BusinessWeek Mindanao Oct 7

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www.businessweekmindanao.com Issue No. 17, Volume III • October 7-9, 2011 Editorial: 088-856-3344

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Market Indicators

AS OF 5:00 P.M., OCT. 5, 2011 (Wednesday)

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PHISIX 3,823.13 points

6.79 points

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FOREX US$1 = P44.08

Briefly More flights added

BUDGET carrier Cebu Pacific will increase flight frequencies to several destinations abroad starting January, the airline said in a statement.

This, as the airline forecast higher demand for the flights to Brunei, Singapore, Beijing, Ho Chi Minh and Bangkok. Already, the delivery of four new 180-seater Airbus A320 aircraft in the fourth quarter is seen to help “meet travel demand.”

By the end of the year, the carrier expects to operate a fleet of 37 aircraft.

Coop Month

A PROTEST-march by civil society organizations (CSO) greeted Monday’s opening ofthe October Cooperative Month celebration, in the city.

Fr. Nathan Lerio, SSJV, Chairperson of the Good Governance Apostolate (GGA), Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, said the protest was aimed at making the CSO voice be heard on the following issues: The unjustified wa ter rate increase imposed by the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) and the demand for its good governance, transparency,accountability and improved water services to its consumers.

The task force cited the 30% increase of the price of water currently imposed by the COWD on the water consumers is too much.

By ALLAN MEDIANTE Executive Editor

T

HE proposed 20-megawatt (MW) solar power facility to be built by Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. (Cepalco) in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental is expected to boost Mindanao’s power supply and eventually lighten the island’s power defficiency.

In a statement, Cepalco said the solar power farm will have enough room for another 10-MW facility that will be added a year later.

While the rule of thumb requires 2 hectares of land for every megawatt sourced from the sun, Cepalco has earmarked about 50 hectares of an industrial zone for a 30-MW photovoltaic plant in the area. As panel efficiencies rise, the land required will shrink.

“The new plant will help

relieve shortages by displacing very expensive oil-fired units—which are then turned into reserves where they should rightly be. It will generate power equivalent to at least 30,000 barrels of fuel oil annually. We expect to generate about 14 million kilowatthours of electricity annually upon its completion in five years,” said Ramon Abaya, Cepalco president.

The fourth-largest private power generator in the CEPALCO/PAGE 10

Mindanao ONE expo to showcase native products DAVAO City -- The first annual trade exposition showcasing the best of the Mindanao island-region’s gift and houseware products, furniture, fresh and processed food, and travel and leisure services is being held in Manila.

Mi n d ana o ON E : A Showcase of the Island’s Abundance, will run from October 14 to 17, 2001, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The products being featured at the expo range EXPO/PAGE 10

PROUD PPI MEMBER: BusinessWeek Mindanao becomes a proud member of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) on Oct. 3, the same day President Aquino (above photo) swears in its new set of officers which include Atty. Jesus G. Dureza, as Trustee for Mindanao, Chairman Amado Macasaet of Malaya, Vice chair Vergel Santos of Business World, Treasurer Isagani Yambot of Inquirer; Secretary Ruevivar Reyes of Visayas; Trustee Antonio Katigbak of Philippine Star, Trustee Elnora Cueto of Luzon and Executive Director Ariel Sebellino. photo provided

Surigao’s nickel plant stops operation after rebel attack THE country’s nickel producer, NICKEL Asia Corp., has temporarily stopped the operations of subsidiary Taganito Mining Corp. after the Taganito mine site in Surigao del Norte, Mindanao, was occupied by armed rebels.

In a filing to the Phil-

ippine Stock Exchange on Monday, Nickel Asia said that certain equipment of Taganito Mining and affiliate Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp. were burned. It did not provide added details.

“As a result, our mining operations and nickel-ore-

loading activities at [Taganito Mining] have been temporarily suspended,” Nickel Asia said in its disclosure.

The rebels are suspected New People’s Army guerrillas, according to military spokesman Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias NICKEL/PAGE 10

Coops back creation of water super body

By MIKE BAÑOS Correspondent

Members of various cooperatives in the city pass by Cagayan de Oro Water District carrying placards calling for the formation of a water super body and expressing opposition on the impending water rate hike. photo by mike baños

IF the law governing water districts needs to be amended to allow ownership by their consumers, cooperatives in Northern Mindanao (Region X) are all for it.

R e p. Is i d ro Q. L i c o (ATING-KOOP party-list) said he would file a resolution to include alleged irregularities and mismanagement in

the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) in the ongoing congressional inquiry into water rates imposed by water service providers in Metro Manila.

“Because we are constrained by P.D. 198 (The Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973), we should continue to pursue our inquiry into the excesses and shortcomings of local water districts COOPS/PAGE 10

Economy Task Force to end illegal mining along Iponan river 2

October 7-9, 2011

By RUTCHIE CABAHUG-AGUHOB Contributor

A UNIFIED task force has been created by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), region 10, to put a stop to the illegal mining activities in Iponan River, Opol town, this province.

Dubbed Task Force Iponan River, the body is created to formulate the operational plan, together with the law enforcement agencies.

It will be headed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), as the steward of the country’s mineral resources who has direct charge in the administration and disposition of mineral lands and resources and the promotion of sustainable mineral resources development, sensitive to the known environmental impacts of mining.

Composed of more than 20 government agencies and non-government organizations, members of the task force will work in close cooperation with each other to resolve the existing problems of the area. ”Foremost of these problems are the discoloration, damage to environment and illegal small mining in the river and its vicini-

ties,” Officer-in-Charge/ Regional Director Alfredo T. Relampagos, of MGB-10 said.

Relampagos, who newly assumed as MGB-10 head, said small scale mining activities, particularly using hydraulicking method in extracting placer deposit along Iponan River and its vicinities from Tawasion, Opol has resulted to continuous soil erosion and the uprooting of trees and other vegetable cover along the river bank and severe or heavy siltation of the river.

This has also affected the quality of water in Iponan River which has continued to deteriorate and may affect the Macajalar Bay, as well.

Thus, he said, MGB has planned to issue deputation of the task force members to apprehend the illegal mining activities in the area and provide technical knowledge on possible appropriate methods of responsible mining in the area.

Task Force Iponan is expected to meet, as necessary, to review and address the issues within the contest of its purpose, Relampagos also said. (pia-10)

BusinessWeek mindanao

Soil erosion caused by illegal gold mining activities along Iponan River.

Peace underlies development, says Butuan mayor BUTUAN City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. told a youth audience here that attainment of peace in the community is needed for progress to be realized.

AMANTE

During the closing ceremonies of the Peace Month, Amante told members of the National Youth Commission that “development can not be attained without peace.”

To formally close the celebration, the NYC and

the local government of Butuan spearheaded a Peace Parade. Highlighting the program was the unveiling of and signing by participants of the Manifesto of Peace written on a Freedom Wall.

According to NYC Assistant Secretary Earl Saavedra, the aim of the program was to unite the efforts of peace stakeholders in Mindanao such as government agencies, LGUs, and NGOs including youth organizations in

Butuan City.

During the opening program of the said activity, Atty. Faisal Mamintal, Legal Officer of the NCMF said that the youth must take part in bringing peace in Mindanao.

The activity was attended by NYC’s inter-agency Regional Advisory Council (RAC) members, Butuan City Police, students from Agusan National High School, Butuan City Special Education Center and Butuan City School

of Arts and Trades; Caraga Muslim Youth Federation, Local Youth Development Council, National Commission on Muslim Filipino (NCMF) Caraga, Ong Yiu Muslim Youth Group and other government agencies.

Aside from promoting peace, the Mindanaowide celebration of Peace Month aimed to bridge the gap between Muslim Filipino and non-Muslim Filipino youth. (MRA/ PIA-Caraga)

BusinessWeek mindanao Misor-made navy vessel unveiled THE Philippine Iron Construction and Marine Works (PICMW) located in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental has completed the construction of the first Philippine-made Navy vessel, a 579-ton Landing Craft Utility (LCU).

The ship’s hull and fixtures were made fully by PICMW while the engine and propulsion system was created by Propmech Corporation, a known Philippine marine dealer for Caterpillar propulsion sytems on seacrafts.

The construction of the ship was funded by the Navy’s P176-million LCU acquisition project. The Philippine-made LCU will provide for a readily available watercraft for combat support missions such as logistic transport and amphibious operations.

PICMW configured the LCU to transport combat personnel, tanks, vehicles, artillery, and cargo. It is said to be stationed in Mindanao.

Companies

October 7-9, 2011

3

PAL may drop some domestic flights to focus on int’l routes TYCOON Lucio Tan’s Philippine Airlines says the flight cancelations due to last week’s strike and a continuing shortage of manpower may lead it to drop some domestic flights and focus on international routes, which make up almost 80 percent of revenue.

The cancelations started September 27, when some ground crew members staged a sudden strike to protest their retrenchment on September 30. PAL retrenched 2,600 airport services, call-center and in-flight catering employees on that date, turning over their jobs to outsourcing companies as part of a plan to improve profitability.

Cancelations have continued because the outsourcing companies are understaffed.

PAL has asked sister carrier Air Philippines Express, also owned by Tan, to take up the slack and this may be more than temporary, President Jaime Bautista said.

“Recent experience may lead us to that thinking.

Most of the canceled flights are domestic flights,” Bautista said. “We have asked our sister airline to have more flights on the destinations we have canceled.

That may be a good start.”

“If we do that, we will continue to serve certain cities in the Philippines.

PAL will continue to service Cebu, Davao, Puerto Princesa, Cagayan de Oro, maybe on lesser frequencies.

So we won’t totally abandon domestic routes.’”

PAL may make the shift because it is a full-service airline and the domestic market has become a budget market where Air Philippines Express and rival Cebu Pacific are more competitive, he said.

“We are a legacy carrier.

We provide all the amenities, which are very expensive.

The domestic market in the Philippines is really a low-cost market.”

Outsourcing Bautista said after only about 30% of employees covered by the retrenchment signed up with the outsourcing companies by

AboitizPower, Canoreco deal to benefit Camarines Norte TO provide greater and wider power supply that benefits Camarines Norte consumers, Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Canoreco), has signed a 10-year contract with AP Renewables, Inc. (APRI), a wholly owned subsidiary of AboitizPower (PSE ticker

symbol: AP). APRI harnesses Cleanergy, AboitizPower’s brand for clean and renewable energy from its 467-MW geothermal power plants in Tiwi, Albay, and Makiling-Banahaw area, Laguna.

Through the deal, Canoreco can now meet its cus-

tomers’ needs by providing an average of 18 to 20 MW of Cleanergy, while leaving a lighter impact on the environment. The electric cooperative supplies power to Camarines Norte’s capital city Daet and 10 municipalities including Mercedes,

BusinessWeek AggieNews 4 October 7-9, 2011 NACHI Native Chicken Growership now in Mindanao mindanao

By JOE PALABAO

ISLAND Garden City of Samal - A technology to grow native chicken 1kg in 2 months is now in Mindanao.

NACHI native chicken is tasty

and tender when cooked, with basic feeds found in stores and no extraordinary method of feeding. NACHI Farm Corporation with its farm situated at Barangay Bandera, Kaputian Distrist,

Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Davao del Norte have already trained and given livelihood to many farmers and entrepreneurs in Davao and neighboring areas for the last four years.

FARM LAND FOR SALE Productive farm at Claveria Mis.Or. Land area: 4 has.

Easy access, less than 1 / 2 klometer to the main road..

The property is covered with mature fruit trees: Rambutan, Lansones, Durian, Banana, Jackfruit and 350 hills of rubber trees and more. A year round water runs through the property. Pictures E-mailed by request. Call for an appointment to see the area. For Sale by owner for 3.5 Million.

Meme Flores Cell No. 09051367533 or Nilo Nabong Cell No. 09058351572

No expensive barns , the coops, entrepreneurs and farmers with commonly found materials (nipa roof, coco lumber, orchid net and bare earthen floor) can house NACHI Native Chicken for only P12,000 of 250 chicks (1sq ft/chick) which can get back revenues within 2 growing rounds (4 months). Feeds at Ph65/chick for 2 months and a minimal overhead expenses, a grower entrepreneur can already have a guaranteed ROI within four (4) months.

In an interview, Edward R. Cagape, MD, CEO of NACHI Farm Corporation told Business Week Mindanao that for a farmer/entrepreneur to increase his yield, he should decrease his expenses on feeds by supplementing it with corn grits, green leafy vegetables, tahop (corn bran) or any kind of plants. The NACHI chicken eats anything including grass.

Decrease in water supply can be done also by using chicken nipple drinkers which NACHI FARM CORP can supply and install. Salaries and wages can also be decreased by employing part time youth who can

be trained and works only at 6AM to 6PM. Since NACHI chicken are grown organically without vitamins, vaccine and antibiotics, the only precaution in growing them is to place them far from any fruit trees or plantations that are often sprayed with chemicals. Barn located underneath coconut trees are the most IDEAL PLACE to hold NACHI CHICKEN.

We are now open everyday, Mondays to Sundays and on Holidays

LANDBANK is extending loans to cooperatives who are interested to grow NACHI CHICKEN. If a cooperative has a good standing account with LANDBANK, it can extend as much as 500,000 pesos to raise the native chicken.

The requirements are business plan, farm plan and budget including CDI accreditation. If the cooperative does not have any current loan with LANDBANK, a farmer/ entrepreneur can apply for a loan with the usual basic requirements. LANDBANK also extends loan to returning OFWs. What they need are business plan, endorsement from OWWA and have undergone the CAPACITY BUILDER SEMINAR of OWWA. For further details call or visit LANDBANK-MS. CHARLOTEE CONDES (LBP-Palma Gil), Davao Lending Center, Land Bank of the Philippines; Tel No. (082) 224-l804.

For farmers, entrepreneurs and cooperatives who are interested to GROW NACHI NATIVE CHICKEN, contact Mr. Edward R. Cagape, MD, CEO-NACHI Farm Corporation or email nachi.farm@gamil.com or CALL +63 922 813 0505 or visit NACHI Farm Corporation, Barangay Bandera, Kaputian District, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Davao del Norte.

BusinessWeek

BusinessWeek mindanao

Companies

October 7-9, 2011

5

Pag-IBIG declares 3 Camella launches community in Tagum mos moratorium on housing payments Green city on the rise TALL, slender palm trees bend with the breeze to wave visitors a warm welcome to one of Davao Del Norte’s most vibrant cities.

Indeed, the rows of hundreds of Royal Palm trees greening the major thoroughfares along with different varieties of plant life blossoming in the plazas, schools and public spaces has earned for Tagum City the title “Palm City of the Philippines.”

But beyond the greens, Tagum offers a long list of reasons to be excited about living in the city, first of which is its rapid economic progress.

Located at the crossroads between the rural areas of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Metro Davao, it is Mindanao’s fastest-rising urban city because of its strategic location. It was elevated into a first class city in 2008, only the second to be so in the region.

With the economic progress came structural development.

Visitors today marvel at the rise of commercial establishments, educational institutions and medical facilities that service Tagum’s growing population.

Tourists have also been taking advantage of the inherent musicality of Tagum. On its calendar is the Musikahan Festival, a week-long cultural event every Feb. 21 to 27 that celebrates the city’s excellence

in musical composition, performance and production. After reaching national prominence, this year marks its breakout in the international scene, as the city hosted the 3rd International Rondalla Festival, with participants coming from US, Asia and Europe.

Camella, the first national real estate company to create themed communities in Mindanao, continues to honor its pledge to provide quality homes for every Filipino family with the launch of Camella Tagum. Indeed, the prospect of making a life here has become more attractive with the development of this community that responds to the needs of a fast-rising urban city.

“As Tagum emerges from a rural to an urban community, its needs also evolve together with the changes in their way of life. Camella Tagum ensures that residents benefit from a home and a quality of life that is in sync with the standard of living that urban cities elsewhere in the country enjoy,” said Jerylle Luz C. Quismundo, president of Communities Philippines, of Vista Land.

The company offers residential properties outside the Metro Manila area.

But for those looking beyond a place to live in, this project offers a sound investment with real value for money.

Its strategic location places

it in easy access to a rapidly developing urban city. The quality of the property itself and its amenities make it a prized asset.

Camella is behind seven of Mindanao’s successfully master planned residential developments – six horizontal and one medium-rise residential projects. These are Gran Europa and Santa Barbara in Cagayan De Oro, Camella General Santos in General Santos City and the Camella Northpoint, Camella Cerritos, Solariega and Toscana in Davao.

Camella Northpoint in Davao City, the first mediumrise development of Camella Condo Homes outside of Metro Manila, offers studio, twobedroom and three-bedroom units. Despite being in the midst of the city, the place is still a refuge for Davao’s urbanites, tucked away in an area planted with thousands of Caribbean pine trees. The enchanting Ker House, popular among residents as the White House, is an iconic symbol of Davao and sits right within Northpoint.

Camella has three major horizontal developments in Davao City: Camella Cerritos, Solariega and Toscana. Camella Cerritos Davao spans over 15 hectares of property, inspired

by Italian-Mediterranean architecture. Centrally located in

Mintal, it offers a wide range of home choices to fit any family’s budget and lifestyle needs. It is in close proximity to the Philippine Science High School and, for added convenience, has a commercial development within the property.

Solariega is an exclusive property in Talomo that boasts of grand entrance plaza, promenades, CCTV security system and prime recreational facilities for residents’ exclusive access.

Toscana is an expansive Italian-themed community in Puan that offers its residents a great vista of the country’s highest peak, Mount Apo. Camella offers different combinations of amenities and facilities for its residents depending on the specific developments and the master plan design of each project.

Some such amenities include sports facilities like basketball court or tennis court, swimming pool, and other areas for social engagements like a clubhouse, children’s playground, open spaces, jogging paths and promenades. Security, maintenance and access are also provided with the presence of perimeter walls, 24/7 security, property management team and shuttle services.

“Camella holds the most number of residential developments and the largest market share in Mindanao,” Quismundo explained. “But

V

ICE President Jejomar C. Binay has announced that the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF or Pag-IBIG Fund) has declared a three month-moratorium on housing loan payments for its member-borrowers who were affected by the destruction caused by typhoon “Pedring” and “Quiel.” Binay is chair of the Pag-IBIG Board of Trustees.

“Earlier, Pag-IBIG Fund extended financial help to its members in the Luzon area who were severely hit by the typhoons through its Calamity Loan Program.

Now, the Fund is expanding its assistance program by adding a three-month moratorium on payments of housing loan dues,” Binay said.

The Vice President said he is optimistic that the suspension of loan payments will help alleviate the difficulties faced by its members.

Pag-IBIG Chief Executive Officer Atty. Darlene Marie B. Berberabe said that this is the Fund’s way of helping members as they start rebuilding their lives and livelihood.

Berbarabe said the guidelines for the housing loan payment moratorium program will be released within the week. Members may also visit website www.pagibigfund.gov.ph for updates.

In the meantime, Pag-

IBIG members affected by typhoon “Pedring” can still avail of Calamity Loans.

“They have 90 days from the day their areas were declared under state of calamity within which to submit their applications,” Berberabe said.

Under the program, memb ers may b or row amounts equivalent to 80 per cent of their total PagIBIG savings depending on their length of membership.

Loans are payable within a period of 24 months, with a grace period of five months.

“Pag-IBIG will deploy employees to the municipal halls covering areas that have been declared under a state of calamity to accept loan applications on site,” the CEO added.

For more information on the Calamity Loan Program, Fund members in the NCR may call hotline 724-4244 while those in the province may get in touch with the branch office nearest them.

PRYCE GROUP OF COMPANIES

BENEFITS: 1. It adds 30-40 percent more power to your vehicle.

2. It reduces gas consumption up to 30 percent.

3. It allows engine to burn fuel more efficiently resulting to more mileage per liter.

4. It is engineered to improve combustion resulting to a cleaner engine which in turn contributes to the safety of our environment.

5. It helps to maintain the temperature of the engine.

6. It extends engine life expectancy.

7. It is made out of stainless steel that would outlast your vehicle.

Investors are welcome, please contact: MS. RIZA O. ARES Tiano-Yacapin Sts., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. Nos. 857-4539, Cell Nos. 0920-9600223, 0922-8708374

6

October 7-9, 2011

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Opinion

BusinessWeek mindanao

Lucky You (Part 2) A N A r my G ener a l w a s asked what kind of good luck charms he carries when he goes to war. The General answered: “I don’t carry a lucky charm on my body.

I carry it in my heart.” We talked yesterday about the secrets of lucky people, so we can develop our own opportunities for success and luck that lasts.

The second secret of lucky people is that they learn to control their negative emotions, such as feeling too shy and afraid or too angry. Controlling our negative emotions will give us much more self-confidence, as well as make us more positive and peaceful with other people. So we have to change and master our bad moods and fears, or they’ll

rob us of our success.

The third secret of lucky people is they know they can’t change their life by sitting at home. You have to get out with people and start really living with enthusiasm, energy and kindness. Always be ready and open to new people and opportunities. And be prepared to make mistakes.

That’s the only way we can learn new sk ills and get more out of life. Some of our greatest opportunities for success will come from our mistakes and be total surprises.

T he fou r t h secret of lucky people is they don’t compare their life with the lives of others, especially since there will always be people who have some-

thing that you don’t. So stay focused on your own life, goals and dreams. But learn from other people’s successes and mistakes.

The final secret of lucky people is they choose to see the good in their life and be thankful for it, even when bad things happen to them.

Karen Minahan, the woman we talked about yesterday who was hit by a car and lost her leg and job, says she kept a diary. Everyday she wrote 5 good things that happened to her. She explains that this habit reminded her how blessed she was.

She says: “I decided to meet the driver whose car hit me and to forgive her. I had to let go of my past so I could move on to my success and happiness.”

We all have past wrongs for which we need to ask Jesus Christ to forgive us.

Then, if you ask Him to take charge of your life so you can start living His way, you’ll have the confidence t hat God Hi msel f is on your side, working with you everyday to make your life successful and satisfying.

Just Think a Minute…

Any which way to go!

Screaming headlines of the national and local newspapers last Tuesday was the armed raid in a mining firm’s operation in Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Several lives and properties worth millions of pesos were lost.

This shows how conflict and disagreement on the mining exploration going on in the countryside affect our nation.

From Nueva Vizcaya in the north to the Surigao mines in the East and the Zamboanga mines concession in the west, opposition runs counter to the government thrust to attract mining investors to explore minerals for export to the industrialized world hungry for raw materials to be used for our daily convenience.

Machineries, electronics and appliances up to modern construction materials depend on the minerals from mining exploration.

Mining has to be understood by all sides of ideologies and cultural agrupation coming to terms for the benefit of the communities and residents of the affected areas. Exploration companies are meeting opposition from indigenous people who claims their cul-

tural dwellings are disturbed and they are marginalized.

Other groups who expound the left imposed revolutionary taxes that violate our laws. They wreck havoc and destructions if their demands are not meet.

Cause oriented groups including the Church raised clinch fist over the destruction of the environment. While Politicians ride on which side can deliver the most number of votes in the next election.

The government encourages mining and mineral exploration to raise taxes and revenues. It is provided in our constitution on the use of the patrimony of our nation.

The labor sector welcomes mining explorations as it will create jobs and redound to the benefit of employment.

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines adapted a vision for responsible mining to reinvest for the future. What will be the sources of livelihood when mining companies leave and abandoned their concessions when minerals are fully extracted?

Farm and sources of water must be spared in mining areas.

When the soil is damaged, can farmers plant?

Many mining companies and developer place ads in the national newspapers that they have planted trees on the explored areas to recharge the grounds aquifer. But have they assured the public that water will be delivered to the communities that needs it. The oversupply of water when the rains come that causes floods and death is also a major environmental concerns.

Is it properly managed with holding ponds and by passed channels to circumvent the flow of water? We have seen how the people of Isabela Province and Bulacan suffered when flood waters denuded residential communities when huge volume of water were released by the swollen dams for fear of collapse. While in Metro Manila it is a question of migration and over population that has eroded and clogged their waterways.

In other areas of Mindanao, we have seen also how destruction and loss of lives occurred when tunnels build by the small scale miners collapse in Mount Diwalwal. In Iponan an upper Barangay of Cagayan de Oro City, small scale miners continue to pollute the Iponan

River and render a vast tract of seashore in Bonbon extinct of fish and seashell. Who is minding them? We have a division of the Natural Environmental & Natural Resources (DENR) called CENRO that is useless and inutile to assert the laws?

We also have a City Government that ignores the pleading of the people of Iponan covering Pagatpat and Canitoan to put a stop to the illegal mining in the upper Barangays. The Iponan River is heavily silted as a result of water pressure mining in the upper delta and forest lands.

Residents of the underlying communities were hit by a major flood in 2009 and are continuously threatened when rains of climate mitigation start to affect our weather. Shall we wait for a major calamity?

The Intellectual Property of Ambularyos Our country being a biodiversity hotspot and populated by a generous, if not ignorant, people, is fighting piracy in yet another front – biopiracy.

Let’s go back to 1949, when Filipino scientist Dr. Abelardo Aguilar discovered an antibiotic derived from soil in Iloilo, his home province. He sent samples to his employer, Eli Lilly Co. After a few years, Eli Lilly promised Dr. Aguilar that it will name the antibiotic “Ilosone” in honor of Iloilo. The drug – erythromycin – sold under the brand name Ilosone made billions of dollars for Eli Lilly, but neither Aguilar nor the Philippine government received any royalty. Aguilar died in 1993, after spending 40 years battling for recognition and royalties.

The Philippine yew tree,

known for its cancer-treating properties, was patented by researchers from the University of Massachusetts.

Neurex, an American pharmaceutical company, owns the patent over a toxin derived from the Philippine sea snail. The toxin is a potent painkiller, apparently 1,000 times more effective than morphine.

India has a similar experience.

In 1995, India lost its intellectual property rights when the European Patent Office (EPO) granted a patent on the anti-fungal properties of the neem tree in favor of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a company called WR Grace. The healing powers of the neem tree were known to India for 2000 years by then,

and the country felt that by the EPO’s act of issuing a patent to an American firm, the knowledge was stolen from them. India initiated efforts to revoke the patent, arguing that the medicine amounted to prior art consisting of ancient Indian sanskrit verses.

The patent was revoked after 10 years of legal battle.

The same thing happened to the patent granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office to US-based Indian nationals over the woundhealing properties extracted from turmeric, a plant from the ginger family. The patent was later assigned to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

India recently launched their own digital library of traditional knowledge which

included yoga poses or asanas.

It has also won 2 biopiracy cases and recovered the intellectual property rights over its neem tree and tumeric spice.

Fights are not without costs, however, and India has spent $1 million and ten years per law suit.

Meanwhile, nine out of 17 member states in Africa signed the Swakopmund protocol for the protection of their indigenous art, music and folklore.

The biopiracy of indigenous peoples’ plants and animals shows disrespect for the rights of our indigenous peoples. As mentioned, patents have been obtained abroad over the healing components derived from the Philippine sea snail, the Philippine yew tree, ampalaya, and

ylang ylang plants. The profits from our own soil are going elsewhere.

Recording companies have gone to our indigenous tribes, recorded their music, and sold the records abroad. Even our indigenous weaves have been claimed by scrupulous foreign traders.

Previously in 2007, an effort was made to document PHL medicinal plants and genetic resources. This brought together experts from the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care, University of the Philippines, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, Intellectual Property Office, National Commis-

sion on Indigenous Peoples, Botany Division of the National Museum, Conservation International, and National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants.

I have yet to hear from the results of that 2007 heavilyfunded effort, if any.# Email sara.suguitan@ gmail.com

BusinessWeek mindanao

Bangko Sentral holds financial education expo in Cag. de Oro

By APIPA BAGUMBARAN Contributor

TO highlight the importance of financial education in building a stronger economy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) conducted a financial education (Fin-Ed) expo for the academe and the working sector, here, last Sept. 29-30.

The 2-day Fin-Ed expo was aimed at providing the participants basic understanding about the Philippine Financial System (PFS), as well, as the consumer protection initiatives and consumer assistance mechanism of the BSP. The expo also sought to equip the participants with the basics of saving, investing, and borrowing, the different financial products available in the financial market, and demonstrate to them the proper handling of physical money.

“The BSP began holding the expo in 2009 in line with our advocacy towards financial awareness and literacy,” said Atty. Thelma C. Pantig, Deputy Director of BSP – Cagayan de Oro City branch.

It is principally anchored on the belief that the efforts of the BSP to promote

financial stability and to strengthen the economic and financial system will have a better chance of succeeding, if they go hand-in-hand, with the efforts to protect and educate the public, she added.

With a theme “Financial Education: Building Block for Stronger Economy,” the expo featured mini sessions and lectures conducted in learning booths covering topics on the PFS, financial consumer protection, currency concerns, personal fi nance, fi nancial products, and financial regulators.

There was also a primer hub where primers, advisories, and other information materials were displayed.

Primer hunt, centavo guess, knowledge bowl, and other interactive activities related to the different minisessions and lectures were also featured in the primer hub.

The said expo is one of the advocacy initiatives conducted nationwide by the Financial Consumer Affairs Group (FCAG) of the BSP to support the interest of the public on fi nancial literacy issues. (pia-10)

Banking/Finance

ing a bank-run for several months.

T he b a n k ’s or i g i n a l shareholders sold out, allowing the bank to recapitalize and reopen. But Mr. Valencia said it continued to post losses such that GSIS had to come in and infuse capital totaling P2.5 billion.

GSIS also continued to prop up the bank by making money placements. But still, GSIS Family Bank continued to bleed, he said.

“All of the above stated money infusions were all from the money of GSIS members and therefore the people’s public money gone to waste and without any prospects of being recovered,” Mr. Valencia said in his resolution.

Mr. Valencia pointed out GSIS Family Bank’s losses are losses of all GSIS contributors.

“Congress should look into the operations of the GSIS Family Bank and management to stop and end its detrimental and prejudicial effects, particularly on the moneys of GSIS members, on stockholders, the depositing public and banking in general and there should be a final solution and a closure to this problem,” he added.

Sought for comment, Jose Benedicto R. Arcinas, GSIS Family Bank executive vice-president for fi nance, said: “I would rather not discuss this until the hearing.”

7

UCPB extends P326-M loan to Mindanao’s power coop THE United Coconut Planters Bank has extended a P326-million loan to the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative or Daneco whose franchise area on Mindanao island is host to a number of fast-growing, mainly tourism-related enterprises with a strong appetite for power.

The loan represents the bank’s third such facility for the power sector and the largest thus far, the two earlier loans having the combined value of only P110 million or about a third the size of the Daneco transaction.

The 10-year loan will fi nance the upgrade of the power distributor’s facilities and double the capacity of two of its 10 substations from 10 mega volts (MVA)

to 20 MVA and at the same time, rehabilitate its power lines, transformers and other distribution facilities and equipment.

Also, the upgrade will benefit the 125,900 households, commercial and industrial establishments, gov-

House seeks probe on GSIS Family Bank A RESOLUTION has been fi led at the House of Representatives calling for an investigation into more than P2.5 billion in losses the GSIS Family Bank has allegedly incurred since 1984.

House Resolution 1731, authored by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rodolfo G. Valencia, directs the House committee on government enterprises and privatization to probe into the fi nancial losses said to have been suffered by the institution “due to continuing imprudent and unsound banking operations to the detriment and prejudice of the interest of its depositors, the members of GSIS.” Mr. Valencia said a congressional probe is necessary as the bank has used public money in the course of its rehabilitation and operations.

GSIS Family Bank used to be called as Royal Savings and Loan Association before it was renamed ComSavings Bank in Sept. 1984 when it was fell under the management of then ComBank.

It has been 99.6% owned by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the pension fund of government workers, since Oct. 1999. It was renamed GSIS Family Bank on July 2, 2001.

Mr. Valencia said that as Royal Savings, it was placed under the receivership of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on July 7, 1984 after suffer-

October 7-9, 2011

BusinessWeek

ernment offices and public utilities in Southern Mindanao that get their electricity from Daneco.

All this was made possible because the loan carries a guarantee from the Local Government Unit Guarantee Corp. or LGUGC, a privately-

owned corporation established by the Bankers Association of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Asian Development Bank which extends guarantee cover on loans for local development.

With the LGUGC cover in place, UCPB is reasonably given assurance the 10-year loan will be paid on the remote likelihood that Daneco is unable to service its outstanding obligations.

The UCPB loan formed part of LGUGC’s regular guarantee program.

The LGUGC also administers the Electric Cooperative-Partial Credit Guarantee (EC-PCG) program which is a special program put up by UCPB/PAGE 9

8 October 7-9, 2011

Corp.Board

BusinessWeek mindanao

DA to review SMC-Kuok Puregold IPO sold out, farm land deal with govt plans more expansion THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning to review the agricultural land development deals forged by the previous administration with companies and foreign governments, including the one involving conglomerate San Miguel Corp.

(SMC) and developer Kuok Properties. This, as the government seeks to ensure that the deals will carry more “favorable terms” for farmers.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said he is not against corporate farming but explained t h at t he gove r n me nt wants to ensure that farmers will be able to benefit from agriculture land development and land lease deals forged with foreign governments and big companies.

“We h ave n ot h i ng against corporate farming. What we’re looking for is that there should be a guaranteed price for crops such as rice and corn. We would also suggest [to San Miguel] to just enter into contractgrowing arrangements with farmers in the socalled convergence areas,” said Alcala.

He said he will meet with SMC officials to put forward the government’s proposal and seek inputs from the company on how the stalled project can be jumpstarted.

In 2008, SMC and Kuok Properties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippine government for the “Feeding the Future” project. SMC and Kuok committed to invest up to $1 billion to develop up to 1 million hectares for agricultural production in “support of the government’s food security agenda.”

Under this MOU, SMC and the Kuok Group, which were identified as “cooperators” of the project, will provide the “financing, technical support and management for agricultural crop production” determined to be suitable for areas covered by the project, which will include, but will not be limited to, “irrigation, access roads and postharvest investments.”

SMC and the Kuok Group will also purchase the farm produce in the covered areas at “guaranteed production off-take” terms through separate Procurement Agreements with the various agricultural producers that will be involved in the project.

The DA, for its part, will provide technical assistance to the project such as determining the suitable crops for planting in the identified areas and providing the appropriate agricultural extension services to farmer-ben-

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The “Feeding our Future” venture covered grains and vegetables as well as meat and dairy products.

The National Convergence Initiative consisting of the DA, the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was put in charge of finding farmlands and opening new ones which SMC and Kuok can tap for agribusiness development.

Initially, the government identified about 100,000 hectares as “Priority 1” areas in Luzon and Mindanao, and another 480,000 hectares of “Priority 2” areas for recommendation to SMC and Kuok.

THE DOMESTIC portion of Puregold Price Club, Inc.’s initial public offering (IPO) has been fully subscribed similar to the international offer, an underwriter yesterday said. “[It was] sold out,” Eduardo V. Francisco, president of bookrunner BDO Capital and Investment Corp., said in a text message yesterday, referring to the 180 million shares offered to local investors at P12.50 apiece.

The share price was at the low end of the earlier range eyed by the firm of up to P16.50.

“We are looking forward to list on Wednesday,” Mr. Francisco said further.

Domestic selling had run from Sept 21 to 29.

One hundred twenty million shares had been

allocated to brokers on the local bourse and another 60 million were allocated to “local small investors.”

The results mirrored the international offer which ended on Sept. 21 wherein 420 million shares were snapped up by foreign investors, thus bringing the total sale to P7.5 billion, not yet counting sales from the overallotment option detailed in the prospectus.

In a briefing last Friday, Puregold’s international underwriter had said the bulk from the international sales came from Asia, signaling that investors in the region were more familiar with Puregold’s name and its strength in the domestic retail industry.

Transactions for the domestic offer are slated to

be settled on Oct. 4 while those for the international sale should be completed the next day.

All shares are scheduled to be listed and traded on the local bourse by Oct. 5 according the prospectus. This listing debut is the second so far to be completed this year following that of Megawide Construction Corp.

The firm has said that the IPO proceeds are intended to fund the firm’s expansion and debt payments.

Puregold is eyeing to close the year with 38 new stores, including one in Cagayan de Oro and another 25 in 2012 according to earlier reports.

As of August, the supermarket chain had 77 branches according to earlier reports.

Philex to tap lenders for $1-B project PHILEX MINING Corp. is looking at tapping creditors for a bulk of the $1-billion funds needed to develop its Silangan mine in Surigao del Norte in the second half of next year, an official yesterday said.

“We would commence actual development in the second half of next year, so funding, financing will come at that time,” Denis R. G. Lucindo, Philex vicepresident, said in a briefing.

The firm plans to put up 30% to 40% of the project cost, which has been pegged at a preliminary $1 billion, while the rest will be sourced from bank loans.

Many foreign banks, he said, have expressed their interest in the firm’s plan to secure financing for its Silangan mine.

“Final proposal will come either when we’re done with the pre-feasibility study or bankable feasibility study,” he said.

This comes as the firm

is looking at producing one million ounces of gold by 2015.

Apar t f rom t he 5,184-hectare Silangan project which contains an estimated five billion pounds of copper and nine million ounces of gold, Philex also controls the Padcal mine in Benguet

which produces gold, copper and silver.

Philex earlier said it is extending the life of the Padcal mine by three more years to December 2020. “[And] we are open to investing in other projects in the Philippines. The country needs the industry,” Mr. Lucindo said.

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October 7-9, 2011

9

Blogging contest on Oro govt accepts PPP’s Project Epowering for development workers in Mindanao

By RUTCHIE CABAHUG-AGUHOB Contributor

DEVELOPMENT workers in Mindanao will now have a chance to promote their inspiring stories and get recognition for their work.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) is calling on individuals between 13 and 35 years old based in the island to join the RAFI -Triennial Awards (TA) Blogging Contest focused on the theme, “Shaping the Big Picture of Change.”

Submission of the blog entries, which started, yesterday, Sept. 30, will end on Dec. 15, 2011.

Entrants are expected to do background research on the lives and works of RAFI Triennial awardees and finalists nearest their area and must ensure that their blogs are accessible until winners are declared in January 2012.

To join the contest, individuals should register through www.rafi.org.ph and must have an existing and updated blog for at least six (6) months, with all entries in original and and written in English, with a minimum of 1,000 words and maximum of 4,000 words.

Entries should not have been entered or won in previous competitions. Writers must at the end of their blogs indicate, “This is an official entry to the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Tri-

ennial Awards Blogging Contest” and include a link to the RAFI website.

The criteria for judging include 50 percent for content for originality and alignment to the theme and research value and 50 percent for writing style or composition, including technicalities.

A contest participant is allowed a maximum of three (3) blogs that feature different awardees and finalists.

After posting their entries on their blogs, entrants should email application form, URL of the blog post, and electronic copy of at least one valid ID to ellen.red@ rafi.org.ph with the subject header: Entry to the RAFI Triennial Awards Blogging Contest.

Cash prizes of Php25,000, Php20,000, and Php15,000, for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, respectively and all entries of winners and finalists will be consolidated and published into a book.

For more information on the RAFI Triennial Awards Blogging Contest and to check on the awardee or finalist nearest you, visit www. rafi.org.ph This year, five (5) Mindanaoans, have made it to the top five (5) finalists in the Ramon (RAFI-TA), three (3) of whom were cited for the Ramon Aboitiz Award BLOGGING/PAGE 10

UCPB...

a year on account of the rise in business activities and the increase in the number of households there.

In particular, the Island Garden City of Samal, with its many fine white-sand beaches, Dugong sanctuary and numerous other natural attractions, has been experiencing a surge in investments in tourism-related infrastructures and in residential property developments.

Davao del Nor te and Compostella Valley are the Philippines’ leading producers of banana, a major export crop that generated $250 million in foreign-exchange earnings for the country last year. The former is also one of Mindanao’s main rice granaries.

from page 7

the World Bank meant to encourage the large commercial banks to support rural electrification by fi nancing the expansion and rehabilitation of the distribution facilities of electric cooperatives.

The World Bank extended the government of the Philippines a grant worth $10 million for this purpose.

Daneco is one of the biggest electric cooperatives in the country; it distributes electricity to 374 barangays in Davao del Norte, Tagum City, the Island Garden City of Samal and Compostella Valley.

Power usage in these areas has been growing at an average of eight percent

THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro (CDO) has accepted the public-private partnership (PPP) initiated

by STEAG State Power Inc. for project EMPOWERING or Empowering Monitoring System on Poverty Watch for a more Effective and Responsive Approach in Governance.

City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano of CDO, in his message read by City Planning and Development Officer Telly Sagaral, during the recent launching of the project, said he has gladly accepted with profound gratitude, Project EMPOWERING and the responsibilities that come with it. ”This will indeed augment and enhance the local government’s development planning arsenal,” he said.

Funded by Steag with

some € 277,125.32 or approximately Php16.9 million, the project is expected to run for 18 months, starting September, this year.

Particularly, it will focus on updating the database and information system of the Planning Offices of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City that includes the following: Assessment and validation of the data available in the target municipalities, to include assessment of community-based monitoring system (CBMS) Implementation, Data Collection and Determination of the general information system (GIS) requirements.

Converting of the data into tabular forms using the CBMS software, Data encoding and digitizing to include data processing and

validation of CBMS results, development and integration of GIS. The installation of data from the CBMS will, further, improve the data banking system of the city and will further enrich the data base that we have in the GIS, the CDO Mayor said.

Implementing the CBMS and maintaining the GIS entail a lot of resources, but the cost is worth it, considering the perspective that it affords the public and private sectors in determining and addressing needs, and assessing the scope and degree of response.

“It saves us both time and money and ensures the quality of the service delivered,” Mayor Emano also said.

Meanwhile, the City Mayor also thanked the Department of Interior and

Bloodletting highlights 6th day of Nat’l Maritime Week in Cag. de Oro

By GALILEO GARCIA Contributor

THE conduct of a bloodletting activity at the Capitol University (CU) grounds provided one of the highlights of the 6th day, Sept.

30, of the National Maritime Week (NMW), observed here, from Sept.

25-Oct. 1, this year.

The activity was led by the Philippine Red Cross, through the Northern Mindanao Blood Center (PRCNMBC), with volunteer blood donors from the various schools offering B.S. Marine courses and other school organizations, led by the university, Engr. Emmanuel B. Carpio, Regional Director of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), region 10, said.

Also conducted in the area was the on-site issuance of licenses by MARINA, application for clearances with the National

Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and security paper for birth certificates with National Statistics Office (NSO) and re-issuance of licenses by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).

Me anw h i l e, a s y m posium was held on the updates of the maritime industry-related issues in the country that included, among others, the following: Search and rescue and port state control, customs

regulations and smuggling, quarantine on board ships, new shipping developments, immigration-watch listing and counseling.

Health concerns, such as dengue, yellow-fever prevention, labor situation updates, assistance and consultation with the Overseas Welfare Workers’ Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and environment protection and waste disposal.

Resource persons during the symposium included the heads/representatives of MARINA, Philippine Coast Guard District of Northern Mindanao District (PCGDNM), Bureau of Customs (BuCos), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Departemnt of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Msgr.

Tex Legitimas and Atty.

Casimiro B. Juarez, Jr. of CU. pia-10

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Local Government (DILG), represented by Undersecretary Auster Panadero, for introducing CBMS to the LGU’s and for its facilitation and unfailing support.

In the same way, he thanked Dr. Bodo Goerlich, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of STEAG. for extending their extensive resources to this project and to Fr. Robert Yap, President of Xavier University for always being the city government’s partner in working for a better Cagayan de Oro. “Rest assured, your efforts and ours will not be for naught. We will work very hard to maintain and sustain this project, which embodies your best hopes and intentions for the city and citizens of Cagayan de Oro,” Mayor Emano concluded. pia-10

BusinessWeek mindanao

10 October 7-9, 2011 Cepalco... from page 1

try, Cepalco said its 1-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic plant was installed at a cost of $ 5.3 million, which was partially funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and facilitated by the World Bank through the Intenational Finance Corp.

Cepalco said the turnkey contract was awarded to Sumitomo Corp. Sharp Japan manufactured the PV modules and Sansha made the inverters.

“The power plant is actually just a demonstration solar farm but it has been providing 1-MW of clean electricity to Cagayan de Oro for the past seven years.

For our more than 100,000 consumers, that’s seven years of paying less per kWh of electricity, especially during peak hours,” Abaya said.

Commissioned in 2004, the computerized and fully automated solar photovoltaic plant was also the largest of its kind in the developing world.

Despite its size, the solar farm’s operation and maintenance costs are relatively minimal compared to those of other generating technologies, Abaya said.

“Everyday operations are managed by a lone maintenance engineer together with a security guard and a janitor,” he added.

Since its commissioning, the 1-MW solar power plant has fed the grid with higher-than-expected annual generation. In 2010 the plant generated 1.25 million kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity compared to the expected 1.19 million kWh. With their success in providing clean, renewable and affordable power to com-

munities in Cagayan de Oro, Abaya expressed optimism that the government would fast-track the implementation of more solar-power projects in Mindanao.

“Solar farms can complement existing coal-fired plants and can be quickly installed even in off-grid areas.

A 10-MW solar power plant can be installed and commissioned in just six months or even less,” Abaya said.

“In Mindanao alone, 13 solar projects are planned with a total capacity of 260 MW. We will be located in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Zamboanga, Misamis Oriental, Dinagat Island, Zamboanga del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur,” he said.

Expo... from page 1

from finely-crafted and environmentally-friendly wood, leather, fiber and textile items to agri-marine products and electronics.

Mindanao ONE will also focus on the region’s expanding services sectors, which include healthcare and wellness, information technology and communications, energy, tourism, and transportation.

“We want to launch an image of Mindanao that is not about conflict but focuses on its business potential, from small and medium entrepreneurs to its biggest companies,” noted Ann Pamintuan of the Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation, Inc., organizer of the event.

Mindanao ONE is supported by PhilExport 11-Davao; the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA); the Export Development Council; the departments of agriculture, interior and local government, science and technology, and

trade and Industry (through CITEM, the Center of International Trade and Expositions); and the U.S. Agency for International Development through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program.

The event will also feature Mindanao’s top eco-tourism destinations and investment opportunities in the different subregions.

Nickel...

from page 1 IV. It also reported that rebels set fire to 10 dump trucks, eight backhoes, two barges and the firm’s guesthouse.

A separate attack was also conducted by armed rebels at the office of Platinum Group Metals Corp. in sitio Kinalablaban in barangay Cagdiano, ABS-CBN News said.

Nickel Asia, which is partly owned by Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd., declined 4.64 percent to P17.26 each on Monday’s close giving it a market value of P23.13 billion.

No demands have been received from the rebels, according to a statement from Sumitomo Metal Mining.

While four of its staff were confirmed safe, there are no reports on the safety of Japanese construction workers at the site, the statement said.

The Tokyo-based company is investing $1.3 billion in the project to boost nickel production. It said last September it planned to start operations at the mine in August 2013.

Philippine authorities said earlier rebels raided the site in Surigao del Norte and held one of its managers.

Another group of rebels constructed road blocks

near the area, police Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz said in a mobile-phone message.

Government troops have been sent to the site, Army Spokesman Maj. Eugenio Osias said by phone.

Nickel Asia reported earlier that net income in the six months to June surged 149 percent to P1.73 billion on higher metal prices. Nickelore sales rose 68 percent to P5.33 billion during the same period.—wire report

Coops... from page 1

Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and seriously consider the President’s intention to create a water superbody by supporting congressional initiatives towards this end like House Bill 4137 or the Water Regulatory Act of 2011,” Mr. Lico said at a press conference following the launching program of Cooperative Month in Region X. The 30 percent hike in COWD water rates which took effect last month was the subject of a protest rally joined by 24 cooperatives and some 2,000 participants during the October 2 launch in the region of Cooperative Month. The Cagayan de Oro City Development Council headed by Dr. Anselmo Mercado, Ph.D. is seeking to convert the government-ownedand-controlled COWD into a cooperative owned by its concessionaires.

Mr. Mercado heads Task Force TOO BIG, a coalition of lay and religious organizations created by the BishopBusinessmen Conference (BBC) Cagayan de Oro Chapter which is protesting the COWD’s latest 30 percent rate hike in the light of alleged irregularities and excesses involving P411-million of

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“expenses without legal basis” disclosed in an audit report of the Commission on Audit (COA) and non-revenue water worth P531.4 million (unbilled water or systems loss) which increased from 43% in 2005 to 56.1% in 2009.

HB4137 filed by Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon party-list) and Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara (LDP, Aurora) aims to create a Water Regulatory Commission (WRC) similar to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the power industry, which will protect consumers against abuses by water firms. Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has also filed a similar bill.

Like President Benigno Aquino III’s declaration last August to create a water superbody, HB 4137 similarly seeks to consolidate the regulatory functions of the LWUA, National Water Resources Board (NWRB), local government units (LGUs) and the Metro Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System with the WRC would be authorized to fix rates for water and sanitation services. It also seeks to place a 12 percent cap on the government-audited return on investments of water districts.

Under the proposed bills, the WRC will be a quasijudicial body tasked with resolving conflicts on water and sewerage operations in the country, and impose fines, charges and other penalties against violators of its regulations. HB 4137 was identified as a priority measure by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) last February but has since languished before the House Committee on Government Reorganization.

ers were cited for the Eduardo Aboitiz Award for Outstanding Institution.

Now on its 5th run with conferment of awards in 2012, the RAFI- TA is an awards program of RAFI given every three (3) years to recognize the philanthropic, humanitarian, and holistic efforts of individuals and institutions in Mindanao and the Visayas in enhancing the quality of life of the communities they serve. pia-10

Congress... from page 12

ger player in the global mango market.

She vowed to promote Mindanao as a mango production hub not only because of its “good climate condition” but also because of the islands’ vast undeveloped and fertile lands.

Mindanao has been relatively known as typhoonfree over the years although flooding in recent years has become a growing concern.

Dela Fuente said the island has great potentials for mango production, citing as example the mango farms in the South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos City (SOCSKSARGEN) area, even with the issue on climate change.

“I will campaign that mango production will be centered in Mindanao. It produces only 35 percent of the total national production but it has the potential,” she said.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the agency has programs in support of the growth of the mango industry, which includes the establishment and rehabilitation of nurseries and foundation scion grove, household and village processing assistance and from page 9 crop improvement espefor Exemplary, Individual cially for climate change Category, while two (2) oth- adaptability.

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Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Branch 39 Cagayan de Oro City IN RE: PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME SPEC PROC. NO. 2011-159 OF MELIND SANTIAGO BASCO, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS MEL, MELDS AND IN-IN TO MELIND REYES BASCO MELIND SANTIAGO BASCO,

Now comes out BI-WEEKLY every

MONDAY AND FRIDAY All newspaper’s e-copy is available online for FREE Log on to: www.businessweekmindanao.com Ads deadline: For Friday issue : every Wednesday 12 noon For Monday issue : every Friday 12 noon Book your ADS now!!!

Contact: 856-3344, 74-53-80 Cell Nos: 0917-7121424/ 0923-4320687 Geleng Bldg, Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de oro City

Petitioner, X----------------------------------------------/ ORDER Petitioner, through counsel, filed a verified Petition for Change of Name in her Certificate of Live Birth from Melind Santiago Basco to Melind Reyes Basco.

Finding said petition sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby given due course. The Petitioner is hereby directed to cause this Order to be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a duly accredited newspaper of general circulation in the City of Cagayan de Oro, Province of Misamis Oriental, at her own expense.

Let copies of this Order be posted in the Bulletin Board of the City Hall, Cagayan de Oro City, Bulletin Board of the Local Civil Registrar of Cagayan de Oro City, and the Bulletin Board of this Court.

This case is set for hearing on January 19, 2012, at 8:30 a.m at the Session Hall of this Court. The Civil Registrar and any person having or claiming any interest under the entries whose cancellation or correction is sought may, within fifteen (15) days from notice of the Petition, or from the last date of publication of such notice, file his/her opposition thereto.

Let a copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General, Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Cebu City, the Petitioner and her counsel.

SO ORDERED. Given this 29th day of September 2011 at Cagayan de Oro City.

(Sgd.) MARITES FILOMENA RANA-BERNALES Presiding Judge BWM Oct. 7, 14 & 21, 2011

mindanao

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Hotel Koresco unveils golfer’s executive cuisines IN keeping with our commitment to excellent service and food, Hotel Koresco’s team of chefs has come up with the Golfer’s Executive Meals which launches on October 4, 2011.

Golfer’s Executive Meals are served at Hotel Koresco’s Restaurant, the Ambrosia,

which in Greek and Roman mythology means, “food of the gods.”

Guests will be delighted to choose from a variety of one-serve meals to cater to everyone’s peculiar taste, the diet conscious and the picky eaters: Lechon Kawali, Ebi Tempura, Chicken Teri-

yaki, Golden Fried Chicken, Fish with Parmesan Cheese, Koresco’s Grilled Pork Belly, and Chicken Adobo. Each selection is ser ved with steamed rice and soup for only Php195.00.

The Golfer’s Executive Meals was conceptualized with the golfers in mind, the busy execu-

tive who wants fast but delicious meal, as well as the traveler waiting to be transported to the airport for his flight.

For reservation, please call us at our new numbers: 858-9749 to 9754, 851-6094, or send us a text message at 0906-6896 555 or 0935-999 0972.

OWWA 10 joins the National Maritime Week C AG AYA N D E O R O CITY--In celebration of the National Maritime Week of 2011, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 10 joined the Maritime Industry Authority(MARINA) in its simultaneous opening ceremonies at Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City last September 25, 2011. In line with the World Maritime Day Celebration, this years’ theme is: “Piracy: Orchestrating the Response.”

The motorcade in C a gay a n d e O ro C it y kicked off at 7:00 in the morning starting at MacDonalds Carpark, Limketkai Center and ended at PPA Passenger Terminal Complex in Macabalan and was immediately followed by an ecumenical mass officiated by Monsignor Tex Legitimas.

Meanwhile, in Iligan City, families of the seafarers also commemorated the event spearheaded by the Apostleship of the Sea and Star of the Sea, an association of the seafarers’ wives. The activities were held at the Passenger Port Area of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Iligan City. Aside from PPA, other Government agencies that participated in the event included the Philippine Coast Guard, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Iligan City High School which provided the drum and bugle corps.

A parade around the port area was participated by the seafarers’ spouses, children and vacationing seafarers themselves.

Msgr. Leo Labiste celebrated the Holy Mass in the morning and led the floral offering for the souls of seafarers who were lost at the sea. A short program was followed with Professor Geoffrey P. Salgado, Professor, Department of History at MSU-IIT as keynote speaker.

The weeklong activities also include assistance and consultation to the seafarers, dependents and students of seafarer course at the Capitol University Gym on September 30, 2011 where OWWA 10 was invited to impart to the public its basic programs and services.

October 7-9, 2011

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HOTELS RESTAURANTS Pryce Plaza Hotel

Carmen Hill, CDO, Tel. No.722791 to93/858-4537 E-mail:reservations@pryceplaza.ph

Hotel Koresco

Pueblo de Oro Golf Course,CDO, fax. No. [088] 858-9748

tel. Nos. 858-9748 to 54, E-mail:hotelkoresco@yahoo.com

Mallberry Suites

Limketkai Drive ,CDO, Tel. No. [088]854-3999 / 854-7999 E-mail:info@mallberrysuites.com

Dynasty Court Hotel

Tiano-Hayes Sts. CDO, Tel. No. 726876 / 726962 / 857-5410 E-mail:dynasty@philcom.ph

The Marigold Hotel Velez cor. Luna Sts, CDO Tel Nos. 856-4320, 726937

Marco Resort Tel. No. 732182 / 855-220

VIP Hotel

A.Velez St. CDO, Tel. No. 726080 / 726590 / 856-2505 E-mail: info@theviphotel.com.ph

Philtown Hotel

Makahambus-Velez St. CDO,Tel. No. 723089 / 856-1813

De Luxe Hotel

Capt. V. Roa St. CDO, Tel. No. 726527 /857-2144

Maxandrea Hotel

J.R. Borja St. CDO, Tel. No. 729943/ 857-2244 / 857-4154

Grand City Hotel

A.Velez- Sts. CDO Tel. No. 723551 / 723658 / 857-1900

Hotel Conchita

Yacapin Ext. CDO, Tel. No. 727356 / 856-3856 E-mail:hotelconchitapge@yahoo.com

Harbor Lights Hotel Gusa, CDO Tel. No. 724878 / 855-6060

Country Village Hotel

Carmen, Cag. de Oro Tel. No. 71-22-03, 71-22-01, 7122-05

Southwinds Hotel

Capt. V. Roa Sts.CDO,Tel. No. 727623 / 724803 / 856-2036 E-mail:i_agudo@hotmail.com

Apple Tree Resort and Hotel

Taboc, Opol, Misamis Oriental, Tel. Nos. 754525/ 754263/ 3091986, Fax No. (8822) 754497

Discovery Hotel

Limketkai Drive, CDO tel. No. 72-78-14, 72-73-20

Pearlmont Inn

Limketkai,Drive,CDO Tel. No. 729111 / 856-2654 / 729455

Red Palm Inn

EVChaves Building, Capistrano corner Cruz Taal Sts. Cagayan de Oro City Tel. No. 721197 and 8562671 Cell No. 0908-885-5643 Email: redpalm_inn07@yahoo.com

Cagayan Riverview Inn

Vamenta Boulevard, Carmen CDO, Tel. No. 729039/858-4247/ 858-4245, E-mail:river@philcom.com

Chali Beach Resort

Cugman,CDO,Tel. No. 723929 / 855-2108 E-mail:chali_beach@yahoo.com

Nature Pensionne

Toribio Chavez Sts., CDO Tel. No. 723598 / 723718 / 857-2274

NEW DAWN PENSIONNE Velez-Macahambus Sts, CDO Tel Nos. 8571776, 721776 email : gchreservation@yahoo.com

Middleton Apartelle Lirio St. Carmen, CDO Tel. No. 723665 / 723580 / 858-4839

Sir George Pension House Pabayo-Gaerlan St. Cagayan de Oro City tel. No. 856-1990, 856-2004, 856-4447

Miami INN

Vamenta Boulevard, Carmen , CDO Tel No. 858-1901, 72-52-79

DINAH’S BEACH RESORT

Brgy san Juan, Gingoog City Tel No. (088) 861-3044

Malasag Eco Tourism Villages Cugman, CDO Tel. No.855-6183 [088]309-3752

BusinessWeek Aggie News 12 October 7-9, 2011 La Fortuna farmers lauds agricultural tramline services mindanao

Formal turnover of the Agricultural Tramline System in Impasugong Bukidnon at Barangay La Fortuna. Top Left Photo is RTD Constancio Maghanoy, Jr. of DA-RFU 10 as he symbolically handed over the key of responsibility to the officials of the Local Government Unit of Impasugong.

IMPASUGONG, BukidnonMore than fifty vegetable farmers in La Fortuna benefited from the Agricultural Tramline System (ATS) provided by the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech).

This will provide farmers in the area an alternative way to transport their produce in less time and expenses.

The tramline project worth 1.6 million pesos recently turned over by PHilMech to the Local Government of Impasugong who likewise handed over the same to the Barangay Council for maintenance and management of the project.

An Agricultural Tramline System (ATS) is a hauling facility that uses cables and pulleys to transport agricul-

tural produce from remote farms to the nearest road and agricultural input from road to inaccessible farms.

The areas that are potential for this project are those which are isolated from road network because of ravines, rivers and mountains while farm-to-market road projects are not feasible within the area due to the intricate topography.

High Value Crops farmers in La Fortuna in this area have difficulty before in hauling their produce from the production area to the nearest accessible road to transportation. A farmer has to pay P50.00 per sack of vegetables transported by draft animals or human labor from his farm down to the market. This entails so much time and effort on the part of the farmer.

The long travel will result to post harvest losses of around 2-5%. Now that the Agricultural Tramline Project has been established, the farmers have saved hauling cost of 20-50% or P 125 pesos and shortens travel time from 2 hours to 40 minutes.

The tramline project erected in the municipality of Impasugong is a Bi-Cable tramline with 1 km length of tramway. It can haul half ton to 2 tons per hour with a carrier capacity of 250300 kilograms of vegetable products. In Region 10, there were already three Bi-Cable Tramline System that was turned over, starting with the municipality of Manolo Fortich in Lingion followed by the municipality of Libona in Gutasan and recently in Impasug-ong.

A fourth tramline project is still on-going at Luna, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

This project does not only benefit the farmers but also the Local Government Unit concerned as this generates income. Hauling fee is imposed at a minimal cost which is 30 cents per kilo of farmer’s produce or agricultural inputs.

A farmer’s organization can avail of the Agricultural Tramline System (ATS) through the Department of Agriculture. They should submit a letter of intent to the Department of Agriculture and PHilMech through their municipal mayors. The technical team from PhilMech will validate the area and if meets the criteria set and seen that the area is feasible for the implementation of the ATS the request will then be forwarded to the Department of Agriculture for funding.

As to date there are nine municipalities for site validation in the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Lanao Del Norte and Bukidnon. suzy may roa-fabular

Mango Congress tackles climate change adaptation GENERAL Santos City– Climate change adaptation must be given serious consideration if the country wants to bolster the competitiveness of its mango industry in the global market, with Mindanao cited as a potential major producer due to its “favorable yearround weather.”

This in a gist was the key point that emerged in the recent 13th National Mango Congress, themed “Positioning the Philippine Mango Strongly in the World Market,” held in the town of Glan in Sarangani.

Virginia dela Fuente, president of the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc., said that mango producers should adapt to climate change for the country to become a stronger CONGRESS/PAGE 10