BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO OCT. 29,2012

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

Issue No. 120, Volume III • Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2012

Market Indicators As of 5:21 pm oct. 25, 2012

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Briefly Research fund

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has granted a P3.3 million research fund to Xavier University College of Agriculture (XUCA) for the cassava bioethanol project.

DOE’s Director for the Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB), Mario C. Marasigan turned over the check to XUCA Dean Roel Ravanera.

The collaborative research undertaking intends to evaluate the bioethanol potential of the different cassava varieties grown here in the region, as well as, develop a pilot scale bioethanol plant for village level production and utilization.

By MIKE BAÑOS, Correspondent

P

UBLIC and private stakeholders in Mindanao’s power industry are bracing themselves for the worst in 2013 when increasing demand for electricity and uncertainty of supply are again raising the specter of daily brownouts, but recent development indicate it could be better than anticipated.

DAR projects

DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes during his visit here met with two agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) that will be recipients of the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) projects scheduled for implementation this year.

The Mabunga, Imbatug and Salimbalan District Multi-purpose Cooperative (MISAD MPC) in Baungon, Bukidnon leads the three farmers groups in the municipality who will soon become beneficiaries of common service facilities for their cassava production, processing and marketing project.

About 340 farmers are involved in the project covering some 130 hectares.

Sub-standardmaterials

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.

SENDONG MEMORIAL. Former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar (right), chairman of the Villar Foundation, leads the unveiling of the Sendong Memorial at the Golden Haven Memorial Park in Brgy. Bulua, Cagayan de Oro. The shrine was donated by the Villar Foundation in memory of those who died during Sendong tragedy in December last year. photo by shaun alejandrae yap uy

Villar unveils Sendong Memorial

By CHRISTINE H. CABIASA, Reporter

TO pay homage to the memory of Sendong victims, Senator Manny Villar and wife, former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, through the Villar Foundation, led the unveiling of the Sendong Memorial at Golden Haven Memorial Park, Bulua on October 25.

“Through the Sendong Memorial, may we be able to help you pay homage to the memory of your departed ones. The memorial will stand there as a lasting tribute, not to the death, but to the lives of those whom we have lost, to the

people who helped Cagayan de Oro recover and to remind us that we should take care of our environment to prevent disasters in the future,” Villar Foundation’s chairman Cynthia Villar said.

The 716-square meter Sendong Memorial is made up of travertine and black granite base and features an ascending circular marker in the middle, accented with a water fountain. It has 13 pillars carved with names of confirmed dead people and identified casualties caused by typhoon Sendong.

According to Cynthia Villar, typhoon Sendong unveils/PAGE 7

125M people worldwide at risk from industrial, mining pollutants

By BONG FABE, Correspondent

INDUSTRIAL and mining pollutants are putting at risk the health of at least 125 million people worldwide, especially those in the developing world, like malaria or tuberculosis, two environment advocacy groups said in its latest report released Wednesday last week.

The report 2012 World’s

Worst Pollution Problems released by Blacksmith Institute and Green Cross Switzerland, calculated for the first time the public health impact of pollutants from industrial plants and mining released into the air, water and soil.

The report reveals that the health impact of pollution is the same or higher than some of the most dan-

“Mindanao is facing a precarious power supply situation with average daily shortage of 150-200MW since January this year,” said Romeo M. Montenegro, director for investment promotion and public affairs of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

Montenegro stressed that based on projections by the weather bureau, another long dry spell is expected to hit Mindanao summer of next year and this could mean reduced water levels and reduced output by the Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric power plants.

He added that the supply deficit could persist to around 300-400MW if no immediate measures are taken and may only improve in 2014-2015 when committed projects come on stream.

“So, if we don’t do anything now, we might as well brace ourselves for two years of possible rotating brownouts, with 4-8 hours especially in areas with light/PAGE 7

gerous diseases worldwide, such as malaria or tuberculosis, threatening millions of lives.

“The report underscores the need to fully recognize the health impacts caused by toxic pollution at this critical juncture. Life-threatening pollution is likely to increase as the global economy exerts CHRISTMAS DECORS. Inmates at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail make a living by making Christmas lanan ever-increasing pressure terns and decors which cost ranging from P75-P1,000. industrial/PAGE 7 photo by gerry gorit

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October 29-Nov. 1, 2012

Economy

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Framework Agreement confirms common effort for peace- RPOC

By RUDOLF IAN G. ALAMA, Contributor

TAGUM City -- The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro is a confirmation of a nationwide effort to seek lasting peace, said Region XI’s Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) chairperson.

Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario of Davao del Norte and chairperson of RPOC said during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting Tuesday such effort to work for peace has been reverberating even at the re-

gional and provincial level.

He added the framework agreement is as factor to strengthen opportunities for genuine and lasting peace.

Quoting President Benigno S. Aquino III who looked at the Framework Agreement as instrumental

in establishing lasting peace in Mindanao, Del Rosario said such expression of hope has also been “a dream” of peace-makers in the region and in the province.

In the same meeting, ne w ly promote d commanding General Lysander Suerte of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade of the 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army said the Framework Agreement can become a pattern of solving local conflict.

“Look at what hap-

pened with the Framework Agreement. Tumataas ang hope natin ( Our hopes are rising). Pwede pala magawan ng framework (A framework can possibly be done). Similar things can happen for any LGU for any problem,” he said in an interview.

With the Framework

Agreement as a replicable model, Suerte was hopeful that clinching peace with local rebels can possibly be achieved.

The government of the Philippines on October 15 signed a historic Framework Government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in ceremo-

nies held in Malacañang.

The GPH-MILF Framework Agreement serves as a roadmap for the creation of a Bangsamoro entity that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and lays down the groundwork to achieve lasting and genuine peace in Mindanao.

BUTUAN City -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Caraga has recently announced that it will adopt the barcoding technology next year to provide tracking of the movement of logs from the source to the wood processing plants to stop illegal logging.

A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of date relating to the object to which it is attached. Barcodes represent data by varying the widths and spacing of parallel lines.

“We are adopting the ‘barcode’ as a strategy to discourage the transport of illegal logs which has

been considered perennial problem in this region” said Assistant Secretary Marlo D. Mendoza, also the Regional Executive Director of the DENR Regional Office 13.

Mendoza personally went to an interior village of Batocan in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur on Wednesday where an actual harvesting of trees took place and tested the durability of the rectangleshaped plastic barcode supplied by the Data World Computer Center. “We are on a pilot stage yet but we expect the system would be fully operational next year after every system has been corrected and put in place. “ Mendoza said.

He said the barcode attached to a felled tree was found to be durable and scratch-proofed.

According to DENR Regional Technical Director for Forest Management Ser vices (FMS) Nonito M.Tamayo each PENRO and CENRO officers have been equipped with ”smartphone” tablet computer, a high technology gadget that can scan all registered data in the barcodes.

Mendoza said any log without a barcode , therefore, shall be considered illegal and the logging truck carrying the logs shall be held outright at the checkpoint. (PNA)

Investment...

million fine, and begin enforcing it, before the hearing was over and the result announced; 5. Arbitrarily revoking a number of licenses and concessions, for projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars, without valid cause and with no compensation paid.

“The Lao Government wants and needs foreign direct investment. They want to be a member of the World Trade Organization.

They want to be a member in good standing of the international legal community. It will not happen until they can enforce the rule of law at home. The treatment we have received shows they simply cannot be trusted,” Jordahl said.

About Sanum Investments Sanum Investments Lim-

ited is a Macau, China, based investment and development company. Sanum is primarily focused on development projects in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, but is also currently involved in a number of condominium developments in Macau.

Sanum is a partner in and manager of several hotel and casino projects throughout Lao including Savan Vegas in Savannakhet. The company is also investigating many other opportunities in the region.

About Investment Treaty Arbitration Investment treaty arbitration is an independent and impartial process provided for in over 3,000 treaties worldwide. The Lao PDR has concluded 14 such treaties, whose purpose is to encourage foreign investment by promising investors that the local government will provide “fair and equitable treatment” and “full protection and security” to foreign investors. In these treaties the Lao PDR has also promised not to revoke valuable concessions and licenses granted to foreigners without good reason and not without the prompt payment of fair market value compensation.

The International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, an independent arm of the World Bank, will administer the Lao Holdings case. The Sanum Investments case will be handled by an ad hoc tribunal as provided under the applicable treaty. Both tribunals will be composed of three arbitrators, who are authorized to issue binding damages awards against offending countries.

DENR to use barcode vs illegal logging in Caraga Region

from page 4

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

according to Mr. Jordahl.

Lao PDR’s alleged illegal acts are in violation of multiple treaties and include: 1. Retroactively imposing over US$23 million in taxes and penalties for years past upon Sanum’s businesses, going back on written promises and agreements to the contrary; 2. Threatening to use these baseless tax claims as an excuse to seize and auction off the company’s investments; 3. Forcing the enterprise to go to trial in a multi-million dollar lawsuit brought by a local business partner on 48 hours’ notice, and then giving it only an hour to make its entire case; 4. Having a Lao court impose an unheard of US$5

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Hyundai’s French head denies dumping allegations PARIS — The head of the French branch of South Korean automaker Hyundai expressed astonishment on Wednesday at a French minister’s suggestion that consumers shy away from buying a South Korean car.

Hyundai exe c ut ive Patrick Gourvennec told Europe 1 radio that comments by French Industrial Renewal Minister Arnaud Montebourg had left Hyundai “speechless”.

Hyundai and its Korean rival Kia have increased sales in Europe while manufacturers such as French group PSA Peugeot-Citroen have run into trouble.

Peugeot intends to shed 8,000 jobs, presenting the French government with a high-profile challenge as it tries to boost economic activity.

On Tuesday, Montebourg told another radio programme, “Face a la Presse,” that he would not visit South Korean automakers’ stands at the Paris auto show which opens to sector professionals on Thursday.

“I will pass them by,” said the minister, who has already taken the Korean carmakers to task, be-

fore adding: “Commercial dumping looks like social dumping.”

Dumping typically refers to the practice of selling goods for less than they cost to garner market share.

In early August, Montebourg said that France would ask the European Commission to begin monitoring car imports from South Korea in the first step towards a possible re-introduction of tariffs.

On Wednesday he said: “I am telling the French that in buying Hyundais and Kias they are contributing in a way to the labour crisis.”

He urged consumers to “look at what is behind a car’s windows” when they shop around.

Gour vennec told Europe 1 that “the consumer is sufficiently well informed to avoid confusion between the problem of social dumping, which does not exist in this case,” and a manufacturer that has established a presence in Europe.

He said that just 10 percent of the cars his company sells in Europe were made in South Korea, with the rest built on the continent.

Motoring

October 29-Nov. 1, 2012

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Jaguar unleashes its latest cat

JAGUAR Cars Philippines, the official importer of the British luxury car brand, recently unveiled what they describe as the “most responsible, agile, and driver-focused car that Jaguar has built” — the Jaguar XKR-S. The launched was led by no less than Jaguar Cars Philippines Chairman and President Wellington Soong at the posh Opus Restaurant and Lounge in Resorts World Manila. “(The) first few units we brought in were sold quickly,” Soong said.

Deemed the most expensive in the lineup of Jaguar’s local distributor, the Jaguar XKR-S boasts of an uprated 510-horsepower supercharged third generation V8 engine. With The new Jaguar XKR-S sports coupe. In photo: Jaguar Cars Philippines Chairman President Wellington Soong, who led the launch together with executive directhis powerful engine, the and tor Mark Soong.

XKR-S can reach a top speed of 300 kilometers Marc Soong, execu- Cars Philippines, said the country remain “ok,” per hour. tive director at Jaguar sales of luxury vehicles in explaining that “people with hard-earned money enjoy their hard-earned money” by buying expensive cars.

The Jaguar XKR-S has been named as the “Most Desirable Super Car of 2012” in Mumbai’s Parx Super Car Rally; “2011 Sports Car of the Year” by German motoring publication Auto Bild Sportscars; as well as the “Best Sports Car” at a recent Scottish Car of the Year awarding ceremony in Glasgow.

Jaguar XKR-S

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Corporate•World

October 29-Nov. 1, 2012

PAL, AirPhil to use NAIA-3 for Nov. 1-2 PHILIPPINE Airlines and AirPhil Express will use the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA3) to accommodate the spike in number of passengers expected to head for the provinces on All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2, the Manila International Airport Authority said Friday.

The reshuffling of flights is supposed to decongest NAIA-2, home to PAL’s domestic and international flights. PAL and AirPhil are sister airlines – both owned

by PAL Holdings Inc. The realignment of PAL and AirPhil flights will start on Sunday, Oct. 28, said MIAA Public Affairs Office chief Consuelo Bungag.

“Several PAL flights will be moved to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 while some AirPhil Express flights will also be operated at the Terminal 3 ,” said Bungag.

MIAA said domestic passengers taking PAL and AirPhil should check with their respective carriers and confirm their booking and the corresponding airport terminal.

“We expect a big number of travelers this weekend up to next week who will be traveling to their respective provinces for the All Saint’s pal/PAGE 7

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Phil Life launches new product windows in CdO by a network of trainee and professionals sales associates nationwide and more than 200 dedicated and efficient staff who are competent in the fields of underwriting , claims and marketing.

Philippine Life has 24 strategically-positioned branches nationwide as a testament to its market stability. Philippine Life also continues to service and pay claims of Fieldman’s Life,

Sterling Life, All Asia Life, and AsianLife Financial.

“You know a better future lies ahead when you have Friends working with you. This is what our policy holders can expect from us.” Perfecto said.

Philippine Life is now officially a member of the Tanco Group of companies, which owns some of the biggest and most trusted corporations and institutions in the country today.

Philippine Life, formerly Asianlife Financial Corp., one of the leading life insurers in the country, offers ordinary life, group life, group health and salary loans programs to individual and corporate

market. It is one of the 11 insurance providers accredited by the Department of Education to serve public school teachers.

“We want to have a share of the market here in Cagayan de Oro owing

to city’s growing economy and at the same time serve the financial and insurance needs of teachers, which is our niche,” Said Henry Perfecto vice president Ordinary Life Division of Philippine Life.

He said that there are more than 50,000 DepEd teachers they are already serving and 4000 are insured or policy holders of Philippine Life.

Philippine Life is Back

By BUTCH D. ENERIO Correspondent

covered mostly the 4th and 5th class municipalities.

Marlon Arrabaca, Philhealth’s CSIO for Cagayan de Oro said that the Moves was not merely about card distribution, but rather more on the awareness and education of beneficiaries who would eventually be given a breather in seeking medical assistance when a family member is sick, more so when hospitalized.

“The Moves is to make medical assistance for the needy readily at hand and is a big help in giving them reprieve when the need arises.” Arrabaca said, adding, that Moves is one way to alleviate poverty in the countryside.

The new Philhealth members can avail of their benefits from January to December 2013.

Marlo Arrabaca (right), Philhealth chief local health insurance officer with Opol vice mayor Tatchie Ortigoza lead in the distribution of Philhealth cards.

By BUTCH D. ENERIO, Correspondent

THE Philippine Life Financial Assurance Corporation, launched here recently its varied insurance offerings and financial assistance to all walks of life.

PhilHealth-10 accomplishes target in Misor

THE forerunner of the country’s health insurance has accomplished its target in bringing its programs to the poor in Misamis Oriental.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation ( Philhealth), which concluded its Moves (Mobile Orientation Validation and Enrolment Scheme) Thursday, in Opol town has enrolled 54,017 families from the 23 municipalities and one city and had given out funding assistance for the various needs of health centers, particularly medicines, amounting to P13,504,250.

The Moves which started on October 8, 2012 where the national housing target system was used in identifying the new Philhealth members,

Elephant-dung coffee, anyone?

Thailand’s new blend costs $25 a cup

Lao Holdings seeks WB help onUS$ 400M investment dispute

BANGKOK - For those who like their coffee w it h a st rong no s e Thailand could be the ideal destination, after a blend made from elephant dung was put on sale by an upmarket hotel chain.

T h e B l a c k Iv o r y blend, made from coffee beans digested and excreted by Thai elephants, is billed as producing a particularly smooth cup.

But it is not cheap, with Anantara Hotels saying the “naturally refined” coffee costs a staggering $1,100 per kilogram - making it one of the most expensive blends in the world.

“Research indicates that during digestion, t he enzymes of t he elephant break down cof fee protein,” t he Thai-based hotel group, which is selling the pungent brew at around $50 for two cups, said in a statement sent to Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON, DC – Today Lao Holdings N.V. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sanum Investments Limited, both filed suit against the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to stop the illegal taking of a US$400 million investment by the Government of Lao. The claims will be handled by the World Bank’s International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes using treaties signed by Lao in which it promised to protect foreign investment.

“We invested in good faith in the Lao PDR. We believed the former Prime Minister when he told us the Lao Government would uphold the rule of law. We established a profitable business that created thousands of jobs for the Lao people,” said Jody Jordahl, President of Sanum. “As we became more successful, they moved in to take it from us. This is a simple case of a government breaking its promise to protect foreign investors against greed and exploitation.”

These assets were established by means of the direct investment of over US$85 million made in the country

Black Ivory coffee made from elephant dung.

on Thursday.

“Since protein is one of the main factors responsible for bitterness in coffee, less protein means almost no bitterness.”

Once the elephants have digested the coffee berries, the beans are picked out of their

dung by mahouts - their trainers - and then sundried.

The process is carried out at the hotel’s elephant rescue centre in Thailand’s north where 30 of the beasts live along with mahouts and their families.

Black Ivory is not the

first novelty blend to hit the market in recent years. Coffee passed through the civet, a tree-dwelling mammal in the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, sells for a similar price.

One New York coffee shop sells the civet coffee for $748 a kilogram.

by Sanum Investments. According to Mr. Jordahl, today that investment is worth at least US$400 million.

Sanum Investments was enticed to invest in the Lao PDR on the basis of the government’s promises of a safe and stable economic and legal environment, where foreign investments were promised protection and security through steadfast adherence by local officials to the rule of law. The investment was made approximately five years ago.

Now Sanum alleges that the government has turned on the company, using all the governmental tools at hand to expropriate Sanum’s investments.

One example of the government’s misconduct is the way both its judicial branch and its tax authorities have taken actions to allow a well-connected Lao family and their companies to seize control of Sanum’s prize asset, the Thanaleng Slot Machine Club, which is located close to the Lao capital, Vientiane, near the foot of the Lao-Thai “Friendship Bridge No. 1.” Lao Holdings is losing US$1.8 million every month that this taking is allowed to stand, investment/PAGE 2

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So much alike and yet...

Twins can either be identical or fraternal. Since their physical characteristics are so similar, it may take time and a keenness , before one gets to identify one from the other, except for family members, who, by their closeness can easily say which is who. So, it can happen too, in the medical field. One type of illness may be so similar to another that it may require one’s knowledge, experience and the help of colleagues as well as the use of diagnostic tests that will help differentiate one from the other. There are even instances when the diagnosis is made based on exclusion.

Chikungunya Fever is one such illness. This illness is really not that uncommon, though, it only comes to the public’s notice when there are travel advisories or when the number of cases is such that it gains attention in the medical community as well as in media. Last October 9, Dr Eric Tayag of the Department of Health said that there were a total of 58 confirmed cases of Chikungunya Fever in the Philippines. As far back as the 1990’s, records has it that cases of Chikungunya fever were already diagnosed.

This is a Viral disease that is spread by mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that carry the viruses for Dengue Fever: Aedes aegypti and albopticus. It comes as no surprise then that the manifestations of both diseases may be similar and at times these two may even co-occur in a single patient.

DR. MARY JEAN LORECHE Though both diseases will present with fever, fatigue, muscle pains, nausea and headache, what is prominent in chikungunya is the severity of the joint pains. As a matter of fact, chikungunya comes from the kimakonde language which means “ to become contorted “. A person afflicted with the disease may be seen with a stooped appearance due to the stiffness and joint pains! The presence of arthritic pains in an adult, with abrupt onset of fever, should alert one to the possibility of the disease, instead of misdiagnosing the case as dengue fever.

To confirm the diagnosis, a serologic test for anti chikungunya antibodies may be requested.

Just like Dengue, there is no vaccine as yet for the disease. Treatment is directed at the symptoms.

Vector control, such as reducing the number of artificial and natural water filled containers that serve as habitats for breeding of mosquitoes, use of insecticide sprays and insecticide loreche/PAGE 7

Opinion THINK a minute…

How’s your eyesight and vision? A famous blind woman once said: “It’s better to be blind and see with your heart, than to have two good eyes and not see yourself as you truly are.”

As the well-known saying goes, “No one is as blind as those who will not see.” A famous philosopher said that one of the most important priorities in life is to ‘know thyself ’, because when we’re blind to ourselves, we believe that our way is always right. Like the husband who said: “When I married her I knew she was Miss Right, but I didn’t know her first name was Always!”

Many of us are like that wife. We think we see everyone else so clearly, but what about ourselves? We

Blind Spots

can’t see what we need to correct and change in our own character, so we never reach our potential and live our life to the fullest. We handle our marriage and other relationships, raise our children, and go through life never seeing ourselves as we really are. So we develop wrong thinking and bad attitudes that hurt our family members and others.

Sometimes we might even believe the lie that we cannot change because that’s just the kind of person we’ll always be. But our blindness, and sometimes pride, doesn’t really want to see and admit our faults. We might we even blame others for our problems and personality.

You see, until we honestly admit that we don’t have a healthy character,

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THINK A MINUTE we’ll never know we need a doctor to get healed. We need someone else with perfect, clear vision to show us what we don’t see in ourselves. Jesus Christ came to do that for us. He will start changing your heart and help you to humbly admit when you’re wrong.

He’ll show you how to better treat your wife or husband and children. He’ll give you an attitude and heart that easily forgives those people who wrong and hurt you.

He’ll give you the strength to always be honest, no matter how much you can get away with. Jesus will also help you not be quick to see faults in others or gossip about them.

So today, if you’ll ask Jesus to forgive you of your pride and blindness to your

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

own faults; and ask Him to start healing and changing your heart, He will. Then, as you start living His way every day, you will start to see yourself becoming a new person who can reach your full potential. That’s the only way you can have the successful, satisfying life Jesus created you to enjoy.

Just think a minute…

Philippine Treasures IT’S about time the world knows how rich the Philippines truly is.

The Musée du quai Branly (MQB) in Paris, France will be featuring the Philippines’ pre-Hispanic collection of pottery and gold in an “exhibition of indigenous art and culture” next year.

This will be part of MQB’s mandate as a national museum to feature arts and civilizations from Africa, Oceania, the Americas and Asia.

The Philippine Exhibition, entitled “Philippines, Art of Exchange,” will be held from April 9 to July 21, 2013.

The MQB is set to borrow 30 pieces from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) pre-Hispanic collection—27 of which will be from the gold collection and three from the pottery collection.

The total insurance value for the 30 pieces is a staggering P111,159,000.00!

Such treasures only show how distinct and rich the

Filipino civilization was even before the Spanish colonization.

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, excavations all over the Philippines have turned up fine pottery and gold pieces in sites such as Batangas and Mindoro in Luzon, Samar in the Visayas, and Butuan and Surigao in Mindanao.

“The technology used in making these artifacts is an enduring evidence of the high level of technology during the pre-colonial period,” the Metropolitan Museum said, adding that the artifacts are now considered a national heritage and are part of the BSP’s Gold and Pottery Collection.

The Metropolitan Museum revealed that since the ancient times, gold has been one of the main products of the Philippine islands.

“Both ancient and modern-day goldsmiths exude exquisiteness in their craftmanship in making pieces for trade or for personal vanity and prestige,” the

Museum said.

The BSP’s gold collection actually started with beads and gold pieces that were utilized as a means of exchange during the ancient times.

The pre-Hispanic gold collection also showcases “barter rings,” or hollow gold tubes that form a circle.

These barter rings, according to the Metropolitan Museum, are bigger than doughnuts in size and are made of nearly pure gold.

Aside from the rings, the BSP also has a significant collection of excavated glass and semiprecious stone beads, which are strung into necklaces and other ornaments.

“The gold belts or waist embellishments, which are also part of the collection, have not been found anywhere else in the world and represent the height of ancient Filipino gold industry,” the Museum said.

So rare are these embellishments that a gold sash from Surigao, which will be

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE

included in the Paris exhibition, is set to be insured for P54 million!

Other pieces in the BSP Gold and Pottery Collection show that Filipinos from a thousand years ago “sent” their dead in spirit boats to the afterworld, according to the Metropolitan Museum.

The ancient Filipino dead were extravagantly adorned with “masks,” which covered their eyes, noses, and mouths, made of gold sheets.

The Museum explained that gold was then considered a magical substance that may have been aimed bunye/PAGE 7

Fight government corruption PRESIDENT Noynoy Aquino has been in office for sometimes now and it seems corruption still exists in many government agencies or offices. Shortly after he took his oath of office as president, he declared corruption in the top priority of his program. He said the matter has impoverished the country and we must dismantle it once and for all.

I admired the President for his declaration of a battle against the number one enemy of the government.

For many years, our system has suffered a lot because of robbery in the offices. This evil has disturbed so much our growth and development since huge amount of money goes to the pockets of a number of people within the system.

Corruption in the Philippines has been there for sometimes now. It is very

difficult to recall in whose presidency this matter began but for one thing, it has been operating clandestinely in government offices for quite a long time.

PresidentS come and go leaving behind the growing strength of the disease. As a result the country is always hard up. It wallows down in extreme difficulty in its existence.

The effect of corruption is very ugly. The government can not hire enough teachers in the provinces.

There has been lack of school buildings for the children anywhere in the country. The reason is there is no funds for the purpose so what happened in some areas children hold classes in the open air, some under the trees, others just anywhere so learning could not be hampered.

If the government cannot

stop this issue of corruption for some reasons, I suggest the Filipino people should unite and help.

The object is to stop corruption no matter how before the entire system will collapse eventually. We must offer our services to save the Republic., We must send to jail people who are engaged in the thievery of public funds. We must prosecute them to the last moment.

I can see that if we make our laws against corruption stricter this time, there is a big possibility that we can put to an end this decades problem that made our country poor and struggling. We should not be like that since our country is rich with natural resources for our existence. But if we cannot stop the thieves in government service, we shall go gown and die a natural death.

Now is the time not to-

morrow or another day.

The time has come we must go straightforward for the development of our country. Let us not wait for the time when we go extinct because of massive stupidity that is unchecked in our government. We must close our eyes and move forward against the thousands of perpetrators that enriched themselves for many years now.

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Industrial... from page 1

ever-increasing pressure on industry to meet growing demands. The damage will be greatest in many low and middle-income countries, where industrial pollution prevention regulations and measures have not kept pace,” Richard Fuller, president of the New York-based Blacksmith Institute, said in a statement.

Dr. Stephen Robinson, Green Cross Switzerland unit manager for Waste, Legacy, said that although it affects nearly 125 million people worldwide, pollution remains “one of the most under-recognized global problems.”

Blacksmith and Green Cross, however, said in the report that the number of affected people is “by no means conclusive, but can be taken as indicative of the potential scale of the problem.”

Robinson lamented that while governments devote large amount of time and resources to combating malaria and tuberculosis, “the striking fact is that international and local government action on these diseases greatly outpaces the attention given to toxic sites, which, as demonstrated in this report, contribute greatly to the global burden of disease.”

Funded by the European Union, the World Bank and Green Cross, Blacksmith investigated more than 2,600 sites in 49 low- and middleincome countries in most regions of the world. Only North Africa and the Middle East are not represented due to what investigators called “security concerns.” The researchers then analyzed

data from their own field studies at toxic sites and combined that with census data as well as epidemiological studies to extrapolate an estimate of the health problems involved.

The report found out that smaller companies that produce products for local markets tended to have the biggest negative health impact.

Using the disabilityadjusted life year (DALY) — which is a measure of the number of years an individual loses from a healthy lifespan because of sickness, disability or early death — the researchers calculated that more than 17 million years of healthy life in 49 countries were lost because of pollutants caused by the ten (10) identified industries examined.

In comparison, the DALY for malaria is 14 million; 25 million for tuberculosis; and nearly 29 million for HIV. DALYs allow for comparisons to be drawn between different types of public health risks, taking into account both the severity and duration of a given disease. Chronic headaches for example are given a lower value in the DALY metric than more severe health outcomes such as blindness or cancer.

The report also said it is easier to diagnose and count people with HIV than it is to count the number of children whose brain development is being slowly stunted by chronic exposure to lead from varied industrial sources.

The 2012 World’s Worst Pollution Problems also identified the Top Ten industries and their impact estimates based on the body of research that the field

CAGAYAN DE ORO Main Branch P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers – Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN Branch B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES Branch Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA Branch Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN Branch Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739a

Companies studies provided in combination with toxicological information provided by the World Health Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency and other public health leaders.

Number one on its list is lead-acid battery recycling, which affect 4,800,000 people; (2) lead smelting (2,600,000); (3) mining and ore processing (2,521,600); (4) tannery operations (1,930,000); (5) industrial/municipal dump sites (1,234,000); (6) industrial estates (1,060,000); (7) artisanal gold mining (1,021,000); (8) product manufacturing (786,000); (9) chemical manufacturing (765,000); and (10) dye industry (430,000).

This illustrates the tremendous burden put on the health of the world’s population by the release of toxic pollutants into the air, water and soil from industrial and mining processes.

“The lack of investigation and quantification of the human health impacts of contaminated sites have left an often-marginalized population with few resources to address this growing problem. Sadly, health impacts from environmental pollution often affect the most vulnerable, especially children, within these already neglected populations,” the report said.

One of the goal of the report, according to Blacksmith and Green Cross, is “to give a voice to this marginalized population that is in danger from toxic pollutants.”

According to the report, the toxic that causes the most illness is lead, which impairs the neurological development of children and causes cardiovascular disease in adults; followed by the cancer-causing chromium; then mercury, which damages the kidneys and affects neurological development in children; cadmium (causes cancer and kidney disease); asbestos (responsible for mesothelioma, lung cancers and other lung problems); and other volatile organic compounds that cause cancer, neurological issues, and damage to kidneys, liver, skin, and other organs.

The World Health Orga-

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October 29-Nov. 1, 2012

7

lead reprocessing itself a big problem in many countries.

The report also showed that people in richer countries can also be at risk if they travel on leaded fuel or use lead glazed pottery.

“Making the connection between economics and human health is easy — the cost of illness and the loss of productivity due to disease and death is a huge and preventable economic burden,” the report concluded.

nization has estimated that environmental exposures contribute to 19 percent of cancer incidence worldwide.

More than 500 sites were found to be polluted by lead, putting an estimated 16 million people at risk.

The report said that the top sources of lead pollution are lead smelting, mining and ore processing, industrial estates and lead-acid battery recycling and manufacturing.

“Global production of

lead was expected to increase nine percent in 2011 to 4.52 million tons, due to increases in China, India and Mexico, with China accounting for one-half of all lead mining production,” said Robinson.

He pointed out that an increasing quantities of lead are being recycled but often recycling occurs at uncontrolled or poorly controlled facilities in the informal economic sector, even at home, making

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vember 16. You may email “A lot of passengers us at totingbunye2000@ who had purchased their gmail.com. tickets might have been uninformed of the flight changes and may be inconvenienced by the new from page 6 operational changes,” she nets, are preventive mea- noted. sures that are doable.

“We appeal to all passen Keeping one’s environ- gers to be at the airport two ment clean is as important hours before their respective as making one’s self healthy flights and allot enough time and looking great and beau- for heavy traffic in and out tiful.... of the terminals.

“Passengers affected by the flight changes will be ferried by PAL and AirPhil to from page 4 their correct terminals, free Day break,” said Bungag. of charge,” Bungag added.

from page 6

to be kept inside the soul or to keep out evil spirits.

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no embedded or additional contracted capacities,” he added.

Mr. Montenegro presented the island’s power situation during the Cities Development Initiative action planning workshop held Thursday last week in Cagayan de Oro City.

CDI is a program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which aims to promote cities as engines of growth and inclusive development.

However, the MinDA official is optimistic the deficit can be addressed in the short term through the addition of capacities through a quick rehab and uprating of the Agus-Pulangi HEP complexes to add up to 100MW, tapping of embedded generators through the proposed Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM) or the private sector’s voluntary Interruptible Load Program (ILP) expected to generate 200-300MW and the reopening of the Iligan Diesel Power Plant (IDPP) for another 100MW. “A serious power shortage persists (337MW as of Thursday), with little relief anticipated in the immediate

Unveils... from page 1

was caused by climate change and deforestation, which showed the pressing need for Filipinos to protect the environment.

“The memorial also serves as a reminder of the bitter lessons learned from the tragedy, particularly those concerning environment protection.”

Mrs. Villar, who is now eyeing a senatorial seat in the forthcoming election, also acknowledged the efforts of the local government

Loreche...

PAL...

term,” Mr. Montenegro said.

He noted Mindanao is projected to need an additional 1,000MW of new capacity by 2020 and an additional 1,500MW by 2030.

Among the other challenges cited by Mr. Montenegro in his presentation included the need to improve cheap hydro capacity which has been compromised by river siltation and rehab requirements; the rising share of costly fossil fueled power plants in the energy mix, and the need to fully tap clean, renewable and indigenous power sources (to minimize foreign exchange losses and environmental degradation).

He also cited the imperatives for meeting capacity requirements to address growth in Mindanao’s power consumption and substantial losses due to inefficiencies (systems loss).

Of the short term measures proposed by Mr. Montenegro, the most likely to be realized soonest would be the restoration of the Iligan Diesel Power Plant (IDPP) which is expected to resume operations by December this year and roll out its full 108MW output by June next year.

The Commission on Audit recently approved the sale of the IDPP to Alsons

Consolidated, which will invest another P1.2 billion to rehabilitate its units.

This opt imism was shared by Joseph Nocos, vice president for business development of Conal Holdings, during a presentation last week. Mr. Nocos said the quicker government is able to roll out the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM) the sooner the energy starved grid would be able to tap existing capacities of otherwise idle private power plants.

The IMEM is a variation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) now existing in Luzon and the Visayas. However, unlike the WESM, the IMEM would tap “interruptible loads” which could make available up to 360MW in embedded capacities of the private sector to the Mindanao grid

by March 2013, mostly for peaking power during peak hours.

Another plus factor would be the increased reliability and availability of independent power products such as the STEAG coalfired power plant (210MW) and the EDC’s Mindanao Geothermal Units 1 & 2 (108MW) which are now undergoing scheduled preventive maintenance shutdowns.

for its immediate actions and preventive measures done including the dredging of the Cagayan de Oro River, one of the reasons of the dreadful Sendong aftermath.

Local officials, rescuers, survivors, donors and benefactors who have helped the victims both from public and private sectors, members of religious group, people from different academic institutions, and families and relatives of the Sendong victims graced the event.

Typhoon Sendong hit Cagayan de Oro and Ili-

gan City on December 17, 2011 and killed more than 1,200 people, hundreds went missing, and caused P1.3 billion damage to agriculture, infrastructures, and properties.

“Sakit gihapon para sa amo ang nahitabo pero unsaon taman inanha ang kinabuhi, kaluoy sa Ginoo wala mi namatyan pero sakit ug kasubo gayud ang among naagian ug karun pinaagi ana nga memorial, mahinumduman gihapon namu sila,” Lucita Benanlao, one of the Sendong victims recalled.

8

October 29-Nov. 1, 2012

Agri News

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PHL seas now facing unprecedented crisis

By BONG FABE, Correspondent

THE Philippines is fast losing its stature as the leader in global marine biodiversity. This loss will surely impact the Filipinos’ health, social and economic life because of climate change, ocean pollution and overfishing, the international environmental group Greenpeace said Thursday.

Vince Cinches, oceans campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, said that if the government will not act fast enough, Filipino communities that rely on the rich marine ecosystems for food will go hungry.

If the Aquino administration does not act fast enough to mitigate the problem, some 1.2 million jobs in the fishing, tourism and food sectors will be directly affected by poor oceans management, Greenpeace said in a statement.

“We are an archipelagic nation. Soon, we will become the epicenter of global marine adversity if our government agencies refuse to acknowledge and address the crisis at sea,” said Cinches, expressing alarm over the unprecedented destruction of the Philippine marine ecosystem that foreshadows serious health, social and economic impacts.

“Our seas are already under threat from massive overfishing and decades of unsustainable fishing practices that have resulted in today’s dwindling fish catch.

With ocean acidification and rising sea temperatures, fish won’t be able to spawn and propagate. That now leaves 30 million Filipinos

with even less fish to eat,” he said.

The presence of illegal commercial fishing in Philippine seas is also a big problem, he said.

In Sorsogon, for example, fishermen around the Burias-Ticao Pass cannot compete with large commercial fishing vessels that encroach on municipal waters. In Donsol, fishermen can barely catch six kilos per day, the average haul that will give them a good day’s wage.

“We know that illegal and unregulated fishing is rampant in our waters, and yet no one seems to be doing anything about it. This is the reason why last year some bishops went to President Aquino to request that his office ban commercial vessels from the waters around Burias, Ticao, and Ragay Gulf,” said Monsignor Angel Dy of the Sorsogon Social Action Foundation Inc. With climate change affecting the world’s oceans, more extreme and unpredictable weather has shortened the fishing season for small-scale fishers who are entirely dependent on the sea for their livelihood.

Sadly, the government has so far not offered a comprehensive solution

to revive Philippine seas, Cinches said.

Philippine fisheries has an annual estimated production of 6 million metric tons of fish, but there has been a steady decline due to overfishing attributed to illegal commercial fishing vessels.

Greenpeace has long called on the government’s attention to help avert a fish crisis.

Earlier this year, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) revealed that 10 of 13 fishing grounds in the country are heavily exploited due to illegal and unregulated fishing activities.

Greenpeace is working to support fishing communities in the Philippines, particularly in places like Ticao Pass and Donsol which are home to vulnerable species such as whalesharks and manta rays.

“We are in deep trouble.

The government must acknowledge that our seas are in crisis,” Cinches said as he urged the BFAR to come up with a fisheries rescue roadmap.

“What the country needs is the establishment of more marine reserves and the reduction of our fishing capacity to sustainable levels, alongside long term solutions to climate change.”

Greenpeace will soon launch its Ocean Defender initiative, bringing together a network of volunteers who are committed to raising awareness about ocean issues such as marine pollution and overfishing.

The coastal barangay of Ipil in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, is home to more economic activity with the help of a boat landing and 35-meter rock causeway built by the U.S. Agency for International Development, through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program. The boat landing has enabled residents and traders to transport marine products more efficiently, while ensuring safer travel. It’s also a source of funds for the municipal government, which collects user fees to help maintain the facility. USAID has constructed more than 1,300 community infrastructure projects in Mindanao’s conflict-affected areas, in partnership with local governments. These include water systems, solar dryers, boat landings, trading centers, foot bridges, barangay bridges, and roadway upgrades. USAID’s GEM Program is implemented under the oversight of the Mindanao Development Authority.

PHL to ship sugar in Nov. as milling season starts early THE Philippines will start shipping sugar overseas in November, a month earlier than usual, to make room for new stock and keep prices of the commodity in the domestic market stable, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said Friday.

“We have to decongest our warehouses for incoming inventory,” SRA manager for Planning Rosemarie Gumera said in an interview with reporters on Friday.

“At the rate of milling this season, our warehouses

will be full to the brim if we will not start shipment ASAP,” she added.

The early shipment of Philippine sugar would also keep domestic prices from fluctuating, the SRA official noted. “We just want prices to be at the same level they are right now.

“Refined sugar should be selling at P50 to P54 per kilo while washed sugar should be price not more than P58 per kilo,” said Gumera.

Based on the SRA’s shipment program much of the sugar for foreign market

would come from surplus output based on world market prices or the current price in the United States.

The surplus on hand consists of 40,952.8 metric tons (MT) of “A” for the US quota and 55,853.24 MT of “D” for the world market.

These volumes are ready for export.

More millers started operations early this crop year 2012-2013 with nine mills now in full swing. Only three mills were churning out sugar a year earlier, according to the SRA.

Rubber production resurges in C. Mindanao NFA intensifies watch

ALEOSAN, NORTH COTABATO—Rows of rubber trees line the roads of this farming community tucked into the heart of Central Mindanao.

The trees, some of them 60 years old, have witnessed the transformation of this once conflict-affected area into an emerging rubber production hub.

“People planted rubber here as early as the 1950s.

Aleosan’s hilly terrain and agro-climatic conditions make it a good location for rubber plantations,” said Lolita Caputolan, barangay chairperson of New Panay, Aleosan.

Caputolan’s father had just started the family’s rubber farm in the 1970s when armed hostilities broke out between two local ethnic groups. After martial law was declared in 1972, life became even more difficult for the family.

“We had to flee to evacuation centers in Libungan and Midsayap. More than once we had to stay away for two to three years,” she recounted.

Every time they returned, however, the family would find their rubber trees in relatively good condition.

“That’s the thing about rubber trees. They are resilient and need minimal care, unlike other crops,” Caputolan pointed out.

As security conditions in the area improved over the years, so did the local economy, as residents focused their efforts on developing their farms—and on realizing income from rubber.

“Domestic demand for rubber continues to grow,”

said Caputolan, a member and business adviser of the New Panay Farmers MultiPurpose Cooperative, whose forty members include former combatants of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

According to government data, aggregate rubber production in the Philippines amounted to more than 395,000 metric tons in 2010, with production concentrated in Central and Western Mindanao, particularly in the provinces of North Cotabato, Basilan, and Zamboanga Sibugay.

In 2005-2010, overall rubber production increased by 25 percent in Mindanao, and shot up 50 percent in the Central Mindanao subregion.

In response to requests for assistance from residents and local government units in North Cotabato, the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) recently partnered with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide training on rubber tapping and bark management to farmers in Aleosan and in the neighboring municipalities of Libungan and Matalam.

The training, which was implemented through USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, is part of USAIDs larger efforts to improve the competitiveness of growers across conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, and to enable former combatants of the MNLF to diversify into higher-value agriculture production.

Caputolan said that the rubber/PAGE 10

vs rice hoarders

GENERAL Santos City -The National Food Authority (NFA) is closely watching various markets in South Cotabato province to check the possible hoarding of rice supplies by local retailers and millers.

Avelino Usman, NFASouth Cotabato manager, said the move was part of ongoing efforts to ensure the availability of substantial rice supplies in the local markets in preparation for the predicted onslaught of another El Niño phenomenon, or long dry spell in the area.

He said the agency also monitors the market prices of commercial rice as well as the distribution of NFA rice by its accredited retailers.

“We don’t want that (rice hoarding) to happen to avoid an artificial rice shortage. So we always make sure that we have enough rice supplies in our markets at any given time,” Usman said.

NFA earlier said an artificial rice shortage happens

when traders and millers deliberately limit the distribution of rice stocks so they could control the market prices.

In early 2008, several areas in Mindanao were affected by an artificial rice shortage that saw the prices of commercial rice rising to as high as P51 per kilo.

Usman said NFA officials recently met with rice millers in the province to make them aware of such problem and its direct impact to the economy.

“They assured us that no rice hoarding will happen within their ranks,” he said.

Meantime, he assured that the agency has enough rice stocks to sustain the current requirements of the province’s 10 towns and lone city.

He said their standby inventory comprised palay stocks, imported rice and milled local rice.

With its population of around 800,000 the province needs 117,075 metric nfa/PAGE 10

THE MEDIA CENTER BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa St., Cagayan de Oro City

PPI, BWM hold seminar on journalism

T

he Philippine Press In s t itut e ( P P I ) i n c o op e r at i on with Philippine Ai rl i ne s Fou nd at i on and the BusinessWeek Mindanao Advertising and Promotions holds a seminar on excellence and ethics in journalism with the theme “Making S e ns e of Jou r na l is m To d ay ”, O c tob e r 2 5 , Cagayan de Oro City at the BWM Media Center.

The seminar is part o f P P I ’s S c h o l a s t i c Outreach Program.

Participating students from the region enjoy a whole-day of learning as key speakers from Manila gave them s e vera l s essions and workshops.

Allan Mediante, Executive Editor o f B u s i n e s s We e k Mi nd ana o wel c ome s t he p ar t icip ants and guests, while Ariel C. Sebellino, PPI Executive D i r e c t o r, g a v e t h e participants an overview

of the Philippine Press Institute.

The participants are journalism and communications stu d e nt s f rom L i c e o de Cagayan University – Mass Communications Department, Bukidnon S t a t e Un i v e r s i t y, St. Mar y’s S cho ol in Cagayan de Oro, Central Mindanao University, and MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology.

The morning sessions included talks by national personalities in the media industry.

Session 1: Excellence is the Key is handled

by G M A- 7 P ro g r a m Manager Joseph Alwyn T. Alburo and Session 2: Going the Way of Ethics by Rowena C. Paraan, Secretar yGeneral, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

This is followed by an open forum and a workshop, a chance for the student journalists

to participate and share their thoughts.

A special visit b y C y n t h i a Vi l l a r, Chairman & Managing Director of the Villar Foundation also gave the participants her insights on journalism ethics and entrepreneurship.

Villar is in the city for t he unvei ling of t he Sendong Memorial at Golden Haven Memorial Park, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro. A lunch forum on C or p orate S o ci a l Responsibility (CSR) is then facilitated

by Mi g u el Vi l l are a l, P h i l i p p i n e Ve t e r a n s B an k Vice President on Corporate Communications.

The afternoon session tackled on visual communications. The talk on Photography vs Photojournalism is delivered by Cagayan de Oro TIMES Editor-inChief, Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy.

PARTICIPANTS COMING FROM DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES IN NORTHERN MINDANAO SHOWING THEIR SEMINAR CERTIFICATES.

ARIEL C. SEBELLINO PPI Executive Director

JOSEPH ALWYN T. ALBURO GMA-7 Program Manager

ROWENA C. PARAAN Secretary-General, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

MIGUEL VILLA-REAL Phil. Veterans Bank Vice President on Corporate Communications

SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY Cagayan de Oro TIMES Editor-in-Chief

We grow minds!

CYNTHIA VILLAR inspires the student journalists to practice on journalism ethics and entrepreneurship

Greetings from:

Photos by ARJAY FELICILDA, RONALD MASTAIL & SHAUN UY

PHIL. VETERANS BANK, NGCP, SMART COMMUNICATIONS, COWD, GOV. OSCAR S. MORENO, GOV. NORRIS BABIERA, PHIL. VETERANS BANK, NGCP, SMART COMMUNICATIONS, RIO VERDE WATERVICE CONSORTIOM INC., CAGAYANSUPERCENTER, DE ORO WATER DISTRICT, BROTHERS COFFEE SERVICES, INC., GOV. OSCAR S. MORENOR, VICE ORORAMA NSO REGION BREW X, BREW BERRY CAFÉ, DYNASTY COURT HOTEL, FUNDADOR, SAN MIGUEL BEER, GOV. NORRIS BABIERRA, ORORAMA SUPERCENTER, NSO REGION X, DYNASTY COURT HOTEL, FUNDATOR, SAN DEL MONTE PHILIPPINES, PEPSI COLA, PHILHEALTH REGION X, BRGY. CHAIRMAN ROLANDO UY, LTFRB REGION X MIGUEL BEER, DEL MONTE PHILIPPINES, PEPSI COLA, PHILHEALTH REGION X, BRGY. CHAIRMAN ROLANDO UY and RIO and VERDE WATER CONSORTIUM LTRB REGION X

Congress

BusinessWeek

10 House Bill relaxing absentee vote gets Congress nod October 29-Nov. 1, 2012

A BILL that will relax the rules on absentee voting to allow more overseas Filipinos to exercise their right to suffrage has been approved on third and final reading in the House of Representatives.

Rodriguez

House Bill 3966, which seeks amendments to the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003, was approved on a vote of 197 for and 0 against.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, Jr., chairman of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, said the bill provides a more accessible registration of overseas Filipino voters by providing for the creation of field and mobile registration centers in key areas abroad.

The measure also allows overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to either file their application of registration personally at any post or at designated registration centers in the Philippines so long as these are authorized by the Comelec.

OFWs, however, are required to submit themselves for live capture of their biometrics.

Aside from Barzaga, the bill was authored by Reps. Rex Gatchalian

(NPC, Valenzuela City); Rodel Batocabe (Ako Bicol Partylist); Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Lakas-CMD, Pampanga); Rufus Rodriguez (PMP, Cagayan de Oro City); Erico Aumentado (Lakas-CMD, Bohol); Walden Bello (Akbayan partylist) and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II of Mandaluyong City.

Aumentado said the measure provides for the expansion of the coverage of RA9189 by allowing Filipino overseas voters to vote not only for the presidential and midterm elections but also in all national referenda and plebiscites.

The opposition lawmaker said records at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) shows that in the previous election, there were at least 3.6 million qualified voters abroad. “Out of this figure, 589,830 were registered voters while only 153,323 actually voted, broken down as follows: 39,564 voted by mail, 64,743 voted manually or in

M I N D A N A O

person and 49,016 voted through automation,” Aumentado said.

“The present law provides for the voting by mail to only three countries. This limitation effectively disenfranchises many OFWs abroad,” Aumentado said.

On the other hand, Bello explained that the bill allows overseas Filipinos with dual citizenship to vote without renouncing their other allegiances. Immigrants/ permanent residents need not execute affidavits declaring that they shall resume actual, physical permanent residence in the Philippines not later than three years from approval of their applications for registration under RA 9189.

“The measure shall be more effective, far reaching and voter friendly to overseas Filipinos,” Bello said.

Under the bill, pre-departure registration shall be conducted in accredited government agencies or facilities to be determined by the Comelec.

According to Batocabe, HB 3966 expands the three modes of

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voting -- personal voting, voting by mail and by any other means as may be allowed under Section 52(1) of Batas Pambansa 881 as amended or the Omnibus Election Code.

The bill mandates the Comelec to explore and adopt more efficient, reliable and secure modes or system, paper-based or electronicbased technology or other latest technology available for onsite and remote registration and elections.

The measure shall also establish the Department of Foreign Affairs Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS) based at the DFA’s home office to assist the Office for Overseas Voting, and to direct, coordinate and oversee the DFA’s participation in the implementation of the Overseas Voting Law. It also authorizes the Comelec to appropriate not less than 10 percent of the overseas voting budget for an information dissemination and education campaign and may enter into contracts with public or private entities to ensure effective and efficient information dissemination.

Sendong victims get free houses in ‘Berjaya Village’ THE local unit of the Malaysian conglomerate Berjaya turned over 150 houses to victims of tropical storm ‘‘Sendong” on Friday in a new community in Cagayan de Oro now officially known as Berjaya Village.

Fifty other houses donated by Berjaya Philippines were built in another part of the city. The 200 donated houses were built by Gawad Kalinga on land given by the city government.

The units, 22 square meters in size built on 35 square meters of land, were given away completely for free, Berjaya Philippines said in a press statement.

Roads to Berjaya Village are now being cemented through the help of Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

Mayor Vicente Emano said piped water will follow shortly. The village already has electricity with the posts donated

by Meralco Foundation.

Earlier this month, B er jaya, through its founder Tan Sri Dato Seri Vincent Tan, donated P300 million to

Rubber... from page 8

training provided farmers with improved techniques in rubber tapping, including the proper angling and thickness of the cut.

“Even those who have b e e n t appi ng r u bb e r for more than 20 years learned a lot,” she said.

“The training helps put a stop to improper farm

Artist’s perspective of the Berjaya GK Village

be allocated for the next three years to build houses for the poor and the deserving through Gawad Kalinga.

Expanding business Since its Philippine operations are expanding, Berjaya will keep giving back, said Paul Soo, Berjaya countr y manager. Berjaya operates the Luzon lotto, the Papa Johns pizza chain, a hotel in Makati, and by next year the Mazda distributorship here.

The turnover of the houses is the fulfillment of Berjaya’s commitment to help the victims of last year’s disaster and be part of the rebuilding process by ‘‘giving them a new beginning and hope,” it said.

Sendong killed over 1,000 people in Mindanao, most of them in Cagayan de Oro, and

destroyed and damaged thousands of houses in several regions in the south. It was the deadliest storm in the country in over a decade. ‘‘Housing is a basic need that should be guaranteed to everyone,” Tan Sri Vincent Tan said earlier this month as he turned over to GK chair Tony Meloto a check for P100 millon, the first tranche of Berjaya’s P300-million donation.

Tan Sri Vincent Tan also committed increased investments in the country’s real estate, retail and manufacturing sectors as an expression of support for the Aquino government’s economic programs and good governance policy. ‘‘We will tell everyone that the Philippines is open for business,” he said.—Inquirer.com

200 Gawad Kalinga Houses In Bolonsiri City Mayor Vicente “Dongkoy” Y. Emano, together with Berjaya Group Philippines chief Mr. Paul Soo (center) and Gawad Kalinga Executive Director Luis Oquiñana (left), led the capsule laying during the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Berjaya Village in Upper Bolonsiri, where 200 houses are to be constructed.

practices, such as harvesting from undersized trees.”

In Mindanao, rubber growers sell their coagulated, tapped rubber to traders, consolidators and local processors, who semi-process them into baled latex, crepe sheets or crumb rubber.

The end-users of these semi-processed products include manufacturers of

tires, footwear, automotive parts, sporting goods and industrial equipment.

The New Panay cooperative plans to set up a separate marketing and trading arm, Caputolan said.

Cooperative members sell the rubber to traders who go directly to their farms. This situation is expected to change once the cooperative raises suf-

ficient capital to invest in rubber trading.

“The cooperative expects a return on investment of about 20 percent from trading. Using that income, we plan to help more people develop their farms,” said Caputolan.

“Rubber farming has opened windows of opportunity. Now, our children have a bright future ahead of them,” she concludes.

NFA... from page 8

tons (MT) of rice annually.

Last year, South Cotabato produced a total of 310,410 MT of palay or equivalent to 172,658 MT of milled rice.

“Our current inventory could last for 34 days,” Usman said.

He said the agency’s intensified palay procurement program continued, through its two buying stations in Ko-

ronadal City and one each in the municipalities of Surallah, Banga and Norala.

Usman said they also dispatched a truck that regularly makes rounds in identified palay production areas in the province to purchase palay from local farmers.

The NFA’s support price to individual palay farmers is currently at P17.40 per kilogram and P17.70 per kilogram to members of farmer-cooperatives and organizations.

Feature

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Bukidnon: Home of happy children Inc. spearheaded a one-hour radio program titled “Wow, Kana Maoy Bata!” (Wow, what a kid!). Twentyfive pupils from different schools aged 7-12 years old, are featured in the program every Sunday from 9 to 10 a.m.

Moreover, a series of parent effectiveness trainings were conducted and monitored to ensure that the topics discussed were put into action in pursuit of the value that

By RUBY LEONORA R. BALISTOY Contributor

THIS mountaintop province of 1.2 million people spread across 20 towns and two component cities prides itself in being the home of happy children.

Governor Alex Calingasan said for the past years, programs were carefully planned in a way that will benefit children.

“We won the country’s highest Nutrition Honor Award in the provincial and city level for three consecutive years,” the governor said.

He explained that the provincial government implemented the flagship programs with the children’s welfare taken into consideration.

What has been done A province is considered “childfriendly” only when it is able to assure that all children have the rights to survival, development, protection and participation.

In 2004, the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) allocated P8.33 million to the province for the implementation of its Child-Friendly Movement (CFM)-related programs under the Country Programme for Children (CPC). For its share, the provincial government also allotted P1 million.

Aside from this, P122.31 million was released to fund CFM-related programs, projects and activities along nutrition, welfare, hospital operations, including the Provincial Indigency Health Program (PIHP), scholarship program, sports development and Gender and Development (GAD).

The amount of P86.37 million was also paid to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PHIC) as the province’s counterpart fund to the PIHP. Also implemented was a livelihood program where individuals or groups were granted monetary loans to help them become entrepreneurs and eventually become self-reliant.

Since it has been properly managed, the loans equipped indigent constituents with the means to provide for their family.

Also, through the PIHP, 193,739 indigent families were given proper health care free of charge.

Aside from these, routine health activities that cater to the needs of children, pregnant and lactating mothers are ongoing.

At the same time, children’s health-care services were extended to zero-month-old, including schoolers.

Families with very low enrolled

the family is the basic institution that can provide a child-friendly environment.

Thus, the provincial government of Bukidnon, with its partners, will continue to provide adequate service to the people, especially children.

Calingasan said that although the memorandum of agreement between the Unicef and the provincial government of Bukidnon had ended in 2006, their unified effort for six

years—from 2000 to 2006--guided the provincial government toward the right direction in nurturing and protecting children.

“The child-friendly commitment should become a way of life for it is the path that ensures Bukidnon’s children and the next generation to have a nurtured and protected environment, thus preserving the province as “home of happy children,” he said.

THE MEDIA CENTER BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa St., Cagayan de Oro City

preschoolers were given capital assistance for the purchase of agricultural supplies. Technical assistance on technology transfer of Bio-Intensive Gardening (BIG) was also provided.

Another flagship thrust of the provincial government is the scholarship program exclusive for poor students.

Additional day-care centers were also provided to address the

need for early child development.

Alternative education for outof-school youth were likewise made available by bringing education to their doorsteps, providing them skills to broaden their horizons.

Through public-private partnerships (PPP), activities were held to encourage children to participate in developmental activities and awareness programs.

The Catholic Media Network,

“The broadcasting training I had at BusinessWeek Mindanao Media Center in Cagayan de Oro City on September 29, 2012 was perfect for me, as a school journalism adviser. Aside from being perfect, informative and motivating, the new vistas that I gathered have moulded me further as a writer, as an elementary teacher and as a college instructor. It defined a new way to bring out color to the real direction of my fate, as an educator.”

(Mr. Mherlyn Agluba, Journalism Adviser, Manticao Central School) Photo shows (left to right) BusinessWeek Mindanao Media Center CEO Dante M. Sudaria, Mr Agluba, Mindanao Star Balita News Editor Arjay S. Felicilda and BWM-MC Broadcast Training Director Joe del Puerto Felicilda. (Photo by Ronald Mastail)

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Grand Cenia Residences: Luxury Address • Filinvest’s Latest Project In Cebu THE address of luxury cosmopolitan living is at Grand Cenia Residences, a prime development of Filinvest, that offers sweeping views of Metro Cebu’s skyline from the top floors of the Quest Hotel & Conference Center.

Designed with the features that will make it Cebu’s most exclusive address, Grand Cenia Residences offers one, two, and threebedroom units ranging from 57 to 110 sqm. The units will have well-designed dining, living and receiving areas, kitchen and toilet and bath.

The two and three-bedroom units also have a utility/ maid’s room.

As the residential units are located in the 19th to 25th floors of the hotel, residents will have the privilege of panoramic views of the city.

A wide range of hotel amenities and facilities, located at the seventh floor are within easy reach, such as business centers, fine dining restaurants, lap and kiddie pools, landscaped gardens and a coffee shop.

More lifestyle options are also available from the commercial units at the ground level. Quest will manage the hotel section of the development, promising residents and guests the high standards of hospitality.

Unit owners can also join, for a nominal fee, the

Quest Privilege Club, which enables them to get special discounts at the rooms, food and beverage, and use of business center facilities at Quest Hotel & Conference Center Cebu.

The professional management of the hotel offers services such as security, rental assistance and more.

The convenience of living in a hotel does not stop within its walls. Grand Cenia is located along the bustling Architect Reyes Avenue, which puts residents in the midst of activity and excitement in the city’s business section.

Destinations for work and play are also minutes away as the Cebu Business Park, Uptown District and IT Park, commercial centers like Ayala Center and SM City, and educational and medical institutions such as St. Theresa’s College and Cebu Doctors’ Hospital are merely minutes away.

Grand Cenia Residences is another project of Filinvest Land, Inc., known for a history spanning almost 50 years. Filinvest has built more than 135,000 homes on over 2,350 hectares of land to fulfill the dream homes of Filipino families.

OWNING a house is a laborious achievement. Equally so is the construction of a new abode or redoing what’s already been acquired. Luckily, homeowners have a trusted partner in Mandaue Foam.

For 40 years, this Cebu-grown company has enabled Filipino families to fill their houses with dreamy home furnishings. From simple bedding products to home accessories and state-of-the-art furniture, customers can have everything they need to build the home of their fancy, as well as impeccable service and design consultancy.

What started as a startup business that manufactured foam four decades ago, Mandaue Foam Industries Inc. (Mandaue Foam) has metamorphosed into a big player in its field that is now one of the country’s top 1,000 corporations.

True to its commitment to provide clients with quality and value-formoney products, it has now gained the stature of being the “go-to” home-store for everyone.

The tremendous success of Mandaue Foam all began when entrepreneur Rosita Uy started making foam in Cebu in 1971, with just a starting capital of P100,000.

This, in turn, led to the opening of her first store on February 25, 1972.

“We manufactured polyurethane foam for [the] upholstery needs of furniture exporters and the growing population of Cebu. At that time, our focus was the wholesale of foam for distributors and exporters who would come to us. Foam distributors would send production orders, and the foam would be produced and we delivered it to their distribution partners,” recalled architect Rodrigo M. Galagar, production manager of polyurethane foam of Mandaue Foam.

Seeing the need for a complete home store, Mandaue Foam expanded outside of Cebu. A

showroom in Davao came into being in 1981. Alongside its branch expansion, product lines were also diversified to include pillows, dining tables and bed frames, among others. Spring bed became a regular fixture in 1984. Signature items were also offered such as Flex Foam and Hotel Quality Gala Bed Mattress.

Refusing to rest on its laurels, the company opened two more outlets—one in Pava, Iloilo, and another in General Santos City in August 1998. One year later, Mandaue Foam introduced sofas in November 1999. The turn of the century then saw the mushrooming of more outlets within the Visayas and Mindanao regions, particularly in Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Davao, Iloilo, Butuan and General Santos City.

Mandaue Foam started to import furniture items from China, Malaysia and Indonesia, and sold them locally in 2003. But this did not stop them from continuing to promote Filipino craftsmanship in their showrooms. The company put up its own wood-working factory in July 2005 to manufacture furniture made out of mahogany from Mindanao.

Following the success of its business in the Visayas and Mindanao areas, it then set its sights on Manila and the Luzon region.

A showroom was inaugurated in Cainta, Rizal, in 2007, and two more outlets were opened—one on Quezon Avenue in 2009 and another in Las Piñas in 2010.

To date, Mandaue Foam has 18 showrooms strategically located in key areas of the Philippines. All these stores carry a wide array of home and bed products, entertainment units, office tables, curtain accessories, carpets, lightings, as well as foam and packaging needs of both the fishery and export sectors.

Keeping in mind the customers

with a unique taste for the design of their homes, Mandaue Foam has now transformed into a complete “one-stop shop” that offers easy solutions by allowing patrons to customize their home furniture.

“We want to be part of our customers’ dream home, so we give them the freedom of modifying our pieces to match their style,” Mandaue Foam managing director Ryan Uy said. “We’re able to tailor our all sofas, mattresses and wooden furniture to their specific liking. Simply choose a design, fabric material and tell us the specifications. We’ll take care of the rest.”

To provide professional design consultation services to customers, who may want to have their furniture custom-made, in-house interior designers are always available to provide assistance. “[When designing] we concentrate more on the functions. For example, condos and apartments are existing everywhere, so we would like to be in their homes. We check on the practical side. First, we consider the price, the space and then the design,” explained Melvin Nemenio, interior designer and head of PRD Department (Wood Furniture) of Mandaue Foam.

From manufacturing and wholesaling, Mandaue Foam has quickly evolved and ventured into retailing.

This, eventually, has allowed the foam manufacturer to cater to the needs of homes, hotels, hospitals, furniture exporters and even corporate offices, thus, successfully capturing 20 percent of the foam and furniture market at present.

Now celebrating 40 fruitful years of helping Filipino families beautify their homes, Mandaue Foam continues to think forward and innovate, guided by the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder and competent skills of its people, to provide every Juan comfortable living he deserves.

Comfortable living for every Juan