APRIL 13,2012 BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO

BusinessWeek

B u s i n e s Week Mindanao

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www.businessweekmindanao.com Issue No. 64, Volume III • April 13-15, 2012

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P15.00

Market Indicators

AS OF 5:54 P.M., APR. 12, 2012 (Thursday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P42.76

5,017.44 points

8 cents

;

4.85 points

;

Briefly Pay hike C. M’nao

MINIMUM WAGE earners in Central Mindanao (Region 12) will receive an additional allowance starting next week after the recommended pay adjustment by the regional wage board was approved by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Region 12 approved on March 26 an additional cost of living allowance (COLA) of up to P14. This was upheld by the NWPC on April 2.

“Wage Order No. RXII-17 grants a daily increase in [COLA] ranging from P10.00 to P14.00 per day [for Region 12 minimum wage workers in the private sector],” Labor Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz said in a statement released by her department on Wedneday.

Cacao farmers

DAVAO City -- Cacao farmers here in the region are bent on reaching the 100,000 tons of cacao demand needed by the global chocolate leader, Mars.

Cacao farmer Charita Puentespina disclosed in today’s Club 888 the struggles of the local cacao producers in order to reach the target demand by its chocolate partner.

“It was in 2008 that the cacao industry started to rise up as Mars Chocolate found our cacao having the exact quality that importers need,” Puentespina said.

N

ORTH Cotabato -- A major milestone in an effort to spur economic development and lasting peace in an area once stirred by armed conflict and border dispute had been reached with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing a 6,000 hectares of oil palm plantation and a tonner mill here.

Initiated by the Community Based Integrated Oil Palm Project in North Cotabato, the project intends to convert the vast grasslands of the province into an oil palm plantation. The area had been the subject of a territorial dispute between the Muslims and Manuvu communities in previous years which resulted to the death of thousands of civilians and the dislocation of many residents in the area.

With the project expected to bring about development in the war-stricken locality, PALM/PAGE 11

Least-cost, not base load plants needed

By MIKE BAÑOS, Correspondent

A RENEWABLE energy proponent believes the Department of Energy has been misled in insisting Mindanao needs coal-fired power plants to enable its power supply to keep up with the growing demand for electricity.

Engr. David A. Tauli, spokesperson of the Mindanao Coalition of Power Consumers, says there are at least two reasons why Sec. Jose Rene Almendras is wrong in his contention that base-load power plants should be constructed in Mindanao.

PLANTS/PAGE 9

Signatories of the Memorandum Of Understanding of the Community Based Integrated Oil Palm Project. From R: Project Director Greg I. Macabodbod; Mr. Dan C. Zambrano Regional Chairman Metro Kidapawan City Chamber Of Commerce Foundation Inc.; North Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Nancy A. Catamco, Ating Koop Party List Rep. Isidro Q. Lico; Reynold N. Alejo, general manager, Household Multi Purpose Cooperative; Timuey Edtami Mansayagan, chairman of Derepa te Arumanen ne Manuvu; Mr. Nick Nanlabi, representative of Rep Jesus N. Sacdalan (N. Cotabato, 1st district).

Summit seen to end M’nao woes ALL preparations are in place for the scheduled largest gathering of power industry stakeholders from all across Mindanao today in Davao City, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said.

Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, MinDA chair, said her

office has organized the summit in cooperation with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other Mindanao stakeholders.

She said that based on latest confirmations around 300 to 350 delegates are expected to attend the event.

“The Power Summit accords

us the opportunity to discuss the real Mindanao power situation and the specific short to long term measures that stakeholders wanted acted on jointly by the government and the industry players,” said Antonino.

Antonino stressed that no SUMMIT/PAGE 4

Eco-Friendly boosts Health & Wellness:

Primavera’s salt water pool gets a Jacuzzi IT’S only logical that Primavera Residences level up its eco-friendly features from its standard specs to its amenities.

Take its all-natural, salt water swimming pool, for instance.

Already the first of its kind this side of Southern Philippines, it’s

getting even better with a spa seat equipped with two hydrotherapy jets at the deep end.

“We thought of integrating a Jacuzzi into our pool to maximize the health benefits of our salt water pool,” said Arch. Romolo PRIMAVERA/PAGE 10

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April 13-15, 2012

Economy

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Agusan Sur road projects to spur development TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur -- The road construction currently implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Agusan del Sur 1st District Engineering Office (ADS 1 DEO) will be completed soon.

The residents and farmers in areas of Campo, San Miguel, Batucan and Del Mote in the river town of Talacogon are grateful of this road construction project of President Benigno S. Aquino lll, which will be completed on July 28 this year, ahead of its completion target.

It is seen that this new road will improve the lives of the village community folks, as some of them will be given access to basic services like education, health, and economic opportunities.

Town and community village officials expressed heartfelt gratitude to the

DPWH-ADS 1 DEO for the construction of this new road.

The construction of NRJBatucan-Campo farm-tomarket road, funded under the Department of Agriculture CY 2011 program in the amount of P7 million, was started January 31, 2012.

It is being implemented by the DPWH-ADS I DEO under District Engineer (DE) Jaime T. Bernat, Sr, and under contract with Roim Builders and Construction

Supply.

As of this posting, the project is still on-going.

“We are ahead of schedule and our technical personnel, project engineer and resident engineer are on the ground 24/7 to hit our objective – good quality of works and good quality materials being implemented by the contractor under its program of work,” stressed DE Bernat.

“The area is producing rubber, rice and corn, falcata

and varied rootcrops. These produce were transported before only by carabaopulled cart that will take the farmers long hours before they reached the nearest market. With the construction of this road, exchange of goods and services will be fast, easier and accessible,” added DE Bernat.

In compliance with the directive of DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson to engage local civil society organizations (CSOs) to

enter into budget partnerships with DPWH regional offices, the DPWH Regional office 13 has recently signed a budget partnership agreement (BPA) with its CSO partner Butuan-Agusan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (BACCIFI).

During the signing of the BPA, Region Xlll DPWH Regional Director Danilo E. Versola reiterated Secretary Singson’s statement that PROJECTS/PAGE 9

MinDA, ARMM ink MoA to boost investments COTABATO City -- Local and foreign investments in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are seen to grow this year following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the ARMM-regional government.

Signed during the 1st ARMM Economic Summit held here recently, the MOA is aimed at boosting local and foreign direct investments in the ARMM, which is among the three-pillar thrusts of the new ARMM government, along with reforming its bureaucracy and upholding peace and security.

With the MOA, MinDA and the ARMM regional government shall establish a one-stop-shop that would facilitate business transactions faster, easier and more convenient for prospective investors.

The partnership shall also embark on a strengthened campaign to promote and facilitate investments ranging from small and medium enterprises to agroindustrial ventures.

The ARRM-Regional Board of Investments (RBOI), in coordination with MinDA, is currently facilitating the entry of two

companies which are planning to expand their banana plantations in ARMM. “Said investments are valued at P1.5-billion,” said Larzon Santos, ARMM-BOI research division chief.

In his keynote speech during the summit, Gov. Mujiv Hataman said that uplifting the social and economic conditions of ARMM following years of downturn entails aggressive measures on enterprise development, harnessing existing industries, and drawing more businessmen to invest in the region.

In a study commissioned by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), it was found out that like the rest of Mindanao, ARMM has an excellent agro-climatic conditions which is conducive to producing a wide range of high value agricultural crops.

The study also revealed that ARMM’s fertile soils yield crops like cassava, white corn and coffee that are superior to those grown elsewhere in Mindanao.

Unlike neighboring regions whose lands are now extensively farmed, there remain large tracts of land available for farming in ARMM. The study also boasts of the region’s competitive

labor cost which is 20 percent lower than in Davao, 26 percent lower compared to Central Luzon and about 43 percent lower than in Metro Manila.

“It is useful to note that there are a number of companies that have dared to invest in ARMM and have actually done well,” said Dr. Ciel Habito of the Brain Trust Incorporated, economic advisor of Hataman.

Habito said that La Frutera, a banana export venture in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao of the multinational firm Unifrutti and Agumil, a Malaysianowned palm oil processing company in Buluan, has shown the way.

He added that Matling Industrial and Commercial Corporation has been processing cassava into flour in Malabang, Lanao del Sur, since 1928 and is the largest cassava processor in Mindanao.

“Lamsan Incorporated has been manufacturing cornstarch and other products from corn in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, for four decades now. Philippine Trade Center Incorporated is another cornstarch manufacturer in the same municipality,” he said.

Moreover, Habito said that EA Trilink Corporation registered a P1.5 billion investment in ARMM last year to upgrade the region’s information and communications technology capabilities to world standards.

In spite of these seeming advantages, the study showed that ARMM has not only failed to attract the investments it needs to bring more jobs and incomes to its people; it has also sunk into deeper poverty.

Hataman said that the keys to achieving economic growth in ARMM are transparency in governance and the active participation of private sector.

“Kaya nating baguhin ang takbo ng pamamahala sa ARMM (We can change the way ARMM is being governed)”, he said adding that his administration is keen on following the “tuwid na landas” (straight path), INVESTMENT/PAGE 9

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Companies

April 13-15, 2012

3

SM unit steps up expansion beyond Metro Manila malls

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, With wire reports

SY-LED SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has continued to ramp up expansions beyond Metro Manila via a P1.4-billion upgrade for its Bacolod mall and a sales push to bring in merchants into a new Davao City development.

The company will then undertake a two-phase construction of a new annex building for SM City Bacolod, which will add 171,380 square meters (sq. m.) to the mall’s gross floor area (GFA) from a present GFA of 71,759 sq. m. a disclosure to the local bourse showed.

SM City B acolo d, which opened in 2007 at an estimated investment cost of P1.6 billion, is the company’s third mall in Visayas after SM City Cebu and SM City Iloilo, SM Prime said.

Upon completion in 2014, SM City Bacolod Annex will feature 81,204

Robinsons to open 3 new malls, expand 2 others ROBINSONS Land Corp. (RLC) the property development arm of tycoon John Gokongwei’s flagship firm JG Summit Holdings Inc., will open three new malls and expand two existing ones to boost its steadily growing chain of commercial centers.

In March, RLC opened its first full service mall in Calasiao, Pangasinan. The company is slated to open Robinsons Place Palawan in May and Robinsons Magnolia in July.

RLC recently completed two mall expansion projects in Tacloban and Bacolod.

Together with the two expansion projects, RLC’s gross leasable area will reach 917,000 square meters at end-September this year. In 2013, RLC will add another 100,000 sqm of GLA with four new malls and one expansion, all of which will be outside Metro Manila.

The company has alloted P13 billion for capital expenditures this year, most of which will go to construction of new malls, office buildings and hotels. Funding will come from internally-generated cash and borrowings.

RLC is currently putting up two office buildings in Ortigas with a GLA of 40,000 sqm each. These projects, when completed in mid-2013, will boost the firm’s total office GLA by 41 percent to 274,000 sqm.

Aside from this, the group is planning to open two more GoHotels this year, located in Tacloban and Bacolod. It already opened in Palawan and Dumaguete in the first quarter of the year.

These four hotels will add 416 rooms to its existing 223-room GoHotel in Pioneer, which is currently enjoying a 90 percent occupancy rate.

Citiseconline’s Richard Laneda said the hotel segment of RLC holds strong potential for growth given the company’s rapid expansion. “We believe its new hotels will also enjoy high occupancy rates given the lack of good hotels in the provinces,” he said.

RLC is spending P6 billion to build 30 GoHotels across the country over a five-year period or until 2016. Each hotel will require an investment of around P200 million.

Aside from GoHotels, the group also operates Crowne Plaza, Galleria Manila, Holiday Inn Galleria, Summit Circle Cebu and Summit Ridge Hotel.

sq. m. of gross leasable area and is expected to provide employment for an estimated 2,000 people.

This move comes as SM Prime seeks to strengthen its presence in the city after losing out last year to rival developer Ayala Land, Inc. over the rights to develop certain prime lands offered by the Negros Occidental government for sale and lease.

SM Prime has appealed the decision, earlier re-

ports showed.

For this year, SM Prime is set to open SM City Lanang in Davao City, SM City General Santos in South Cotabato, SM City Consolacion in Cebu, SM City San Fernando in Pampanga, and SM Chongqing in China, bringing its mall portfolio to 46 Philippine malls and five China malls, with an estimated combined GFA of 6.3 million sq. m.

These launches are expected to be funded by a P21-billion capital bud-

get for 2012, which will be sourced from a mix of debt and internally generated funds, earlier reports showed.

In a related development, an official of Shopping Center Management Corp., which operates under SM Prime Holdings, said it was bring to Davao City representatives of merchants that are being lured to locating in the firm’s second mall in the area.

The de velopment, located at Lanang dis-

trict about six kilometers north of downtown Davao, is expected to open in August, in time for the annual Kadayawan Festival.

Anna Maria S. Garcia, president of the company, said the new shopping complex is an indication of Davao’s pivotal role in SM Supermall’s expansion in Mindanao.”

Zuleika T. Lopez, acting city administrator, welcomed the new mall noting would boost the city’s economy.

4

April 13-15, 2012

Companies

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Globe is exclusive carrier of Lumia 800 smartphone • Nokia’s first Windows-enabled device Crys2-O recently launched Crys2-O, a mascot in the form of a water droplet with a big grin. He is not only a mascot and the newest member of the Crystal Clear family, but also a water expert who can readily answer anything about water.

The new image of water CRYS2-O, the leading brand of purified drinking water in homes and offices in the country, recently launched Crys2-O, a mascot in the form of a water droplet with a big grin. He is not only a mascot and the newest member of the Crystal Clear family, but also a water expert who can readily answer anything about water.

And as a water expert, Crys2-O will take part in many of Crystal Clear’s advocacy efforts to reach out to the young and persuade them to play their part in the conservation of water. Crystal Clear sees how important it is to influence the younger generation and how it is more important for them, being the inheritors of the future world, to save this valuable resource.

It is already common knowledge that water is one very important element for life in this world to survive. About 2/3 of an average person’s body weight is made up of water and it is only logical that the body can go on without food for a long time but would only last no longer than 3 days without water.

It is important for the human body because water is used in many of our bodily functions, not to mention its equally vital role in sanitation.

Yet it has been a hard task to educate some, if not most people, regarding water’s importance and the need to conserve it. But Crys2-O, Crystal Clear’s new hope in getting its message of concern and intent to save water, is definitely up for the challenge.

Crys2-O believes that there are many ways to conserve water

and all of it starts with one’s self.

There could be hundreds, or even more, ways to conserve water, but they won’t matter if there is no conscious effort to do them.

Simple tasks such as keeping faucets tightly closed after every use, watering plants without using a water hose, having a shorter shower time, avoiding running taps, checking any leaks from plumbing, are just a few steps in conserving water—and the list goes on. All it needs are hands to actually do these steps.

Conserving water is one tough task and keeping it safe for use is another equally hard task. Getting safe drinking water has been a challenge before but with the commercialization of water purification systems, and with Crystal Clear at the forefront, pure and totally safe drinking water has now reached many Filipinos all over the country.

Clean drinking water is naturally important for one’s health.

Considering the quality and the amount of available water right now, which is sometimes the cause of many water-borne diseases, people should also be responsible with keeping it clean and safe from possible contaminants.

All of these will be carried out

by Crystal Clear with Crys2-O at the front to be able to reach out to more young Filipinos in a mission to share what they know for a greener and sustainable future, when the new image of water is not just the flowing liquid or a mascot of a water droplet with a big grin—but also a picture of the Earth flourishing with life.

G L O B E Te l e c o m a n nounced that it is the exclusive Philippine carrier of Nokia Lumia 800, Nokia’s latest smartphone device that runs on the Windows platform, featuring Internet Explorer 9, free maps and voiceguided navigation services, and free image and file storage.

Globe subscribers can avail of the Nokia Lumia 800 for only P1,499* a month, complete with unlimited mobile browsing and the most affordable call and text freebies that are changeable monthly**.

With Globe My Super Plan Unli Surf Combo, the country’s only customizable unlimited data plan, Globe provides users with uninterrupted surfing, their gadget of choice, monthly load, and freebies all in one subscription.

The Nokia Lumia 800 is also offered at minimum cash-out for lower plans.

Nokia Lumia 800 is part of Nokia’s latest portfolio of smartphones, boasting a 16GB memory + 5GB in SkyDrive, 3.7 AMOLED clear black display, 8MP auto-focus camera with

H D and familiar Nokia video elements recordsuch as i n g , leading corning imaging ®Gorilla c ap a bi l i glass ties and screen new siga n d nature C a r l experiencZeiss e s ,” s a i d lens, Dharmesh a n d Goshalia, comes General in Cyan Manager a n d and Head Black of Sales colors. for Nokia “We Philipare very pines. happy Martha to have Sazon, partHe ad for nered G l o b e o n c e Postpaid, again added, w i t h “We thank Globe Nokia for in dismaking us . y a r 0 Sea 0 8 tributthe exclusive ia Nok ing our carrier of Nokia Lumia latest innovation, the 800 in the country. This Nokia Lumia 800, in the latest smartphone is best Philippines. The stun- paired with our customningly social Nokia Lumia izable My Sup er Plan 800 brings content to life UnliSurf Combo Plans, with its head-turning de- which provide users with sign, Nokia’s best social unlimited and worry-free and internet experience, mobile browsing, call and

text freebies plus boosters to boot. And with t he Glob e Guarantee, subscribers are assured they will never experience bill shock ever again because they will never pay more than P999 as long as they are registered to any of our data plans. On top of that, we guarantee 24/7 access to all our customer service channels and after-sales support for the devices. Truly, Globe and Nokia allow customers to create their own postpaid plan to pair with the most advanced smartphone devices, the way they want.”

Pre-orders begin on March 26, 2012 via www. globe.com.ph/nokialumia. Ne w subs crib ers can call the Globe Sales Ho t l i n e v i a t o l l - f r e e number (02) 730-1010 or visit www.globe.com. ph/nokialumia to place their orders. For Platinum subscribers, they can get in touch with their Relationship Managers for reservations. Regular selling in Globe Stores nationwide and pre-order deliveries will start April 16, 2012.

Summit...

form part of the shared consensus of the Mindanao stakeholders.

“This is being done for and by the Mindanawons who have a direct stake on the Mindanao power issue and what needs to be done, and the President will be

ernment organizations, civil society groups and consumer advocates.

She explained that the Summit format was designed to provide opportunity for the key sectors and stakeholder representatives to present their respective issues and recommendations for way forward actions.

The President is expected to respond with specific policy directives. (pna)

from page 1

less than President Aquino has sought that proposed measures for resolving the Mindanao power problem and putting in place of long term action plan should

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF 2012-140 SHERIFF’S NOTICE OF SALE File No. 2011-581 Upon Extra-Judicial Petition for Sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act No. 4118, filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (Pag-IBIG), with principal office located at The Atrium of Makati, Makati Avenue, Makati City, against ROBERTO M. URIARTE, JR. married to YOLANDA A. URIARTE, with postal address at Lot 2 & 3, Block 21, Vista Grande Subdivision, Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of September 28, 2011 amounts to PESOS: EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY NINE PESOS & 42/100 (P827,869.42), Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and penalty charges plus other necessary fees and expenses of Extra-Judicial Foreclosure and sale, the undersigned Sheriff-in-charge, will SELL at Public Auction on APRIL 30, 2012 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter, at the Court Room of Regional Trial Court, Branch 39, 2nd Floor, Hall of Justice Bldg., Arch. S. Hayes Street, Cagayan de Oro City, to the Highest Bidder, for CASH or Manager’s Check and in Philippine Currency, the real properties mortgaged together with all improvements thereon, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-177828 Registered in the name of ROBERTO M. URIARTE, JR. “A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 2, Block 21, Psd-104305-017450, being a portion of Lot 3017-B, Psd-10-000818), Situated in the Barrio of Carmen & Pagatpat, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao. Bounded on x x x. Beginning at x x x; containing an area of ONE HUNDRED EIGHT (108) Square Meters, more or less.”

FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENTS PLACEMENTS CONTACT

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-177829 Registered in the name of ROBERTO M. URIARTE, JR. “A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 3, Block 21, Psd-104305-017450, being a portion of Lots 3017-B, Psd-10-000818), situated in the Barrio of Carmen & Pagatpat, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao. Bounded on x x x. Beginning at x x x; containing an area of ONE HUNDRED EIGHT (108) Square Meters, more or less.”

Prospective buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves the title hereinabove described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated date, time, and place.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date for whatever reason, the same will proceed on the following working day, without further notice, posting and publication.

Cagayan de Oro City, March 20, 2012.

BWM: MARCH 30, & APRIL 6, 13, 2012

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO PROVINCIAL SHERIFF By: (Sgd.) JOSEPH C. MAAGAD Sheriff IV

there to see to it that the proposed measures are thoroughly studied and doables carried through,” she added.

Among those expected to take part in the one-day summit are heads and representatives of all electric cooperatives in Mindanao, distribution utilities, generation companies, governors and city mayors, Mindanao lawmakers, business and industry sectors, non-gov-

PANEDOTTE PASTRIES

PANEDOTTE PASTRIES are available at Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, just in front of the Senior Citizens Center in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental with Tel Nos. (08822) 740-211, (088) 856-2419; Cell Phone Nos. 0917-706-2247 and 0917706-1516, or visit them at 162 M.H. del Pilar –Velez Sts., Cagayan de Oro City Available at GAISANO SUPERMART and at LUMBIA AIRPORT PRE DEPARTURE AREA

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MINDANAO

April 13-15, 2012

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Opinion

April 13-15, 2012

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BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Missing the Point THINK a minute…

Remember the first people to ever fly an airplane?

There were the Wright brothers, just a week before Christmas, 1903. They were so excited they sent an urgent telegram message to their sister which said: “First flight in history today! Hope to be home for Christmas.”

Their sister rushed to the local newspaper with the message. The next day, the newspaper headline read: “Local Brothers to Be Home For Christmas.”

Not one word was said about their flying! The newspaper editor had completely missed the point of the message: for the first time in the

history of the world, human beings could fly.

Did you know another even bigger misunderstanding in history? It’s Christmas. How many of us celebrate Christmas every year? Yet we keep missing the point. We still have not gotten the message and understand what it means.

This is all the more surprising since the life of Jesus Christ is the turning point of all history. The world’s calendar is based on His birth. No one in history has ever been announced hundreds of years before he was born. No one else ever died and was buried for 3 days, then brought Himself back to life. This

is because no other man, religious teacher or prophet was God Himself. Only this one man Jesus Christ.

“If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen God the Father, because I am God the Son. And I will come again to judge this world and whomever has chosen not to believe me and ask for my gift of forgiveness and eternal life.”

Friend, what we decide and do with Jesus Christ in this life now, decides what Jesus must do with us after we die. So I hope you now understand the point and meaning of Christmas.

That God loves us so much, He humiliated Himself to become a human being named Jesus Christ and die

Corporate travel is back CORPORATE travel group is heating up this summer.

After the Lenten retreat in some popular tropical islands and mountain resorts, business executives return to their board rooms to put up the final touches of the 1st quarter marketing plans and programs.

Getting ready for some teambuilding and brainstorming, the company officials working travel itineraries are once again in the calendar featuring destinations for conventions, product launching and meetings.

Business travel fell off dramatically in Northern Mindanao after the Typhoon Sendong aftermath.

The market for upscale businessmen to explore and forge tie-ups, enter business contracts or finalize ventures has been slow to rebound.

Although there has been good news on the reconstruction of the people’s

lives in the affected areas with foreign assistance and donations as well as local government funding.

Both cities damaged by the typhoon have been slow in its marketing and promotions to attract business and travel and project a climate of business as usual.

It was only upon the initiative of Ayala Land last March that a group of retailers came and was toured to assist the business prospects. Other big multinational companies continue to prime up local business like Nestle Philippines, Coca-Cola, Del Monte and Jardine Paints who brought corporate travel to the city.

While the national government increases the 1st quarter spending with billions of pesos releases to public works and infrastructures, it did not automatically prime up the economy of Northern Mindanao for some construction activities.

Biddings are just put up last March for some 90 days work programs up to commence this April.

Manufacturing activities on the other hand become slow and unsure with continuing price increases of fuel and the threat of disruptions to operations due to power curtailment in some areas that manufacturing plants operate. Cement, packing and canning process and even the retail business were cautious.

Cagayan de Oro is a long time corporate travel destination. It owes 50% of its revenue to businessmen arrivals, meetings and conventions.

Some sports activities like golf tournaments, professional basketball games and artist visits for promotional tours and concerts adds another 5%. Domestically, it provides 30% of business from student’s tour, graduations, weddings and anniversaries.

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST for our sins, so we could be forgiven and free to start life all over again.

Only this time, we’ll be living our Maker’s way, which is the right way that always works. The choice is yours.

Just think a minute…

TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY

PED T. QUIAMJOT The local governments’ expenditures for training along health and social services as well as general workplace education make up the rest estimated at 15% of the tourism receipts.

C onst r u c t i on t r a d e shows and medical conventions are the biggest corporate business drawer.

This is the market mix supported by the manufacturing and pharmaceuticals that provides multipliers to generate revenues for the business centers, tours and transportation rentals.

Some participants of QUIAMJOT/PAGE 7

Life is but an empty dream ONE of my favorite poems comes from the quintessential writer , Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (18071882), entitled Psalms of Life. The profound message it exudes has certainly brought realization to me that even the first few lines capture the general essence of living; “Tell me not in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream For the soul is dead that slumbers And things are not what they seem.”

Ref lecting on these words, iIt clearly points out the importance of purposeful action towards our dream otherwise life is useless. The uncertainties in life demand every soul to struggle and persevere in order to make it worthwhile. Often, we do act upon our goals but never reached the attainment of such because it is so hard for us to be consistent with our attitude.

I believe that as we grow

we change. These changes can be glaringly overwhelming or somehow negligible with regard to attitude.

I have seen many who were once painfully shy and now coming out loud and loquacious. There are some who like me, have made strong commitment to change for the better yet fall to the trap of complacency and drifted.

I am fond of writing down my promise for attitudinal change like waking up early, focusing on important things, finishing projects on time, not being late for an appointment, and more.

I even motivated myself to improve my physique by buying books about diet and exercise. I keep on starting my goals with high spirits and end up… munching chips while checking on my facebook account or just winding around.

This mortal characteristic of delaying important actions in exchange for petty pleasures and inaction is referred in the poem as

“the soul that slumbers”.

Hence, we should avoid the path of putting off what requires immediate action or procrastination. The question then is how? How can we stay on track without succumbing to this unlikely habit?

It is a universal fact that if we keep on repeating our actions it becomes our habit which eventually would be the foundation of our character.

This statement will somehow answer the question above by simply repeating in our minds our goal and acting on it with strong determination until it becomes a natural ritual engrained in our minds.

For instance, if we would like to be physically fit we have to write in our daily reminder’s note the specific time for exercise. We then have to take courage to pull ourselves up to do it without respite and never give up.

Though it’s easier said than done, we need to discipline ourselves to untiringly

RUBRICS OF LIFE

ERWIN L. PEPINO repeat the process over and over again until we can’t seem to end the day without doing it. The key point in this process is to condition our mind to want the goal badly enough.

We have to feed our minds with the desirable outcome of this repetitious activity like putting vivid pictures of well shaped bodies in our bedroom or the gym where we exercise and workout or keep ourselves PEPINO/PAGE 7

BusinessWeek

April 12-15, 2012

MINDANAO

The BSP as Supervisor and Regulator

The Sun & Your Skin SUMMER is truly here.

Traffic is lesser, schools are closed, students are either at home or vacationing, and malls are always full.

More so, one can feel the heat of the sun, temperatures and humidity record breakers, so unlike from say, 10 years back. I used to hear as a little girl, that one must go sunbathing everyday, in order to get that much needed Vitamin D, which is essential for bone development and for that beautiful glow in one’s skin.

And, we Filipinos are to be envied with that “morena” which our brothers and sisters who are so fair skinned would love to have!

Anything in excess is always harmful. Including too much of sun exposure.

Especially with the depletion of the ozone layer (which our friend advocates on climate change can attest to), the atmosphere’s natural protective barrier for the sun’s harmful UV rays is compromised.

Ultraviolet radiation can change the DNA making it lose its power to control how and when the cells grow and divide. Of the bodily organs that bear the brunt of this UV Rays from the sun, the

skin suffers the most.

It is worth mentioning here that aside from the Big C affecting the skin, premature aging, cataracts and immune system suppression are likely to occur with over exposure to the sun.

There are three types of Skin Cancer: Basal Cell, Squamous Cell and Melanoma. There may be some differences in the way by which the lesions are presented in the skin, but basically, what is important to note is: any changes in the appearance of the skin, such as the presence of a new growth, a non healing sore or wound, a mole that seems to grow fast or which bleeds, or change in color, should make one seek immediate consultation.

The Big C of the skin develops most commonly on sun exposed areas, like the back of the hands and arms, face, nose, lower legs, hairless scalps.

It doesn’t mean though that those areas that are not exposed to the sun do not develop the big C. There may be instances when it may involve the chest and other areas of the body, though less common.

Quiamjot...

mated 10% this year, the government 12% E-VAT is as usual the setting pretty beneficiary, many businessmen calls it “oppressive” taxation as they don’t even make that much profit from doing business especially if they acquired capital loans from the financial sector which charges 14 to 19% interest rate per annum.

With the huge tax take contributed by VAT, no wonder government eyes are on the USD 10 Billion Pagcor Entertainment City in Manila Bay scheduled to open 2013 and the many other VAT taxable ventures, like Coal Power Plants, Express Ways, Oil Imports and PPPs, etc.

Meanwhile, in Cagayan de Oro, a modern and bigger airport in Laguindingan is scheduled to be operational late next year and a medium size mall is expected to open in the next 8 months plus three business class hotels in a 5 kilometers radius with an addional 664 more rooms of luxuries and comfort.

Construction of more hotel rooms in addition to the DOT’s current 981 accredited hotel rooms are still welcome as the A320’s aircrafts of the airline companies can haul 2,700 passengers daily from the existing flight frequencies operated from Manila, Cebu and Davao to Cagayan de Oro. Without those additional rooms, a lay-over of passenger’s traffic will occur in the next 24 months. Meaning, travel will be postponed for a minimum of 2 days or booked in advance to be assured of a hotel accommodation upon arrival in the city. Who will come without a safe place to sleep?

from page 6

these events can head for the ocean front resorts or the golf course if meetings and exhibits ends early.

For some relaxation, bars, restaurants and KTV’s also earns on the sideline.

There are big cities with organized festivals and local government active participation. Travel and tourism revenues can bring as much as P100 Million to the place.

In Cebu City, their Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia dance to the Sinulog beat last January to help generate that single day revenue.

In Camarines Sur, Governor LRay Villafuerte, defied traditions and family ties to bring the biggest attraction to the Province by hosting the 2011 Advertising Congress that earns some P60 Million revenue for Naga City and another P100 Million for their wakeboarding recreational facilities.

In Davao City, the City cuppers made P36 Million during the PAL Inter Club Golf tournament last February and drive the hotels occupancies to 96% for 7 days.

Some minds laugh off these figures, accordingly, Cagayan de Oro without a need for tourist receipts made 10 times more in donations after Sendong, larger than the combined tourism revenues of all the cities above mentioned.

But that is another story reserved for the political gentry which is not my cup of coffee.

While travel revenue is on the rise with increase on airfares and hotel rates from year 2011 to an esti-

7

(Concluded from last week)

Sun exposure being the most common risk factor for developing the disease, there are other factors to consider too why one may have it: presence of moles, family history and a previous history of having cancer (recurrence may occur), increasing age and being fair skinned (the skin pigmentation affords protection to the damaging effects of the UV rays), exposure to tanning baths and even exposure to therapeutic radiation as a modality of treatment for other cancers.

Since this type of illness is highly preventable, here are some practical tips that can help us , even as we enjoy the summer: wear broad brimmed hats or use of umbrella, use of water proof or water resistant sunscreen with UVA protection and SPF 30 or higher, avoid use of tanning beds, regular self examination and physical check up.

For those who loves to sun bath, best time would be in the early morning hours, spending 30 minutes or less. You can still enjoy that sun provided you follow these simple tips in order to protect that lovely skin of yours!

Pepino... from page 6

informed of the benefits and posting it in our walls.

Moreover, we should also consider the power of our thoughts. Our mind is amazingly powerful and I can truly attest to that as I have experienced it firsthand.

To stay focused and avoid procrastinating, I have practiced simple steps which actually have been published in many reading materials from different authors.

I thought of this before as farcical and do not merit serious attention until I started doing it out of cu-

LAST week, I discussed how the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas acts as the supervisor and regulator of financial institutions such as banks, quasi-banks, trust entities, savings and loan associations, and pawnshops.

I also enumerated the ways in which the BSP exercises its supervisory powers: 1) Issuance of Rules; 2) Examination and Investigation; 3) Prompt Corrective Action; and 4) Resolution.

Through its Issuance of Rules, the BSP sets policy directions and issues instructions to banks and other supervised institutions through memorandums and circulars.

Examination and Investigation involves regular and special investigation of BSP-supervised institutions.

In this concluding article, I will describe briefly the two other methods by which the BSP exercises its supervisory powers.

A t h i rd m e t h o d i s through Prompt Corrective Action. Banks with composite CAMELS rating of 2 are initiated into a Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework.

CAMELS, as we explained earlier, is an acronym which stands for six components which bank examiners look at very closely: C-apital adequacy; A-sset quality; M-anagement quality; Earnings; L-iquidity; and S-ensitivity to Market Risk).

A bank under PCA is obligated to sign a timeriosity and before I knew it, I got what I wanted. It might be a coincidence as I also worked hard to get it but one thing I realized was that I became consistent with what I was doing and never had time to procrastinate because of this simple ritual.

First is to think of what you really want and have an unshakable belief that you can have it.

Second, condition your mind that you really deserve it and it is happening.

Third, close your eyes and in stillness simulate the feeling of actually having it, cherish the though and the experience for at least five minutes.

DO U LUK OLDER DAN UR AGE? Y? Scientific Research has proven that STRESS & EXTREME TENSION without an outlet may be the cause of up to 80% of many diseases, including high blood pressure, ulcers, insomnia, and sexual problems. STRESS whether physical or emotional shows in the body, & it makes you look years older.

TREAT YOURSELF TO THAT WELL DESERVED REST & RELAXATION & BRING THAT YOUTHFUL GLOW BACK TO LIFE.

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bound Memorandum of Agreement with the Bangko Sentral in which the bank commits to address the deficiencies noted in the examination. For example, a bank, whose adjusted capitalization has fallen below the required minimum, must commit to immediately inject capital to make up for the shortfall.

Banks under PCA either successfully comply with their commitments or they don’t. Successful compliance enables the bank concerned to “graduate” or exit from PCA. Failure of PCA, on the other hand, could eventually lead to receivership unless a Strategic Third Party Investor “STPI” or “white knight” is able to assume the assets and liabilities of the beleaguered bank.

The last method which the BSP uses is Resolution.

The first step in the resolution process is receivership. The bank is immediately prohibited from engaging in banking activities anywhere in the Philippines. The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) simultaneously takes over the bank premises to secure bank records.

During the receivership period, PDIC, in accordance with its mandate, pays depositors with insured deposits, i.e., R500,000 or lower. The PDIC then determines, usually within a period of 90 days from closure, whether it is still possible to allow the bank to resume operations with safety to its depositors.

Resumption of opera-

tions is still possible with the entry of a “white knight.”

Should re-opening prove to be impossible, the PDIC recommends to the Monetary Board the liquidation of the bank. This is the second and final step of the resolution process. During liquidation, the residual assets of the bank are disposed of and the proceeds are paid pro-rata to the preferred creditors and eventually the uninsured depositors.

That said, we would like to emphasize that the Philippine banking system is very strong and stable.

With the exception of a few which are closely watched by the BSP, Philippine banks are adequately capitalized, well-managed, profitable, and are efficiently performing their roles as mobilizers and lenders of funds which fuel the growth of our economy.

Note: The foregoing article will also appear in the author’s forthcoming book — Central Banking for Every Juan and Maria.

You may e-mail us at totingbunye2000@gmail. com.

Last, open your eyes and retain the vibrant feeling and go into your day releasing it through your actions.

Repeat this every day until you have manifested your desire.

These are just few of

the many ways of pouring more meaning to our bowl of dreams to the brim and if …”Life is but an empty dream” then by all means don’t delay, go ahead and fill it up!

Peace profound!

IGNACIO BUNYE

Republic of the Phillippines Regional Trial Court of Misamis Oriental 10th Judicial Region Branch 38 Cagayan de Oro City 2012-146 INRE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION SPEC. PROC. CASE OF ENTRY IN THE BIRTH NO.2012-039 RECORD OF MAYCEL R. NACIONALES IN THE INFORMATION OF THE GENDER/SEX OF THE PERSON FROM FEMALE TO MALE, MAYCEL R. NACIONALES, Petitioner, -VersusLOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Respondent.

X----------------------------------------------/ ORDER Before this Court is a Petition Filed by the Attorney’s Office for Correction of Entry in the Certificate of Live Birth of petitioner as to Gender/Sex from ‘’ Female’’ to ‘’male’’ recorded in the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Cagayan de Oro City.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Petition be set for hearing on May 31, 2012 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning at the Session Hall of this Court, on which date, time and place, all persons who may have any opposition to the Petition herein sought, may appear to show cause why said Petition should not be granted.

Let this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Misamis Oriental once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing.

Likewise, let copies of this Order, with Petition attached, be posted by the petitioner on the bulletin boards of the Court, the City Hall of Cagayan de Oro City and the Provincial Capitol of Misamis Oriental for at least ten (10) days prior to the date of hearing.

SO ORDERED. 16 March 2012, Cagayan de Oro City.

GOMEZ-PABAYO STS., infront of CHANA BEAUTY SALON Tel. Nos. 856-4841 or 857-4659

Present this ad and get P20.00 off from our regular rate.

SPEAKING OUT

(Sgd.) EMMANUEL P. PASAL Presiding Judge BWM: MARCH 30, APRIL 6 & 13, 2012

8

Corp.Board

April 13-15, 2012

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

NOMINEES to BWM Awards

La Frutera Inc. is an agribusiness, the Philippines’ largest banana exporter whose exports are marketed and exported by ChiquitaUnifrutti and Ultrex . Its chairman and president is Senen C. Bacani, who was conferred the 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year by SGV Ernst & Young and as the Master Entrepreneur.

La Frutera Inc. Story Senen’s years of experience in agri business and government prepared Senen for his first entrepreneurial venture in 1993. He put up Ultrex Management and Investments Corp., a company which initially managed the corporate banana farms of the Yuchengco-owned House of Investments.

Senen and his colleagues, however, wanted to operate their own banana plantation. They approached Chiquita Unifrutti International, a Middle Eastern family-owned business that had plans of introducing Chiquita bananas to the Japanese market.

He saw potential in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), with its fertile and undeveloped land, good climate, and readily available and cost-efficient workforce.

However, during his visits to the ARMM, he became concerned about resolving the separatist rebellion in Mindanao.

Senen convinced Chiquita Unifrutti that the region, although farther from ports, paid lower wages and promised higher productivity.

Senen’s partner is Datu Paglas, a former rebel leader who has his own business firm, Paglas Corp. “The business is good,” Paglas told him.

According to the Philip-

pineBusiness.Com that in 1996, Ultrex and Chiquita Unifrutti established La Frutera, Inc., a 1,000-hectare Cavendish plantation in Buluan and Datu Paglas, Maguindanao. La Frutera employs 1,745 people, 90 percent of whom are Muslims and 10 percent are Christians. Among the staff are a few hundred former rebels of the Moro National Liberal Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Many of the middle-level management positions are now occupied by Muslims.

But then according to ManilaTimes.Net that it was in 1997, when Senen led the multinational company to invest in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao, a predominantly Muslim area in Mindanao.

La Frutera, Inc., a 1,000-hectare banana plantation, is the biggest investment so far in the Muslim areas of Mindanao. T’Boli is also in Mindanao but is located in a “Christian area.” Ninety-five percent of its 1,700 workers are Muslims, many of whom are rebel returnees from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Bacani and his business partners envisioned La Frutera as a model of how Christians and Muslims can work together.

It then has provided jobs to the Muslim and Christian residents of the community.

Bacani notes that since the time that La Frutera established its plantation in Datu Paglas, there have been follow-up investments from others, albeit slower than what he originally expected. The once secluded, war-torn town now boasts of a mini-mall and a development bank. The crime rate is reportedly down. Bacani wants to inspire others to

follow their lead and not be deterred by the negative perception about the peace and order situation in the Muslim areas. “Peace and development go together.

We cannot keep on waiting for peace to come first. The reason why there is no peace is that there is no development. Fact is, if there is no livelihood, people can do anything as there is nothing to lose on their end. Now that we have given the Datu Paglas townsfolk gainful employment, they do not even want to lose even a few days’ wages.”

La Frutera was the first large-scale banana plantation in the ARMM. Ultrex and Chiquita Unifrutti formally agreed to a 20-year contract wherein Chiquita Unifrutti would buy La Frutera’s bananas, market them under the Chiquita and Unifrutti brands, and then export them abroad.

There are 45,000 hectares of banana plantations in the countr y. Among them is La Frutera. It is one of the top 10 percent banana farms in terms of production per hectare, cost per box, and quality of products in the market. It exports bananas to Japan, Korea, China and the Middle East. La Frutera is the only banana plantation in the country certified by both the Rainforest Alliance (since 2003) and ISO 14001 (since 2005).

Over the past 10 years, La Frutera has shown how a business model can succeed in a conflict-ridden area previously bedeviled by lawlessness, underemployment and interethnic violence. He believes that providing jobs, especially in rural areas, is the direct and sustainable way of alleviating poverty.

All From Prayers From simple prayers, sometime in December of 1989, God answered Ella to bake her great grandmother’s bread for a hobby, and that is PASTEL. PASTEL is a Spanish term for CAKE. By our ingenuity in grammar, PASTEL has long been called in English, as a soft dough coffee bun whom the Spaniards has generously taught our ancestors and made PASTEL as part of a Camiguingnon’s delicacy.

This made PASTEL a common treat in the tables of the affluent Camiguingnon’s of the time, especially during special gatherings and occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, fiestas, Christmas and the likes.

Eleanor Popera Jose, a true blooded Camiguingnon, was the first to com-

mercialize PASTEL on January 8, 1990 from what was left of her husband’s Christmas bonus, thus dated the beginnings of VjANDEP PASTEL (pronounced with silent “j”, which stands for Virgilio Lose and Eleanor Popera). The initial capital of P120.00 has yielded three dozens of the said buns which doubled the following day and onwards.

It was just simply a hobby at first, until Ella saw a great potential in the product, thus, she contin-

Vjandep Awards and Recognitions 2009 - REACH National Winner -DOLE 2009 - Productivity Olympics -People Dev’t Category. - DOLE 2008 - Productivity Olympics -People Dev’t Category. - DOLE 2008 - Best Techno Adaptor National Award-DOST 2007 - Most Inspiring Entrepreneur (Nor Min) 2006 - Oustanding Business Enterprise (OBE) Award 2006 - E3 (Excellence in Ecology and Economy) 2006 - Galing Pinoy Movement Awardee 2004 - DTI-52 Success Stories 2003 - Outstanding Techno Adaptor 2002 - Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) 2002 - Most Outstanding SME-DTI 1997 - Gawad Entrepreneurs-DTI

ued producing PASTEL up to this date.

PASTEL originally has “yema” (custard) for its filling. But during the summers of 1990 to 1993, Ella learned from culinary and baking workshops the rudiments and techniques of baking.

She then reformulated the PASTEL to what is now the pillar of coffee bun taste.

Today, the VjANDEP PASTEL OF CAMIGUIN has 12 varieties of fillings to satisfy the fancy of your taste buds.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Misor.Today

April 13-15, 2012

9

Oil leak in Misor contained THE Maritime Environment Protection Unit of the Philippine Coast Guard has contained the oil spill from an oil depot in Casinglot, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

PCG spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente said damaged pipeline caused the leakage from the Petron depot.

Gasoline reportedly spread to a mangrove area adjacent to the depot, but the Coast Guard and Petron were able to prevent it from reaching the shoreline.

Police have cordoned off the area where the depot was located.

Authorities said an estimated 5 drums of gasoline from an oil depot reached a mangrove plantation and seashore in the area.

The area was declared off limits for the safety of the residents.

“Delikado sa mga residente dahil madaling sumingaw ang gasolina, konting kisap lang apoy na,” said FO3 Gilbert Mordeno of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Tagoloan.

Authorities used oil absorbent pads to contain the oil spill.

Employees of the oil depot, meanwhile, are manu-

ally collecting the gasoline.

Because of the threat to the safety of the residents, they are temporarily not allowed to cook, which left many of them hungry.

The oil depot’s management has apologized for the inconvenience and has offered food to the residents.

“Nagkaroon ng human error, maaaring nagkaroon ng fatigue pag-switching ng product, imbes na pagbomba sa tangke, nailabas ang produkto,” said officer-incharge Federico Braganza.

The Philippine Coast Guard is also monitoring the clean-up operation.

Bayani Challenge 2012 helps typhoon Sendong survivors NorMin population hits 4.3M

An emergency worker pours in recovered oil spilled from an oil depot in Tagoloan last week.

PHOTO BY GERRY L . GORIT

WITH more than 1,000 volunteers doing “heroes’ work,” Sendong survivors here, in neighboring Iligan City, and in three other areas in the Visayas, are benefiting from the Bayani Challenge 2012 simultaneously launched on Monday.

Bayani Challenge 2012 is the sixth installment of the same five-day test of courage, endurance and love for country, organized and institutionalized by the Gawad Kalinga (GK) community since 2006.

This year’s Bayani Challenge is being simultaneously held in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Masbate, Dumaguete and Mindoro Occidental, areas that Tropical Storm Washi (locally called Sendong) devastated last Dec. 16, 2011.

This year Bayani Challenge is focusing on five activities that all GK members hope will plant the seeds of hope on the ground by building communities and fostering friendships that are critical to nation-building.

These activities are Building of Homes, Paraisong Pambata, School Build, Environment and Community Health.

“Bayani Challenge is a program of Gawad Kalinga and Pilipinas Natin that involves thousands of volunteers from all over in

making a difference in our community,” said Gerard Quiaoit, Singles for Christ coordinator for Misamis Oriental.

Quiaoit said Bayani Challenge is “a challenge to help improve our community.”

In Barangay Iponan, Bayani Challenge 2012 is giving psycho-social intervention to the children of the 51 families (245 individuals) whose homes were totally destroyed by Sendong and temporarily sheltered in the barangay gymnasium.

The inter vention is through Paraisong Pambata, a program that will try to create an environment of fun and learning for children through feeding programs, story-telling sessions, art lessons, games and sports clinic.

There are 87 children aged 2 to 12 years old in Iponan benefiting from Paraisong Pambata, said coordinator Lester Betonio, a GK mission volunteer. “ This year’s B ayani Challenge, especially the Paraisong Pambata, is really for the benefit of the Sendong survivors,” said Jenny Bobadilla, Iponan relocation camp manager of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Bobadilla said it is also important to give attention

to children in the relocation centers so that interventions can be given them in the forms of games and other children-appropriate programs to help them cope with the traumatic experience of Sendong.

“And this is being done through the Paraisong Pambata,” she said.

Quiaoit said in Sitio Bolonsori, Barangay Camaman-an, other volunteers are helping Sendong survivors who sought shelter there to rebuild their homes through the Building of Homes program.

“All the five focus activities are being simultaneously done all over the beneficiary areas in the five areas Bayani Challenge is focusing on this year,” he said.

With the help of the Pilipinas Natin, the flagship project of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Bayani Challenge 2012 intends to awaken the “bayani” in every Filipino and test how far one would go in the spirit of volunteerism for community development.

This project also wishes to highlight the urgency of coming together for a common cause, which is to build a better Philippines for the coming generations to enjoy.

NORTHERN Mindanao has grown 2.06 percent since year 2000 reaching 4.3 million as of May 1, 2010. The region’s population count placed ninth among other regions putting CALABARZON on the top spot at 12.61 million, NCR at the second spot with 11.86 million.

Approximately, the region’s population is 4.6 percent of the country’s total population which is posted at 92.3 million.

The results also showed that the region’s population is among the country’s fastest growing ranking at 4th next to CALABARZON (3.07),

SOCCSKSARGEN (2.46) and Central Luzon (2.14).

Davao region (1.97) completes the top five fastest growing regions. The least population growth rate was observed in Ilocos region at 1.23.

Cagayan de Oro City was one of the top ten most populated Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) in the country ranking ninth with a population of 602,088. Top spot was Quezon City at 2.76 million total population. Iligan City ranked 25th with a population of 322,821.

The city of Cagayan de Oro’s population grows at approximately 2.69 per-

cent annually based on the population on years 2000 – 2010. Iligan City’s population growth rate was observed at 1.25 percent.

The provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental (including the Cagayan de Oro City) belong to the “millionaire” provinces in terms of population count. The provinces’ population were posted at 1.3 million and 1.4 million, respectively. On the other hand, the province of Camiguin was among the three provinces in the country that listed less than a hundred thousand population at 83,807. PR

Plants...

Investments...

people are not cooperating”.

He said that the new ARMM government needs as much cooperation from its people as it can get.

For its part, MinDA believes that a strengthened and empowered local government unit (LGU) and

communities are the primemovers of a bottom-up development as embodied under the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan (Mindanao 2020), Mindanao’s peace and development blueprint for the period

2011-2030.

The Mindanao 2020 envisions a stable, autonomous, self-reliant and effective governance mechanism for the Bangsamoro people that is widely acceptable and finds active support from its citizenry.

parency and accountability will be achieved and quality of public service will be improved particularly here in Caraga region,” said Director Versola.

The signing of the BPA is part of the DPWH program to establish stronger ties with people’s organizations in the preparation and execution of the agency’s budget for FY 2013 and beyond. This is in support to the national government’s

commitment to institutionalize citizen participation in the budget process as means of enhancing transparency and accountability in the preparation, allocation and utilization of public funds.

The BPA was signed at the DPWH Regional Office 13 by Director Versola, BACCIFI President Joseph Omar O. Andaya and witnessed by DPWH 13 Planning Chief Samson L. Hebra, BACCIFI Executive

Director Virginia L. Rosales, Agusan del Norte District Engineer Alipio Grana and Butuan City District Engineer Nicolas Alameda.

The BPA is in accordance with the guidelines set by the Department of Budget and Management National Budget Circular No. 536 dated January 31, 2013 to standardize partnership program with CSOs and other concerned stakeholders.

Base-Load power plants operate 24/7 at their rated dependable power capacity (coal, geothermal, and nuclear power plants) while Intermediate-Load p ower plants include hydro plants and other renewable energy (RE)based power plants whose power generation varies rather than being held at the same level during operations.

According to Mr. Tauli, Mindanao already has an “ideal mix” of the three types of power plants: 300 megawatts (MW) dependable (not installed) capacity of coal and geothermal baseload; 700MW of intermediate load hydro plants and 350MW of oil-fired/diesel powered peaking power plants.

Considering how Mindanao already has an “ideal mix”, the decision as to which power plants should take priority in construction should not be the type but rather by the least-cost power plant, regardless of type.

The least cost power plants in Mindanao at present are the Agus III hydroelectric power plant in Lanao de Norte and the large multipurpose hydro plants on the Pulangi,

Cagayan, and Agusan rivers.

Second, Mr. Tauli said the present Mindanao power supply system is Energy, rather than Power Constrained.

“This means that there is a limit to the quantity of energy (kilowatt-hours) that can be generated annually, while the amount of power (kilowatts) that can be generated during peak-load periods can be increased suitably to meet peak demands or operating reserve requirements.”

Mr. Tauli said Mindanao’s present power supply system is Energy Constrained because of the operating characteristic of the hydro plants on the Agus River, which is determined by the operating procedure of the hydro plants established by the annual Rule Curve for Lake Lanao.

The Energ y-Constrained nature of the power supply system in Mindanao also requires that the decision for the next power plant to be constructed should be based on least-cost rather than type of power plant, which are the large hydro power plants, not coalfired power plants.

from page 2

President Benigno Aquino’s platform in governance.

He emphasized that “all efforts towards pumppriming ARMM’s economy will be put into waste if its

Projects... from page 2

that DPWH wants to enhance the quality of its budget process by involving CSO partners in the annual budget preparation.

“This agreement with BACCIFI will help enhance efficiency and effectiveness of our office. With BACCIFI monitoring our programs, projects and activities for this year and beyond, trans-

from page 1

In an email addressed to Mr. Tauli dated April 4, 2012, Mr. Almendras said “As we have outlined, the solution for Mindanao requires the introduction of base load generating capacities capable of producing power at any time of the day. We are addressing the outages with the rationalization and deployment of all generating capacities.”

10

April 13-15, 2012

Congress.Watch

Legislators eye creation of central fire stations DO not be surprised if fires occurring in the country are not immediately contained or prevented.

Data gathered by a legislator revealed that at least 645 towns all over the country do not have fire stations, while 666 others are using old and barely operational fire engines.

This prompted Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City to file House Resolution 2250 urging the House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Order and Safety to investigate the absence of fire stations in the 645 towns and the use of old and dilapidated fire trucks in 666 others.

Citing records of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Rodriguez said there are some 800 to 900 fire incidents that occur in the country every month.

“Fire incidents cause the loss of lives and properties, which could be prevented if our firefighters have the proper equipment. Our firefighters also have to make do with old and unreliable safety equipment which put their lives at an even greater risk and also put the lives of the victims in greater danger,” said Rodriguez.

In the resolution co-sponsored by his brother, Party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez of

Abante Mindanao, Rodriguez also called on the Department of the Interior and Local Government to activate Central Fire Stations nationwide to meet under a unified command system the needs of localities or towns, particularly those without fire stations.

The Central Fire Station, the Rodriguezes said, shall be the city or townfire station that is accessible to the localities or towns that do not have fire stations.

As envisioned, the Central Fire Stations shall coordinate with the officials of local governments having fire suppression problems and shall be responsible for quick response for fire prevention, investigation and provision of emergency and rescue services.

Rodriguez also urged the DILG to fast-track the acquisition of new fire engines and other fire fighting supplies and equipment and immediately distribute these to different cities and towns.

Reports have it that the DILG was planning to purchase 170 fire trucks to alleviate the pressing need for more fire engines. Also, the DILG was reported to have earmarked a significant amount to procure additional equipment for firemen.

BUTUAN CITY – Some 500 residents from the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas and Pasay took to the streets and did a “Stations of the Cross” ritual in protest against a reclamation project along the coast of Manila Bay. In a wire received, the demonstrators timed the street protest as the nation celebrates the Holy Week and staged the ritual with the theme “Kalbaryo sa Kalikasan at Kabuhayan” to show their continuing opposition against the 635-hectare reclamation project that they said will destroy the livelihood of communities in said cities.

The residents said the procession had with it a prayer for the eventual discontinuance of the project and Mother Nature as well as the livelihood of hundreds of families will be given protection instead..

As a citizen and resident who will be adversely affected by the reclamation project, former

Rep. Cynthia Villar joined the procession together with some officials of the cities of Parañaque, Pasay and Las Piñas.

It will be recalled that Villar filed a Writ of Kalikasan petition with the Supreme Court last March 16 opposimg the reclamation project along the Bacoor-Las PiñasParañaque coastline of Manila Bay. Respondents in the petition included Altech Construction, Inc., Philippine Reclamation Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Management Bureau and the City of Las Piñas.

Based on a hydrological survey of Tricore Solutions, Inc., should a typhoon as powerful as Tropical Storm “Ondoy” hit the three cities, floods will destroy properties and livelihood of residents.

The study also revealed the strong possibility that 65 barangays in Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Bacoor, Cavite will be submerged by floodwater from 0.15 meter to 5.12 meters.

Penitents from the

MINDANAO

Investigation into trafficking of unborn babies sought A SENIOR member of the House of Representatives has sought a congressional investigation into the operation of criminal syndicates engaged in the trafficking of unborn babies to foreign countries.

At the same time, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City urged law-enforcement agencies to run after the people behind the illegal activity.

House Resolution 2251 directs the House’s Committees on Social Services and on the Welfare of Children to conduct an investigation into the modus operandi of the syndicates.

Rodriguez said the syndicates are recruiting pregnant Filipino women who were promised huge amounts of money in exchange for their babies.

He said pregnant women are given travel documents, plane tickets and pocket money to a designated country while posing as tourists. “They travel overseas legally as tourists then sell their newborns to waiting adoptive parents abroad.

Reclamation project protesters do “Stations of the Cross” ritual

By PAT SAMONTE

BusinessWeek

Diocese of Parañaque gathered in front of St. Andrew Cathedral and led the procession passing through Quirino Avenue, La Huerta, Parañaque City as the stations of the Cross moved around the city’s public places.

The fourth station of the cross is known as “Freedom Island” where the area will suffer severe damage and destruction following years and decades of being nurtured and developed. The place is also known as the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA) where more than 195 bird species are located of which some are considered “most endangered” and can only be found there anywhere in the world.

The reclamation project is said to cut off, isolate and segregate mangroves along the coast of Manila Bay owing to lack of salt water, leading to the breakdown of the ecosystem and denying home to more than 5,000 birds. advertorial

“The pregnant woman will be sponsored to go to a foreign country with the intent of having the child adopted as a form of a pre-arranged plan,” Rodriguez said.

He cited two trafficking cases that happened in Austria two years ago and in Malta last year.

Rodriguez said immigration authorities are having a difficult time addressing the issue as mothers are able to leave the country legally because authorities cannot stop anyone from travelling abroad. “There is no reason for immigration agents to be suspicious about a pregnant woman going overseas,” Rodriguez said.

He said the Philippines was once known to have a very high incidence of human trafficking, with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) putting the number of child victims of prostitution at 75,000.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) also reported that there is an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 children in the Philippines involved in human trafficking, while the International Labor Organization (ILO) estimated that about 100,000

Primavera... from page 1

Romolo V. Nati, president and CEO of Italpinas Euroasian Design and EcoDevelopment Corporation, designers and developers of Primavera Residences.

Located at the 3rd floor of Primavera Residences Tower 1, the 4 X 8 X 1.219 produces its own chlorine through a salt chlorine generator, the most sought after system of alternative pool sanitation today. Through a minimal saline level in the pool water (the equivalent of one teaspoon per gallon of water) and salt conversion cell, it produces the most luxurious, softest feeling water imaginable- everyday, the natural way.

“Swimming in a mild saline solution is much like taking a shower in soft water,” Mr. Nati said. “In a salt-water pool (one with a chlorine generator) the water feels smooth, your skin feels smooth and many people feel more refreshed.”

Mr. Nati said this system doesn’t require manually adding chlorine to the pool

RODRIGUEZ

Filipino children are victims of human trafficking.

Rodriguez said the country’s efforts to curb human trafficking, the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report released by the United States of America, pursuant to the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), shows the Philippines overcoming its status as being included in the Tier 2 Watch List of the TVPA. “Things may soon turn for the worse again if a new form of human trafficking racket is not addressed, trafficking in unborn babies.

There is a need to stop this

new form of trafficking from proliferating and instead convince would-be parents who wish to place their children up for adoption to comply with the legal process and go through the Inter-Country Adoption Board,” Rodriguez said.

“The country’s inter country adoption system works and is even cited by Jennifer Degeling, representative from The Hague as one that the other nations could emulate with the welltrained professionals handling the process, screening parents and matching prospective babies to home that would best provide the children their needs,” he added.

and residents are free from irritating dry skin or red eyes. “We also don’t have to buy, transport or store chlorine, making Primavera a much safer home for residents and pool swimmers.”

Chlorine generators create a better, healthier swimming experience for most people. It isn’t necessary to handle or buy chlorine, and residual chlorine will always be present in the pool, eliminating algae.

This makes it nearly impossible to get burning red eyes from chloramines, the usual culprit.

As if that wasn’t enough, Mr. Nati decided to integrate a Jacuzzi with its swimming pool.

“More than just a luxury accessory for our unit owners, a Jacuzzi has both physical and mental benefits such as improving circulation, relieving fatigue, prevent stiffness and other body aches, increase flexibility, reducing stress by releasing endorphins into the body, allowing harmful toxins to leave the body, sooth muscles aches, back pain, arthritis and repair injuries.

Jacuzzi also improves your flexibility, increases muscle endurance, and slow down the effects of aging. It is also helpful to high blood pressure patients.”

Jacuzzis are very beneficial to the circulatory system, as they get the blood moving. This is good not only for your heart, but for your entire body as well, he added.

“Jacuzzi baths enable you to transition to a better state of mind and body,” Mr. Nati notes. “After a day at the office you need to quickly clean up by hopping into some water.”

Jacuzzi bath can actually help your health.

Hydrotherapy has helped the people to heal through relaxation. Ancient Greek physicians prescribed water therapy for their patients, and even now many doctors still prescribe hot baths, steams, hot springs and saunas to improve health and cure ailments.

And certainly not the least, soaking together in a Jacuzzi is an enjoyable and relaxing way to bond the PRIMAVERA/PAGE 11

ADVERTISING CORPORATION Upper Apitong, Macanhan Road, Carmen-Ilaya, Cagayan de Oro City (088)856-9995 • (08822) 72-99-99 email: bansqual@ultracraftadvertising.com

MINDANAO

BusinessWeek

Billboard

Seminar equips participants with fresh insight on trauma journalism

By JOE PALABAO, Reporter

THE recently held Trauma and Journalism Seminar hosted by BusinessWeek Mindanao and Mindanao Daily News on March 31-April 1 at the Dynasty Court Hotel in Cagayan de Oro has provided participants, journalists and non-journalists, with fresh inputs needed in dealing with various traumatic situations.

Randy Banas, marketing executive of Kairosolutions, Inc., one of the participants in the seminar, said the seminar gave him more insights in handling different aspects of trauma in work and how to handle them with positive output.

Banas is the Visayas and Mindanao Marketing Executive of Kairosolutions, Inc., a Manila-based Advertising Agency that handles the promotions and advertising needs of 2GO Travel and other companies.

2GO Travel is a consolidation of interisland vessels consisting of Superferry, Cebu Ferries, SuperCat

Palm... from page 1

locality, the two warring groups have finally come to terms and vowed to work hand in hand and leave their strife behind.

B eing communitybased, the palm plantation project will be jointly initiated by both the Muslim and Manuvu communities in the area.

The MOU was signed last March 26 in Kidapawan City by the MNLF Sibangan Kotawato State Revolutionary Committee headed

by Chairman Datu Dima Ambil, and the Manuvu communities represented by Derepa te Manuvu ne Arumanen Chairman Edtami Mansayagan and Timuey Bungalos Mandadtum.

Also signing the MOU were North Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Nancy A. Catamco, Ating Koop Party List Representative Isidro Q. Lico, North Cotabato 1st District Rep. Jesus N. Sacdalan and representatives of government line agencies and local government units, as well as nongovernment organizations.

An initial amount of

Primavera... from page 10

t he family together, considering Primavera’s family-oriented design and layout.

Designed by ITA Project, an Italian architectural firm based in Rome with Arch. Nati as chief designer, the P250-million 10-storey Primavera

April 13-15, 2012

11

HOTELS RESTAURANTS

By Laurel Media/RTM

Pryce Plaza Hotel

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

Kairosolutions, Inc. Marketing Executive Randy Banas receives his certificate of participation from Philippine Press Institute Executive Director Ariel Sebellino, BusinessWeek Mindanao, Mindanao Daily News and Mindanao Balita Publisher Dante M. Sudaria and National Union of Journalists in the Philippines Secretary General Rowena Paraan.

and Negros Navigation.

Ms. Rowena ParaanSecretary General of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) was t he main resource person of the seminar assisted by Ariel

Sebellino, executive director of the Philippines Press Institute (PPI).

Invited participants were from various local and national newspaper outlets, including the reporters and correspondents

of BusinessWeek Mindanao and Mindanao Daily News The seminar was a brainchild of BWM Executive Editor Allan Mediante with full supports from publisher Mr. Dante Sudaria.

P3.5 million to fund the pre-investment activities was committed by Rep. Catamco to provide funds for the pre-investment activities such as the Social and Investment Preparation, survey of plantation areas within the Ancestral Domain Claims of the indigenous peoples, and the P1 million as part of the equity for the project to access the initial P10 million Credit Surety Fund with the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other banking institutions for the nursery establishment.

The Household MultiPurpose C ooperative represented by General Manager Reynold S. Alejo also signed the MOU as a project partner and conduit of the nursery funding and was assisted by Rep. Lico with a P1.5 million fund for the said purpose.

Rep. Sacdalan, on the other hand, also provided funds to enable the farmers of the province’s first district particularly the municipalities of Alamada and Libungan to participate in the project in close co ordination wit h t he Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) provincial

office. Moreover, these congressional representatives also provided funds for the construction and/ or maintenance of roads leading to the plantation areas.

About a year ago these communities who are signatories of this MOU were locked in a bloody armed confrontation over territorial dispute. The conflict ended with a signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Peace and Territorial Boundary in February 13, 2012 when both communities finally settled their dispute formally after a lengthy negotiation initiated by Mr. Greg I. Macabodbod, the executive director of the Mindanao Agribusiness Center in partnership with the Samdhana Institute Inc. This agreement which was signed by MNLF North C otabato C ommittee Chairman Commander Aladdin and the Manuvu leaders also affirmed the border survey which was duly recognized by MILF Kapalawan Provincial (includes the province of Bukidnon and areas of North Cotabato) Commit-

tee Chairman Commander Kinig Inalang of North Cotabato.

With a total investment cost of P1.3 billion in a span of 4 years, Macabodbod believes that through the successful local equity mobilization and innovative financing scheme jointly crafted with the banking institutions, the Community Based Integrated Oil Palm Project can access the required resources given the commitments and efforts already made by the project stake holders such as the Muslim and Manuvu communities, the Congressional offices, the National and Local Government Units, the Non-Government Organizations, the banking and private sector, and more particularly the people of North Cotabato who are ver y supportive of this project.

Macab o db o d added that once the investment fundamentals are in place, most likely within the next three months, investors with strong sense corporate social responsibility will be highly welcomed to invest in the plantation and mill establishment.

Residences twin tower condominium is the first eco-friendly structure in Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao designed from the ground up with energy efficiency and other eco-friendly features built into its design.

Passive design elements complement each other to reduce energy

consumption for air conditioning by 32% or around 20% for total energy consumption. Active design elements like solar panels on its rooftop further reduce the residents’ energy consumption.

Located within the Pueblo de Oro Township in Cagayan de Oro City, Primavera Residences is the paragon of eco-friend-

ly design for its master planned, self-sufficient host community which effectively reduced its carbon footprint by designing homes, schools, church, store and work places to be within easy reach of each other, requiring less energy to move people and things from one point to the other.

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

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

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

Fem’s Vines Pension House Cor. Yacapin-Aguinaldo St., Cagayan de Oro City For Reservation: (08822) 724582 (88) 8572158

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

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

12

April 13-15, 2012

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

3 DAY SALE AT SM Enjoy the great uptown shopping as SM City Cagayan de Oro once again brings you big savings and exciting prizes on its 3-day mallwide sale on April 13, 14 & 15 from 10am to 10pm!

Avail of the two-hour special exclusive to SM Advantage, Prestige, and BDO Rewards cardholders during the first day of the sale from 9am to 12nn and get an additional 10 percent off on all items at SM Department Store, SM Appliance Center, Ace Hardware, Toy Kingdom, Our Home and Surplus Shop.

Get a chance to win 1 of the 3 Eee PC X101H Netbook during the daily raffle draw at 9pm on April 13 to 14 and 10pm on April 15. A shopper may avail a raffle coupon for every P500 single or accumulated purchase from any participating mall establishment.

Shoppers can also get a chance to win 1 of the 3 iPhone 4S with Globe prepaid sim for every single receipt purchase at SM Department Store. Daily raffle draw is scheduled at 8pm on April 13 to 14 and 9pm on April 15.

Global Pinoy members may get one additional raffle coupon by presenting their Global Pinoy Cards, along with a minimum P500 worth of single or accumulated purchases from any of the participating mall establishment.

What’s more? Get up close and personal with Daniel Padilla on April 13 at 4pm, catch ABSCBN’s Tropang Lokal Summer Jam on April 14 at 4pm and watch the Kapuso mall show on April 15 at 4pm.

Everyone is invited to enjoy the great uptown shopping and avail of as much as 70% off on great selections mallwide on April 13 to 15 only at SM City Cagayan de Oro!