JUNE 4,2012 BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO by BusinessWeek Mindanao

RURAL TRANSIT BACHELOR EXPRESS

“First in Service, Foremost in Fleet Maintenance”

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USINESSWEEK Mindanao on Saturday has honored this year’s distinguished entrepreneurs and homegrown business entities which were billed as prime movers of Mindanao’s economy.

Cheapest rice THE most affordable regular milled rice can be found not in the Philippines’ traditional rice growing provinces, but in Sulu, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board. In a study, the NSCB said other provinces where rice is most affordable are in Bataan, Camarines Sur, Pangasinan and Zambales. The staple is most expensive in Lanao del Sur, Mountain Province, Iloilo, Siquijor and Camiguin.

Chinese investors DAVAO City -- Two investors from the People’s Republic of China are looking for agricultural lands in Davao City as potential investment sites. City Agriculturist Officer Leo Avila bared that the investors are looking at investing in vegetable, mangoes and fruit production. Avila said he accompanied the group to the inland barangays of Waan, Mandug and Tigatto to scout for sites as the Chinese are interested in developing 100 hectares as vegetable areas.

OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADER. Mr. Albino Limketkai (2nd from right), executive vice president and chief operating officer of Limketkai Group of Companies, receives his plaque of recognition as the 2012 Most Outstanding Mindanao Leader in Mega-Entrepreneur category during the awarding rites held Saturday at the Pryce Plaza Hotel in Cagayan de Oro. Limketkai Group of Companies owns Limketkai Corp. which operates the Limketkai Complex, the largest mall and business district in Mindanao. Giving the award are BusinessWeek Mindanao publisher Dante Sudaria, Executive Editor Allan Mediante and Philippine Press Institute Executive Director Ariel Sebellino (right). PHOTO BY RONALD MASTAIL

Phl exports expected to recover By ELAINE O. RATUNIL, Contributor

PHILIPPINE exports are expected to recover this year, with their peak level recorded in 2010, as robust sales of non-electronics products continue to spur overall exports. This optimism was expressed by Cristino Panlilio, Undersecretary for the Trade and Promotions Group of the Department of Trade and Industry, after the country’s

aggregate merchandise for the first quarter of 2012 rose 4.6 percent to $12.86 billion. “I would like to tell you that as I speak now, we are seeing our exports growing again. On the annualized basis, we expect (exports) to hit $51 billion to $52 billion (this year). Of course, we hope we can do better than that,” he said in a business forum held last May 11.

Dubbed as The 2012 Mindanao Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs Awards, this first ever event is part of BusinessWeek’s social responsibility to trumpet success stories of Mindanao-based businesses for others to emulate and propel Mindanaoan consciousness the responsibility to help Mindanao achieve sustainable economic development, publisher Dante Sudaria said during the awarding rites held June 2 at the Pryce Plaza Hotel in Cagayan de Oro. Sixteen business establishments and individuals from all over Mindanao were named winners after making it to the shortlist from about 100 nominees for the three categories, namely Corporate, Individual, and Mega Entrepreneurs categories. For Corporate category, named Most Outstanding Business Leader in Agri-Business is Davao-based FETES/PAGE 11

Panlilio pointed out that higher demand for other export products like pineapples, bananas, mangoes, garments, auto parts, and components, metal products, gold, and mineral products kept the decline in overall exports to only 6.9 percent in 2011. Receipts from merchandise exports in 2011 reached close to $48 billion compared to an all-time ESPORTS/PAGE 11

Classes officially start today nationwide 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

THE government is all set for the opening of classes today. The Department of Education (Deped) had set up the “Oplan Balik Eskwela” information center in its main office in Pasig City to assist parents and students on their queries and concerns. Eight other government agencies form part of the Oplan Balik Eskwela

Inter-Agency Task Force that have been activated last May 28 to ensure a smooth opening of classes. Agencies that are included in the task force are the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Depart- Schoolchildren have to brace for the rainy season as classes officially start CLASSES/PAGE 11 today nationwide. FILE PHOTO

June 4-7, 2012

Economy

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Owners urged to register businesses, assured of hassle-free process By DANILO E. DOGUILES, Contributor

KORONADAL City -- Business owners should acquire legal status for their investments by registering with their respective local government units and the Department of Trade and Industry, an official said. DTI-Sultan Kudarat Provincial Director Nelly Nita Dillera also assured businesspersons of a speedy processing especially through a simplified and computerized Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) the department is now imple-

menting with LGUs across the region. “DTI has a two-pronged function, to help those who would like to venture into enterprises and to help them attain legal identity for their businesses,” Dillera said during the DTI 12 spon-

sored “Unlad Pinoy” radio program over the weekend. “We want them to legalize their businesses so we encourage them to acquire business permits from their LGUs and register their business names with the DTI,” she added. BPLS, which she said is being pushed by the national government to advance the competitiveness of Philippine businesses, addresses several problems and concerns including among others lengthy processing

period and red-tape. Dillera explained that many investors were discouraged to legitimize their businesses by a number of factors including various steps in the procedure, several persons and offices involved in the process, separate inspections that needed to be complied with, and different charges, depending on the LGU. “In the past, release of a business permit could take at least a month,” she pointed out, “but now (through the BPLS) our target is for applicants to recive their business permits within one day.” She added, “At DTI, depending on the speed of (internet) connection, 15 minutes would be the longest time one should

spend to get their business name registration.” With the BPLS either in LGUs or DTI offices, applicants need not wait for the approving officials for them to physically affix their signatures because documents will be signed using the e-signature feature of the system. This particular feature, she said, also resolves the traditional practices of waiting for officials to sign their documents where illegal under-the-table transactions used to happen if one wants to hasten the process. The system also keeps the fees uniform. “At DTI, applicants only need to pay P200 plus P15 for documentary stamps for barangay-based businesses and P500 plus P15

documentary stamps for business name registration for national businesses,” Dillera said. “This is renewable every five years.” In the same manner, she added, the computerized system also fixes the fees that should be collected from business permit applicants. The issue on the requirements for several and separate reviews by fire, sanitary, and other inspectors are also being addressed, the official said. Since LGUs hold onestop shops for renewal of business permits during the first quarter, joint inspection teams of each LGU are directed to inspect as early as November all businesses scheduled for renewal in REGISTER/PAGE 11

Agri-business coop receives P300,000 grant from DOLE By APIPA P. BAGUMBARAN Contributor

THE Nagkahiusang Miembro sa Mag-uumang Kapunongan Umagosnon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NAMMUKAU MPC) of Umagos, Lagonglong in Misamis Oriental received a livelihood grant amounting to P300,000 from the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Regional Office 10 last May 21. With the grant, NAMMUKAU MPC aims to produce quality lacatan banana, highly marketable in Cagayan de Oro City and neighboring municipalities of Misamis Oriental. The grant was intended

to augment the income of its 150 members and expand its agri-enterprise business project. It will be used by the cooperative to purchase a transportation facility and construct its warehouse. According to Johnson G. Cañete , DOLE-10 Regional Director, the release of banana production livelihood grant was under the DOLE Self Reliant Organization for Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (SRO for CARP), a special project committed by the DoLE in the implementation of the CARP. The SRO-CARP Project aims to promote continuing employment and improve productivity and income

of rural enterprises among agrarian reform beneficiarycooperatives in selected CARP covered plantation and commercial farms. The cooperative, which is also a beneficiary of the Agrarian Reform Program of the government, has been highly recommended for a full-blown agri-business development by the national and regional governments for it has shown a good track record in successful implementation of goat raising and swine dispersal projects. Previously, DOLE-10 has released a banana trading fund to NAMMUKAU MPC worth P140,000, as well as, P200,00 for banana rehabilitation and production.

Butuan City builds more projects By NORA L. MOLDE Contributor

BUTUAN City-- The people of Butuan City can expect more infrastructure projects rising in the city in the months ahead. Among the projects lined up are: Butuan City Sanitary

Landfill, Brgy. Dumalagan; Estipona Road with Drainage, Barangay Libertad 4th St. Guingona Subdivision to Montalban St. Road; Montilla St. to Ambago Barangay Hall Road; and the BAC Multi-Purpose Hall Warehouse, Motor Pool.

Other projects for development are: DepEd Library Hub, Brgy. Ampayon; Farm to Market Rd., Brgy. Bitanagan; Hydraulic Ram Pump, Brgy. San Mateo, Florida, Maguinda, Aupagan, Camayahan, and Dankias; Phase 1 Rehabilitation/Construction of Rizal Park; Rehabilitation/Construction of Sitio Sta. Cruz-Nueva Estrilla to Salvacion Rd., Brgy. Manila de Bugabus; Farm to Market Rd. Rehabilitation, Brgy. Salvacion; Taligaman Communal Irrigation Project Rehabilitation, Brgy. Taligaman; Rd. Concreting, Brgy. Pinamanculan; Rd. Concreting, Brgy. Tiniwisan; Drinking Water Rehabilitation, Brgy. Bilay; Butuan City Sanitary Landfill Construction (Extra Works), Brgy. Dumalagan; and Stage Construction, P-2A Brgy. Libertad. Along with these developments, Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr anticipates the coming of more investors and the opening of more employment opportunities for the residents of the city. He hopes to strengthen his advocacy for a changed Butuan.

BusinessWeek

June 4-7, 2012

MINDANAO

Phinma unveils plans for mid-rise housing projects PHINMA PROPERTY Holdings Corp. (Phinma Properties) is spending some P2.5 billion to build two mid-rise housing developments in Metro Manila, which should be ready by early 2013. T h e c omp any an nounced in a press briefing on Friday it will be building Arezzo Place-a four-phase walk-up project in Pasig City-and the Solano Hills, a three-phase condominium development in Muntinlupa City. Upon completion by the first quarter of 2013, the P1.5-billion Arrezo Place and the P1-billion Solano Hills projects will feature five-story buildings with 30 square-meter units seen to cater to young professionals and families, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and retirees lo oking for reasonably-priced property investments, Phinma Properties said. The Italian-themed Arezzo Place, expected to be the company’s largest project yet in terms of area (five hectares), will rise on Alfonso Sandoval Avenue in Pasig City.

On the other hand, the California-inspired Solano Hills-located on Villongco Road, Muntinlupa City, will boast of modern country lodge structures on a 2.9-hectare lot and is accessible to nearby retail, business, and commercial establishment via the West Service Road along the South Luzon Expressway. Un i t s a t A r e z z o Place and Solano Hills are priced starting at P860,000 and P980,000, respectively, with the turnover of units slated for the first quarter of 2013, said George Richard F. Siton, Phinma Properties vice-president for operations. Moving for ward, Phinma Properties is expected to launch in the third quarter a 14-building medium-rise development in Quezon City that will feature roughly 1,260 units, said Raphael

B. Felix, Phinma Properties vice-president for planning and design, said in a separate interview. The company is also eyeing prospective sites to beef up its land bank portfolio. “We are looking at other areas in Metro Manila where land is expensive where people cannot easily buy condominium developments for a P1 to 1.5 million range,” Mr. Felix noted. Other areas being considered for development are Cebu, Davao, Pasay, Parañaque, Taguig as well as Cainta, Rizal. Phinma Properties will be spending around P5.7 billion for the next three years, in a bid to launch 6,562 units moving forward, earlier reports said. This year alone, the company aims to complete 2,250 units versus 1,100 units in 2011, to be driven by new equipment purchases that will expand Phinma Property’s project-building capacity.

June 4-7, 2012

Companies

SM Prime to construct 200 homes in GK village SM Prime Holdings, Inc. recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the local government of Cagayan De Oro City, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and Gawad Kalinga to construct 200 homes in Barangay Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City. Vice President and HUDCC chairperson Jejomar Binay witnessed the MOA signing that formalizes the coordination and work between SM Prime and government units and agencies, in the ongoing efforts for the rehabilitation of the victims of typhoon Sendong through the development of the 2.7346-hectare Canitoan Relocation Site. Other agencies involved are the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). As HUDCC Chairperson, Vice President Jejomar Binay tasked the NHA to implement the development of the Canitoan Relocation

Vice President Jejomar Binay, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. President Hans Sy, and GK CEO Jose Luis Oquiñena during the MOA signing. They are shown with BDO SVP Jerome Guevarra, SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia, BDO Foundation President Maureen Abelardo, and SM Supermalls Regional Operations Manager Renee Bacani.

site that will accommodate families displaced by the typhoon Sendong, and those residing along riverbanks and danger areas of the city. The Canitoan Relocation site will be composed of 200 homes donated by SM Prime, as well as 100 homes donated by BDO Foundation – a total of 300 homes to be constructed by

Gawad Kalinga who will also organize a community association, which will serve to empower the families and the whole community towards self-reliance and sustainability. The local government of Cagayan De Oro City meanwhile will also provide additional housing units as well as community facili-

ties such as multi-purpose covered court, material recovery facility, transport terminal, police sub-station, school, wet/dry market, day care and health centers. The DSWD will be leading the social preparations and community organizing; the DPWH will be assisting in the construction of roadworks, drainage works and rainwater impounding area; and the DENR will take over the issuance of permits for environmental clearance. SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy, NHA General Manager Chito SM/PAGE 11

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MINDANAO

Purefoods mulls sale of 15% stake to meet public ownership rule SAN Miguel Pure Foods Co. Inc. may likely sell up to 15 percent of its total common shares before the end of the year to comply with the minimum public ownership requirement of the Philippine Stock Exchange. Francisco Alejo III, Purefoods president, said the company is considering a private placement and a secondary share sale, with preference for the former, to comply with the bourse’s public float rule. Maybank ATR KimEng Financial Corp. is helping Purefoods in the transaction, but the company may tap more financial institutions as underwriters depending on the issue size, Alejo said. Maybank ATR is also finalizing the valuation of Purefoods’ shares since there is not much trading in the stock. Shares in Purefoods, which is 99.8-percent owned by San Miguel Corp., were last traded at P1,010 apiece on February 15, giving it a market capitalization of P168.33 billion. “It’s hard to estimate what the value should be, but we’ve done pretty well in the last many years. That’s a consideration in getting the best value for the company. We continue to be leaders in the many categories,” said Alejo. A six-month suspension awaits companies

that don’t comply with the PSE rule by January 1, 2013. Failure to address the matter during the sixmonth suspension period would merit delisting. While the primar y purpose for the share sale is merely to meet the PSE rule, Purefoods may use proceeds from the transaction to bankroll possible acquisitions that will expand its food business. Last year, Purefoods raised P15 billion from an offering of preferred shares, bulk of which was used to purchase SMC’s five-percent stake in Manila Electric Co. “We raised funds so it was there and some of our acquisitions didn’t push through. San Miguel offered us to invest in Meralco. It was a good investment,” said Alejo. High cost will continue to challenge the company’s profitability, Alejo said, even as Purefoods has yet to implement a price increase. “We continue to suffer because of high cost but our volumes continue to grow. We’re very happy that we continue to have very strong brand equity and that we continue to be patronized by our target markets,” said Alejo. In the first quarter, Purefoods’ net income fell 47.61 percent to P574.31 million from the previous year’s P1.096 billion.

Towards Global Competence By CARYL JOY M. COLLAMAT Contributor

GLOBAL Competence – This is what most schools are aiming to develop in their students. In this fast changing and competitive world, we have to cope with and respond to its demands. Schools are avenues for children to interact. It is then imperative for a school to expose the children to an environment which trains them to face the bigger community – the world. Cagayan de Oro Academy of International Education nurtures the learners’ abilities to fit into a diverse society by developing each of their unique talents and skills and equipping them with proper values. CDO AIE provides a conducive learning environment wherein each learner could experience three essential things: Learn Cultures, Expand Horizons, and Make Friends. Learning Cultures. Being an international school, CDO AIE offers quality education based on international standards. One of the natures of an interna-

tional school is the varied nationalities and cultural background of its students. In a culturally diverse community, students will be able to learn, understand, and respect other cultures and therefore develop a sense of unity for the common good. Being exposed to this kind of community allows each child to be open-minded and respectful of moral principles and values regardless of color or race. Expanding Horizons. Through learning and understanding other people, learners open a new door to a vast horizon which leads to many avenues in learning. Not only will they be able to appreciate others, but also their own selves as well. CDO AIE acknowledges the unique abilities and intelligences of each learner. With the theory in Multiple Intelligences, every learner is given the chance to excel in his strengths, enabling him to conquer his difficulties using his own unique intelligences to bridge the gap. The school upholds that “every learner is smart” and can expand his repertoire of knowledge and skills.

Making Friends. Building friendships is a key towards reaching global unity and solidarity. Allowing learners to make links and build solid relationships with friends is a very good preparation for them to face what lies outside the school. CDO AIE provides a studentfriendly environment where students can interact, play, learn, and have fun. Global competence can be achieved through learning and understanding the diversity of cultures, opening pathways to new horizons, and creating a bond of unity with others. The Cagayan de Oro Academy of International Education works at her best to also give the best to every learner. The school is located at the Kauswagan National Highway in Cagayan de Oro City, across Citra Mina. Enrolment is still going on. Classes start on June 18, 2012. For inquiries, please call up telephone nos. (88) 309-0664 and 72-72-20. (Advertorial)

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June 4-7, 2012

Opinion

June 4-7, 2012

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BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Persistence Pays THINK a minute… You know that overnight success usually takes at least 10 years? One man said, “My overnight success was the longest night of my life. I spent many days and nights just getting there!” Remember, “Rome was not built in a day.” Many people are waiting for their ship to come in…when they’ve not even sent it out of the harbor. You see, winners simply do what losers don’t want to do. And they keep doing it until they get the success they want. Success is mostly just hanging on after others have let go! Or as one guy put it: “Big shots are just little shots who kept on shooting.” So the most

important trip you’ll ever make is when you go the extra mile. Many people who failed did not know how close they were to success when they gave up. People don’t actually fail, they just quit too easily. One guy said: “The secret to success is to start from scratch—and to keep on scratching.” So don’t quit trying just because your trying times are hard. The great inventor, Thomas Edison, tried a certain experiment hundreds of times, but it still did not work. So his assistant said to him: “It’s too bad that we did all that work without any results. But Edison replied: “Oh, we have lots of results! We now know 700 things that won’t

work!” Never forget, delay does not always mean denial. If we hold out and hold on, we can accomplish almost anything. The British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said: “Never, never, never, never give up!” And the American President Calvin Coolidge made this statement: “Nothing can bring success like persistence. Talent cannot, for there are many talented people who are not successful. Education will not, for the world is full of educated losers. Only persistence and determination can give you the power to succeed.” You see, you can succeed just like anyone else. Just keep wanting it enough to keep working for it enough.

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST So why not decide today to start going the extra mile on the road to your success? Ask Jesus Christ to take charge of your life. It’s with His strength and willpower that you’ll find the determination and persistence to succeed—which will pay you big profits. Just think a minute…

Connecting Mindanao to the Heritage Islands THE month of May to June is regaled with fabulous fiestas and grand celebrations in the Central Visayas regions. From the Sagalas paraded at the town Plazas during Santa Cruzan’s to the birth anniversaries of Patron Saints which are marked in the calendars for religious rites and lavish preparations. The town of Loay in the Province of Bohol which celebrated the annual Feast of the Holy Trinity last Sunday saw many guests from Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and people from the other regions of Mindanao enjoying the hospitality of the place and the sumptuous fiesta fare preparations of “Humba”, a pork dish stewed with native vinegar, salt and garlic with a spike of bay leaf in many households dining tables. Homemade baked pastry cake called “Torta” made from the concoction of beaten egg yolks, sugar, cake

flour and lard oil provided the sweet endings. There were various foods offering line up that day which cannot be refused by many including the senior citizens even if they run the risk getting rich in sugar and high in blood pressure while the young celebrants compete with every paramour in the Barangay dance floor dancing to the beat of “teaching how to do the doggie” over a gallon of “Bahalina” a fermented coconut sap stored in clay jars buried for 7 Friday’s to the delight of a lethal knock-out punch. The euphoria of the Senate Impeachment deliberation seems to have drowned and set aside for public discussion over the mode of the celebrations. No recollection of the CJ and not even tongue precipitations to the lexicons of a Senator Miriam. The Fiesta of Loay was all about fun, food and family re-unions where friends and relatives

who have moved to Mindanao or to the National Capital Region reconnect and unite for a day or two to talk about the past and herald their achievements in business or success in life. Boholanos are warm and hospitable people. They are focused in traditions, works hard, travel and save for the rainy days but may splurge when the going is hot for fiesta celebrations. No one is poor in Bohol during the months of May and June. Every household have something in common, the luxury of food and drinks where everybody including strangers get invited. Loay is a coastal municipality some 21 kilometers from the capital City of Tagbilaran. During the Spanish colonization, it was the center of trade and commerce in Bohol. In fact the Blood Compact between Miguel de Legaspi and Rajah Sikatuna was held in its shore. Loay, lies in the

TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY

PED T. QUIAMJOT western part of the province facing Pamilacan Island, once home to the Tawikis during the summer months where its dried meat were sold in the public markets before the DENR step in to outlaw catching of the endangered ocean mammals. Today, fishermen from the island have become tourist guides, their fishing boats are converted into cruising vessels chasing and watching the Dolphins cavorting playfully in harmony along QUIAMJOT/PAGE 7

History of Banking in the Philippines (Part I) MAYBE you’ve wondered when the business of banking first came about in the Philippines. Or maybe you’re curious if banks existed during the Spanish and American colonial periods, and how they fared during the Japanese occupation. As always, history provides the best answers to these questions. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has published a very informative book, “The General Banking Law Annotated: Book 2,” which details the history of banking in the Philippines. For the next four weeks, I will share with you this special history as written in the BSP book. According to “The General Banking Law Annotated: Book 2,” the first organized credit institutions, known as Obras Pias, were established in the Philippines during the 16th century Spanish colonial era.

The capital of Obras Pias came from pious Catholics and their profits were intended to maintain hospitals, orphanages and other charitable endeavors. The Obras Pias served as commercial banks and marine insurance companies, with the bulk of their funds invested in the galleon trade. In 1869, the opening of the Suez Canal facilitated trade between the Philippines and Europe. The Philippines then attracted British capital, and in the years that followed, the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China (now known as the Standard Chartered Bank) and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), both British-owned banks, opened their respective branches in Manila. In 1883, Madrid-based Banco Peninsular Ultamarino also established a branch in the country. However the Spanish bank ceased

operations after four years. By the end of the Spanish regime, the banks in existence were: El Banco Español Filipino de Isabel (now the Bank of Philippine Islands or BPI), which was given the sole mandate under a Spanish Royal Decree of 1854 to issue banknotes called Pesos Fuertes; the Chartered Bank of India, a branch of the HSBC; the Monte de Piedad; and the Banco Peninsular Ultamarino de Madrid. It should be noted that under the Spanish regime, there were no significant Filipino interests, initiatives, or capital in banking. During the American colonial period, banks from the United States of America started to establish local branches that would cater to growing American economic interests and capital inflow into the country. The American Bank was first to open a branch in 1901. However, it was placed under receivership

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE by the Insular Treasurer for making doubtful loans after only four years of operation. At the turn of the 20th century, the Americans established the Guaranty Trust Corporation (GTC) and International Banking Corporation (IBC). The existence of GTC was short-lived, while IBC was eventually taken over by the National City Bank of New York (now known as Citibank, N.A.). Other foreign banks subsequently made their presBUNYE/PAGE 9

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June 4-7, 2012

MINDANAO

from the open mine pits in Garcia Hernandez, Bohol to from page 6 the Philippine Sinter at the IT’S the first day of class. Balicasag up to the Tanon PHIVIDEC yard in Misamis Most, if not all houseStreets off Dumaguete. Oriental. holds are busy, preparing Travel to Loay by ship for the Big Day of their from Mindanao is through students. The roads are the port of Jagna where fast from page 6 busier and traffic is once craft Ocean Jet have a daily early morning schedule presence in the Philippines. more heavy. And, they from Cagayan de Oro via In 1918, the Manila branch say, that numbers do Camiguin Island. Every of the Yokohama Specie matter. Whether in class, Monday, Wednesday and Bank was given a license in the road, and even in Friday, Lite Ferries of Lite to do business in the Phil- hitting that jackpot prize Shipping Corporation has ippines. of the Lotto! From 1919 to 1930, fora direct link from Cagayan Ac c ord i n g t o t h e de Oro to Jagna. It has a eign banks Asia Banking National Nutrition and return trip every Tuesday, Corporation, the ChineseHealth Survey, 17.2% Thursday, Saturday and American Bank of Comof the adult populaSunday serving Jagna to merce of Peking, China, and the National City Bank of tion in the Philippines, Cagayan de Oro City. Someday, it will not be New York opened branches roughly 7.7 million far and not too distant travel in the Philippines. have hypertension or During the American high blood pressure. to Loay up to the interior towns of Bohol from Min- colonial era, the Philippine And of these, only 12% danao making it fast and banking system was largely has their blood presconvenient once the dredg- dominated by foreign bank sure controlled. Thus, ing of the Port of Loay is branches whose capitals making 6.8 million of completed through the ef- were devoted to financing fort of its Lady Municipal commerce and trade, rather the known hypertensive Mayor, May Lim Imboy, who than the development of the as walking time bombs, is serving her second term country’s natural resources. which may just blow It should also be men- anytime, as they are the and rife for re-election in the next local polls. Mayor tioned that the Bank of the ones that can succumb Imboy is leaving no stones Philippine Islands, which to complications! unturned working for fund- then possessed the privilege Hypertension or high ing from the Philippine of issuing currency notes, blood pressure is a comPorts Authority to improve was the only significant mon medical condition bank controlled by local in which the force of the Municipal Port. Loay is a strategic loca- interests. the blood against the To break the foreign tion for landing the high walls of the arter y is value vegetable produce banking monopoly and from Mindanao which Bo- remedy the lack of credit high enough to cause hol does not grow like Salad facilities, the Philippine health problems. The Tomatoes, Cabbage, Carrots National Bank (PNB) was more blood the heart and Lettuce which comes established in 1916 with the from Libona, Bukidnon. It is Philippine Government as enterprise that would widen also an economic impact as the majority stockholder. the variety of banking serThe PNB was meant to vices “beyond trade finance alternative port to transport the iron ores and limestone function as a government in exportation and impor-

Quiamjot...

Bunye...

Numbers Matter pumps, and the narrower the arteries are, the higher is the blood pressure. This may go on and on for years, without one noticing anything. It is when the high blood pressure gets uncontrolled, that the risk for complications also rises. The risk for developing high blood pressure can be divided into two classes: modifiable and non-modifiable. It is a known fact that as one’s age increases, the probability of one developing hypertension also rises. Genetics like, family history and race are factors that one has no say at all! Likewise, certain congenital conditions that can give rise to high blood pressure, like affectations of the blood vessels, or kidneys or the adrenal glands. Beyond the above risk factors, are those that one can do something about: the modifiable ones. Controlling one’s weight, tops the list. Being overweight or obese, subjects the heart

to pump more blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to the different tissues of the body, which is made more difficult by the thickened arterial walls. It is well known and documented that when there is too much fat and cholesterol in one’s system , these are deposited as plaques on the walls of the vessels, which hampers the flow of blood. The control of one’s weight is closely linked to his/ her diet: less of fat and cholesterol, more of vegetables and fruits, and yes, activity. Not being physically active results in higher heart rates, which in turn subjects the heart to pump harder. Too much of salt, sugar, fats , alcohol, caffeine and stress, will raise that blood pressure higher. Smoking is a culprit too, as the chemicals in the tobacco destroys the walls of the arteries. Patients who are also known diabetics, and with kidney problems, more often than not, have a compounding problem of having el-

evated blood pressures. It is the uncontrolled high blood pressures that we are worried of. The complications that is the resultant event to it includes heart attacks or myocardial infarctions, stroke, aneurysms and yes, blurring of vision and even a failing kidney, not to mention, eventual death. It is in doing what we can, to control our blood pressure, that can spell the difference between life or death, quality of living, and our loved one’s future.... taking an active participation in determining one’s health outcome is a road that may be less travelled but has high returns in the balance sheet called life....

tation, money changing of failed to mobilize capital in foreign currency, and fund the development of natural transfers, all of which, while resources.” useful in the short term, Its charter at that time

empowered the PNB to issue bank notes and act as a depositary of government funds.

Aggie News

June 4-7, 2012

Cotabato bamboo farmers to benefit from new program BANGA, South Cotabato -The provincial government of South Cotabato has started a capacity-building program for bamboo stakeholders, officials said. Mary Jane G. Manlisis, senior environment specialist of the provincial environmental management office, said stakeholders will also be oriented on how to run the recently acquired processing equipment, worth P9.5 million, which will be used to establish a Bamboo Node. A Bamboo Node is a facility where bamboo poles are cut, sliced and treated, before being sent to the hub for final processing to its final products. The establishment of the Node is the provincial government’s one-shot approach for environmental protection, poverty alleviation and climate change adaptation, said the South Cotabato Bamboo Industry Development Council. The Council is a multistakeholder group composed of government agencies, business groups, civil society organizations led by the provincial environmental management office as the secretariat and chaired by provincial governor Arthur Y. Pingoy, Jr. Ms. Manlisis said huge portions of riverbank com-

munities are always hit by flash floods and massive planting of bamboo is one of the solutions. To encourage affected communities, the provincial government found a way to make use of the bamboo for income generation, hence the establishment of the Bamboo Node. The idea is to take the market nearer to the floodvulnerable communities, as they grow more of the fast-growing bamboo, also known as the poor man’s timber, Ms. Manlisis added. Bamboo is a proven environmental solution to the rehabilitation of the frequently flooded river channels. The potential of developing the bamboo industry by producing engineered bamboo products is also big, said Rogelio L. Acosta, project officer of Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance. The bamboo hub will be put up inside the Productivity and Technology Center compound in Koronadal City. Earlier this year, bamboo growers in South Cotabato entered into a contract with the Nakayama Technology Corp. based in Davao del Sur for a monthly supply of 7,000 bamboo poles.

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

DA to ramp up meat production for regions TACLOBAN City -- The Agriculture department intends to attain self-sufficiency in meat by 2016 and to supply the meat requirement of other regions in the next 10 years, an official said, citing the newly drafted livestock and poultry road map. The road map, according to Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Antonio G. Gerundio aims to eliminate barriers to the growth of the industry in the region. Among these constraints, he noted, are low breeder base, high cost of breeder and commercial stocks, poor access to technology, high input cost, diseases incidence, influx of cheap imports, smuggling, and the wide gap between retail price and farm-gate price. “There’s really a need to give more attention to the livestock sector since they are less vulnerable to climate change. You can raise animals in the backyard and they are less exposed to nature, unlike crops,” Mr. Gerundio said in a media

briefing. Mr. Gerundio also said that considering the lesser risk of the livestock sector to global warming, this can help uplift the economic status of many poor farmers. Under the road map, the DA aims to increase the number of existing counts of livestock to 316,000 heads of carabao; 23,000 heads of cattle; 186,000 heads of goats; 900,000 heads of hogs, and 4.5 million heads of chicken. Latest Bureau of Agriculture Statistics (BAS) data shows that as of mid-2011, the region has 306,966 carabaos; 14,596 cattle; 86,694 goats; 636,179 hogs; and 3.08 million heads of chicken. Citing BAS reports, DA livestock program coordinator Andrew T. Orais said that

the region is sufficient in pork, carabeef and chicken meat but there’s a need to sustain activities for the region to send surplus to other parts of the country. “In all commodities, the region is about 80% sufficient. Our weak point is on the supply of eggs wherein we are only 40% self-sufficient because of low local feed requirement,” Mr. Orais said. From January to June 2011, the region produced only 1,693 metric tons (mt) of eggs; lower than Central Visayas’ 20,128 mt; and Western Visayas’ 14,618 mt. The province of Cebu remains the major source of Region 8’s egg supply. The DA said that they aim to increase egg production by 3% in the next five years under the new road map. The road map will focus on disease control and eradication, genetic resource improvement, meat safety and quality, capability development, and stronger

public and private partnerships. In terms of genetic improvement, the DA will introduce superior quality genetics through the male breeder loan program, unified national artificial insemination program, and production farm development. On animal health, the DA will assess the geographical distribution and monitoring of diseases occurrences in the community using the Philippine Animal Health Information System. Among the animal diseases noted in the past are hemorrhagic septicemia, sur ra/tr ypanos omosis, newcastle disease, hog cholera, fasciolosis and rabies. “In the past two years, there has been no major disease incidence that threatened the region. Cases were only sporadic and there’s no cause for alarm but we continue our regular monitoring,” Mr. Orais added.

One-stop shop development center launched for M’danao cacao farmers By CARINA L CAYON Contributor

DAVAO City --A one-stop shop and development center to help cacao farmers and stakeholders in Mindanao was recently launched in the city which aims to boost the quality of cacao products which have high demand in the global market. The Cacao Industry De-

velopment Association of Mindanao Inc. (CIDAMI) established the Cacao Development Center at Tulip Drive, Ecoland, Davao City which had a soft opening on May 23 this year. CIDAMI Executive Director Valente D. Turtur said the center would serve as a venue for cacao farmers and other stakeholders to avail of various services

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such as training and seminar programs, farming techniques, good agricultural practices, integrated pest management, marketing and technology transfer. Turtur said that the center’s services would address the need of improving the quality as well as meeting the quantity requirement of cacao products in the local and international market. “We can’t demand for a good price if we don’t have the volume needed in the market,” he stated. He bared that 30,00035,000 metric tons of cacao beans are required annually by the local market which imports raw cacao produce to address the demand. He lamented that the country only produces about 20% of the local market demand alone, noting that the annual yields would only reach up to 7,000 metric tons by which 6,000 MT come from Mindanao, and the 1,000 MT are obtained from the rest of the country. With the establishment of the center, CIDAMI envisions for Mindanao to yield 100,000 MT of cacao by 2020, Turtur intimated. However, he said the assistance and services at the center would not be provided for free, saying that interested stakeholders would have to pay reasonable fees to defray expenses. He said CIDAMI also aims to establish data base of the cacao industry through the center which entails data CENTER/PAGE 11

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Rufus hits incorrect BoC, BIR statistics CAGAYAN de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has asked government to present truthful statistics on the importation and smuggling of cigarettes and liquor to pave the way for the passage of a sin tax measure that is equitable and acceptable to stakeholders in the affected industries, particularly tobacco farmers and workers in liquor factories. Rodriguez aired the appeal as he noted that the Bureaus of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Customs (BoC) have been using incorrect data in an attempt to convince congressmen that the imposition of excessive taxes on tobacco products would not worsen the already serious smuggling problem in the country. Interpellating authors of House Bill (HB) No. 5727, Rodriguez pointed out the experiences of other countries that show the rise in illicit trade when they imposed high increases in excise tax. The former Immigration commissioner said the government should look at recent data and take into consideration several case studies from both industrialized and developing countries, showing that excessive tax increases on tobacco products lead to rampant smuggling and counterfeiting. He chided officials of the BIR and the BoC for allegedly “peddling the outdated information to the public to push the passage of a law which could prejudice millions of Filipinos and legitimate industries.”

House OKs institutionalization of Palarong Pambansa THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill that would institutionalize the Palarong Pambansa as the premier national sporting event of the country. House Bill 6119 substitutes House Bill 3164 authored by Rep. Afredo Benitez (3rd District, Negros Occidental). Rep. Renato Unico Jr. (1st District, Ca-

marines Norte), chair of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, endorsed the bill for plenary approval. Benitez said there is a need to reinvigorate Palarong Pambansa, the national sports event, which is the culmination of local sports competitions. “Palarong Pambansa is HOUSE/PAGE 11

Congress

June 4-7, 2012

Lawmakers back, oppose measure to raise sin tax LAWMAKERS turned to statistics to defend and oppose the Palace-backed measure that seeks to increase the excise tax on tobacco and alcohol products. House Bill 5727 is now being debated in plenary after being passed by the House committee on justice last month. During interpellation, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City dismissed the argument of Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares that the governments of Sweden, United Kingdom and Singapore managed to contain the illicit tobacco trade to only two percent of domestic sales in 1995 by imposing higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol, saying the figures were too old to be used as a benchmark. The records of the Singapore’s Ministry of Finance and Department of Statistics, Rodriguez said, would show that when Singapore increased the tobacco excise tax by 135 percent between 2000 and 2005, the volume of illegal cigarettes seized increased from eight million cigarettes in 2000 to 106 million in 2006. The figure declined by 45 percent in 2009 when the state froze excise tax levels.

Rodriguez The lawmaker quoted a 2006 statement of Finance Minister Lee Hsien Loong wherein the official admitted that he had seriously considered raising tobacco duties but decided against it because revenues were declining not because people are smoking less but because smuggling has gone up. “Why is Henares giving us old, irrelevant information?” Rodriguez said. He said that smuggling surged in Sweden when its government decided to impose steep excise tax hikes in 2006. The government was forced to impose

a tax freeze on excise rates in 2009. “The rate of tax increases imposed in the three countries cited are very small compared to the government’s current proposal, which at the low tax tier is highest, at 708 percent. When we consider this together with the Philippine’s porous borders, it is not difficult to imagine what it will do to encourage illicit trade,” Rodriguez said. However, Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur province said that Filipinos’ spending on tobacco and alcohol products is so huge

that “sinful” products are inelastic in nature and any drop in consumption can be offset by the increase in rates. Andaya made the assertion during his sponsorship speech of the measure. He said that in 2010, Filipinos smoked 34.9 billion sticks of high-priced cigarettes with an excise tax of 60 centavos, a figure which enabled the government to earn P21 billion. “A cool P21 billion, Mr. Speaker, can buy you 30,000 classrooms, 23,000 police cars and it can pay for the LAWMAKERS/PAGE 11

PAHIBALO ALANG SA TANAN Ang Pag-IBIG Fund naghatag karon ug PENALTY CONDONATION PROGRAM alang sa mga buhatan nga na delinkwente o’ wala pa naka rehistro sa ilang kompaniya ug mga trabahante, isip pagtuman sa Republic Act 9679 o’ mas nailhan sa ngalan nga Pag-IBIG Fund Law. Ang RA 9679 mao ang balaod nga nag mando sa pag-rehistro sa mga buhatan ug mga trabahante niini, isip mga aktibong miyembro sa Pag-IBIG Fund.

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June 4-7, 2012

Misor Today

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Team Misor wins Grand Prize in PRMF GIS Application Competition THE Misamis Oriental Geographic Information Team has won the grand prize in the Philippine Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) competition for “GIS Application and Technology Sharing” among PRMF partner local government units (LGUs). Chaissa D. Sajulga, acting provincial planning and development officer, said Zelfred Anthony T. Cocon, GIS team leader with associates Jan Kristofer A. Legaspi and Ronald O. Castillo were awarded the grand prize for Best GIS Application at Astoria Plaza, Ortigas, Pasig City last May 25, 2012. The team won a free trip to the USA for two to attend the ESPI International User Conference from July 23-27, 2012 at the San Diego Conven-

tion Center, San Diego, California. The citation signed by Michael Sadlon, PRMF team leader and Francisca N. Dayrit, executive vice president said Team Misor was selected “in recognition of its outstanding presentation of its geographic information system (GIS) application demonstrated by its creative, effective and innovative use of GIS tools and methods into d e vel opi ng G I S - b a s e d technology systems and services for sustainable resource allocation and socio-economic development in the province.” Ms. Sajulga said the PPDO’s “Heavy Equipment Locator Map” application which was developed in consultation with Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Provincial Engineer Roland

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Pacuribot can pinpoint the current locations of all the Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) heavy equipment. Mr. Cocon said the application which is being utilized by the PEO as the main user to update and authenticate the deployment of the province’s heavy equipment can easily be viewed by the general public on the internet and shows the deployment date, previous and present location, name of the operator, equipment status and the present activity for which it is engaged, among others. “Ours was the only GIS application among the participating PRMF LGU teams which had an updating capability which also makes it useful for disaster management decision making and increased transparency to the general public since they now have an online source of verifiable data they can reference,” she added. The GIS map of Misamis Oriental can be accessed in the internet through the URL: www.misamisoriental.gov.ph by clicking

AWARDEE. Gov. Oscar S. Moreno congratulates MisOr Team led by Zelfred Anthony T. Cocon for winning the grand prize in the Philippine Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) competition for “GIS Application and Technology Sharing” among PRMF partner local government units (LGUs). Two members of the team gets the chance to travel to the US for free to attend the ESRI International User Conference from July 23-27, 2012 at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California.

on “GIS Interactive Map” on the menu. The map shows the location of the provinces road, bridges and ports; tourism sites; school buildings, rivers and creeks, and geo-hazard maps, among others. “We are happy to bequeath this legacy to the people of Misamis Ori-

ental,” Gov. Moreno said during the team’s courtesy call to the Governor’s Office following their award. “We commissioned this application to the PPDO’s GIS team in 2004 and we are grateful the team has come through with this application which in time would hopefully benefit

more people besides the PPDO, the PEO and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.” T h e c omp e t it i on i s sponsored by Geo-Data Systems Technology Inc. in collaboration with the PPRMF. (Capitol Press Office)

DoLE-10 SRS produces masterlist of 27,304 skilled registrants By APIPA P. BAGUMBARAN Contributor

LAWYER Johnson G. Cañete, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) in Region 10 announced the successful implementation of the Skills Registry System (SRS), a revised version of the National Manpower Registry System and a Labor Market Information (LMI) tool in pilot local government units (LGUs). A total of 27,304 persons, aged 18 and above, who are looking for pro-

ductive work, change their jobs or upgrade for better paying jobs, were registered for skills masterlisting. Pilot areas for the first wave implementation were LGUs of Lugait and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental and Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental while the second wave includes the LGUs of Mambajao in Camiguin, Malaybalay City and municipality of Quezon in Bukidnon, and Tubod in Lanao del Norte. Recently approved for third wave are Iligan City ; Lala, Lanao del

Norte; Tangub City and Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental; Valencia City and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; Opol, Salay, Tagoloan, Jasaan municipalities of Misamis Oriental; Cagayan de Oro City; and Mahinog, Camiguin. The SRS program requires the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in said LGUs to get the total list of skills and job vacancies suitable in the locality in the SRS form to capture the skills data from the registrants. The accomplished form will then be en-

coded in the desktop computer with the embedded SRS program. The computers were sourced by DOLE and given without cost to the said LGUs. According to Cañete, “data will then be accessed by the national government to assist in job-fit formulation and as a ready source of manpower of investors.” The capacity of the LGUs to generate the data is augmented by contracted employees of DOLE-10, a key strategy for success, Director Cañete said.

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from page 9 the perfect venue to rear future athletes that can excel in international competitions. It has been the most important national competition in the country but has since seemed to lose its prestige and popularity among the Filipinos over the years,” Benitez said. The measure creates the Palaro Board, which shall be attached under the Department of Education (DepEd) as the policy and coordinating body for the conduct of the Palaro. The Palaro Board members are the DepEd Secretary, four DepEd Undersecretaries, three DepEd Assistant Secretaries, Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Unico said the Act shall improve the DepEd’s national school sports program and shall encourage the local government units (LGUs) to take a pivotal role in the promotion of the Palarong Pambansa. “It is the policy of the State to promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry through the institutionalization of the Palarong Pambansa as the country’s premier national sporting event,” Unico said. “Among others, the Board shall create the Palarong Pambansa Communications Task Force, the National Screening and Accreditation committee, shall provide incentives and rewards to participating schools and LGUs, including medal winners, formulate and issue policies and guidelines on the accreditation of athletes, coaches and chaperones, set the date of the staging of the Palarong Pambansa, formulate and issue the criteria for the selection of host LGU and approve bids to host the Palarong Pambansa and identify the

Center... from page 8

gathering on the number of farmers, areas planted to cacao and how much are the yields monthly and yearly.

SM...

from page 4

Cruz, HUDCC Secretary GeneralCecilia Alba, Social Welfare & Development SecretaryCorazon Soliman, Public Works & Highways SecretaryRogelio Singson, Chairman of Housing Committee for

January to March of the following year. Dillera cited improvements in the business names registration in Sultan Kudarat Province with the

Cargo... from page 12

izing its revenue stream across its business segments. The other business segment is the shipping business which includes passenger

sports events to be included in the Palarong Pambansa,” Unico added. The measure also requires the organization of the Regional Athletic Associations, which shall supervise the conduct of the regional meets in their respective jurisdictions. “To ensure the success of the Palarong Pambansa, the Philippine Sports Commission shall make available its manpower and technical resources, and facilities,” Unico said. In coordination with the DepEd, the PSC shall formulate and implement a training program for outstanding athletes of the Palarong Pambansa to ensure the continuity of their athletic development and education. Other authors of the Bill are Reps. Mark Aeron Sambar (Party List, PBA), Emmanuel Pacquiao (Lone District, Sarangani), Mark Villar (Lone District, Las Piñas City), Seth Frederick Jalosjos (1st District, Zamboanga del Norte), Emmeline Aglipay (Party List, DIWA), Monique Yazmin Lagdameo (1st District, Makati City), Raymond Palatino (Party List, Kabataan), Lucy Gomez (4th District, Leyte), Edwin Olivarez (1st District, Paranaque), Mark Llandro Mendoza (4th District, Batangas), Roberto Puno (1st District, Antipolo City), Randolph ting (3rd District, Cagayan ), Sigfrido Tinga (2nd District, Taguig City), Joseph Victor Ejercito (Lone District, San Juan City), Arnel Ty (Party List, LPGMA), Fatima Aliah Dimaporo (2nd District, Lanao del Norte ), Pedro Acharon, Jr. (1st District, South Cotabato and General Santos City ), Roger Gaviola Mercado (Lone District, Southern Leyte), Gabriel Luis Quisumbing (6th District, Quisumbing), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro), Danilo Suarez (3rd District, Quezon), Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Party List, Bagong Henerasyon).

June 4-7, 2012 The Filipinos spending on beer, he added, is equally high since the combined excise tax and value added tax on popular light beer is only pegged at P5.58 per bottle. In 2010, Filipinos drank half-a-billion liters of beer, translating to P8.5 billion worth of government revenues. “With this amount, you can buy 140 million textbooks, it can fund one semester of all state colleges and universities outside of UP, and meet all the rookie year payroll of 25,000 new policemen,” Andaya said. “The tobacco leaves are not spinach that will make the citizen healthy and vodka does not have the nutrients of milk. With sin tax measure, we would have higher collection out of low volume, rather than low collection out of high volume,” the lawmaker added.

Fetes...

from page 9 first year salary of about 63,000 school teachers,” Andaya, a former budget secretar y, pointed out.

from page 1 panday Foods Corporation, in Banking and Finance is also Davao’s One Network Bank, in Health Food Production and Marketing is Misamis Oriental’s Amley Food Corporation. In Housing and Realty Development, the winner is Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation in Cagayan de Oro, and for Hotel, Resorts and Tourism Development the winners are Zamboanga’s Dakak Beach Resort and Pearl Farm Resort in Davao City. For Individual category, the awardees were Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Ventures, Inc. (Bukidnon) for Agri-Business, D’Asian Hills Bank for Banking and Finance, Duka Bay Resort, Inc. (Misamis Oriental) and Eden Nature Park (Davao City) for Hotel, Resorts and Tourism Development. Cagayan de Oro’s Limketkai Group of Companies and Zealep, Inc. took the Mega-Entrepreneurs awards. Foodmaker SLERS of Cagayan de Oro won the SME Entrepreneur award. In the Transport Service Industry, the Yanson Group of Companies took the award for its fleet of Rural Transit

CIDAMI is a newly-created organization of cacao industry players involved in whole value added chain of the cacao products from seeds to bars. The Davao City-based

association comprises of groups and individual members of farmers’ cooperatives and organizations, nursery operators, processors and traders from all over Mindanao.

Sendong Victims Msgr. Jemar Vera Cruz, V.G. and Gawad Kalinga Executive Director Jose Luis Oquiñena formalized the partnerships by signing the MOA at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City. SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia, Regional Operations Managers Renee

Bacani and Debby Go, and Gawad Kalinga Partnerships Manager Tito Cajulis joined them in the event. The construction of homes for Sendong typhoon victims in Cagayan de Oro is one of SM Prime’s many projects to enhance the lives in the communities it serves.

implementation of the new system, the BPLS. “The number of business names registered in Sultan Kudarat increased by 84 percent in 2011 as compared to 2010 data,” she said. Besides services regard-

ing legitimization of businesses , DTI 12 also offers several services intended to expand opportunities of emerging and established enterprises through regular trade fairs, seminars, market matching and many others.

and cargo transfer. Supply chain involves door to door delivery. It is also embarking on a route rationalization plan amid the success of its new Batangas- Caticlan route which Mr. Tagud says is be-

coming more popular among customers. The firm said it plans to end the year with a profit hopefully buoyed by its passenger businesses and logistics. Shares of 2GO remained unchanged at P1.80 a piece.

Lawmakers...

and Bachelor Express buses. The lone winner in the Media Industry (Broadcast) is Cagayan de Oro-based Radio Mindanao Network. While the winner in Sports and Entertainment is the Paras Family. The winners underwent the rigid screening and evaluation processes by the members of the Board of Judges composed of distinguished individuals from the Philippine Press Institute, RK Franchising Consultancy, the Oro Chamber, Promote CDO, Pryce Plaza Hotel executive, and the Editor-in-Chief of BusinessWeek Mindanao, said project director Mr. Allan Mediante. PPI Executive Director and chairman of the board of judges Mr. Ariel Sebellino hailed the men and women behind BusinessWeek Mindanao headed by its publisher Mr. Sudaria, for taking the cudgel in initiating the event. “For a media organization to come up with such a laudable undertaking is rare and must be emulated by PPI’s about 100-member community newspapers nationwide,” Mr. Sebellino said. At the sideline of the event, Mr. Sebellino said that what BusinessWeek has done to give due recognition to Mindanao’s economic prime movers is an envy for other media organizations. Abante Mindanao Partylist Rep. Maximo Rodriguez also said that it is highly laudable for a private sector to honor those who are helping the government in developing the island of Mindanao. “It is supposedly government’s responsibility to give

back to Mindanao’s corporate citizens and business entrepreneurs their due by giving them recognition like what we have here today,” Rep. Rodriguez said in his speech as he also urged the awardees to continue what they have started in uplifting the lives of every Mindanaoans.

Classes... from page 1

Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). For DOH, it is conducting dissemination of child safety tips and measures to avoid diseases occurring and commonly transmitted in schools, including tips on food safety. The DILG, meanwhile, is helping in the monitoring of school supplies, ensure security, and manage traffic at the local level. The DPWH is fasttracking the construction of school buildings while the DTI have conducted a Diskwento Caravan for discounted school supplies. For its part, the DOTC will monitor the implementation of 20 percent fare discounts in jeeps and buses for students. The PNP will ensure police presence around elementary and secondary schools and establish public assistance desks in campuses while the MMDA will deploy traffic discipline personnel in school

areas. Meanwhile, PAGASA will provide the Deped with regular weather forecast. The automatic cancellation of classes during typhoons will still be based on the storm signal sent out by the PAGASA but the Deped will no longer be announcing class suspension. Under Executive Order No. 66 signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III last January 9, the responsibility now lies with the local government officials as they are in a better position to assess the local situation. (pna)

Exports... from page 1

high of $51.5 billion the previous year, as the electronics sector, which comprised over half of the total export revenues, tumbled 32.7 percent in December. Panlilio said the country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) services exports revenues, on the other hand, are expected to increase this year after hitting an all-time high of $11 billion in 2011. “We are now hoping and working hard to grow this business to something like $15 billion and employ close to a million people by the end of 2013. So our BPO industry is the darling of the Philippine economy right now, giving us instant employment and opportunities,” he said. Meanwhile, the government is looking for alternative markets for bananas after China imposed more stringent quarantine requirements on the fruit.

June 4-7, 2012

Shipping

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

AirAsia gets ready to boost bookings AIRASIA, Inc., the operator of AirAsia Philippines, aims to increase sales among passengers that usually book through travel agencies, a segment which the airline claims is not fully penetrated by budget carriers. The airline said it enlisted the services of travel technology agency solutions Amadeus Asia Ltd., which provides an electronic platform for bookings. “Amadeus’ LCC (low-cost carrier) Smart will make it easier for travel agencies to book flights with AirAsia,” Marianne B. Hontiveros, AirAsia chief executive, told reporters in a briefing. S h e n o t e d t h at most travel agencies use online booking systems which are not compatible with the pricing structure

of budget airlines. Otherwise, travel agencies would have to go to the low-cost carrier’s Web site instead of using its own platform. “This sometimes turns off travel agencies from booking flights because they are not familiar with the interface,” Ms. Hontiveros said. LCC Smart, however, will integrate carrier’s online booking system with that of conventional carriers. “Travel agents using Amadeus LCC Smart will be able to search, select, book and finalize payments for

AirAsia fares through a few simple steps,” Amadeus said in a brief. The system will be distributed to travel agencies using the Amadeus selling platform for conventional carriers in the country. Amadeus noted that it this translates to about 7,000 terminals in travel agencies nationwide. The LCC Smart will also be available to travel agencies in Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam, Amadeus said. “[A]n increasing amount of travellers are turning to low-cost air travel, promoting a surge in popularity of flights on LCCs such as AirAsia,” Albert Villadolid, general manager of Amadeus Philippines said.

AIRASIA Philippines President and Chief Executive Marianne B. Hontiveros (L) looks on as David Brett, president of booking system provider Amadeus Asia-Pacific addresses the press Friday. The budget carrier roped in Amadeus to reach out to travel agencies.

2GO to use small cargo ships for faster turnaround LISTED LOGISTICS firm 2GO Group, Inc., formerly Aboitiz Transport Systems Corp., is set to replace two old cargo ships with smaller models that will enable the company to sail at full capacity more frequently instead of waiting too long to fill up the watercraft. “This year we will be replacing big cargo ships 2GO1 and 2GO2 which at 1,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) is hard to fill up and too big for this market,” said 2GO President

and Chief Executive Sulficio O. Tagud, Jr. in an interview Thursday. He added big cargo ships tend to stay docked in ports to long which limits the number of trips and cuts delivery efficiency of the company. The firm will spend $8 million for two new 250-300 TEU ships. Last March, 2GO Group bagged the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission to change its name from ATS Consoli-

dated. The change in corporate name comes after Negros Navigation Co., Inc. bought the company from the Aboitiz family in 2010 for P4.28 billion, according to earlier reports. Mr. Tagud said the smaller capacity cargo ships “won’t lower our volumes because we have a lot of ships anyway.” The firm is planning to build up its supply chain business in hopes of equalCARGO/PAGE 11

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