JULY 2,2012 BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO

RURAL TRANSIT BACHELOR EXPRESS

“First in Service, Foremost in Fleet Maintenance”

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Banana king dies THE Philippines’ banana king Don Antonio O. Floirendo Sr. passed away at 6:50 p.m. on Friday.

He was 96.

His remains will be at 88 Cambridge Circle, Forbes Park in Makati City on Saturday and Sunday.

His body will be brought to Davao on Monday.

Don Antonio is the father-in-law of Margie Moran, Miss Universe 1973.

His son ‘Tony Boy’, husband of Moran, served as congressman of Davao del Norte.

Spanish grant BUTUAN City -- Caraga once again becomes a recipient of an international grant as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) finalizes a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Spanish government and three local government units (LGUs) here this month to complement the implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Now on its seventh and final year of implementing the community-driven development (CDD) project Poder, Agencia Espanola Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID) will be giving a new grant of P12.4 million for development projects in the region, according to Regional Project Coordinator Elsa D. Montemor.

By MIKE BAÑOS Correspondent

T

HE Misamis Oriental provincial leadership has hailed the recent groundbreaking for a new facility of a heavy equipment yard in the province as an indication of the robust health of the region’s economy.

Monark executives (L-R) Ana Banson-Pastelero, Vice Chair; Gem C. Ridual, El Salvador Project Head and Jose Leonardo A. Austria,CDO Branch Manager lead the ground breaking of the company's new heavy equipment yard in El Salvador City.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

USAID launches new cities dev’t initiative

“We wish to extend our thanks to Monark Equipment for their trust and confidence choosing Misamis Oriental for the site of their biggest facility outside Metro Manila,” said Gov. Oscar S. Moreno.

“This is a vote of confidence not only for El Salvador and Misamis Oriental but North-

3M Pinoy kids in hazardous work

By BUTCH D. ENERIO Correspondent CONTINUING its support to see the country’s economic growth flourish, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched here Friday its Cities Development Initiative (CDI) program where a memorandum of understanding was signed by City Mayor Vicente Emano and Gloria Steele, USAID mission director.

U.S Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr., who witnessed the event, said that the CDI is the US contribution to Cagayan de Oro’s commitment to grow its economy so that more people can benefit from education, from health, and from business opportunities while still taking care of the environment.

“We will partner with government, the private sector and civil society to ensure our programs have positive impact. This initiative is just one of many facets of the U.S-Philippine partnership USAIDPAGE 10

ern Mindanao as well.”

Monark executives led by Ana Feliza Banson-Pastelero, Vice Chair, broke ground for the multi-million facility last month in what the company bills its first major expansion outside the capital to meet the increasing demands of its clients from Zamboanga

City to Surigao.

According to Project Head Gem C. Ridual, the new facility will be set up in a recently acquired one hectare facility in El Salvador City and will house an office, warehouse, stockyard for a new baywork and a provision for further expansion.

“Even with the winding down of the Laguindingan airport construction, there is still an uptick of construction activities in the Northern MISOR/PAGE 10

Not only that children are exposed to hard labor, they are also prone to health hazards.

ABOUT 3 million Filipino children are employed in the most hazardous forms of work, the latest survey of the National Statistics Office (NSO) shows.

Based on the 2011 Survey on Children of the NSO released to the public on Tuesday, the current number of children working in hazardous jobs grew from 2.4 million back in 2001.

Of the 29 million Filipino children (aged 5-17 years old), 5.5 million are employed in various forms of labor.

More boys are employed in dangerous work compared to girls, the study revealed.

About 66.8 percent of child workers in hazardous work are boys, while 33.2 percent are girls.

Regions with the highest incidence of hazardous

child labor are also some of the poorest areas in the country, which includes Central Luzon (10.6 percent), Bicol (10.2 percent), Western Visayas (8.5 percent), Northern Mindanao (8.2 percent) and Central Visayas (7.3 percent).

“We have to get to the root of child labour which is linked with poverty and lack of decent and productive work,” said Director Lawrence Jeff Johnson of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for the Philippines.

The ILO defined hazardous child work as “being likely to harm children's health, safety, or morals by its nature or circumstances.”

“Children may be directly exposed to obvious work KIDS/PAGE 10

Mindanao firms get certification from US envoy

By JORIE C. VALCORZA Contributor Beside U.C.C.P., C.M. Recto Ave., Nat’l Highway, Cag. de Oro City

Cell No.: 0917-304-6195

BACK TO SCHOOL PROMO!

Trained by:

RICKY REYES & DAVID’S SALON Makati City

THOMAS

THE third batch of companies assisted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has received their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Certification.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry K. Thomas Jr. personally handover the HACCP certification to eight companies in Mindanao on Thursday in Cagayan de Oro City.

The list includes Vjandep Corporation (Cagayan de

Oro), Perfectly Natural Herbs (Iligan), Lucille’s Food Products (Tagum, Davao del Norte, Renova Food Products (Davao City), Lao Integrated Farms (Davao del Sur), Magpet AgroIndustrial Cooperative (North Cotabato), San Isidro Fruits FIRMS/PAGE 11

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July 1-5, 2012

Economy

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Lanao Norte to benefit from Mindanao agriculture project ticipated in the barangay workshop consultations that were conducted from May 16 to June 8, 2012 in the province.

The first batch included the municipality of Nunungan, the second batch inThree batches of par- municipal planning and cluded Tubod, Pantao Rat i c ip ant s t hat i n clu d e development officers, and gat, Tangkal and Munai; barangay chairpersons, municipal mayors par- while the third batch was

ILIGAN City -- A total of 93 barangays in 10 municipalities of Lanao del Norte will now have the chance to accelerate their development with the implementation of the Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Development (MinSAAD) project.

composed of Magsaysay, Sapad, Maigo, Kolambugan and Sultan Naga Dimaporo.

The aforementioned municipalities are all part of the three settlement areas in the province covered by MinSAAD. According to Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Ibrahim L. Marmay, the mu-

nicipal LGUs will spearhead the updating of profiles of all barangays covered by the project. All outputs of the above-mentioned activities will be used in the settlements area development planning which will serve as the basis in project implementation MinSAAD is slated for

implementation from 2012 to 2016 and will focus on sustainable agrarian and agriculture development.

The key project components include: (1) agriculture and agribusiness enhancement; (2) rural infrastructure development; and (3) institutional development and gender concerns.

DSWD allocates P15.75M for Kalahi-CIDSS projects

By RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB DSWD-10.

The said MOA was also Contributor signed by Mayor Miriam PANAON, Misamis Oc- Paylaga of Panaon and Maycidental -- The Department or Luisito Villanueva Jr. of of Social Welfare and Devel- Calamba.

Previously, the towns opment (DSWD) has allotted P15.75 million for the of Bonifacio, Lopez Jaena Kabisig Laban sa Kahirapan- and Sinacaban, all of MisaComprehensive Integrated mis Occidental, were made Delivery of Social Services beneficiaries of KALAHI(KALAHI-CIDSS) projects CIDSS Project under the in Panaon and Calamba, so-called counter-parting Misamis Occidental this year. scheme wherein the local Of this amount, P7.2 government units have to put million goes to the town of up an equity or counterpart Panaon, while P8.55 mil- for the projects.

The towns of Panaon and lion goes to Calamba, said Araceli F. Solamillo, regional Calamba may then have to director of the DSWD-10. provide an equity of about This is stipulated in the P2 to P3 million, Solamillo memorandum of agreement said, while DSWD-10 will (MOA) signed recently by take charge of conducting the Governor Herminia Ramiro trainings to help capacitate together with Atty. Araceli the barangay folks with the Solamillo, Regional Direc- needed skills to supervise tor and Aldersey Dela Cruz, the implementation of the Asst. Regional Director of projects.

These will include the trainings on financial management and preparation of project proposals, canvassing, bookkeeping, accounting, etc.

Thus, the project proposals should be submitted to DSWD-10 within eight months. Under the KALAHI-CIDSS residents vote for priority projects that are needed to be done in their area.

Governor Ramiro thanked DSWD-10 for their efforts in bringing the KALAHI-CIDSS projects to the other areas and barangays of the province.

She also thanked DSWD for the other programs implemented in the province that benefitted the poor and helped reduce poverty, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Self-Employment Assistance.

Water to flow in waterless taps in Surigao del Norte nounced that the province received a water supply grant intended for waterless SURIGAO del Norte -- No municipalities and baranmore dry taps anymore. gays here.

Dubbed 2012 Sagana at Governor Sol Matugas anBy ARTURO CRUJE JR. Contributor

Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) Program, the project will provide safe and potable water for waterless municipalities and poorest barangays with high level of waterborne diseases, resettlement areas, and rural health units/birthing clinics with no access to safe water.

The program shall be executed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Office of the Project Development Services (OPD) in partnership with DILG regional office and the provincial government as implementing partners.

The governor said she had already received the guidelines from the DILG on the said project which will cover the upgrading/expansion of level 3 water supply systems and construction/ rehabilitation/expansion/ upgrading of level 2 and 1 water systems.

The policy guidelines are now available at the Provincial Planning and Development Office and DILG-Provincial Office.

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Corpboard

Pag-IBIG sets members’ housing loans to P6-M IT’S not just housing loans you can avail from the Home Development Mutual Fund (PagIBIG Fund), but also education, livelihood and even vacation loans.

Pag-IBIG chief executive officer Darlene Berberabe said members who are feeling depressed and want to go on a vacation can get a short-term loan, which she dubbed as an “anti-depression” loan.

“Ang tawag ko nga jan (vacation loan) ay ‘anti-depression loan’.

Ano yang anti-depression loan? Sabi ko, pag nabibigo ka sa buhay, pumunta ka sa Pag-IBIG at umutang para magbakasyon or saan man gamitin,” Berberabe said.

However, these shortterm loans would depend on the amount of one’s savings in PagIBIG. “May requirement kami na 2 years na magaambag ka sa pondo, p a r a m ay m a - ut a n g ka. Parang it’s a loan against your savings.

Kung P20,000 (savings) -- it’s 80% of P20,000 or hanggang P16,000

ang puede niyong utangin. The interest rate is 10.75% a year, maliit pa rin yun kesa sa credit card,” she said.

As for housing loans, members of Pag-IBIG Fund can now borrow as much as P6 million from the previous limit was P3 million.

“Last week we had our board meeting and we have been approved to raise the maximum loan package to P6 million...

We have a credit scoring system. We will evaluate the borrowers’ capacity to pay but the maximum loanable amount is P6 million,” Berberabe said.

The Pag-IBIG board also agreed to lower the interest rate to 7.98% with 3 years repricing, from the previous 11.5% so it can compete with private banks.

Pag-IBIG recently launched a socialized housing program where minimum wage earners

can borrow money at a subsidized interest rate of 4.5%. The maximum loanable amount for the socialized housing program is P400,000.

“Ang ating mga household workers, transport workers, mga minimum wage earners ay puede na umutang at 4.5 % interest rate. Sinusubsidize ng Pag-IBIG ang interest rate kasi ang market rate ay nasa 8%,” Berberabe said.

For i n s t a n c e , t h e monthly amortization for a P400,000 loan at 4.5% interest is P2,000 a month.

Berberabe acknowledged that for s ome minimum wage earners, paying P2,000 a month is still too much.

“Issue kasi di pa rin kaya (ng minimum wage earners). Pero kung mga P100,000 (loan) nasa P700 or P800 a month yan... Puede rin may coborrowers, pag-samasamahin niyo ang income capacity and puede kayo ma-approve ng Pag-IBIG loan,” she said.

July 1-5, 2012

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Companies

July 1-5, 2012

Sun Cellular celebrates freedom with Pinoy artists IN celebration of Philippine Independence Day, Sun Cellular collaborated with non-profit organization CANVAS (Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development) in its annual art exhibit dubbed Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Project with the theme ‘Freedom’ or ‘Kalayaan’.

Now on its 4th year, this exhibition of original masterpieces by 80 Filipino visual artists officially opened last June 13, 2012 at the Vargas Museum in UP Diliman, with printed reproductions on tarpaulin banners on display along UP Academic Oval. This exhibit is open to public free of charge until June 30, 2012.

“It is our pleasure to be part of this innovative exhibit that celebrates the immense talent and creativity of our home-grown artists,” said Ricky Peňa, Sun Cellular Senior Vice President for Marketing during the exhibit’s opening day.

“From the very beginning, I was very impressed by the banners I saw while jogging around the UP campus. It was a very different way of exposing arts to the masses.

We believe that art has the power to uplift the Filipino spirit; that’s why we are giving our full support to this project.”

This is the very reason, he continued, “Why we, at Sun Cellular believe that this is a very good partnership because we know in our own way, Sun

was able to contribute to the propagation of the freedom of thoughts and expression.”

Freedom and empowerment are also what Sun Cellular stands for by offering unlimited connectivity and communication to millions of its subscribers. Sun, Peňa said, was the first to offer call and text unlimited in the market, at very affordable costs.

CANVAS Executive Director Gigo Alampay, in turn, thanked Sun Cellular for the partnership and expressed his hopes in having more projects with the fast-growing telecommunications company. “We hope that this is only the first of a long line of partnerships.”

CANVAS asked local artists to paint their expression or interpretation of what it means to be free. “I’d like to thank all the artists who participated in this notable undertaking such as national artist BenCab (Benedicto Cabrera); Marcel Antonio, R.A. Tijing, Bjor Calleja, Marika Constantino, Elmer Borlongan, Michael Cacnio, Joel Alonday, Ross Capili, Jose John Santos III, Juanito Torres, Alee Garibay, Jim Orencio, Ian Valladarez, and more. We wanted to promote Philippine art and Filipino artists to the general public in a friendly, non-intimidating environment,” Alampay said, “while providing themes that can help stimulate discussion of what we think are important social subjects.”

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Tattoo continues to rule PH broadband market TATTOO, the flagship broadband brand of Globe Telecom, continues to dominate the Philippine market, making it the undisputed Number One broadband. This is reflected in the consistent annual doubledigit growth of its subscriber base and service revenues for the past five years.

From 2007 to 2011, Tattoo, which carries the consumer broadband business of Globe, has grown by an average of 99% per year in number of subscribers, and 82% per year in service revenues, surpassing the comparable average growth rates of its nearest competitor for the same period. The figures are referenced from company disclosures to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the period 2007-2011.

The broadband business of Globe has likewise posted 22 consecutive quarters of solid growth with an average quarterly growth rate of 17% for both subscriber base and service revenues.

“The powerful imagery, compelling offers and superior performance have resonated well with consumers. Tattoo has proven itself as the broadband with the superior performance compared to its competitors in speed, reliability and valuefor-money plans,” says Nikko

Acosta, Consumer Broadband Business Head of Globe Telecom, “With the network upgrades of Globe in progressive roll-out, you can bet that Tattoo will become the brand of choice for the best internet experience.”

A network test study of prepaid broadband sticks conducted by The Nielsen Company (Philippines), Inc. (“Nielsen”) shows that amongst the surveyed households, Tattoo outperformed two key competing brands in the prepaid mobile broadband segment in salient measures for speed and reliability. The measures included page downloading speed and success rates as well as page loading success rate.

Part of the massive $700-Million network modernization program of Globe includes the increase in 3G nationwide coverage, a ten-fold increase in data capacity, and the rollout of an additional 10,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables to enhance internet speeds and service reliability.

“At the end of the day, it’s the consumers’ actual experience that matter. Among its competitors, Tattoo has demonstrated better speed and reliability, which is evidenced by the strong subscriber take-up of our wide array of offers,” Acosta added.

Tattoo@Home, the fixed home broadband brand of Globe, is also in the thick of a massive, multi-year modernization program that aims to beef-up Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) services nationwide. Tattoo@ Home also maintains one of the largest 4G WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) network deployments in the region.

Tattoo@Home prides itself as providing the best-value plans with freebies and discounts exclusively available to its subscribers as well as the best-value landline-plus-internet bundles, where subscribers get the fastest broadband speeds without paying separately for a landline connection. Tattoo@

Home is also the first and only broadband brand that allows customers to boost their surfing speeds and get online safety protection measures for responsible internet usage especially among the children.

The wired broadband service of Tattoo also includes Tattoo Torque, the fastest internet connection available in the country today and one of the fastest anywhere in the world. Using the breakthrough technology Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Network (GPON), Tattoo Torque offers speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

Meanwhile, Tattoo Nomadic is the first to offer customizable plans, with options to boost surfing speeds by 1Mbps. Tattoo is also the first to offer prepaid lifestyle USB sticks—Tattoo Player, Tattoo Explorer and Tattoo Stylista, which comes customized with unique offers and freebies to match a myriad of internet usage habits. Tattoo prepaid offers include Tattoo Sonic, the best-in-value 3G broadband stick; Tattoo 4G Flash; and the Tattoo 4G Superstick, a personal WiFi device. Tattoo also launched online lifestyle portal, www.livetattoo.ph, which gives all Tattoo subscribers exclusive discounts, perks and freebies that match their passion.

In another unprecedented milestone, Tattoo Nomadic outdid competition by coming out with a unique tie-up with Apple’s new iPad, which marries cutting-edge features of the revolutionary tablet with the widest range of customizable offers packed with discounts and privileges from www.livetattoo.ph.

Cojuangco sells SanMig stake to Ang SAN Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo 'Danding' Cojuangco Jr. has sold his 20 percent interest in the diversifying food and beverage conglomerate, giving part of it to his trusted lieutenant and the company's chief operating officer, Ramon S. Ang. In a transaction crossed at the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday, Cojuangco, an uncle of President Benigno Aquino III, assigned 11 percent of SMC to Ang on "friendly terms," after another key shareholder, Top Frontier, opted not to exercise its full option to purchase the said stake in the conglomerate.

Under an option agreement signed in 2009, Top Frontier had first dibs at Cojuangco's SMC stake, but "decided to only partially exercise this option."

In a statement, Cojuangco described Ang as "a person in whom I have full trust and confidence and rightfully deserves utmost recognition for transforming the company into a highly diversified and profitable business conglomerate.”

“From the time I requested Ramon to join me in the company, he has continuously dedicated one hundred percent of his time and effort in ensuring the growth of the San Miguel Group to the benefit of its shareholders," Cojuangco said.

“There is no other person deserving of this opportunity to control a significant stake in the Company that is so close to my heart, than Ramon. San Miguel has made a distinctive impact because of him and he cares about the Company and its people. I am confident he will lead San Miguel to further greatness,” Cojuangco added.

Ang has steered SMC's diversification into power, fuel and oil, infrastructure, mining, telecommunications, airlines, airports, among others. He earlier said these new businesses would help SMC hit its P1 trillion revenue target by next year.

In the same statement, Ang said: “Mr. Cojuangco offered the balance of the option shares to me and I

accepted primarily for the following reasons: the San Miguel vision set by management during my term is far from being achieved, and; I have a continuing commitment to ECJ, the company’s stakeholders and the employees to see through the realization of this vision in the near future."

Cojuangco, who will remain chairman and chief executive of SMC, said his divestment would allow him to pursue "personal endeavors."

"Though I will continue to oversee and participate in the unending commitments of SMC to make everyday life a celebration, maintain business excellence, further enhance shareholder value, and become a partner in the country’s growth story," he added.

The sale capped several years of court battle with post-Marcos era Philippine governments that claimed Cojuangco's SMC stake was ill-gotten, a result of his close relationship with then President Ferdinand Marcos.

The Supreme Court has since ruled that the subject SMC shares are rightfully owned

by Cojuangco.

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Toyota awards winner in classic car hunt TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) celebrated the line-off of its 500 thousandth production unit in the country in March this year with the launching of the search for the earliest locally manufactured vehicle in its “Classic Toyota Hunt” which lasted in April.

The search enabled clients to bring in hundreds of entries of various Toyota cars that were still in good running condition with an unmodified engine and chassis. Most of which were produced in the year 1989 when TMP started its production of locally manufactured vehicles After searching the entire nation, Mr. Anthony Cheng Liong and his 1989 Toyota Crown emerged as the winner.

“For me, my 1989 Toyota Crown is a very reliable and sturdy vehicle.The quality of the engine of my 23 year old vehicle is still good and tough.

As for the parts even though the car is already past two decades old, it is affordable and still widely available in the market,” he said in a statement.

The car’s longevity is a testament to Toyota Motor Philippines commitment to manufacturing vehicles with outstanding quality.

Mr. Cheng won a brand new Toyota Innova for his feat.

For over 23 years in the country, Toyota has been driven to serve its customers with vehicles of unmatched quality, reliability and value.

All of its vehicles undergo a rigorous production process in Toyota’s world-class manufacturing production plant in the Philippines.

“We are fueled by our customer’s continuous patronage in owning a Toyota vehicle because of their trust in the brand. This only inspires us more to continuously provide them with excellent customer service and unmatched product quality,” TMP president Michinobu Sugata said.

“Furthermore, Toyota’s passion to serve is embodied by the Toyota Sure Advantage that assures that every Toyota owner can be certain that his car will last for years to come.”

Motoring

July 1-5, 2012

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Kia Rio mobile application gets distinction as ‘best of the best ’IN recognition of the excellent design quality of the allnew Rio iPad application, Kia Motors Corp. has received the highly sought-after “best of the best” award in the communication design category from red dot, one of the largest and most-acclaimed international design competitions.

Renowned experts from all over the world formed the red dot jury in 2012. In a process lasting several days, they evaluated every single one of the 6,823 entries. Every year, a few works stand out from the overall pool of high-quality submissions and are awarded the “red dot: best of the best” distinction. This year, the red dot jury assigned only 63 such distinctions for exceptional creative achievements.

Released last November and designed for both the European and General Markets (Central and South America,

Caribbean, Asia (excluding China and Korea), Pacific, Middle East and Africa), the all-new Rio app is Kia Motor’s second e-publication installment.

Users can enjoy a truly immersive experience while exploring the popular Bsegment Rio’s sporty and dynamic design, smartly styled interior, innovative convenience features and eco-friendly powertrains.

The e-publication boasts a multitude of engaging content that work together to create a true sense of discovery including 360° exterior/ interior views, customization tool to view available colors and wheel options, 3D intro movie, photo & video gallery, and Kia company and design story content.

The app is available for download in the iTunes app store for free.

“All creative achievements that have been successful in

the ‘red dot award: communication design 2012’ won over the international jury of experts. Success among thousands of submissions from 43 countries provides the proud winners worldwide visibility to position themselves in the best way,” says Dr. Peter Zec, founder and CEO of red dot. “The distinction generates an important

competitive advantage as it is an impressive sign of having competed with the most creative minds in the industry,” he adds.

All of the award-winning works will be on display at the special exhibition “Design on stage – winners red dot award: communication design 2012” in the Alte Münze

Berlin (Germany) from 25 until 28 October 2012.

KiaMotors has undergone one of the most dramatic design transformations ever seen in the auto industry and has been a mainstay at the red dot competition in recent years. Since 2009, a total of six Kia vehicles have been honored in the “red dot: product design” category, with the Rio and A-segment Picanto winning awards earlier this year.

The red dot design award is one of the world’s largest design competitions. The Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen started honoring excellent design in 1954, when it was called Industrieform e.V. Since then, the sought-after red dot established an internationally recognized seal of quality and is now awarded in three different disciplines. For further information, please also visit www.red-dot.de/press.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas is flanked by members of the Cagayan de Oro City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (Oro Chamber) lead by Past President Ruben Vegafria, Antonio D. Uy, vicepresident for trade and commerce, Chamber President Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio, USAID Mission Director Gloria Steele, Ralph Paguio, VP for manufacturing, Past Presidents Rodolfo L. Meñes and Engr. Elpie M. Paras. The US envoy personally handed over the HACCP certification to eight companies in Mindanao. óà ֫ÊãÊ

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Opinion

July 1-5, 2012

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no symptoms at all. Which may be the case for this particular patient. Whether it is Aortic or Cerebral, the causes other than congenital , include hypertension ( high blood pressure ) and Atherosclerosis.

Smoking is a major risk that contributes to atherosclerosis. Of course, others like vasculitis or inflammations of the vessel wall can also cause a weakness in the arterial wall. The higher the age, drug and alcohol abuse and for women, the entry of menopause are among the risk factors that may contribute to its development.

The symptom is linked to how big the aneurysm is, how fast it is growing , where it may be located, and whether the vessel has ruptured or not.

Sometimes for those aneurysms involving the aorta , it may only come to the attention during a check up, which is what we call as an incidental finding. If it is small, it may just go unnoticed. A ruptured aneurysm regardless of location and size, is a medical emergency.

For the above case, by the time she reached the

MINDANAO

Bring Out the Best THINK a minute…

Winston Churchill was 65 years old when he first became England’s Prime Minister. It was May of 1940 and England’s military was not well armed or prepared for war. So when Hitler’s huge, powerful German army was planning to attack the British Isles, most military experts expected Germany to easily defeat England in no time.

But these experts could not imagine that in only 7 months, Winston Churchill would change the history of England and the entire Western World. During those 7 months, when the families of Great Britain gathered in their living rooms to lis-

ten to their leader over the radio, their feelings of fear and hopelessness were soon replaced by great confidence, hope, and victory. Why? Churchill knew just how to get the English people to believe in themselves—in their own cause and abilities. And defeating Germany’s powerful army became England’s finest hour!

It’s been said: “People who feel good about themselves do their best.” Whether it’s at work on the job, at home with their mate and children, or with friends.

So if you want people to change, you’ve got to help them believe in themselves so they will want to change and do their best. But when we criticize and shame our children, our wife or hus-

THINK A MINUTE

band, or people we work with, we only hurt them and tear down their selfconfidence. So why should we expect them to do better when we’ve made them believe they can’t!

We all do our best when we feel good about ourselves.

That’s why a successful businessman says: “Instead of catching people doing something wrong to criticize and punish them, try to catch people doing something right and praise them for it.

Then they will want to keep doing that right thing and always do their best.”

This is why Jesus Christ commands us to love others as yourself. Make others feel good about themselves the way you want to feel good

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

about yourself. So won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you for your past and for treating others wrongly? Then ask Him to start changing your heart, so you can not only become your best, but you will also bring out the best in others.

Just think a minute…

Trade Shows driving the Northern Mindanao Economies SINCE Architect Edmond Tan and business partners open the World Trade Center along Manila Bay, countless trade shows and exhibits followed with quarterly and yearly schedules among the industry associations and manufacturers in the Philippines. In what was envisioned as a construction shows featuring the latest technology in building materials. It has branch out to food, electronics, corporate give a ways and exhibits of machineries.

Architect Tan, a Contractor and an Entrepreneur assisted by daughter Jill Tan, has then launched his Wofex series of trade shows bringing exhibitors to the Central Visayas and Mindanao major cities with

An unwelcome balloon THE news surprised the students when they learned that an Incoming Freshman collapsed while in class and had to be brought to the Hospital. More so, when she had to be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit ( ICU ) and in a matter of days, another life had to be wasted.

This particular young lady, at 18, complained of sudden, severe headache, a one time episode that cost her life. I could feel the parents’ sadness, with so many “what ifs “. It was my youngest daughter who opened up the topic on Aneurysm, as that, seemed to be the diagnosis given to her schoolmate.

Aneurysm, occurs when part of a blood vessel is damaged or has a weakness on its wall, causing it to bulge or balloon out, when there is pressure build up. This usually affects the aorta or that of the brain. In young patients, it is more common to have a cerebral aneurysm than an aortic aneurysm.

The aneurysm maybe congenital, meaning the weakness in the artery wall has been present at birth, goes unnoticed for there are

BusinessWeek

hospital, her aneurysm has already ruptured. The only significant symptom that she felt at that time was the severe headache that was very sudden in occurrence.

For the unruptured cerebral aneurysms, the patient may complain of pain above and behind the eyes, or changes in vision, numbness or paralysis on one side of the face and / or a dropping eyelid. It is a wise move to seek immediate consultation and a visit to our Neurologist friends if one or any of the above is present.

A clinic visit will call for certain diagnostic tests, aside from a complete hisDIAO/PAGE 10

high impact developing economies. Last June 20-23, 2012, business owners and restaurant investors have seen at the Atrium of Lim Ket Kai, the latest innovations, trends and equipment that makes the difference in upgrading the Philippine’s hotel & restaurant industry comparable to the global standards now sweeping China and Singapore as far as a leading tourism destinations in the Asian regions.

Trade shows held in Cagayan de Oro City reflects the resiliency of the Northern Mindanao economy to integrate and absorb new product and services tasted abroad and marketed in the Philippines. Sales turnovers and purchase orders made

after the exhibits are encouraging by the millions.

The hotel and restaurant business are becoming technology driven with Point of Sales (POS) deployed integrating fast and accurate food orders up to pricing and inventories. New software’s are systems driven to convert inquiries into a hotel booking up to a materialized sales. Production and service responds has also been influenced with improved and accurate forecast for labor and materials.

Systems forecasting reduced the costs of doing business through computer data and accurate information.

Various electronics and software innovations from Germany and the US market are finding their distributors

TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY

PED T. QUIAMJOT in China and Singapore.

It has since arrived in the Philippines after the Asean and other economic forums have bridge trade relations on imports and taxations.

What you see in a Singaporean hotel is duplicated QUIAMJOT/PAGE 10

NorMin marriages, what does emerging pattern tell ?

SHERI & Bob Strit’s article on Philippine marriages painted a very good picture of the Philippines, when they wrote : “If you assume that getting married in The Philippines is an easy process, you are mistaken.”

This implies that the legal aspects on Philippine marriages have fully protected our people. They advised those who are not citizens of the Republic of the Philippines to take note of the required documents which would include a certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage.

This means that any foreigner who wishes to marry in the Philippines is required by the Philippine Government to obtain from his/her Embassy a “Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage” before filing an application for a marriage license.

This certification affirms that there are no legal impediments to the foreigner marrying a Filipino, which is indeed a very good protection especially for Filipinas who are to be married to foreigners.

Speaking of marriage, statistics show an emerging new trend for the month of most marriages.

Contrary to the practice which dates back to the ancient days of the Roman Empire which considered June as the popular month for weddings in honor of the month of Juno, the goddess of marriage, statistics show that the month of February topped with almost 3 thousand marriages in Northern Mindanao in 2010 according to the Vital Statistics Report of the National Statistics Office.

Not surprising though, because February happens to be the LOVE month.

However, the national figure showed that most of the couples opted for summer to get hitched. The month of April recorded the most number of registered marriages at 55, 705 or 11.5 percent of the total. The month of February followed closely at 11.1 percent.

The marriage month of the Filipinos have shifted slightly as in the previous years, Aside from June, the month of May had been the

WHEN STATISTICS SPEAK

SALVADOR A. AVES, Ph.D, DM. most popular choice to tie the knot. Climate change might be the apparent reason for such shift, since May has turned out to be a rainy season.

However, the preferred month for weddings is not that vital .What is alarming to consider are the early marriages which have become a societal challenge in the contemporary era. It has been historically associated with a variety of undesirable results in the economy and family relationships, among AVES/PAGE 10

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

July 1-5, 2012

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8

Aggie News

July 1-5, 2012

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Scientists upbeat over ongoing Bt ‘talong’ trial in N. Cotabato GENERAL Santos City — The field trial of the Bacillus thuringiensis eggplant or Bt talong at the sprawling University of Southern Mindanao (USM) campus in Kabacan, North Cotabato has been so far proceeding smoothly, with scientists appearing upbeat over its commercial potentials.

Experts from the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) on Friday led another round of harvest, the 15th since the transgenic crop was planted in a confined experimental site last March.

The USM campus is among the seven sites across the country chosen for the multi-location trial of Bt talong, a variety resistant to the fruit-and-shoot borer (FSB).

“The field trial here of Bt eggplant so far is good,” Dr. Lourdes Taylo, research team leader of the Bt talong project pursued by UPLB’s Institute of Plant Breeding, told reporters as workers harvested the eggplants.

Allaying fears of contamination

of traditional eggplant varieties, Taylo, an entomologist, said that Bt talong would be beneficial to farmers in that they no longer need to spray them with chemicals to prevent FSB infestation.

According to a project briefer, FSB infestation could reduce yield by as much as 50 to 75 percent.

On the part of the consumers, if ever the Bt talong is approved for commercial propagation, they would be eating an eggplant with lesser chemical inputs, she added.

The proponents need to secure a separate permit for commercial propagation from

CDO MAG TO SHOWCASE PRIMEMOVERS OF MINDANAO ECONOMY The idea is to create a local-based business magazine, a magazine that will

the Bureau of Plant Industry, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture.

As part of the biosafety protocol, the harvested Bt talong were chopped, boiled and buried in a pit inside the fenced facility because these are still not allowed for human consumption and also to ensure that they would not be taken out from the testing site.

There were also non-Bt talong plants alongside the BT talong, which were compared to each other before a small crowd that includes students.

When sliced, worms or rotten portions were evident in the meat of the non-Bt talong. The Bt talong variety, on the other hand, appeared with no such traces.

Dr. Emiliana Bernardo, a member of the BPI’s scientific and technical review panel, said that more farmers are expected to engage in the production of

Bt talong than Bt corn.

Bt corn, which was approved for propagation in the country about a decade ago, is the first genetically modified crop approved for commercial cultivation in Asia.

“The big challenge will be how to prolong the efficacy of Bt eggplant against the fruit and shoot borer through effective insect resistance management, considering that there are so many small farmers engaged in eggplant production in the P h i l ippi n e s , m any of w hom are alre ady waiting for the availability of planting materials,” Bernardo, a retired UPLB entomology professor, later told a forum attended by farmers and municipal agricultural workers.

Greenpeace earlier filed a writ of kalikasan against the multi-location trials of Bt talong. A writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy under Philippine

The BWM Magazine is glossy from cover-to-cover and will come out monthly.

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feature businesses and business owners a top quality advertising and marketing medium directly to their intended clients, providing them a stress-free advertising avenue. As BusinessWeek Mindanao celebrates its 3rd anniversary, the inception of the magazine now becomes

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law available to individuals, groups, and organizations, on behalf of persons whose constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology is violated, or threatened with violation, by a private individual or entity, public official or employee, involving e nv i r o n m e nt a l damage of such magnitude as to prejudice the life, health or property of inhabitants in two or more cities or provinces.

Taylo said that the case remains pending before the Supreme Court.

Dr. Jesus Antonio G. Derije, USMpresident,saidthatGreenpeace has sought permission from the university to enter the Bt talong testing site inside the campus, apparently to destroy

the experiment.

“The request was denied because the university is supporting the field test as part of our academic freedom,” he said.

He noted the university “a c c e p t s the challenge of conducting the field trial of Bt eggplant to avoid the big mistake of others in condemning agriculturalbiotechnology on the basis of hearsays and baseless generalizations.”

“As an academe of higher learning, USM pursues, acquires, and assimilates knowledge that is based on facts. It verifies, validates and triangulates theories, principles and studies through the conduct of actual research and development activities,” he added. (PNA)

FEATURE

Davao coco industry to make new products under DICCEP 2

by AURELIO A. PENA DAVAO City -- Several new products made from coconuts will be developed this year by the Davao coconut industry cluster team as part of their upgrading plan under the advance stage of Davao Industr y Capacity Cluster Enhancement Project or DICCEP 2.

Besides developing new coco products with more added value, the cluster team will also set up programs to boost farm productivity and expand new areas for coconut plantations, according to Armando Angsingco, cluster team chairman and president of the Davao Region Coconut Industry Cluster Association, Inc. “There are so many things we can do with coconut to help our farmers cope with the low price of copra. Coconuts are in big demand especially for new health products like coco sugar, coco milk, coco water and coco flour,” Angsingco said. Stepping into the next higher level of the project, the industry cluster team is seriously looking into promoting the production of new and emerging products like lubricants, fiber, sap sugar, biogas, soap, virgin oil, all made from coconuts, according to Angsingco, in his report to consultants of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

To boost productivity of coconut plantations, the cluster team will be pushing for inter-cropping among coconut farmers to make them diversify to other fast-growing highvalue crops like cacao, coffee, bananas, etc to be planted between rows of coconut trees

all over the region.

Angsingco said their cluster team is also looking to expand new coconut farm areas with the planting and growing of dwarf coconut trees and West African coconuts as part of their long-term upgrading program in the coconut industry under the DICCEP 2.

JICA consultant Tetsuo Inooka urged the cluster team to involve technical experts of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in all their plans and programs to develop new products from coconuts.

It’s good to involve the DOST in your plans. You need to know how to make a new coco product commercial.

Ask yourself what’s the most critical? What’s the most in demand? And how do you sustain this product even without any assistance?” the consultant asked.

Impressed with the programs of the cluster team, Inooka said he will “keep in touch” with the coconut industry cluster team to keep track on its progress with its various projects under DICCEP 2, a joint project of JICA and the Department of Trade and Industry supported by government agencies, local government units and the academe. (PNA Features)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Congress.Watch

Noynoy did not practice what he preached: Solons WHEN he was still a senator, President Aquino denounced his predecessor’s practice of reappointing Cabinet officials bypassed by the Commission on Appointments. Now that he is in power, he didn’t practice what he preached.

During the 14th Congress, then Senator Aquino filed Senate Bill 1719 titled “An Act Limiting the Reappointment of Presidential Nominees Bypassed by the Commission on Appointments” saying “the President [Gloria Arroyo], abused her power to reappoint because of her consistent reappointment of her nominees who have been consecutively bypassed by the Commission on Appointments [CA].”

In that bill, Mr. Aquino cited a Cabinet official “who has been successively bypassed for 15 times in a span of three years have been reappointed by the President and allowed [them] to continue performing the functions reserved only to those officials whose nominations have been confirmed by the CA.” “The CA’s constitutional mandate to serve as an effective check against the possible abuse of the President’s power to appoint is thus frustrated by the current practice, as the President merely reappoints all her nominees regardless of the number of times the said nominees have been bypassed by the CA. The restraint against possible abuse of the President’s appointing power is clearly rendered ineffective if not totally nonexistent,” said Mr. Aquino in his explanatory note of the bill.

On Wednesday the minority in the Malacañangcontrolled House of Representatives reminded President Aquino of the same bill he filed when he was a senator and urged him to do the things the way he tells others to do them.

“We [the minority] urge this administration to desist from repeatedly reappointing Cabinet officials who have already been bypassed by the Congressional Commission on Appointments.

It is true that this is a Presidential prerogative, but may we remind the president that he himself denounced this practice under the previous administration when he filed Senate Bill 1719 during the 14th Congress,” said House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez in a news conference on Wednesday.

Before Congress went on a sine die adjournment more than two weeks ago, the bicameral CA bypassed for the nth time the appointments of five Cabinet members—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Interior Secretary Jessie Robredo and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman.

Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of

Cagayan de Oro, has pushed for the immediate approval of House Bill 1647 saying the practice of simply reappointing a presidential nominee even after several bypasses by the CA “subverts the principle of confirmation mandated by the Constitution.”

The bill’s proposed provisions will still have to undergo fine tuning by a technical working group that may soon be formed by the House’s Committee on Revision of Laws.

Rodriguez cited Article VII, of the Constitution, which states that “the President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Commission of Appointments, appoint the heads of the executive departments, ambassadors, other public ministers and consults, or officers of the Armed Forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, and other officers whose appointments are vested in him in this Constitution.”

Rodriguez said the Constitution further states that “the President shall have the power to make appointments during the recess of the Congress, whether voluntary or compulsory, but such appointments shall be effective only until disapproval by the Commission on Appointments or until the next adjournment of Congress.”

“The CA is usually reluctant to reject outright the presidential nominees, hence, would not confirm the appointment resulting in bypass,” Rodriguez said.

He said the situation makes a mockery of the constitutional duties of the CA to confirm and reject presidential appointees on the basis of the check and balance powers of the legislative branch of the government.

July 1-5, 2012

9

Proposed breastfeeding bill ‘not best for babies,’ group says A CONSOLIDATED bill currently pending at the House of Representatives will benefit multinational milk companies and not Filipino mothers or their babies, a coalition of non-government organizations opposed to it said.

According to a position paper from Save the Babies Coalition, the bill, if passed into law, “will destroy the innate power of breastfeeding that aims to protect the Filipino’s next generations’ health and wealth.”

The bill proposes to allow advertising for breast milk substitutes and infant formula, which, the coalition said, “will cause irreparable damage to the growth and development of our country.”

“Insidious marketing through advertising and promotions of baby milk (and) food products undermine the confidence of the mothers on her innate ability to sustain breastfeeding because of the seduction of sophisticated advertisements,” the coalition said.

Buying infant formula will cost the average family around P3,000 more a month, and could cost more since babies will be less healthy than if breastfed, Save the Babies said.

“If babies are weaned from breastfeeding early, the problem of malnutri-

tion will beset the Filipino family, and consequently the country’s future is compromised,” Save the Baby lead convenor Ma. Ines Fernandez said.

The coalition also opposed allowing advertising on health claims like higher IQs for babies. “Ironically, all the health and nutritional claims (advertised) did not produce a population of gifted genius Filipino babies who were hooked on artificial milks all their growing up years,” Fernandez said.

Inste ad, she s aid, breastfed babies were found to have a “multiintelligence score” around eight points higher than artificially-fed babies.

They are also more emotionally secure because of close bonding with their mothers during breastfeeding, she said.

The coalition also opposed the bill’s proposal to include milk manufacturers in programs meant to promote breastfeeding, in research and scholarship programs for health professionals, and in food

donations. They said these programs might make health professionals beholden to multinational milk corporations.

Fernandez said the controversial bill “weakens our health system, opening the door to all sort and forms of inducements and financial assistance that will certainly be used to promote and market their own products by the milk industry.”

The explanatory note

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on the original bill filed

by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Malabon Rep. Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel said it was meant to “protect, support, and promote breastfeeding, which is considered the best form or gold standard of nutrition for infants.”

Also listed as authors are Reps. Anna York Bondoc, Lani Mercado-Revilla, Lucy Torres-Gomez, and Magtanggol Gunigundo

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July 1-5, 2012

Diao... from page 6

their Basic Education Information System, 3.22 percent of the High School drop outs were due to early marriages/ pregnancies.

Having a strong tradition of canon law, the country maintains marriage as the foundation of the family and an inviolable social institution.

While it is true that Filipinos cherish marriages and believe on its sanctity, statistics speak otherwise. Results of the 2007 Census of Population show that for household population of 10 years old and over for both sexes 30,244 or approximately 1.0 percent of the region’s total were either divorced or separated. The results also reveal that 754 teenagers reported that they are divorced/separated.

What is more alarming is another emerging development which shows that in the 2010 Census 11,262 teenagers reported that they are in “live – in” status. Median age at first marriage in the region according to the results of the National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the NSO in 2008 was at 21.6 years old.

All these findings will not only be taken from the perspective of economics but also from its interplay with various social science perspectives, with the objective of highlighting implications for policy decisions.

tory and neurological and physical examination.

These tests may include a CT Scan, an abdominal ultrasound, MRI and a cerebral angiogram if the aneurysm suspect is in the brain.

Treatment will also depend on whether the aneurysm is ruptured or unruptured. If the size is small ( less than 4 cm in diameter ) and there are no symptoms, it may be a watchful waiting. If there is rapid increase in size, and patient is symptomatic or when there is imminent rupture, then, surgical intervention may be the best option.

The rule here is to prevent the aneurysm from rupture.

If there is one balloon that we shouldn’t wish for in our celebrations, this is the balloon that occurs in a weakened vessel wall.

There are certain casualties that we have no control of. Just as there are certain diseases that happen even without any risk factors.

But for those, where prevention plays a major role, let us, do something about it: a lifestyle of healthy eating, exercise, abstinence from smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, limiting intake of caffeine, and yes, a regular from page 6 visit to your friendly Doctor, will surely add more years duplicated in Cebu or to your life!

Manila. From the German technology, manufactured or copied in China, it is now used in many tourist from page 6 establishments of Davao tionships, among others.

Preliminary results of City or Cagayan de Oro City. administrative – based data of Globalization has been made the NSO show that in North- faster with trade exhibits ern Mindanao there were 21 and shows.

With the opening of marriages registered in 2011 to both male and female who new hotels and restaurants were still teenagers and de- in the City brought about mographers see an increasing by the boom of property number in the succeeding development the future is years as premarital sex in the here with new technologies country is strongly opposed expected to propel business by moral standards. and the city economy.

Teenage marriages subHowever, there is sequently lead to teenage something the city has to pregnancies. As discussed catch up to match advancing in earlier article, births to technologies and growing teenage mothers in the region economies with effective are seen at approximately governance and manage5.2 percent of the country’s ment of resources. A chaltotal. There were births also recorded to mothers who lenge that remains elusive were below 15 years old at to hurdle? The public pulse the time of delivery. Con- would like to see a toursequently, as revealed by the ism friendly Cagayan de Department of Education in Oro City.

Quiamjot...

Aves...

MINDANAO

MisOr... from page 1

Mindanao,” Mr. Ridual noted. “The bulk of our rentals business which makes up the bulk of our new growth has come from mining in Zamboanga and Surigao where demand for excavators and articulated dump trucks has been rising.”

Monark Equipment is the sole authorized dealer of Caterpillar Heavy Equipment and Power Systems products, and other leading North American and European brands in the Philippines. It is a one-stop shop, offering customers the widest range of products and services brand new, used or rental, from large earth movers to telescopic cranes; generators, industrial and marine engines; farm tractors, prime movers, compact skid steer loaders, forklift trucks and materials handling equipment; to the latest in aerial work platforms and specialized tools, Outside its headquarters in Quezon City, Monark has branches and offices in Caloocan, San Pedro and Biñan in Laguna, San Fernando, Pampanga; General Santos, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Surigao cities in Mindanao, and Bacolod, Cebu and Iloilo cities in the Visayas.

“Even more than its new equipment yard, we salute Monark for its initiative in sharing the fruits of its progress with the less fortunate high school students of Northern Mindanao through its technical school,” Mr. Moreno noted.

The company’s affiliate, Monark Foundation, is seeking to expand its technical school now housed at its Kauswagan branch in Cagayan de Oro which also houses its office, warehouse and motor pool.

Kids... from page 1

hazards such as sharp tools or poisonous chemicals.

Other hazards for child labourers may be less apparent, such as the risk of abuse or problems resulting from long hours of work,” the ILO said in a statement.

But the group clarified that the NSO study cannot be compared with previous statistics since it was

conducted with the revised definition and terms under Republic Act 9231 on the worst forms of child labor enacted in 2003 and international statistical standards adopted in 2008.

It also said that the survey cannot give a complete and detailed picture of Filipino children trafficked for work, undergo sexual exploitation, or are in armed conflict.

“One of the recommendations is to conduct the survey every 5 years to immediately find solutions and provide interventions.

Results of this survey will be used as targets for interventions both geographically and among specific groups by industry occupations, “ Johnson said.

The recent study by the NSO alarmed the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), one of the largest and oldest labor federations in the country.

“We are left with no choice but to double our efforts and find better ways to implement programs to get children out of child labor, especially those in hazardous work,” said Julius Cainglet, Assistant Vice President of the FFW. Cainglet echoed the ILO's commitment in combating the continued rise of Filipino child laborers and their exposure to more hazardous work.

The ILO launched on Tuesday the Batang Malaya: Child labor free Philippines campaign, a nationwide drive geared towards the global deadline of ending the worst forms of child labour by 2016.

Under the campaign, the ILO seeks the following actions: - Institutionalize the Survey on Children to regularly monitor progress.

- Strengthen and rationalize the operations of the National Child Labor Committee by giving it a legal mandate, budget and a dedicated secretariat.

- Improve enforcement of RA 9231 to ensure that all persons found to be engaging children in the worst forms of child labour are penalized.

- Expand the reach and strengthen the capacity of the labor inspectorate to monitor child labour even in unregulated sectors.

- Mainstream child labour in local development plans and integrate as conditionality in programmes to reduce poverty including conditional cash transfers.

According to the ILO, there are 215 million children trapped in child labor worldwide, 115 million of them were in the worst forms of child labor in 2010.

--InterAksyon.com

USAID... from page 1

growth. This is working hard every day to encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth here.”

Thomas said.

Thomas, said that the U.S- Philippines partnership for growth is helping the Philippines achieve its high growth potential by supporting more transparent, predictable, and consistent legal and regulatory regime; fostering a more open and competitive business environment; strengthening the rule of law; and strengthening fiscal stability.

The CDI MOU signing was also witnessed by Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, Undersecretary Austere Panadero of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Cong Rufus Rodriguez of the Second District this city, Teresa Alegrio, president Oro Chamber, the local government officials and the various nongovernment organization representatives.

Steele, the CDI’s brain child, said that the program would propel the progress of cities where its crosscutting development approach works strategically in selected cities in the Philippines.

“This initiative is built on the premise that economic growth and job creation are closely linked to urban

development, where cities act as engines of economic growth. The program seeks to promote economic growth outside of Metro Manila to disperse economic opportunity in the Philippines.” Steele said.

The CDI is an integral part of the U.S-Philippines Partnership for Growth (PFG). The PFG will assist the Philippines achieve the goal of moving to a higher, sustained and more inclusive growth trajectory in line with other high- performing emerging economies.

Signed in November 2011 by U.S Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Philippines achieve its high growth potential by creating a more transparent, predictable, and consistent legal and regulatory regime; fostering a more open and competitive business environment; strengthening the rule of law; and supporting fiscal stability.

Criteria for city selection include an enabling environment for growth, credible city government commitment to economic reforms and good governance, committed local partners, engaged private sector community, likelihood of producing significant impact.

Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo are the first three cities USAID has chosen as pilot cities for its innovative approach to programming in support of PFG. The initiative will be scaled and expanded to additional cities in subsequent years in implementing the PFG Joint Country Action Plan.

“Philippines was once at par with Japan in terms of economic growth when the rest of Asian countries were lagging behind, and we want to bring back that economic standing. And it is achievable,.” Steele said.

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MINDANAO

BusinessWeek

July 1-5, 2012

11

Iloilo Culinary Tour:

Ilonggo Heritage Painit in a Bahay na Bato Texts by MIKE BAÑOS, Correspondent Photos courtesy of PRECIOUS HERADURA

ILOILO City – The best meal I had during a recent tour of this “Queen’s City of the South” was a painit at the Avanceña Bahay na Bato in Villa Arevalo, this city which remains the residence of the fourth generation of the Melocoton-Avanceña clan.

It was a simple snack but somehow, the company you keep your meal with and perhaps, the ambience of the place where it is taken play equally important roles with the cuisine in your enjoyment of the total experience.

It was Father’s Day, June 17, 2012 and our group of travel writers from Cagayan de Oro had just taken the Heritage Tour of Iloilo courtesy of Cebu Pacific and the Department of Tourism Western Visayas (Region 6). We had been touring the Southern Iloilo countryside.

We dropped by the Garin Farm, Miag-ao, Tigbauan, San Joaquin and Guimbal churches with Iloilo Tour Guides Cooperative Chair Melanie Y. Ortega, herself a licensed tour guide, Erlyn S. Alunan, the Municipal Tourism Officer of San Joaquin and Mr. Edison Molanida, the Municipal

Firms... from page 1

and Processors Cooperative (Davao Oriental), and the Magsilum ARC Cooperative (Baliangao, Misamis Occidental).

Two other companies currently pursuing the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 Certification were also given recognition, namely, the Philexport Contral Lab (General Santos) and the Fastlab (Cagayan de Oro).

Ambassador Thomas commended these companies for their commitment to prepare the HACCP requirements and having the foresight to take this very important step towards a more profitable enterprise.

Tourism Officer of Miagao.

Our party included moi, Froilan Gallardo, Ed Montalvan, Orwin Austria and Butch Enerio from Cagayan de Oro; Ping Jimenea and Pam Cababasay from DOT Region 6; MP Pestano and Len Balmonte from Cebu Pacific and JG Summit Holdings, and Charles Lim and Precious Heradura of Selrahco Management and Consultancy Services.

After a brief visit to a Sinamay dealer where we got ourselves some pasalubong for the folks back home, we proceeded to the Arevalo District for a visit to the Avanceña ancestral house now better known as the Camiña Bahay na Bato.

Melanie tells us the house was built in 1865, predating even the only remaining Balay na Bato in Cagayan de Oro known as El Casa del Chino Ygua, The HACCP or ISO 17025 certification is the key requirement in export markets.

USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program helps increase rural incomes by linking farmers to markets in Mindanao. Its Targeted Commodity Expansion Project (TCEP), likewise, assists producer associations improve their competitiveness through training and information on improved production, packaging and marketing.

Fourteen (14) companies earlier assisted by tUSIAD have reported collective increase on their sales, totalling to approximately $20 million over 30 months following the HACCP certification.

Each company have invested an average of about

Cagayan de Oro travel writers Ed Montalvan of Mindanao Current, Mike Baños of BusinessWeek Mindanao, and Orwin Austria of Gold Star Daily at Camiña Bahay na Bato.

built in 1882 by the first Chinese migrants in what was then known as Cagayan de Misamis and historically significant since this was where Filipino revolucionarios gathered in January 10, 1899 for the first ever parade marking Philippine independence from Spain and many of whose remains lie buried behind the house.

However, in stark contrast to the well preserved Camiña, El Casa del Chino Ygua had been repeatedly renovated and the bricks on its facade that originally came from Fukien, China long gone.

PhP1.3 million to upgrade their facilities and equipment, in order to comply with HACCP requirements.

By September this year, USAID would have assisted a total of 31 Mindanao food companies to obtain HACCP or ISO 17025 certification.

Thomas reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to support peace and development of Mindanao.

He said this is confirmed by the US and Philippine governments long time partnership on various programs focusing in economic growth, infrastructure, education, expansion of internet access in schools, provision of basic health services, and in enhancing local government units.

back to the Spanish times.

When one ascends the steep staircase, one literally gets transported to its earlier genteel times when the owners held court in the grand sala while visitors from all over the province would pay their respects.

It was when the hosts invited us to the dining room where two tables laid out as they were during the earlier times that the time travel became complete.

It was late afternoon and the weather was kind enough to send some sun and wind to ruffle the curtains of the comedor. Perfectly complementing the fine china and silverware were the traditional Ilonggo

Once inside Camiña Balay na Bato and the contrast becomes even sharper, with the two storey edifice now also serving as a museum and curio shop (Lola Rufina’s Heritage Curio Shop) with even some of the original owners personal collections on display.

Like many old houses in Iloilo, one can find weavers doing their traditional products like hablon and patadyong. Antiques from plates to little jars and painting line the walls.

And really old looking santos watched us gravely from their ornate pedestals which look like they date The legendary Pancit Molo.

painit of piping-hot Pancit Molo, sweet brown red cuchinta with freshly grated coconut and my oh my, the greatest tasting tsokolate I have ever tasted in my life served in metal pitchers (or tsokolatera, if you must) with wooden batirols!

Ah, to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon in the company of old and new friends, gracious hosts, good food, fine house and perfect weather, life doesn’t get any better than this!

Cebu Pacific flies direct from Cagayan de Oro to Iloilo Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Cebu Pacific is the largest airline in the country with the lowest year-round fares.

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