impact of the continuing dry spell triggered by the mild El Niño Phenomenon. Merl i nda Dona sco, City Agriculture Office
The Veterans Affairs office has announced the free entry to World War II Museum on Philippine Veterans Week and Araw ng Kagitingan Veterans Bank vice president for corporate communications, Mr. Mike Villareal said that students, families, and histor y buffs in Metro Manila and nearby provinces are in for a treat this coming Vet-
chief, said Thursday the intense dry weather has so far destroyed a total of 836.17 hectares of farmlands in parts of the city that were planted with corn, banana, coconut, vegetables and other high value crops . She said the affected areas covered 15 of the
city’s 26 barangays and involved a total of 455 farmers. These are barangays Batomelong, Buayan, Conel, Katangawan, Ligaya, Olympog, Sinawal, Upper Labay, Tinagacan, San Jose, Mabuhay, San Isidro, Baluan, Bawing See crops, page 7
Aquino issues guidelines SP endorses to ensure public safety, PEZA order during Holy Week application
erans Week. The Board of Trustees for the Veterans of World War II (BTV W WII) has announced that for the
ent iret y of Vetera ns Week this year, falling on April 5 to 11, entrance to the BTVWWII See museum, page 7
President Benigno S. Aquino III has instructed concerned government agencies to ensure public safety and comfort in view of the annual exodus of people who will spend Holy Week in the provinces. “Tiya k in ang ka ligtasan at ginhawa ng mga
mamamayan sa kanilang paglalakbay sa darating na Semana Santa -- iyan ang mahalagang tagubilin ni Pangulong Aquino sa lahat ng mga ahensya ng pamahalaan,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said on Friday. See guidelines, page 7
of Ayala
THROUGH Resolution No. 12004-2015, the 17th City Council during its regular session Monday presided over by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas endorsed to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) the apSee peza, page 7
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2 MindanaoSTAR THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
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Red Ribbon introduces the cheesier Ensaimada! R ED Ribbon Bakeshop, one of the country’s largest ba keshops, today re-introduced one of its most-loved and bestselling every day pastry snacks. The Red Ribbon Ensaimada is now cheesier than ever. This beloved every day treat now ha s t hat per fec t combi nat ion of sweet and salty taste that Filipino families have come to love and enjoy. “We believe that Filipino fa mi lies deser ve the best and this is evident in the quality of our products, be it our cakes, rolls, breads or pastries,” said Zinnia Rivera, Red
Ribbon general manager. “The new and improved Ensaimada is an example of how we make an already good product, great.” The moist, soft, melti n-you r mout h bread comes overloaded with long, mout h-water i ng strands of cheddar cheese that is balanced with the right sprinkling of sugar for that sweet kick and topped off with a dab of creamy, delectable butter that you and your kids have loved all these years. Red Ribbon’s muchloved Ensa i mada ha s been a staple in homes for many years and has been a part of many person-
al and family moments whet her t hese a re big celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries to simple, everyday moments like snack recess time. “I invite everyone out there to try our cheesier Red Ribbon Ensaimada. T his is g ua ra nteed to make snack time so much more enjoyable,” added Rivera. Red Ribbon’ cheesier Ensaimadas are available at all Red Ribbon bra nches nat ionw ide. Or you may visit www. redribbonbakeshop.com to know more about our delicious cakes and pastries. PR
Lazada.com.ph Celebrates its Third Year Anniversary with a 3-Day Shopping Extravaganza
MANILA Philippines -La zada Phi l ippi nes, a pa r t of La zada Group which operates Southeast Asia’s number one online shopping and selling destination, is celebrating its third anniversary this month with three days of sales from 24 to 26 March.
Lazada Group has seen rapid grow th since its launch in March 2012. The company now has over 4,000 employees across t he region a nd has raised approximately EUR 520 million in funding from leading sector specia lists a nd investors including Temasek,
Tesco, JP Morgan, Kinnevik and Rocket Internet, among others. I n December 2014, Lazada Group’s GMV exceeded US$70 million, supported by the success of the month-long Online Revolut ion ca mpa ig n which k icks of f annually on 11 November. Its sites and mobile applications saw over 40 million unique v isitors during the month of December. This performance is testament to the company’s focus on delivering an ef for t less, secure a nd reliable one-stop shopping experience for its customers. Lazada Group’s growth is also a result of its rapid assort ment expansion driven by its unique position to provide brands
and merchants simple, fast and direct access to approx i mately 550 mi l l ion consu mers i n si x count r ies t hroug h one retail channel. The number of sellers on the marketplace platform, which now accounts for approx i mately 75% of overa l l sa les, crossed 10,000 in December 2014. Addressing the logistical challenges in the reg ion, La zada Group is investing heav ily to develop its infrastructure. The company now has eig ht wa rehouses and a dedicated Lazada Express last mile deliver y f leet with 50 hubs cover i ng 80 cit ies. In addition, Lazada Group has partnered with 60 express transport and See lazada, page 7
How can you help Mother Earth? Apple Tree Resort and Hotel, the premier Beach Resort and Hotel in Misamis Oriental initiated the Coastal Cleanup Program last March 27, 2015. Part of the company’s redefined values: life, renewal, and energy along with compassion, nurturing, and love, the Coastal Cleanup Campaign was formulated in order to raise awareness on the extent of the ocean problem. Today, human civilization faces countless and multifaceted challenges which threatened the environment, the population, and the continuous destruction of Mother Earth resulting to climate change. Unfortunately, what we see on this ocean surface today is just the tip of the iceberg. It may sound easy to gasp but as humans, we fail to realize what has taken Mother Earth a beating and what start all these are but trashes.
Headed by the Hotels’ dynamic and innovative General Manager, Bjanesha M. Emphasis explains that everyone can play a greater role in the movement for trash free seas. “Beaut if y ing t he Bayshore is one part of the campaign as we encourage everyone to improve solid waste management program. Creating less waste in the first place means there will be less marine trash. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (in that manner) is essential in this endeavour”, she added. According to the International Coastal Cleanup, an annual event organized by t he Ocean Conser vancy, a global volunteer-based initiative, “Vast amounts of plastic debris litter the world’s oceans causing all manner of harm, and most of this debris comes from land.” As what Ms
Bjanesha said, “The trash problem in the ocean may be a simple problem but that doesn’t make it any less important”. “We need everyone’s help to achieve the vision of a healthy, clean and vibrant ocean free of trash”, she added. During the Cleanup Program, the Apple Tree Resort and Hotel gathered more than 10 full loaded black trash bags. These include food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, woods, tree branches, coconut huts, cigarette butts, straws and plastic grocery bags. Additionally, an estimated of trash weighing 156 kilos were collected. The main objective of the program is to inform everyone that Marine debris is one of the world’s pervasive problems which impart a variety of serious impacts such as loss of water quality, and destruction of the environ-
ment. How are you going to help Mother Earth? Will you do your part? Make a difference- for trash free seas. Your everyday choices can help keep it clean. ABOUT APPLE TREE RESORT & HOTEL Apple Tree Resort & Hotel is located in Taboc, Opol, Misamis Oriental. It is a 20-minute or 20-km drive from Laguindingan International Airport and a 10-minute or 10-km drive to Cagayan de Oro City. The over 7,000-square meter property boasts of a beach front overlooking the majestic Macajalar Bay and Camiguin Island. Sooth your soul and give in to a truly indulgent stay, conduct business with leisure and a world of pleasure and stage a meaningful and timeless celebration at APPLE TREE RESORT AND HOTEL.
MindanaoSTAR 3
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THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
SPECIAL FEATURES OF SHRINES AND PLACES TO VISIT DURING HOLY WEEK 2015
PANAAD 2015: A HOLY WEEK RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL
at Camiguin Province
“Island Paradise of the Pacific”
By Joe Palabao Editorial Consultant
O
ne of the major religious events to the take place in the Province of Camiguin Northern Mindanao-t he “Island Paradise of the Pacific” is the annual religious activity “PANAAD 2015”. This year’s, PANAAD Religious Festival 2015 is observed by the whole Chr istendom which starts during Holy Week to commence on Holy Thursday-April 2, Good Friday-April 3-Black Saturday to Easter Sunday April 5, 2015. PA NA A D 2015 i s a gathering of people from all walks of life coming to Camiguin Prov ince for a yearly devotion to spend the Holy Week by walking the 64 kilometers circumferential road around the Island and trekking the tedious old volcano as expression of penitence and spiritual enrichment and also is normally associated with church visits or the “Visita de Iglesia” and Station
of the Cross going up the Old Volcano. “Panaad” is a local dialect which means “promise”. Northern Mindanao Regional Director-Tourism Czar Catalino ‘Butch’ E. Chan III issued a Holy Week Travel Advisory that travellers from Cagayan de Oro and outlaying cities and provinces nearby are advised to take an hourly bus from Agora Terminal (Rural Transit) that will bring the tourists to Ba lingoa n Municipality Port of Misamis Oriental (2 hours land trip one way), then take an hour ferry (almost every hr. P179/pax) to bring them to Benoni Wharf in Camiguin ProvinceIsland Paradise of the Pacific. By air, Cebu Pacific also f lies to CamiguinC ebu- C a m i g u i n f ou r (4) times a week (MWF. SA/SU) leaving Cebu at 6:10 A.M. and arriv ing Camiguin at 7:00 A.M. Given t his connect ivity, this is the best time to discover a nd enjoy the new global tourist
destination in the world its natural wonders and h i stor ic a l la nd ma rk s that will make the stay of tourists memorable and exciting aside from its famous local delicacies and warm hospitality from its people. Camiguin is a pearshaped island province
located at the Northern tip of Mindanao and is blessed with great vistas, exotic waterfalls, hot and cold springs, majestic mountains and volcanoes, coral reefs and pristine beaches. Its popularity is also known for its sweet lanzones, seafood’s and unhurried lifestyle as
well as friendly and Godfearing people, thus most tourists call this beautiful island province as an “Island of Your Imagination” and “Island Born of Fire”. Today, CAMIGUIN PROVINCE is now known to the global tourism indust r y “T HE ISL A ND PARADISE OF THE PA-
CIFIC.” For a ssist a nce you may ca l l 088-8564048 (Department of Tourism 10), 088-387-1022 (Governor’s Office, Camiguin, (0 9174 4 5 6 5 6 5 ) C o a s t Guard Cagayan de Oro, (09163630139) Balingoa n a nd (09052929327) Camiguin Substation.
DIVINE MERCY SHRINE IGBALALAY HILLS: HOME OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SHRINE A PLACE OF MIRACLES AND
For the last eighteen (18) years, Igbalalay Hills, Barangay Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City is the home of the Miraculous Our Lady of G u a d a l up e -w ho s e or ig i na l i mage comes from Tepeyac, Mexico. A distance of approximately four (4) kilometers, the faithful devotees and pilgrims have to have an experience of their lifetime for a forty five (45) minute or an hour of trekking and crossing the same river-stream source of Tablon-Agusan nine (9) times to reach
the final destination- the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine. She is majestically situated on top of a Hill-with a hundred of steps for a devotee to reach and be at peace w it h God a nd nature. It is a four hectare area surrounded by verdant sceneries, beautiful rocks and mountains. One will have a real peace of heart and mind as you visit the Shrine. In observance of Holy Week from March 30 to April 5, 2015, thousands of devotees are expected
to visit the Home of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Igbalalay Hills crossing the river nine (9) times and make a sacrifice of love, meditation and penance. It is believed that whatever you ask and request from God the Almighty through the Intercessions of Our Lady of Guadalupe it will always be granted. Passing board exams, answered prayers for favors requested, successf u l business ventures, good health and many other favors are granted by our Lady if the devotees will request will pure hearts and with the best of intentions in life. This Lenten Season and during Holy Week 2015, we wish to invite all devotees to make a visit to Igbalalay Hills by crossing the Agusan-Tablon River, trek a while, see the verdant environment, see the rock formation, the mountains and finally reach your final destination: IGBALALAY HILLSHOME OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE. Caretaker of the Shrine is BROD BOY ESTOQUE who is instrumental in having the place to be WHAT IT IS NOW.
BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS
T h is L enten Sea son, especially during Holy Week from Holy MondayMarch 30 to Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 thousands of devotees and pilgrims from all over the Philippines, foreign, domestic and local tourists are expected to be the at the Divine Mercy Shrine Barangay Ulalima n-EL Sa lvador, t he City of the Saviour. For many tourists, pilgrims and devotees is not just a destination but a place of MIRACLES & BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS FROM THE MERCY OF GOD. This pilgrimage destination is the home of the 50 feet statue of the Divine Mercy standing on t he hi l ls of Barangay Ulaliman facing the ocean. The rays of the statue serve as stairs up to the Blessed Sacrament located at the Statue’s Heart of our Saviour Jesus Christ. To come up, the pilgrims should undergo a short orientation about the rules, proper dress codes and the message from God to receive the Miracles of Christ. Many devotees have ex perienced miracles and bless-
ings from the Heart of Jesus. To many pilgrims, they also have a lifetime experience in seeing the dancing dance. The devotees, pilgrims and tourists arrival in the city has continuously grown that made the place one of the top pilgrimage destinations in the Region and in the Philippines today. At a glance- El Salvador City started history from a Boholano soldier sailed with his family in pursuit of a place where they can start a better life. W hen they discovered that there was an abundant of Nipa Palms; from
then on they called the place “Tagnipa” and very rich in agricultural farms and marine life. “Tagnipa” became a haven of the neighboring places when drought and hunger thumped the province. Many residents were saved from the drought and survived the crisis. The contribution of Tagnipa to save many areas from hunger has created the credibilit y that the place saves people. The locals then agreed to change its name from ‘Tagnipa’ to “El Salvador which means the “Savior.”
Opinion
4 MindanaoSTAR THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
Think A Minute
Jhan Tiafau Hurst
Expect the Best
Think a minute… A famous professor from Harvard University did a study in a primary school. At the beginning of the school year the teachers were given the names of 5 children. The teachers were told that these 5 were the best students in the class. But the fact was that these students were only average. Well, guess what? By the end of the year all 5 average students scored among the highest in the class. They even gained 15-30 I.Q. points! So what made those average students change so much to become top students? The only difference was the change in the teachers’ attitudes. Since the teachers believed that these 5 kids were the top students, they expected more from them and treated them with more respect. So these 5 average students began to believe and expect more from themselves, just by the way the teachers viewed and treated them. You know, if you expect the best from people, they’ll usually want to give you their best. A great leader said: “Treat a person just how he appears to be on the outside, and you’ll make him even worse. But treat a person like he’s already a success, and you’ll help make him the best he can be.” It reminds me of the true story of 7-year-old Johnny. His school teacher got so tired of him one day she said: “Johnny, you’re the naughtiest boy in this class! Besides that, you’re the dumbest!” The next year Johnny had a different teacher. After the first day of class, his new teacher met with him. She said: “Johnny, I’ve heard a lot about you!” Then she smiled and said to him: “But I don’t believe a word of it!” From the beginning, Johnny’s new teacher treated him as if he was one of the smartest, best behaved students. Well, you guessed it. After just a few months, Johnny became one of the top students in that class. Later on he was made a school prefect and leader! That’s the power of our love, belief, and encouraging attitude toward our children. You see, that’s how God loves and believes in you and the abilities He gave you. So won’t you ask Jesus Christ to take charge of your life today, and every day of your life? He’s the One Who will help you become your best. He’ll also help you to love and expect the best from others. Just Think a Minute…
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MY PSALMS OF LIFE We are always in God’s limelight. T h r oug h t he a ge s, people have experienced cha l lenges t hat show God’s hands - mothers and fathers, the young and the old, simple shepherds and popular scholars, soldiers and actors. God watches over me no matter how I feel right now: safe and secure in a wholly and warm hearted community or alone and feeling abandoned. God knows my doubts, wor r ies, t roubles a nd challenges in my daily life. The Psalms became a ver y i mpor ta nt pa r t in my life. It happened purely on accident. Long time ago, I stayed in a hotel in a foreign country
reading the Psalms... . At t he v er y c enter of t he bible a re t hese songs, the Psalms, rising up like a tune from the heart. They capture the innermost thoughts and prayers, and t hey still speak directly to our needs. For every emotion and mood, you can find a Psalm to match. The Psalms wrestle with the deepest sorrow and ask God the hardest ques-
tions about suffering and injustice. They do not tip flowery compliments to God: they cry out to Him, or shout for joy before Him. In almost every Psalm you f ind t he presence of God, not as a philosophical principle, but as someone, who ca n change your life, if you allow Him doing so. I lea r ned f rom my Philippine mentor, the late Monsignore Professor Dr. Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza, chaplain of the Philippine community in Berlin, that the best way to read the Psalms is simple: to make these ancient prayers your won and speak directly to God. So many of the poems catch deep human feelings that
you can’t help but being moved by them. It w i l l ta ke t i me to understand all Psalms; some might be boring or even self-congratulatory. Read t hem aga i n a nd again. Psalms cries from the heart and songs of sorrow as well as joy - reflections for moods and experiences. Si nc e r e a d i n g t he Psa lms, I learned and understood that for God, we’re always in the limelight. +++ Em ail m e: d or ingklau s@g mail .com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www. germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.
played by the resistance fighters. Shortly after he landed in Leyte in October 1944, he broadcast the following message: “As our forces of liberation roll forward , the splendid aid we are receiv ing from guerrilla units throughout the immediate objective area a nd adjac ent i sl a nd s causes me at this time to pay public tribute to
the great patriots both Filipino and American who have led and suppor ted t he resista nce movement in the Philippines since the dark days of 1942. These inadequately ar med patriots have fought t he enemy for more than two years. Most are Filipinos but among these are a number of A mer ica ns who never surrendered, who escaped from prison camps, or who were sent in to carry out specific missions.” Mc A r t hu r t ha n ked them for the excellent intelligence gat hering which provided the Allies with “accurate and detailed information on major enemy moves and
installations throughout the Philippine Archipelago”. He acknowledged the aid provided by the guerrillas’ air warning system “…affording visual observation of the air of nearly every square foot of Philippine soil ……complete observation over enemy naval movement…. This information has contributed to t he sink ing of enemy shipping of enormous tonnage.” Before long, Filipino resistance fighters would be fighting side by side with Allies as the troops moved to various battlegrounds to reta ke t he Philippines. The online document
Have my say Klaus Doring in Europe. I felt really uncomfortable. I’ll not be boring you with details. I remember asking myself what the psalm writers also frequently did: “Where are you God? Why don’t you help me?” Yes, the presence of real enemies is also part of our daily life here and ever y where. A ny way, suddenly I found a bible in the bottom drawer of my night table. I started
Battles that changed the course of history (10)
In 9 prev ious articles, we commemorated the various major battles in the Philippines as World War II drew to a close 70 years ago. Culling from various military historical accounts and online materials, we recalled the Battle of Leyte, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Battle of Mindoro, Lingayen Landing, the Raid at Cabanatuan, the Liberation of Santo Tomas, the Liberation of Los Banos, t he mont h-long Battle of Manila, and the Battles to retake Bataan and Corregidor. In the succeeding articles, we will relive the final battles in Northern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao up to the very day
Speaking Out Ignacio Bunye General Yamashita surrendered in September 2, 1945. I n t h i s a r t icle, we pause to pay tribute to the tens of thousands Filipino and American guerrillas who played a key role during the dark days following the fall of Bataan and Corregidor. McA r t hur, hi msel f, was the first to acknowle d ge t he her oi c r ole
See bunye, page 6
OUR AIRLINE PILOTS By: Ben Emata Our local airlines conveying passengers in various points in the country should take lessons from the recent plane crush involving Germanwing flight that killed 150 passengers. There was no problem with the aircraft but the co-pilot, a young ma n just 27 yea rs old must have some problems he kept unto himself. It was only him who cou ld have ex pla i ned what he had done but it is too late because he himself died in that tragedy. W h a t ou r a i r l i ne s
MindanaoSTAR THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
MindanaoStar, a bilingual newspaper, is published weekly in Cagayan de Oro City. It is circulated in key regional areas in Mindanao, including the Internet. MindanaoStar is located at Door 3, Tanleh Building, Abellanosa Street, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region 10 with Certififcate No. 01787396 and Business Registration Plate No. BP-11263, Business License No. 201400976, TIN No. 311-832-910.
The Striker Ben Emata Jr. should do is keep close contact with pilots. Some people are just quiet while entertaining t houghts among themselves. Maybe things trouble their minds like love affair, domestic problems involv ing their partners and children or financial resources, etc. People with these problems just keep them unto them-
selves and never bother telling others. These are too personal but it will necessarily affect their work. For one thing that Germanwing pilot must have been entertaining some t roubles i n h is m i nd. No person can read the minds of anyone until the moment ugly things show up that sometimes result-
ing in tragedy. Certainly, we pity him. Things that happened to h i m ha s been experienced by a lot of people too. Had someone maybe his closest friend, a wife, a girlfriend or an airline psychologist, was a round, t he t ragedy could have been prevented and the guy very happy at this moment. What was really bad was he dragged into the pit of death so many innocent people including babies and old folks, not connected to his worries or whatever. It was a painful tragedy that rarely takes place in this modern world. I would suggest airliners man-
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a gement shou ld t a ke closer look at their crew involved in f lying their aircraft. We should take lessons from that tragedy to make our f lights not only safe but enjoyable. Maybe some pi lot s are just so tired flying for long hours. Or perhaps some of them have real troubling personal problems that only them can understand and trying to solve. If he were my close friend, perhaps I would know his worries and talk things with him. Some people con f ide their problems to close friends or close relatives thus avoiding sad effects of the problems.
Editorial Consultants CRIS DIAZ MIKE BANOS joe palabao ALLAN MEDIANTE Cheng Ordonez Nelson constantino
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Life/History
MindanaoSTAR 5 THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
LIFE OF DR.HILARIO CAMINO MONCADO
Biographical Sketch (Quoted from International World Who’s Who, 1948-49 Sampson Publishing Company, Incorporated)
Written by JOE P. PALABAO Vice President for Marketing Business Week Mindanao Corporation Book II Chapter I
INTRODUCTION Little known in the Philippines and was never written in history by the biased historian “Gregorio Zaide”, was the fight of General Hilario Camino Moncado for complete, immediate and absolute independence in Washington D.C., dating back to 1931. Honestly believing that the Nacionalista leaders, who were dispatching missions after missions to lobby for independence in the United States were not sincere in their clamorfor freedom, General Moncado, on his own initiative and at great expense on his part and the Filipino Federation of America, caused to be introduced before the U.S. Congress the so-called CRAIL INDEPENDENCE BILL which would have granted independence to the Philippines on July 4, 1933. This was bitterly opposed by the “independence mission” them composed of the late President Quezon, former President Osmena and President Roxas, resulting in the open break between General Moncado and the top ranking Nacionalista Leaders. It was during this period that a systematic SMEARING CAMPAIGN was launched against General Moncado in the
GENERAL HILARIO CAMINO MONCADO, Master of Arts-(A.M)., Bachelor of Laws- (LL,B.), Master of Laws-(LL.M.), Doctor of Civil Law-(D.C.L.), Commander in Chief, Born November 4, 1898 at Pondol,Balamban, Cebu, Philippine Islands, Education: University of Southern California, Olympic University, and Southwestern University, Los Angeles, California. Married to Diana Toy Moncado—Commander in Chief of the Philippine Guerillas (Commander X) during the three (3) years Japanese occupation in the Philippines, World War 11; former delegate of Constitutional Convention of the Philippines and framed the Constitution of Commonwealth and now Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines; Associate Member of Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America; Life Member: Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, California Chamber of Commerce, Pan Pacific Union; Life Member and Patron Member of American
Military Institute; Honorable President and National Adviser of Philippine Guerilla Veterans Legion of the Philippines. Patron, Smithsonian Institution; Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Filipino Crusaders World Army; Supreme and Lifetime President and Founder, Filipino Federation of America; Attorney at Law, Republic of the Philippines; Life Member, General Alumni of the University of Southern California; Alumnus of the Fifth Alumni Institute, University of the Philippines, Manila; Alumnus Santo Tomas University, Manila; Life Member, The American Academy of Political and Social Science; Proprietor Member, Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, Manila; International Golfer with Handicap- 3 Publications: America, the Philippines and the Orient; World Travel Memories, Divinity of Woman: Address: 428 Stack Building, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
SPEECH BARES MONCADO’S FIGHT FOR PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE Philippines. The speech reproduced below, delivered by General Moncado on July 4, 1933, to the delegates of the 13th state annual convention of the Filipino Federation of America during the independence day banquet held at the Hotel Stockton, California, U.S.A., reveals the important role played by General Moncado in the long fight for Philippine Independence. Now a senatorial candidate of the People’s Party, General Moncado announced that once elected Senator, he would launch another big fight for the nation--that of combating corruptions through his Man’s Moral Concept and working for the recognition and payment of the backpay of unrecognized Filipino guerillas by financing a mission of selected overall commanders of guerilla units to the United States. General Moncado has also ambitious plans for agricultural colonization in Mindanao, alleviation of the conditions in the city slums and elimination of fabulous discretionary funds allotted to top-ranking government officials to make possible
Foto above shows the facsimile of the preamble of the Crail Independence Bill which would have granted complete and immediate independence to the Philippines on July 4, 1933, had it not been for the opposition interposed by the “indepence mission” heade by the late President Quezon, former President Osmeña and President Roxas.
the increase in salaries of the lowly-paid public school teachers, policemen, Philippine Army personnel and government employees and laborers. Mr. Toasmaster, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen: I am deeply touched by the ovation you have manifested in my behalf. The honor you have bestowed upon as the Federation’s Flying World AMBASSADOR OF PEACE AND GOODWILL together with this precious token which symbolizes your faith and devotion, shall be cherished by me wherever I go and whatever I do…. We are here assembled to dedicate anew the high ideals and principles upon which our Federation has founded. I implore you to preserve, protect and propagate them throughout the world…. On this glorious FOURTH OF JULY, I am filled with enthusiasm, for I am inspired by the importance and significance of America’s Independence Day. Let us pay our tribute and render homage to those chivalrous adventurers who founded the American Republic; those hardy and God fearing men and women who established a government of the people, for the people and by the people. On this continent rose a gigantic republic, the home of the free and the land of the brave, where freedom and religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom from arrest without due process of law are among the inalienable rights of the people. It was on the eventful July 4, 1776, when America became independent and free from the domination of England. It was also on that day the richest,
greatest and most powerful of all republics was founded. July 4, 1776, was, therefore, a memorable date in the history of the world. It was the birth of a new nation conceived in liberty, justice and equality. The significance of this day has a paramount influence in the Far East. It is a historical fact that the Philippines was under the Spanish flag for over three centuries. It was during this period that an eminent leader of the Filipino appeared on the scene to guide and save his downtrodden people from the tyranny of Spanish colonial officials. As in the case of his illustrious predecessors who had the courage to voice the grievances of his countrymen, Dr. Jose Rizal faced a firing squad in Manila in 1896. The year 1896 marks another epoch in our history. The Spaniards thought that by executing Dr. Jose Rizal it would stop the growing unrest of the Filipinos, but they were mistaken because his untimely death served to inflame the smouldering fires of loyalty and patriotism of the people to fight against the abuses of the government. It inspired them to struggle more vigorously in overthrowing the yoke of Spain. Then came the SpanishAmerican War of 1898, in which the United States won a decisive victory. As an incident of that war, the Stars and Stripes are
now flying over the Philippines. In accordance with America’s altruistic program of educating and preparing the Filipinos for self-government, the Jones Law of 1916 was passed by the United States Congress which provided that “As soon as a stable government was established therein the United States shall grant the people of the Philippines their independence.” But the Jones Law was not certain in that it did not provide for a date of Philippine autonomy. Due to this uncertainty I advocate for a bill with a fixed
date. As a result I endorsed the bill providing for Philippine Independence on July 4, 1933, sponsored by the late Congressman Joe Crail of California and Congressman Adolf J. Sabath of Illinois, (Crail’s Billm, H.R. 5462 and Sabath’s Bill, H.R. 5509)…. I traveled all over the country, urging the members of Congress for its passage, using all available agencies to popularize the issue in order that our fight for the political emancipation of our motherland shall end and victoriously. (to be continued next issue)
Author’s Note:
Si Brod Bundio kanunay makakita sa KOMETA AND DAN-AG NI MASTER EBF KANIYA, ug kanatong tanan pinaagi kay Brod Bundio kay mama-ayo man ang may mga balatian. Kining Misyon ni Brod Bundio usa lamang ka paagi na makatabangan sa katawhan tungod sa kalisud matambalan ug mama-ayo kita.
Ang orgnisasyon sa Equi Frili Brium sa Malacoma Branch 5-2 sa kanunay gipalig-on ug karon mga panahona ang mga sakop nag-andam sa mga papeles na mare-registered and maong kapungngan tungod kay ang mga EFB nga kapunungan sa tibouk Pilipinas lapas sa singkwenta (50) ka tuig na mao ra tuig na gitakda sa iyang pagkatukod. 1953 na mga orgnisasyon sama sa Moncado Colony sa Babak, Samal Island, Limao ug laing pang dapit kining mga pundok wala nay “identity” kay ang termino lapas na. Mao na ang EFB Malacoma Branch 5-2 nagsugod na sa paghikay sa mga papeles na marehistro sa Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) aron legal ang iyang pagkamugna aron makahimo na ug mga proyekto alang sa mga sakop niini. Ang katong tanan na mga tawo na nagpatambal kay Brod Bundio kinahanglan gayug sakop kay si MASTER EFB man ang gamhanan na nagtambal pinaagi ni Brod. Ang grupo nagapadayon sa iyang mga buluhaton aron pagpalambo niini. Pinaagi sa gahum ni MASTER EFB na nagtuga kang Brod Bundio sa pag-ayo adunay usa ka Filipina, taga Panabo naminyo ug hapon na karon nanimuyo na sa Japan. Nagkasakit ang asawa ug kay nakatawag man sa Cell Phone ni Brod Bundio 0926-417-2639 ug pinaagi sa gahum sa tubig nag i-blessingan pinaagi sa phone lamang na-ayo ang maong Filipina. Ug ang iyahang bana na Hapon nagasulti sa iyang asawa na kong maayo ang mga tiil ug makalakaw na siya---so naka-uli sa Pilipinas karong bag-o pa lamang.
march 28-april 3, 2015
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Finance Asia: Globe is best managed telco in the Philippines
Lina Calvez (L) of the Regional Public Affairs Office, Hermosilla Flores (R), Rasmia Macaundas (2nd from R) of PENRO-LDN and Niña Casiño (2nd from L) of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) share ideas on the individual roles of a father, a mother & the children in the household during the workshop of the Gender Sensitivity Training held on March 17-18 in Cagayan de Oro City. (DENR-RPAO PR # 03-130-2015)
Globe Telecom was cited as one of the best managed public companies in the Philippines and in the region, according to a survey by FinanceAsia Magazine among investors and analysts which ranked companies, senior executives , as well as policies on dividend payments and other matters. In FinanceAsia’s recently published report of their 15th edition of Asia’s Best Companies, Globe emerged as one of the best-managed companies in the country, co-ranked as fourth along with SM Investments Corporation
(SMIC), besting industry rival PLDT which came in at ninth. Globe also made it at seventh for best corporate governance, together with SMIC and BDO Unibank. Globe a l so r a n ked prominently at second as the “most committed to paying good dividends,” and fourth in investor relations. The telco’s President & CEO Ernest Cu was also adjudged as one of the best CEOs. Globe Chief Financial Officer Albert de Larrazabal said that, “we are very honored to have been recognized by investors and analysts in the region as one of the best organizations in Asia. With sustained momentum in growth for almost all performance metrics, marked by record-breaking results
Bunye... from page 4
ASEAN INTEGRATION SEMINAR IN TAGOLOAN – VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ interacts with 700 graduating students of Tagoloan Community College (TCC) during the “Forum on Enhancing Youth Competitiveness and Readiness in the Forthcoming ASEAN Economic Community”. The activity was initiated by Vice Governor Pelaez as he worries that ASEAN Integration is not being publicly discussed in various fora in the grassroots level. He sees that with ASEAN Integration, a class of highly-educated and highly-skilled professionals will be created to collaborate with foreign workers in high-end sectors. The activity was also attended by TCC President Dr. Rolando Acoriba Jr., faculty and Supreme Student Council (SSC) officers of the school. photo provided
entitled “Guerrilla Activities in the Philippines” traces the beginnings of the resistance movement. After Bataan and Corregidor, many who escaped the Japanese reorganized in the mountains as guerillas. One example would be the unit of Ramon Magsaysay in Zambales. This unit grew to a force of 10,000 by the end of the war. This group played a key role in the Battle to Retake Bataan. Another group consisted of former cadets of the disbanded Philippine Military Academy. Too young to fight in Bataan, these cadets led by Terr y Adevoso formed the Hunters ROTC. The Hunters ROTC figured prominently in the Raid in Muntinlupa in 1943 (to free political prisoners), the Raid in Los Banos (to free American POWs) and in the Battle of Manila. A group of Hunters ROTC under Emmanuel de Ocampo fought alongside US troops from Nasugbu all the way up to the Manila Post Office. Juan Pajota and Eduardo Joson helped plan and execute the Raid at Cabanatuan which resulted in the rescue of 500 American POWs. Manuel Colayco was active in the Allied Intelligence Bureau. In the Liberation of Santo Tomas, he was killed while directing American tanks towards Japanese targets. Jesus Villamor, who ea rl ier d i st i ng u i shed himself in aerial combat against Japanese Zeros, later worked his way back to the Philippines (from Australia) to make contact with guerrilla organizations , eventually developing extensive intelligence networks. E m igd io Cr u z, lef t
in 2014, Globe has become an exemplar company in terms of setting the pace in its industry, founded on very sound leadership and strong financials.” According to FinanceAsia, t he responses were culled from over 250 portfolio managers and buy-side ana lysts from around the world on their opinions on Asianlisted companies. Globe figured prominently on the survey on the strength of an excellent financial performance last year, which saw record highs in terms of consolidated service revenues of P 99 billion, a 9% growth yearon-year; total consolidated EBITDA of P39 billion, 8% higher than 2014; and core net income at P14 billion, up 25% from last year. Washington in 1943 on instructions of President Manuel Quezon to establish contact with local leaders and the resistance. He first landed in Australia and from there he worked his way to Negros and eventually to Manila – a hazardous journey which took him 4 months. Salipada Pendatun figured prominently in the Maranao Militia in Mindanao which continuously harassed Japanese troops. Macario Peralta established one of the bestorganized guerrilla organizations in the Philipines . From his base in Panay, he had radio contact and courier service with the principal guerrilla chiefs in the Visayas and Mindanao. His initial message from Panay was picked up by listening posts of the US War Department. McArthur said of that broadcast: “Following the disaster which … overtook our gallant forces, a deep and impenetrable silence engulfed the Philippines….That signal, weak and short as it was, lifted the curtain of silence and uncertainty and disclosed the start of human drama with few parallels in military history.” When American forces landed in Panay in March 1945, much of the work had already been accomplished by Peralta’s guerrillas. “Even before the landings, his guerrillas had cleared the enemy from the outlying districts and had won possession of nine airstrips in the northern and southern part of the island. To aid the advance of American troops, all important bridges were repaired, roads were serviced and key junctions were kept under control.”(to be continued….) Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@ gmail.com.
march 28-april 3, 2015
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Projects... from page 1
IIT, and MSU-Naawan. Dr. Modesto Babaylan, Co-Chair of the Infrastructure Development Committee, requested the endorsement of the P38.5-bi l lion requirement for the Infrastructure and Utilities Sector agencies (DPWH, LTFRB, LTO, MARINA, NIA, and NTC). Ms. Emma Nieva, Co-Chair of the Economic Development Committee, sought support for the P4.3-billion requirement of t he Economic Development sector (DA, BFAR, DAR, DENR, EMB, MGB, DOT, DTI, and DOST). The Macro Sector’s requirement of P1.4-billion for DOLE and DILG was presented by Director Rene Burdeos, Vice-Chair of the Macro a nd Development Administration Committee. Di re c tor L e on Dacanay, Jr. of NEDA-Region 10, assured the body that the proposed budget for agencies and SUCs have passed technical review by the sector committees on March 10, 2015 to ensure that the proposed programs and projects are consistent with the President’s Social Contract, the region’s priorities and sectoral outcomes indicated in the Regional Development Plan and Investment Program for 2013 to 2016.The proposed 2016 budgets of the RL As and SUCs will be endorsed to their respective agency central offices for consideration. The proposals will also be presented to the RDC10 Advisory Committee (RAC) on March 23, 2015 for support. A lso endorsed were the Rehabilitation of Pulangui IV Hydro Electric Power Reservoir-Phase II (Selective Dredging); Philippine Ports Authority’s Port Development Projects; Complementary Food TechnologiesSolution to Malnutrition; and Tangub City’s EcoTourism Development Project. The Council also expressed support to the formulation of the Minda nao Development Corridors presented by Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secre-
tary Luwalhati Antonino; the holding of the Pasundayag Northern Mindanao on May 11 to 17, 2015 in A ngeles Cit y, Pa mpanga; continuous adoption of Industry Cluster Approach for MSME Development; and the list of assistance needed by the RDC-private sector representatives (PSR) from local government units and regional line agencies in the conduct of the 6th RDC-PSR National Convention that will be hosted by RDC-10 on October 14-16, 2015. (Peleta B.Abejo, DRD, NRO-X)
Crops... from page 1
and Lagao. Donasco said the value of the crop damage or loss has increased as they included the high value crops in their assessment. “We’re cont i nua l ly monitoring the situation in some critical farm areas as the situation could worsen in t he coming weeks,” she said. She said that based on an advisory issued to their office by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administrat ion (PAGASA), t he El Niño currently affecting the city and the neighboring areas could extend until August. It said the dry spell being experienced in some parts of the country could prolong as a result of the El Niño. El Niño is a phenomenon caused by the abnormal warming of the central and eastern Pacif ic waters, generally manifests in a dry spell, or below normal rainfall, usua l ly fol low i ng wet conditions. PAGASA officials had identified this city and other parts of Region 12 as among the most vulnerable areas in terms of the adverse impact of the El Niño. “When that (prolonged dry spell) happens, more farm areas will certainly be affected, especially those planted with high value crops,” Donasco said. As init ia l inter vention, the official said City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has approved their recommendat ion to prov ide
RDC-10 Chair and Lanao del Norte Governor Khalid Dimaporo (2nd from Right) presides over the latest meeting of the Council at Marco Polo Hotel. With him are NEDA-10 Asst. Regional Director Fe Domingo (leftmost), NEDA-10 Director Leon Dacanay, Jr. (2nd from left), and MinDA Secretary Luwalhati Antonino (rightmost). photo by nro -x
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i m med iate l ivel i hood assistance to the affected farmers. “We w i l l dist r ibute drought-tolerant seeds and other suitable planting materials,” she said. Donasco said the city government has a llotted an initial P9 million under its supplemental budget for the livelihood assistance and the purchase of palay and corn seeds. The palay and corn seeds will be distributed to local farmers once the dry spell would ease so they could immediately plant again, she said. As to the conduct of cloud seeding to induce rains, she said they are still assessing the appropriate time to do it. Cloud seeding is the pr o c e s s of m a nu a l l y spreading either dry ice or sa lt into t he upper part of the clouds to help stimulate the precipitation process and form rain. The city government has a standing allotment of P1 million for the conduct of cloud-seeding operations. “It would be a waste if we give it a go and there will be no seedable clouds available and there’s also chance that the rain will eventually drop in areas outside the city,” she added. (MindaNews)
Guidelines... from page 1
T he President’s directive told agencies to ensure order in major bus terminals, seaports and airports, Secretary Coloma said. “Iniutos din niyang bigyan ng mabilis na pagtugon ang mga pangangailanan ng mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng pag tatatag ng mga public assistance desks sa mga terminal na inaasahang dadagsain ng libu-libong pasaherong maglalakbay,” he added. The President specifically instructed the Toll Regulatory Board to ensure that motorists pass the major expressways with ease and to prevent long queues of vehicles at the toll gates. He also wants the Department of Transportation of Communications (DOTC) a nd t he La nd Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to make sure that there are enough buses to avoid overloading, and that only legitimate buses ply their intended routes, Coloma said. T he DOTC, Coast Guard and airport authorities must ensure that piers and airports are orderly, that safety devices a re in place, a nd t hat public assistance centers or desks are available to help passengers, Coloma said. The President further directed the DOTC and the Coast Guard to see
ASEAN INTEGRATION SEMINAR IN GINGOOG CITY - VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ continues to empower the youth with his lecture on “ENHANCING YOUTH COMPETITIVENESS AND READINESS IN THE FORTHCOMING ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY” to the 403 student-participants of Bukidnon State University-Gingoog City External Studies Center (BSU-GCESC), Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental. Vice Governor Pelaez discusses with students the various opportunities that go with ASEAN Integration to help them plan for their future. The activity was also participated by BSU-GCESC Administrator Dr. Evelyn G. Cañosa, faculty and Supreme Student Council (SSC) officers of the school. photo supplied
to it that only passengers listed in the manifest of ships could board, and that all ships servicing dif ferent dest inat ions must be seaworthy. Coloma further said that the Department of Public Works and Highways must make certain that roads are passable and in good condition, and that repairs must be completed to avoid traffic congestion. Public assistance centers should be set up in strategic locations to help motorists encountering problems, and the police must carry out measures to maintain peace and order, he said. He not e d t h at t he President instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be on alert to immediately respond to any emergency, such as accidents, fires, and crimes; and the Metro Manila police to intensify Oplan Lambat Sibat to prevent crimes. Moreover, the President ordered health authorities and personnel to be ready to respond to road accidents, illnesses that arise during summer, and other emergencies. T he President a lso wants the Department of Energy to ensure a steady supply of electricity during the Holy Week. President Aquino is advising the public to exercise extra caution while on the road, follow traffic rules and guidelines, control their temper, bring first-aid kits and medicines, and secure their homes before leav ing, Coloma said. PND (as)
PEZA... from page 1
plication of the Cagayan de Oro Gateway Corporation for the declaration of its four-storey building along C.M. Recto Avenue and Capt. Roa streets in Barangay No. 24 as an Information Technology (IT) center.
The Centrio Corporate Center will be located on a 2,500 square meter-lot atop the Centrio Development Center along C.M. Recto Avenue and Corrales and Capt. Roa Sts in Barangay 24. The resolut ion was endorsed by the committees on trade, commerce and cooperative and on laws and rules chaired by Councilors Edna Dahino and Ramon Tabor, respectively.
Museum... from page 1
Museum will be free of charge. Normally, visitors to the Philippines’ only museum dedicated to World War II Filipino Veterans pay P150 while students gain entry on a discounted rate of P75. BTVWWII and the rest of the Veterans sector in the country is celebrating the 70th Philippine Liberation of the Philippines and offering free admission to the museum is BTVWWII’s way of sharing in the commemoration of the Philippine’s historic past. The BTVWWII is open from Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 4pm. To get in touch with BTVWWII Museum, interested parties may call (02) 8386667 or (02) 838-6964.
Lazada... from page 2
companies across the region to provide customers with quick and reliable delivery. “We are delighted to be celebrating our third year of rapid growth this month. Looking ahead, Lazada will continue to focus on increasing its assortment range, expand our logistics infrastructure and payment solutions to further enhance
the effortless shopping experience for our customers,” says Inanc Balci, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lazada Philippines. La zada.com.ph has been g row i ng i n l i ne with the group and received 18 million visits in December 2014. By continuing to focus on developing the marketplace platform to support brands and merchants, t he compa ny reached more than 1,600 sellers by the end February 2015, who were supported by 1500 employees. Following the success of t he Online Revolution campaign last 2014 and t he Mobile Power Sale last February 2015, consumers can expect more from the upcoming birthday sales from 24 to 26 March. Simply log on to www.lazada.com.ph and on the Lazada Mobile App to get a chance to be part of the biggest birthday extravaganza from Lazada.com.ph. A re you cu r ious of what to expect during the 3-Day Birthday Shopping Extravaganza? Here are some hints: • 3 Days of Flash Deals on exciting products from 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM; • Announcement of Discount Vouchers for the Night Shoppers (12:01 AM – 7:59 PM); • Best-selling Items marked at its best prices; • Fun contests and games on the Lazada PH Facebook Fanpage; • Hot discounts and bundles available on the Lazada Mobile App Ina nc Ba lci added, “We thank our customers for their support and hope they will enjoy the birthday sale promotions as part of Lazada’s anniversary celebration.”
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NGCP achieves 84% overall mark on 2014 Customer Satisfaction Survey Henry Sy, Jr., President and CEO of the power grid operator NGCP, sets his message to NGCP employees to strive to do their best in delivering service to customers. “We must be driven by passion to do what we do best. We must work hard. Ou r job a s g r id operator a nd t ra nsmission ser v ice provider is not easy, but it is NGCP President Henry Sy Jr. (left) delivers his congratulatory speech a privilege to serve others,” before the heads of the different functional groups at the cascade of said Mr. Sy, congratulating the 2014 Customer Satisfaction Survey. photos provided
the NGCP employees who attended the cascade of the 2014 Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS). T he latest CSS resu lt s showed an 84% overall customer sat isfact ion rat i ng which reflected an almost 3% increase from the 2013 mark. “I ca n not t ha n k you enough for your contributions. This is a team effort. I have always emphasized that NGCP’s success depends on the contribution of each and every one of its employees. It gives me pride to serve with you and be inspired by your dedication to this corporation,” Mr. Sy added. The survey was administered by the University of the Philippines Statistical Research Foundation which measured how NGCP performed in delivering transmission service to its power customers. The overall customer sat isfact ion rat i ng of 84.27% is signif icant ly higher than last year by 2.99 points. Across grids, Luzon customers had the highest rating at 85.98%, followed by Visayas at 82.46%, and Mindanao at 82.33%. Respondents in this survey were segmented by customer g roups per reg ion and by districts. A sur vey category encompasses customer communication, communication on billing and reconci l iat ion, c ustomer relat ionship, prov ision of technical services, and other operational matters. N e l s o n F. C a b a n g o n , NGCP’s Head of Corporate Affairs, said the CSS result show s i mpor t a nt f ac tor s which are critical in delivering services to our customers. “It is good to note that t he overa l l rat ings for a l l aspects of customer service for 2014 sig n i f ica nt ly i ncreased from the 2013 levels. We are indeed persistent and consistent to ensure t hat we keep on improving,” Mr. Cabangon stressed. Results of the 2014 CSS were cascaded to the regions and districts in North and South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao last February. NGCP is a privately owned cor porat ion i n cha rge of oper at i ng , m a i nt a i n i ng , and developing the countr y’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets. The consortium holds the 25-year concession contract to operate the country’s power transmission network and is comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., led by Henry Sy, Jr., Calaca High Power Corporation, led by Robert Coyiuto, Jr., and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) as technical partner.