BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO OCT. 22,2012

BusinessWeek

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www.businessweekmindanao.com Issue No. 118, Volume III • Oct. 22-25, 2012

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

P15.00

Market Indicators AS OF 5:55 PM OCT. 19, 2012

7 cents

;

PHISIX 5,432.36

3.58 points

;

FOREX US$1 = P41.39

Briefly EU aid for M’nao

THE European Union is providing P312 million to boost the livelihood recovery of some 50,000 families or 300,000 persons displaced by past conflicts in Central Mindanao.

In a statement, Thelma Gecolea, EU Delegation to the Philippines, said that the grant is under the project dubbed “Enhancing the Resilience of Internally Displaced Persons in Central Mindanao by Strengthening Livelihoods.”

“This is a concrete and strong reaffirmation of the EU’s commitment to support the peace process in Mindanao,” Gecolea said.

Treasury bond

THE government, through the Bureau of Treasury (Btr), is issuing for the first time a 25-year retail treasury bond (RTB) to help investors in their search for investment instruments for long-term savings.

It will be offered to the public from October 9 to 22 for as low as P5,000 and with additional amounts in multiples of P5,000.

The current offering, having a maturity of 25 years, will be issued on October 24, 2012 with quarterly interest payments at a rate of 6.125 percent per annum.

ConsumerNet dialogue BUTUAN City -- Members of the Caraga Consumer Network (ConsumerNet) and consumer organizations in Agusan del Norte will be participating in the dialogue and workshop with cellphone sellers, as well as in the 7th ConsumerNet Meets the Public on October 31.

The said dialogue and workshop will be conducted in the morning session while the ConsumerNet Meets the Public will be in the afternoon session. Both will be held at the Barangay Imadejas Function Hall, this city.

The whole-day activity is the culmination of the month-long celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month with the theme “Get organized. Be Heard. Be Empowered.”

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO Correspondent

D

AVAO City -- The Mindanao power situation has turned alarming as curtailment on Thursday last week went up to 410 megawatts (MW), or roughly a third of the island’s 1,250 MW average demand during weekdays.

Based on information from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the reduction in Mindanao’s power supply resulted from the shutting down of the Misamis Oriental-based STEAG State Power, Inc.’s two coal-fired power plants that were earlier scheduled for preventive maintenance.

Milfrance Q. Capulong, spokesperson of the grid operator for its southern Mindanao field office, said a number of areas on the island were experiencing an average of two hours in rotational brownouts. Ms. Capulong said due to the curtailment, the grid operator had to apportion the power output supplied STEAG/PAGE 9

As peace looms: Big business mulls over its options AS THE peace accord opens the entire Mindanao for business, traders are of two minds as to how they should respond, with some wanting to hit the ground running and others opting for a more PEACE/PAGE 9

LARGEST VESSEL IN MISOR. The world’s largest cargo vessel, Vale Minas Gerais, docked at the port of steel firm Philippine Sinter Corp. in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. The huge ship, bigger than 3 football fields laid from front to tail, delivers 400,000 metric tons of iron-ore to the sintering plant of Japan’s JFE Steel.

World’s largest iron-ore ship calls port at Misor’s steel plant

By NELSON V. CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental -- The Vale Minas Gerais, the world’s largest iron-ore carrier, recently made its maiden voy-

age to the Philippines carrying iron-ore for the Japanese firm Philippines Sinter Corp. (PSC) in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

The Rio de Janeiro-based Vale, the world’s No. 2 mining company, said the Singapore-

flagged Vale Minas Gerais has the capacity to transport up to 400,000 metric tons of iron ore and capable of reducing carbon emissions by 35% per ton of ore transported.

SHIP/PAGE 9

Brownouts due to chronic power shortage

By MIKE BAÑOS, Correspondent

Primavera Residences was the only developer of over 30 booths exhibiting their products and services during the 11th National Cooperative Summit held October 11-13, 2012 at the Limketkai Center Atrium. Ms. Primavera/Ms. Kagay-an 2012 Greanne Trisha Mendoza helped host the Primavera booth with the Primavera Residences marketing and office staff. Four thousand cooperative officers, delegates and advocates all over the country are attending the Summit hosted by FICCO, PFCCO, CLIMBS, MASS- SPECC, & NATCCO.

Energy officials may differ in their opinions regarding the rotating brownouts now being exprienced in some areas of Mindanao but all agree it is a result of the chronic power shortage in the island.

Media reports quoted Dept of Energy Undersecretary Josefina Asirit as saying outtages could last only two hours or less in certain areas during peak hours despite the shutdown

of the Mindanao Coal plant in Misamis Oriental.

The report quoted Ms Asirit as saying DOE would maximize the output of Mindanao’s Agus and Pulangui hydropower complexes and limit the load distribution utilities would be able to withdraw from the grid. In addition, DOE would ask private firms and distribution utilities to use their own embedded generators to supplement supply within their respective areas.

An officer of the Min-

danao Coal power plant clarified numerous media reports attributing their month long shutdown as the sole cause of the recent spate of brownouts in Mindanao.

“Mindanao has a chronic power shortage resulting in power outages being experienced for several years now in many areas,” said Jerome R. Soldevilla, communications officer of STEAG State Power Inc., the island’s only coal-fired power plant. “Our prevenBROWNOUTS/PAGE 9

BusinessWeek Economy 2 Soccsksargen launches jewelry development project October 22-25, 2012

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By SHAHANA JOY E. DUERME, Contributor

KORONADAL City -- Government agencies, local governments, and the mining sector in Soccsksargen Region yesterday launched a project that will expand the benefits of mining industry to communities where mines are located.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 12 led the launching of the jewelry development project in Region 12 at Barangay Edwards, T’Boli, South Cotabato.

Other partners are the Department of Trade and Industry, Tribal Mining Corporation (TMC), National Economic and Development Authority, local government unit of Tboli, the provin-

cial government of South Cotabato, the barangays of Poblacion, Kematu, Edwards, and Desawo of the said town, and the Philippine Information Agency.

Newly organized Soccsksargen Responsible Miners Association is also involved in the project.

Highlight of the launching program was the turnover ceremony of jewelrymaking equipment to at least 20 individuals who will be trained on the manufacture

of industry-grade earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and others.

The equipment which costs P378,000 was allocated under the Social Development Management Fund of the TMC and will be used for training of the local jewelry makers.

MGB-12 Regional Director Constancio Paje Jr. said the project aims to downstream the benefits of mining industry to the communities by adding value to the gold and silver extracted from their area.

“Maybe, time will come when South Cotabato and Region 12 will be known for its T’boli gold, like Chinese gold,” he said.

Dr. Elmer Billedo, assis-

tant director of the MGBCentral Office, lauded the residents of the place for the undertaking.

“You have shown to the Filipino people that nothing is impossible when everyone works together towards a progressive nation,” Billedo said.

The official also stated that this project will give the people a noble work which they can be proud of.

“The regional and national offices of MGB will support the development of the jewelry project for it to flourish tagging T’Boli as the ‘jewelry-making capital of the Philippines,’” he added.

The project also promotes tourism, besides generating additional income

for families in the mining area and their communities as well as the entire Soccsksargen.

Also present in the event were DTI Provincial Office Director Flora Gabunales and South Cotabato Governor Arthur Pingoy Jr. Pingoy assured full support to further boost the jewelry industry.

Paje said the support of everyone is needed in this quest since there is a high chance that the community will be developed through this kind of enterprise.

TMC, which has permit for the exploration of the mining sites in T’boli, said the area has approximately 2.4 million tons of gold and silver deposits.

DOE holds consultations on Mindanao Electricity Market

By RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Contributor

0917-7154399 088-856-8562/63

AMENITIES : ZORBIT * ATV * TREE TOP ADVENTURE BUGGY * BUNGEE * PICNIC GROUNDS PLAYGROUND * CAFE * LUGE * MINI GOLF ROOM ACCOMODATIONS

OROQUIETA City -- The Department of Energ y (DOE) will hold a series of public consultations on the proposed Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM).

The first leg of these consultations will be held today, Oct. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at N Hotel, Kauswagan Highway in Cagayan de Oro City.

Held together with the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC), the consultations are con-

ducted as part of DOE’s continuing effort to improve the current power supply situation in Mindanao.

The consultations aim to inform the public in more details the power supply challenges being faced by the island, Josefina Patricia M. Asirit, chief of staff/ undersecretary of DOE, said.

It will also enlighten the public of the proposed policies and actions of the DOE, its attached agencies and PEMC to address the situation in Mindanao including the establishment

and operationalization of the IMEM. “It is envisioned that with the IMEM, we will be able to attract more power investments in Mindanao, Asirit said.

For more information, you may contact Jhoana R. Bautista and Genevieve M. Tolentino of the Electric Power Industry and Management Bureau (EPIMB) through telephone numbers (02) 840-3273/479-2900 local 202 and/or email address: jho31ana@yahoo.com or genevieve_dawn332@ yahoo.com.

Builders urged to veer away from substandard materials DAVAO City -- Builders and contractors have important roles to play in ensuring the safety of the public so they should be critical when choosing the products they use.

“The use of substandard and uncertified construction products can affect your reputation so make sure you only choose those that have

been certified in terms of quality and safety,” Philippine Product Safety and Quality Foundation Inc. (PPSQF) representative Alex Yanson said on Thursday during the Consumer Fair 2012 Opening Program held at the NCCC Mall in Davao City.

PPSQF is appealing to builders and contractors to think of the safety of

the people all the time in the construction of their projects, he said.

More than ten companies have joined the fair and have made samples of their products available for the consumers to see.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who was the guest speaker during the event, called on the manufacturers to promote the welfare and interest of the consumers.

She also advised Dabawenyos to be aware of their rights as consumers.

“Consumer awareness is crucial as we strive to move forward,” Duterte-Carpio said.

She also urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to “create polices and an economic environment that will encourage Dabawenyos to grow their business and improve their capabilities.”

She said consumers should know their rights and that includes the right to complain if they get products with substandard quality.

Dabawenyos should also immediately file their complaints with DTI so that the manufacturers and sellers are apprised of the state of their products, she said.

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Motoring

October 22-25, 2012

3

It all began with the Starex RANKING NUMBER three, no one poohpoohs Hyundai nowadays. The Equus luxury car is as legit as they come. The Veloster is fresh thinking as the MINI was in 1959. The Genesis Coupe is not something to take for granted on the circuit or drift track. The Sonata is one of the splashiest cars one can buy in the usually sober executive class.

The pricey new Santa Fe can go toe to toe with any of the Euro majors. With the Eon, i10, Accent, Elantra and Tucson, the segment battles are wide open and no longer a giveaway to the traditional favorites.

Hyundai was not an unknown entity here before Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. opened its doors. Remember the LPG Excel taxi and Pony hatchback, the latter ripe for conversion to aftermarket push button clutch shifting? Or the Cortina-based Maserati Quattroporte looking Stellar? Believe it or not, all three Hyundai models were penned by the Italian designer, Giorgetto Guigiaro.

The H-100 van was notable for its diesel injectors getting indigestion from our dirty diesel. The V-6 Galloper, a first-gen Pajero lookalike, had its fans, specially those who did not like the look of the succeeding Pajero generations. There was the rakish Terracan, built on the same Galloper platform as most of Hyundai engines and chassis were “donated”

by Mitsubishi.

Then Hyundai struck it out on its own with the first Santa Fe and the Elantra.

Known in European rallies, the Elantra was locally campaigned for motorsports by the MP turbo privateer, Mike Potenciano. There was also the Sonata exec car, a dead ringer for Jaguar meets Toyota Cressida.

Hyundais were imported by enterprising Korean emigres in the pre-’90s and ’90s.

Francisco Motors positioned to be the official assembler of Hyundai, burnishing its CV by having made the Anfra, popularized the Mazda B2200 and reintroduced the FIAT brand with the Uno. But if there was any model that made Hyundai a household word, it was the Starex.

Another model shared from Mitsubishi’s L400 Space Gear, the Starex was a quantum leap from the locally assembled default family van of the ’80s, the Mitsubishi L300. Instead of stiff cart springs in the back, the standard passenger model Starex had a five link

Suzuki: Shifting gears for drag racing FILIPINOS went for the Starex in droves when the grey market began offering the family van.

on coil springs rear axle.

Variants came in regular roof or hi-roof, nine seats or stretched wheelbase 11 seats, 4x4, heavy duty rear suspension, automatic transmission, intercooler turbo diesel engine or V-6 gas, power everything, rotating bench middle row, TV and VCD. Unlike its cab-over van competition where the driver sits atop of the engine and front axle, the Starex’s engine was placed in front of the driver. This layout gives a better ride, more safety crush zones and payload balance. De luxe family van versions, topped with a roof/utility rack with a bright metal ladder, came with colorful graphics adorning its flanks, breaking-up its tall silhouette.

The ’90s produced the gasoline powered Toyota Lite Ace and Nissan Vanette as competition but the diesel L300’s lead was unperturbed.

High tariffs slapped on CBUs then prevented Mitsubishi from introducing the L400 at a competitive price. On the other hand the Starex, as a grey market import, came out as priced “competitively”.

Today’s Starex faces tougher competition than what its predecessor faced in the ’90s. The UMC Urvan is dirt cheap, while Toyota’s Hi-Ace has regained its dominance. Hi-Ace commuters are popular even for UV Express GT shuttles, a market Starex nor the H-100 could not penetrate. The STAREX/PAGE 9

THROUGH the Raider Breed Wars, Suzuki provides the safer and legal venue as well as the proper protective gears to drag racers.

In its effort to standardize drag racing and make it world-class, Suzuki launched the Raider Breed Wars (RBW) in 2010, a drag racing event that provides the proper venue and standards to the drag racing enthusiasts.

Raider Breed Wars is a National Drag Racing Competition authorized by the National Motorcycle Safety and Sports Association (NAMSSA). Its objective is to provide the proper and legal racing venue where all participants are required to follow strict playing rules and to wear the proper protective gears that pass the government’s safety standards (ECE, DOT, SNELL, ICC, etc.). The event is free for all and the top finishers for each category qualify for the Raider Breed Wars

Final.

On its first year, the event received wide acceptance as Suzuki established a regulating body for the “revived” sport. On its second year, Raider Breed Wars added two additional legs in North Luzon and in Mindanao; and the event got a new partner with the participation of Phoenix Cyclomax.

Now, on its third year, the Raider Breed Wars has taken another form as the National Drag Racing Championship 2012. The Luzon races are under Turbo Racing; while the Visayas and Mindanao races are under Suzuki Race Wars, which is organized by the 5th Gear Motorsports.

Both races have three exclusive Suzuki categories: the Raider 150, the Underbone 115, and the Scooter 130. So far for this year, Suzuki has mounted 5 Turbo Racing events and 4 Suzuki Race Wars nationwide with total accumulated audience of SUZUKI/PAGE 9

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October 22-25, 2012

Agri News

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PHL lags behind other countries in agricultural growth, says IBON NO amount of modernization or capital infusion countries, the Philippines 6.1 billion, with rice and in agriculture driven by foreign investment can ranked 4th in rice, coconut, milk among its top imports. help the country attain food self-sufficiency. sugarcane, and 5th in corn, Meanwhile, Philippine agThis was stressed by the private think-tank IBON Foundation as it reiterated the need for the free distribution of lands to landless farmers to boost agricultural production.

According to IBON, the problematic implementation of land reform hinders the country from attaining food self-sufficiency.

As the country commemorates World Food Day and Peasant Month, IBON said free-land distribution to farmers is one of the fundamental requirements towards realizing food security.

The group said that while the Philippine government

aims to attain rice selfsufficiency by 2013, the country is lagging behind its Asian neighbours in terms of agricultural growth.

IBON said that a study commissioned by the government revealed that Philippine agriculture is 20 years behind other Asian countries. “ The countr y’s land productivity in terms of yield of traditional crops has declined, even as the labor productivity of farmers and agricultural workers has increased annually,” a statement released by IBON said.

Comparing land productivity with ASEAN member

IBON said.

Meanwhile, World Bank data also showed that Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth in agriculture— or the ratio of machinery investment in productivity—has stagnated in the Philippines at 0.2 percent per year over the past two decades, compared to 1 percent per year in Thailand, 1.5 percent per year in Indonesia, and 4.7 percent in China.

Moreover, the Philippines is also the only net importing country in agriculture among ASEAN members with a trade deficit of $2.4 billion in 2009. The country’s total agricultural imports amounted to US$

ricultural exports in 2009 amounted to only US$3.2 billion, which was small compared to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, which had over US$20 billion each. According to IBON, the Philippines has become the world’s largest importer of rice, which is ironic because the country is among the world’s major rice producers.

Yet, IBON lamented that despite the food insecurity and overdependence on rice imports, the government is implementing the food staples self-sufficiency roadmap 2011-2016 which aims to achieved rice selfsufficiency by 2013.

However the roadmap,

like previous agricultural modernization programs, espouses global competitiveness of local agriculture – it prioritizes production of exports instead of domestic food.

The program, IBON added, has also largely been criticized for its bias for private foreign agribusiness,

from which funding for the program would come.

“No amount of modernization or capital infusion in agriculture driven by foreign investment can help the country attain food self-sufficiency [if ] it is done in the same context of landlessness, the research group said.

South Cotabato prepares for expected dry spell

DA-10 Regional Rice Program Coordinator Juliet B. Araos stresses that the projects under the Agri-Pinoy Rice Program is an investment of the government to the farmers, who are the main actors in the development of the agricultural sector as well as in the achievement of rice self-sufficiency after the year 2013.

DA-10 presents status of investments on rice WITH the promotion of agribusiness investment as one of its marching orders, the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) recently led the conduct of an investment forum for the country’s staple food – rice at De Luxe Hotel, in Cagayan de Oro. In her report on the updates and status of the rice industry within Northern Mindanao, DA-10 Regional Rice Program Coordinator Juliet B. Araos informed

that region 10 has been allocated with funds, amounting to P 245 million for the year 2013. This budget, she added, is much higher compared to the current year’s budget, reaching only P 135 million.

As the agency has been given the directive for the attainment of rice self-sufficiency after the year 2013, RRPC Araos explained that the DA-10 through the AgriPinoy Rice Program has pipelined projects for the 2012-2013 period, under which interventions are

geared towards reaching the said target.

Majority of the projects under the Program, she detailed, has been apportioned to irrigation support with a P 65-million budget, covering small scale impounding project construction and rehabilitation, small farm reservoir construction, shallow tube well rehabilitation, earth embankment service and the Integrated Rice Production Enhancement Project (IRPEP).

Bulk of the Program’s resources has also gone to

assistance in terms of farm mechanization and other infrastructure and postharvest facilities. Other slated projects include production support, market development, extension and training services, research and development, regulatory services and planning, policy and advocacy program.

With the numerous supRICE/PAGE 9

KORONA DA L - - T h e provincial government’s Agriculture office and the National Irrigation Administration have begun preparing for the possible onset within the next two months of El Niño, which is expected to result in a prolonged dry spell, an official said yesterday.

Reynaldo T. Legaste, the province’s Agriculture chief, said in a recent interview that his office has been firming up plans to revise the planting calendar so rice and corn farmers can adapt to climate change.

This adjustments will be done in consultation with experts and farm groups.

The last time Mindanao and the rest of the country reeled from a prolonged dry spell was in late-2009 to mid-2010.

It’s impact, however, was more felt in terms of electricity supply as the drying up of dams that powered hydro plants resulted in

outages that lasted as long as 12 hours in many areas on the island. Mindanao’s power shortage then approached 600 megawatts -- or nearly half of the entire island’s capacity.

This time, another bout with a dry spell could especially affect South Cotabato’s upper valley where six towns rely on the Allah River Irrigation System.

That area spans about 70 square kilometers covering uplands of Lake Sebu and T’boli towns.

“When rains stop, farmers are likely to experience failure in production; thus, we are to assist in their planting strategies,” Mr. Legaste said.

“We will work hand in hand with the National Irrigation Administration,” he added.

Ramon A. Bugacia, the National Irrigation Administration’s chief in South Cotabato, said in a local SPELL/PAGE 9

Vegetable gardening pushed in Lanao del Norte A five-day training on the basics of vegetable gardening, nature farming, composting, seed banking, seed storage and seed production technologies was attended by 223 elementary and high school teachers in the province of Lanao del Norte.

This was made possible through the collaborative effort of the Department of Agriculture - 10 (DA-10) through its Crops Division and the Department of Education-10 (DepEd-10) for the continuous implementation of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Project (GSPP).

The project is the government agencies concerted initiative towards hunger mitigation and poverty alleviation through food security and sufficiency.

The training is the GSPP’s

capability enhancement component to serve as aid for teachers in promoting self-help food production to the younger generation and in encouraging them to appreciate agriculture.

“We do not only promote vegetable production, but vegetable consumption as well,” said Ms. Glenn A. Janubas, Regional Reports Officer for the GSPP as she stressed the importance of school gardens to sustain supplementary feeding in schools as a means to decrease drop out and malnutrition rates among students.

Engr. Rodolfo Aranzado, Provincial High Value Commercial Crops Coordinator also emphasized the benefits of vegetable gardening. “Vegetable gardening

through nature farming gives us an assurance that food is always available. It also addresses food security, provides additional income, insures a clean and safe environment, and helps us fight malnutrition and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” Engr. Aranzado added.

Participants also received garden tools and 90 pouches of open pollinated variety (OPV) of assorted vegetable seeds, as part of DA’s assistance in the establishment of vegetable gardens among beneficiary schools. With the assistance provided, the beneficiary schools are expected to produce at least 100 kilograms of vegetables per harvest season with in the required area of 200 square meters. # (VANESSA MAE S. SIANO, DA-RAFID 10)

Engr. Rodolfo Aranzado, Provincial High Value Commercial Crops Coordinator of Lanao del Norte (top left) imparts the nutritional value of vegetables and its benefits in growing them through natural farming. Ms. Glenn A. Janubas (top right), Regional Reports Officer for the Gulayan sa Paaralan Project of DA-10, encourages the participants to promote vegetable consumption among their students.

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October 22-25, 2012

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Opinion

October 22-25, 2012

BusinessWeek Your local online business paper

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An Infection by Accident?

JUST recently, something caught my attention: an outbreak of meningitis in certain states in the US of A. Cause was traced to contaminated steroid shots, which were given to patients complaining of back , ankle or shoulder pains. The medication itself is correct: for I used to have been afflicted with Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (I couldn’t move my shoulders as I used to do, and the pain itself associated with even the absence of movement was such, that a shot of steroids to the area, usually gives temporary relief ). The news on the outbreak has pinpointed to the cause as non adherence to the standards set in the handling and preparation as well as most probably even the transport of the medicines. Patients on admission and even those that were advised to go through work up, had Fungi in their findings.

Meningitis , is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain tissue and the spinal cord. The infection may start from somewhere else (oropharynx, sinuses, lungs, to name a few) or the organism may primarily hit the brain. The swelling in and around the area can trigger the signs and symptoms that are seen in cases of meningitis: headache, fever and the presence of stiff neck.

Additional manifestations may include any of these: nausea and vomiting, difficulty concentrating, walking. Seizures may also be reported. If the cause of

the meningitis is viral or in instances of meningococcemia (the causative organism is Neisseria meningitides), skin rashes may be noticeable. When it is viral, the disease resolves within 2 weeks, and is mild in presentation. Bacterial causes of meningitis has a more prolonged and severe presentation. The third causative organism, Fungi, as seen in the outbreak the past weeks in the States, is non - contagious, and the symptoms may take weeks to months, even. Aspergillus, Cryptococcus (which is closely associated with HIV AIDS ), are the more common culprits . In this particular outbreak though, Exserohilum (isolated from the recovered vials), was the isolated causative organism.

Exserohilum is commonly found in wood rots.

When patients present clinically as Meningitis (regardless of organism) , a compete medical history and physical examination is a MUST. Of the diagnostic tests that are performed, which includes blood tests, DIAO/PAGE 7

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Going through hot water THINK a minute…

“A tea bag isn’t worth much until it’s been through some hot water.” There’s a saying in boxing: “Everybody’s got a plan—until they’ve been hit!” Sooner or later, life is going to hit and knock you down. Whether you get back up or not is your choice. Almost all people’s successes are built on their former failures. A very successful man was asked if he had ever failed.

He answered: “Only in life.”

The fact is, even after we’ve been knocked down we can still use our past mistakes and failures to build a bridge to our success.

You know that you’re the only one who can kill your dream by quitting.

Remember that just falling in the water is not what drowns you; it’s staying down there that does. Just like kites fly high because the wind pushes against them, so problems that oppose you can actually help you succeed, if you choose to believe and use them that way.

There was a man who was the only survivor from a shipwreck. He drifted to an uninhabited island where he built a hut for his shelter. One evening after he returned from search-

ing for food, he found his little hut on fire. Early the next morning he awoke to find a ship that had come in during the night. When the captain came on shore he told the man: “We saw your smoke signal so we came to rescue you.” Everything this man owned and valued in his hut had to be destroyed before he could be saved.

Sometimes our Maker even uses our pain to get our attention, so we can learn our most important lessons for living well and wisely. So why not ask Jesus Christ to take charge and lead you through the hot

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

water you’re in now? He’s the only one who can help you change your pain and problems into peace and prosperity for you and your family. The choice is yours.

Just think a minute…

Splendors of Camiguin Island CELEBRATING the Lanzones Festival in the nearby island province of Camiguin some 50 nautical miles from Cagayan de Oro this October 25 to 28, exudes a memorable vacation for tourists and locals in search of “something-to-do” this October. Certainly, the weather will be calm at the port of Balingoan, the eastern jump off point to Benoni Port in the island which could be filled to the rafter as visitors trek to the celebration of the fruits in abundance.

Many weekend travelers of returning students and local traders will be queuing their turns at the ticket counter. Camiguin is served four times a day

by RORO ferries crossing the Balingoan channel from the Misamis Oriental mainland. While some passengers coming from Cagayan de Oro prefers to take the 8:00 o’clock morning trip of the Ocean Jet from the Macabalan Port to the island. It is faster and

more convenient but must be taken with sheer of luck for the air-conditioning unit of the craft to run perfect. Some passenger’s recently raise complaints and disappointment when only pure air came out from the blower at the passengers’ cabin to the discomfort of young children travelling with parents.

A good tourism attraction should have a huge drawing power back up by good infrastructures and reliable sea worthy transportation. It adds more catalyst and motivator for any local and foreign tourist travelling to a destination.

Camiguin need not have the 8th wonder of the world tag or a flare of the fabulous skylines of a modern city. Some service providers granted franchise of public conveyance to the island needs a little human effort to take care of infrastructures and understand their obligation to the public.

In the Philippines, we can add belief and religion

as our important treat that continuously makes us passionate and distinct from the other races of the world.

When travelling, we can ask the Saints in heaven to clear the sky and calm down the seas. Old folks are welcomed to pray to keep the rain away.

Many familiar and good attractions to Camiguin are the White Sand islands of Yumbing and Mantigue which has their own environmental values. The sandbars serve as strategic importance in protecting the coastal sea shores from huge waves and strong flow of current during the monsoon months. Mantigue serves as good picnic grounds during summer and a protected fish habitat. Without this sandbar islands, Camiguin could be susceptible to strong waves from the open sea.

Another is the Sunken Cemetery which reminds us of the volcanic catastrophe in the 17th century that killed many of the island’s population. The underwater relics

TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY

PED T. QUIAMJOT are sacrificed made by the generations who perished in the violent volcanic eruptions.

Camiguin Island has mountain thrills and hot springs that can be freely visited. Flowing water falls are natural wonders providing hot steams for bathing.

At the foot of the famous Mt. Hibok-hibok, stone boulders and dried lava blended with second growth vegetation that must not be removed or the volcano maidens will spew fire and anger. Two QUIAMJOTPAGE 9

Cyber scams QUESTION: What is the worst kind of fishing? Answer: Cyber phishing.

I recently became a recipient of this bad joke when a very suspicious-looking e-mail popped in my inbox.

The sender and the s ender’s address were dubious enough: “From: Alert: #RCBC029 rcbc@ oc-rcbc00i2.com.” The subject: “RCBC: [Attention Required] ACCOUNT SUSPENSION NOTICE.” But the biggest red flag of all was the content of the e-mail: “Dear RCBC Customer, we have activated the NEW ( RCBC (11010) Security ). Due to increased security problem, we have increased the level of our online security. Your Account was disabled for verification. You are required to re-activate your RCBC Account now to avoid suspension. Activate now>>>>>>>http:www. rcbc-)c-accessone.com/ RCBC))/rcbc.htm>>>>>>>.

Thank you, RCBC.” The e-mail’s poor gram-

mar is enough to raise eyebrows, but how do we guard ourselves (and our bank accounts) from cyber phishers?

The Information Technology Sub-Sector (ITSS) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas defines e-mail spam as “unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE) or unsolicited bulk e-mail (UBE).”

E-mail spam is sometimes referred to as “junk mail,” normally containing advertisements for services and products.

According to the ITSS, the most common types of spam e-mails include the following: • Scams/Hoaxes o Phishing scam/personal information scam—a very popular and dangerous form of e-mail fraud that scammers use to commit identity theft o Nigerian bank scams or advance fee fraud schemes o Pyramid schemes, including multi-level marketing o Sweepstakes, lottery,

and prize scams o Other “Get Rich Quick” or “Make Money Fast” schemes • Ads o Quack health products and remedies o Software collecting e-mail addresses o Illegally pirated software • Chain Letters o Software collecting e-mail addresses and sending unsolicited commercial e-mail o Offers of bulk e-mailing services for sending unsolicited commercial e-mail So what are the signs that an e-mail is possibly “spam”? The ITSS answers: • You do not know the sender; • It involves something that is confidential or personal in nature (such as your PIN and password); • It involves money; and • It requires you to click on some form of link, hyperlink, URL or button.

Should you receive an e-mail spam, these are the

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE things that you should do, according to the ITSS: • Be cautious. If you suspect that you have received a spam message, do not reply.

• Just ignore and delete the message.

• Do not follow any instructions such as replying to the sender, disclosing personal information or passwords, or clicking on a URL link.

Lastly, always remember this advice from Alan Henry of popular tech blog Lifehacker.com: “The most beneficial skill you can learn BUNYE/PAGE 9

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Companies

October 22-25, 2012

7

PAL to fly non-stop to Toronto starting Nov. 30 STARTING November 30, 2012, Philippine Airlines flies non-stop to Toronto giving the flag carrier a direct link to Canada’s largest city and its first gateway on the vital East Coast of North America in 15 years.

PAL President Ramon Ang said the launch of the new 17-hour route, which will be served by the new Boeing 777-300ER, was timed for the peak Christmas travel season.

“We are always keen on developing new markets and Toronto, with its diverse population, booming economy and status as one of the world’s top financial centers, presents us a major opportunity to do so,” Ang THE volume of electronic ule just to fall in line.” said, adding it was also in wallet service transaction Aside from making bills response to the clamor of the of Smart Money is on the payment more convenient, rise as more Filipinos pre- Smart Money users can also fer to pay their bills using conduct cashless shopping electronic wallets connected online and in more than 32 to their mobile phones. million MasterCard merIn a statement, Smart chants worldwide, receive Communications Inc. said remittances from more than Smart Money recorded a 95,000 partner-agents all doubling of bills payment over the world, reload their transactions in the first half Smart prepaid account, link THE Alcantara Group is set of the year, following the their Smart Money account to take over the Iligan dieinclusion of Sun Cellular to their accounts in major sel-fired power plant from as one of Smart Money’s banks, and transfer funds Iligan City after the Combiller-partners, said finan- electronically to other Smart mission on Audit cleared cial services head Tricia Money users. Smart Money the sale of the facility, the Department of Energy said Dizon. has 10 million users.

“We expect to sustain Among the services on on Friday.

Undersecretary Josefina the upward trend as we add offer, person-to-person another company to our list money transfers were the Patricia M. Asirit said COA of biller-partners—Cignal most popular in the first has approved the transfer Digital TV,” Dizon said. half of the year, with usage of the 100-megawatt power “Now, Cignal subscrib- levels increasing by 115 plant to Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. subject ers can settle their bills percent year-on-year. the convenient and secure Smart Money users can to certain conditions.

“Okay na, sold. Pero may way—by using the Smart also use the bills payment Money menu on their mo- service for hassle-free trans- requirement lang ang COA. bile phone. They can pay actions with Smart Postpaid, One area is on ownership their bills even after office PLDT, Meralco, Maynilad, and the inclusions on the hours and even when they Manila Water, SkyCable, and sale like off-site facilities. are out of town. No more North Luzon Expressway There was also a question on the cost. We asked Iligan need to disrupt their sched- Easy Trip reloads.

City to justify,” she said.

ACRI is the listed holding firm of the Alcantaras, who have interests in power generation, aquaculture and agribusiness, real property development and services.

ACRI topped the IliCAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH gan City bidding for the P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers – Kalambagohan Sts., diesel plant in 2011. The Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 local government unit seCAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, questered the facility from Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City state-owned National Power DIVISORIA BRANCH AƩy. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Corp. for non-payment of Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 real property taxes.

LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Asirit did not indicate Tel. # (088) 231-6739a when the facility will be

Smart reports increase in e-money transactions

large Filipino community in eastern Canada.

Toronto becomes PAL’s 27th international, and 46th overall, destination.

About 250,000 or 4.1% of greater Toronto’s 6.05 million residents are of Filipino origin, the largest concentration of Filipinos in Canada and a natural base market for PAL. Filipino-Canadians are among the largest visitor groups to the Philippines, accounting for over 117, 400 arrivals in 2011, and

are on pace to surpass that record this year.

For the first eight months of 2012, there were 81,093 balikbayan arrivals from Canada.

The opening of the new route will see a revamp of PAL’s Canadian operations.

Beginning November 30, Manila-Vancouver flights, currently daily, will be cut to four times weekly, alternating with the thrice-weekly Manila-Toronto service.

But Vancouver-Manila flights will continue to be a daily service with the flight back from Toronto making a stopover.

The Manila-Toronto service (PR 118) will leave Manila every Wednesday,

Friday and Sunday at 3 p.m., arriving at Terminal 3 of Toronto Pearson International Airport at 5 p.m. on the same days.

The return flight (PR 119) flies out of Toronto at 7:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, stopping in Vancouver at 9:30 p.m. and continuing on to Manila at 11:30 p.m., where it will arrive at Terminal 2 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:45 a.m. two calendar days later.

The newly acquired longrange Boeing 777-300ER can accommodate 42 passengers in Mabuhay Class (business) and 328 in Fiesta Class (economy). (Eric B. Apolonio, InterAksyon.com)

Alcantara group cleared for takeover of Iligan power plant

DREAMWORKSHOP INNOVATION ENGINEERING Westbound, Crossing Bulua ACCEPTS: RENTALS: * metal works * Power Tools * wood works * Engineering Equipments * water works * Backhoe * plumbing works * Pay Loader * rock works * Grader * construction works * Bulldozer * home improvement works * Roller * motor works * Generator “Quality assurance and customer satisfaction in our service” CONTACT CELLPHONE TELEPHONE

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turned over to the company, but said the government recognizes “the opportunity cost of waiting for the approval.”

The resumption of the operations of the 100-megawatt Iligan plant is one of the stop-gap measures the government is banking on to ease Mindanao’s power shortage.

Parts of the region have been suffering from regular power interruptions as a result of insufficient generating capacity.

Asirit said the agency is hoping the Iligan plant will be operational in time for the DOE proposed In-

terim Mindanao Electricity Market, a trading platform for electricity similar to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, which allows buyers to bypass bilateral supply contracts and hasten dispatch of electricity from the facility.

“Kapag bilaterals, may Energy Regulatory Commission approvals needed,” Asirit said, referring to the regulatory process that supply contracts have to go through before they take effect.

The IMEM was earlier proposed by Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras to Mala-

canang as a means to help shore up power supply in Mindanao.

“We are looking at some interim market mechanisms ,which will be put in place hopefully before the end fo the year,” he said.

Unlike the WESM in Luzon and the Visayas, which caters to wholesale supply and whose rates are driven by market forces, the IMEM proposal aims to provide power companies a venue where they can offer their available generating capacities as needed by electric cooperatives and private electricity distributors.

Villars complete first tranche of $4.7-M mine firm purchase THE family of businessman and Senator Manuel Villar Jr. has solidified their entry into St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd., a Toronto Stock Exchange-listed company with interests in the Kingking gold-copper project in Mindanao.

A statement from St. Augustine on Wednesday said Villar-led Queensberry Mining and Development Corp. has completed a private placement transaction with St. Augustine for $4.7

million, which is the first of a series of transactions to gain a larger stake in the miner.

A separate statement from Queensberry said its partnership with St. Augustine will allow it to acquire up to approximately 23.7 percent of St. Augustine through option agreements and a private placement, subject to Toronto Stock Exchange approval, valued at a total of C$34 million ($35 million).

“I am pleased and excited to have formed a strategic partnership with St. Augustine Gold and Copper, which is run by some of the industry leaders with a strong, proven track record in mining,” Paolo Villar, president of Queensberry and son of Senator Villar, said in the statement.

“The Philippines this year is one of the region’s best-performing countries in terms of GDP growth and VILLARS/PAGE 8

Diao...

caused the infection.

Treatment is directed at the causative agent and also to lowering the increased intracranial pressure, the edema and swelling of the surrounding areas. If the illness is diagnosed early and management instituted immediately, the outlook is very good. But, then again, Health IN Focus isn’t complete unless it directs your mind again to the most important lesson that need to be learned and applied; PREVENTION. Simple things like washing hands properly and regularly, making the habit so much a part of you, staying healthy

through a balanced diet, exercise, water and rest, and yes, never forgetting that vaccine shots, are steps that are inexpensive and very doable.

Nothing happens by chance.... if for some reason, one gets a disease by accident, or what we call as iatrogenic, it simply reminds us, that, even with the most rigid of procedures and quality standards, particularly in the healthcare industry, an occasional miss or two, which is most unfortunate, it should not in any way stop us from trying to do our utmost best, to cause no one harm....

from page 6

CT Scan and MRI, the most useful and definitive is a Lumbar Tap or puncture.

A needle is inserted in the lumbar area (spinal column) and Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is extracted and sent to the Laboratory for analysis. The CSF is examined for the presence or absence of white blood cells , and is also analyzed as to sugar and protein content. Bacteriological studies including gram staining and culture is performed, in order to check the type of organism that may have

8

October 22-25, 2012

Congress • Watch

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PNoy’s popularity bodes well for peace framework PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III’s high popularit y rating improves the odds of t he peace framework between his government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) hurdling the challenge of legislation and ratification, a party-list representative says.

Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez of Abante Bisayas and Mindanao (Abamin) says Mr. Aquino’s popularity with citizens could discourage splinter groups of rebels thought to be the biggest obstacles to peace.

many people believing in him, those who want to sabotage the peace process won’t have such an easy time,” the representative of Abamin adds.

Another difference, he notes, is involvement of the grassroots in the peace process.

Previous initiatives, Rodriguez notes, focused attention on key belligerent actors. In the last few years, however, the Office Pres. Aquino of the Presidential Adviser “We should watch out but with the popularity on the Peace Process has for the splinter groups... of the President, with so worked with local govern-

Lower House okays retirement benefits for barangay execs

House passes 16 national and 35 local bills

THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure providing lump sum retirement pay for barangay officials, amending Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

The plenary approval of House Bill 6567 was endorsed by the House Committee on Local Government chaired by Rep. George Arnaiz (2nd district, Negros Oriental).

Arnaiz said the measure will promote the welfare and prosperity of the barangays being the primary planning and implementing unit of government programs and activities. “ The measure shall provide lump sum retirement pay equivalent to one year honorarium to all barangay officials, including barangay tanods, members of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa, barangay health workers and barangay day care workers,” Arnaiz said.

Arnaiz said the retirement benefits is in recognition of the barangay officials’ contribution to the community and shall encourage them to honestly continue their public service.

Arnaiz said the additional benefits shall also raise the economic and social status of barangay officials to have decent, healthy and comfortable living conditions.

Under the measure, the retirement benefits taken from the barangay retirement fund shall be given to a retiree, at least sixty years of age, with a minimum of nine years of service at the time of the retirement.

The measure mandates the Department of Interior and Local Government

THE House of Representatives approved on third and final reading 16 national bills and 35 local bills before Congress took its two-week break.

Foremost is House Bill 6545 or the National Land Use and Management Act of the Philippines, which seeks to institutionalize land use and physical planning as a mechanism for identifying, determining, and evaluating appropriate land use and allocation patterns in the country.

“The measure recognizes the need for a rational, holistic and just allocation, utilization, management, and development of our country’s land and the resources therein,” Rep. Kaka Bag-ao (Party-list, Akbayan), the bill’s author, said in her sponsorship speech.

Other vital bills passed include HB 6546 or the Modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) authored by Rep Marcelino Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City). The bill provides for a three-year modernization program that will upgrade physical resources and operational techniques through the acquisition of state-of-the art instruments, equipment and facilities to ensure timely and reliable forecasting and warning service.

HB 6538, other wise known as the Physicians Act of 2012 by Rep. Janette Garin

(1st District, Iloilo), which regulates the education and licensure of physicians and the practice of medicine in the Philippines, repealing for the purpose Republic Act 2382; HB 6548 or the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AF MECH) Law, authored by Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza (4th District, Batangas), promoting agricultural and fisheries mechanization development in the Philippines; HB 6203 or Police, Fire and Jail Height Equality Act, authored by Rep. Pablo John Garcia (3rd District, Cebu); HB 6329, authored by Rep. Amado Bagatsing (5th District, Manila), creating the Philippine Thoroughbred Horseracing Authority; HB 6481 authored by Rep. Jose Ping-Ay (Party List, COOP NATCCO), amending Chapter XII on Cooperative Banks of RA9520, also known as the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008; HB 6482, authored by Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora), prescribing stricter penalties on the crime of delivering prisoners from jail and infidelity in the custody of prisoners; HB 6544, authored by Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao (4th District, Isabela), rationalizing and strengthening the probation system by increasing inter alia the probationable penalty to

less than eight years; HB 6509, authored by Rep. Teddy Casino (Partylist, Bayan Muna), establishing city and municipal rehabilitation centers for children and youth with disabilities; HB 6547, known as the Special Education Act of 2012, authored by Rep. Susan Yap (2nd District, Tarlac); and HB 6542 or The Overseas Voting Act of 2012 by Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga).

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) has four bills approved. These are HB 4368 amending Executive Order 209, (The Family Code of the

Philippines) by harmonizing said law with recent rulings of the Supreme Court of the Philippines on divorce obtained by the alien spouse in another country; HB 6307 establishing the liability of the absolute community or conjugal partnership for an obligation of a spouse who practices a profession and the capability of either spouse to dispose of an exclusive property without the consent of the other spouse; HB 6419 providing for a free and culture-sensitive system of registration concerning the civil status of indigenous peoples; and HB 6474 or the Food Safety Act of 2012.

Of the 35 local bills approved on 3rd reading, 18

were separating National High Schools and converting them into independent National High Schools; while four seek to establish Sports Academies in the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Lanao Del Norte, Davao del Norte and Province of Cebu.

Seven bills are public works-related measures, three bills call for the creation of barangays, one seeks the establishment of multi-purpose fish breeding stations, crab, prawn and shrimp hatcheries; one seek the creation of the Pangasinan 4th District Engineering Office in the Province of Pangasinan and another, the establishment the Apo Reef Natural Park Act. (30)

(DILG) to administer and ensure the appropriate disbursement of the fund.

The authors of the bill are Reps. Danilo Suarez (3rd District, Quezon), George Arnaiz (2nd District, Negros Oriental), Ben Evardone (Lone District, Eastern Samar), Edwin Olivarez (1st District, Paranaque City),

Ju an E d g ard o A ng ar a (Lone District, Aurora), Joseph Victor Ejercito (Lone District, San Juan City), Augusto Syjuco, Ph.D. (2nd District, Iloilo ), Carmelo Lazatin (1st District, Pampanga), Marcelino Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City), Rachel Marguerite Del Mar (1st District, Cebu City),

Alfredo Benitez (3rd District, Negros Occidental), Benhur Salimbangon (4th District, Cebu), Nelson Dayanghirang (1st District, Davao Oriental), Wilfrido Mark Enverga (1st District, Quezon) and Mel Senen Sarmiento (1st District, Western Samar), Teddy Brawner Baguilat, Jr.(Lone District, Ifugao )

and Ma. Milagros Magsaysay (1st District, Zambales), Enverga, Romeo Acop (2nd District, Antipolo), Imelda Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) and Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. (Party List, Abante Mindoro), Raul Daza (1st District, Northern Samar),

Gabriel Quisumbing (6th District, Cebu), Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City), Rodolfo Valencia (1st District, Oriental Mindoro), Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David (4th District, Manila), and Neri Colmenares (Party List, Bayan Muna) and Teddy Casino (Party List, Bayan Muna).

Villars...

tors,” he added.

Queensberry made its initial foray into the Kingking project when it acquired a 25-percent stake in Nationwide Development Corp. (Nadecor), St. Augustine’s Philippine-based partner in King-king, for

P1.8 billion.

As previously announced, Paolo Villar will be nominated to a director position on St. Augustine’s board to replace Andrew Russell who has agreed to step down as a director, while staying on as chief

executive officer of St. Augustine, the statement said.

St. Augustine’s alliance with the Villars is seen to help move the massive but undeveloped Kingking project forward while smoothing over earlier reported tensions between

factions within Nadecor and St. Augustine.

The King-king project is listed as one of the top priority projects by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural

Resources.

The measured and indicated mineral resources of the project are 10.30 million ounces of gold and 5.4 billion pounds of copper.

The project has already entered the feasibility stage of development.

from page 7

and stock market performance. I believe it is currently one of the most attractive investment destinations with fantastic opportunities in many sec-

ment units, civic groups and non-government organizations.

With stakeholders consulted every step of the way, the lawmaker says, there has been a groundswell of acceptance for the framework set to be signed today by the President and leaders of the MILF. Another congressman, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro allays fears of displacement of Christians. Section 6, No. 2 of the framework allows those unjustly dispossessed

of their lands to file for claims.

“The context is payment,” the Cagayan de Oro lawmaker points out.

“Nobody will be dislodged, but those who can prove they were dispossessed of their property -- Moro and Christian -- will be paid by the government and the Bangsamoro body (once ratified).”

He describes the framework as “constitutional and valid” and “the best chance for peace in a long, long time.”

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October 22-25, 2012

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Ship... from page 1

PSC, a sintering plant of Japan’s JFE Steel, is one of the biggest clients of the huge vessel. The plant processes iron ore into a form that JFE’s steelmaking blast furnaces can use.

Vale Minas Gerais, one of Valemax fleet of 18 large ships, is bigger than three standard soccer fields laid end to end.

The Valemax ships are part of Vale’s strategy to reduce the economical distance between Brazil and Asia, the main consumer market for iron ore. The very large ore carriers adhere to strict safety standards and contribute significantly towards reducing the carbon footprint in the long haul transportation of iron ore as well as to reductions in the cost of seaborne transportation of iron ore to steelmakers.

Vale’s executive director for Ferrous and Strategy, José Carlos Martins, said that JFE is the latest steelmaker to benefit from the advantages of scale and efficiency brought by a Valemax vessel. Until now, Ilva, ThyssenKrupp, Rogesa and Nippon Steel have received the very large ore carriers.

“We are in advanced negotiations so as to allow for other customers and ports also benefit from the advantages of these vessels,” Martins said.

“With the startup of our second floating transfer station expected for the first quarter of 2013, the distribution center in Malaysia and our entire fleet of Valemax vessels in place, Vale will be fully prepared to serve the Asian markets on equal terms with its competitors in the region,” he added.

This whole logístics solution, encompassing vessels, floating transfer stations and distribution centers, is expected to be in place in early 2014.

Aside from Villanueva port, seven ports are receiving the Valemax vessels. So far, they have called at the ports of Tubarão and Ponta da Madeira (Brazil), Taranto (Italy), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Sohar (Oman) and Oita (Japan) as well as Vale’s floating transfer station in Subic Bay, in the Philippines. By the end of 2013, there will be a total of 35 similar vessels available to transport Vale’s iron ore - 19 owned by Vale and 16 chartered from international shipowners.

Brownouts... from page 1

shutdown has been scheduled well in advance to minimize power disruption. The reality, however, is that demand for electricity demand in Mindanao has outpaced supply since 2006.

The situation was also exacerbated by the diminished capacities of some power plants in Mindanao for various reasons.”

Industry sources said the Mindanao Grid experi-

enced a power curtailment of 450MW for Friday, October 19 due to the reduced capability of the Agus 4 hydropower plant in the Agus power complex from 150MW to 100MW due the low forebay elevation of its reservoir. As a result, the available power supply in the grid was reduced to only 874 MW and the system operator asked its clients to maintain a maximum load of only 787MW. The curtailment was further expected to increase to 470MW by Saturday, October 20 due to low water inflow to Pulangi IV HEP, the low forebay elevation of Agus IV HEP and the planned shutdown of M1GP. STEAG’s preventive maintenance shutdown (PMS) for its Unit 1 is scheduled from October 6 to November 24 and PMS for its unit 2 is scheduled from October 29 to November 10.

The planned PMS of Steag has been approved by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as agreed upon by the members of the Mindanao Grid Operations and Maintenance Planning Group composed of NGCP, the National Power Corporation (NPC) and its Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

“The timing of the PMS takes into consideration the power plant’s operations and maintenance guidelines as well as the projected electricity demand-supply condition of Mindanao during the period,” Mr. Soldevilla noted. “The overarching goal is to minimize the possible adverse impact of power supply shortfall in the island.”

At present, Mindanao Coal accounts for about 20 percent of the capacity of Mindanao’s power supply when both units are running.

“Clearly, the solution to Mindanao’s power shortage is to bring in new capacities.

But until this will happen, we can only optimize what is available and manage carefully the power demand side,” Mr. Soldevilla noted.

The power deficiency in the Mindanao Grid reached its lowest point in 2010 when the curtailment level breached 600MW causing rotating brownouts in some areas for as long as eight hours.

Since then, however, except for the two power barges of Therma Marine, Inc.which can supply up to 192MW through biletaral contracts with industries and distribution utilities, there have not been any new capacities added to the Mindanao Grid’s power supply.

Meantime, distribution utilities like the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. (CEPALCO) and Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC) have been adding embedded generators within their respective franchise areas to bolster inter-grid supply during grid-wide power

shortages.

CEPALCO has a 42-MW diesel/bunker fuel plant and an 8MW mini hydro recently commissioned in Claveria, Misamis Oriental operated by its affiliate Mindanao Energy Systems (Minergy) which has enabled it to ride out the present shortage without resorting to rotating brownouts.

Similarly, DLPC relies on its 40-MW Bajada diesel plant and 47MW from its Talomo and Sibulan mini hydro plants to similarly continue operations within its franchise area without resorting to rotating brownouts.

Meantime, NGCP officers appealed to media to secure first hand information on generation issues with the PSALM, National Power Sector Corporation and Independent Power Producers instead of attributing such statements to them such as the recent report on additional generation capacities attributed to them which is beyond their authority and within the DOE’s purview.

“We can only answer issues regarding transmission problems but recent reports have erronously attributed statements on generation issues to us,” said Milfrance Capulong, communications officer for Southern Mindanao. “In fairness to all concerned, let us all please observe the basic tenets of journalism and secure first-hand information on generation issues from the primary sources, and for generation issues these would be NPC/ PSALM, DOE and the IPPs.”.

Steag... from page 1

to local utilities.

The current situation, however, was still better compared with the roughly 50% -- or over 600 MW -- deficiency posted at the height of the 2010 power crisis. Three years ago, power shutdowns in many areas in Mindanao went as long as eight hours daily.

The present problem would have been worse if not for the two power barges of Therma Marine Inc., a subsidiary of the Aboitiz Power Corp., which has signed agreements with 23 cooperatives and its sister company, the Davao Citybased Davao Light and Power Co. Therma Marine has maximized the operation of the two power barges, which have combined output of 192 MW. To cushion the impact of the power problem on its franchise areas, Davao Light has decided not only to buy power from the operator of the barges and all the available power output of another sister company, Hedcor, Inc., which operates hydroelectric plants in Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Davao Light also has a 40-MW standby diesel plant whose capacity is harnessed during power shortage days.

This city has yet to experience power curtailment since NGCP announced Steag plant’s maintenance shutdown that started on Oct. 6.

Peace... from page 1

cautious stance.

Peter Perfecto, executive director of the Makati Business Club, said both the government and the private sector have to take advantage of the positive investor sentiment created by the signing of a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and draw up a recovery plan for the once troubled region.

“It has been urgent for a long time now. The urgency comes from the fact that many areas with armed conflict have been left behind economically. We have to move fast and lay out the infrastructure needed to realize the growth potential for that region,” Perfecto said.

He said Mindanao has a huge potential in terms of natural resources, agriculture and tourism – all of which have yet to be fully tapped because of investor concern over the armed conflict in the area.

Even before the peace agreement is implemented, businesses should already assess the economic potentials of Mindanao so they can hit the ground running once a more lasting peace is put in place, Perfecto said.

“We don’t have to wait for the peace agreement.

Let’s plan now so we can hit the ground running,” he added.

Michael Raeuber, president of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, however said the rules for the Bangsamoro entity must be consistent with existing national laws if the peace settlement were to allow business to flourish in the area.

“Business at large always looks at new opportunities with Mindanao being at peace. I will expect surrounding countries which are Muslim-dominated to have particular interest in Mindanao, and then investors from elsewhere will follow,” Raeuber said.

He said few European companies operate in Mindanao, but did not rule out greater interest especially in the agriculture, business process outsourcing, manufacturing, mining and tourism sectors, following the Bangsamoro framework agreement.

But some businessmen would rather take a waitand-see attitude, pending the completion of the agreement’s implementing rules and regulations, Raeuber said, adding that consistency between national laws and local ordinances remain a concern.

“Predictability, prohibition against changing rules, and respect for contracts made are necessary,” he said.

Better transportation infrastructure connecting

Mindanao to other parts of the country must also be put in place, Raeuber said, noting that it is more expensive to transport goods from Mindanao to Luzon compared with shipping products to neighboring countries.

Elsewhere in the country, European firms have expanded, he said, citing vehicle parts maker Continental Temic, aircraft services provider Lufthansa Technik, power provider STEAG and food manufacturer Nestle.--InterAksyon

9

ity (NFA) and the Nature’s Bounty, Bukidnon Organic Products, Corp. as well as representatives from financing institutions: Landbank of the Philippines, First Valley Bank and Cooperative Rural Bank of Misamis Oriental, Inc. # (Joanne L. Olson, DA-10)

Spell... from page 4

radio report that the agency will keep an eye on the water needs of the farmers during expected drought.

“We are planning to come up with reprogramming schedule for the release from page 3 of water for the farmlands The Toyota Grandia au- based on [sic] the coming tomatic has gouged what dry spell,” Mr. Bugacia said. used to be Starex’s soccer mom market. But the original formula Starex is what from page 6 the market thinks a Starex anger. Two dormant volshould be. If the Korean canoes grow rain forests factory cannot allocate more and maintained growth of for our market, then, like tree foliage as wildlife and the UMC Urvan, allow us bird’s sanctuaries that must to assemble the old model be protected by the current here so we can claim it as generation. our own.

While the Lanzones festival draws street dancing activities with the school from page 3 children’s colorful costumes 21,800 and 214 race par- and choreographed dance ticipants. Two more races contests, local young womare set for the year before en’s beauty pageants adds the Luzon regional finals flair to the celebration. It has for the Turbo Suzuki Cup attracted local and foreign in Clark and the Vis-min tourists wanting to experiregional finals in Tagum. ence nature and discover the This will all culminate to the real people that make up national finals in December the character of the island. at Asean City in Paranaque.

Stakeholders in The National Drag Camiguin Island must Racing Championship is ensure that their tourism powered by Cyclomax, A activities will encompasses brand of Motorcycle oil authenticity. Tourist will distributed by Phoenix Pe- travel 50 nautical miles troleum Philippines, Inc. more to experience the acone of the fastest growing tivities that cannot be seen independent oil companies anywhere else. Developin the country today. ing the Camiguin tourism Committed to bring the product at the grass roots excitement of drag racing anchored on culture and the in great form in the Philip- protection of the environpines, Suzuki continues to ment can resurrect more promote safety and sports- foreign tourist. Keeping it manship in the game. With low density and subdued the progress of drag racing will generate interest from in the country, Suzuki is get- the European travelers. ting closer to its vision — to Income from tourist trafspur drag racing’s evolution fic in Camiguin Island are from being an event to a generated mainly from five sport in the Philippines. economic activities coming from resort accommodations which is estimated from page 4 at 40%, food and beverage port that rice stakeholders consumption at 30%, transcan avail from the Program, portation for land and water RRPC Araos urged the par- at 15% with allied services ticipants, especially the ones at 10 % and souvenir shops working closely with the at 5%. Camiguin need not grassroots to facilitate the be isolated during the other latter’s request. In particular, period of the year. Maybe, a she noted, that the assistance call for planning to improve that farmers should seek infrastructures and stratefrom the department must gies for other attractions be viable in their respective can add dimension and areas, so as to maximize the diversity for other special agency’s funds. interests during any tourist Through the meeting, visit? it was also learned that there are various windows of opportunity for rice such from page 6 as research and technol- is a healthy sense of internet ogy, value-adding activi- skepticism.” ties, market prospects, in*** vestments, among others, Note: My book “Central which were presented by Banking for Every Juan a pool of experts from the and Maria” will be availPhilippine Rice Research able soon through Fully Institute (PhilRice), the Booked, Bonifacio High Philippine Center for Post- Street, Bonifacio Global harvest Development and City. You may email us at Mechanization (PhilMech), totingbunye2000@gmail. the National Food Author- com.

Starex...

Quiamjot...

Suzuki...

Rice...

Bunye...

10

October 22-25, 2012

BizNews

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Commuters complain on Iligan -CdO prolonged travel

A large scale sawmill operation was spotted along the river bank of Kapai town in Lanao del Sur October 17 Wednesday in a reconnaissance mission of Aeroscout company of the Philippine Army , DENR-CENRO Iligan City, 2nd Mechanize Infantry Brigade and City Environment management Office in compliance with Court of Appeals Order to check the reported presence of logs along Mandulog River, and Kapai-Bayug river The rivers aere where the killer logs swift to Iligan City that killed more than 1,000 residents and hundreds missing .on December 16-17. ( PHOTO BY : RICHEL V. UMEL)

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL SUR 12TH Judicial Region Branch 9 – Marawi City IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH,

SPL. PROC. CASE NO. 2099-12

Philhealth signs up 13 hospitals to treat prostate cancer for P100,000 only

NORMINA REGARO ALONTO, Petitioner, -VersusLOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MARANTAO, LANAO DEL SUR, Respondent. x------------------------------------------------------x ORDER Before this Court is a petition for correction of date of birth of Normina Regaro Alonto October 10, 1947 as appearing in the Certificate of Live Birth of the petitioner.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the hearing of this petition on November 28, 2012 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. Furnish copies of this Order to the Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City; the Local Civil Registrar of Marantao, Lanao del Sur and the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Lanao del Sur. Let copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Iligan City or Marawi City once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner.

SO ORDERED. Marawi City, October 4, 2012 (Sgd.)SIBANAH E. USMAN Acting Presiding Judge

BWM: OCT. 8, 15, & 22, 2012

Various types of vehicles await their to turn to pass a one lane concrete road due to the ongoing construction of concrete road project from Initao to Gitagum , Misamis Oriental. The commuters and business institution complaint of the too much delay during travel.

Inststead of 1 hour and 30 minutes travel, in reached close to three hours travel from Cagayan de Oro City to Iligan City.( PHOTO BY : RICHEL V. UMEL)

By : RICHEL V. UMEL from Iligan City said” the situation is helpless for ILIGAN CITY - Commut- it is a development projers, drivers and business- ect.” However, Fetalvero men have aired their com- urged the DPWH project plaints on the prolonged management and the contravel time from this City cerned project contracto Cagayan de Oro which tors to improve the safety now takes two and a half measure for there are deep hours from the previous 1 pot hole and gaps between two concrete lanes without hour and 30 minutes.

The tedious travel on the slowdown signboard, the said route is even tinged commuters are prone to with several stop-overs vehicular accident,” Fetalvero said , “There is along the way., they said.

The Iligan City - Cagay- a need to install permanent an de Oro route is 86 ki- traffic marshals to ensure lometers with travel time smooth traffic flow. There of at least one a half hours are some driver who usually overtake in one lane on normal condition.

The culprit is the on- basis while other waited going reconstruction of for a long time to have its eight point two (8.2 km) turn to pass the lane”.

Jim B. Ramos, Project kilometers of the national highway along Gitagum- Engineer of the DepartInitao Misamis Oriental. ment of Public Works and The highway project is two Highways Region 10 told lanes and is the longest Inquirer Friday in an interroad segment costing P107 view, the DPWH and the contractor are closely comillion Aside from the lon- ordinating with the policegest segment selected , men along, Laguindimgan, re-blocking with asphalt Libertad and Initao towns overlay along Opol to El to assist the traffic for Salvador town,Opol to there are driver who took Laguindingan and Naawan- advantage and made some to Lugait to include road counter flow tha resulted widening along the inter- to traffic jam and congessection to Laguindingan tion specially during night Airport Development Proj- time.

Ramos will call the ect which is four lanes.

Antonio Aparecio , a taxi attention on the contracowner who frequently ferry tors to put up permanent passengers to Cagayan signboards to ensure saefty de Oro City airport said to all commuters.

Ramos urged the com“ kung ang akong pasahero gikan sa Iligan City muters to bare with the padulong sa Cagayan de delay due to unpredictOro City airport sa Lum- able weather condition.” bia nga mag apas sa first We hope to complete the flight kinahanglan mo existing construction work gikan mi ug 2:00AM para by first quarter of 2013. segurado dili ma late ug Within f the f irst quarter ma byaan sa flight” ( If next year the full blown my passenger from Iligan Iligan City- Cagayan de City to Cagayn de Oro Oro City four lanes widenCity airport sa Lumbia , ing project will commence we must leave as early as as soon as the Special 2:00AM to make sure he Allotment Order from the Department of Budget and or she will not be late ).

Jigger Fetalvero , a Management (DBM)” Raprominent businessman mos added.

THEe Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) has signed up 13 hospitals countrywide to treat prostate cancer cases at a packaged rate of P100,000 per patient.

Philhealth identified the enlisted hospitals as the National Kidney and Transplant Institute and Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City; Philippine General Hospital in Manila; Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City; Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City; Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City; Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memoria l Research a nd Medical Center in Cabanatuan City; Batangas Re-

gional Hospital in Batangas City; Bicol Medical Center in Naga City; Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City; Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City; Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City; and the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City.

“We’re now in talks with other public as well as private hospitals to see if they can be contracted to treat low to intermediaterisk prostate cancer cases at the packaged rate,” said Philhealth president and chief executive Dr. Eduardo Banzon.

“The P100,000-benefit payment covers the full cost of treatment, hospitaliza-

tion and professional fees,” Banzon said.

Prostate cancer is the second most widespread cancer among Filipino men, after lung cancer, according to the Department of Health.

Most prostate cancers grow slowly and never pose a threat. However, some prostate cancers advance rapidly to the bladder, rectum, bones and lymph nodes, and cause death inside months or a few years.

Prostate cancer tends to develop in men over the age of 50. Men with a positive family history of the cancer in a brother or father are considered at higher risk of developing the disease.

Since the cancer responds

best to treatment when detected early, men have been encouraged to have their first prostate health check between 40 to 50 years old.

Many low-risk prostate tumors require no more than constant surveillance. Treatment of higher-risk tumors usually involves surgery, irradiation, and hormone control therapy. Forceful treatments such as chemotherapy may be applied in extremely advanced cases.

The male prostate is a reproductive system gland that helps make semen, the f luid that contains sperm.

The prostate surrounds the tube that carries urine away from the bladder and out of the body.

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Developments

October 22-25, 2012

11

Obamacare a blessing to RP’s BPO industry A new United States law enabling more Americans to obtain health insurance is expected to further boost the booming business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the Philippines.

“We have high hopes that Obamacare will drive new demand for health insurance-related business support services that may be readily provided by BPO firms in the Philippines,” said House Deputy Majority Leader Roman Romulo.

Obamacare refers to the US Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which will allow an additional 30 million Americans to get hold of health insurance.

As a result of the new statute, US health insurers will have to manage and process millions of new policies and claims, according to Romulo, a key backer of Manila’s BPO sector.

“This will surely translate to increased business opportunities for BPO firms in the Philippines, particularly those providing back office services to US-based insurers and healthcare facilities,” Romulo said.

He cited the case of multinational BPO provider Exlservice Holdings Inc., which is expanding its Philippine operations by putting up a third delivery center in the country.

New York City-based Exlservice said it intends to establish a new 500-seat facility in Cebu by the first quarter of 2013, amid the growing demand for healthcare and insurance-related support services from USbased clients.

In a regulatory filing, US NASDAQ Stock Market-listed Exlservice said the extra operation will reinforce its two existing

delivery centers in Pasay City that have a combined 1,800 seats.

Exlservice’s two centers at the SM Mall of Asia are staffed by college-educated, fluent English-speaking Filipinos performing multifaceted insurance and healthcare business support functions.

These include claims processing, premium and benefit administration, agency management, account reconciliation, policy research, underwriting support, new business processing, and policy servicing.

Romulo also cited medical data transcription, a component of the BPO and information technology (IT)-enabled services industry in the Philippines, as another potential beneficiary of Obamacare.

“With a greater number of Americans enjoying

health insurance, US hospitals, clinics and outpatient service providers will have to look after more patients,” he said.

Only recently upheld by the US Supreme Court, Obamacare provides subsidies and tax credits to American employers and individuals, among other mechanisms, to quickly expand health insurance coverage. It also mandates reforms to simplify and cut down the cost of health care in America.

Romulo is author of the new Data Privacy Act of the Philippines, which is anticipated to further encourage global corporations to either establish in-house back offices in Manila, or relegate their non-core, business support activities to independent BPO firms operating here.

The new Philippine

law commands all entities, including BPO firms, to protect the confidentiality of personal information collected from clients and stored in IT systems, in compliance with rigorous international privacy standards.

The Philippines’ highly

labor-intensive, IT-enabled services industry encompasses contact center services; back offices; medical, legal and other data transcription; animation; software development; engineering design; and digital content.

The industry is projected

to produce $27 billion in revenues and directly engage some 1.3 million Filipino workers by 2016.

This year, the Business Processing Association of the Philippines sees the industry generating $13 billion in revenues on a labor force of 764,000.

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October 22-25, 2012

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NNC-ARMM trains trainers to promote good nutrition

By CHRISTINE H. CABIASA of Cagayan de Oro Times

A

S PART of the nationwide call to mobilize good nutrition campaign in every barangay, the National Nutrition Council in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (NNC-ARMM) intensified its Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Training of Trainers for municipal implementers on September 24-28 at Crystal Inn Hotel, Iligan City.

“This is the third of the four batches of IYCF trainings allocated for Lanao del Sur in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (AR MM) areas,” Dr. Eloisa Usman, the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC) said.

“Lanao del Sur one of the prov inces in AR MM which has the highest prevalence rate of malnutrition (stunting),” said Dr. Usman adding, “with this training, pregnant women and lactating mothers are encourage

to breastfeed exclusively their babies within an hour after birth, until 0-6 months and to start giving complementary food at age six months but continue breastfeeding up to two years old.”

To further promote good nutrition and decrease malnutrition rate in Lanao del Sur which belong to Priority 2 areas with severe malnutrition problem, the NNC-ARMM with the Provincial Health Office of Lanao del Sur will monitor the nutrition situation of

its municipalities specifically on the height and weight schemes for children.

“It’s actually the first step of the series of seminars and trainings for the municipal implementers that will be rolled out to the barangay level. It will help lessen nutrition problems in their barangays,” Dr. Usman added.

Thirty-three participants composed of nurses, midwives, and MECA of Lanao del Sur participated in the training. They will still conduct IYCF trainings in Maguindanao, Sulu, and Lanao del Sur. Ms Masa Mutia, Nutritionist Dietecian II of the Provincial Health Office of Lanao Del Norte (Region X)/ IYCF Provincial Trainer-Facilitator, was tapped

by Dr. Usman to complement the ARMM training team held on September 27-28, 2012.

HEALTH workers from Lanao del Sur do the workshop during the five-day training for trainers conducted by the National Nutrition Council in Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (NNC-ARMM) held at Iligan City. At left, Dr. Eloisa Usman (3rd from left) with National Nutrition Council Coordinator for Northern Mindanao Mrs. Zenaida Tondares with the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Training participants.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE H . CABIASA