MAY 07,2012 BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO

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BusinessWeek

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www.businessweekmindanao.com Issue No. 72, Volume III • May 7-10, 2012

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P15.00

Market Indicators

AS OF 5:55 P.M., MAY. 4, 2012 (Saturday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P42.32

5,297.32 points

;

2.86 points

;

.15 cents

Briefly Price monitoring

TANDAG City -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has already started to monitor school supplies in the province.

According to DTI Provincial Director Andres Yparraguirre, some office personnel have already been assigned to this effect in order to check the quality and prices of such merchandise.

It was learned that their areas of destination are the cities of Tandag and Bislig, as well as in Hinatuan town. These are places where businesses are brisk.

No brownout

ILIGAN City -- The city of Iligan will not experience rotating brownouts or power curtailment for the entire month of May. City Councilor Moises Dalisay, Jr., Committee Chair on Water and Energy, said Treasure Steelworks Incorporated (TSI) again allowed Iligan Light and Power Incorporated (ILPI) the use of its 10 megawatts of unused power. This is in accordance with an existing agreement between the city of Iligan, National Power Corporation, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, TSI, and ILPI. TSI allowed the use of its unused power as the plant opted not to operate its accessory plants.

Samal Festival

IGACOS, Davao del Norte -- The wonderful rhythm of drum beats and Agongs and colourful sights of Filipino culture and arts filled the environment here yesterday afternoon signifying the onset of the city’s “Pigkaysan sa Samal Festival.”

The festival is an environmental, music, arts, and culture fair in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), which is slated on May 4 to May 6.

It is part of the Visit Samal 2012 Campaign program of the Department of Tourism and the local government.

By NELSON V. CONSTANTINO, Editor-in-Chief

T

HE MINDANAO Development Authority (MinDA) has started acting on recommendations made during last month’s Mindanao Power Summit.

In a press statement sent to this paper on Friday, MinDA said they will soon form a Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) that will inform the public on the power situation, including supply and price levels, as well as assess viability of specific summit recommendations, including the setting up of a one-stop shop processing center (OSSPC) to speed up approval of generation projects.

MPMC and the OSSPC are two of the action points identified by the President, according to MinDA Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino.

She said MPMC will be responsible for providing outright information to the people of Mindanao regarding the energy and power situation, including, but not limited to, supply and price levels.

POWER/PAGE 8

Consumer group plans to buy Agus-Pulangui

By MIKE BAÑOS, Correspondent

THE people of Mindanao will respond to President Aquino’s call to do their share to help alleviate the power crisis in Mindanao.

The island’s power consumers will launch a massive initiative to buy the island’s hydroelectric power plants if the government insists on selling them.

“If the National Government insists on privatizing the Agus and Pulangui hydroelectric power plants despite stiff CONSUMER/PAGE 2

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STARK CONTRAST. Despite the rosy picture being painted by the Aquino administration regarding the country’s state of economy by covering shanties in Metro Manila during the recently-held ADB Governors Meeting, ADB report says poverty is still prevalent in this country. PHOTO BY MIO CADE

ADB: Hunger still prevalent in PH THE Philippines still have to address undernourishment, though the country posted a 6 percent decline in poverty over a three-year period, the Asian Development Bank said Friday.

The bank noted in its “Food Security and Poverty in Asia and the Pacific” report that the number of poor Filipinos living on $1.25 (around P52.5) a day has declined by 6.19 percent from 2006-2009.

However, the multilateral

lender citing a 2011 United Nations report said the general population is suffering from undernourishment.

“These findings imply that hunger eradication does not necessarily follow from poverty reduction, suggesting that policies that drive down income poverty alone may not be enough to reduce hunger,” the report read.

The Philippines’ main driver of poverty reduction was higher

income, while food and nonfood prices pushed the poverty rate, the bank noted.

“While food insecurity and poverty are closely interrelated, growth alone may not suffice to ensure food security,” it said.

The report said that Philippines needs to give its food security initiatives more importance, as it will have a “profound impact on global food consumption” in the future due ADB/PAGE 10

Leyte-Mindanao interconnection project eyed

By IRENE DOMINGO Reporter

THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) expects to complete the feasibility study for the LeyteMindanao Interconnection Project within this year.

NGCP Adviser for External Affairs Atty. Cynthia Alavanza was in Davao City on Thursday for the Power 101 briefing among the media here, where she discussed the NGCP programs and also answered queries from the members

of the press especially on the current power situation in Mindanao.

She said the study would determine the projected cost of the project, the mode and the technology. It will also determine if the grid needs the interconnection,

she said.

The Department of Energy (DOE) asked NGCP to revive the Leyte-Mindanao Project in 2011. The Energy Regulatory Commission subsequently approved the conduct of the feasibility PROJECT/PAGE 5

2

May 7-10, 2012

Economy

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Wage order full compliance, hard to attain

By DANILO E. DOGUILES, Contributor

KORONADAL City -- Full compliance of all business establishments and companies in Soccsksargen Region or Region 12 to Wage Order RB XII No. 17 may be difficult, if not impossible to achieve, DOLE 12 Regional Director Chona Mantilla said.

Director Mantilla, however, assured that despite limited resources, they could achieve higher percentage of management implementing the provision of the new wage order.

“While we aim good implementation, we do not claim 100 percent compliance to wage orders, but we do not want to be deterred by limitations,” in response to a participant during the

wage clinic on May 1 in Koronadal City, who asked how DOLE 12 could assure 100 percent compliance to the new order.

“No (DOLE) regional office has reached 100 percent compliance (to wage orders),” she added.

Wage Order RB XII No. 17,which became effective on April 18, requires the integration of the P15 per day cost of living allowance (COLA) mandated in the previous wage order into

the present basic salary and grants a new COLA ranging from P10 to P14, depending the labor/industry sector.

The new COLA will be implemented in two tranches: first on the date the order became effective and second on December 1, 2012.

“Based on the data from last year’s routine inspections, compliance to Wage Order RB XII 16 has reached 70 to 75 percent,” she explained. “This is relatively high as compared to other regions.”

Those that did not comply with the order were issued compliance notices.

She added that DOLE 12 is fast-tracking resolutions of several complaints from labor groups who did not receive the mandated minimum wage.

Mantilla said, they will give companies ample time to implement the new wage rates and added that routine inspections under the Labor Standards Enforcement Program will cover compliance to the new wage order after they have completed

Consumer... from page 1

opposition from the power consumers of Mindanao, then we will mobilize the whole population to buy it from the government,” said Irene M. Santiago, chair emerita of the Mindanao Commission of Women during a recent talk to the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban.

During the April 13 Mindanao Power Summit held in Davao City, President Benigno S. Aquino III said it was necessary for government to privatize the Agus-Pulangi power plants to ensure a reliable power supply in the island and attract investors in power generation.

“We shall mobilize Mindanao’s entire population of 21 million people and have each and everyone pledge P50 as their contribution to

the awareness raising drive and wage symposiums.

DOLE 12 and RTWPB 12 aim to complete wage clinics across Region 12 before the end May. She, however, confirmed that they are constrained by the lack of personnel to implement the Labor Standards Enforcement Program.

Currently, only 16 persons are available to conduct routine inspections to cover private sector employers in the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North

Cotabato and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos City.

“Of the 16 pool of inspectors, only seven are actual inspectors,” she said. “The other nine are cashiers, bookkeepers, and administrative staff, who were also trained to conduct routine inspections.”

This is why, she added, besides the wage symposiums and massive information drive regarding the wage order, they are also encouraging employers and WAGE/PAGE 8

our P1-billion seed fund,” Ms. Santiago, who once ran for president, said. “Our online campaign will also enlist Mindanao residents living abroad who have expressed disgust at government’s handling of the recurring power shortage.”

Dubbed “Pipol’s Power”, the campaign kicks off on May 5 in Iligan City with consumers groups, industry associations, church-related organizations and chambers of commerce, among others, leading the charge.

The Mindanao Commission on Women will act as the secretariat for the grassroots campaign which will feature locally based steering committees in all cities and provinces in the island and pledging stations in offices, schools, hospitals and private residences.

A “Pipol’s Power” bracelet will be given to each person who gives a pledge

and will be the tangible sign of the campaign’s support among all economic and social strata in the island.

Engr. Nestor B. Degoma, president of the Lanao Power Consumers Federation (LAPOCOF) and the multi-sectoral Power Alternative Agenda-Mindanao (PALAG-Mindanao) which is opposing the privatization of the Agus-Pulangui plants, said the key cities of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos, Zamboanga, Butuan, Malaybalay, Pagadian, Ozamiz City and Dipolog would be crucial to the success of the initiative.

“We need to connect with and gain the sentiments of the people in the broad base and grassroots,” said Myrna A. Siose, coordinator of the Church-AcademeNGO Conversations, a regular forum organized by the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. “We need to impress on them the implications if the hydro plants are bought by big money and influential private sector firms and parties who are not stakeholders in Mindanao.”

Ms. Siose said the grassroots also have to be informed and accept they are also part of the private sector with the same rights and even greater need of energy as ‘internal and direct stakeholders’. As such, the need for them to consolidate their individual private resources into a “collectivepeople” needed to generate the strength and power to challenge conglomerates and multi-national companies on equal footing.

“We need to make them understand and accept the concept of “private stakeholdership” in Mindanao’s power industry,” she stressed.

CONSUMER/PAGE 5

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

May 7-10, 2012

3

4

May 7-10, 2012

Companies

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Hedcor’s Tudaya hydro project gets IPs approval The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) chaired by Zenaida Pa w i d r e c e n t l y granted a Compliance Certificate to the Free and Prior Informed Written C ons ent (FPIC) Process for the proposed 13.7 MW Tudaya run-of-river hydropower project in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. The project , an expansion of Hedcor’s 42.5 MW Sibulan Hydropower Project, is to be built upstream of Sibulan Hydro Plant A and downstream of Sibulan Hydro Plant B. Tudaya 1 (upstream) is in the area inhabited by the indigenous peoples (IPs)

Bagobo-Tagabawa w h i c h prompt e d Hedcor to apply for the FPIC. Hedcor Tudaya, Inc. complied with the procedures and pro c e s s re qu i re ments, including the series of public consultations, for the issuance of Certification Precondition and the FPIC. The application is not new to Hedcor.

On June 11, 2005, Hedcor was granted the FPIC for the Sibulan Hydropower Project.

“The BagoboTagabawas took us as their partner in community development for the past seven years since the explorator y stage of Sibulan project

IN THE FOOTHILLS. The 13.7-MW Tudaya Hydropower Project will be located in the foothills of Mt. Apo, an expansion project of the 42.5-MW Sibulan Hydropower Plant. The project is managed by Hedcor, wholly-owned AboitizPower subsidiary, and is expected to break ground in June.

in 2005 and now we are thankful for they are supporting this another project,” said Hedcor vice president for Business Developmetn

Gregorio Jabonillo.

The Tudaya 2 plant (downstream) with a capacity of 7 megawatts will supply to DASURECO once operational by 2014.

Hedcor, a whollyowned subsidiar y of Ab oit i z Powe r Corporation, is the largest developer of run-of-river hydropower plants in

the country with 19 hydropower plants in Benguet, Ilocos Sur, and Davao. It has plans of building more plants in Mindanao.

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BusinessWeek

MINDANAO

Consumer... from page 2

Lawyer Jose Edgardo Y. Uy, a retired officer of a local distribution utility active in public deliberations of Mindanao’s power situation, said the initiative could send mixed signals to Malacañang and advises the group to also explore other options.

“The planned Pipol’s Power could send some signals to PNoy, but the initiative may also be sending the signal that the people of Mindanao now agree to the sale of the hydros to the private sector,” he said.

Structurally, the people of Mindanao are supposed to be represented by those sitting in Congress, and through them, in a resolution they have recently passed, the people have spoken to defer the sale of the hydro plants. The President of the Republic is duty-bound to listen to the people, his bosses, unless he did not really mean what he said [“kayo and boss ko”], he added.

Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio, Oro Chamber President, lauded the initiative but expressed her reservations about the solidarity of diverse consumer groups at this time when the Department of Energy only recognizes the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and RDC-NEDA board in its policy formulation.

“There are two options for us to align our efforts

as far as engagement of the civil society, the Mindanao Power Corporation and the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee, “ Ms. Alegrio said. “As far as the local Chambers are concerned, our position is clear, we want PSALM to release the budget intended for the uprating of Agus 6 and for a provisional authority for Iligan Diesel to operate its plant.”

Engr. Sonny S. Navarro, a Fil-Am energy consultant and vice chair of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Board of Trustees, summed up the prevailing sentiment behind the initiative: “In any case, it is evident that the government refuses to hear the people, the people are mad and will not take this anymore. Mindanaoans will take care of Mindanaoans.

We will not let our lives and destinies be controlled by bureaucrats from Manila and by vested private interests.”

Project... from page 1

study.

“I think it will be advantageous if there is an interconnection because that makes the possible sharing of resources to a limited extent,” she said.

She further said that they don’t want to stop looking for investors as the demand for more power grows with the economy and they need to plan also in order to meet the need of the consumers.

But Alavanza said that they were not pushing or against it (Leyte-Mindanao

Companies Interconnection Project).

It was earlier reported that the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) was blocking it although Alavanza said there were factions within the group that did not like the project.

“I want to reiterate that NGCP is not pushing for it nor is against it. We need to determine if the grid needs is the purpose of the study but if the FS says it is not then we don’t proceed because we do not want a project to become white elephant,” she said.

The Mindanao situation is really a big challenge to NGCP, she said considering that the hydro plants were located in the northern part of the island while the load centers were in Davao and General Santos City.

On the other hand, Alavanza said there were steps already taken up by NGCP after the Power Summit held in Davao City last month.

Based on the concerns raised by the Distribution Utilities (DUs) that they should be informed ahead when the brownout is going to happen, she said they already applied a week ahead projection that needs to be confirmed throughout the day. The week ahead is to augment the one day schedule, she said.

She also said they had adjusted the deadline for the DUs to withdraw from the grid, saying alam naman natin na naghihintay ang DUs ng last minute kung saan sila makakuha ng mas mura

May 7-10, 2012

5

Veterans Bank records P519 milion in 2011 PHILIPPINE Veterans Bank (PVB) reported an audited net income of P519.07 million for the year 2011. Bank officials said the net income was mainly derived from interest income from lending, trading gains and strategic management of its foreign exchange and investment portfolio. The 2011 yearend income is about the same than the reported net income of P519.59 million in 2010.

Based on audited financial statements, Veterans Bank’s total resources were pegged at P57.38 billion while capital funds stood at P5.68 billion. Total resources slightly dipped by 3% from P58.24 billion in 2010 to P57.38 billion in 2011. Capital however moved up slightly by 5.5% to P5.68 billion from the previous year’s P5.465 billion.

The Bank’s capital adequacy ratio (CAR) stood at 16.15% under Basel II, still well above the 10% minimum requirement of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

PVB President Ricardo A. Balbido Jr. said that “The Bank was able to generate substantial results in 2011 inspite of the historical low interest rates and intense industry competition brought about by the excess liquidity in the system.”

PVB is a private bank, but it has the advantage of an authorized depository of government funds. PVB officials said that they have been offering banking services that fit the growing needs of both government

agencies and private businesses.

Philippine Veterans Bank is a private commercial bank owned by some 400,000 World War II veterans, widows & their heirs. The Bank is also committed to providing 20% of its annual net income to the Board of Trustees for the Veterans of World War II (BTVWWII) which manages programs for the benefit of the WWII veterans, widows & their surviving families.

(DUs wait for last minute to be able to get a lower price).

The business of power is a unique commodity because once it is generated, it must also be consumed in real time.

“We have to manage it very well and we need to balance

it as well to ensure you have available power connected to the grid,” she said.

But Alavanza clarified that they are regulated corporation and the price rate is based on approval by the ERC. However, she said once

the power is already drawn by the DUs they have no knowledge anymore of how the DUs handled it.

The NGCP is under Performance Base Regulation and Alavanza said they get greater incentive if they perform well.

6

Opinion

May 7-10, 2012

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BusinessWeek MINDANAO

More than Rules THINK a minute…

A hotel sign in Tokyo, Japan had this rule on it: “Is forbidden to steal towels please. If you are not person to do such is please not to read sign.” Someone said that rules are like a fence around us. We need them to keep us inside so we won’t break out and hurt ourselves or others. We have rules at home, at work, at school, in sports, and for driving on the road. And if we move to another country and culture, we must learn to follow their rules.

Many p e opl e t h i n k Christians are a group of people who just try to follow strict, boring rules that are old fashioned and definitely not cool! They think

Christians can’t have any fun or freedom in life. We can’t do this or that, can’t go here or there. So they think being a Christian is like living inside a fence or prison wall that won’t let you out to have fun and enjoy life. But that’s not true Christianity! Jesus Christ Himself said He did not come to bring more rules to build a tighter fence around us so that we become prisoners. It’s just the opposite! Jesus said He came to set people free, so we won’t need rules to keep us honest or force us to love and forgive others.

Jesus isn’t nearly as interested in rules as He’s interested in YOU. He knows that if you’ll just let Him

take full charge of your heart and character every day, He can start changing your life. Then you and I won’t be like children who need a lot of rules to tell us what and what not to do. For example, if you truly love your neighbor, then you don’t need a rule to stop you from stealing from him, since you never steal from someone you really love and care about.

When God the S on changes our heart and character inside, then everything we do comes from the new person we’re becoming. Jesus’ love and power starts to set us free from being a prisoner to our selfish greed and dishonesty. So won’t you ask

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST Jesus to forgive you for your wrong, self-centered heart? Then ask Him to start changing you, so you can enjoy the success and freedom of having Jesus’ character and life yourself, which is so much more than rules.

Just think a minute…

Firing the minds for Entertainment!

DAILY our national newspapers are coming up with screaming headlines on the Scarborough Shoal standoff. It is a hot topic as if the end of the world will come in a confrontation between China and the Philippines exploding into a full blown war?

Don’t ever think of war because we cannot afford it nor China will go for it inviting sanctions from the US and ruin their exports to the west.

There is no war to happen and the Philippines and China are doing the best diplomatic efforts to resolve the issues without a need for arbitration in the international court of justice regarding the laws of the seas.

China is just saving face to cover up for their fisherman’s pouching activities. They will eventually withdraw when the monsoon season comes because they cannot muster enough supply for their ships 1,200 miles

away and 220 miles near the Philippines. Posturing to test our resolve to depend our territory, it’s all for entertainment and face saving.

China needs the Philippines for comfort to dump their Peking ducks, DVD Players, Ma-ling and Noodle products more than what we need them.

They need America for business, copy their technolog y and steal their military secrets faster than what America can protect them.

China needs the South China Sea open as safe route for their oil comi ng f rom Iran . C h i n a knows that the Scarborough Shoals belongs to the Philippines. They are afraid to destabilize the maritime peace.

War rumor mongering only distract us from the more important economic and political issues confronting the Philippines.

Our leaders should instead focus on their

mandate to fast tract the peace process with the MILF and the economy.

Our eyes and ears should instead be open to what the Asian Development Bank (ADB) B oard of Governors Conference now going on in Manila will forecast about the economy in Asia where the Philippines plays an important demographic roles.

The Chinese economy is export driven. They created so much of the world’s products more than what they can use and dispose at a bargain price.

The US and the west are huge buyers of undervalued and cheap consumer household products.

From appliances, electronics, clothing’s and processed foods, the supermarkets shelves’ in America and Canada are overloaded with made in China. The trade surplus is not surprising because Asians are the number

TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY

PED T. QUIAMJOT

one immigrants to the US and Canada than any other countries in the western hemisphere or Latin America.

Asians and even Filipino-Americans buy a lot of Chinese products traded to America. Without the west, the Chinese economy will go back to the 2nd world war level. Any trade depression will find their products rotting in many manufacturing zones in China if the west stops buying.

QUIAMJOT/PAGE 7

Faith in God, Family, and Filipino Martial Arts APART from our brave athletes, we have something special to look forward to in the forthcoming 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Our very own Rodolfo Sebastian Carlos, a thyroid cancer survivor, has been chosen to be among the 8,000 inspirational people who will carry the Olympic Flame as it journeys across the United Kingdom.

The Olympic Flame, Torch and Relay were important elements of the cultural festivals surrounding the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece.

The Olympic Flame is lit from the sun’s rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, the home of the ancient Games.

After a short relay around Greece, the Flame is delivered to the Host Country.

It is transferred from one torchbearer to another, spreading the message of

peace, unity and friendship.

The Flame ends its journey as the last torchbearer lights the cauldron at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in the Olympic Stadium, marking the official start of the Games.

The Flame is extinguished at the Closing Ceremony on the final day of the Games.

Carlos was nominated by his co-workers at the Americas Headquarters of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in Atlanta as one of its 70 global employees with interesting and inspirational backgrounds.

They will join the rest of the 8,000 torchbearers who will carry the Olympic Flame around the UK. Originally from Parañaque City, Carlos flew to the United States in 2001 to pursue graduate studies: an MBA at Boston University and a Master of Management of Hospitality at Cornell

University.

He is presently working as Manager of Feasibility and Investment Analysis for IHG Americas Headquarters.

In 2008, Carlos was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Carlos recalls that the combined effects of the stress and the cancer treatment had rendered him very weak.

Within a year after his first surgery, he became obese and often felt weak and tired. He tried to get back to martial arts training, including Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), to help him rebuild his strength, but his body could not cope up with the rigorous training.

Carlos then decided to do a more gentle exercise regimen by doing Hot Yoga for a few months. After regaining a significant amount of strength and flexibility, he decided to challenge himself by training in Olympic

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE Weightlifting. Due to his poor state of health back then, at first he did Olympic Weightlifting movements with an unloaded bar.

He periodically added weight on the bar by a few pounds every few weeks.

Carlos surprised himself when he could eventually dead lift 400 lbs. and back squat 330 lbs. after a year of training.

Since January 2012, he BUNYE/PAGE 7

BusinessWeek

May 7-10, 2012

MINDANAO

Quiamjot... from page 6

Before a single Filipino dies of hunger, millions of Chinese will die of starvation if their industries stops grinding for lack of fuel to process their food products and other exports.

O f c ou rs e, t he U S knows t hat, a re as on their Pentagon wanted to establish another naval base closer to the South China Sea. In fact a brand new super aircraft carrier will soon be commissioned for Pacific tour of duties, the nuclear powered USS Ronald Reagan and one more is in the naval dockyard in the US awaiting completion reserved for a living former President.

The US supply naval base in Diego Garcia somewhere in the Indian Ocean is too small and too far to handle a naval blockade in the oil route.

US can not involve their forces stationed in Okinawa and Korea as it would violate their agreement with their host countries.

The Chinese are not stupid to cause a tip in the balance of peace in the South China Sea. Any conflagration with the Philippines which has a gray defense mutual treaty with America will drag the US 7th Fleet Forces out and choke China’s supply route of oil

from Iran. That is what America wanted to happen, use the Philippines as a springboard to patrol the South China Sea and cut China without going into a confrontational war. It is hitting two birds in one shot; any chain reaction will diminish the capability of Iran to exchange their oil with Chinese armaments. No shot will be fired for the Philippines.

L et us not fan t he situation in the S carborough Shoal, for all we know, small countries are used as pawns for the war of the major powers. Modern warfare are not designed to conquer nations and annihilate their population but to wrist the economies and imposed dominion in trading through various sanctions. Whoever is victorious in the arm twisting has the upper hand in trade and collect the balance of payment.

Bunye... from page 6

has competed twice in local Olympic Weightlifting meets — a testament to his full recovery.

Very instrumental to Carlos’ recovery are his “three F’s”: Faith in God, Family, and Filipino Martials Arts (FMA).

He strongly credits the mental toughness that he had developed from

his exposure to several notable FMA masters and teachers of Kalis Ilustrisimo, Pekiti Tirsia, Lameco, De Campo JDCIO, and Sari-An. Carlos now plans to rejoin his brother, Dr. Sixto Carlos, in their passion of promoting FMA globally thru Carlos Hermanos FMA (Kalis/Escrima/Arnis). The group has been very active in training various branches of the military, police, and community watch volunteers.

By being a 2012 London Olympics torchbearer, Carlos hopes to accomplish the following: • Serve as an inspiration to the youth of his birth countr y, the Republic of the Philippines, to keep on chasing after their dreams; • Bring awareness to thyroid cancer and inspire fellow survivors to give support to those who are currently battling this disease; and • Promote awareness of Filipino Martial Arts and a lifelong physical culture lifestyle of “living strong.”

Carlos will be passing on the Olympic Torch in Willenhall on June 30, 2012 and hopes to see his fellow Filipinos show their support to all their countr ymen chosen to join the relay.

Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@ gmail.com.

7

Mother care AS of this writing, Mother’s day is still one week away, and by the time, it reaches print and is published, the day itself will still be for celebration.

Never mind that I will be an early bird in touching on the subject matter, me being a mother myself, would like to dedicate this article to all the wonderful mothers out there! And, motherhood, mind you is not limited to women who have borne or given birth to children: even those of the opposite sex (which I also would like to celebrate when it is their day), single, married or separated, who happens to take on the role of mothering the young, are to be congratulated for that herculean task of nurture and care.

We read and hear so much every now and then of great and heroic acts of mothers: the sacrifices that they have to make in order to ensure that their young are made ready to face the world on their own.

Needless to say, we always shed a tear or two when we encounter them, for our tear ducts apparently are shallow when we encounter stories that touch our hearts.

For now, I would like to stick to my column which is to bring information on health that is relevant to every individual. Mothers, spending so much of their time in the household affairs,

may at times forget to care for their own needs.

And in so doing, they may find themselves in the losing end when they discover that they are afflicted with certain types of illnesses, which is preventable, while for other types, early detection and diagnosis can spell a huge difference in terms of survival, cost and outcome.

It is noticeable that in most hospitals and clinics, and other healthcare providers, that, medical check-up are offered in terms of packages, which are prepared in such a way that all the necessary examinations for a particular group or disease is included and more often than not, the cost is likewise a lot lower as compared to when the test/s are done individually.

It is also easier on the part of the patient, for, apart from the pricing , it becomes a one-stop-shop and the attending physician can easily interpret the test results.

And, speaking of mothers, a wellness package for them should be a great way of celebrating the occasion.

Considering the most common problems afflicting mothers, I would say that a Mother Care package (if there is such a one in existence) should include, aside from the basic tests like complete blood count, urinalysis and blood tests for sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid.

Since, the Big C of the cervix, breast , uterine corpus and ovaries are among the leading organs for the Big C to occur, tests that may detect early lesions are MUST BE’s in the package.

Thus, cervico-vaginal paps smear, breast ultrasound/ mammography, abdominal ultrasound with focus on the reproductive system should be included.

Of course, even with the inclusions of all these examinations, there may be instances when a lesion or illness is still missed out.

But, let it not be said that, nothing was done, to discover them. Better safe than sorry, so to speak.

Oh, to be a mother! So much has been said, but let it not slip our minds that the greatest and noblest professions of all times, is to nurture and love our young, and to prepare them to become productive citizens and be factors for good to those around them...

Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful women out there!

To All Relatives and Friends of

PAMELA OLAIVAR NERI She died in the Grace of our Lord, at CU Medical Center, Cagayan de Oro City, on May 2, 2012.

She is survived by her mother Panfila Neri and daughter Monalisa Roa Valbuena; sisters Bernadette, Laila, Rose Mary, Grace, and brothers Jaime and Bobong; in-laws, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren Her remains now lie in state at the Neri Residence, #10 Baloy, Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City.

Interment is set on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, (9:00 am) at Oro Gardens (Lumbia) Cagayan de Oro City.

8

Aggie News

May 7-10, 2012

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

DA info car goes to Clarin CLARIN, Misamis Occidental – THE Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (RAFID) along with its attached bureaus and agencies recently conducted an Information Caravan (Info Car) on Food Staples Sufficiency Program to the province’s farmers and fisherfolks on April 27, 2012.

In response to President Benigno S. Aquino’s commitment in restoring trust to the government and in steering the course to good governance, DA-10 including its umbrella offices has provided a one-stop shop in conveying the government’s numerous programs and projects, which are all aimed to address the needs of the vulnerable segments of the agricultural sector.

To cover the multiple facets of rural communities, DA-10 was joined by the National Dairy Authority, Philippine Crop Insurance, Corp., National Food Authority, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Fiber Development Authority, National Irrigation Administration and the National Meat Inspection Service.

Strongly supported by the local government units of the province, headed by Provincial Agriculturist Jose L. Satorre, he expressed his gratefulness and beamed with pride as the municipality of Clarin was chosen as the host for a noble undertaking such as the Info Car. He also accentuated that

farmers and fisherfolks alike are the backbone of our nation, citing that without them, serving food at our very tables and having body nourishment would be unattainable.

Furthermore, he hoped that with DA’s laudable info campaign, the participants would greatly absorb the information, updates and technologies, which would support them to have successful farming endeavors.

With the presence of various representatives of the department and its attached agencies, an open forum also transpired to answer the common queries among agri-clienteles. In general, they’ve bared their interest in availing interventions from the government’s end. Concurrently, they’ve also expressed their discontent over some of the department’s implemented undertakings.

Recognizing both the exigencies and setbacks, DA recommend the farmers and fisherfolks to submit a letter of intent to be indorsed by their respective municipal agriculturists and mayors, so as to lobby imperatives within an area and forward it to the concerned agency.

In turn, the department can craft priority measures for potential aid to pour in.

And, as for the finetuning in the execution of agri-related activities, DA urged farming and fishing advocates to formally file their grievances so that the department can advance its performance with an established basis to begin with.

In this way, the office can DA/PAGE 9

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region Branch 3 Hall of Justice, Libertad Butuan City IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES OF THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF MINOR CORINA PRINCESS CADAY WITH LCR NO. 2003-8283

SP. PROC. NO. 4350

SPS. RODITHA CADAY XU AND WENZHONG CAI XU. Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF BUTUAN CITY, Respondent.

X- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -/

Comprehensive approach pressed for food security, poverty-reduction A S IA N E C O N O M I E S should realize that food security and poverty-reduction are linked and adopt comprehensive strategies to address both concerns, according to a report launched during a briefing held Friday at the Philippine International Convention Center in conjunction with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 45th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors.

The ADB report, titled: “Food Security and Poverty in Asia and the Pacific: Key Challenges and Policy Issues”, noted that despite rapid economic growth in Asia, food insecurity remains a core issue because of increasing population, rising consumption and urbanization that reduces areas for crop growing.

The study estimated that the world’s population will increase “by more than two

billion” by 2050, with Asia accounting for more than half of that increment.

“As our population increases, we must be able to ensure that we can meet the growing food-related demands...and enable people to have access to basic needs, especially the poor,” Xianbin Yao, ADB’s director general for the Pacific, said during the briefing.

“As a developing region, one key challenge for us is ensuring food security along with our economic growth,” he added, noting that “Asia currently accounts for 60% of the undernourished in the world.”

The report added that Asia’s emerging middle class will change consumption patterns as they shift from cereal grains to more meat, vegetables and fruits, which require more water and other inputs, putting further

strain on resources.

Meeting higher demand for food, in turn, will increase prices further, thus eroding the purchasing power of households and undermining poverty reduction efforts.

“Despite the reduction in poverty rates across Asia in the late 2000s, the pace of poverty reduction was slowed down by food price hikes,” the report noted.

“ADB estimates that an additional 112 million people could have escaped poverty in Asia annually had there been no increase in food prices during the period.”

It stressed that “food security and poverty reduction are inseparable.”

“Although food security alone does not eradicate poverty, any strategy to fight poverty must be integrated with policies to ensure food

security and to offer the best chance of reducing mass poverty and hunger,” the report read.

It said governments crafting food-security and poverty-reduction programs should look at five thrusts, namely: safety nets and social protection programs, agricultural productivity, agricultural research, rural development and human capital investment.

The report said safety nets and social protection programs can offer immediate relief for the poor, especially in times of crisis.

Such programs, aimed at helping poor households cope with food price increases and volatility, should avoid subsidies which can drain budgets and distort markets. Rather, they should take other forms like feeding programs, crop insurance FOOD/PAGE 9

Power...

Chamber of Commerce and Industry, electricity cooperatives, the Mindanao Electric Power Alliance and civil society groups.

“The main goal is to be able to complete set-up of small hydro plants within 10 months to one year,” the statement read.

“Awarding of service contracts for hydro project applications currently takes years to be processed.”

The st atement als o qu ote d Mi n DA B o ard

member Vicente T. Lao, who also heads the Mind an a o E l e c t r i c Powe r Alliance, as saying there should be a “maximum” of six months for approval of applications for power projects.

Other recommendations include upgrading operational hydro plants to increase generating capacity and exploring other energy sources.

The Web site of the National Grid Corporation of

the Philippines showed that Mindanao was estimated on Friday to have a total capacity of 974 megawatts against peak demand of 1,087 MW, yielding a 113 MW power deficit.

The situation still pales in comparison to what transpired during the drought of 2010, when Mindanao suffered deficits of over 500 MW. Hydro plants provide over half of Mindanao’s electricity needs.

Wage Order No. 17.

Effective April 18, minimum wages (including basic salary and first tranche of COLA) in Soccsksargen Region stand at P270 for non agriculture sector, P248 for agriculture plantation sector, P243 for agriculture non-plantation sector, P246

for retail/service establishments employing more than 10 workers and P240 for retail/service establishments with not more than 10 workers.

With the implementation of the second tranche of COLA on December 1, 2012, minimum wages will

be P270 for non-agriculture sector, P252 for agriculture plantation sector, P249 for agriculture non-plantation sector, P250 for retail/service establishments with more than 10 workers and P246 for retail/service establishment with not more than 10 workers.

from page 1

ORDER This is a verified petition filed on March 26, 2012 and raffled to this Court on March 29, 2012.Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby given due course. Set the case for hearing on June 1, 2012 at 8:30 in the morning. Let a copy of this Order be published at petitioner’s expense once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in Butuan City and Agusan del Norte entire Caraga Region. The Local Civil Registrar of Butuan City and any person having or claiming interest under the entries whose correction is sought may, within fifteen (5) days from notice of the petition, or from the last date of publication of such petition, file their opposition thereto.

Let a copy of this Order be posted also at petitioner’s expense, in the bulletin boards of the Hall of Justice, of the Provincial Capitol and of the City Hall of Butuan City and that copy of said Order together with the petition and the annexes thereto, be served upon the Honorable Solicitor General, the Honorable City Prosecutor and the Local Civil Registrar of Butuan City. Serve also a copy of the Order upon the petitioners and their counsel Atty. Yvette H. Samper.

SO ORDERED. Done in Chambers this 10th day of April, 2012 at Butuan City, Philippines.

(SGD.) FRANCISCO F. MACLANG Presiding Judge BWM: Apr 30, May 7 & 14, 2012

INFO CAR ON FSSP. Accountability and transparency is one among the directives of Pres. Aquino’s administration in bringing government services to its stakeholders. Recently, DA-10 supported by its attached bureaus and agencies as well as the province of Misamis Occidental, spearheaded an Info Car on FSSP to impart feasible interventions that can possibly assist farmers and fisherfolks in overcoming trials brought by farming and fishing.

With the event at hand, it would likewise open prospects for the department to further improve its delivery of services to agricultural clienteles.

It will also spearhead the creation of a technical team to look into the viability of the Mindanao Power Summit recommendations, including the OSSPC. MPMC, which will be led by MinDA, will also be composed of representatives from the Energy department, local governments, the Mindanao chapter of the Philippine

Wage... from page 2

employees to sit down for dialogues regarding the implementation of the new wage order.

She also urged workers to report to DOLE, companies who are non-compliant to

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Misor.Today

Former NBA star Luc Longley helps an eager child reaches a goal when he graced the summer basketball clinics initiated by the provincial government of Misamis Oriental under Gov. Oscar Moreno. Longley also distrib-

Troops plant mangroves in MisOr coastal areas PHILIPPINE Army’s 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division together with the Provincial Youth Development Council planted mangrove trees at barangay Amoros, El Salvador City Saturday.

The mangrove planting activity was initiated by the Provincial Government in order to rehabilitate coastal areas of Misamis Oriental and protect the province against natural disaster.

Since the Tropical Storm Sendong, efforts to care and protect our environment have been intensive.

Government organizations and other cause-oriented groups launched variety of environment caring activities such as clean-up drives, tree planting, mangrove planting, and coastal cleanup.

MGen. Victor A. Felix, 4ID Commander, said as partner in environment protection, 4ID will continue joining this kind of activity as soldiers are steward of our country’s territory and the protector of the people and our environment.

If doing simple things like this will prevent the happening of a big disaster let us do more to help our environment to protect us, humans, he said.

Mangroves not only provide protection from natural disaster such as erosion, storm surge and tsunamis it also offer a quite marine region for young organism. It is a host to algae, barnacles, oysters, sponges and bryozoans which are all important in maintaining the ecological balance of the sea.

Food...

income opportunities on par with the urban sector.

Rural economic growth and stable food prices…should be intrinsic components of any food security strategy,” the study said.

F i n a l ly, t h e re p or t stressed the need to invest in health and education, as well as in basic infrastructure.

“Countries that prioritize social development as essential components of poverty reduction -- boosting access to basic schooling, health and nutrition -- not only directly enhance individual welfare, but also achieve higher average incomes over the long term.”

Mr. Yao clarified, however, that strategies may vary according to the circumstances of individual economies, which “must also...make sure that these policies are implemented effectively.”

from page 8

and emergency employment initiatives.

Adopting technologies that enable efficient use of land and reduce wastage are key to improving production. The report particularly noted that cutting wastage due to poor storage or inefficient processing could raise global output by 15-25%.

The report also noted that advances in biotechnology could boost farm production by developing crops that are more resilient to changing climate and less dependent on water. “More research and better technologies are also needed in livestock production and fisheries, as people shift dietary preferences from cereal grains to meat and vegetables,” the report said, adding that other fields of research and development include efficient, sustainable use of dwindling arable land and water resources.

Rural development remains key to food security and poverty-reduction in the long term. The report noted, for instance, that the Green Revolution of the 1970s both increased farmers’ income and reduced food prices.

“A new growth paradigm should focus on support for agriculture, increasing

DA...

from page 8

can impart easier, cost-effective and sustainable means for agricultural progress to be realized.

With the info sortie, DA is optimistic that the province will apply and uphold the knowledge they’ve gained and also, maximize the available resources within their locality to augment their livelihood and income.

(Joanne L. Olson, DA-10)

The

May 7-10, 2012

9

uted relief goods to the victims of typhoon Sendong. The former towering center of the Chicago Bulls was in the province as part of the NBA Cares outreach program.

10

May 7-10, 2012

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

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

Rodriguez said there is a need to clarify why Piston and other transport operators are against the RFID project, which they described as a “moneymaking scheme.”

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

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

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

Congress.Watch

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

According to LTO, RFID tags on PUBs will allow easy identification of colorum units plying Metro Manila’s streets and highways, especially EDSA. There are currently more than 5,000 city buses and at least 8,000 provincial buses plying EDSA and other roads in Metro Manila, not including colorum buses.

The RFID tagging scheme, also known as etagging, according to LTO is a possible replacement for the paint tagging scheme used by the MMDA to monitor the movement of PUBs along EDSA and other major roads in the Metropolis.

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

MINDANAO

House Bill seeks to integrate land administration agencies SEVERAL measures seeking to institute reforms in land administration in the country and eliminate wastages in resources and manpower are now included in the priority bills which will be considered when Congress resumes sessions on May 7.

Rodriguez

BusinessWeek

The consolidated bill had been referred to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and other stakeholders for their respective position papers to help fine tune the delicate provisions of the measure.

“The reform measure seeks to integrate all land administration functions currently dispersed among multiple agencies into a single agency and to enable the lands sector to contribute to economic growth and poverty alleviation,” said Rep. Cesar Jalosjos, Chairman of the House Committee on Government Reorganization.

The authors of the bill are Reps. Juan Edgardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora),

Diosdado Arroyo (1st District, Camarines Sur), Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro), Maximo Rodriguez (Partylist, Abante Mindanao) and Salvador Escudero III (1st District, Sorsogon).

“The Philippines is unusual, compared to its neighboring countries. The government’s land administration functions are currently dispersed across multiple agencies,” Angara said.

“The utilization of our land resources for national and local development is crucial to maximize the benefits derived from utilization, management and ownership of land,” Arroyo

ADB...

ral development, supporting agricultural research, and investing in human capital and basic infrastructure.

“PPP (public-private partnership) in agriculture is crucial to developing countries,” Agence Française de Développement chief economist Pierre Jacquet said in the ADB forum “Seven Billion and growing: How will the World feed itself ?”

He noted that agriculture production has been neglected by the private sector because of the great risks producers. That is why government should provide incentives and subsidies in promoting agriculture development.

Meanwhile, the ADB

from page 1

due to its ballooning population.

The National Statistics Office estimates that the Philippine population, growing at a rate of 1.9 percent, has reached 92.337 million in 2010 and will likely hit the 100-million mark in 2014.

PPP in Agriculture The report projected Southeast Asia’s rice yield to fall by about 50 percent in 2100 relative to 1990 yields.

To secure food for Filipinos, ADB said the country needs to provide food safety nets–enhancing agriculture productivity, promoting ru-

said.

The five bills have been the basis for the Committees on Government Reorganization, Natural Resources and Justice in coming up with a substitute measure, which has been referred to the Committee on Appropriations chaired by Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya (1st District, Cavite) relative to its funding provisions.

Key provisions include that the Land Administration Authority (LAA) be attached to the Office of the President and shall be the primary government agency responsible for land administration and public land management, Rodriguez said.

Escudero said the proposed reform statute also vests adjudicatory powers on the Land Adjudication Board over all land administration and public land management cases.

Escudero said the powers

and functions of the LAA vested by law in the DENR, DOJ, the Land Registration Authority, Register of Deeds, the Land Management Bureau, Land Management Service, the DENR and CARP National Secretariat or any office within or attached to these agencies are transferred to the Office of the Director General.

Under the bill, the LAA shall formulate land administration and management policies in accordance with existing national laws. It shall also conduct, integrate and regulate the functions of geodetic and geophysical surveys, land classification surveys, mapping, aerial photography, remote sensing, mangement of resource information needed by both public and private sectors, and research development in accordance with existing laws and internationally accepted norms, procedures and standards.

report pointed out that climate change is the biggest threat that food security faces. It urged economies to embrace “green” or environmentally sustainable growth.

Hunger alleviation fund “While trade policies and resource management issues, in principle, can be solved quickly… problems caused by climate change are much more difficult to resolve in the short-term and will require long-term and internationally coordinated solutions,” the report noted.

“Without a shift from fossil-fuel-based economic growth, the global mean temperature is projected to

increase by nearly 5 degrees Centigrade toward the end of the century,” it added.

For food security in Asia Pacific, the report recommended to set up a “hunger alleviation fund,” with each country safeguarding 1 percent of its gross domestic product for the initiative.

The fund will be used when food prices grow beyond the reach of the poor. “ The funds could be jointly managed with the private sector, with companies encouraged to contribute using incentives such as tax breaks.” “ Ta r g e t e d s u b s i d i e s would deliver help to those who need it most,” the report added.

Veggie...

Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) administered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Copies of it will also be distributed the local nutrition workers as an IEC material to aid more families on ways of improving their meals.

from page 11

of preparing vegetables.

It will be compiled along with all winning regional entries into a recipe book that will be printed for distribution to the beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid

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May 7-10, 2012

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Oro dads, DOE tackle oil price

By ELAINE O. RATUNIL, Contributor

THE City Council discussed with a representative of the Department of Energy (DOE) and a gasoline company the issues pertaining to gasoline prices, during its regular session last May 3.

Presided over by Councilor Ramon G. Tabor, the legislative body invited the management of different oil companies and the DOE to shed light on the discrepancy of oil prices in the city compared with other cities and provinces of Mindanao.

Only one gasoline dealer was able to attend the regular session, Joel Orsillada of SEAOIL. Councilor President D. Elipe, chair of the committee on energy, said the dealers were invited by his committee regarding the different prices among gasoline dealers but the invitation was reportedly ignored that is why the matter was brought to the body.

C ouncilor Edgar S. Cabanlas said the price in Tagum City and other cities and provinces in Mindanao is lower than Cagayan de Oro by almost P3.60.

Orsillada informed the legislative body that one of

the reasons for higher prices is the freight and handling expenses that could add to the price of the petroleum products and the price war in the area. Another factor considered is the locality where the establishment is located. It was observed that price is lower in Canitoan than in the city proper.

According to DOE’s Delia U. Sy, the DOE cannot dictate the price of oil as it depends upon the small players. The department’s duty is to monitor, she said.

The oil industry is governed by Republic Act. 8479, which provides that it shall be the policy of the state to liberalize and deregulate the downstream oil industry in order to ensure a truly competitive market under a regime of fair prices, adequate and continuous supply of environmentally-clean and high quality petroleum products.

GETTING READY. Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano confers with Padayon Pilipino partymates Misamis Oriental 1st District Rep. Peter M. Unabia, Sugbongcogon Mayor Jerry Lagbas and Lagonglong Mayor Joebert Pamisa in a meeting to prepare for the coming elections. The group has endorsed current Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. Yevgeny “Bambi’ Emano as the party’s candidate for the governorship of Misamis Oriental. They, however, will still consult with the mayors of the first district of the province as to who will be their candidate for the vice governorship.

PHOTO BY GERRY L . GORIT

Oro wins original veggie recipe tilt

By JORIE C. VALCORZA Contributor

THE Kagay-anon Veggie Roll entry bagged the top prize in yesterday’s Regional Recipe Development Contest, initiated by the National Nutrition Council.

The regional cook fest was initiated as a prelude to the Nutrition Month Celebration coming July.

There were 18 entries submitted and only six qualified entries made it to the final cook off yesterday at

Hotel Conchita.

Camiguin province had its Pinoy Embutido recipe; Malaybalay City with the Ginisang Labong na may Gulay; Vegetable medley for Valencia, Bukidnon; Kare-kareng gulay for the Maramag entry; and a vegetarian dumpling recipe from the Culinary Institute of Cagayan de Oro. All entries used vegetables as its main ingredient, with no more than five ingredients, excluding seasoning and condiments.

At the end of the cook off, Jose M. Gipulao and Chairmaine Joy A. Prieto’s veggie roll recipe from Barangay Canitoan won the tilt.

Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Zenaida T. Tondares explained that the activity aims on developing delicious, nutritious, low cost, and easy to prepare menu.

It showcased every region’s traditional recipes and other innovative ways VEGGIE/PAGE 10

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WE ARE MOVING Chowking

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