BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO SEPT.24,2012

BusinessWeek

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www.businessweekmindanao.com Issue No. 110, Volume III • Sept. 24-27, 2012

Market Indicators AS OF 5:52 PM SEPT. 21, 2012

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P41.66

5,292.06

2.91 points

;

; Briefly 10 cents

Simplified registration

THE Board of Investments (BOI) is taking a step to simplify and improve the procedures in investment registration.

“The BOI has taken a paradigm shift in terms of its registration process from being very strict into easy and simple,” said BOI Governor Oliver B. Butalid in an investment roadshow held in the city.

He said the BOI will no longer require the applicant to submit detailed five-year financial projections.

According to Butalid, the applicants need only to accomplish the four-page application form: one page for information and the other three pages for fill-in-the blank tables as supporting schedules.

Economic outlook

ZAMBOANGA City -- The economic outlook of Zamboanga Peninsula remains positive, an official of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

Ms. Teresita B. Deveza, Acting Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Statistics of the BSP said the region manifested stable and positive economic outlook based on five development indicators; population and employment, economic growth and prices financial resources, investments and income of the top corporations, and business expectation.

In her presentation during the 2012 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for BSP Stakeholders in Region 9 Tuesday, Deveza said Mindanao as a whole has posted 3.2% increase in the gross domestic product last year, close to the 3.9% national increase.

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NEDA submits Mindanao power concerns to PNoy

By IRENE DOMINGO, Reporter and RUTCHIE CABAHUG-AGUHOB, Contributor

T

HE National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in northern Mindanao has put the privatization of Agus hydro-electric complex as top priority among the major concerns that they submitted to Malacañang to resolve the power crisis in Mindanao.

Engineer Jaime H. Pacampara, chief economic development specialist of NEDA-10 and Infrastructure and Utilities Committee (Infracom) coordinator of the Regional Development Council-10, said at least nine issues and concerns on the Mindanao power situation were already submitted to President Aquino for appropriate action.

During its third quarter meeting held at the NEDA-10 conference room in Cagayan de Oro City, Mayor Nova Princess E. Parojinog-Echavez, chairperson of the Infracom, said the power concerns were gathered by NEDA-11, which acted as the secretariat of the Mindanao Power Summit held during the second quarter.

She said that these issues and concerns carried with them the corresponding recCHILD LABOR. Two kids push their cart across a busy city street to make a living. More and more young children are forced to work by their parents in the Philippines due to lack of economic op- ommendations and solutions. portunities.

PHOTO BY MIO CADE NEDA/PAGE 6

Primavera Residences opens new office and model unit Cagayan de Oro City’s premier condominium development has moved to its new office in the 2nd floor of Primavera Residences Tower A at the Pueblo de Oro Business Park.

“We have moved into the Primavera Residences Tower A to better serve our clients,” said Ms. Andi Ramos, Vice President for Operations of Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corporation, owner and developer of

Primavera Residences. “We have also moved our showroom to Unit 605 of Tower A to integrate all our operations into one location.”

The turnover of completed units in Tower A following the release of the Occupancy Permit and the introduction of Globalland Property Management Inc. to provide unit owners integrated property management services with a full menu of PRIMAVERA/PAGE 6

Ms. Greanne Trisha Mendoza, Ms. Kagay-an 2012 and also Ms. Primavera, graces the new model unit of the Primavera Residences at the Pueblo de Oro Business Park, Cagayan de Oro City.

HULA KO,Kalasahan KO, Kalasahan ko.

HULA KO,Tabangan ko. ( I Love my town. I will help my town.)

Businessman Hadar M. Hajiri-Al-Haj took his oath as member of PDP-LABAN-UNA before its secretary General Peping Cojuangco last September 10, 2012. Manila (P.R.)

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September 24-27, 2012

Economy

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DOTC bids out construction of Bicol, Mindanao airports THE Department of Transportation and Com- ing 150-meter width of the only the airside develop- the air terminals located million in Cotabato and munications is auctioning off the construction runway strip is far from the ment. A separate bidding in the coasts of Mindanao, its neighboring cities and of two airports in Bicol and Central Mindanao. International Civil Aviation will be held for the con- particularly the Cagayan de provinces.

In an invitation to bid published Friday, the DOTC said the development of Bicol International and Central Mindanao Airports would cost a combined P 1.1 billion.

About P963.2 million is allotted for the development of the new Bicol International Airport, which will address the many limitations of the Legazpi Airport.

In 2011, the Legazpi Airport recorded 198 cancelled and 104 delayed flights stemming from the airport’s microclimate.

The microclimate is due mostly to the mountainous area surrounding the airport, producing thick fog that often obscures the runway.

Installation of an instrument landing system is not a viable option as the exist-

Organization-prescribed width of 300 meters.

The existence of houses and hills around the airport also makes it costly to widen the runway strip.

Besides addressing the problems, the new Bicol International Airport will also support the increasing trade and tourism in the region.

The initial procurement for the Bicol airport includes

struction of the passenger terminal building and other landside components.

The components of this project include the continuation of runway strip construction, concrete paving of runway, construction of taxiway, rigid pavement, and other peripheral works.

As for the Central Mindanao Airport, the DOTC is setting aside P154.5 million for the construction of the facility in M’lang, Cotabato, intended to operate as a feeder airport to

Oro, Davao, and the General Santos airports.

Majority of provinces in Central Mindanao such as Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat have no convenient access to airports. At present, people in these provinces need to travel two to three hours by land to get to the airports located in the coastal cities of Mindanao.

Once operational, the airport is projected to serve a population base of 3.5

“More importantly, the airport will further open up the region to visitors who wish to explore both investment opportunities and tourist attractions in Central Mindanao,” the DOTC said.

These airport projects are in line with the government’s drive to pump-prime the economy and modernize the Philippines’ air transport system in a bid to raise rural incomes, literacy and improve health conditions in the countryside.

Phoenix Petroleum plants trees to save Davao’s Watershed

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Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. planted 1,000 hard wood seedlings during the Phoenix Kadayawan Run Tree Planting activity held on September 15, 2012 at the Malagos Watershed, Calinan, Davao City.

The tree-planting activity is part of the Kadayawan Phoenix ‘I Recycle’ Run held last August 12, 2012, where the company promised to plant one tree for every registered runner.

With 3,000 runners who participated, 3,000 trees were pledged to be planted at the Talomo-Lipadas watershed.

A total of 210 volunteers from Phoenix Petroleum, Davao Doctors Hospital, Southpoint School, Davao City Water District, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Holy Cross of Davao College, Scoop, and TV5 helped plant Narra and Acacia seedlings.

Additional 2,000 seedlings were donated by Maynilad, making the to-

PHOENIX KADAYAWAN RUN TREE PLANTING. Tree planting volunteers sign the commitment wall as their pledge to help protect the environment during the Phoenix Kadayawan Run Tree Planting activity held on September 15, 2012 at the Malagos Watershed, Calinan, Davao City.

Tree planting is part of the Phoenix Petroleum’s Corporate Social Responsibility projects under environment. Aside from environment, other core programs of the company are Education, Health and Safety, and Outreach and Disaster Relief.

tal number of trees to be planted reach 5,000.

The rest of the seedlings will be planted through Phoenix Petroleum’s project partner Davao City Water District at the company’s 5-hectare adopted site in Talomo-Lipadas Watershed.

P h o e n i x Pe t rol e u m

Philippines is the leading independent oil company with an expanding network of operations nationwide. It is engaged in the business of trading refined petroleum products and lubricants, operation of oil depots, and storage and transport services.

DavNor provides tools, farm animals for countryside devt TAGUM City -- The provin- the turn-over of farm imple- to beneficiaries held at the cial government of Davao ments and draft animals, Provincial Agriculturist’s del Norte has implemented and dispersal of fingerlings Office (PAGRO) to jumpstart economic development in the countryside.

Seventeen heads of carabao each paired with harrow and plow were distributed to one beneficiary from each municipality, five from Dynamic Vegetable Growers Association and one from PAGRO under the Department of Agriculture’s High Value Crops Development program.

In the said event, about 10,000 hito fingerlings were divided among 10 in-land fish growers from the five municipalities namely San Isidro, Asuncion, Talaingod, New Corella and Kapalong.

Each recipient took home 500 fingerlings.

Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario personally handed out the certificates of turn-over to all beneficiaries.

To sustain the program, PROVIDES/PAGE 6

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Available at:

CDO - VELEZ

Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Telefax No.: (088) 857-2647 Date Opened: December 8, 1994 Supervisor: Alner K. Verdida

GINGOOG

National Highway, Gigoog City Telefax no.: (088) 427196 Date Opened: December 08, 2005 OIC: Charina A. Ida単o

CDO BORJA

Andrada Bldg., JR Borja St. Brgy. 32, Cagayan de Oro City Telefax: (088) 8573140; 8573139 Date Opened: July 18, 2006 Store Manager: Lilibeth O. Hanasan

CDO GUSA

JVR Bldg.,Sta. Cecilia Subd., Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City Telefax: (088) 22710126; 8571126 Date Opened: Store Supervisor: Fritzie L. Eugenio

ILIGAN

Benito Labao cor. Sabayle Sts., Iligan City Telefax: (063) 221-5505; (063) 225-0509 Partyphone # 0973-903342 Date Opened: August 12, 1989 Store Supervisor: Rowena I. Pacheo

MALAYBALAY

Brgy. Sumpong, Fortich St., Malaybalay City Telefax. No. (088) 221-3424; (088) 813-4754 Partyphone # 0973-903818 Date Opened: April 25, 1996 Store Manager: Mary Rochelle M. Paano NR-BY602XSPH 21.0 cu.ft

NR-BY552XSPH 19.0 cu.ft

NR-BW465VNPH 16.0 cu.ft

NR-BW415VNPH 14.0 cu.ft

VALENCIA

Hagcol, Valencia, Bukidnon Fax No.: (088) 828-4127; Telephone No.: (088) 222-2412 Partyphone # 0973-903780 Date Opened: July 15, 1989 Store Manager: Carlos E. Abbarientos

MARAMAG

Purok 1, North Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon Telefax No.: (088) 222-5208 Date Opened: August 05, 2004 Store Super visor: Narciso F. Tabudlong, Jr.

PAGADIAN TIGUMA

EMCOR Bldg., National Highway Tiguma St., Pagadian City Telefax #: (062) 214-1723; 214-4302; 215-3958 Date Opened: September 8, 1997 Sales Supervisor: Cristy V. Guisado

PAGADIAN RIZA

Zulueta Bldg., J. Rizal Ave., Pagadian City Fax No.: (062) 214-1462; Tel No.: (062) 214-4996 /214-2822; FSO: 062-2144997 Date Opened: September 8, 1989 Sales Manager: Marbel M. Crusio

MARANDING

National H-way, Mercado St., Maranding, Lala Lanao del Norte FAX No./Tel. (063) Tel. No.: (063) 388-7048 Date Opened: March 14, 1992 Sales Supervisor: Marivic B. Gran

MOLAVE

Provincial H-way, Molave, Zamboanga del Sur FAX No.: (062) 225-1407 Store Supervisor: Raquel A. Macahito

HULA KO,Kalasahan KO, Kalasahan ko.

HULA KO,Tabangan ko. ( I Love my town. I will help my town.)

HADAR M. HAJIRI, Al-Haj. The Man with a Mission!

W

ith all the glory and fame, Hadar M. Hajiri, Al-Haj need not to expand his horizon for power because of what he has already in life, but still something is lacking. He has a calling, a mission to accomplish and that is to serve his people and his community…Lugus , the place where he acquired his value of hard work, and initiative to develop despite the odds. It is in this place with his father’s example of virtue and that he became a man.

A native son of Lugus, who grew up learning and experiencing the difficult but sometime, the rewarding nature of the place. Hadar’s father was a fisherman and a farmer.

Sometime in 1976, Hadar joined the famous barter trading, and hit some lucrative transaction.

He became a police officer during President Corazon Aquino, after a brief stint with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

There is indeed a blessing for a man who believes in his capacity to excel and who believes most of all in the teaching and virtues of the Most Benevolent Most Merciful Allah.

Born in Lugus, Sulu on June 20, 1959, Hadar married Nur-Aisa Aming Hajiri. They have five (5) children: Hja. Shermahal, Hja, Sher Haida, Al-Medzer, Nur-Hada and AJ Boy .

Hadar’s parent’ s are Hajiri Kirang and Mariam Aming.

Hajiri completed his Elementary Education at Siasi Elementary School. He finished his High School at Siasi Central Sulu and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College.

In 1991, he resigned from the police force and fought well his way to become the exclusive National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) hauler in various regions in the Philippines, helping not only himself but the many people who depended on his services especially in the island provinces of the south.

Hadar is the President of Medzar Shipping Lines,Owner / Proprietor of Medzar Trucking Services, Mega World Security Agency and Napocor Hauler (Luzon, Palawan, Eastern Visayas and Western Mindanao) with business address at Apolinario Loop, Old Highway Guiwan, Zamboanga City.

Hajiri’s success in life has the capacity to turn the sleepy mu-

Children of Hajiri: Hja. Shermahal Hajiri, Hja, Sher Haida Hajiri, Al-Medzer Hajiri, Nur-Hada Hajiri and A.J Boy Hajiri

nicipality into an agriculture, fishing and tourism center.

That is why; he desires to return the joy and the blessing to Lugus, the place of his birth and the place has made him grow up to be what he is today.

The people of Lugus deserve good leadership and sincere governance that empowers not only its natural bounties but also its citizens.

He desires in his heart to help develop Lugus and uplift the condition of living of its people.

There is abundant wealth in its mountains and seas that the people of Lugus can explore and develop to make sustainable economy for them.

As businessman, Hajiri believed he could help local leaders of Lugus to transform into progressive town.

Hadar can make sure there will be a road map for improving the town, were previous leaders enriched themselves

HADAR M. HAJIRI, Al-Haj . President, Medzar Shipping Lines . Owner/ Proprietor of MEDZAR Trucking Services . Megaworld Security Agency . NAPOCOR Hauler (Luzon, Palawan, Eastern Visayas and Western Mindanao)

Grand children of Hajiri: Aldafdzra, Alexandra, Prince mar, Ervin, Alejandra, Almidzra, Alvin, Mahathir, Shehada, Khloe, Trisha, Jessica, Jayden, Hadaraiza, Asia, Yumi, FaƟma & Fheyve

Hadar can make sure there will be a road map for improving the town, were previous leaders enriched themselves at the expense of the town and its people.

To achieve this, the L o c a l G over nment Unit should put basic infrastructure and infuse substantial investment to realize the potential in aquamarine, agriculture, and cultural richest of Lugus Moreover,the local

government should also actively participate in the education of its children and see to it that they become knowledgeable citizen to keep them away from the dark, and being susceptible to manipulate of selfish politicians.

To realize this, a comprehensive peace and order must be t app ed. Thes e and more, he dreams for the people of Lugus.

Hajiri eyes development for Lugus town

S

ulu- Businessman Hadar M. Haj i r i, A l Haj of Lugus town, this province eyed for infrastructure and economic development for this town. Hajiri was born to a native fisherman of the place.

As businessman, Hajiri expressed his burden to address poverty problems and the poor infrastructures.

He said the effort to initiative development such has giving the people an equal opportunity fo r a better life can generate peace stability.

Hajiri added the best way marginazined sector can be reduced is to give the less fortu n at e i n d i v i du a l s an opportunity of an equal access to social services.

Hajiri was an independent mayoralty aspirant last may 11, 2010 synchronized national elections.

During this election, he was found strictly supporting the gun ban law.

Gun ban is vital step toward ensuring peaceful and orderly election, said Hajiri who is also the president and chief executive officer of MEDZ AR shipping Lines.

His supporters called him as “ The Man with a Mission”.

From the humble beHajiri’s desires to return the joy and the blessings to the place of his birth, Lugus. Because Lugus has made him grow up to be what he is today. ginning, he joined the PC-INP in 1984.

He offered his service to assist the national Power Corporation in its electrification program to energized the ppoor and the non- profitable areas most of which are found in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi Tawi.

In 1991, he resigned from the police force to handle missionary works fro NAPOCOR and took care of personnel from Manila working for the installation from Manila working fro the installation of power barges and generating sets in Bongao and neighboring islands.

His unselfish effort to help in energizing Twi-Tawi poevince a n d i t s n e i g h b o ring areas,earned him contracts to establish p[ower parts of the Businessman Hadar M. Hajiri-Al-Haj took his oath as member of PDPͳLABANͳUNA before its secretary General Peping Cojuangco last September 10, 2012. Manila (P.R.) country and became a hauler for NAPOCOR in the delivery of fuel,spare parts and other materials to different peorjects.

In 1993, he established MEDZAR sShipping Lines and became the exclusive hauler of NAPOCOR. At present ,he is also the owner / proprietor of MEDZAR Trucking Services and Megaworld Security Agency. (PR)

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September 24-27, 2012

Neda... from page 1

Pacampara said the first of these issues was the privatization of the Agus Hydro-Electric Power Plants (HEPPs), to which the NEDA board has recommended for its full privatization to be done on a per power plant basis or split into three sub-complexes, to address the concern on having dominant players.

The second issue was to rescind the Operation and Management Agreement (OMA) and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM), to which NEDA said there was no need for, as there is no contradiction between the current National Power Corporation (NPC-PSALM OMA).

Third was for NPCPSALM to purchase power directly from the private producers to come up with a blended rate with hydropower. However, NEDA said instead of reverting back to a monopoly, the distribution utilities should enter into bilateral contracts with generation companies subject to the limits prescribed under Rule 11, Section 5 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.

Fourth was the privatization and transfer of power barges (PBs). However, privatization of the PBs was recommended for implementation, provided

the private sector agrees to rehabilitate and transfer the PBs and the consumers agree on higher power rates.

Fifth was the LeyteMindanao Interconnection Project (LMIP), to which majority of the participating organizations was apprehensive, as it could just transfer the high cost of power in Luzon and Visayas to Mindanao.

Sixth was the imposition of the voluntary load curtailment (VLC). Major power users in the region can undertake the VLC, to which NEDA recognizes the contribution of the private sector and the need for them to be compensated appropriately.

Seventh was the establishment of a one-stop shop processing and approval center for the application for mini-HEPP development to encourage interested private investors and for the Department of Energy, Department of Interior and Local Government and other concerned entities to commit to process application within the agreed timelines.

Eighth was to review and amend the EPIRA, prohibit cross-ownership among sectors, specifically the distribution utilities and generating companies, which may be recommended during crisis situations subject to limits, i.e., fixed length of wages, from five to seven years.

Ninth was to encourage development of other renew-

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able and alternative energy sources for Mindanao that are technically safe, costefficient, environmentally and socially acceptable not just for Mindanao but the whole country.

Primavera... from page 1

of solutions for every conceivable property management need: security, housekeeping, tenant management, asset management and leasing services.

Primavera Residences, is a P250-million 10 storey twin-tower Italiandesigned condominium designed by award winning Architect Romolo V. Nati, Chairman and CEO of Italpinas with a solid reputation for award winning eco-friendly buildings, and developed by Italpinas, a member of the Philippines Green Building Council.

Located within the master planned 360-hectare Pueblo de Oro Township in Cagayan de Oro City, it boasts of passive eco-design elements like cross-ventilation, building orientation, an inner green courtyard and terrace, brise soleil (louvers) and extended awnings to maximize natural light and shadow which combine to complement each other and bring down the temperature in the building that it remains cool even in hot summer months to lessen the need for air conditioning.

“Condominium developments in the Philippines are usually located in highly built-up urban areas where the eco-friendly design elements cannot be optimized due to the surrounding environment,” a recent visitor noted. “In contrast, you have this design where its location and orientation takes advantage of the prevailing winds and shadows to keep it cooler and residents can enjoy the unobstructed view of the sea, forests and hills. Everywhere you see it’s green.”

P r i m a v e r a’s f l o o d free location within the Pueblo de Oro Township is another plus factor that greatly adds value to the project. With its mix of commercial establishments like SM City, Koresco Hotel and institutions like schools, churches, clinics and amenities like the 18hole championship golf course, residents within its various residential enclaves have everything they need within easy reach, considerably reducing the carbon footprint of the whole township.

“An added value is the Italian design which is unique to this project and helps bring the community forward,” he added.

Primavera Residences was “Highly Commended ” as one of the Best Condo Developments in the Philippines by the South East Asia Property Awards 2011 earning it a listing in the Best of South East Asia Real Estate 2011/12 publication based in Singapore.

The ITA Project and Italpinas team was also cited with a “Special Energy Award” in the 2011 Design Against the Elements (DAtE) global architectural design competition which aims to build green, livable, affordable, and disaster-resistant village in the Philippines that will serve as the blueprint for other communities threatened by climate change.

Primavera’s passive design elements are estimated to reduce energy consumption for air conditioning by 32% or around 20% for total energy consumption.

In addition to Primavera’s passive design elements, Mr. Nati said they would also be tapping solar energy on its rooftop with the use of photovoltaic cells that would produce around 100 kilowatts peak renewable energy from its two towers.

With the recent approval of the Feed-In Tariff rates by the Energy Regulatory Commission, Primavera is optimistic its implementing rules and regulations, including the “Net Metering Law” would enable its photovoltaic cells to feed electricity directly to the local distribution utility grid, Mr. Nati said. Meantime, the energy produced from the solar cells would be used to directly power the common and shared areas of Primavera.

Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Dev’t

By JEROME R. SOLDEVILLA Communications STEAG State Power Inc Villanueva, Misamis Oriental

(First Part) (Keynote speech during the Tourism Week Celebration at SM City Sept. 17, 2012, Cagayan de Oro City) STEAG State Power Inc. is a special purpose company created to own and operate Mindanao’s first coal-fired power plant, and the most modern in the island. SPI is majority owned by the German company Steag GmbH based in Essen, and Germany’s 5th largest electricity producer and market leader in biomass power plant.

SPI’s power plant is located at the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental. It operates as a baseload plant and has a net capacity of 210MW which supplies 20% of Mindanao’s electric power.

Steag came to Mindanao in 2004 driven by the vast market potentials of this island and the generally conducive area for doing business.

In my desire to make my sharing more meaningful to the tourism industry, I will discuss an important global concern that is closest to our business and very relevant to all. It is about energy and the challenges of energy security and sustainability.

And this concern is shared and recognized by the tourism industry, worldwide. That is precisely the reason why we have the theme Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development has been adopted in time for the World Tourism Day celebration this coming September 27. This is also consistent with the commemoration of 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy.

The Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development recognized that well-designed and wellmanaged tourism can make a significant contribution to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

The tourism sectors, being one of the world’s largest economic sectors, is in a very strategic position to promote environmental sustainability, green growth and our continuing efforts to mitigate impact on climate Around 90 percent of the units in Tower A have already been sold and the only ones still available for sale are the premium units in the topmost floors which offer an unprecedented view of Macajalar Bay and the mountains and hills of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental for exclusive clients who value their privacy and aesthetics.

For further inquiries

change.

Let me cluster my sharing this afternoon into three.

1. A glimpse of the energy situation 2. The challenges of meeting our energy needs 3. The tourism sector’s strategic contribution in sustainable energy solutions Demand is Increasing Global energy demand is increasing considerably.

The main reason for this is world population expansion combined with an increase in energy consumption especially by economically emerging nations.

Studies made by Steag indicate that in spite of energy savings measures promoted and undertaken worldwide, world energy consumption is set to double in the coming decades mainly due to the growing economic prosperity especially of threshold countries such as China, India and Brazil.

Global Energy Outlook Based on last year’s World Energy Outlook Report of the International Energy Agency (IEA): • The world’s primary energy demand will increase by 36% between 2008 and 2035, or 1.2% per year on average.

• China contributes 36% of the projected growth in global energy use, its demand rising by 75% between 2008 and 2035.

• In 2009, China overtook the United States to become the world’s largest energy user.

By 2035, the US will remain the world’s 2nd largest energy user behind China.

• Global demand for each fuel sources increases, with fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) accounting for over 50% of the increase in total primary energy demand In the Philippines, the country’s energy sale is projected to triple from 55,417 GWh in 2008 to 149,067 GWh by 2030. These are translated to peak demand from 9,226 MW in 2008 to about 24,534 MW by 2030.

Meeting the energy needs of the future Clearly, we need to harness new sources of energies to meet our growing power needs. In meeting this requirement, we need to hurdle the challenge of putting in the right energy mix in order to strike a delicate balance between economic and social development, and the protection of the environment. To be continued and viewing, please call (88) 310-8173 or mobile 0917-792-1078 or email gladys@italpinas.com or visit www.primaveraresidences.com.

Provides... from page 2

PAGRO shall oversee the placement of farm implements and attachments from DA to help sustain food sufficiency.

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Editor: Allan Mediante

September 24-27, 2012

• All-new third-generation Carens will attract a new group of consumers to Kia showrooms • World premiere for all-new pro_cee’d and European premiere for 2.0-litre Optima Hybrid sedan, upgraded Sorento SUV

SEOUL – Kia will reveal its all-new Carens compact MPV for the first time at the Paris Motor Show on 27 September.

Completely new from the ground up, the new Carens is designed and engineered to meet the

needs of modern, dynamic families. Built on an all-new platform, it delivers stylish, spacious practicality, with sleek aerodynamics, a cabforward design, long wheelbase and up to seven seats.

Comval Tourism Month highlights ‘Tuklas Likha’ Renewable Energy Invention Showcase COMPOSTELA VALLEY - The province joins the whole world in celebrating the tourism month this September. This year’s theme is “TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY.” The month-long celebration is jam-packed with activities which was started on September 12- 28, 2012.

Array of activities include the launching of Reed Bed Project Initiative, foam outdoor party, wine making training, fruit juices and concentrates training, ComVal Science Coordinators Tour, semestral break regional promotions, sembreak tour package exhibition, Laag ta Uy

Eco Military Camp adventure for capitol employees, tourism stakeholders assembly and launching of Turismo COMVAL Bulawanong Paindigay which features “Search for BEST LGU Terminal and Toilet” and “Search for Best in Renewable Energy Initiatives” for High School or the “Tuklas Likha” which serves as the highlight of the month long celebration.

The 2012 Tourism

Month Renewable Energy Invention “Tuklas Likha” Contest serves as a venue to encourage high school and teachers of Compostela Valley to come up with new renewable energy technologies or inventions that can enhance the needs of the tourism and other industries in the province.

A nchored on t he t heme Tou r ism a nd Su st a i nable Energ y : Powering Sustainable Development, the contest is open to high school students and teachers within Compostela Valley. It is a partnership initiative by the Provincial Government of Compos-

tela Valley, the Department of Education of Compostela Valley, the provincial office of the Department of Science and Technology, and the Provincial Tourism Council. The two (2) categories are Student Invention Category (Tuklas Award) for High School and Teacher Invention Category (Tuklas Award) for Teacher-Inventor(s).

Entries should be duly endorsed by the school where the contestants are students and/ or teachers and where the invention is made.

The endorser can either be the principal or the TOURISM/PAGE 12

Turning On the P11.5M Indahag Water System City Mayor Vicente “Dongkoy” Y. Emano turns on the P11.5M Water System (funded by Pres. Aquino's PDAF) in the Indahag Relocation Site, September 19, 2012, in the presence of the relocation site settlers. Also in attendance were City Council members led by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas, local barangay Indahag officials, and some guests.

10

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Dissent in the Church WE should not be too surprised why we have dissent and dissenters within the Church. We should, in fact, expect it and also be prepared for it. We should not lose our charity just because we are contradicted. Christ himself, love and goodness incarnate, was not spared of this.

He was denied by St. Peter himself, betrayed by Judas, rejected by his own people, suspected by the leading men of his time, and finally crucified by the people he came to redeem.

Even his apostles would miss the point of what he was forcefully teaching and showing.

These things can happen to anyone of us. As St. John in his gospel would have it, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

(1,11) Christ had to bear with all of these. More, he preached and lived what he preached that we have to love our enemies. If one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other. If one takes away your coat, let go of it.

If one forces you to walk one mile, go with him for two.

We have to forgive not only seven times, but seventy times seven, meaning, always. He tells us to forgive otherwise we will not be forgiven ourselves.

We should remember that all of us are sinners.

This is true loving, the one that comes from God and not just our own invention, developed simply on our own terms that are

HINTS AND TRACES

FR. ROY CIMAGALA

mainly based on the material, the sensual, the worldly.

True loving goes beyond these human, natural, not to the mention the inhuman and unnatural categories and values we are prone to have due to our sin.

Therefore, we should be wary when we feel provoked and react to dissenters within the Church, in their usual colorful ways, by utilizing their own style and venom. That would be joining them in the gutter, instead of taking them out of it.

What we have to do is to follow the advice of St. John of the Cross, who was clearly inspired by the example of Christ. “Where there is no love, put love and you will find love.” We don’t put off fire by adding fire. We drench it with water.

This formula never fails.

It may take time, its effects not immediately seen, but it will always work. That’s the reason why suffering and sacrifice are unavoidable to a person who truly loves God and everybody CIMAGALA/PAGE 11

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Father and Friend THINK a minute…

Recently on TV I watched an interview of a man named Kuklinski who is in prison for murder. This man has tortured and killed more than 100 people. He was interviewed by a professional counselor who explained that Kuklinski became a murderer mainly because of the kind of parents who raised him.

Kuklinski’s father often beat him terribly for simply no reason, and Kuklinski’s mother never showed him any love at all.

After years of painful torture and abuse, Kuklinski eventually had no conscience. He says that is why he did not feel anything or care at all about the 100 people he tortured and killed.

Since he has never been loved or had even one friend, he says the only thing that keeps him going in life is his hate for other people.

Another man, Henry Luce, had a very different father than Kuklinski’s. Henry Luce is the man who started the very successful Time-Life company which published both Time and Life magazines.

In fact, many people think that Henry Luce has probably influenced world opinion more than any other publisher in history.

Luce often talked about his years as a missionary’s son growing up in China.

When he was a young boy, he and his father went for a long walk and talked almost every evening.

He said: “My father treated me as if I was an adult.” Henry said that his close relationship with his Dad was more than just between a father and son; they were close friends.

You know, our children will become like the people who spend the most time with them being their friend.

This is often why a teenager makes bad choices. He follows the example of other teenagers because they spend more time being his friend than his parents do.

Jesus Christ shocked everybody when he said that God created us to be not only his children, but also His close friends. Jesus said God loves us so much that He wants us to spend time with Him every day and feel

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

so close to Him that we call Him “Dad.” And today, if you will ask Jesus to forgive you for living your own way, He will make you God’s child and friend.

Then, as we learn to live Jesus’ way, we who are fathers can learn to become the loving dad and friend our children need. Just Think a Minute…

Power Play!

A BIG BUSINESSMAN who has been a benefactor to an Ivy League learning institution supporting the later of its numerous academic and athletic programs has severed ties and financial assistance to the university over disagreements on pressing national issues affecting business and government policies that has been greatly influenced by the pronouncement of the Church on how the affair of the state should be run.

The role expounded by the school officials seems at odds and counter to the corporate thrust of his business.

The separation of power between the church and the state is enshrined in the old and new constitutions that this country has ever had and were the basis of many legislation that made up our laws. But the power and influence of the

church dating back to the Spanish colonization until the 4th Republic remains a force to reckon deeply embedded in our culture.

A great percentage among us Filipinos is represented by 96% Catholics and the rest are shared by other denominations. We can see how powerful and influential the Catholic Church is.

They can make a President they can also bring down a regime. Marcos and Estrada were clear examples.

In many countries of the world, the Clergy dictates the affair of the state. The Shah of Iran was overthrown by the Ayatollahs.

Islamic fundamentalist have overhauled some Middle East countries with autocratic form of government. Everywhere, new revolutions are religious inspired. When it triumphs, religions dictate the rules.

Few have taken little

notice that in any democratic country, the people are the greatest asset. Their performance and attitude can result in the success or failure of any country.

Perhaps, running a government is also like running an organization that encompasses the task of recruitment or choosing a leader. Management is provided by senior officials or the cabinet members.

The support and guidance or HRD is manifested by the legislative branch of government.

Getting the most in any organization is to unlock the people’s potential as the key to any business success. When people’s talents are not channeled correctly their behavior can seriously compromise the success of an organization. The same as when a vote in Congress is rush to favor the Church over

TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY

PED T. QUIAMJOT some controversial issues plaguing our daily headlines, people; can take on to procrastination, gossips and manipulations.

T h e words t hat we heard from our leaders like “fraud”, “treason” or “back channeling” are signs of stone walling by a bully and a predator. Or when a hierarchal group manifests its hold in the government, at the end, the country could be the loser?

Pushing mobile banking to the limit (First of two parts) THE popularity of cell phones in the Philippines is undeniable and palpable.

Ask any person on the street if he has a cell phone, and 7 out of 10 would probably say yes.

Sadly, while access to mobile phone services has rocketed in recent years, access to financial services remains a major barrier to economic growth.

If only banks here were as easily accessible as cell phones, particularly in the rural areas!

However, there is a very promising project that aims to offer an “innovative and cost-effective” means to benefit the marginalized sector—particularly the “unbanked.”

The Scaling Innovations in Mobile Money (SIMM) Project, as it has been “christened,” will build upon an earlier United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) project called Microen-

terprise Access to Banking Services or MABS. MABS – a joint project with the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) - helped initiate current interventions in mobile banking.

SIMM intends to push the boundaries further through new technologies toward building a truly inclusive financial system.

Last September 11, 2012, US AID representatives met with front-liners in mobile banking in a meeting hosted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Present during the event were Dr. Maura O’ Neill, USAID Chief Innovation Officer and Senior Counselor to the Administrator; Ms. Gloria Steele, USAID Philippines Mission Director; Ms. Tessie Tan, President of BPI-Globe BanKo; Mr. Paolo Baltao, President of G-Xchange; Ms. Tricia Dizon, Financial Services Head of Smart Communications, BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla and this

writer.

It was truly a momentous occasion. After all, it is not every day that we see known mobile service competitors sit at the same table to engage in a joint undertaking!

We have actually seen the initial successes of “emoney” in the Philippines thru MABS. E-money has been used locally for simple transactions such as bills payment, person to person transfers, and purchase of goods.

It has also been used for deeper financial transactions as a “channel” to deposit, withdraw, or service loans, as well as receive conditional cash transfers.

For providers, e-money has helped them overcome physical barriers and address “cash on hand” risks.

Just a few months ago, I had the honor of providing the keynote message during the 15th Anniversary of the Microenterprise Access to Banking Services (MABS).

During that occasion,

SPEAKING OUT

IGNACIO BUNYE I witnessed the program’s recent achievements in bringing mobile banking to clients and areas that are difficult to reach through traditional “brick and mortar” bank offices.

Indeed, through the MABS program, the rural banks seized the many opportunities provided by an enabling policy and regulatory environment to bring financial services to areas that needed them the most.

Much still needs to be done, though. We still hope to see volumes of transactions and numbers of users BUNYE/PAGE 12

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September 24-27, 2012

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11

DENR promotes INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEAN-UP and CLIMATE CHANGE CONSCIOUSNESS WEEK

The Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) as an active partner and participant of the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC), is announcing that the schedule of the 27th International Coastal Clean-up has been moved to October 06, 2012. The date of the activity which is regularly held on the third Saturday of September each year was moved due to the volume and consistency of waste brought in our coastal areas by the recent typhoon “Habagat”.

The local theme of the 27th International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) is “Bayanihan para sa sa Karagatan”.

The Philippines has been

a major participant in the ICC generating 5000 volunteers in Metro Manila alone in last year’s ICC. Partners, include various government agencies, academe, civic organizations and civil society.

The change of schedule for the ICC is to ensure the safety and health of the volunteers from water transmissible diseases and debris that could harm the volunteers.

In another development, Presidential Proclamation No. 1667 declared November 19-25 of every year as the Global Warming and Climate Change C onsciousness Week.

Proclamation no. 1667 aims to create awareness

on global warming and climate change through broad and intensive Information Education and Communication (IEC) and

Cimagala...

of the gospel will save it.”

(Mk 8,33-35) Dissent within the ranks is the risk all of us, from God down to the last man, take because of our freedom. It can be a sign of freedom, but not necessarily freedom itself, for true freedom is the reciprocal of total obedience to God’s will. So, let’s take it easy. Let’s just be sport, try our best with charity and truth. God is always

from page 10

else in obedience to God’s will.

That is why Christ himself told us very clearly, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that

seek to secure the collective cooperation of all citizens and include the collective efforts of the private and the public sectors.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources -10 (DENR-10) will be actively supporting the observance of the Cli-

mate Change Consciousness Week and ask the public to also observe and support this endeavor. (gathiam)

Energy saving gadget launched in Davao

By BEN D. ARCHE

DAVAO City – A global energ y ma na gement firm has introduced its new product branded as EcoStruxure to the Davao market designed to trim down power consumption by at least 30 percent.

Schneider Electric (SE) country sales head Ian dela Rosa, said during an exhibit of the product at the Marco Polo Davao

Hotel that they are aiming to help local entrepreneurs in reducing their electric spending with their recent solution.

Dela Rosa said the solution is a wholistic approach which integrates energy efficiency for power, data centers, process and machines, building control, and physical security.

“Although the savings depend on the industry as well as the age of their

equipment but the firm does not need to purchase another set of equipment to become energy efficient with the solution,” Dela Rosa explained.

With the product, he added business firms would be able to monitor and control their energy usage and could anticipate better results and improvements.

The price of the product varies and it depends on the type of industry, he said.

The SE decided to bring the technology to the city as the island of Mindanao has been experiencing power shortages due to the aging hydroelectric power plants.

Based on the data of the Mindanao Development Authority, the company official said many business establishments in Mindanao lost some P50,000 for every hour of power outage.

in control.

What we have to do is, as one saint would have it, to drown evil with an abundance of good. In our differences and conflicts, let’s never burn the lines that keep our dialogues and exchanges going. If the situation becomes unbearable, let’s find ways to seek ways to loosen tension, erode division, remove animosities.

Let’s pray hard, be spiritual and supernatural in approach, and then study the issues thoroughly. Kindness should not supplant competence. We don’t approach the issues with reason alone.

We need to be spiritual and supernatural.

We should have a tight grip on our emotions and passions, and drop many bombs of goodwill, courtesy and compassion.

This is how the conversation gets going even if the other party is bent in spoiling it. We should be quick to recognize the good points these dissenters make, and build on them the bridges to reach their mind and heart.

In points of conflicts, let’s be clear to distinguish between the person and the error. We have to learn to be “fortiter in re, suaviter

in modo,” doing what is to be done with unflinching firmness, but in the most inoffensive manner possible.

This will definitely take time and oodles of patience.

But let’s remember that in dealing with Church dissenters, it’s not a matter of scoring points but of converting them. Obviously with God’s grace but also with our utmost effort.

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September 24-27, 2012

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Brown rice campaign launched in Davao

By BEN D. ARCHE

DAVAO City – Brown rice advocates have finally reached here to bring the unpolished staple back to the table of the city residents.

Brown rice. In some parts of the world, the word “to eat” literally means “to eat rice.” All varieties of rice are available throughout the year.

The process that produces brown rice removes only the outermost layer, the hull, of the rice kernel and is the least damaging to its nutritional value. The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. Fully milled and polished white rice is required to be "enriched" with vitamins B1, B3 and iron.

Env’t body to hold presscon on CdeO eco bag project CAGAYANDE ORO - President D. Elipe, chair of the City Council committee on environment, is inviting members of the tri-media to attend a press conference on Friday, September 21, 2:00 p.m. at the City Council session hall.

This is in relation to the implementation of the Cagayan de Oro eco-bag project in the city, which will initially involve five major supermarkets and groceries in the city.

It may be recalled that Mayor Vicente Emano signed a Memorandum of Agreement last Monday with the management of SM, Robinsons, Savemore, Gaisano and Ororama for the purpose.

The use of the unified, eco-friendly bags is being promoted by the city government to discourage the proliferation of plastic bags that pollute the environment.

A proposed ordinance regulating the distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags and requiring retail establishments to collect a pass-through charge from customers requesting for plastic bags is now being finalized and will soon be submitted to the City Council for approval.

Elipe said the legislation seeks to conserve resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions GHG), waste litter and polution, all aimed at protecting public health and welfare.

In another development, the City Council committee on public utilities chaired

by Councilor Alden Bacal last week tasked the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) and the traffic division of Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) to address the concern of the Oro Transport Service Cooperative.

The cooperative cited

that motorelas must not be allowed to ply the national highway from Osmeña to Gusa and vice versa.

According to the chairman of the said cooperative, the operation of motorelas in the area is disadvantageous to the PUJs plying Gusa-Cugman to Cogon Market route.

In other development, the committee referred

to the RTA for study the request of the Westbound Bulua Drivers Association at Bulua for the cancellation of the new provisional route of Centro Iponan Liners.

Members of the association said the route is unfavorable to the regular and official route of Bulua (B1 and B2) liners and adversely affects the daily income of the drivers. (JBD)

DOE to give away CFLs for energy security

ordinate with their respective district representatives, particularly, the location of the claim centers. They are required to bring their most recent electricity bill to these centers to qualify for free CFLs. On the other hand, the PEEP has also allocated about 1.2 million CFLs for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). These will be distributed through DSWD’s National Poverty Reduction Strategy and Countryside Partnership, which aims to bring better products and services to disadvantaged individuals, families and communities for an improved quality of life.

Since 2009, the DOE has already distributed 5 million quality CFLs with 10,000 burning hours. These efficient lamps have, as envisioned, saved 223.56 million kWh/ year or about PhP 2.24 billion in monetary savings. Another 3.6 million 14-Watt CFLs are

up for distribution this year.

For this batch, the country will eventually save another 82.78 million kWh/year reduction in electricity consumption equivalent to PhP 827.82 million and at the same time, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 44,702 tons.

The DOE has underscored the importance of energy efficiency initiatives not only for the present time but also in the long-run. Undersecretary Loreta G. Ayson, PEEP Project Director, said that “ this simple action of switching from incandescent bulb to energy efficient CFL, which also forms part of the Bright Now! Do right. Be Bright Campaign, will help reduce peak demand, thereby avoiding the use of expensive fossil-based power plants hence, reducing the average cost of power generation.”

Usec. Ayson also added that “ the use of efficient lighting in households will result to lower

energy bills thereby stretching their budget for more important needs.”

The DOE, being at the forefront of sustainable development, and with the cooperation and support of stakeholders, energy efficiency and conservation will continue to be one of its major strategies in achieving energy security and independence as it pursues development of indigenous and cleaner energy resources.

incentive for the inventor(s), science apparatus for the from page 9 school, a trophy, and a certificate of recognition during school head.

The winner in each cat- the Awarding and Closing egory shall receive a cash Ceremonies of the invention

contest on September 28, 2012.

With this initiative, more Comvaleño’s are expected to shine once more in the field of tourism and invention.

Rodielyn A. Manugas

As part of the efficient lighting initiatives under the Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP), the Department of Energy announces that household electricity consumers will have the opportunity to get free compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) starting September 22 until September 28 of this year.

The distribution will be made through the 188 congressional districts and 51 party list representatives, which have forged the Memoranda of Agreement with the DOE for the distribution of CFLs to their target beneficiaries.

Given an allocation of 10,000 CFLs per district, the distribution shall be on a firstcome first-served basis, hence, consumers are advised to co-

Tourism...

Personalities from two non-government organizations Oxfam and Dakila led the activity that started the Davao leg at the Abreeza Mall here recently.

Highlighted in the activity were testimonials from celebrity advocates like Tado, food sampling of brown rice recipes from different participating culinary schools, Organic Food Fair, and brown rice cooking demonstrations by the Most Institute and St. Dominic de SavioGourmet Bites.

Marie Nunez, Oxfam public campaigns manager, said the milling of brown rice has less wastage which results to increased production and “thereby

increasing the supply of locally available rice which can reduce our dependence on rice importation.”

“This will definitely help us achieve the country’s goal of rice self-sufficiency,” Nunez said in a press statement.

On the other hand, Davao City Agriculture Office (CAO) officer-in-charge Leonardo Avila III said the city government is throwing its full support to the campaign.

Avila said brown rice is a healthy staple and was, in fact, included in the regular diet of the Filipino people long before white rice came along. He said brown rice is ideal for people with diabetes since it has lower sugar content.

Brown rice is an energy and growth food for children because it is a good source of a protein called lysine. It is also rich in Thiamine, which is good for breast feeding mothers.

The campaign was first launched in Dumaguete.

House passes Forestry Profession Act of 2012

Bunye...

from page 10 multiply.

The SIMM Project, which aims to build on the gains accumulated for over 15 years through the MABS program, can provide the impetus for our e-money and mobile money transactions to reach that proverbial “tipping point”—a point that will enable a greater number of Filipinos to conveniently, efficiently and effectively access much-needed transactional and financial services. (To be continued next week) Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@gmail.com.

Past articles may be viewed at http://speakingout.ph/

THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill regulating the practice of forestry in the Philippines amending Republic Act 6239, otherwise known as the Forestry Profession Law to be more responsive and relevant to the current forestry policies.

"RA 6239 was enacted into law 41 years ago and expectedly, some of its provisions have outgrown its relevance to the forest policies of the Philippines, the program development thrusts of the government, the new knowledge in forestry and the practices of some of the 8,000 professional Filipino Foresters' today," Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) said.

Rodriguez said Forestry is a dynamic profession that changes in the physical environment and conditions of natural resources as well as global and national policies and laws, scientific concepts, methodologies and technologies, and even ethical issues affecting the practice of the forestry profession.

"In the 70's, when the law regulating the forestry profession in the country was enacted, issues on global environment, sustainable forest management, communitybased resource management, integrated protected areas systems, climate change and biodiversity conservation were barely heard," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said there is a need to enhance the role of the Filipino Forester in sustainable development of the dwindling forests in the country.

"The State also recognizes the important role of professional foresters in nation building," Rodriguez said.

"The policy of the State shall promote the sustained development of professional foresters, whose technical competencies have been determined by honest and credible licensure examinations and whose professional service and standards of practice are internationally recognized and considered world-class, brought about by the strategic complementation of regulatory measures and human resource policies and programs that foster their professional growth and advancement," Rodriguez added.

House Bill 6342 provides for the examination, registration and licensure of professional foresters; supervision, control and regulation of the practice of forestry; the development and upgrading of the curriculum; the development of the professional competence of foresters through continuing Professional Education (CPE); and the integration of the forestry profession.

The measure creates a Professional Regulatory Board for Foresters under the administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) whose responsibilities, among others, shall issue and promulgate rules and regulations implementing the provision of this Act, issue or cancel temporary or special permit granted to foreign foresters, hear and investigate cases on violations, and decide administrative cases against examinees or registered foresters.

The measure requires the active participation of the Accredited Professional Organization (APO) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), among others, in the matter of education and practice of the forestry profession.