BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO APRIL 27,2012

BusinessWeek

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

www.businessweekmindanao.com Issue No. 69, Volume III • April 27-29, 2012

Editorial: 088-856-3344 • Advertising: 0917-7121424

P15.00

Market Indicators

AS OF 5:25 P.M., APR. 26, 2012 (Thursday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P42.61

5,214.75 points

; ; Briefly 4 cents

9.95 points

Power from irrigation

THE government is now looking into the possibility of using irrigation systems to ease the power crisis in the Philippines particularly in Mindanao.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is now in talks with the Department of Energy to finalize a project which will use irrigation systems to produce electricity.

“Irrigation systems could supply 15 megawatts of electricity in the country daily.

[Power produced from irrigation] could be cheaper than that produced by private power generators,” said Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala in a statement.

Food prices up

GLOBAL food prices again rose in the first quarter on the back of higher oil prices, putting millions of people at risk of not having enough to eat, the World Bank said Wednesday.

The eight percent increase from December 2011 to March 2012 was due to “higher oil prices, adverse weather conditions, and Asia’s strong demand for food imports,” the World Bank said in its latest Food Price Watch.

The bank’s Global Food Price Index was “only one percent below a year ago and six percent below the February 2011 historic peak,” it said.

Enrolment

A TOTAL enrolment of 1,056,201 in formal education from the pre-school to the secondary level in Northern Mindanao has been noted last school year (SY), representing an increase of 5.16 percent compared to the previous SY. This is compared with the total regional enrolment (TRE) of 1,004,367 from the pre-school to the secondary level in the region in SY 20092010, Director Luz Almeda of the Department of Education (DepEd), Region 10, said.

She said enrolment in the public schools registered a total of 929,138 or 87.97 percent, and the private schools with 127,063 or 12.03 percent of the TRE.

By NELSON V. CONSTANTINO, Editor-in-Chief

S

EEING the need to generate more electricity in the brownout-stricken Mindanao, Aboitiz Power Corp. plans to invest P35 billion for power projects in the island in the next three years.

In a press statement furnished this paper, Aboitiz Power Chief Executive Erramon I. Aboitiz said the company is aiming for additional capacity to narrow the gap of Mindanao’s large power deficit.

“Over the next three years we will be investing P35 billion to add 354 megawatts (MW) of power to Mindanao by 2015,” said Mr. Aboitiz said.

Th firm said its projects TRAFFIC MESS. The slow pace of constructing a new drainage system in most part of are long-term solutions to downtown Cagayan de Oro has also slowed down the flow of traffic in busy junctions such as this one along Claro M. Recto Avenue and Corrales Extension. Adding to the mess is the lack of traffic enforcers in the area.

PHOTO BY GERRY L . GORIT

Normin’s exports breach $1-B mark

By MIKE BAÑOS, Correspondent

EXPORTS from Northern Mindanao breached the $1-B mark for 2011, thanks to a strong fourth quarter finishing kick from coconutbased products.

Records from the Department of Trade and Industry Region X show exports from the region totaled $1,064.51-billion, and 14.85 percent increase from the 2010 total of $926.91-mil-

PNoy turns-over shelters to Sendong victims PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the turnover of the newly- constructed permanent housing units to the victims of storm “Sendong” in Cagayan de Oro City today.

T h e Pre s i d e nt w i l l distribute certificates of awards and certificates of SHELTERS/PAGE 11

lion.

“Coconut based products like coconut oil, oleochemicals and dessicated coconut are still the region’s top exports, and contributed 61.42 percent of the regional total in the fourth quarter and 64.21 percent for the year,” said Leon M. Dacanay Jr., NEDA Region X regional director during a recent media briefing.

“Other top annual exports included processed foods,

sugar and sugar cane products and other resource based products.”

Despite a 13.74 percent decline from 2011, exports of crude/refined/cochin coconut oil remained the top export commodity at $319.58-million, accounting for a third of Region 10’s exports for 2011. Oleochemicals followed at $215.82 million (20.27%) and canned pineapple products third at EXPORTS/PAGE 8 A ò ÙãÊÙ® ½

Coffeeworks: Beginnings COFFEEWORKS was born out of founder Roselle Paras’ own love for hanging out in coffeeshops while working as a reporter and segment producer at network giant ABSCBN. As a way of coping with the demands of the job, and as a way to relax, Roselle was always

a regular fixture at coffeeshops in Manila. Seeing the many coffeeshops thriving in the metro, she realized that there was room to introduce a modern, and cozy coffeeshop in her own hometown: Cagayan de Oro. Thus on August 2005, Roselle opened CoffeeCOFFEEWORKS/PAGE 11

Mindanao’s power problems.

These projects include a 300-MW Davao coal plant and three hydroelectric projects: the 14-MW Tudaya, 12-MW Tamugan and 28MW Sita-Simod plants.

Mindanao currently needs around 1,597 MW daily, but existing capacities in the region can only produce 1,261 MW as of April.

More than half of the power plants in the island source their energy from the Agus POWER/PAGE 8

2

April 27-29, 2012

Economy

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

EAGA airlines complement efforts for subregional connectivity

By NORA L. MOLDE, Contributor

DAVAO City -- Airline industry leaders from the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines (BIMP) urged for collaborative efforts between the private sector and government institutions to fast track and enhance air transport connectivity within the subregion.

During the 1st Equator Asia Air Access Forum and Airline CEOs Summit, executives of Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, MASWings, SEA Air, and Midsea Express have expressed

their respective concerns in taking on the BIMP routes, specifically infrastructure support, market availability, and cost of doing business.

The airline summit served as a venue for all

players and stakeholders of the airline and travel industries to discuss and thresh out strategic recommendations aimed at improving air connectivity within the subregion.

Of the three concerns raised, business cost was considered the most pressing issue, considering that addressing it would require policy interventions.

In the meantime, Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla reassured

industry players that the Philippines is currently working on improvements to facilitate more flights from the country to other BIMP destinations.

“We need to come up with the right regulations and infrastructure, and we are happy to say that these are already being demonstrated. Infrastructure programs are already being rolled out to improve our air transportation sector,” Lotilla said.

Moreover, Civil Aeronautics Board Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla reported that the country offers 50 percent discount on filing, regulatory, landing, take-off, parking, navigational, and passenger terminal fees to all interested airlines that wish to operate East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) routes.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport also proposed for EAGA countries to come

up with a flowchart of their respective application processes and streamline best practices that will be identified.

Industry players remain optimistic on achieving better air linkages as MASwings Managing Director Capt. Mohd Nawawi Bin Awang revealed during the summit that the company is looking into reviving the Davao-Manado flights.

“We are looking at the market very closely; we want to ensure sustainability. We do not want to go here for three to five months and then be gone,” Awang said.

The sustainability of such flights has been one of the hurdles of several airline companies that took the BIMP routes, including Bouraq and Sriwijaya Airlines which have stopped flying due to low load factor.

Mid-Sea Express has been flying missionar y flights from Davao to Ma-

nado for three months now, and will increase flights to twice a week next month.

President Benigno Aquino III along with other BIMP-EAGA leaders discussed strategic thrusts of BIMP-EAGA in the fields of enhanced transport, power and communication, connectivity, and tourism development during the BIMP-EAGA leaders summit held earlier this month.

We reaffirm our commitment and support to the BIMP-EAGA cooperation initiatives and pledge to step-up our individual and collective actions to more effectively address the hurdles in realizing the BIMP-EAGA vision and goals,” said the leaders in a joint statement.

Industry players also encouraged local government institutions to take part in creating more market for BIMP-EAGA routes, EAGA/PAGE 7

Villar: Green social enterprises key to address env’t problems

By PAT SAMONTE Bureau Chief, Caraga Region

BUTUAN City -- Former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia A. Villar has always stressed the importance of green social enterprises as an effective and sustainable solution to environment-related problems and issues.

Villar, who is the managing director of Villar Foundation, stressed the value of green social enterprises in her message as keynote speaker and special guest of honor at the Women Leaders’ Summit in Monkayo, Compostela Valley last week.

The summit focused on climate change, disaster preparedness and risk reduction with the theme “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility”.

While Villar admitted that she may not be an

Villar

expert on climate change, but she has contributed a lot and continues to implement programs to ease the adverse effects of climate change in Las Piñas City.

Topmost of these programs is the Las PiñasZapote River System Rehabilitation Program and the green social enterprises that were created out of the environmental project, she said.

According to Villar,

when super typhoons Ondoy, Peping and Sendong devastated numerous parts of the country, Las Piñas was generally spared.

“We in Las Piñas are thankful that we did not experience much damage.

And this is because of our continued efforts in cleaning up our river and environment,” she noted.

Compostela Valley pays tribute to women as valuable partners in communitybuilding through the women leaders’ summit in every locality every year.

In this regard, Villar told the women leaders of Monkayo, that the green social enterprises of the Villar Foundation are a big help to women not only in Las Piñas but in other parts of the country where she and her staff members conduct skills and livelihood training.

Villar Foundation’s green social enterprises include Water Hyacinth Weaving, Handloom Blanket Weaving, Kitchen & Garden Wastes Composting, and Coco Nets.

Villar said: Water hyacinths that used to clog our rivers and cause flooding are now being used as materials in making baskets, bags, slippers, furniture, etc. It is the same with coconut husks, these are now used to make coco nut rip rap instead of cement.”

Coconut is 80 percent cheaper than cement.

Villar also invited the women of Compostela Valley to visit Las Piñas to see and learn for themselves how the green social enterprises are being done.

She also vowed to continue partnering with women in the areas of environment protection and the promotion of livelihood and skills.

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Companies

April 27-29, 2012

3

MVP, Ayalas link up on government projects THE group of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan and conglomerate Ayala Corp. are once again setting aside their rivalry, announcing the formation of an alliance to bid for government railway infrastructure projects.

The agreement between the two players, which are competitors in the telecommunications sector, is their

second partnership since a three-way agreement with the Lopez family in 2010 for a failed bid to acquire the Angat hydroelectric plant in Bulacan province.

The alliance is seen to boost their efforts to enter the railways segment while countering aggressive players, including conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC),

which is making a strong push into transport infrastructure, snapping up various toll-road assets and, most recently, a minority stake in flag carrier Philippine Airlines Inc. “It makes strategic sense as it takes out a potential competitor. Ayala also has experience on how to manage this type of asset,” Joseph

Roxas, president of Eagle Equities Inc., said.

Ayala Corp. and Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of agreement to jointly pursue and develop light- rail projects in Metro Manila, a Philippine Stock Exchange filing showed.

Under the agreement, each of the parties will own 50-percent interest in the light-rail projects and related real-estate development undertakings.

The partnership is initially eyeing to bid for the light-rail transit projects identified under the government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program.

However, it is also open to work together on other rail-related opportunities, the companies’ joint statement read.

“We each have unique strengths and capabilities that, when combined, create a unique value proposition in rail development. We hope to contribute meaningfully in helping raise the standards of our public utilities,” Ayala Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said in the statement.

“This strategic alliance will create integrated solutions that will improve public transportation through our vision to transform the country’s light-rail transit system into a network very much like those in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Osaka,” Pangilinan said in the same statement.

“The existing system is overcapacity and under invested—the need to improve the existing rail systems now

cannot be overemphasized,” he added.

Ayala, the countr y’s oldest conglomerate and the more conservative of the two partners, has been expanding outside its core water utility, telco, real estate and banking businesses into power and transportation.

It recently won the bid for the government’s first and smallest PPP project: the 4-kilometer toll road that will link Daang Hari Road in Cavite to the South Luzon Expressway. It said last week it is looking to bid for the contract to extend and manage the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1).

MPIC, which has water utility, power distribution, toll road and hospitals assets, is keen on the operation and expansion of Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3).

PROJECTS/PAGE 10

Nestle buys infant food maker for $11.85 billion YOUTH FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: Young leaders from Misamis Oriental and nearby provinces attended the 2012 Mapawa Environmental Youth Camp over the weekend in Mapawa, Brgy. Cugman, this city. Organized by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-X) and sponsored by energy firm STEAG State Power Inc (SPI), the activity brought together youth leaders in the region to train and engage in community-based environmental advocacies. EMB 10 Director Sabdullah Abubacar and Steag plant manager Dr. Carsten Evers were among the speakers during the two-day event. For the past eight years, Steag had been sponsoring the activity as part of its continuing environmental education program. Mapawa is also the site of Steag’s 1,200 hectare reforestation project which is currently being implemented in partnership with EMB and the E. Pelaez Ranch Inc. (EPRI).

ZURICH - Swiss food giant Nestle said Monday it has agreed to pay $11.85 billion to acquire infant food maker Pfizer Nutrition, which generates about 85 percent of its sales from emerging markets.

“Pfizer Nutrition is an excellent strategic fit and this acquisition underlines

our commitment to be the world’s leading nutrition, health and wellness company,” Nestle chief executive Paul Bulcke said in a statement.

The group added that the takeover would “complement our existing infant nutrition business perfectly.”

Nestle estimates that

Pfizer Nutrition’s sales would reach about $2.4 billion in 2012.

Financial media have in the past weeks been speculating about an imminent acquisition by the Swiss group, which has significant funds after it sold eyecare giant Alcon to Novartis in 2010 for $51.6 billion.

4

April 27-29, 2012

Investment forum on mariculture held THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 10, in collaboration with the local government unit of Lopez Jaena has conducted an investment forum on April 26 at Rhovic’s Place Hotel and Restaurant, Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental.

This activity is in line with the government’s goal of developing new areas for aquaculture (rearing of fish in an enclosure in a water environment) to increase fish productivity and consequently generate job for coastal communities.

This forum is in support to the existing Mariculture Park/Zone (MP/Z) in Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental.

The park sprawls a stretch of 313.26 hectares and is zonified for different aquaculture activities. The coastal waters of the mariculture zone encompasses the following barangays: Brgy.

Katipa, Biasong, Eastern Poblacion, Western Poblacion and Sibugon.

The establishment of Mariculture Park has become a priority program of BFAR. To date, there are already three (3) mariculture parks in Northern Mindanao which are located in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental; Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte; and the newly established MP/Z in Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental.

A mariculture park is an area in the sea with more or less a block of 100 or more hectares are suitable for fish cage culture operations (aquaculture), sea ranching, seaweed culture, fish sanctuary and mangrove reforestation. It utilizes a maximum of 10% of the total area of a municipal water.

The concept is similar to an industrial estate where locators (termed as investors) rent a specific area for a fee.

The conduct of an investment forum is hoped to encourage prospective investors to venture in the park in profitable income thereby accelerating development of the mariculture park. The park proudly generates employment to

coastal dwellers as caretakers, watchmen and labourers.

The technical resource speakers in the said forum included BFAR Assistant Director Gil Adora and Dr. Ali Emata, who presented the overview/rationale of the mariculture parks in the Philippines and the value chain of milkfish, respectively.

Mr. Narciso Manguito, Aquaculturist of BFAR 10 had discussed the economics of fish cage culture based on the experiences in culturing milkfish in the two existing model high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cages for production.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also updated the participants on the market potentials for bangus while the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) talked about the small enterprise technology upgrading.

Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) will open loaning windows and financial programs on fisheries while fish feeds companies will be given time to promote their products and services.

The Gawad Saka National Awardee on Fisheries (Aquaculture) category, Engr. Rodrigo Basalio shared his experience and testify his innovations on bangus fingerlings transportation and success in marine fish cage culture.

Atty. Asis Perez, Bureau of Director gave the challenges to the would-be investors to contribute to the fish productivity by culturing bangus and other finfishes of commercial value.

BFAR 10 Regional Director Visa Tan-Dimerin hopes that the investment forum will open investment opportunities for ancillary industries such as cage fabrication, feeds supply, transportation, and bangus fingerling production of 40-50 average body weight and will provide additional income for the fisherfolk who will avail of the fish cage for livelihood program of the bureau.

Environment summit DEPARTMENT of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 10 (DA, RFU-10) has supported the advocacy of Earth Souls Solutions Incorporated on its campaign of nurturing mother earth.

In the celebration of Earth Month, Earth Souls Solutions Incorporated hosted the Mindanaonon Environment Summit on April 20 to 21, 2012 at Kadayawan Hall, NCCC Mall, Maa, Davao City.

The summit carried the theme, “Nurturing Mother Earth thru Grass-root Environmental Protection and Organic Agriculture”.

It was a project of Earth

Souls Solutions Incorporated in collaboration with government agencies, people’s organization, farmer’s organization, environmental protectors and advocates, and Local Government Units in Mindanao.

It generally aimed to come up with the Mindanao Environmental Protocol in guiding actions of the government, business and communities on environment. The summit became a common ground for all these sectors to converge in sharing their views, ideas, expertise and concerns with regard to environment proSUMMIT/PAGE 8

Aggie News

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Vegetable farmers learn organic agriculture IN the effort to promote and develop organic agriculture, the Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (DA-AMAD) co-funded a seminar on Pest and Diseases and Organic Agriculture among members of the Mindanao AgriGrowers Multi-purpose Cooperative or MAGMPC on April 17, 2012 at De Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

MAG-MPC is composed of vegetable farmers that are involved in vegetable trading at Bulua Public Market. They were the first who conceptualized the conduct of the seminar to help members of the cooperative to gain new knowledge about agriculture specifically on vegetable production.

There were 29 out of the 56 members of the cooperative who participated in the said event.

The seminar was organized by Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program- a USAID funded project, nongovernment and nonprofit organization. GEM Program aims to provide a refresher course and updates on agricultural practices and policies among vegetable farmers and traders. Ms. Margie G. Baldezamo, Agribusiness Specialist of GEM informed that one of the

L-R: DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Chief Honey Grace Valledor presents the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 among members of Agri-Growers Multipurpose Cooperative; Mrs. Clarisse Quezon, owner of Clarenzon Marketing shares her humble beginnings on organic farming and production of probiotic chicken.

objectives of GEM is “increasing volume and value of vegetable production of local farmers enabling them to sustain production not only for Mindanao but for the whole country”.

Baldezamo further stressed that with the collaborative efforts of GEM Program, government agencies, private sectors and even the academe, the objective to accelerate economic growth in Mindanao will be attained and the benefits will be equitably distributed.

It was learned during the training that this is the second leg among the series of seminars conducted, of which the first was conducted on March 27, 2012 with topics on good agricultural practices and cultural management.

The next seminar is anticipated to happen in May 2012 that will tackle on the judicious use of chemicals and production program-

ming. The final discussion will be conducted in June with postharvest improvement technologies as the major topic.

DA- AMAD Chief Honey Gladys Valledor imparted to the participants the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 and the organic market situation.

The lecture provided the scenario of organic agriculture within and outside the country. They were also provided with instructions on how to process the organic certification, whom to contact and the requirements for organic product certification.

Atty. Jude Quezon, owner of Clarenzon Marketing of Mambatangan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon in his testimony revealed that they were able to organically grow crops such as pechay, lettuce and carrots with the same yield as using chemical-based fertilizers.

He also revealed that the

location of their farm is not suitable of growing these types of crops, yet they were still able to pull it off through organic agriculture.

On the other hand, Mrs. Clarisse Quezon also added that one can start organic farming at a very small scale even just for personal consumption. She introduced the pro-biotic technology in poultry raising. A technology using specially formulated feeds that has no antibiotics, no vaccines, and no growth hormones making the meat 40% less fatty as compared to native chicken.

This technology eliminates the odor of chicken dung which makes it environment friendly. The couple is optimistic that the environment friendly technology they introduced will gain acceptance among the poultry raisers and agri-stakeholders.

Genetically modified corn taking root among farmers TEN YEARS after the start of commercial propagation of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn in the Philippines, the transgenic crop is finding more acceptance among Filipino farmers.

Since then, the controversy stirred by Bt corn -- a genetically modified organism -- has simmered down, a far cry from a decade ago when protests accompanied efforts to introduce it to farmers.

The government allowed commercial propagation of Bt corn starting lateDecember 2002 with actual planting commencing soon thereafter.

Since then, farms planted with conventional hybrid corn have been steadily replaced with Bt varieties.

Bt corn was mainly developed to combat the devastating Asian corn borer or Ostrinia furnacalis, a major headache for Filipino corn farmers as the pest was found to reduce yield by as much as 30%-40%.

With Bt corn, pesticide inputs of farmers have been reduced by 60% as they no longer need to apply chemicals to curb Asian corn borer infestation, according to a 2006 study

by Jose M. Yorobe, Jr. and Cesar B. Quicoy, scientists at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños.

Bt corn carries a transplanted gene that produces delta-endotoxin protein, which when eaten by the corn borer kills the pest.

Bt corn adaptation in the Philippines has been increasing. From just about 11,000 hectares in 2003, Bt corn farms have grown more than 60 times to nearly 690,000 hectares as of last year, said Abraham J. Manalo, executive secretary of the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, citing data from the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

Except in the National Capital Region as well as Eastern and Central Visayas, Bt corn farms span hundreds to tens of thousands of hectares in the rest of the country’s 14 other regions.

The largest Bt corn farms are located in Region 2, or Cagayan Valley, in Luzon with 325,613 hectares as of 2011, BPI data showed.

Next is Region 12 -- also known as the South Cotabato-Cotabato-SaranganiGeneral Santos City cluster -- in Mindanao with 91,505 hectares.

Region 1, or the Ilocos

Region in Luzon, came in third with 68,052 hectares, Bureau of Plant Industry data showed.

It maybe recalled that in August 2001, hundreds of farmers and militant group members stormed the fieldtesting site of Monsanto in Tampakan, South Cotabato in Region 12.

They uprooted the Bt corn plants that were then about to be harvested in what was the first protest of its kind against the multilocation field trials of the transgenic crop in the country.

Back then, the government of South Cotabato also joined the opposition against Bt corn, having passed a resolution banning the planting of the transgenic crop in the province.

Field trials for Bt corn in the country started in 1999, with the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines clearing it for commercial cultivation in December 2002.

Opposition to Bt corn propagation was anchored on concerns over human health and the environment as well as the threat to food security as the transgenic plant would supposedly contaminate conventional farms.

But 10 years after Bt corn CORN/PAGE 7

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Companies

April 27-29, 2012

5

Globe fixed-rate bonds get Aaa rating GLOBE Telecom Inc.’s proposed fixed-rate bonds have been given an issue rating of PRS Aaa by the Philippine Rating Services.

The rating represents the highest rating available, where obligations are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk and the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

The cellular firm earlier said it plans to issue up to P15 billion in fixed-rate bonds, of which Globe is preparing to offer an initial tranche of P10 billion in June.

Proceeds will help fund Globe’s ongoing network modernization and information-technology transformation program, which will involve a total of $790 million in new investments over the next five years, with $640 million to be spent this year and in 2013.

Globe Chief Financial Officer Alberto de Larrazabal had said that the company raised P5 billion with BDO bank, P5 billion with RCBC, and $90 million with China Bank.

“That’s about P15 billion in all and we will have the P10 billion from the retail bonds this year,” he said.

Globe ended 2011 with 30.04 million subscribers, up 13 percent from the previous year.

The cellular firm sees service revenues going up by low to mid single digits this year from 2011 level P67.88 billion. Globe president Ernest Cu said this year’s revenue growth expectation is “in line with the market trends.”

The cellular firm recorded an all-time high Dole Phils. Pineapple plantation in Upi, South Cotabato. service revenues last year, nine percent higher than previous year’s P62 billion, aided by strong re- FRUIT FARMER Dole Philippines, Inc. has revenues for Dole products,” sults from its mobile and appointed RFM Corp. as the authorized dis- Mr. Concepcion said.

The recent move by Dole broadband businesses. tributor of Dole products to key buyers in a is also a “welcome developbid to streamline distribution operations. ment,” said Mr. Concepcion In a statement on Mon- Dole to manage distribution III, noting that Dole products day, RFM said that it signed costs more effectively, said will complement those of a deal with Dole to be its RFM’s President and Chief RFM. Some of the Dole products “exclusive national selling Executive Jose A. Concepcion that will be distributed by and distributing arm… to III in the press release. selected modern trade and The arrangement will allow RFM are pineapple slices, general trade accounts.”

Dole to manage distribution canned fruit cocktail, fruit “[RFM will be the dis- costs more effectively, said Mr. juices, and tomato sauce tributor] for selected major Concepcion in the statement. products.

On the other hand, RFM accounts and downline [ac“The move of Dole to let counts] like small grocer- RFM distribute its products offers products such as pasta, ies,” Ramon M. Lopez, vice- was meant to consolidate its sauce, cake mixes, processed president of RFM added in selling efforts into one major meat and beverages.

When inquired if the a telephone interview. distributor to have a more costMr. Lopez added that Dole efficient and simpler but more agreement would lead to a will still handle other major cohesive sales and distribution change in Dole’s manpower, accounts. system that should lead to Mr. Lopez claimed it would The arrangement will allow better placements and sales not give rise to layoffs.

Dole Phils. partners with RFM

2GO EXPRESS JOINS SOLDIER’S FIGHT VS ILLITERACY: Assistant Vice President for International Solutions Bing Arroyo (3rd from left) during the MOA signing with officials of the Philippine Army’s 4th Light Armor Battalion at the Eco Plaza Building in Makati.

The agreement reaffirms the courier company’s commitment to support worthwhile projects like the “SHOEBOX KO, PARA SA KINABUKASAN MO”, a donation drive where shoe boxes are filled with basic school supplies which are then sent to beneficiary schools around the country. With the partnership, the project’s main proponent, Lt. Col. Thomas Sedano (center), hopes to reach more schools and encourage more donations.

SM Prime profit rises 15% in 1Q THE Philippines’ biggest mall developer-operator said its first-quarter profit rose 15 percent because of new malls and the single-digit growth of same-store rentals.

In a statement, SM Prime Holdings Inc. said its consolidated net income climbed to P2.43 billion in the Januar y to March period from P2.12 billion in the same three-month period last year.

Revenues grew 16 percent to P7.03 billion this year from P6.07 billion in 2011. Same-store rentals rose eight percent, even as SM Prime opened new malls in the Philippines.

Rental revenues accounted for 86 percent of the company’s revenues and increased 15 percent to P6.03 billion.

Six malls - including the newly-opened SM City Olongapo - added 427,000

square meters of gross floor area with an average occupancy rate of 93 percent.

The first-quarter figures also include the operations of its four malls in China. Located in the cities of Xiamen and Jinjiang in Southern China, Chengdu in Central China, and Suzhou in Eastern China, SM Prime’s China operations expanded 34 percent to P0.62 billion.

Cinema ticket sales grew 23 percent because of popular movies shown in the first quarter, including blockbusters such as “Unofficially Yours”, “Enteng ng Ina Mo,” and “The Hunger Games.”

“SM Prime’s betterthan-expected performance during the first three months is a welcome development. It confirms our optimism in the Philippine economy and SM’s

ability to thrive in competitive environments in China,” said Hans T. Sy, SM Prime president.

“This bodes well with our plan this year to open five new malls in the Philippines and one in China. With these new malls, SM Prime greatly enhances its capability to serve the varied needs of its clients and to maintain its dominant position in the industry,” he added.

Sy told reporters that the company expects that the 15-percent growth can be maintained throughout the year, “barring any major set backs or problems” given that the government is set to push through with its public private partnership program, which would spur spending.

He also said the continued rise in OFW remittances SM/PAGE 8

Explore Camiguin island and stay at Villa Paraiso Resort & Apartelle “Avail our Summer Blast at P999/pax (for 2 days and 1 night) Pls call for the inclusion-

White Island

Tigbawasan Falls

Deluze Room

Family Suite Room

AMENITIES:

Function Hall

Tennis Court

For Reservation please call us Camiguin office Tel No. (088) 387-0419 Fax; (088) 387-0420 Cell: 0917-3089293

Huge DLP Screen TV

Tiki Bar

0917-3089296 09999906543 Website: www.villaparaisoresortcamiguin.com Email add: villaparaisoresortapartelle@yahoo.com

6

Opinion

April 27-29, 2012

BusinessWeek Your local online business paper

The BusinessWeek Mindanao is published by BusinessWeek Mindanao Advertising and Promotions every Monday and Friday of the week with office address at Geleng Building, Lapasan Highway, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certificate No. 00875701, and with Business Permit No. 2010-5698, TIN No. 946-396807 – Non VAT. TEL. NOS.: (088)856-3344, (08822)72-33-44 (088) 587-1390, 74-5380, 0923-432-0687 Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com

E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com DANTE M. SUDARIA PUBLISHER ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA FINANCE MANAGER NELSON CONSTANTINO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

½½ Ä Ã ® Äã ø çã®ò E ®ãÊÙ RUEL PELONE OĽ®Ä E ®ãÊÙ GERRY GORIT ROLANDO SUDARIA P«ÊãÊ JÊçÙÄ ½®ÝãÝ JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA UÙ® ½ C. Q箽®Ä¦ç®Ä¦ E ®ãÊÙ® ½ CÊÄÝç½ã ÄãÝ

MELANIE RIVERA IRENE M. DOMINGO A ò Ùã®Ý®Ä¦ FELIX SANTILLAN L ùÊçã AÙã®Ýã TOTO ADE PÙÊ ç ã®ÊÄ MARLON DOMINGO CIRCULATION RIZA O. ARES LIEZL A. DELOSO JOE PALABAO RENE MICHAEL BAÑOS

ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI ããù. ÙÊ ÙãÊ . Äã ¦Ê ¹Ù. M Ù» ã®Ä¦ CÊÄÝç½ã ÄãÝ L ¦ ½ CÊçÄÝ ½Ý

MARKETING PARTNERS A VENTURE MKTG CORP. MARLYN PARͳTelefax: (02)485-0570 2512 Opalo St., San Andres Bukid Sta. Ana Manila RURAL PRESS COMMUNICATORS REP. INC. 3055 Tolentino St., cor. Balabac St., Pinagkaisahan, Makati City Telephone Numbers: (02)8823978 / (02)8823205 Fax No. (02)8823223 Email Address: ruralpresscomm@yahoo.com; ruralpress@yahoo.com

JUN ESCUADRO - 0917-511-1724 44 Lungos, Pulilan, Bulacan RICHARD ALMENANZA-0920-9467267 Suit 701 C Dansalan Condominium Mandaluyong City CEBU THE VOICE FREDDIE PAR - 0932-867-2326 C. Padilla cor. Fatima Sts., Cebu City

Mindanao Examiner/Mindanao Daily Unit 15, 3F Fair Land Bldg., Nunez Extension Zamboanga City Phone & Fax (062) 992 5480 Email: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

MARX’S PUBLISHING AND MARKETING SERVICES P-7 Resureccion Road., Holy Redeemer, Butuan City Cell No. 0948-4183501, 0912-8091093

BWM CAGAYAN DE ORO

JOE PALABAO - 0905-1569709 ROLANDO SUDARIA- 0906-7035614 RIZA O. ARES-0922-8708374 LIEZL A. DELOSO-0905-2123718 RENE MICHAEL BAÑOSͳ0917ͳ7148484 ARJAY FELICILDA - 0949-328-4099

BWMBUKIDNON PROVINCE ANN NOBLEͳ 0926ͳ3125850 DAHLIA S. BENEMERITO 0926ͳ858ͳ2013 EDGARDO MALIZAͳ 0926ͳ4759372

BWM CARAGA REGION

PAT SAMONTE- 0912-8091093 OBET SAMONTE-0948-4183501 TANDAG ͳGEN CANTORͳ 0929ͳ5817116

BWM WESTMIN REGIONS

ILIGAN CITY ͳ JEFFREY OPONDA 0935ͳ9490654 TUBODͳ LOUIE BUKODͳ 0948ͳ1323348 OROQUIETA CITY- PJ TREMEDAL 09193452375 OZAMIZͳ ATTY. ROBERTO CANTAGO ͳ0918ͳ807ͳ0707 ARMM ͳ SONY SUDARIA ͳ 0947ͳ4810371 PAGADIAN CITY ͳ MANNY MAULANAͳ0917ͳ7048333 Zamboanga- Al Jacinto- 0918-9180895

Member: -Philippine Press Institute

-Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber) -Misamis Oriental - Cagayan de Oro Association of Publishers (MOCAP), Inc.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Get hold of happiness THINK a minute…Have you heard of the new emotional sickness called Sudden Wealth Syndrome? It happens to people who suddenly become rich by winning a big lottery jackpot, inheriting a lot of money, or other quick ways. But then what these newly rich people often find out is that it doesn’t end up being the happy dream they expected.

They soon discover what many other rich people already know: money can’t buy happiness that lasts.

But that’s just our problem: we think that happiness is something out there that we have to find and get, like money, a position of respect and power, or physical pleasure and fun experiences. We

think we’ll finally be happy after we get out of school or when we get married. But then even when we do finally get it, we find out it doesn’t last and make us happy for the rest of our lives like we expected.

So how do we get hold of happiness that lasts for a lifetime?

Well, the first big step is we must admit that we’re not totally happy and we need help. But that’s hard for us strong, independent human beings to do! We’re like the man who came home drunk one night. As his wife helped him into bed she asked him if he wanted her to pray for him. He nodded yes. So she began: “Dear Lord, I pray for my husband who lies here

drunk.” But her husband suddenly interrupted her and said: “Don’t tell Him I’m DRUNK! Just say that I’m…SICK!” In our own heart and conscience we all know that we’ve done things wrong and failed to live the way we know we should. We’ve not always lived in a close, right relationship with our Maker, and many of us won’t admit that we’re wrong and have failed. Neither will we admit that we can’t fix our life and make it right by ourselves. But until we finally face the facts that we’re not completely happy and at peace, our life won’t change.

Yet today, if you’ll sincerely ask Jesus to forgive you for all your wrongs and living your

Travel niche this summer!

WOMEN STOP and smell the roses. During the summer months in Mindanao, its flower festivals and the fragrance floats in the air.

People don’t have to stop for the flowers as they travel from Davao to Cagayan de Oro via BUDA, the acronym for Bukidnon-Davao highway, which opens some 370 miles of countryside mountain scener y that leaves our eyes mystified with the sight and green splendors of nature. Students and adults making a trip for the May fiestas in Northern Mindanao to as far as Bohol province cross mountains and oceans and find the trip enjoyable and more economical.

Sugar cane rows, corn land, bananas and pineapples are no longer field of dreams stretching the horizon but beyond what the naked eyes can see, it’s real and unfolding.

From the town of Que-

zon to the Municipalities of Maramag to Manolo Fortich, plantations dominate some 829,378 hectares of moist flatlands and mountains in the land locked province where day temperature stood at 25.04 degrees centigrade which scales down to 18.05 degrees fahrenheight in the evening while Manila and the other cities of the Philippines are torching at 35 degrees Celsius.

Bukidnon is a first class agri-industrial province where landscapes are characterized by deep ravines, canyons, valleys and pasturelands. The forested mountains protect the agricultural and populated communities from easterly Pacific storms.

Bukidnon also serves as the water shed of the aquifer of Gingoog City and Misamis Oriental which lies adjacent to a lower elevation of some 915 meters.

Bukidnon by demo-

graphics is one of the most established modern day food baskets of the Philippines.

Over the last 20 years, it has been transformed economically into a first class province. Thanks to the relentless leadership of Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri. He nurtured the growth of his province since he became three termers Congressman then as Governor. Presently, he slides his post as the Vice Governor.

Travel via Buda needs familiarity with the road system to know where the road cuts and landslide pruned areas are located which posed hazards to road travelers and commuters at night. Buda road is the direct link between Davao and Northern Mindanao, two regions position to become the center of agriindustrial business, trade and tourism.

The road traverses in a cultural heritage areas of

Are government IDs a joke?

A COUPLE of days ago I went to a Social Security System (SSS) office to inquire about getting an ID card.

You see I’ve been paying the SSS, GSIS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig since 2007 but not once have I received an identification card from any one of these government agencies.

Quite frankly, it feels like I’ve been paying these ghosts for the past 5 years without neither a receipt nor any shred of evidence that they exist. Proof of that of course is none of these entities even bothered to issue me something as basic as an ID. So I thought I should take matters into my own hands. I’ve waited 5 years after all and it doesn’t look like these government agencies are going to change.

So there I was at a jampacked SSS office, which, true to form, looks as depressing as any government office.

The guard by the door politely offered to help. I told him I wanted to get an

ID since I have been paying my premiums since 2007. I mentioned the year because I’m thinking that maybe they already have an ID for me ready for printing and that I just haven’t picked it up (I will be proved wrong).

The guard handed me a sheet of paper to fill up and asked me if I have a couple of 2x2 photos. I looked at the queue and did a mental calculation. There are at least a hundred people in there.

I turned to the guard and asked him, “How long before I can claim my ID? Two hours? One week?”

The guard replied with a straight face, (wait for it) “At least seven months.” My jaw dropped to the floor.

In a split-second I gathered my bearings, closed my mouth and started laughing.

“Seven? Months? That’s very funny.” At this point, people started to stare at me. Oddly enough, they looked at me as if I should be thankful that it’s just seven months.

(Normally, they would have

stared because I was making a scene.)

The guard turned to a stack of paper tacked on the wall beside him. He pointed to the list of names of people who have not yet received their IDs. He told me that they’ve only started issuing IDs for members (wait for it) as of 2003. (It is now two thousand and twelve.)

At this point, I started to feel bummed out. I asked him if he already got an SSS ID. He said he hasn’t.

He pulled out an old card and told me that it was no longer valid because SSS is issuing a new universal ID. We looked at each other and silently agreed that for an entity who gets monthly premiums from all working persons in the country, you would think they can at least issue you an ID ASAP. I looked up the new universal ID scheme in the hopes that seven months would be properly justified by our dear government and thus, worth the wait, despite

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

way; then ask Him to take full control of your life every day, you’ll finally have peace with your Maker and the satisfying life you should be enjoying. So why not finally get hold of happiness that lasts? You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Just think a minute…

TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY

PED T. QUIAMJOT the indigenous tribes who migrated to the central areas in the 18th century.

For years these tribal agrupations have folk tales and belief that a Goddess watches their source of water, protect their forests and the earth. Prominent among these tribes are the Talaandigs of Talaingud, a scenic village where a recent gathering of Mindanao peoples support group who are peace weavers occurred.

The tribe is pushing for a school of the living traditions to preserve their culQUIAMJOT/PAGE 7

SO THE PUBLIC MAY KNOW

ATTY. SARAH JANE A. SUGUITAN the fact that all reason and logic in me is defying that hypothesis.

Apparently, in March 2011, the SSS, GSIS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig Fund launched a universal multipurpose identification system or UMID. The universal ID will allow the agencies to integrate their services.

(Wow, they need an ID for that?!) Then SSS President Emilio de Quiros Jr. was quoted in news report as saying that the universal ID will do away with multiple ID requirements. It will contain basic and biometSUGUITAN/PAGE 7

BusinessWeek

April 27-29, 2012

MINDANAO

Outstanding Congressman Awards 2011 SUPERBRANDING

THE House of Representatives celebrated its 20th year honoring the Outstanding District and Party List Representatives.

Superbrands Marketing International Inc or SMI has taken on the cudgels to continue this annual presentation of awards we initially supported the past three years. SMI is a publishing company engaged in the awards-presentation of consumer products and services. Superbrands; is the global brand arbiter the world over represented in 88 countries with close to over 12,000 brands awarded.

Branding is not about creating awareness or generating demand. Branding is about deliverables.

This is the ability to provide with consistency the brand promise. Branding is all about integrity. When branded the product, service or person, is perceived to deliver the promise of integrity.

In 1994 it started as a radio show on GLR (now BB C Radio London).

This radio show provided consumers with insights into exceptional brands that touched their lives.

Each show explored the origins of the brand, its current proposition and its future prospects. Following the success of the radio shows Superbrands created hard cover books which paid tribute to the leading brands in each market. In 1997 the media concept was expanded to Australia, Singapore and the Philippines, and in 2000 the concept was rolled out in Denmark, Hong Kong, Spain, France, Portugal, Sweden, Malaysia and the United States of America. In 2000, Superbrands launched its first new product publishing Business-Sup erbrands, a programme focussed specifically on businessto-business brands. Between 2000 and 2010 Superbrands opened dozens of new markets around the world. The centrepiece of Superbrands is a hard cover reference book which features many of the nation’s greatest brands and provides many fascinating insights into the strongest and most valuable brands in the country.

The Brand values Superbrands’ brand values include a dedication to promoting branding excellence, a commitment to paying tribute to qualified

brands, and to maintaining very high and detailed production values across all our endeavours. SMI is now the registered Intellectual Property owner for the annual Outstanding Congressman Awards. The awards have absolutely NO political affiliations, color nor leanings. The criteria for the outstanding congressman award is anchored on Bills filed in 2011 for the fifteenth congress, and bills that have ascended into Republic Acts, this is also inclusive of the Committees in participation, if not chaired, on-going projects, Advocacies and their Vision through their messages to our countrymen.

Now on its 20th Anniversary; The Outstanding Congressman Award is conferred to Congressmen – District Representatives and Party Lists. This year’s Awards was staged; February 29, 2012 at this Fontaine Room, at the Manila Mandarin Hotel, Makati City.

It is interesting to note that these nation builders today who have received no less a mandate from their direct constituents or for the nationally elected Party Lists, are rarely honored or recognized for the long hours served on the tedious deliberations be it; in plenary or the committee hearings, debating bills, amendments, oversight, if not even for the investigation for congressional arbitration which are distinctly for the singular purpose of nation building. The duties of our Representatives are however not necessarily limited to sheer legislation; considering their constituents demand for direct assistance through hard and soft projects - these Congressmen have to source and initiate. Legislation no matter how cumbersome with the long hours required for attendance and deliberation; has to submit to their constituencies – for projects; that are perceived to be local in nature but require the recognition as well.

The Outstanding Congressman’s Awards are not conferred for the purpose of a Public Relations strategy but for the noble objective for identification and to directly honor their successes.

This public acknowledgement is given for identification of their achievements while in office. The Outstanding Congressman ‘Award’ is conferred, for the recognition rightly de-

served. The history of this Award the past 20 years has become the institution for the lower house, dedicated to recognize the reputations perceived or otherwise and is for the generation for aspirations for our leaders who serve the people through this recognition.

Aggabao, Giorgidi B. Isabela, 4th District – 2nd term Alcover, Pastor Jr. M. - Partylist - ANAD - 2nd term Angara, Juan Edgardo M. - Aurora, Lone District - 3rd term Barzaga, Elpidio Jr. F. - Dasmariñas City, Lone District - 2nd term Belmonte, Feliciano Jr. R. - Quezon City, 4th District - 1st term Calimbas-Villarosa, Ma. Amelita A. - Occidental Mindoro, Lone District -3rd term Castelo, Winston ‘Winnie’ - Quezon City, 2nd District - 3rd term Escudero, Salvador III H. - Sorsogon, 1st District - 2nd term Fariñas, Rodolfo C. Ilocos Norte, 1st District - 1st term Fua, Orlando B. – Lone District, Siquijor – 3rd term Golez, Anthony Rolando Jr. T. - Bacolod City, Lone District - 1st term Gomez, Lucy T. - Leyte, 4th District - 1st term Haresco, Teodorico T. - Partylist - Ang Kasangga - 1st term Magsaysay, Ma. Milagros H. - Zambales, 1st District - 3rd term Mercado-Revilla, Lani - Cavite, 2nd District - 1st term Pacquiao, Emmanuel D. - Sarangani, Lone District - 1st term Romualdez, Ferdinand Martin G. - Leyte, 1st District – 2nd term Suarez, Danilo E. - Quezon, 3rd District – 3rd term Syjuco, Augusto Boboy, Ph.D. - Iloilo, 2nd District – 1st term Tupas, Niel Jr. C. - Iloilo, 5th District - 2nd term

Suguitan...

and home loans, why do we have to suffer and wait for the issuance of the IDs? Don’t they have a printer? A scanner? Software for filling up the blanks? Maybe not.

And with all due respect to the NSO, which will always be the census center of the country, it

has become so inefficient and cumbersome in issuing a document as basic as a birth certificate that we all now turn to the private sector, namely Teleserv, Inc., to do that. I hope Teleserv soon offers government services, too. Maybe then, I’ll be able to get my ID in a jiffy.

from page 6

information, and the database will be securely managed by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

This all sounds like a joke. If government is merging its related services like social security

HARRY TAMBUATCO

7

Tragedies in Democracy Democracy is not that so expensive. But, what people think when tragedies are getting more and more existing in a country struggling for democracy? Here are the tragedies happening in a country under the process of achieving the real democracy in my country.

Again, in Indonesia there have been two tragedies recently. The first one is human-made. The second is social condition and also human-made.

The first tragedy was— and still going on—the motor gang that is so brutal. This makes the Jakarta people scared.

The attack was so sudden and conducted during the night. The target was initially the restaurant but recently the hotel. It is really terrifying. The more unbelievable is that it is suspected that such a gang and brutality was not done by merely the ordinary people. What terrible thing is it? The people are presently scared.

The second is concerned with education af fairs. This we ek, it i s t he n at i on a l e x am started by the national education commission.

Some rumors have been spread away throughout the country in Indonesia about the leaking answer

Corn... from page 4

was approved for commercial propagation, farmers who adopted the biotech crop seemed altogether satisfied with it, particularly with the yield.

Johnny Viado, a farmer for 10 years in Pangasinan with a 0.2-hectare corn farm, has shifted to Bt corn and found it more productive.

Eaga... from page 2

promoting their respective cities to neighboring BIMP destinations and vice-versa.

Meanwhile, Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chair and Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA said efforts are continuously done at the EAGA level to strengthen implementation of the existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) on air linkages, which aims

Quiamjot... from page 6

culture, traditional farm and musical instruments and the land of their ancestors.

I remember sometimes in 1999, an American freelance photographer of the National Geographic Magazine, Mr. Tony Collins, came to Mindanao and documented in stills and films the farming methods of the tribes.

Ancient land contours

key. Due to this classic problem, people from region to region throughout this country have made a polemic around this “leaking answer key.” Of course, such a rumor has made the society especially parents get anxious.

Because of this, people get angry and they tend to think that national examination is not fair for some. What is behind this?

But then, that is a country under the process of struggling to survive from the impact of a reform.

That is the cost for paying the “price” of democracy.

In some TV programs, democracy is made fun by some people, and they have changed this term into “demo crazy”. What has been done so far for achieving the life of being in democracy tends

to make all crazy. Any thing can be done without thinking whether it is against the law or not.

What we can do then for the lay men? As ordinary people who are still struggling for getting a meager meal for today and perhaps the next, such tragedies have not been in their concern.

They just wish to work hard in order to have their family find the basic needs. They must be strikingly different from what have been done as the “tragedy makers” above.

Especially, those are the human-made tragedies.

This is for any nation anywhere to learn about the tragedies above. They are the lesson learned.

But, it is dangerous when people around the world think that democracy is very expensive. The price of democracy must not that so expensive if the government being elected is not from the money politics. This is because there is no panacea of the impact of “demo crazy” except the people is all aware that money politics is the source of being crazy.

Dr. Djuwari is director of language laboratory at STIE Perbanas Surabaya.

He had been involved in a Political Party of the post reform.

“Before, with the conventional corn varieties, my farm yielded an average of less than half a ton.

With Bt corn, the harvest improved to a little over a ton,” he said.

Initially, the Bt corn variety in the country has only one trait, namely: resistance to the Asian corn borer.

As years passed, seed companies developed more traits, including making the

crop herbicide-tolerant.

This, in turn, reduced labor cost as it eliminates the need for manual weeding of farms.

Norberto Valdez, also a farmer from Pangasinan, said his Bt corn farm now yields seven tons per hectare, compared to five tons per hectare using hybrid corn varieties.

Bt corn gives Mr. Valdez added income as he intercrops it in his mango farm.

to foster trade and investments initiatives, as well as tourism.

The MOU is set to be amended by the four countries this July, to include additional designated points such as Bandar Serigawan (Brunei); Balikapan, Makasar, Manado, Potiana, and Takaran (Indonesia) Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Labuan, Miri, Sandakan, Tawau, and Mulu (Malaysia); and Davao, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga, and Cagayan de Oro (Philippines).

BIMP-EAGA is an economic cooperation formally created in 1994 covering the entire Brunei Darussalam; 10 provinces in the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Irian Jaya; Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan in Malaysia; and Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines.

The ASEAN subgrouping is primarily intended to spur development in the lagging sub-economies of the member countries by boosting intra-EAGA trade, tourism and investments.

similar to the rice terraces of Mountain Province do exist in the heartland boundaries of Davao and Bukidnon.

Bamboo musical instruments and plant leaves used for harmonic sound but lost in the acoustics of time were rediscovered. Musical tunes that sounds like the melodies of the grass crickets and the blowing of winds played by a musician genius named Waway, conveyed tribal offerings

to their Gods, whom they look up as protector of the forests and farm lands.

Travel as day breaks from Davao to Cagayan de Oro via Bukidnon this summer.

The rich cultural experience and the sceneries instill values among the younger generation to appreciate green patch environment.

It’s more fun to experience a summer break as another opportunity to explore our countryside once more.

DR. DJUWARI STIE Perbanas (College of Economics and Business) Surabaya, Indonesia

8

April 27-29, 2012

Corp.Board

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Maramag, a new tourism highway of Northern Mindanao

By RUBY LEONORA R. BALISTOY Contributor

FAMOUS for its cool crystal-blue spring waters that flow copiously, Maramag town in the province of Bukidnon is the new tourism highway in Northern Mindanao. Here, the legendary Musuan Peak backdrops the famed state-owned Central Mindanao University.

This landlocked town of 116,600 people from

Power... from page 1

the Agus and Pulangi hydro stations, which are no longer capable of generating power based on their original installed capacity.

“There is an urgent need to implement a viable power strategy for Mindanao that will attract long-term investments in power, diversify the power sources and create a competitive supply market.

Let us learn from the past and not provide band-aid solutions or even worst, solve the problem with expensive solutions that will hound us in the future,” Mr. Aboitiz said.

To cushion the effects of the current crisis, AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI) is running its 200-MW oil-fired power barges moored in Na-

SM...

from page 5

and the growth of the business process outsourcing help in bolstering consumer spending.

Meanwhile, Sy said the issue with SM Baguio and the environmental groups is a miscommunication between the two sides. He said they

20 barangays prides itself in being Mindanao’s top source of fresh carabao (water buffalo) milk and other end products such as chocolate milk, pastillas de leche (milk candies) and cookies, all of which are available in display center along the national highway inside the Philippine Carabao Center.

Maramag serves as the nodal point of the major national roads of the province

to the different places in Mindanao. When traveling by land Maramag is three hours from Cagayan de Oro City (north reference), hours hours from Davao City (south-east), two hours from Wao, Lanao del Sur (west), and five hours from General Santos City.

The town’s rich soil produces high grade sugar cane, flowers, fruits, vegetables, rice, corn, and other major crops, which

are regularly shipped to major markets in the country.

With sugar cane ranked as the number one crop, Maramag boasts its agricultural importance to the development of Mindanao.

It has the Crystal Sugar Corporation, which mills sugar cane and produces an average of 10,000 metric tons of sugar per day.

Lately, the mulberry plantation was established.

Mulberries contribute to the country’s silk fiber supply for export.

Dole’s sweet bananas are also grown here. Its fresh fruits are exported to Japan, Korea, China, Hongkong, New Zealand, and the Middle East.

Nature trekkers and mountain climberswill find a panoramic view at the top of Musuan Peak’s 100-hectare Centennial Park. Mountaineers will

see a vista of Maramag’s grandeur and acres upon acres of sugar cane, rice, and cornfields.

Not only is Maramag endowed with natural attractions. The town’s terrain is characterized by slopes, steep hills, and mountains with thick forests protecting the place from floods and storms. Not hot, but not too cold, the place has the ideal climate that offers soothing memorable holidays.

sipit, Agusan del Norte and Maco, Compostela Valley in Davao. It provides 192 MW to 23 electric cooperatives, distribution utilities and industrials in the region.

Aboitiz said TMI is the cheapest, and the most efficient oil-fired power facility in Mindanao today; the average rate charged to its customers is P8.29/kWh. He explained that 90 percent of TMI’s rates are for fuel and other consumables, which are not retained by the company. The remaining 10 percent of its revenue is used to pay for fixed costs, such as salaries, insurance, repairs and maintenance, and debt service, with any residual amount representing the company’s return on its investment.

“Our long-term investments in both power generation and distribution in

Mindanao are a testament to our commitment to be part of the economic development of the region.

We have been in Mindanao since the 1930s and want to continue to be part of its future growth,” Aboitiz said.

help of the Habitat for Humanity.

Aside from receiving permanent shelters, the beneficiaries will also receive livelihood assistance worth P975,000 from the government. The money will be released through the associations organized by the beneficiaries.

With that amount, the government hopes that the typhoon survivors can engage in income generating activities such as trading RTWs and cosmetics, opening up sari-sari stores, dressmaking, tailoring, longganisa-making and food processing.

Exports...

tance from the local government of Cagayan de Oro and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to some 700 families that comprise the initial batch of beneficiaries.

The government has started relocating affected residents from a ‘tent city’ to their new housing units in the Calaanan relocation site this week.

The government prioritized relocating the 500 beneficiaries and transferred

them to Calaanan resettlement Phase 3 in Canitoan Village. These include the 200 families from Barangay Macasandig who will be the first occupants of the Indahag Phase 1 resettlement site.

The development of the relocation sites was realized through tie-ups with the DSWD, the local government of Cagayan de Oro and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The DSWD funded the construction of the houses while the city government of Cagayan de Oro and the DPWH developed the relocation site.

Each quadruplex housing unit, measuring 40 square meters, costs around P70,000, according to the DSWD. The National Housing Authority (NHA) also contributed additional P40,000 with the

Summit...

have had been complying with all the requirements and securing clearances needed for the expansion and redevelopment of the mall.

“Everything had been very regular. But we never realized that there would be a small group who would really stand up against [it]. And there were many--I would

call them--misinformation and disinformation--that has created problems,” Sy said.

The company this year plans to open SM City Lanang in Davao City, SM City General Santos in Southern Mindanao, SM City Consolacion in Cebu, SM City San Fernando in Pampanga, and SM Chongqing in China.

By the end of this year,

SM Prime will have 46 malls in the Philippines and five in China with an estimated combined gross floor area of 6.3 million square meters.

To fund its expansion, the company plans to raise P5 billion up to P7 billion from the sale of 5-year bonds.

This fund-raising exercise will be underwritten by First Metro Investment Corp.

anao Environmental Zone for Earth Soul Solutions Inc. hoped that the said project will not duplicate national projects that were already implemented for environmental protection like the National Greening Program or organic farming programs but instead it will complement and improve the implementation.

Abejuela calls it an “exponential recruitment to the movement”, by which it will provide a venue for all sectors of the society to integrate efforts and work together to get a faster, better and cheaper results by way of sharing expertise, skills, common practices, time and commitment.

Shelters... from page 1

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City 2012-156 OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF FILE NO. 2012-071 Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 by (PCI LEASING AND FINANCE, INC., (now known as BDO LEASING AND FINANCE, INC.), as mortgagee against SPS. FELIMON T. DAMOLO & LOURDES C. DAMOLO & SPS. TEOTIMO ILLANA, JR. & JEREILE D. ILLANA & JULIE ANN C. DAMOLO, as mortgagers which as of January 15, 2012 amounts to TWO MILLION THREE HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FIFTEEN (P2,344,415.00) ONLY, including interest and penalty charges and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned will SELL at Public Auction on May 16, 2012 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning at the Office of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 23, Hall of Justice, Cagayan de Oro City, the following described properties below with all the improvements found thereon, to wit; TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-34860 A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 49, Block 7 of the subdivision plan (LRC) Psd-169564, being a portion of Lot 11, (LRC) Pcs-3974, LBC Cad. Rec. No. 1612), situated in the District of Bulua, City Of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY (250) SQUARE METERS more or less.

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-197500 A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 48, Block 7 of the subdivision plan (LRC) Psd-169564, being a portion of Lot 11, (LRC) Pcs-8974 Cad Rec. No. 1612), situated in the District of Bulua, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY (250) SQUARE METERS more or less.

FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENTS PLACEMENTS CONTACT

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

In the event auction sale cannot take place for whatever legal reason, the same will proceed on the following day without further notice, posting and publication.

Prospective buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves the title abovedescribed and encumbrances thereon, if any therebe.

BWM: APRIL 20, 27, & MAY 4, 2012

(Sgd.) RICO A. REMALIG Sheriff IV

from page 4

tection.

Earth Soul Solutions Incorporated is a non- profit and non-stock organization carrying the mission of helping integrate environmental protection and organic agriculture programs of the government, corporate organizations and NGOs down to the barangay level in order to achieve useful results. It was founded in May 21, 2011 in Malungon, Sarangani Province.

During the consultation meeting on April 4, 2012 at DA-RFU 10, Mr. Niel Abejuela, Regional Director of Zone 2 Mind-

from page 1

$99.02-million (9.3%).

Coconut products also contributed substantially to the $241.65-million fourth quarter export performance of the region for the fourth quarter, some 9.61 percent higher compared to the same period last year. Coco based exports amounting to US$111.4million accounted improved1by seven percent compared to the last quarter 2010.

Other top export commodities from the region included raw cane sugar, abaca/banana pulp/ fiber processed, copra solvent and expeller cake/meal, dessicated coconut, sawn lumber, sintered ore and coconut fiber/husk chip/ peat ropes.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10™ JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 28 MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN In the matter of Petition for Declaration of Presumptive Death of RANIC D. QUEZON,

SPL. PROC. NO. 454

BARTJEN R. VALLERMO-QUEZON, Petitioner.

X----------------------------------------------/ ORDER In her verified petition. BARTJEN R. VALLERMO-QUEZON, thru counsel states that she is of legal age, Filipino, married, and a resident of Tagdo, Mambajao, Camiguin: that before the petitioner and her husband Ranic D. Quezon got married on August 14, 1996 at Catarman, Camiguin their eldest child Nikki Joy V. Quezon was born on September 26, 1995 at Catarman, Camiguin also: that after their marriage they begot two (2) more children namely, Nikko Jay V. Quezon and Nykka Joyce V. Quezon who were born on April 12, 2002 and June 15, 2004, respectively; that petitioner together with her husband and children live together in one abode until in April 2006 with the encouragement of her husband she left for overseas employment in Thailand; that for three succeeding months of May, June, and July of 2006 petitioner sent monthly sustenance to her husband at Lakas, Mambajao, Camiguin, however in August 2006 she was informed that her husband was no longer in their conjugal abode without any information as to his whereabouts, thus her mother took care of her children at Tagdo, Mambajao, Camiguin; that Petitioner exerted efforts to locate and find her husband but found no lead or clue as to his whereabouts; and that for purposes of remarriage she is filing this petition.

Finding the said petition sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby set for hearing on June 14, 2012 to start at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at which hearing any interested person may show cause why the petition should not be granted.

Let copy of this Order be published in any newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Camiguin once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing at petitioner’s expense.

SO ORDERED. Done in Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines, this 11th day of April, 2012.

(Sgd.) RUSTICO D. PADERANGA Judge MDN: April 20, 27 & May 4, 2012

BusinessWeek

April 27-29, 2012

MINDANAO

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Branch 44 Initao, Misamis Oriental REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Represented by the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS (DOTC), Plaintiff, - versus -

Spec. Proc. No. 2007- 724

For : Cancellation of Decree

CRISANTO DOMINGUEZ and the LAND REGISTRATION AUTHORITY (LRA), Defendants.

X- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - / SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION TO: Crisanto Dominguez Alubijid, Misamis Oriental

consequence would be that land conflicts could be even more numerous and complex than they are now and possibly are more abrasive, if not even violent. The Government, recognize the worthy purposes of the Torrens system should be the first to accept the validity of titles issued thereunder once the conditions laid down by the law are satisfied.

12. In the present case, although defendant Dominguez did obtain a decree in his favor, his failure to obtain his certificate after the lapse of more that 65 years is tantamount to an abandonment of such right. For which reason, the principle of laches operates against him.

13. Laches has been defined in the failure or neglect, for an unreasonable length of time to do that which by exercising due diligence could or should have been done earlier. It is negligence or omission to assert a right within a reasonable time, warranting a presumption that the party entitled to assert it has either abandoned it or declined to assert it.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, respectively prayed of this Honorable Court that an order be issued CANCELLING Decree No. 756524 and, accordingly, directing the LRA to CANCEL Decree 756524 issued for Lot No. 12447 in Cadastral Case No. 27 for having lost its efficacy due to abandonment of laches Plaintiff further prays for such other rebels and remedies which are just and equitable in the premises.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED Makati City for Initao, Misamis Oriental, December 3, 2007.

AGNES YSI DEVANADERA Solicitor General Roll No. 26872 IBP Lifetime Roll No. 05084

GREETINGS !

This Court issued an Order dated March 08, 2012 allowing Summons be served upon Crisanto Dominguez in a newspaper of general circulation. It is pursuant thereto that this Summons by Publication is issued.

AMPARO M. CABOTAJE-TANG Assistant Solicitor General (Officer-In-Charge) Roll No. 29990 IEP Lifetime Roll No. 03505

WHEREAS, quoted hereunder is the Complaint, to wit .

1. Plaintiff Republic of the Philippines is a sovereign political entity vested with power and capacity to sue. For purposes of this action, all pleadings, notices and other court processes may be served on its statutory counsel, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) at 134 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

2. Defendant Crisanto Dominguez is of legal age, with capacity to sue and be sued, and a resident of Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, where he may be served with summons and other court processes.

3. Defendant Land Registration Authority (LRA) is impleaded being the agency mandated to issue decrees of registration and certificates of title and register- documents, patents and other land transactions. It may be served with summons and other court processes at the LRA, East Avenue cor. MA Road, Quezon City.

4. Defendant Dominguez appeared to be the owner of a parcel of land located in Alubijid, Municipality of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental designated as Lot No. 12447, Cadastral No 237 with an area of forty seven, thousand nine hundred seventeen (47,917) square meters.

5. Based on the record of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Land Management Services (DENR-LMS) in Cagayan de Ore City, the Bureau of Lands conducted a cadastral survey of the subject Lot sometime in 1933 (annex “A”).

6. Thereafter, the said land was among those subject of the operation of cadastral proceedings and was issued on September 01, 1941 Decree No. 756524 in Cadastral Case No. 27 ( Annex “B”). After its issuance, Decree No. 756524 was then recorded by defendant LPA in its book 7. The record of the Registry of Deeds of Cagayan de Oro City would reveal however that no title to Lot 12447 was issued in favor of defendant (Annex “C”).

8. Considering that the Decree was issued in 1941, it has been note than sixty-five (65) years that the property remained untitled.

9. In Republic vs. Hon. Alon ,1 citing Republic vs. Heirs of Villa Abrille2 The Supreme Court held that in land registration proceedings the following procedure must be complied with xxx (10) Issuance of the decree by the Court declaring the decision final and instructing the Land Registration Commission to issue a decree of confirmation and registration, (11) Entry of the decree of registration in the Land Registration Commission; (12) Sending of copy of the decree of registration to the corresponding Register of Deeds and (13) Transcription of the decree of registration in the registration book and the issuance of the owners duplicate original certificate of title to the applicant by the Register of Deeds upon payment of the pre scribed fees.

10. Indeed, a property becomes registered land only upon transcription of the decree in the original registration book of the Register of Deeds. It follows that until the original certificate of title is issued by the Register of Deeds, the property subject, of a cadastral proceedings not yet a registered land.

11. A Torrens Certificate of Title is the best evidence of ownership issued by the Register of Deeds to the owner of a particular land which is registered under the Torrens system of registration.3 The significance of registration under the Torrens system cannot be undermined in Traders Royal Bank vs. Court of Appeals.4 the Supreme Court reiterates the importance of registration: The main purpose of the Torrens system is to avoid possible conflicts of title to real estate and to facilitate transactions relative hereto by giving the public the right to rely upon the face of the Torrens certificate of title and to dispense with the need of inspiring further except when the party concerned has actual knowledge of facts gad circumstances that should impel a reasonably cautious man to make such further inquiry. Where innocent third persons relying on the correctness of the certificate of title thus issued, acquire rights over the property, the court cannot disregard such rights and order the total cancellation of the certificate. The effect of such an. outright cancellation would be to impair public confidence in the certificate of title, for everyone dealing with the property registered under the Torrent system would have to inquire in every instance as to whether the title has been regularly or irregularly issued by the court. Every person dealing with registered land may safely rely on the correctness of the certificate of title issued therefor and the law will is no way oblige him to go beyond the certificate to determine the condition of the property.

The Torrens system was adopted in this country because it was believed to be the most effective measure to guarantee the integrity of land titles and to protect their indefensibility once the claim of ownership is established and recognized. If a person purchase a piece of land on the assurance that the seller’s title thereto is valid, he should not run the risk of being told late that his acquisition was ineffectual after all.

This would not only be unfair to him. What is worse is that if this were permitted, public confidence in the system would be eroded and land transaction would have to be attended by complicated and not necessarily conclusive investigations and proof of ownership. The further

9

MA. ANTONIA EDIT A C. D1ZON Assistant Solicitor General Roll No.33774 IBP No.702421,1-10-07 THOMAS M. LARAGAN Senior Solicitor General Roll No.38842 IBP No. 702423, 1/10/07 MERCEDITA L. FLORES Associate Solicitor Roll No 52391 IBP No. 702426,1-10-07 OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL 134 Amorsolo St, Legaspi Village Makati City VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING I, MERCEDITA L. FLORES, an Associate Solicitor in the Office of the Solicitor General, after having been sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state: 1. I have caused the preparation of the foregoing complaint.

2. I have read and understood the contents thereof 3. The allegations therein are true and correct of my personal knowledge or based on authentic records.

4. I/Plaintiff has not commenced any action or filed any claim involving the same issues in this Honorable Court, the court of Appeals, the Supreme Court, or different divisions thereof, or in any other tribunal or agency, and if I/plaintiff should thereafter learn that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending before this Honorable Court, the Court of Appeals the Supreme Court, or different divisions thereof , or in any other tribunal or agency, I/plaintiff shall undertake to promptly inform the aforesaid courts and other tribunal or agency of that fact within five (5) days therefrom.

5. The foregoing Verification and Certification of Non-Forum Shopping is being made by the use through the undersigned affiant, pursuant to Section 32, P27, Chapter 12, Title III, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987 which provides that the OSG “shall represent the Government in all land registration and related proceedings.” Thus, it was ruled in COMELEC v. Quijano-Padilla, 389 SCRA 353 (2002) that the OSG is an independent office and that its real client is “no less than the Republic of the Philippines in whom the plenum of sovereignty resides”.

MERCEDITA L. FLORES Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this 3rd day of December, 2007, in Makati City

by Associate Solicitor Mercedita L. Flores, personally known to me, who is the same person who personally signed before me the foregoing Verification and Certification and acknowledged that she executed the same.

MA. HAZEL VALDEZ-ACANTILADO Senior State Solicitor NOW THEREFORE, through this Summons by Publication, Severino Bongo of Alubijid, Misamis Oriental is hereby required to answer the Complaint within sixty (60) days from the last issue of publication.

SO ORDERED WITNESS the HON. ARTHUR L. ABUNDIENTE, Acting Presiding Judge of this court, this 16th day of March, 2012 at Initao, Misamis Oriental.

(Sgd.) ATTY. IAN C. TAJONERA-BERNARDO Clerk of Court VI __________________________________

199 SCRA 396 (1991) 71 SCRA 57, 57-58 (1976) 3 Land Title and Deeds Gregorio G. Bilog Jr. p10 (2005) 4 315 SCRA 190, 201-202 (1999) 5 Sps. Rumarate; et. al. vs. Hernandez; et. al.; 487 SCRA 317, 321 (2006) 1 2

BWM: April 27, May 4 & 11, 2012

10

April 27-29, 2012

Congress.Watch

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Lawmakers eye amendments to Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 House to probe RFID tagging scheme of LTO LAWMAKERS in the House of Representatives have called for a congressional inquiry into the proposed radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging for public utility buses by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Cagayan De Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao Party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. have filed House Resolution 2254 directing the House Committee on Metro Manila Development to invite all the stakeholders to include the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), LTO, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (Acto), Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator (Piston), and other agencies and entities to resolve the issue.

Rodriguez said there is a need to clarify why Piston and other transport operators are against the RFID project, which they

described as a “moneymaking scheme.”

“While Piston is opposing the implementation for fears that the tagging scheme will not help ease traffic congestion and would be a source of corruption, Acto supports the RFID project,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the RFID tagging scheme entails additional cost to public utility, which will eventually be passed on to commuters who will ultimately bear the brunt of increased fares.

“There is a need to carefully study this program considering that even transport groups are divided over the issue,” Rodriguez said.

Earlier, the LTO and the DOTC proposed to implement a plan to use RFID tags to weed out outof-line or colorum public utility buses (PUBs) and decongest Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares.

According to LTO, RFID tags on PUBs will allow easy identification of colorum units plying Metro Manila’s HOUSE/PAGE 11

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10TH JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 28 MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN In the matter of Petition for Declaration of Absence of Murrey Maynard Roque

SPL. PROC. NO. 453 FOR: Declaration of Absence

CIRILA L. GRIFFING-ROQUE,

Petitioner, X--------------------------------------------------------/ ORDER In her verified petition, CIRILA L. GRIFFING-ROQUE, thru counsel, states that she is 33 years old, Filipina, married, a licensed Registered Nurse and a permanent resident of Hubangon, Mahinog, Camiguin; that on November 8, 2001 she got married to Murrey Maynard Roque before Honorable Jose M. Galario, Jr., then Mayor of Valencia City, Bukidnon; that their marriage was blessed with two (twin) male kids Kert Ice Griffing Roque and Kurt Ice Griffing Roque who were born on June 22, 2002; that their relationship was dotted with frequent quarrels which made her suffered at the hands of her husband who turned violent until one day in November 2003 she was physically manhandled and castigated that her husband left their conjugal dwelling in Valencia City which prompted her to travel home with her two kids back to Hubangon, Mahinog, Camiguin where her parents are residing; that on March 10, 2004 before she left for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to work as Nurse in the Medical and Surgical Department of Sharurah Armed Forces Hospital she visited her husband in Valencia City and was told that it was good of her to find a job overseas and for a parting word her husband told her to just forget everything about the two of them; that was the last time that they saw each other; that on March 14, 2004 in order to support her children petitioner finally took her flight to Saudi Arabia for overseas employment; that while working abroad and even on her frequent vacations home she dialed her husband’s cellphone number but all of her attempted calls were blunted by the computerized answer “the number you have dialed is not in service right now” that during her most recent vacation (this March 2012) she personally went to Valencia City in the hope of finding her husband but he was nowhere to be found as he had long left ostensibly for Davao City; that after the lapse of time, eight (8) years plus, without communication between them and her husband’s parting words had taken its toll on petitioner’s senses which led her to finally resolve to take and tread this lonely road to have her husband’s absence judicially declared and have him presumed dead for all intendments of the law applicable in the premises; hence, this petition.

Finding the said petition sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby set for hearing on June 14, 2012 to start at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, at which hearing any interested person may show cause why the petition should not be granted.

Let copy of this Order be published in any newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Camiguin and whole of Mindanao once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing at petitioner’s expense.

SO ORDERED. Done in Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines, this 22nd day of March 2012.

BWM: APRIL 27, MAY 4, & 11, 2012

RUSTICO D. PADERANGA Judge

EVEN with the reported declining trend of illegal drugs use in the country, the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs is now crafting appropriate amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, giving focus on drug offenders who are minors.

The House Committee on Dangerous Drugs chaired by Rep. Vicente F. Belmonte, Jr. is also preparing a resolution to elevate the drug problem as a national security threat.

The chairman has directed the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to craft the possible amendments to the drugs law.

The committee, during its last public hearing, deliberated on four separate resolutions filed by Reps.

Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) and Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. of Abante Mindanao Party-list (HR 855), Rep. Jeci Lapus (HR 1662), Ako Bicol Partylist Reps. Christopher Co, Rodel Batocabe and Alfredo Garbin, Jr. (HR 1680), and Party-list Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino (HR 1765).

During said inquiry, the members raised clarificatory question on the abuse of toluene or contact cement, the actual number of drug users and the number of detention facilities for youth offenders.

The lawmakers also raised the idea of the conduct of a national household survey on drug use to give the panel all the possible statistics or data needed by Congress to

craft a more responsive law to neutralize this global social menace of drug abuse.

The Rodriguez brothers, in HR 855, stated that the US State Department has reported that illegal drugs remain a significant problem in the Philippines due to corruption and poor law enforcement.

The US report, they said, was bolstered by a United Nations report entitled “2010 Patterns and Trends of Amphetamine-type Stimulants (ATS) and Other Drugs: Asia and the Pacific” by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) saying that a total of 1.7 million Filipinos use illegal drugs, particularly the so-called “shabu.”

The same report, however, stated that the trend is on the decline from a high of 6.7 million in 2004 as reported by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“Despite the improvement and despite the laudable efforts of the PDEA, there is still room for improvement and the government must still increase its efforts to curb drug use and eventually totally eliminate it in the country,” the Rodriguez siblings stressed.

On the other hand, Rep. Palatino said it may be helpful to consider four type of drug law offenders, as identified by the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), and develop different ways in which they can

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region BRANCH 28 Mambajao, Camiguin IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION IN THE PL. PROC. NO. 455 IN THE ERRONEOUS ENTRY OF SEX IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF JEZZY RHEA B. DAVID FROM MALE TO FEMALE, JEZZY RHEA B. DAVID, rep. by her mother JELYN B. DAVID, Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MAMBAJAO, PROVINCE OF CAMIGUIN, Respondent. x------------------------------------------------------------- / ORDER Petitioner, is a minor (13 years old) represented by her mother Jelyn Bangkil David of legal age, Filipino, married to Fabio B. David, Jr. and resident of Alga, Catarman, Camiguin, thru counsel, avers, that she was born on December 28, 1998 at Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin to Spouses Jelyn B. Bangkil and Fabio B. David, Jr. whose birth was duly recorded in the Office of the Local Civl Registrar of Mambajao, Camiguin as shown in the machine copy of her Certificate of Live Birth but which birth record erroneously recorded her Sex as Male when in fact and in truth she is a FEMALE, as shown in the Medical Certificate issued by Medical Officer III Salem L. Matonding, M.D. dated April 2, 2012 with findings “GROSSLY FEMALE”. In order to correct such erroneous entry this petition is filed.

The petition being sufficient in form and substance is hereby set for hearing in this Court’s Session Hall on May 25, 2012 to start at 8:30 o’clock in the morning.

Let copy of this Order and of the petition and its annexes be sent to each of the following: Office of the Solicitor General; Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Mambajao, Camiguin and the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Camiguin.

A copy of this Order is required to be published at petitioner’s expense in any newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Camiguin once a week for three consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing.

Any person or entity whose interest might be adversely affected by the proceedings in this case may file written opposition and personally appear during the hearing and substantiate the same.

SO ORDERED. Done in Mambajao, Camiguin, this 16th day of April 2012.

be dealt with under the law instead of having a blanket penalty for all users and possessors of dangerous drugs regardless of their degrees of use and dependence and regardless of the circumstances surrounding their use and possession.

“According to the IDPC, there are four broad types of drug law offenders and identifying and qualifying them under the law may help countries in effectively dealing with the problem of narcotics use: (a) recreational or casual use; (b) dependent drug users; (c) Social or low-level dealers; and (d) serious or organized dealers,” Palatino said.

For their part, the three Ako Bicol lawmakers noted that even with the noteworthy efforts of the PDEA as demonstrated in their numerous operations conducted and drug cases filed, conviction of suspected drug criminals is a cause of concern because of the alarming one percent (1%) rate of convictions.

“In 2008, among the 12,381 drug cases reportedly filed, only 35 resulted in convictions,” Reps. Co, Batocabe and Garbin lamented.

“Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors suggest that stringent requirements peculiar in drug cases such as physical inventory and photography, and failure of law enforcers to observe proper procedures in the conduct of buy-bust operations are the most common causes of the acquittals and dismissals of drug cases,” they said.

Furthermore, Rep. Lapus noted that in eight years until June 2011 more or less 900 minors were reprimanded either for drug use, possession, proliferation and other drug offenses under the Dangerous Drugs Law. “The situation is very alarming as adult offenders are using children, who are exempt from criminal liability, to proliferate dangerous drugs and exposing them to the dangers of drugs on their physical and mental health.”

Projects...

Distance Telephone Co., the country’s largest telecommunications company followed by the Ayala Group’s Globe Telecom Inc. The announcement came after the Philippine stock market closed. MPIC shares declined 0.94 percent to P4.23 each, giving it a market value of P104 billion.

Ayala Corp. added half a percent to P419 per share, giving it a market value of P241.9 billion.

from page 3

This, after losing several bids to SMC to acquire toll roads in southern Metro Manila, including South Luzon Expressway, which would have complemented MPIC’s North Luzon Expressway.

MPIC is a unit of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., which is part owner of Philippine Long

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City 2012-168 OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE File No. 2012-091 Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act No. 3135 as amended, filed

by NATIONAL HOME MORTGAGE FINANCE CORP., Cagayan de Oro City, as mortgagee, against PRECILA B. DE LA CERNA, married to Joel de la Cerna, a resident of Blk. 01, Lot 33, Villa Trinitas Subd., Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City as mortgagor, which as of March 15, 2012 amounts to NINE HUNDRED THIRTY TWO THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY FOUR PESOS & 73/100 (Php 932,864.73), the undersigned will sell at public auction on May 25, 2012, at 10:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the main entrance of the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Hall of Justice, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidder for cash or manager’s check and in Philippine Currency, the following property with all the improvements found thereon, described as follows: TCT NO. T-89953 “A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 33, Block 1, Psd-104305-015867, being a portion of Lot 2, (LRC) Psd-157430) situated in the Barrio of Bugo, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED FORTY (140) square meters, more or less.”

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

In the event the auction date falls on a holiday, the same will proceed on the following working day, without further notice, posting and publication.

Prospective buyers may investigate for themselves the title herein-above described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Cagayan de Oro City, April 17, 2012.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO PROVINCIAL SHERIFF BY:

RUSTICO D. PADERANGA Judge BWM: APRIL 27, MAY 4, & 11, 2012

MA. TERESITA QUIBLAT-INSO Sheriff IV BWM: APRIL 27, MAY 4, & 11, 2012

MINDANAO

BusinessWeek

Billboard

April 27-29, 2012

11

Beat the Summer Heat with Aquabest!

How to stay hydrated this summer

Ororama now uses 100% biodegradable plastic bags ORORAMA Chain of Stores announces the debut of its eco-friendly plastic bags that are oxo-biodegradable.

According to statistics, Philippines have 50 major polluted rivers. Most of its debris and content are plastics- those that do not degrade. This largely destroys aqua marine wildlife and poisons our seas.

There is an increasing demand on proper waste disposal and scientists, chemists, and factory research facilities, with the help of government and private sectors, invested in the research of producing biodegradable plastics.

This is our humble step to stop the exponentially rising growth of harmful and toxic pollution.

Aside from the fact that the store offers the lowest price in town, it also cares for its environment, the community, and its everloyal customers.

By purchasing at Ororama you do not only save money, you also help save the earth!

Know more of its exciting news, initiatives and store promotions by visiting the store, logging on to: www. ororama.com, or liking Ororama on Facebook: / myororama.

House...

the paint tagging scheme used by the MMDA to monitor the movement of PUBs along EDSA and other major roads in the Metropolis.

Rodriguez also said the LTO hopes to make it easier for the government agencies like the MMDA to regulate the number of buses along EDSA with more active law enforcement which would in turn benefit legitimate bus units, using the tagging scheme in PUBs.

from page 10

streets and highways, especially EDSA. There are currently more than 5,000 city buses and at least 8,000 provincial buses plying EDSA and other roads in Metro Manila, not including colorum buses.

The RFID tagging scheme, also known as etagging, according to LTO is a possible replacement for

Coffeeworks... from page 1

works at Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center: the premier center of business and commerce in Cagayan de Oro. Aside from serving freshly roasted coffee at affordable prices, Coffeeworks was the first in the city to offer free wireless internet access to its clients.

This proved to be a very great idea as the shop’s clients grew to include, not only the students and families, but also sales people, businessmen, medical representatives and the like.

These were people who found the convenience of having to “do office work” at a place where they could relax and take their time.

Proof of Coffeeworks’ success is the expansion of the coffeeshop in December 2007 from 60 sqm to 100 sqm. Roselle was also able to recoup her investment in less than two years.

Coffeeworks was also awarded a space at the pioneering Sm North Skygar-

den in Manila in May 2009.

This became the 2nd branch.

It wasn’t long before franchising inquiries started pouring in. On October 2010, the first franchised branch opened in Highway 30 Iligan City. A few months later, the second franchised branch opened in Xavier University Gym, Cagayan de Oro. In April 2011, Coffeeworks opened its 3rd franchised branch in sunny Boracay.

This May 4 2012, Coffeeworks will unveil the newly renovated original branch in Limketkai Center with a fresh new look, new & improved drinks, as well as the promise of a new coffeeshop experience..

A 6th branch in the cool mountains of Dahilayan, Bukidnon is also in the works and will open by 2013.

Roselle’s dream is to be able to have Coffeeworks branches all over the Philippines, and is on the lookout for partners to expand the business in key cities all over the Philippines.

SUMMER’S here! Lounging in the beach or getting pumped up in summer activities sounds like a good idea, but we must also take care to remain hydrated. So, whether you’re spending your vacation in the beach and biking or just doing more outdoor activities it’s always a good idea to stay hydrated.

1) Drink lots of water: The obvious choice for staying hydrated is drinking water and lots of it. You can never have enough water on hand, and for days at the beach, freeze water bottles the night before so they can stay cold throughout the next day. Drinking plenty of water will help keep your energy up, and make your skin glow. Aquabest water is processed using Grander Technology that rejuvenates water making it more effective at keeping you hydrated.

2) Popsicles and ice candy can be an effective thirst quencher and cooler for a hot summer

day, and they don’t just have to be for kids. Making your own popsicles is fun to do, and you are in control of what goes in them. You can use Aquabest water to blend fruits and sweeteners, pour them on ice trays and stick a toothpick and freeze to make your own healthy popsicle.

3) Sport and energy drinks are loaded with electrolytes needed on a hot summer day when you exert energy than normal.

When your body is craving hydration, nothing tastes

You can now read the electronic edition of Mindanao Daily News via the world wide web.

Just log on to:

New styles of brand new, branded dresses, blouses, sandals and bags.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Branch 44 lnitao, Misamis Oriental IN THF MATTER OF THF PETITION FOR THF CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THF RECORD OF BIRTH AT THE OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR; CHANGING THE ENTRY FOR THE SEX OF THE PETITIONER FROM FEMALE TO MALE

-versus-

Republic of the Philippines Regional Trial Court of Misamis Oriental 10th Judicial Region Branch 38 Cagayan de Oro City 2012-183

SPFC PROC.NO. 2012-1069

Petitioner,

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF L AGUINDINGAN, MISAMIS ORIENTAL Respondent x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -/ ORDER Let this case be heard on June 14, 2012 at 8:30 a.m., at this court sitting at the Hall of Justice, Poblacion, lnitao, Misamis Oiiental. The Civil Registrar concerned and any person having or claiming any interest under the certificate of live birth whose cancellation/correction is sought may, within fifteen (15) days from notice of the petition, file his or her opposition thereto.

At the expense of the petitioner, let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Misamis Oriental.

Further, let a copy of this Order and the petition be posted at the bulletin boards of the entrance door of this court, Hall of Justice, lnitao, Mtsamts Oriental and Municipal Hail, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

Finally, let a copy of the petition and this Order be furnished to the Office of the Solicitor Genera! and the Office of the Civil Registrar concerned.

SO ORDERED. lnitao, Misamis Oriental, April

IN THE MATTER OF THE CHANGE OF NAME OF MINORS CULLEN RAY CABILADAS HILOT AND ABILGAIL JANE CABILADAS HILOT,

SPEC. PROC. CASE NO. 2012-051

FLORIO B. HILOT AND ANNIE JANE R. CABILADAS, Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Respondent. x------------------------------------------------------------ / ORDER Before this Court is a Petition for Change of Name of petitioner’s minor children Cullen Ray Cabiladas Hilot and Abigail Jane Cabiladas Hilot appearing in their Certificates of Live Birth 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 September 26, 2012 at 8:30 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. 17 April 2012, Cagayan de Oro City.

(Sgd.) ARTHUR L. ABUNDIENTE Acting Presiding Judge BWM: APRIL 27, MAY 4, & 11, 2012

can enjoy some popsicle treats or juice boxes during the day.

Keep your summer safe and fun by ensuring you stay hydrated, that is why you need to drink Aquabest. With every bottle, customers are sure they are getting, clean, safe, and healthy water.

With the Grander Technology that restructures and revitalizes water, you get water that refreshes and hydrates you by penetrating each cell to its very core.

Branches • Ficco Bldg., Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City • Abellanosa St., Cagayan de Oro City LOOK for : Rose Mary D. Sudaria Cell # 09174409140 Loida M. Rivera Cell # 09067854916 Leslie Laraga Cell # 09264645003

mindanaodailybalita.com

GLENN S. MICABALO

better than a sports drink as it slides down your throat to replenish your body. Just as effective as sports drinks is Aquabest processed using Grander Technology that improves on waters hydrating properties without any additives.

4) Make sure you stay hydrated while in the pool or beach. Even though you are surrounded by water, you are using a lot of energy and water staying afloat and splashing around. Remember to bring along drinking water or you

BWM: APRIL 27, MAY 4, & 11, 2012

EMMANUEL P. PASAL Presiding Judge