FEBRUARY 10,2012 BUSINESS WEEK MINDANAO

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www.businessweekmindanao.com Issue No. 47, Volume III • February 10-12, 2012

Market Indicators

AS OF 5:45 P.M., FEB. 8, 2012 (Thursday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P42.215

4,755.98 points

1.25 points

;

; Briefly 19.5 cents

Chamber of Mines

DAVAO City -- The Chamber of Mines is inviting anti-mining advocates led by Catholic Church leaders in Mindanao to visit “responsible mining” sites. The mines chamber mounted an industry-organized forum on Thursday at the University of Southeastern Philippines parallel to a conference initiated by antimining advocates at the Ateneo de Davao University.

Philex Mining posts decline in production volume, value Tampakan operator’s appeal hangs on procedural issues Canadian miner completes fund raising for gold project Brazilian miner readies local hub as China sets ban Tampakan firm appeals rejection of ECC petition Rocky G. Dimaculangan, vice-president for communications of the mines chamber, said the industry is willing to form a group that would show responsible mining sites to critics led by Fr. Joel Tabora, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines advocacy committee chairman and Ateneo de Davao president.

Support for Tampakan

THE Mindanao Business Council (MBC) has decided to step into the Tampakan issue to save the economic benefits from this huge mining project.

“The Mindanao business sector has decided to step in because we do not want the benefits of this project put to waste,” said MBC head Vic Lao in a meeting with the members of the media and the academe in Davao City.

According to Lao, the proposed Tampakan project can contribute a solid one percent to the GDP. “It is of Mindanao’s interest that we all help protect this investment,” Lao said.

PAL cargo airlift

THE free shipment of donations

by Philippine Airlines (PAL) will now cover Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and Cebu for those affected by the recent deadly earthquake that struck the Visayas.

PAL President Jaime J. Bautista has instructed the PAL Foundation to again mobilize the airline’s Disaster Response Initiative, overlapping an ongoing extended airlift of donations for victims of typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Dumaguete.

The PAL Foundation will accept donations from non-profit organizations until March 15, 2012 (marking the airline’s 71st founding anniversary) for immediate loading by PAL Cargo on all regular flights to the four key cities in the Visayas hardest hit by the tremor – Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and Cebu.

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

P15.00

Supplemental budget sought for CdO, Iligan

By IRENE DOMINGO, Reporter

A

LAWMAKER from Mindanao is urging Congress to fast track the approval of a P2-billion supplemental budget for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City which were devastated by typhoon Sendong on December 16-17, 2011.

RODRIGUEZ

“Cagayan De Oro City and Iligan City need to be rehabilitated as soon as possible, in order for our brothers and sisters be able to recover from the tragedy

and start normal lives anew,” Cagayan de Oro second district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez has filed House Bill 5663 creating the P2-billiion

Rehabilitation and Development Fund, which shall be spent judiciously for “the greatest good of the greatest number of people of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.”

Citing a report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) dated December 27, 2011, Rodriguez said typhoon Sendong displaced 92,964 families or 641,098 persons and left 1,249 dead, 4,594 injured, with an indefinite number of persons still missing.

“The NDRRMC also reported a total of 42,325 hous es damage d wit h

12,805 totally destroyed and 29,520 partially damaged. In Cagayan De Oro alone, 7,317 houses were totally destroyed and 12,635 were partially damaged,” Rodriguez said.

Ro dr iguez s aid t he NDRRMC report placed the cost of infrastructure and agricultural damages at P1,106,556,000 and P37, 115,975, respectively. In Cagayan De Oro alone, P775,000,000 worth of roads, bridges and other infrastructure were damaged while P9,900,000 worth of health facilities were destroyed, Rodriguez added.

BUDGET/PAGE 8

ILO sees need for livelihood, jobs for ‘Sendong’ victims

By ALLAN MEDIANTE, Executive Editor

IN the wake of the devastation wrought by typhoon Sendong to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, the International Labor Organization (ILO) cited the need to focus on providing livelihood and job opportunities to the victims as it contributed $280,000 to help displaced families rebuild their lives without relying too much on dole-outs.

ILO director to the Philippines Lawrence Jeff Johnson said the amount is separate from the revised $39-million “flash appeal” funds that the United Nations is trying to raise for some 300,000 affected people.

The UN increased the flash appeal from $28.4 million to $39 million even as it only managed to raise $9.6 million JOBS/PAGE 8

One Network Bank income up by 38%

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO, Correspondent

DAVAO City -- One Network Bank Inc. increased its net income 38% annually to P428 million in 2011, driven by loans to key market INCOME/PAGE 9

SENDONG’S WRATH: Lives and properties lost. And now the q quest to restore them.

FILE PHOTOS

Investments sought in farm sector REFORMS AND development programs are under way in Mindanao, a Cabinet official said, even as businesses were invited to invest in the island’s agriculture sector.

In a briefing with media, Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino, chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), said she is optimistic about government projects and programs for Mindanao, most notably the Au-

tonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“The President is serious about reforming ARMM,” Ms. Antonino said, adding that the release of additional budget for the region was “unexpected but welcome.”

On top of the P11.8 Farmer Noel Abella harvests rice in billion appropriated for Alubijid town, in Misamis Oriental ARMM in 2011, the region province in Mindanao. -- AFP SOUGHT/PAGE 9

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February 10-12, 2012

Economy

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

LGUs, NGOs ink pact with ILO to eliminate child labor

By RUBY LEONORA R. BALISTOY, Contributor

M

ALAYBALAY City -- As a response to the reported high number of child laborers, provincial mayors and private corporations recently signed the Commitment of Intent with the International Labor Organization-International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO-IPEC) to address this issue on child labor.

Giovanni Soledad, Project Manager, ILO-IPEC, said the treaty will help pool government and nongovernment organizations’ expertise and resources

to implement programs that directly benefit child laborers and their families in identified communities.

This treaty was signed by Bukidnon Governor Alex

Calingasan, Coca Cola Foundation-Philippines, Sugar Industry Foundation Inc., and four mayors of the child-labor vulnerable communities.

During the ceremonial signing and groundbreaking rites of the Coca Cola Foundation’s P4 million school building project at Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon, Soledad underscored the speedy actions made by the partner agencies to achieve a child labor-free Bukidnon province.

“The groundbreaking of this school building project is already an expression of our partners’ commitment and contribution to the national goal of eliminating the worst form of child labor in the country,” he said.

Recent ILO statistics showed that Bukidnon was among the four provinces in the country with high number of child laborers, having about 2,500 children and youth between 9 and 17 years old engaged in laborious works within

sugarcane plantations, rice fields, construction, and other agriculture industry particularly in Malaybalay City, Valencia City, and the towns of Maramag, and Quezon.

As stipulated in Republic Act 9231 or the “Anti-Child Labor Law”, children below 15 years old, if working in non-hazardous conditions, may work for not more than 20 hours a week, at most 4 hours a day. The law limits children 15–17 years old to work not more than 8 hours

a day or 40 hours a week.

Night work from 8pm to 6am is also prohibited.

The law seeks to eliminate the worst forms of child labor such as sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage, serfdom, prostitution and pornography, use of children for illegal activities—including drug trafficking, and any work that is hazardous and harmful to the health, safety, and morals of children.

Thus, key national govILO/PAGE 9

Customs seizes misdeclared onions in Davao City Port DAVAO City -- The Bureau of Customs yesterday (February 3) presented to the media about P18.4 million worth of agricultural products which were seized at the Sasa wharf last January 27 for misdeclaration.

The shipment contained in 23 container vans consisting of onions and potatoes originated from China Hongkong destined to several consignees. The products were declared as margarine, lanolin, savory products, shortening and yeast.

“We are sending a strong message to all importers in Davao that from this time on this port will tolerate any misdeclared shipments, said Bureau of Customs District Collector for the Port of Davao Atty.

Martiniano Bangcoy.

According to Bangcoy, with the determination

of the misdeclared shipments, the Port will issue warrant of seizure and detention for the shipments afterwhich there will be seizure proceedings notifying the parties concerned. The District Collector said that if the consignees won’t appear in the hearings the goods will be forfeited in favor of the government and if intentional misdeclaration is proven the port would initiate criminal

cases smuggling against the consignees.

Misdeclaration of agricultural goods is detrimental to local farmers and also to public health as consignees would not pay proper taxes resulting in cheaper imported onions.

The onions also do not follow stringent pyto-sanitary standards by the Department of Agriculture and could contain dangerous doses of chemicals like pesticides.

Bimp-Eaga to pilot ICT literacy program in Armm

By APIPA P. BAGUMBARAN Contributor

MARAWI City -- The Philippines has identified 30 pilot sites for the computer telecenters in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

This after the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Working Group for the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines–East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) identified three major projects to be included in the BIMP-EAGA Implementation Blueprint (IB) for 2012-2016.

These include the ICT Rural Outreach Program (iROP), BIMP-EAGA Rink (Submarine Cable), and Intelligent Clearance Identification (iClid), projects anchored on technological advancements highlighted during the Strategic Planning for 2012 chaired by Hajah Airah Haji Abdullah, Acting Director of Communications, Ministry of Communications-Brunei LITERACY/PAGE 9

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

February 10-12, 2012

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4 February 10-12, 2012 LandBank remits P5b, profits hit record State-owned lender Land Bank of the Philippines remitted P5 billion to the Treasury after posting record earnings last year on its expanding loan portfolio, deposits, and assets.

The bank remitted P5 billion in cash dividends, including the balance from its 2010 net income, LandBank president and chief executive officer Gilda Pico said in a statement Monday.

“This forms part of LandBank’s contribution to the government’s coffers in support to its revenue generation efforts and fiscal consolidation program,” she stressed.

Pico gave President Benigno Aquino III a P5-billion check during a simple ceremony in Malacañang. It was the highest amount so far remitted by a government-owned and –controlled corporation.

She said that the bank’s net income grew 11 percent to P9 billion last year from P8.1 billion in 2010, mainly on higher income from loans, prudent cost management, and clear institutional focus.

“We made solid progress in 2011 and we are looking forward to continued growth in 2012. Improving the lives of small farmers and fisherfolk, small and medium enterprises and microenterprises, and our other priority sectors remains our primary goal, and this is supported by the profits we PROFITS/PAGE 9

Companies

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MINDANAO

Pag-IBIG wont condone recividists

T

HE Home Development Mutual Fund, otherwise known as the Pag-IBIG Fund, is condoning penalties of delinquent and unregistered employers from January 2 to June 30, 2012 under its penalty condonation program.

The program covers unregistered and delinquent employers, as well as employers who have Pag-IBIG coverable employees but have not collected membership contributions from them, said Juliano S. Banghal, Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro branch manager.

He said employers who collected membership contributions and/or short-term loan amortizations from their employees but failed to remit the same to the Fund are disqualified from this

condonation.

Similarly, employers who have previously availed of any penalty condonation offered by the Fund are also excluded from the coverage.

According to Banghal, the penalty condonation program seeks to protect the interest of Pag-IBIG members and provide employers practicable means to settle their membership contribution arrears.

It also seeks to compel unregistered and delinquent employers

to register their employees to the Fund and provide them access to the benefits they deserve.

Those who want to apply for the program are required to submit an application for penalty condonation; list of employees with unremitted contributions; affidavit of undertakings; photocopies of payroll; and certified true copy of applicable proof of business existence such as business permit/mayor’s permit, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Certificate of Registration for sole proprietorship, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Certificate of Partnership or Incorporation for partnership/corporation/ trade association, Cooperative

Development Authority (CDA) Certificate of Cooperative for cooperatives, and SSS certificate of membership.

Employers with approved penalty condonation applications shall have penalties on their membership contribution arrears condoned. Said membership contribution arrears shall include employer counterpart contributions and dividends that should have been earned by these contributions.

For details, visit the Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro Branch located in J.R. Borja-Mortola Streets or call them at telephone numbers 726-348, 722-800, 8561861 to 62 local 211, 218, and 219.

Vista Land to build 8 condos this year VILLAR-LED Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. plans to start work on eight condominiums worth P10 billion this year, banking on continued demand from overseas Filipino workers.

“Despite fears of over-expansion in the supply of residential condominiums, our vertical projects were well received by the market and this has encouraged us to develop additional phases of existing projects,” said Manuel Paolo A. Villar, Vista Land president and chief executive in a statement released over the weekend.

Vista Land will expand two existing projects for P3 billion,

while six new projects worth P7 billion are set to be launched, Ricardo B. Tan, Jr., Vista Land chief financial officer said in the same statement.

Vista Land’s condominium projects will complement developments in the horizontal residential sector, in which the company has heavily invested in the past years, Mr. Villar noted.

This comes after the company announced last month that it will be launching 32 residential subdivision developments worth P32 billion this year to cater to the OFW market. “[Medium-rise buildings] share similarities with horizon-

tal residences and are a logical alternative for our buyers, many of them OFWs who consider owning a home a top priority,” Mr. Tan said.

Vista Land’s existing mediumrise projects include Pinecrest and Madison in Cubao, Quezon City, Marfori and Presidio at Lakefront in Sucat, Paranaque City, Pacific Residences in Taguig City, and Northpoint in Davao City.

Further, Vista Land is also looking to acquire five new lots this year for its high- or mediumrise residential projects, Mr. Tan added.

A fourth-quarter report by property consultancy CB Richard

Ellis Philippines last year has tagged mid-income condominium developments as a growing sector, citing work proximity and easier credit as main factors for these projects’ attractiveness to a growing middle-class segment.

At present, Vista Land operates five property brands: Brittany, which sells house-and-lot units for as much as P9 million each; Crown Asia for units worth P3.5 million to P9 million; Camella Homes for units worth P3.5 million and below; Communities Philippines, which sells Camella Homes projects in the provinces, and condominium arm Vista Residences.

A caring attitude in times of need • Honda Philippines, Inc. paved the way towards effective after-sales service THOUGH the phrase may be overused, customer service still remains to be one aspect of business that is one of the most important, if not THE most important.

However, it is through good customer service, aside from quality product or brand, that can make or break a company in terms of credibility and reputation.

In fact, noble after sales service should be the lifeblood of companies, and this is where Honda Philippines,

Inc. (HPI), makers of the popular Honda motorcycles like the Honda BeAT, the TMX 155 or the recentlylaunched Honda Scoopy, prides itself with. Their idea of good customer service is best demonstrated not just when there are customer concerns about the product but also during times of calamities or natural disasters, like typhoons or earthquakes, where some customers really need help.

Their philosophy on

customer or after-sales service during extraordinary situations was made evident during the time of super typhoon “Milenyo” where Metro Manila suffered a direct hit back in 2006. This typhoon wreaked havoc as it destroyed millions of pesos worth of property and claimed the lives of so many people in its wake.

It was there that HPI saw the need to help customers, especially those whose motorcycle units were damaged

because of the severe effects of typhoons like floods, for example.

Through the years—and several typhoons and calamities later—the motorcycle maker continues to conduct effective after-sales service efforts, which explains why the company—and the motorcycle brand—remain a

favorite among motorcycle enthusiasts not only because of the superiority of Honda motorcycles in terms of quality workmanship but also the way Honda treats its customers.

And these efforts to serve the customers more efficiently during critical times were made possible with

the help and cooperation of of HPI’s dealers and other partners. HPI regularly offers after-sales service to Honda motorcycle owners in pre-selected areas, which includes free maintenance check up and consultation for other engine-related concerns (parts not included).

ATTITUDE/PAGE 9

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February 10-12, 2012

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Opinion

“IT’S more fun in the Philippines!” Everybody is getting married. From the mere commoners to the members of quasi local royalty, from simple and plain citizens to high and distinguished public officials, from those counted among the general public to big personalities in government – they are getting married all right.

Well, not all really. There are those who for a deliberate preferential option or on account of an innate adverse personality cause, stay away from marriage.

And rightly so, it is nothing profound or complex that some men and women so not get married for strictly personal to downright constitutional reasons.

The truth is that everybody must be good for something – but not for everything. All are good for

this and that profession, for this and that agenda – but not for all these.

It is the same for marriage intents and purposes.

It is a well known phenomenon that there are three states of life for men and women to choose from, viz., marriage, singlehood and priesthood.

Men and women wherefore have no less than three possible options on how to spend their lives here and now – with or without reference to the hereafter and beyond. One thing is certain: Every individual concerned has to fit his or her choice of a given state of life.

Just for the record, marriage is thus known in its essence, attributions and finalities. Marriage is a covenant by virtue of which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of their composite

MINDANAO

Wearing Masks THINK a minute…

Have you ever pretended to be something you’re not?

Maybe you did it to impress or please somebody. But the longer we act like someone we’re not, the better we get at it. We can even get so good at it that we actually fool ourselves and forget who we really are! It’s sad that the more we hide our real self the more lonely and unsure of ourselves we become.

What mask do you sometimes wear? What kind of person do you pretend to be? Do you act strong and tough, so people won’t know that inside you sometimes feel weak, even afraid? Or do you wear the mask that

says you’re a good religious person, even though in your heart you know you’re dishonest and sometimes lie or cheat other people of their money. Maybe you wear the funny joker and life-of-theparty mask. You feel like you always need to make a joke of everything so others will laugh and not know how lonely and unhappy you really are inside.

There are many people who get drunk or take drugs because they’re tired of wearing their mask. And it’s only after some drugs or drinks that they feel free to take their mask off and stop acting like something they’re not. Some of them are actually desperate and

lonely. They’re looking for real love and acceptance, in spite of the bad things they’ve done and who they really are inside.

But it doesn’t matter what you’ve done, you can never shock Jesus Christ. With Him you can be your real self. The person you really are under your mask. Real Christians will love and accept you, even though they may not approve of everything you do. They won’t be shocked by anything you’ve done because some of them used to do those things too, before Jesus forgave them and gave them the power to change. So won’t you be honest with yourself and ask Jesus to forgive you for

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST your past wrongs. Jesus will accept you just the way you are, but He won’t leave you that way. He will also free and help you to start changing to reach your potential and become the person He created you to be.

Just think a minute…

Competitive Index THE 2011 Travel & Tourism Competitive Index is out from the data of the United Nations World Tourism Organization pulled from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The Philippines rank almost at tail end occupying number 94 out of the 139 participating nations in terms of competitiveness.

European countries, lead

by Switzerland, France and Italy occupied the top three based on various index. In Asia, Singapore and China leads.

On travel and tourism regulatory framework, we were ranked No. 98 on a scale of negative 3.7 %. On business environment and infrastructure, we improved to No. 95 or a negative of 3.2%. We got an encouraging higher rating of No. 20 or plus 5.2% on price competitiveness.

While on cultural and natural resources, we rank No. 75 at negative 3.7%. This low rating should serve as a wakeup call to the mining and mineral explorations proponents.

Psychological Incapacity (First of Three Parts)

BusinessWeek

life, intended for their own good as spouses and for the welfare of their children – if any.

This is marriage in the order of nature and according to the norm of right reason. Take away its essential nature, any of its intrinsic attribution or inherent finality – and there CRUZ/PAGE 7

We did poorly on safety and security at No. 109 or negative 4.1% with the hugging headlines of kidnapping and disturbing sensational crimes aggravated by the various travel advisories issued by foreign nations. But it was on the ground transport that we got clobbered by the traveler’s index at No. 114 or negative 2.8% which showed some weakness to the PNoy government that should have a stop gap with the appointment of Sec. Mar Roxas to the DOTC. Ground transportation does not only speak of the modes of transport but on the general conditions of moving travelers by land.

This covers infrastructures like good roads and bridges and traffic management.

Perhaps on infrastructures, the government realized the folly of their actions after withholding money for various public works improvement which the Department of Budget and Management released only early January 2012. While on traffic management, we

have made slow inroads, it’s still a daily grind in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao City. In our native language, we call it “kalandrakas”.

Many cities in the Philippines like Cagayan de Oro and Baguio City have to go to the banks to finance their Flyovers in the City which were built on national highways. A city government taking over the road jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works and Highways?

The government funds which were not available in 2011 for public works brought down our competitiveness among the lowest 20’s in the 139 nations in the world. The government logic in releasing the budget in the 1st week of January as priming the economy with P182 Billion infrastructures for 2012 is a positive acknowledgement that in did, we lost grasp of the economy which has already gone down with an anemic growth of 3.7% compared to the higher economic growth of 7.2% in 2010.

According to Mr. Ben-

The church, the priests, fanaticism and profiteering MY visit to Manaog this weekend took me by surprise with all the commercialism surrounding it.

If the church, I mean the priests don’t agree with all the money making schemes considering it was Jesus who in the bible personally threw out all the thieves, profiteers, money changers and hawkers from inside the temple, why then don’t they do the same.

From my point of view it is the priest who condones it if not promote commercialism by blessing all the purchases of statues, necklaces, nick-knacks, etc., after the mass services.

Interestingly enough I watched the same to be similar at the procession

of the black Nazerine of Quiapo early January with the white cloth that was to be waived as the religious icon passed by.

While I understand the fanaticism of the Filipinos I can’t seem to comprehend the actions of the priest or is this the church’s doing?

Do they condone this fanaticism blessing the actions as they unfold?

As I aligned from my vehicle we were accosted by many selling candles, religious figurines, even knives if not for chopping definitely for hunting to no avail least I scream to please stop.

Of course there was the parking fee that was obviously a requirement at Php

TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY

PED T. QUIAMJOT jamin Diokno of the UP School of Economics, “the lack of public funds for infrastructure and low government expenditures last year slowed down the economy”.

NEDA officials understood that but maybe the Budget Secretary has another economic interpretation to cover up for the weakness of Malacañang?

The Competitive Index showed however that there is a good indicator of priming the economy which can spark tourism growth with foreign investments welcomed to the Philippines.

On Visa requirements, we QUIAMJOT/PAGE 7

SUPERBRANDING

HARRY TAMBUATCO 50- (a parking fee for a church visit?).

The hawkers do not understand “NO” and continued to persist as you make your way thru the crowd of more stores all trying to sell their wares. And I thought this was supposedly a sacred pilgrimage characterized with serenity to the shrine of our Lady of Manaoag?

Beware! oOo My visit to Pangasinan did not go all that well TAMBUATCO/PAGE 7

BusinessWeek

February 10-12, 2012

MINDANAO

IBP as election arm THE Legal Network for Truthful Elections or Lente is a nationwide organization of lawyers and law students who volunteer their time and expertise during elections. In the first automated presidential elections in 2010 the thrust of Lente was to monitor election offenses and violations, gather evidence, and assist in the prosecution of election offenders. Lente also sought to change the election laws by allowing the filing of anonymous complaints in order to protect witnesses.

Sad to say, although Lente received numerous anonymous complaints and evidence, only one was filed in court in Camiguin by a couple of media workers but, it was eventually dismissed.

In 2010 Lente volunteers conducted at least a hundred seminars on automation and election law violations all over the country. Among the beneficiaries of those seminars are the Mangyans, the indigenous peoples of Mindoro, who form majority of the voters in the island.

They not only acted as election monitors, they were also well-versed paralegals who ensured that no voter was disenfranchised or held back from voting.

Lente is a way for lawyers and law students to contribute to the great enterprise called nation-building. The heart of the Constitution is social justice, which is the diffusion of wealth and political power for the common good.

Elections are about the diffusion of political power.

It is the fundamental building block of any democracy.

Beyond the brilliance in arguing cases or the shrewd maneuverings in the courtroom, there is something noble and ennobling in the practice of law when it gives substance to the freedom of choice and to equal opportunity to public office.

Thus, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and other major established election monitoring groups in the country such as NAMFREL, PPCRV, CBCP, the Alternative Law Groups of the Philippines, OneVoice Inc., and other civil society groups finally decided to answer the long-felt need for a citizen’s arm dedicated especially to the legal aspect of the elections. IBP’s partnership with Lente is based on the commitment of the country’s legal community to the democratic ideals and to the principle

Tambuatco...

It was apparent all the other customers were equally annoyed but the management did nothing and allowed the zoo to persist.

Lesson learned; don’t go to this restaurant and pay good money to be disrespected by customers who are allowed to act like hyenas in the wild.

My next stop was a crypt within a church in Lingayen only to discover a crypt was relocated (so we thought).

Can this even happen?

Lesson learned; A day can pass with plenty of disappointments but should you allow your temper to take over – only you are the looser! Regardless of what we should expect, regardless of what is due us, regardless of what is correct – things can easily go awry and only you have the option to make or break your day!

Cheers!

from page 6

should I have allowed my temper to rule. I decided to lunch to a popular restaurant in Calastiao; the dagupenea (I know it’s no longer in Dagupan), and what a sad experience.

It was unfortunate the restaurant was full.

By this I mean to emphasize full not because they couldn’t handle the service or the food but the crowd.

There was an annoying party of some twenty or so customers who at their senior stages acted without grace.

Can you imagine a restaurant with a capacity of over a hundred people with 20% talking loud in one corner, laughing obnoxiously, screaming on top of their voices as if they were the only customers in the room, and behaving like morons.

Quiamjot...

from page 6 rank No. 3 on good policies and regulations. Hotel price index for foreign travelers stood at No. 15 or plus 10.05% in spite of fewer hotel rooms.

We rank No. 132 of the 139 nations having low capacities for hotel density per 1,000 square kilometers. It relates to a message clearly understood by big property developers like Ayala Land, Fil-invest, SM Prime and Megaworld to bankroll development for more international standards hotels. Ayala Land’s Kukun Hotel is scheduled to open in the 3rd quarter of 2012 in Cagayan de Oro City with two more properties at the Bonifacio Global City and at the Abreeza in Davao City.

On the pillar of human resources, the Philippines stood No. 69 or 11.03% on

the quality of the educational system. We were No. 46 or 11.05% on the extent of staff training due to our English literacy.

But wait until you see some shocking and arbitrary revelations that shows, we are No. 1 out of the 139 nations with” HIV” prevalence which brings a negative of 11.09% or No. 83 on business impact of HIV/Aids lowering life expectancy to the rank of No. 87 or negative 11.10%.

We are low on the pillar of health and hygiene, rank No. 127 or negative 4.04% on the resurgent of tropical disease like Dengue fever, Malaria and Leptospirosis plus the inadequacy of hospital beds.

Don’t cry for me Argentina, on the scale of 1 – 10, where do we stand? This is for our government policy makers and our leaders to ponder to earn their mandate.

7

Beat That Deadline!

that an effective democracy begins with clean, honest and orderly elections that reflects the genuine will of the people.

One of Lente’s weaknesses, if not threats, is membership. Election season is a very good time for lawyers to be partisan and profitable. Lawyers are well compensated for their services during this time, and so, volunteering for Lente does not seem to be a practical move to most. Nevertheless, there are always those who are willing to volunteer in response to our innate calling to be in the service of others. Perhaps an institutional push from the likes of the IBP will encourage more lawyers and paralegals to contribute their time and expertise.

Will the IBP heed Lente’s call?

Cruz... from page 6

there can be anything but marriage in the true significance and proper connotations of the matrimonial reality.

It is wherefore not really hard to know and accept the truth that there are individuals who are basically unfit for the marital life more specifically on account of a peculiar personality constitution.

This peculiarity is in effect dissonant with the assumption of the obligations inherent to the Marriage

MALARIA is an Infectious disease caused by a parasite, transmitted by a bite of the female mosquito, known as Anopheles. This disease is common in the tropics, and mostly in the rural areas. 58 of the 80 provinces in this country of ours is Malaria endemic, which means that, when you get to travel to these provinces, you need to always put at the back of your mind, to either wear protective clothing or have yourself given prophylactic treatment. Aside from the bite of a mosquito, the disease can be transmitted through blood transfusions or when a mother has it and is pregnant, to her unborn child, which is what we call as congenital transmission.

During screening of blood donors ( which I hope to feature in the near future ), Malaria is one of the diseases that is tested, in order to ensure that the recipient of the blood be free from harm.

There are five ( used to be four only ) species of the Plasmodium that cause Malaria. The most deadly is that caused by Falciparum, due to its ability to cause complications and to involve vital organs of the body like the liver, spleen, kidneys and the brain. Fever and chills, which seem to occur in a cyclical pattern or recurrence, headache, body and muscle pains, nausea and vomiting, are manifestations that are likewise common Covenant – especially in conjunction with its institutional finality of the spousal good of both the man and the woman concerned.

Over and above the purely material plus the carnal and/ or generative attributes on the part of both the parties, theirs should be the capacity to mutually contribute to their own good or benefit as qua spouses.

Pag-ibig Fund Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Branch 19 Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE File No. 2011 – 326 2012 – 037 Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118, with respect to real estate mortgage and Act 1508 with respect to chattel mortgage filed by Pag-ibig Fund, a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Philippines with principal place of business at Pag-ibig Fund Bldg. J.R Borja St., Cagayan de Oro City against ALPHI P. SABADUQUIA married to DAISY S. SABADUQUIA, of legal age, and with postal address at Lot 4, Blk. 27, Pag-ibig City, Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City., herein referred to as the MORTGAGOR, to satisfy the mortgaged indebtedness which as of June 8, 2011, amounts to FIVE HUNDRED SIX THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED NINETY PESOS & 36/100 (Php 506, 190.36), Philippine Currency plus stipulated interest, penalty charges, attorney’s fees and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned or his duly authorized deputy will sell at public auction on Feb. 27, 2012, at 1:30 o’clock P.M or soon thereafter at the lobby of the Hall of Justice, Cagayan de Oro City to the highest bidder, for CASH, or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the herein described property/ies: TCT NO. T- 202455- A PARCEL OF LAND, (lot 4, BLK. 27, Pcs-10002661, being a portion of lots 3594, 3596, 3597, 3598, 3600; Cad 237 & Lot 3595-1, (LRC) Psd-128619) situated in the barrio of Iponan, City of Cagayan de Oro, containing an area of ONE HUNDRED FORTY (140) SQ. M. more or less, including all Improvements found thereon.

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

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date due to holidays, it shall be held on the next working day without further notice.

Cagayan de Oro City, January 23, 2012 FOR THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF

BWM: FEBRUARY 3, 10, & 17, 2012

(Sgd.) JAN B. ACERO RTC Sheriff IV

in other diseases, like Viral Influenzae or Bacterial ailments like Typhoid or Leptospirosis. Thus, it is not uncommon for patients to be treated at first for other infectious diseases! It is always worth mentioning that when you get to feel the above symptoms, and you have had a history of travel to an endemic place, to volunteer the information to your Attending physician.

This will save cost as well as lessen one’s hospital stay, when the diagnosis is correctly made at the very first instance. Although, one cannot discount the possibility that the said manifestations may be masked by another illness thus the delay in the giving of the appropriate treatment.

One good thing with the Roll Back Malaria ( RBM ) program , which is aimed at reaching its goal to eradicate the disease, is the training of the Microscopists to be able to identify and detect the parasite and the changes in the red blood cells. I remember how difficult it was, way back then, to get a positive malarial result, for it really requires a trained eye to look for the changes under the microscope. With this training, most, if not all of our Laboratory Techs have enhanced their knowledge on identification. The most basic Diagnostic tool, is still the examination of the blood smears, which will then guide our Clinician friends in their choice of treatment.

In targeting eradication of Malaria, the program likewise includes aside from early detection , vector control. The anopheles mosquito thrives in clean, unpolluted water, and can be found in fresh or salt water marshes, rice fields, small temporary rain pools

to name a few. Thus, indoor resident spraying is recommended, though studies have come out that the anopheles mosquito seem to have developed resistance to certain types of insecticides! The use of Insecticide Treated Nets ( ITNs ), would come in handy, specially for those who are staying in tents ( Tent City built for the Sendong Victims ), as these nets can ward off these vectors! Monitoring and surveillance is as important as early detection and vector control. The monitoring can determine if the number of cases and deaths have gone down or up, as well as check on presence or absence of drug resistance.

Determinants of treatment include: type of infecting specie ( Falciparum is the most fatal of the species ), clinical situation of the patient ( whether adult or child, pregnant or not, mild or severe case ), and drug susceptibility. It is quite amazing to note that in Region 10, comparing data of 2007 and 2011, the number of cases and deaths has tremendously gone down: 460 cases, 2 deaths in 2007 as compared to only 9 cases and 1 death for 2011 ( said data thanks to Dr Dave Mendoza of the DOH, Region 10 ). If this continues on, a Malaria Free Mindanao is not far and soon a Malaria Free Philippines can be a reality.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region Branch 24 Cagayan de Oro City 2012 – 041 IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR SPEC. PROC. NO. 2011-167 CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF AGUSTINE DAQUITERA BERSABAL W/ RESPECT TO HER FIRST NAME FROM “AGUSTINE” TO “AGUSTINA” , MIDDLE NAME FROM “DAQUITERA” TO “DAQUITERA” MOTHER’S LAST NAME FROM “DAQUITERA” TO “DAGUITERA” & GENDER FROM “MALE” TO “FEMALE” AGUSTINA BERSABAL – RAÑOA, Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY Respondent. x---------------------------------------------------/

ORDER

Notice is HEREBY GIVEN, that before this Court is a certified petition for Correction of Entry in the Birth Record of petitioner in the Civil Registry of Cagayan de Oro City, alleging, among others, that petitioner was born on August 26, 1977; that her birth was duly registered in the Civil Registry of Cagayan de Oro City; that the following entries were erroneously indicated in her birth record, to wit: FIRST NAME : “Agustine” instead of “Agustina” MIDDLE NAME : “DAQUITERA” instead of “ DAGUITERA” MOTHER’S LAST NAME : “DAQUITERA” instead of “ DAGUITERA: and SEX : “Male” instead of “Female” Thus, this petition for Correction of Entry.

This petition will be called for initial hearing on February 21, 2012 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, during which the jurisdictional requirements of publication, posting and notice to all persons who have interests or claims would be affected by this petition, will be proved.

Any interested person, is given fifteen (15) days from notice hereof, to file his/her opposition to the petition.

SO ORDERED. Issued this 26th day of October 2011, at Cagayan de Oro City.

BWM: FEBRUARY 3, 10 & 17, 2012

(Sgd.) HENRY B. DAMASING Acting Presiding Judge

8

February 10-12, 2012

Corp. News

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

UPDATE : BusinessWeek Mindanao’s Nominees for OUTSTANDING ENTREPRENEURS CANOY GROUP OF COMPANIES & BUSINESS LEADERS AWARDS 2012 BUSINESS LEADER ( Corporate Category) The VIP Hotel CANOY GROUP OF COMPANIES

The VIP Hotel THROUGH the years of continuous service, catering to the demands of the most delicate clientele at the heart of a fast-growing metropolis, the VIP Hotel has elevated excellence in service far beyond any expectation.

It’s secret – is simply and endless aim to pamper its every guest as a Very Important Person!

In addition, because of this determination, to excel and be the best among the rest, the VIP Hotel became the city’s living LEGEND! Accomodations & Facilities: VIP management says it has seventy nine luxurious guestrooms and suites and

years of accommodation services that has been honed to a fine ar. “These are just a few of the many things we can boast of as one of the premiere hotels at the heart of Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. True to our name, we at The VIP Hotel, treat every guest as a “Very Important Person, “ where the best of the City of Golden Friendship’s hospitality is given.”

The VIP Hotel is ideally situated at the center of the entertainment and business district of Cagayan De Oro City and is the perfect venue for business meetings, receptions, banquets, birthdays and other events. When you visit Cagayan de Oro

City - a tourist destination in the Philippines, a booming metropolis and home of the friendly Kagay-anons, be sure to stay at The VIP hotel The Patio Restaurant VIP serves sumptuous selection of dishes to tempt and entice your senses. A unique and exciting concept restaurant that is perfect for business and family gatherings. Experience a whole new way of dining everyday from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

“We are committed to serve the dining preference of our guests. With these, stems our offering of an extensive range of restaurant and in room dining facilities and to

satisfy the diverse needs of business and leisure travelers.”

Our dining menu features a wide selection of dishes and favorite classics as prepared

by our award winning chefs.

May you enjoy your stay with us. Bon appetite!

The VIP Hotel Banquet Halls are ideal for corporate events, private parties,

meetings, conventions or exhibitions. It offers a choice of eight function rooms including a grand ballroom, banquet halls and meeting rooms.

Budget...

tion but also for the provision of basic necessities to the evacuees including food and non-food items to give them access to proper hygiene.

“Debris clean up is a priority as well as provisions for temporary shelter but from there, there is a need to conduct an in-depth assessment and analysis to look into early recovery and rehabilitation concerns and start the rebuilding process and the placement and strengthening of early warning procedures and preparedness on the issues of zoning and identification of possible relocation sites,” Rodriguez said.

Under the measure co-authored by Abante Mindanao Partylist Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr., the Rehabilitation and Development Fund shall be used to

cover the repair, rehabilitation and construction of roads, bridges, irrigation systems, school buildings, government buildings, sea ports and airports, hospitals and other public infrastructure; purchases of hospital equipment, supplies and medicines; purchases of relocation sites, construction of housing units; and funding for the Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (CIDSS) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, livelihood programs, agricultural assistance and other support programs for farmers and fisher folks.

The Rehabilitation and Development Fund shall be released to the relevant departments, bureaus, offices in accordance with budgeting and related relevant laws, rules and regulations.

also allocated a separate $20,000 to 88 typhoon-affected families, most of them in vulnerable employment.

Earlier, UN Resident Coordinator Jacqui Badcock expressed optimism that the revised UN flash appeal worth $39 million will be reached “at least halfway” to respond to the rehabilitation needs of the affected families in the two cities in Mindanao.

“I am optimistic that the second UN flash appeal will allow us to receive more funds through the help of international media to help rebuild new community in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities,” Badcock said.

Asked whether the deepening crisis in the euro zone and the US may impact the amount of funds to be given by donor agencies mostly from these developed countries, Badcock said there is a need to highlight to partner development agencies the needs of people on the sites through visits in typhoondevastated areas.

“We wouldn’t ask for the $39 million if we didn’t need it,” said Badcock.” We will go on all possible strategies to

mobilize these funds. We do believe that current contributions on the pipeline will bring us to at least halfway [of the needed $39-million funds].”

She said humanitarian partners also reported that a high level of vulnerability persists in rural and remote storm-affected areas. Badcock said humanitarian efforts could not even reach victims in some conflict-affected areas due to logistical concerns.

Badcock said after her travels to typhoon-devastated areas, she was amazed at how people have been pulling together in overcoming challenges of relief and recovery from a major disaster.

“The affected people themselves are the true heroes and heroines,” said Badcock. “ I was struck by the sight of a man carry on with debris-clearing, one plank of wood at a time, five weeks after the storm hit. It will take time to get everyone to where they want and should be. Our support must be sustained and we need your help on that,” she told the UN briefing attended by representatives from international funding organizations and diplomatic corps.

from page 1

CLIMBS ‘Advocacy of Microinsurance MICROINSURANCE is currently the buzzworld in the emerging insurance markets.

This concept was started primarily to provide insurance protection for the low-income populace of a country because they are the sector most affected as a consequence of natural disasters, crop failures or the sudden illness of death specially of the family head of breadwinner.

In the Philippines, microinsurance has long been in practice principally by cooperatives and mutual benefit associations (MBAs) which are organizations owned by and operated for the benefit of those using their services. Historically the first cooperative was established in 1844 by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Ventures.

A strong advocate of microinsurance is CLIMBS Life and General Life Insurance Cooperative (CLIMBS) which is the first cooperative composite insurer to be license by the Insurance Commission in 2010.

Spearheading the establishment of CLIMBS and currently its president and CEO is Fermin L. Gonzales, who counts with over 36 years in involvement in cooperative management plus exposure in international seminars and training programs focusing on mutual and cooperative insurance. With the full support of its board of directors and management team, CLIMBS achieved remarkable growth.

From the data included in its audited financial reports of 2010, CLIMBS has on record 848,810 policyholders compared to 748,185 in the year 2009.

What is unique about CLIMBS is that it is a composite insurance cooperative owned by more than 2,000 cooperative primaries and federations all over the country. This is certainly a vast potential market for its products which include life insurance, property insurance and health care.

As of July 31, 2011, its financial statements disclose assets of Php 397,472,357, an increase of 55% in comparison with the same period in 2010; whilst its net worth or equity

rose to Php 243,138,085, an improvement of 18% over the Php 206,196,650 recorded as of July 31, 2010.

Furthermore, its operations resulted in a set surplus or income of P14,065,823 as against the Php 13,600,192 of the prior year’s seven-month period, or a modest gain of 3%.

A recent highlight in CLIMBS’ achievement was the completion and inauguration of its Php 25.8 million four-storey building in Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, which was named as its new Main Office. This was funded solely from its own resources.

Another notable achievement wasw the introduction in October 2010 of a weatherindexed microinsurance product for the protection of loan portfolios against natural catastrophes. This much needed insurance product was developed in partnership with Munich Re, the largest global reinsurer and the German Government Technical Cooperation or GTZ GmbH. Claims are settled when windspeed or rainfall exceeds three predefined trigger values in either of three categories. The category of windspeed and rainfall is evaluated by an independent consultant and validated by satellite data and information from a specialized regional meteorological center operated in Japan.

The marketing network of CLIMBS is nationwide in scope with three Area Offices in Manila, Cebu and Davao; a Service Office in Iloilo; a General Agency in Cagayan de Oro; and Nine Agency Offices in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

With its considerable national membership in the cooperative movement and its dedicated and experienced management team, CLIMBS will certainly enhance the penetration rate of insurance and contribute greatly to the growth and development of the Philippines insurance industry. ( by: Reynaldo A. De Dios, Publisher-Editor Insurance Philippines)

“These numbers are projected to increase as the debris is cleared and more search and rescue operations are conducted,” Rodriguez said.

According to Rodriguez, in Cagayan De Oro alone, damages to 14 schools were placed at P61,874,900.

Among the schools that were damaged and submerged in water are the Consolacion Elementary School, Angeles Sisters National High School, Balulang West 1 Elementary School and Bonbon North 2 Elementary School. In Iligan City, 12 schools and 136 classrooms were damaged, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the supplemental budget is urgently required not only for the construction and rehabilita-

Jobs... from page 1

since the announcement last Dec. 22, 2011.

Johnson said the ILO convened a Livelihood Cluster in coordination with the UN and the labor and social welfare departments in the Philippines to help typhoonaffected families rebuild their lives through decent and productive work.

“The Livelihood Cluster will facilitate provision of livelihood starter kits, emergency employment and cashfor-work programs. Within the long term, we have to ensure access to sustainable livelihoods at the local or community level to help them recover and to contribute to peace and security, while ensuring health and safety,” said Johnson in a statement.

The cluster is now preparing a strategy for mediumstructure and productive land, skills development to support the construction of houses and support to small and medium enterprises to help the private sector recover.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Congress Watch

Congress approves bills on health, displaced persons TWO proposed measures aimed at promoting the rights of Filipinos were approved by the House of Representatives last week.

House Bill (HB) 5627 seeks to provide monetary compensation including immediate relief and humanitarian assistance to victims of internal displacement, their families and communities and to ensure their safe return, resettlement and rehabilitation in their respective communities.

Internally displaced persons (IDP) are also protected from other land conflicts such as land conversion, environmental destruction, aggressive implementation of development projects and other man-made disasters.

“The bill defines and criminalizes acts of arbitrary internal displacement committed by any person

REP. RUFUS RODRIGUEZ

vise the identification of beneficiaries as well as the distribution of monetary compensation.

The House, likewise, approved a bill seeking to provide a national folic acid education campaign to raise the level of awareness among women of childbearing age and health professionals on the importance of folic acid at preventing birth defects.

The campaign, to be headed by the Health department, aims to encourage women of reproductive capacity to consume daily, enough amount of folic acid, which is a B vitamin found naturally in food such as green leafy vegetables, beans, citrus fruits and juices and in certain multivitamins capsules.

Folic acid helps prevent infant birth defects in the brain and spine.

or group of persons and directed against the civilian population,” Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez (2nd district),

one of the authors, said in a statement yesterday.

Under the measure, the Commission on Human Rights is tasked to super-

inces belong to the top agricultural exporters, indicating high farm output, Ms. Antonino said.

The National Statistical Coordination Board said that Mindanao contributes an average of 20% of the country’s gross domestic product.

Ms. Antonino said MinDA and local government units are ready to provide assistance in identifying viable investment areas.

Although agriculture is the advantage of Mindanao, Ms. Antonino said investments are also encouraged for other areas such as tourism, power generation and mining.

“There are many beautiful tourist destinations in Mindanao and only those also from the region get to see it,” Ms. Antonino said. “That’s why we need help in changing the image of Mindanao.”

As for mining, which continues to draw flak especially after the floods from tropical storm Sendong (international name: Washi) that swept through Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City and nearby provinces in December, Ms. Antonino said: “There is a law on mining; [that means] mining is allowed on certain conditions.”

She added that local governments and national agencies must prepare mechanisms to mitigate the environmental impact of mining activities.

“You have to balance economic, trading, environmental and legal aspects,” Ms. Antonino added.

Attitude..

flood waters.

“Customer service for Honda Philippines is a matter that we take seriously, especially if it happens in undesirable circumstances like calamities.

But then again, calamity or not, we make sure that we attend to our customers’ concerns with regard to their motorcycle units, and that we are able to answer all their needs in terms of having their units checked

properly for any damage so we offer this free service to them,” explains Peter Gatchalian, PR and Events Supervisor of Honda Philippines, Inc. Gatchalian also adds that HPI will remain grateful for the trust and confidence of loyal Honda motorcycle customers towards the brand.

“This is Honda’s own little way of thanking its customers for their patronage and we hope

to be of continued service to them over the years—whether there is a calamity or not.”

“We also would like to thank our dealers for continually responding to our call to join us in helping a vast number of loyal customers in affected areas where they need assistance. Without our dealers’ help, it would be difficult for us to reach out,” Gatchalian added.

Profits...

LandBank’s total deposits grew 15 percent to P507.3 billion last year from P433.6 billion in 2010, while total assets expanded by 13 percent to P638.9 billion from

P565.7 billion.

Pico reported that LandBank capital base also expanded by 13 percent to P71.6 billion from P63.2 billion.

The lender — the fourth

largest Philippine bank in terms of assets, loans, deposits, and capital — has a capital adequacy ratio of 16.47 percent and a return on equity of 15.44 percent.

ILO...

involved in the program, such as the Department of Education, Department of L ab or and Employment, Department of Trade and

Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Bukidnon Press Club, and Bukidnon Sugar Mill Corp., were also signa-

tories of the commitment, with the understanding to complement the ILO-IPEC and the government’s program in eliminating child labor.

Sought...

from page 1 also received P8.5 billion last year from the government’s disbursement acceleration fund.

“We are implementing projects and programs in the community level since we hope to transform them one by one in terms of access to health services, water, education and livelihood,” Ms. Antonino said.

She added that many local leaders have linked with MinDA and national agencies, with particular mention on former rebels.

“In fact, some of the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) advocates are now peace advocates and partners for recovery programs,” Ms. Antonino said.

The economic potential of provinces in Mindanao, however, remains largely untapped, Ms. Antonino said, citing vast agricultural land and high crop yield as main attractions for food production businesses.

“Mindanao still has 63% irrigable land but we need investors,” Ms. Antonino said, adding that the area is ideal for plantations such as rubber and palm oil.

Many of the island’s prov-

from page 4 Just recently, the free service by HPI was demonstrated once again during the aftermath of the recent spate of typhoons that hit the country, particularly in areas like Calumpit in the province of Bulacan, where several motorcycles were damaged after being submerged in deep

from page 4 generate from our commercial banking operations,” she said.

from page 2 ernment agencies and nongovernment organizations

Income...

from page 1 segments like public school teachers, a statement on Monday read.

The press statement quoted the Mindanao-based rural bank’s president and chief executive officer, Alex V. Buenaventura, as noting public school teachers made up the biggest client segment, to which loans surged 109% annually to hit P5.9 billion last year.

About two years ago, the bank lost some of its teacher-borrowers to competitors which offered lower rates and bigger loanable amounts.

“Now, many of those who left us are slowly returning,” Mr. Buenaventura noted.

He recalled that, in order to lure back these borrowers, the bank cut its interest rate to 12% and increased loanable amount to P250,000 from P150,000 in the previous year.

Loans to businesses nearly

doubled to P1.4 billion last year from P800 million 2010.

Total loans rose by nearly three-fourths to P10.4 billion from P6 billion in the same years.

Deposits rose 11% annually from P9.4 billion in 2010.

Total bank resources rose 33% to P15.7 billion last year.

This year, the bank, which has 82 branches with 114 automated teller machines throughout Mindanao, plans to introduce Internet banking services and to branch out to areas in the Visayas, Mr. Buenaventura said. One Network Bank was the result of a consolidation in 2004 of the Rural Bank of Panabo, Network Rural Bank (Davao) and Provident Rural Bank of Cotabato.

Literacy...

from page 2 Darussalam.

Each pilot site is expected to have 20 computers.

Brunei, on the other hand, has successfully implemented the program’s first phase which includes training courses on e-commerce and the establishment of ICT centers equipped with broadband internet, and other applications.

February 10-12, 2012

9

Rufus: HRET to act on Torres’ fate THE House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal will decide within next two weeks whether television host and Rep. Lucy Torres may continue to serve as congresswoman representing the Fifth District of Leyte.

This was revealed Friday by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez after text messages circulated that Torres has been stripped of her post after the HRET disqualified her.

Rodriguez, a senior member of the HRET, belied the reports but admitted that the two cases seeking to unseat Torres have been submitted for resolution.

The veteran lawmaker said decision on the two electoral controversies may be expected within the next two to three weeks.

A quo warranto and electoral protest cases were filed by Torres’ rivals during the 2010 elections.

In the quo warranto case, complainant Silverio Tagolino said Torres cannot be considered a rightful occupant of the congressional seat because she replaced a candidate who had been disqualified

by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), referring to Torres’ husband, actor Richard Gomez.

Gomez had originally filed a certificate for candidacy for congressman but the Comelec rejected this because he failed to meet the residency requirement.

Gomez said they asked HRET to dismiss Tagolino’s complaint for lack of basis. He said his COC was never cancelled by the Comelec, thus, substitution was allowed.

According to Gomez a similar complaint against his wife had already been dismissed by the poll body for lack of merit. “ They had two opportunities to appeal the Comelec en banc decision to the Supreme Court but failed to do so. The bottomline is our opponents should know how to respect the will of the people,” stated Gomez.

Eufrocino Codilla Jr. another defeated candidate, sought a recount of the ballots cast.

Gomez said there is no way Codilla can overcome the 25,000 margin posted by his wife over the Lakas-Kampi-CMD candidate.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12th Judicial Region, Branch 21 Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE BIRTH RECORD OF KAREN CAÑETE AGUHOB ROLANDO D. AGUHOB, -versus-

SPL. PROC. NO. 21-457

Petitioner,

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR, SULTAN NAGA DIMAPORO, LANAO DEL NORTE Respondent. x----------------------------------------------------- /

ORDER A verified petition for Correction of Entries in the Birth Record of Karen Canete Aguhob in the Local Civil Registry of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, was filed by petitioner Rolando D. Aguhob on November 23, 2011, praying this Honorable Court that after notice, publication and hearing an order shall issue directing the Local Civil Registrar of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, to 1) CANCEL and CORRECT the following entries in the birth record of KAREN CAÑETE AGUHOB: a. to clarify the spelling of her first name as KAREN with an “N”; b. Her SEX or GENDER from MALE to FEMALE; b. The place of marriage of her parents from Dangolaan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte to Immaculada Conception, Karomatan (now known as Sultan Naga Dimaporo), Lanao del Norte; d. Her mothers name from MERCY C. CAÑETE to MARCELINA C. CAÑETE; 2. ISSUE to the petitioner a corrected copy of her birth certificate; 3. FORWARD a copy of the correct birth certificate to the National Statistics Office, Manila.

Finding the verified petition to be sufficient both in form and substance, the same is hereby set for initial hearing to APRIL 18, 2012 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. Let this order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Lanao del Norte once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner.

The Local Civil Registrar of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, and any person who has an interest in the petition may file his/her opposition thereto within fifteen (15) days from notice of this petition or from the last day of publication of this order.

Further, let this Order be posted for fifteen (15) consecutive days prior to the date of hearing on the bulletin board of the Municipal Hall of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte; on the bulletin board of barangay Dangulaan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte where the petitioner is residing, and on the bulletin board of this court.

The petitioner is directed to notify this Court of the publication of this order three (3) days before the schedule hearing date.

Furnish copy of this Order to the Solicitor General, Makati City, the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Lanao del Norte, the Local Civil Registrar of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Norte; Atty. Reymund G. Inihao, Lanao del Norte and Rolando D. Aguhob, Dangolaan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte.

SO ORDERED. January 18, 2011.

Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

BWM: FEB. 3, 10, & 17, 2012

(Sgd.) ALAN L. FLORES Acting Presiding Judge

10

February 10-12, 2012

Aggie News

Vegetable sector to get boost from road project K

ORONADAL -- The marketing potentials of vegetables produced in a remote village in the town of Tupi, South Cotabato is a getting major boost with the rehabilitation of a farming road there, an official said.

Tupi Mayor Reynaldo S. South Cotabato, Sarangani Tamayo, Jr. said the road to and General Santos City.

Barangay Miasong, considThe provincial agriculered the “vegetable bowl” ture office earlier estimated of South Cotabato, will be that there are 300 hectares of improved to enhance the vegetable farms in Miasong. area’s trading activities.

Vegetables produced in The Department of Bud- the village are bell peppers, get and Management has carrots, broccoli, lettuce, released a special purpose cabbage, eggplant, radish fund worth nearly P9 mil- and potatoes, among others. lion to the Department of Many of the wet markets Public Works and High- of the big malls in this city ways to rehabilitate the and nearby General Santos Cebuano-Linan-Miasong City are selling vegetables farm-to-market road. produced in Miasong.

“Soon, vegetable prodReynaldo H. Legaste, ucts from Miasong will South Cotabato chief agrireach the town’s bagsakan culturist, earlier proposed [trading] center easily,” he the possible expansion of the said.

Roll-On, Roll-Off (RoRo) Miasong, the remotest transport system either in village of Tupi, can be ac- General Santos City or Glan cessed through Barangay in Sarangani province to Maltana in a grueling two- facilitate the fast transport of hour ride. perishable goods in Region But with the 24-kilometer 12, or Central Mindanao, to Cebuano-Linan-Miasong other domestic markets. road, local officials proHe said the Department jected the travel time to of Agriculture has been be cut by half once the working to develop parts of rehabilitation is completed the region as the country’s reportedly in the next few next vegetable basket. weeks. Miasong is said to “If the RoRo route comes be supplying 80% of the closer to us, we can easvegetable requirements in ily ship out our vegetable

products from the region to other domestic markets and at a cheaper price,” Mr. Legaste said.

The construction of a RoRo port in Glan or in General Santos will stand to benefit thousands of farmers in South Cotabato and neighboring areas who have been faced with the high cost of transportation using commercial vessels, he noted.

Earlier, the Regional Development Council of Region 12 also pushed for the opening of a RoRo route in the region. The region covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal,

MINDANAO

Agriculture chief to meet farmers, LGUs in Normin TO further ensure the advancement of the agricultural sector within Northern Mindanao, Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala starts his three-day visit today here in the region to personally turn-over and oversee agriprojects in the provinces of Camiguin, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, and in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

With the intent of imparting to the grassroots level the agency’s pipelined programs, projects and interventions, Sec. Alcala will lead the conduct of the Agri-Pinoy Stakeholders Forum, wherein farmers and fisherfolks are expected to join and raise dire issues and concerns that would warrant success in their respective farming endeavors.

The first forum will be held today at the Municipal Food Terminal in Mambajao, Camiguin; the second one will be held tomorrow, February 2 at Hinaplanon, Iligan City; and the last will be on the next day at Baungon, Bukidnon.

While in the province of Camiguin, Sec. Alcala will inaugurate the National Food Authority Warehouse at Brgy. Balbagon, Mambajao and likewise will inspect the Mahinog Communal

Irrigation System at Brgy.

Tupsan, Mahinog; Brood Stock Development Project at Brgy. Benoni, Mahinog; and the Multi-Species Hatchery Project at Brgy. Sagay.

As the department is also keen in establishing more ways to improve and beef-up agri-undertakings, Sec. Alcala will also convene with the different local chief executives and other officials within the region. Thus, the agency’s limited resources would be more capably put to use while also raking in possible support from nongovernment organizations, associations, groups and etc.

Here in the city, Sec. Alcala will meet with the Regional Management Committee members and 2nd district representative Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez tomorrow. And, on the following day, February 3, he will turn-over assistance to those farmers and fisherfolks affected by typhoon Sendong at the City Hall Grounds.

Among his other visits would include the Kabula Tramline at Brgy. Kabula, Baungon and the Northern Mindanao Mariculture Park at Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.

For 2012, this will be Sec. Alcala’s first ever visit in the region. (Joanne L. Olson, DA-10)

Globe...

and growth of businesses are felt more than ever. This is why we continue to work hand-in-hand with various environmental organizations like WWF-Philippines in ensuring that we are able to protect our biodiversity.

At the same time, we would like to tap our core services such as GCASH to directly help the community and environment conservation efforts around the Philippines,” said Rob I. Nazal, Head of Globe CSR. GCASH Ecoturismo will be a valuable service in pristine but remote sites since it allows travelers to purchase goods and services as well as withdraw funds from participating GCASH outlets in the local communities where there are no Automated Teller Machines or credit card facilities.

According to WWF’s latest Living Planet Report, global biodiversity dropped by 30 percent from 1970 to 2007 while global carbon footprint increased by over 30 percent since 1998. In the latest United Nations’ World Risk Index, the Philippines ranked third among the most disaster-vulnerable countries worldwide behind Tonga and Vanuatu.

Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Mr. Legaste said the existing RoRo routes only cover portions of northern, western and eastern Mindanao through the “western and central shipping highways.”

The western highway starts in Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte and goes off to Dumaguete City, Bacolod City, Iloilo, Caticlan and Roxas City in the Visayas; and, Mindoro and Batangas in Luzon.

The central highway covers Cagayan de Oro City and Balingoan, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin in Mindanao; Bohol and Cebu in Visayas; and Masbate and Camarines Sur in Luzon. from page 11

MisOcc farmers given lecture on corn program OROQUIETA City – “Padayon sa paglambo mga mag-uumang Pilipino, nga maoy mobusog sa nasud nga Pilipinhon!”

Such was the reverberating message of Mildred A. Medina, the valedictorian of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 10’s (DA10) School-on-the-Air (SOA) program during the graduation ceremony held on January 26, 2012 at Brgy. Lower Lamac of this city.

Medina is one among the SOA graduates on Postharvest Handling and Marketing of Corn, who were confirmed and given certificates of completion for finishing the said course.

Wherein, it mainly discussed simple, economical and enduring practices to avoid postharvest losses and it also tackled on various competitive strategies of marketing corn to prospective markets.

Accordingly, the SOA program equipped farmers with considerable technological and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills to likely triumph in their respective farming ventures, which in due course, would largely contribute to the growth of the corn industry within the province and ultimately, the region.

The said program was aired twice a week over station DxDD – Radyo Kampana from 5:15-6:00 p.m. which started in August and ran through December of last year and thrice a week over station Red Arrow from 12:00nn-1:00 p.m. which began from October and lasted until December of the

BusinessWeek

which help conserve our biodiversity and help mitigate the impact of human footprint on our environment.

More importantly, it will help assure that future generations will enjoy a living planet,” said Vicente S. Perez, WWF-Philippine Chairman in his letter to Globe President and CEO Ernest L. Cu. The financial support is just the beginning of a partnership between Globe and WWF – Philippines. Aside from the P1 M donation, Globe through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm Globe Bridging Communities (BridgeCom) is closely working with WWF in developing GCASH Ecoturismo (GCASH for nature), a program that will harness the use of GCASH electronic cash transfer service for the promotion and facilitation of ecotourism-related customer spending in key local conservation and ecotourism sites.

“Globe is fully aware that the effects of climate change can impact our network directly as its implications to society and to the operations

Muziklaban... from page 11

previous year, luring listeners from areas such as Calamba, Baliangao, Sapang Dalaga, Tudela, Concepcion, Jimenez and Ozamiz City.

Despite the need to sacrifice and commit in learning timely and relevant lessons over the radio, Medina likewise conveyed her positivity for the agricultural sector, owing it to the presence of her fellow graduates during the closing rites.

“Kini nagpamatuod lamang nga walay babag sa taong determinado,” she exclaimed.

Following Medina as the top graduate is Melvin G. Parojinog.

Others included in the circle of outstanding graduates were Mitchie Joy J. Yahut, Alma D. Sangual, Margie Portugaliza, Gemma A. Descallar, Nora S.

Bonga, Felix Covelo, Alicia A. Medina and Elvira Covelo.

As a way to fittingly commend the exemplary efforts of the top 10 graduates, the DA-10 awarded them with plaques of recognition and bags of certified corn seeds. Meanwhile, all of the graduates received packets of assorted vegetable seeds and books on livelihood courtesy from the 1st district representative of Misamis Occidental - Congressman Jorge T. Almonte.

Prominent officials also in attendance were Provincial Agriculturist Jose L. Satorre and Sangguniang Bayan member and Chairman on the Committee of Agriculture Jim de los Santos, who were one in congratulating the graduates.

Moreso, they’ve acknowledged their continued support to the department’s SOA program as some of them have already availed in the past.

They’ve also underscored that the lectures discussed during the four-month long course are all geared towards realizing food security and self-sufficiency amid the inevitable effects brought by climate change.

For the year 2011 alone, the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (RAFID) of DA-10 in close collaboration with the provincial agriculture offices of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental have also conducted two other SOA programs, benefiting around 300 farmers. (JOANNE L. OLSON, DA-10)

been struggling for since the band was formed in 2006.

“Dati, hindi masyadong appreciated ang music namin dahil maingay daw kami. For us, that was one of the many Goliaths that we had to overcome. We did not veer away from our passion, and eventually, our efforts finally paid off, “ explained Montanez who disclosed that this was the band’s second attempt to join in Muziklaban.

Roberto N. Huang, president of San Miguel Brewery Inc. expressed his appreciation for all the celebrities who share Red Horse Beer’s passion in discovering new talents not only in the Philippine rock music industry but also in the fields of body art and extreme sports.

Apart from its signature amateur rock competition, Red Horse Beer has provided promising tattoo artists and extreme sport athletes with rewarding opportunities in the recent Pambansang Muziklaban. Red Horse Beer put up three additional zones that cater to the lifestyles that

the brand supports: the “X-treme Zone” where BMX and skateboard stunt riders competed; the “Pinoy Ink Zone” where tattoo completion was held; and the “Rakrakan Zone” which featured a photo exhibit of the Pinoy rock industry, a drum competition and auditions for the 2012 Pambansang Muziklaban Rock Challenge.

Also present on the occasion to motivate aspiring talents were internationally-acclaimed tattoo artist Chris Garcia and award-winning BMX biker Armand Mariano.

Huang added that the recent Pambansang Muziklaban signifies the company’s commitment to up the fun ante in every event that the beer giant organizes.

“We in SMB make sure that we live up to our reputation of not only providing our loyal patrons with world-class products and services, but also with activities where they can express themselves, share their talents, and celebrate with friends,” he said.

To know more of Red Horse Beer Muziklaban, visit www. redhorsebeer. com.

MINDANAO

BusinessWeek

Culture&Arts

February 10-12, 2012

11

NEWS CAPS HOTELS The best of Pinoy Rock RESTAURANTS 13th Pambansang Muziklaban

By Laurel Media/RTM

IT is every Pinoy rocker’s dream to see their elusive rock gods perform in one stage. And no less than the country’s no. 1 extra strong beer, Red Horse Beer, made this phenomenon possible with the culmination of the 13th Pambansang Muziklaban rock event held recently at the Aseana City in Paranaque City, Metro Manila.

Rock icon Joey “Pepe” Smith took the event’s theme Rakenrol Circus seriously. That night, he was Joker, the nemesis of superhero Batman; but on that stage, Pepe “the Joker” was loved, as he, together with Wally Gonzales and Mike Hanopol -- his co-members in the Juan dela Cruz band -- entertained the Red Horse Beer fans with some of their classic ‘70’s hits namely Beep Beep, Titser’s Enemi No. 1, Kagatan, Rakenrol sa Ulan, and Wally’s Blues.

Completing the 70’s Pinoy rock nostalgia in the star-studded Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban was Maria Cafra’s rendition of Kumusta mga Kaibigan and other popular hits.

His first Muziklaban appearance, the world-renowned Freddie Aguilar sent chills down the spine when he played the highest-selling Philippine record, ‘Anak’ and the socially-relevant Maguindanao.

The action began early on with Kevin Roy of Razorback and Jamir Garcia of Slapshock’s live rendition of Red horse Beer anthems, a prelude to the grand opening number of rock heavyweights Pepe Smith, Jett Pangan of The Dawn, Ely Buendia,

Pinoy folk music icon Freddie Aguilar and son.

Reg Rubio of Greyhoundz and Jamir Garcia of Slapshock.

What made the 2011 Pambansang Muziklaban extra astig was the collaborative performances of the four band finalists with their rock idols.

Reg Rubio joined the 2011 champion David vs. Goliath of Davao City in performing the song “DobleKara” popularized by Greyhoundz.

Ian Tayao jammed with Cebu’s bet, Leviticus in Wilabaliw’s hit song “Matador;” Kevin Roy played Razorback’s “Payaso” with Benguet’s Zephaniah ; and Mark Abaya performed Kjwan’s “Daliri” with Mind of Clay of Legazpi City.

Red Horse Beer fans also had a

Globe strengthens ‘green’ advocacy thru WWF • Donates P1M to Philippine Fund for Nature GLOBE Telecom further strengthens its environmental advocacy through a partnership with World Wildlife Fund - Philippines, starting with a donation of P1 million to WWF’s Philippine Fund for Nature and a possible collaboration on eco-tourism using Globe GCASH. Philippine Fund for Nature is designed to ensure long term growth of the WWF-Philippines wide range of projects directed towards preserving the country’s natural resources. WWF Philippines aims to establish a special endowment fund of P200 million for PFN. “The major gift will not only help secure the financial sustainability of the organization but will also enable us to sustain in the long run our key

great time with the brand’s newest endorser, Lovi Poe, who hosted the star-studded event with musician Francis Brew and celebrity host Julia Clarete.

Rocksteddy, Franco, Tanya Markova, Valley of Chrome, Chongkeys, Ganhava, Mr. Bones & the Boneyard Circus, Giniling Festival, and Dogfight added delight to the 13th Pambansang Muziklaban, the biggest, loudest and most prestigious amateur rock competition in the country.

The event would not be complete without the riveting performances of past Muziklaban title holders who expressed their appreciation for Red Horse Beer’s continuing support for new artists.

Mayonnaise (2004 champion), Ibarra (2006), Gayuma (2007), Even (2008), Hatankaru (2009), and Light of Luna (2010), proudly welcomed the incumbent champion band “David vs, Goliath” from Davao, which won a tax-free cash prize of P500,000, an exclusive band contract with Red Horse Beer, plus other perks.

“Our experience in the 13th Pambansang Muziklaban was overwhelming. We did not only bring glory for Mindanao but we also performed onstage with our idol Reg Rubio of Greyhoundz. He was very accommodating to us, he even gave us some winning tips. Sabi niya, ang pinaka importante sa lahat ay lakasan ang gitara pag tumugtog kami sa stage, ” shared 19-year old Jules Clyde Montanez, guitars and clean vocals.

David vs. Goliath is composed of Kenneth Zamudio (lead guitars), Jules Montanez, Arvin Nacario (bass guitar), Amiel Avila (drums), and Oliver Louis Lagdameo (lead vocalist).

They passed through the rigorous elimination in Matina, Davao City, and won in the semi-finals at Digos City. The members age from 19-22 and have been friends way back in college . They associate themselves with the biblical character David, and Goliath as the challenges in their journey as a band.

Montanez added that the Muziklaban has opened the doors for the band to share their music with more listeners, something that they have

MUZIKLABAN/PAGE 10

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Misamis Oriental observes world wetlands day

By CEDRIC DAYTA, Contributor

L

UGAIT, Misamis Occidental -- Lugait town in the province of Misamis Occidental celebrated World Wetlands Day 2012 with a massive cleanup.

Led by Mayor Wellie Lim, together with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Misamis Oriental, the cleanup started at around 6:00 a.m. along the three coastal barangays in Lugait: Poblacion, Biga and Calan-

gahan signifying support to the World Wetlands Day 2012.

Mayor Lim, on other hand, issued a memorandum enjoining all officers and employees in the local government to participate in the celebration.

Meanwhile, the international theme for World Wetlands Day 2012 is ‘Wetlands and Tourism - a great experience.’ This aligns with the theme of the 11th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention-- ‘Wetlands, Tourism and Recreation’-- which will be held in July 2012 in Bucharest, Romania.

World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997.

Since then, government agencies, non-government

organizations and community groups have celebrated World Wetlands Day by undertaking actions to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits and promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

These activities include seminars, nature walks, festivals, launchings of new policies, announcement of new Ramsar sites, newspaper articles, radio interviews and wetland rehabilitation.

GSIS grants loan moratorium to ‘Sendong’ victims THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced that in addition to the grant of an emergency loan for members affected

by Tropical Storm Sendong, the GSIS board extended a moratorium on the payment of its outstanding loans as well.

“The moratorium will enable ‘Sendong-hit’ victims to use the deferred payments on their outstanding GSIS loans for more urgent needs such as doing the repairs to damages brought about by the typhoon,” GSIS president and general manager Robert G. Vergara said.

The moratorium program, which covers members residing or working in the provinces of Misamis

Oriental, Negros Oriental, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte, suspends all interest and penalties on the outstanding loans of qualified members and pensioners.

Loans covered under the moratorium include housing loans, consolidated loans, policy loans, eCash advances and emergency loans which were granted because of Tropical Storm Sendong.

To qualify under the program, these loan accounts should have no record of unpaid amortization for more than six months as of December 31, 2011.

Pension loans and due and demandable accounts as of December 31, 2011 are however excluded from the

moratorium.

The moratorium program will be implemented in two phases.

The first phase automatically defers the payment of all loan amortizations due for the months of January, February and March 2012.

“This means that our members in the four provinces need not file an application for this phase,” Vergara said.

The second phase extends the moratorium from April to December 2012. Under this phase, only members, pensioners and retirees who are still recovering from the adverse effects of “Sendong” such as death of a family member, damage to residence

and property, loss of livelihood and source of income, may avail of the extended moratorium program.

Members and pensioners need to file their applications together with a picture or proof showing the damage brought by the typhoon.

Members who want to avail themselves of the extended moratorium have until February 29, 2012 to apply.

“Our members and pensioners can rest assured that they can rely on their pension fund in times of their greatest need,” Vergara said.

For inquiries and details about the moratorium, they may visit www.gsis.gov.ph or the nearest GSIS Branch in their area.

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

DILG distributes SGH markers in Normin

By ELAINE O. RATUNIL and ROCHELLE DAGANG, Contributors

TWENTY glass markers of Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) were distributed to the municipal mayors in recognition of their respective local government units (LGUs) as awardees in advancing the principles of accountability and transparency in local governance.

These solid markers signed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo were given during the convocation program of DILG, Region 10, last Monday, Feb. 6.

Present to receive the markers were Mayor Romeo P. Tiongco (Damulog, Bukidnon), Mayor Rey B. Baula (Sumilao, Bukidnon), Mayor Jaber M. Azis (Matungao, Lanao del Norte), Mayor Noel N. Deaño (Linamon, Lanao del Norte), Mayor Bertrand M. Lumaque, Sr. (Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte), Mayor Estela O. Estaño (Tudela, Misamis Occidental), Mayor David M. Navarro (Clarin, Misamis Occidental), Vice-Mayor Jesus C. Enerio (Calamba, Misamis Occidental), Mayor Martin C. Migriño (Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental), Mayor Samson R. Dumanjug (Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental); Mayor Alvin Giovanni A. Labis (Alubijid, Misamis Oriental), Mayor Joecel Q. Tiu (Libertad, Misamis Oriental), Mayor Jaime C. Roa (Naawan, Misamis Oriental), Mayor Rodolfo O. Buray (Gitagum, Misamis Oriental), and Mayor Oliver L. Ubaub (Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental).

Other city and municipalities were represented by LGU representatives, namely from Mahinog (Camiguin), Magsaysay (Lanao del Norte), Aloran (Misamis Occidental), Tangub City (Misamis Occidental), and Sugbongcogon (Misamis Oriental).

LGUs of Munai (Lanao del Norte), Kauswagan (Lanao del Norte), and Don Victoriano (Misamis Occidental) are also among of those SGH awardees.

These LGUs were the first round awardees of SGH for CY 2011 under the 4th to 6th class cities and municipalities category.

The awarding of SGH happened last August 19, 2011 but it was only now that the SGH markers were accorded to the LGUs due to problems with logistics.

During the short program, Assistant Regional Director Nilo P. Castañares, DILG-10 OIC, expressed his appreciation to the presence of the Mayors, who themselves gladly received their respective SGH markers that will then be displayed proudly at their respective City and Municipal Offices.

Director Castañares said that each awardee, even the other LGUs, is expected to level up their performance this year so as to pass the SGH criteria.

This year, for LGUs to qualify in the SGH bronze, they basically need to have no adverse or disclaimer Commission of Audit (COA) Opinion, and exhibit a full compliance to full disclosure policy.

However, for them to scale up to the Silver and Gold categories, additional requirements have to be complied.

An LGU that has full implementation of COA Audit observations and has an above benchmark under Civil Service Commission Report Card Survey will qualify for SGH Silver.

Meanwhile, an LGU that shows the following institutionalization of participatory governance, valuing of performance information, quality of internal control system, presence of an internal audit office, and full compliance to Anti-Red Tape Act will be up for SGH Gold. Monetary incentive is also expected to increase for the SGH Silver and Gold.

SGH is accorded to LGUs to elevate the practice of good governance that values desirable development outcomes into institutionalized status. It is also given to recognize local governments with above benchmark performance in internal housekeeping.

Moreover, SGH is a precondition to access a financial incentive known as Performance Challenge Fund (PCF).

The PCF is awarded to qualified LGUs to help jumpstart local development initiatives/projects that are aligned with the national government’s programs for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, tourism and local economic development, disaster risk reduction and management, and solid waste management.

(DILG/PIA-10)