BusinessDaily (July 16, 2013)

INSIDE LOOK

Philex spending P8-B for Surigao Norte proj

R10 exports increase by 19 pct

Vendors beg for ‘Nite Cafe’ back

SM installs solar panels atop two malls in China

Buk’n Tribal sugar farmers witness groundbeaking

BusinessDaily Economy

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Corporate World

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Volume III, No. 256

Market Indicators

As of 6:12 pm july 15, 2013 (Monday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P43.43

6,619.95 points

3 cents

X

45.74 points

X

Briefly Coastal clean-up EMPLOYEES of energy-firm STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) participated in a mangrove replanting and coastal clean-up drive in Brgy. Silad, Sugbongcon in the province of Misamis Oriental.

STE AG spokesperson Jerome R. Soldevilla said the activity is part of the company’s employee volunteerism activity and in support of its comprehensive environmental conservation programs.

Over the years, Steag have been providing material and funding support for the development and rehabilitation of about 16.4 hectares of mangrove areas in the province, cited Soldevilla.

The projects have been implemented in partnership with the concerned municipal LGUs and the provincial government of Misamis Oriental.

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Normin exports up 19% Cagayan de Oro City

Tuesday

P15.00

July 16, 2013

By APIPA P. BAGUMBARAN, Contributor with REMEE MONIQUE ESPIRITU, Reporter

B

UOYED by the region’s strong a g r ic u lt u re pro duc t ion , northern Mindanao posted another sterling performance in exports registering a total value of US$200.91 million for the first quarter of 2013, higher by 18.62 percent compared to the US$169.37 million exports recorded in the same period in 2012.

Misamis Oriental contributed the lion’s share of US$127.91 million or 63.67 percent of the total regional exports followed by Lanao del Norte with US$54.64 million or 27.20 percent, data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the region showed. exports/PAGE 11

Coconut-based products and oleochemicals drove Northern Mindanao’s total merchandise exports to $200.91 million in the first quarter of this year.

Project Moses THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will launch project Mobile Operational System for Emergency (Moses) which complements the operation of the project NOAH or Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazard.

The department will pilot test Moses which will be done on the onset of the National Science and Technology week celebration on July 22 said DOST-Caraga Regional Director Dominga Mallonga.

Moses uses mobile tablet computers designed by DOST for hazard monitoring and evacuation assistance. One thousand units of Moses tablets are ready for distribution to identified pilot areas for testing.

The tablet computers will be used for fast transmission of disaster alerts or warnings. The device will provide localities with key information when a calamity strikes.

Eco-Business

Iqbal: MILF got more than the ARMM BusinessDaily correspondent Butch Enerio and Maya Padillo of Mindanao Daily Mirror try the aircraft simulated machine at PAAT complex in Clark, Pampanga.

Aviation school aims to produce competent, world-class pilots

By BUTCH D. ENERIO, Correspondent

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga -- A world leader aviation school in the country, providing simulation and modeling technologies and integrated learning solutions for commercial and business aviation and defense globally, will produce pilots capable of flying the most sophisticated aircrafts in the world.

The Philippine Academy for Aviation Training Aviation/PAGE 11

By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS, MindaNews

DAVAO City – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) did not get everything that it proposed to the Philippine government’s (GPH) peace panel on t he issue of wealth-sharing and revenue generation but MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said they secured for the future Bangsamoro government “much more than the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao).”

Iqbal told MindaNews in a text message Sunday morning that what the MILF got in the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing in terms of taxing powers, shares in revenues, natural resources and block grant “strengthen the

ancestral domain doctrine.”

But does the signed annex reflect a major shift from the “status quo” and correct the power relations between the Bangsamoro and the national government? Does it represent what Iqbal referred to in his opening statement in Kuala Lumpur on July 8, as “a major shake-up of the status quo?”

“The best way to k now t he d i f ference is to ma ke c o m p a r i s o n s ,” h e t o l d MindaNews.

Government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the persistence and goodwill of both parties “bore fruit.

“We have a good package, one that we believe would make fiscal

IQBAL: ‘We got a good package from the government’

autonomy in the Bangsamoro a reality,” Ferrer was quoted in a press statement issued by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on Sunday afternoon.

The Annex, the second of four annexes to the FAB that would complete the comprehensive peace pact “seeks to fulfill iqbal/PAGE 11

J.P. RIZAL - CRUZ TAAL STS., (NEAR SHANGHAI BAKERY) DIVISORIA, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

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R10 exports increase by 19 pct NORTHERN Mindanao drew in a total of US$200.91 million in export earnings in the first quarter of this year, higher by 18.62 percent compared to the US$169.37 million recorded in the same period in 2012.

Data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the region showed that Misamis Oriental contributed the lion’s share of US$127.91 million or 63.67 percent of the total regional exports followed by Lanao del Norte with US$54.64 million or 27.20 percent. Bukidnon came next with US$15.1 million or 7.55 percent and Misamis Occidental with US$3.18 million or 1.58 percent.

In terms of exports by sector, coconut-based exports with a value of US$118.10 million remained as the region’s top export products contributing a 59 percent to the total regional exports.

Processed foods ranked next with canned pineapple as its main product earning

US$26.42 million. Industrial manufactures, where sintered ore is the major commodity, ranked third with US$14.95 million export earnings sharing 7.5 percent of the total exports.

Meanwhile, oleochemicals remained the region’s top dollar earner with US$54.14 million representing 27 percent, followed by coconut oil with US$40.84 million or 20 percent and canned pineapple products with US$21.31 mi l lion or 11 percent.

Other top ten export products are sintered ore, lumber/core-sawn/finished/ kiln dried, abaca fiber/pulp, copra solvent and expeller cake/meal, fresh pineapples, desiccated coconut, and cane raw sugar. (PIA)

Coconut-based exports remain Northern Mindanao’s top export products.

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NorCot town boosts tourism sustainability KIDAPAWAN CITY—The Eco-Adventure Park and Zipline located in Barangay New Israel, Makilala, North Cotabato, is the latest addition to t he a lready g row i ng number of tourist spots in the province, making it the newest tourist destination in Region-12.

Following the completion of a month-long training for its staff and employees, the zipline is now open to the public.

The zipline is under the supervision of the Public Affairs, Assistance, Tourism, and Sports Development Div ision (PA ATSDD) of the Office of the Provincial

Governor.

Among the “hot” on the list of tourist destinations in the province is the Asik-Asik Spring Falls – considered a product of the “marvelous” work of nature located in Alamada.

To monitor the number of tou r ist a r r iva ls, t he PAATSDD conducted a series of orientations on tourism statistics for the municipal tourism officers, and some 100 hotel, restaurant, and park owners, and proprietors of business establishments in the province in three separate venues that started Wednesday. tourism/PAGE 11

NEDA: More R&D investments needed to boost competitiveness THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has underscored the need to invest more in research and development ( R & D) t o b o o s t t h e competitiveness of local industries particularly in manufacturing to achieve inclusive growth.

Socioeconomic Planning Sec. Arsenio Balisacan cited a report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) indicating

that technological readiness, business sophistication and innovation are among the pillars of competitiveness.

Balisacan told a recent annual scientific meeting of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) that many neig hbou ring cou nt ries have recognized the value of science and technology in long-term growth and NEDA/PAGE 11

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In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the country’s biggest mall developer and operator said it poured in 13.2 million renminbi or $2 million to install 3,740 solar panels on the roof of SM City Xiamen and SM Lifestyle Center, also in Xiamen.

The total capacity of the roof top solar power project, the first of its kind

in Xiamen, is1,100 kilowatts.

The average generated electricity of the project is estimated at 1.1 million kilowatt hours (KWh) per year. The total generated electricity of the 25-year life cycle will be approximately 27.5 million KWh. “SM Prime is constantly in pursuit of the highest level of operational efficiency.

We want to significantly

First Pacific readies $500M for agri, power ventures in SE Asia FIRST Pacific Co Ltd plans to spend the proceeds of a recent stock rights offering on agriculture and power ventures in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia, the Hong Kong-based company’s managing director Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

First Pacific last July 10 announced that it raised US$500 million from the sale of 480,194,901 rights

shares at HK$8.10 or about US$1.04 each.

“What was important was that First Pacific would raise the requisite funds to put it in a position, especially when markets are currently sort of fluid. So it’s best to bank up the funding by way of equity rather than debt, so that we’re in a better position to benefit from opportunities,” readies/PAGE 10

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SM installs solar panels atop two malls in China HENRY SY-led SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has put up solar panels atop its two shopping malls in Xiamen to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and economize on energy use.

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re duc e g re en hou s e ga s emissions and operating costs by minimizing electricity consumption.

In line with this, we place strong emphasis in investing in the latest innovations in sustainable and energy efficient technology,” said Hans Sy, SM Prime president.

SM P r i m e h a s a l s o introduced a thermal energy storage plant in SM City Jinjiang that resulted in a large cut in the mall’s utility bills.

SM Prime operates 47 Solar/PAGE 10

HARNESSING FREE POWER: Workers installing solar panels on the rooftop of a building in China. Production of solar power is expanding worldwide. China has more than doubled its target for solar power capacity to 50 gigawatts by 2020.

PHILIPPINE budget airlines are scrambling to get more flights to Macau.

According to documents from the Civil Aeronautics Boa rd (CA B), fou r low cost-carriers have applied for the allocation of flight entitlements in line with the recently concluded air service agreement between the Philippine and Macau.

The four airlines and their requests are as follows: - Tiger Airways Philippines, 1,260 seats per week;

- Zest Airways, 820 seats per week; - Cebu Pacific, 440 seats per week; and - PAL Express, 900 seats per week.

The four budget airlines plan to use A319s or A320s for the Macau flights.

Carmelo Arcilla, executive director of CAB, said Macau is a small but important market, being a gateway to Hong Kong and China, which is one of the Philippines’ top 10 sources of tourist arrivals.

Four budget airlines seek flights to Macau “There are about 17,000 Filipinos working in Macau,” Arcilla said.

Last month, the Philippines signed a new a i r s e r v i c e a g r e e m e nt with Macau, raising seat entitlements between the two destinations by 1,000 per week to 4,500 from the prevailing 3,500.

The two sides also agreed to unlimited seats between Macao and all international airports in the Philippines, except Manila, in accordance with Executive Order No. 29.

Is sue d by P re sident Benigno Aquino III, EO 29 opens airports other than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to more foreign traffic.

According to CAB, air talks this year would be aligned with the priorities of the Department of Tourism to meet the government’s tourist arrivals target of 5.5 million.

T h e A q u i n o administration is pursuing air talks as part of its open seek/PAGE 10

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EcoBusiness

Industry lobby bucks proposal What is e-waste? amending Mining Act of 1995

By LIRA DALANGIN-FERNANDEZ

By Orti Despuez

A reforested area in Philex’s Padcal Project in Benguet.

THE Aquino administration-endorsed bill amending the Mining Act of 1995 will “kill” responsible mining companies in the Philippines, the industry lobby said.

I n a s t atement , t he C h a m b e r of M i ne s of the Philippines (COMP) said there is no need to repeal Republic Act 7942, which “already more than adequately addresses” issues raised by the new bill ’s proponents.

“R A 7942 is a worldclass piece of legislation that already balances the interests not only of t he mining industry and the state, but a lso fully considers the rights of host communities, indigenous peoples, and the environment,” COMP said.

The proposed legislation covers only the exploration, development and use of onshore mineral resources and quarry resources yet aims to cancel all mining permits, i nclud i ng ex plorat ion permits, mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) and financial and technical a s s i s t a n c e a g r e e m e nt s (FTAAs), COMP said.

The group also took issue with a provision that demotes the Mines and Geosciences Bu re au (MGB) f rom a regulator to a mere scientific research unit — a proposal that fails to recognize the agency’s expertise in mineral exploration and development.

Another questionable prov ision is ha nd ing over “private col lect ive ownership” over natural resources within ancestral

doma i ns to i nd igenous peoples, COMP said.

“It is a proposal that undermines the principle of the state’s control of all natural resources in the country as enshrined in Article XII of the Constitution,” the group said.

Ot her content ious provisions are as follows: process for determining which areas are open to mining; prohibit ion on subsequent tra nsfers of mining rights; shorter terms for mineral agreements; removal of fiscal and nonfiscal incentives; restricting foreign participation in mining to no more than 40 percent; increasing the gover n ment ’s s h a re i n revenues to 10 percent; and setting royalty payments to indigenous host communities to 10 percent of revenues.

“There is clearly a need for further consultations and interaction between government policy-makers and t he private sector,” COMP said.

“Given the complexity of the issue, there is also a need to undertake an in-depth review of the current mining regime to help ensure that the country’s benefits from its finite mineral resources translate into sustainable wealth that will benefit future generations,” the group said.

(Interaksyon)

Philex spending P8-B for Surigao Norte proj

By Bong S. Sarmiento

PHILEX Mining Corp. is spending P5 to 8 billion this year for the exploration and development works at its Silangan project in Surigao del Norte, businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan said that the Silangan project is on track for its targeted commercial production in 2017.

“At the moment, we’re building a decline, which is the most important step [for the mining project’s commercial operation],” the chairman of Philex said.

The mining method Philex will be using is block caving, an underground method similar to the Padcal project in Itogon, Benguet and not open-pit method like the Tampakan project in South Cotabato, he added.

The controversial Tampakan project, which straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur, is being hounded by the open-pit ban imposed by the South Cotabato provincial government.

Philex has a minor interest at the Tampakan project through the stake of Australian firm Indophil Resources NL. Majority of the controlling equity at the Tampakan project is owned by the merged Glencor Xstrata plc.

Last year, Philex was fined by the government with at least P1 billion after Padcal’s tailings pond leaked.

Pangilinan said the total cost to bring the Silangan project into commercial operation would amount to US$1 billion.

Last year, Philex spent some P10 billion for exploration and development works at the Silangan project, he added.

Pangilinan noted that the ores at the Silangan project will be mined using drilling and explosives to philex/PAGE 7

THERE is no Philippine law that defines what is technically known as Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), nor is there any in Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, that classifies e-waste as hazardous waste.

Geri Geronimo Sanez, chief of the Hazardous Waste Management section of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), said that RA 9003 categorized discarded electronics under the “special waste.”

Lest you think this is another instance of our laws being way behind the rest of the world’s, there really is no standard definition of e-waste, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) report, “The Global Impact of E-Waste: Addressing the challenge.”

According to the ILO paper, the most widely accepted definition of e-waste is that contained in a European Commission directive: “Electrical or electronic equipment, which is waste … including all components, subassemblies and consumables, which are part of the product at the time of discarding.”

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, meanwhile, defines e-waste as “any appliance using an electric power supply that has reached its end-of-life.”

A report by BAN Toxics, an independent, non-profit group devoted to preventing toxic trade, also quoted the European Union’s description of e-waste in its WEEE Directive by classifying electrical and electronic equipment into specific categories: (a) large household appliances - ovens, refrigerators, etc.; (b) small household appliances - toasters, vacuum cleaners, etc.; (c) office and communications - computers, printers, telephone, fax machines, mobile phones, etc.; (d) entertainment television sets, stereos, portable music players, etc.; (e) lighting - fluorescent tubes, etc.; (f) e-tools - drilling machines, electric lawnmowers, etc.; (f) sports and leisure - electronic toys, training machines, etc.; (g) medical appliances and instruments; (h) surveillance equipment; (i) automatic issuing systems - ticket issuing, machines, etc. (To be continued)

SPI workers participate LMDA, DENR spearhead Lake Mainit in coastal cleanup drive transboundary planning workshop EMPLOYEES of energy-firm STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) participated in a mangrove replanting and coastal cleanup drive in Barangay Silad, Sugbongcon in the province of Misamis Oriental.

STEAG Spokesperson Jerome R. Soldevilla said the activity is part of the company’s employee volunteerism activity and in support of its comprehensive environmental conservation programs.

Over the years, SPI have been providing material and funding support

for the development and rehabilitation of about 16.4 hectares of mangrove areas in the province, he said.

Soldevilla said the projects have been implemented in partnership with the concerned municipal LGUs and the provincial government of Misamis Oriental.

More than 66,000 propagules have been grown so far in the municipal coasts Sugbongcogon, Villanueva, Balingasag, Gitagum and the cities of El Salvador and Gingoog. (SPI/PIA)

CA BA DBA R A N CI T Y— T he L a ke Ma i n it Development Alliance (LMDA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Protected Areas Wildlife Coastal Zones Management Services (DENR-PAWCZMS) Caraga spearheaded the recent Lake Mainit Transboundary Planning Workshop in Cabadbaran City.

Arturo M. Cruje, provincial planning and development coordinator and LMDA program director Arturo M. Cruje said the workshop facilitated the enhancement of LMDA’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) with the help of the DENR through the Biodiversity Partnerships Project (BPP).

The LMDA badly needed to update the EMP since it was formulated in 1999, he said.

The EMP serves as the bible of the alliance that guides the LMDA Program Management and Coordination Office in the implementation of relevant plans and programs in Lake Mainit Key Biodiversity Area.

“There are some approaches, strategies and programs that become inappropriate considering the dynamic shift in environmental situation,” Cruje said.

Participants were organized into seven sectoral workshop/PAGE 7

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Fiji calls for VP Binay presented awards for urgent intl action excellent Pag-IBIG performance on climate change SUVA––Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama Wednesday called for urgent international action to address climate change, saying global warming was having a “dire effect” on Pacific nations through rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

While opening a meeting of pacific island developing states in the Fijian resort town of Nadi, Bainimarama said the Pacific nations expected the industrialized world to finally face up to its responsibilities.

“Let me say this to the big polluters -- the big carbon emitters: Whatever the science of climate change, it is you who must respond to global warming, which threatens the very existence of some of our small island developing states,” he said. “You need -- for our sakes -- to set targets to curb your carbon emissions. Because the majority scientific opinion has it that you are causing global warming.”

Bainimarama said it is unacceptable that the industrialized nations were still unwilling to set binding targets on their emissions of carbon dioxide, which most climate scientists are blaming for rising temperatures.

“It is not good enough to say ‘it is all too hard’ to put the protection of your own carbon-emitting industries first. It’s time for you to place yourself in the position of a citizen of Kiribati, one of the small island developing states whose very existence is under threat,” said Bainimarama.

(PNA/Xinhua)

Vice President Jejomar C . B i n a y, c o n c u r r e n t Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, commended the Pag-IBIG Fund on the awards it has received for its excellent performance during the formal presentation of said awards at the Coconut Palace. “ A k o a y nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil sa maayos ninyong pagsasakatuparan sa direksiyong aking inilahad nang ako’y umupo bilang Chairman ng Housing and Urban Development C o ordinat ing C ounci l at ng Pag-IBIG B oard, magtatatlong taon na ang nakararaan. Malaking bagay sa ating tagumpay ang ating pagkakaisa’t pagtutulungan para lalong mapaigi ang PagIBIG Fund. Madalas nga ninyong sabihin, at inuulit ko rin – bigger, better, faster Pag-IBIG Fund!” said Vice President Binay, as he addressed the audience of Pag-IBIG officials, led by their President and

Chief Executive Officer, Atty. Darlene Marie B. B e r b e r ab e. Pag - I B IG Trustees and partners also joined the presentation.

T h e Pa g - I B I G C i t i Prepaid Card has been hig h ly commende d as a Best Card Solution at the Adam Smith Awards, making Pag-IBIG the first government institution to receive such recognition.

Pag-IBIG’s membership reg ist rat i on pro cess e s passed the Surveillance Audit and maintained its ISO 9001:2008 Certification, signifying its capacity to participate in the international arena. The Civil Service Commission conferred the Citizen’s Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence to Pag-IBIG Davao Branch, and four other branches received Excellent Rating at t h e A nt i - R e d Tap e A c t S u r v e y, s h o w i n g Pag-IBIG’s discipline in providing excellent service to its members.

At t y. B e r b e r a b e has been chosen as the Outstanding CEO of the Year by the Association of

Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific, the first Filipina to win said award, for her exceptional leadership in making Pag-IBIG an excellent organization true to its mandate of delivering to its members and stakeholders a saving culture and access to finance for housing and other basic needs.

Meanwhile, her Deputy CEO for Support Services Cluster, Ms. Emma Linda B. Faria, has been named the Outstanding Government Chief Financial Officer in the Philippines at the Government CFO Awards, the first to be awarded in

the country, for leading Pag-IBIG in sustaining its financial stability through innovative systems, prudence in fund management, and discipline in fund utility.

Pag-IBIG’s awards are testaments of its quest for excellence, as it executes the directions set

by Vice President Binay, w ho adde d, “Ang mga pagkilala at gantimpalang inyong natatanggap ay magagandang sorpresa na hindi sinasarili, bagkus ay dapat ibahagi sa ating mga miyembro. Ang ating 12.6 milyong miyembro ang tunay na panalo kapag binay/PAGE 10

Former Finance Secretary Roberto de Ocampo is new PVB Chair Former Finance Secretary Roberto or “Bobby” F. de Ocampo, OBE has been elected as Chairman by the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) Board of Directors.

As the new Chair, De Ocampo said his term marks a fresh new beginning for PVB, with the aim of revitalizing the medium-sized commercial bank to be an active major player in the banking industry, not just locally but globally as well.

A respected name in the business community, Bobby De Ocampo brings with him an exceptional track record in both the business and finance arenas here and abroad.

Aside from being the former Secretary of Finance, he was also President of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and also the Chairman & CEO of the Development Bank of the Philippines.

He is one of the most internationally recognized Filipinos having been Chairman of the APEC and ASEAN

Finance Ministers, and a Governor of the World Bank, IMF and ADB. He is also presently the Chairman of the Board of Advisers of the RFO Center for Public Finance & Regional Economic Cooperation, an ADB Regional Knowledge Hub. During his stint as Finance Secretary, De Ocampo was credited for bringing the country’s fiscal position from large deficits to surplus and brought about the longest period of consecutive years of fiscal surpluses in the Philippines.

It was during also his term that the key features of country’s investment liberalization and privatization strategies were designed and implemented.

As Finance Secretary, he was awarded the Global Finance Minister of the Year in 1995 by Euromoney and Asian Finance Minister of the Year in 1996 and 1997 by Euromoney and Asiamoney respectively.

De Ocampo was also the youngest DBP Chairman & CEO. It was during

his leadership that DBP was adjudged to be the World’s Second Soundest and Third Best Performing Bank in 1991 by The Banker.

De Ocampo also has the distinction of being the only Filipino knighted by both the United Kingdom & France.

He was conferred “Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” or OBE by the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for his efforts in promoting Philippine-UK relations during his years as a public servant and as Chairman of the British Alumni Association.

He was also named Chevalier in the French Legion of Honor by the Republic of France for his promotion of links between France and the Philippines in the economic domain.

As a son of a Filipino World War I veteran, Bobby de Ocampo’s election as PVB Chairman was hailed by the Veterans sector, particularly the Veteraans Federation of the Philippines.

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Tear down these walls THINK

hink a minute…A famous man and woman who were A Minute neighbors were always arguing.

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst They just could not get along with each other.

One day the woman said to the man: “Sir, if you were my husband, I’d give you poison!”

The man quickly answered: “Madam, if you were my wife, I’d take it!”

You know, the greatest problems in the world always have been and always will be problems between people.

Just look at our own family and extended family.

Is everyone getting along all the time? How about in your village or neighborhood, your school, or your workplace?

Did you know that the beautiful ‘paradise’ islands of the Pacific have some of the highest suicide rates in the world?

But why?

Because there is no peace in paradise! Instead, there are walls of hurt and hate built up between people: between parents and children, between husbands and wives, between different races and cultures.

All over the world there is trouble and problems between people! Many people are hurting, hoping someday to finally have real peace.

But even if everyone was given lots of money and a highpaying job, the best education, and a great government, we’d still have problems because of the walls between people—walls of pride and prejudice, walls of hurt, mistrust, jealousy, and unforgiveness.

And it’s into this kind of world with this big problem that God the Son came to bring peace, and tear down these walls between people.

But before we can have real peace and truly love without conditions our children, our wife or husband, our neighbors, as well as people of other races and cultures, hurst/PAGE 7

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Questions on wealth sharing

L

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing, but there is only terror…” (Jeremiah 8:15, the Holy Bible).

-ooo QUESTIONS FOR MILF & GOV’T ON WEALTH SHARING: There is something that baff les me in the wealth sharing scheme signed by the Aquino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF): is it true, as a report of a major Manila newspaper is saying, that 75% of the incomes that will be earned by the Bangsamoro government that will be put up in Mindanao in 2015 will solely go to the MILF? Here is a portion of that report: “…A 75 percent share in taxes and earnings from natural resources and metallic minerals in the proposed Bangsamoro entity, and 50 percent from energy and other mineral resources.

“These are the terms won by the MILF in the wealthsharing deal it signed with the government late Saturday night in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the peace panels finally completed the wealth-sharing annex, with the lion’s share of earnings in the Bangsamoro going to the MILF.” -ooo MORE WARS, INSTEAD OF PEACE? Now, the question here is this: how about the other groups in Mindanao? What share will they have in the earnings of the Bangsamoro

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entity? And if the MILF will ak ampi get 75% of all the incomes Mo A ng Batas of the Bangsamoro entity,

By Atty. Batas Mauricio would that mean that only 25% of those incomes will be used in running the affairs of government in the region?

Will 25% of those incomes be enough to run the region and provide basic services to our countrymen there?

These have to be explained right away because of their implications in the country’s long-running search for peace and development in the whole of Mindanao. I mean, if the MILF will get the lion’s share in the earnings of Bangsamoro, would that not enrage other armed groups, like the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), to demand a similar treatment and privilege?

And if the government can not grant the same treatment and privilege to MNLF and the other armed groups in Mindanao, will not armed skirmishes erupt anew and therefore waylay the supposed peace accord with the MILF? Will not the proposed peace accord with the MILF bring batas/PAGE 7

Find Your Reasons

f you have enough reasons, you can do the most incredible things; you can get through the most difficult day; you can overcome the most unbelievable challenges.” – Jim Rohn For someone in his right mind to be asked, “Do you have dreams and goals in life?” A resounding “Yes!” for an answer is naturally but expected.

Living a life without concrete and realistic goals is like a ship leaving port into the open sea without any particular destination in mind. It’s like letting your sails catch the wind and just going to the direction where it blows – even if it’s leading you to the rocky shoals!

Imagine waking up one day not having any particular thing in mind to do. The day passes by with you going back to where you started, not being able to do much of anything of value. A day goes wasted. Imagine doing this on most days, most months, and most years of your life.

How greatly stifling to your potential could it be?

A great mentor once directed, “Go validate each goal you have in life.” Is it a goal worth pursuing? Is it a goal worth trading your precious time for? And when this is properly established, you might ask something further to screen it out. Could you do it? Would you do it?

Can you probably do it? Can you go wake up at 3am everyday to sell fish in the market to earn a decent living?

Can you burn the night candle for the next five years after college to finish medical school? Can you have enough confidence to show a product to someone, hoping you might profit if this person will buy this product from you?

Can you be more disciplined to regularly save and invest 20% of your earnings to attain a bright and financially free

Crystaline pino ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI

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future? Most people would say yes, they probably can.

Financial D octor But would you really do

By Adonis Agcopra it? “Yes I might, but...” And the buts and all self-limiting notions start kicking in.

When you start going our of your comfort zone, you start treading unfamiliar territory and the butterflies in your stomach do start flying high.

“Yes I would struggle to become financially free, because I want to live life with the power to make my own choices. Yes, I would because...” And the more reasons you can provide after the “because” part, the more you will be compelled to do what needs to be done. The more reasons you have in life for doing what you have to, the more courage you can muster and the more motivated you will be in pursuing them to completion.

Go for a quest and find the biggest reasons for your success. Find enough reasons to be financially free! Then let your financial freedom fuel your dreams of living life to the fullest. Do it now!

---- (Dr. Adonis Agcopra, MBA, CIS, RFC® is with the IARFC and is portfolio director of AFIC Meridian Consultants. URL: www.aficfinancialconsultants.com.

Email: aficfinancialconsultants@outlook.com.)

HIV/AIDS: Some footnotes

IV /AIDS is one illness that has a greater impact in terms of healthcare and economics, than the other sexually transmitted infections.

This being a chronic illness, the patient may live for a long time , and more importantly, he/she can infect another person in more ways than the usual.

The disease itself may not kill the affected person, but, the complications that can arise from the immune deficiency can make life not so good for them.

The virus belongs to the retrovirus family and it kills the cells responsible for defending one’s body against anything perceived by the body as foreign like infectious agents.

AIDS develop once the immune system is destroyed by the HIV virus.

Which in turn makes the person more susceptible to certain opportunistic infections. In developing countries like the Philippines, TB, being endemic, is the most common to affect Filipinos with HIV/AIDS, and is also the most common leading cause of death.

What makes it worse is the fact that the TB in these cases are Multi-Drug Resistant, making treatment more difficult.

Patients with HIV/AIDS are also prone to developing certain types of Cancer.

I have seen one case during my Residency Training wherein the patient came in for skin lesions. It is quite notable that these patients during interview and history taking, tend not to divulge information related to their sexual behaviour. It was only upon doing the tissue biopsy that we were able to diagnose Kaposi’s sarcoma, which is a type of cancer involving the walls of the blood vessels.

HEALTH

Another malignancy seen among HIV/AIDS patients is I n Focus Lymphoma, which is actually

By Dr. Mary Jean Loreche a Big C involving the white blood cells of the patient.

Patients with HIV/AIDS may not manifest anything and, this asymptomatic phase may even last up to 10 years!

But, the virus still continues to multiply, infect and kill cells of the immune system and can infect others.

For those that are symptomatic, the signs and symptoms resemble that of any viral infections: fever, headache, easy fatigability and tenderness of the lymph nodes mostly in the neck area.

Diagnosing one for the presence or absence of the HIV virus will require samples either serum, saliva or urine.

The tests vary as to the method as well as to what it can detect: antibody, antigen or the RNA. The most commonly encountered problem in any tests for that matter is when , again, the infection is in the window period.

I keep repeating this , because there are instances when the patient or the Attending Physician may complain and question the result that is released by the Laboratory.

Likewise, performing the test during the window period may lull the patient into a sense of false complacency Loreche/PAGE 7

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Vendors beg for ‘Nite Café’ back

By IRENE JOY B. DAYO, Staff Reporter of Mindanao Daily News

CAGAYAN de Oro City-- Displaced stall holders and vendors begged City Mayor Oscar Moreno to allow them to continue plying their trade at the Plaza Divisoria here until a new location for their transfer is determined.

“Kami andam makigtimbayayong sa siyudad sa Cagayan de Oro nga gipanguluhan sa atong mayor; ang amo lang unta nga kung mahimo, makapaninda kami” (We are ready to cooperate with the city government under our Mayor, we just want, if possible, to sell [sic]), said Socrates L. Fabela, President of the 300-strong DVSoria Night Café and Night Market Association during a meeting with the city council’s Committee on Economic Enterprises on Friday.

The meeting held at the City Council tackled the petition of the stall holders and vendors at the Plaza Divisoria in response to the Executive Order 001-2013 issued by Moreno during his first day in office suspending the operation of the Nite Café at the Plaza Divisoria’s main thoroughfares.

Fabela said the vendors were caught by surprised when they were served with the order last July 5 without informing them earlier that the city government has suspended the ‘Nite Café’ operation.

“We were about to display

our merchandise when people identifying themselves as members of the “Task Force Hapsay Parke” appeared saying that the Mayor has suspended the “Nite Café,” Fabela told the committee.

“We were not formally invited to a meeting or a dialogue prior to the incident,” Fabela added.

He said the vendors and stall holders filed the petition with the City Council since we believed that “Moreno has a soft heart and he would reconsider our plea.”

According to Fabela, the livelihood and the education of their children depend on the little business that they have at the “Nite Café.”

City Councilor Leon Du Gan, also a member of the committee, also expressed surprise on the absence of a representative from the vendors in the “Task Force Hapsay Parke” committee created under E0 001-2013.

He said that a representative from the vendors at the “Nite Café” should have been included in the task force so that the question of suspension and transfer, if any, would have been agreed

Philex...

team, infrastructure and utilities team, environment and natural resources team, institutional development team, GIS and mapping team, and secretariat. All their output will contribute to the enhancement of the comprehensive plan for Lake Mainit.

The planning workshop is part of the BPP milestone activ ities where DENRPAWCMZS is the project responsible partner and LMDA, the implementing partner.

BPP aims to assist local government units in critical eco-regions of the Philippines to better incorporate the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity resources including the Lake Mainit Key Biodiversity Area. (PIA)

from page 4

break the rocks into smaller pieces.

The Silangan project combines the development of the Boyongan and Bayugo deposits, which comprise gold, copper and silver.

As of Ju ly 2011, t he combined measured and indicated mineral resource for Boyongan is 273 million tons of 0.52 percent copper and 0.72 grams per ton (g/t) gold and, for Bayugo, 125 million tons of 0.66 percent copper and 0.66 g/t gold, a company study showed.

In February 2009, Philex consolidated its interest i n Si la nga n projec t by purchasing the remaining 50 percent equity interest held by Anglo American Exploration BV and Anglo American Exploration (Philippines) Inc. for a consideration of $55 million.

The project is covered by Mineral Production Sharing Agreement 149-99-XIII and Exploration Permit XII-03.

The portal development for the Silangan project started in April 2011 while the first blast was done on Aug. 10, 2011, the company said. (MindaNews)

Workshop... from page 4

sectora l tea ms, na mely, the social-cultural team, e c onom ic de velopment

Hurst... from page 6

we ourselves must first be loved that way by someone else and experience that kind of love.

That’s exactly what Jesus Christ came to do: to love us.

He c a m e t o a c c e p t and forgive us for all our wrongs, so we could finally be reunited in true peace with our Maker.

You see, it’s only then that we can also live in peace with the other people in our life.

So tod ay, won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you for all your wrongs and to

prior to the imposition of the E0.

City Councilor Lourdes Candy Darimbang who was also a member of the Committee on Economic Enterprises, said that an announcement was aired over the radio informing the public especially the vendors that the “Nite Café” would be suspended.

She said that the task force is doing its best to come up a right venue adding that the Moreno administration also respects the right of the vendors.

Gan, however, said that a radio announcement was not enough because the proper thing to do was to publish the Executive Order in local newspapers and that the vendors should have been provided the original copy of the order prior to the suspension.

Gan urged the Committee on Enterprises to file a resolution with the City Council that would restore the Nite Café at the Plaza Divisoria while there’s no final decision and final venue on where the Nite Cafe would be transferred.

City Councilor Dometilo C. Acenas Jr., Chair of the Committee on Economic Enterprises, said that a consultation should have been beg/PAGE 10 take charge of your heart everyday?

T hen He ca n sta r t cha ng i ng you r l i fe a nd relationships so you’ll finally have real peace with the people in your life.

Just Think a Minute…

Batas...

from page 6 more war instead in Southern Philippines?

-ooo “POR K BA R R EL A PURE SCAM”: Here is a reaction on our column on pork barrel irregularities coming from Mar Patalinjug, a Filipino now based in New York, USA: “The present system where annually each Senator gets P200 million and each representative gets P70 million in `pork barrel’ funds, to spend pretty much at their discretion, is pure SCAM. “Time and time again, I decried this system as easily vulnerable to corruption; it is quite easy, because these Senators and Representatives are self-servingly not required to render a true timely and accurate accounting of these funds, for a good part of these to get diverted to their private bank accounts.

“You a re r ig ht. Stop this corrupt system, and go back to the previous one where the Department of Public Works and Highways and other agencies which have re sponsibi l it y for

City Councilor Atty. Leon Du M. Gan Jr. (right, on pink polo) member of the Economic Enterprises Committee appealed through the committee chairman Councilor Dometilo C. Acenas Jr., (sitting with stripe shirt), to pass a resolution to the city council begging for the city mayor to give vendors and stall holders to remain for a while in Divisoria Plaza while the city government still study and find a place for the relocation of the vendors. Gan made the appeal during the committee hearing on the petition of the Divisoria Night Cafe and Night Market Vendors Association association on July 12, 2013 at the session hall. The next hearing is set on July 19, 2013. photo by rolando sudaria of mindanao daily news

MisOr jail to be sold; new one to be built

By GERRY LEE GORIT

T h e Mi s am i s O r i e nt a l Provincial jail, located in the provincial capitol compound in Cagayan de Oro City may be sold soon and a new one built.

In a radio inter view yesterday, Governor Yevgeny Bambi Emano said at least two interested buyers have signified their intent to purchase the property.

“The jail will be sold hopefully within this year or next year when the price

is agreed upon,” Emano said.

He said a new prison f a c i l i t y, t o b e c a l l e d “reformation center”, will be constructed in Initao town.

Emano said the mayor of Initao has offered a 1.5-hectare lot area but this could be increased from 2 to 5 hectares to include a 1 hectare farming land and a classroom for skills training.

The te chnic a l sk i l ls envisioned include carpentry and plumbing to be conducted

in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“There will also be a course on HRM for the inmates to learn how to be waiters,” Emano said.

The governor said that the provincial government will make a further study and might come out with a final decision next week.

The current provincial jail is situated in a property less than 1 hectare in area. jail/PAGE 10

Inf rast r uc t u re of a ny k ind gets these Funds-but with much better and stricter transparency and accounting, plus close and timely OVERSIGHT.” -ooo REACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0922 833 43 96. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, mmauriciojr111@gmail.com.

if one has the risk factors for possibly contracting the disease.

Once again, early diagnosis is very crucial to management as well as in minimizing the complications that may arise. There is no cure as yet, nor vaccines available for

HIV/AIDS. Making those affected with the illness live as near normal lives, with quality living, and making them responsible citizens, by ensuring that the virus is not shared to another individual is one huge leap towards containment of the disease.

Loreche... from page 6

that he/she is negative when in fact, it may not be so.

It is most important to repeat the test, especially when one knows that he/ she is engaged in risky behaviours, at least one month after the initial testing.

All diagnostic tests have their own limitations, even if the sensitivity and specificity of a particular test kit is high. Once this happens, the results may be questionable and as such, a repeat test is performed using either same test kit, a different kit and a higher methodology like an ELISA. It is also advantageous to know that, there may be other conditions that can give rise to either a false positive or a false negative result. Thus, the importance of repeating the examination. If it is positive, then, the result will have to be confirmed through the Western Blot Technique. A negative result do not mean anything really, particularly

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Feature

Buk’n Tribal sugar farmers witness MUSCOVADO mill groundbreaking

by Archibald S. Batica, Contributor

QUEZON, Bukidnon - Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 10 Assistant Director Crispin D. Dannug, Jr. and Mayor Gregorio Ll. Gue led the ground-breaking ceremony of the MUSCOVADO PRODUCTION PLANT in Barangay Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon. The project is expected to benefit some 200 tribal sugar farmers.

The Project is a joint undertaking of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Municipality of Quezon under the DOLE Community Enterprise Development (CED) Program.

The tribal farmers belong to Quezon Manobo Tribe Association or QUEMTRAS, a poverty freezone pilot area launched in CY 2002, will pursue the establishment and operationalization of the MUSCOVADO Production Project out of a financial assistance of Php550,000.00 from the DOLE. Earlier, the association has also been a beneficiary of working animals, goat raising, and upscale sugarcane production projects granted by DOLE. The activity was highlighted with a short ground breaking ceremony and tribal ritual initiated by the elders of the community. Mayor Gue, who led local officials led by Barangay Captain Val Araneta, encouraged the association to effectively manage and take good care of the project as a legacy

for future generations.

Gue said the MUSCOVADO plant is foreseen to bring more employment opportunities and provide additional income to the QUEMTRAS families.

He also said that the LGU is willing to provide other livelihood assistance to the people of Quemtras and noted that free provision of vegetable seeds for community gardening has already been earmarked for distribution by the LGU. Assistant Director Crispin Dannug, Jr. lauded the efforts of Quemtras for sustaining the DOLE projects. He said that DOLE expects the implementation of the MUSCOVADO Production Project within 3 to 4 months.

Dannug also cited the support and commitment of the Municipal Government of Quezon in the realization of the said undertaking. He mentioned that the project would also be a means to complement the future activities of the muscovado farmers.

Muscovado is a brown sugar derived from cooking sugarcane juice via the traditional method.

The QUEMTRAS project will utilize engine-driven, cast-iron roller mill in juice extraction and processing. Supply of raw materials will come from their existing sugarcane plantation.

The muscovado will be sold to local markets as well as for export to ensure industry sustainability.

The Ground-Breaking was formalized by DOLE-X Assistant Regional Director Crispin D. Dannug, Jr. Mr. Raul L. Valmores, Mayor Gregorio Ll. Gue and Brgy. Capt. Val Araneta.

DOLE-X Assistant Regional Director Crispin The prime movers of the project took a souvenir picture in the D. Dannug, Jr. delivers his message to the proposed project site.

QUEMTRAS members.

Annual Family Welfare Convention a success participants braved typhoon to attend

by Glenford C. Labial, Contributor

Some 80 participants from both labor and management sector, representing 25 different companies in Northern Mindanao braved typhoon “Emong” to attend the 20th Annual Regional Convention of the Northern Mindanao Federation of Family Welfare Committees (NMFFWC) last 21-23 June 2013 at Bohol Tropics Resort, Tagbilaran City.

In a short notice, participants were informed of the travel cancelation bound Tagbilaran City on June 20th.

Instead, whole contingent rerouted from Cagayan de Oro City-Cebu City via vessel and Cebu City-Tagbilaran City in a fast craft transport.

This had resulted to untimely quick change of the convention schedule.

Intensified as “Emong” With the theme “Strengthening Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibilities through Family Welfare Program Implementation”, the participants were as intensified as “Emong” from day 1 to day 3 through topics and learning sessions including open fora related to the this year’s theme.

The convention kicked-off with the parade of colors from the different provinces of the region. Bukidnon (green), Camiguin (gold), Lanao del Norte (tangerine), Misamis Occidental (blue), Misamis Oriental East (yellow) and Misamis Oriental West (purple) which was immediately followed by the opening program.

Hon. Jessnnel L. Yap, Mayor elect of the City of Tagbilaran graced the occasion with his “guy-nextdoor” presence. After his speech which centered on choosing Bohol as a convention venue and support to the Family Welfare Program

Mr. Wilson C. Cenas, DOLE Bohol Head with RD Johnson G. Cañete, Mayor Jessnel L. Yap and some of the participants.

WINNING MOMENT. Director II Rodrigo A. Deloso (center) with the 2-time champs, Misamis Occidental contingent. On set: Mis. Occ. Head, Mr. Jose G. Robles, Ozamiz City Head, Ms. Ebba B. Acosta and Mr. Rolando M. Mahusay.

(FWP), he was f lanked for some photo opportunities.

Among the invited Resource Speakers include Mr. Vic Hao Chin, Chairman of Green Earth Foundation and former President of Indio-Pacific Theosophical Society with his topic “Self Transformation and Cultivating Wisdom”, a learning about the techniques on affirmation, quality time, acts of service, physical touch and receiving of Gifts.

Also, not less than Atty. Johnson G. Cañete, DOLE 10 Regional Director talked about the topic “Organizational Leadership” which was all about enhancing effectiveness of FWP implementers and develop creative workplace strategies for best practices.

Gracing the opening ceremonies were the DOLE Bohol Provincial Field Office Head Mr. Wilson C. Cenas and Governor Edgar M. Chato of the Province of Bohol.

presentation in the group category while the biggest delegation award with 34 attendees went to the Province of Bukidnon Federation of Family Welfare Committees. The latter received the most lively group award.

Meanwhile, in the individual category, Bukidnon’s Efren M. Costan and Nestor Dominic Bolivia of Dole South Skyland bagged the best in costume (Male) while Misamis Oriental East’s Leonilyn Marsamolo of Corbox, Inc. and DOLE Bukidnon Provincial Field Office’s Elna B. Seguiero won the same.

“Misamis Occidental’s entry wowed the audience with their vibrant costume plus its crowddrawing steps and beat. Watching them is like watching a real mardi gras presentation”. One of the judges disclosed.

DOLE Misamis Occidental Head, Mr. Jose G. Robles, OIC Head and

FWP Best Practices were presented

by Del Monte Philippines, Inc and Dole South Skyland.

Mardi Gras Nite Inspired from the European popu la r prac t ice, Ma rd i g ras glittered the “Gabii sa Probinsya” with masks, head dresses and overturning costumes on the first night. Participants, representing their provinces converged in fancy costumes and participated in the group production competition which inspired from the theme.

In its second year, the Province of Misamis Occidental Federation of Family Welfare Committees shined bright like a diamond being declared the unanimous homerun winner.

With their “Subanon (ethnic tribe of the province) modern ethnic presentation with a twist”, the group swept away the best in costume, best in performance and most original

FWP Focal Person, Mr. Rolando M. Mahusay were thankful of the prestige.

The night’s judges were Mr. Jose Errol A. Natividad (OIC Head, Camiguin), Director II Rodrigo A. Deloso (DOLE 10 TSSD Chief) and chairman of the board, Jean Torrefranca, a Yoga master and wellness instructor from Cebu City.

NMFFWC Chairperson and Overall Convention Chairman, Florita B. Quijano of Mabuhay Vinyl Corp., Iligan City said that the activity was an opportunity for labor and management representatives of companies to share their respective family welfare program (FWP) practices.

FWP refers to the program being promoted by DOLE that provides family welfare services to workers, which is carried out in the workplace by the employer through a Family Welfare Committee as mandated by Department Order No. 56-03.

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Solar... from page 3

malls all over the Philippines w it h a combi ned g ros s f loor area of 5.9 million squ a re meters . For t he rest of 2013, SM Prime is scheduled to launch SM City BF Paranaque and the expanded SM Megama ll with the opening of Building D. By year-end, SM Prime will have 48 malls i n t he Phi l ippi nes. T he compa ny’s sha reholders recent ly approved its tra nsformation into t he f lagship property unit of the SM Group, folding into its fold SM Development Corp, Highlands Prime, SM Land and real estate properties of the group.

HELPING PROTECT OUR COASTAL RESOURCES: Employees of energy-firm STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) participate in a mangrove replanting and coastal clean-up drive in Brgy. Silad, Sugbongcon, Misamis Oriental. The activity is part of the company’s employee volunteerism activity and in support of its comprehensive environmental conservation programs. Over the years, Steag have been providing material and funding support for the development and rehabilitation of about 16.4 hectares of mangrove areas in the province. The projects have been implemented in partnership with the concerned municipal LGUs and the provincial government of Misamis Oriental. More than 66,000 propagules have been grown so far in the municipal coasts Sugbongcogon, Villanueva, Balingasag, Gitagum and the cities of El Salvador and Gingoog.

Readies... from page 3

Pangilinan told reporters last week.

“The Singapore power plant we invested in a few months ago arose because we had funds so we moved quickly, so we managed to close that over a fourmonth period only,” he said, referring to First Pacific’s joint venture with a unit of Ma ni la Elect ric Co (Meralco) for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the island-state.

Meralco is a unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp (MPIC), the Philippine listed corporate vehicle of First Pacific. “ Wa l a p a n a m a n g specific investments that are on the table… We’re looking at a broad range of opportunities of course here in the Philippines and in the region,” Pangilinan said.

With the fresh money raised, he said the agribusiness investments being eyed in Mindanao may push through.

“The Indofood team was here about two months ago, and they seem to be interested in a palm oil project in Davao Oriental.

But it’s not the only area we ’re lo ok i n g at . We would be keen to invest in agriculture,” Pangilinan said.

First Pacific holds 50.1 percent of Indonesia-based food firm Indofood.

As for power projects, First Pacific is “looking at several… here [in the Philippines] and in the region,” Pangilinan said.

Fast-rising Myanmar and Vietnam are also viable countries for First Pacific’s expansion in Asean, he said. “Siyempre kasama ‘yung mga bansang ‘yun, but it’s a broad range of

opportunities, not hing specific at this stage.”

First Pacific also holds 25.6 percent of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co (PLDT) as well as 31.2 percent of Philex Mining Corp.

Pangilinan also chairs PLDT broadcast arm TV5, of which InterAksyon is the online news portal.

Binay... from page 5

kinikilala ang kagalingan ng Pag-IBIG Fund.”

A l mo st t h re e ye ars since Vice President Binay assumed leadership at PagIBIG in the latter part of 2010, Pag-IBIG has grown in terms of membership and assets, and has increased its benefits for its members, the Filipino workers worldwide.

Membership has grown from 8.8 million at the start of 2011 to the current 12.6 million worldwide.

The P320-billion housing agency continues to increase the dividends it credits to its members at the end of each year. In 2012, it posted the highest dividend amount ever, at P9.28 billion, which is P0.79 billion more than the one given out in 2011.

The Fund’s net income also increased from 2011’s P11.96 billion to 2012’s P13.26 billion. Recent months saw the reduction of Pag-IBIG’s calamity loan interest rate from 10.75% to 5.95%. Its Affordable Housing Loan Program boasts of a 4.5% interest rate, the lowest in Pag-IBIG history. The maximum housing loan amount also doubled from the previous P3 million to the current P6 million, with loan terms still as long as 30 years.

For more details on Pag-IBIG’s programs, call

the Pag-IBIG Call Center at 724-4244, log on to www.pagibigfund.gov.ph, or visit the nearest PagIBIG branch in your area.

Beg...

from page 7

conducted before the implementation of the program.

Lawyer Roy Hilario Raagas, Chairman of the Task Force that implemented the Executive Order, sent Task Force Vice Chairman Jose Edgardo “Egay” Uy as his representative during the committee meeting.

Uy, however, came in late when the committee meeting was about to end since the committee chair failed to official recognize his presence.

Acenas sets another committee meeting that would tackle the Nite Café issue on Friday.

Jail...

from page 7

There are a total of 312 inmates cramped in 7 cells for men inmates who number from 25 to 53 per cell, and separate cells for trustees totaling 57, women and minors. The women inmates number 15 and the minors 3.

Plans to sell the jail were already considered in previous administrations but these were not finalized.

Emano said the interested buyers want the proceeds of the sale to go to construction of the reformation center.

Seek... from page 3

skies policy. The government aims to generate six million tourists, three million jobs and $4.6 billion in tourism revenues by 2016, allowing the sector to contribute 6.35

percent to gross domestic product.

As part of its tourism t a c k , t h e g ov e r n m e nt , through state-run Ph i l ippi ne A mu s ement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), is establishing the country’s first gaming hub along Manila Bay called Entertainment City.

The first of four Pagcor licensees, Bloomberr y Resorts Corp, opened last March its integrated casino re s or t , S ol a i re Re s or t s Manila. Scheduled to open next year is the Belle Grande Re sor t , a joi nt vent u re between Henry Sy-led Belle Corp and Melco Philippines, t he loca l unit of Macau c a si no op e r ator Me lc o Crown Entertainment.

The two other Pagcor l icensees a re Un iversa l Entertainment Group of Japanese billionaire Kazuo O k a d a a n d Tr a v e l l e r s International Hotel Group, a joint venture bet ween Andrew Tan-led Alliance Global Group and Malaysia’s Genting Group.

DENR 10 co-sponsor round-table discussion on best practices on sustainable agriculture TO ACHIEVE the goal of sustainability and watershed resiliency, t he D e p ar t me nt of Environment and Nat u r a l R e s o u r c e s (DENR), Region 10 co-sponsored a round table discussion on Best Practices on Sustainable Agriculture presented by industries on June 25, 2013 at Cagayan de Oro City.

The forum which was sponsored by the Enterprise Works Worldwide Philippines ( E W W P ) , C a g ay a n de Oro River Basin Management Council (CDORBMC) and DENR 10 aimed to forge a partnership with the agricultural community and the indigenous cultural communities and recognize their crucial role as stewards of the land.

“You cannot escape the impacts of climate change. The sooner we realize that adapted resilience actions will save as all, our economy, business and Mindanao especially”, according to Secretary J R Ne re u s Ac o s t a , Presidential Adviser on Environment Protection and the Concurrent Chairman of Laguna

L a k e D e v e l o p m e nt Authority.

Secretary Acosta calls for the Mindanaonons to acquire sustainable resiliency to the environmental challenges in terms of food security without degrading the natural environment.

The forum was participated by The Reg iona l E xe c ut ive Director (RED) Ruth M . Taw ant aw an of DENR 10, Regional Director (RD) Sabdullah Abubacar of Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-10), Regional Te ch n i c a l D i re c tor (RTD) Agustilo Obsioma of Forest Management Ser vices (FMS), Dr. Roel Ravanera, Dean of Xavier University, Bishop Jose Cabantan of the Diocese of Malaybalay, together w i t h t h e d i f f e r e nt people’s organizations, non-government, government and private sectors in collaboration with the new CAPP, Sulog, Enterprise Works, World Agroforestr y C e nt re an d X av i e r University.

Regional Director (RD) Sabdullah Abubacar of the

DENR-Environment Management Bureau (EMB) enumerated its regulating initiatives and commitments for the support to the CDORBMC. The activity includes the presentation of each company on its initiatives and best practices for a sustainable agriculture and resource use. This includes reducing or minimizing soil erosion, establishment of water treatment facilities, massive tree planting, prop e r s ol i d w aste management, hazardous waste storage facilities, sloping agricultural land technology, material r e c o v e r y f a c i l i t y, integrated farming, organic agriculture, riverbank rehabilitation, different infrastructures and scientific process on data sourcing for vulnerability assessment. An open forum was conducted to give the participants a chance to ask questions about the discussed topics. Action planning workshop was a ls o conducted to lay down the possible courses of action for sustainable agriculture and land use. (SLAlpas-RPAO)

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Tourism... from page 2

Jo s e ph i ne Ab el l a na , PAATSDD officer-in-charge, said the training was aimed at establishing a recording of all tourist arrivals in North Cotabato.

In the past, she admitted that there had been no official record of how many tourists, both domestic and foreign, have visited the province’s tourist spots, including hotels and restaurants.

During t he training, Cotabato provincial tourism officer Armin Hautea helped hotel and restaurant owners get familiarized with the system on reporting tourist arrivals.

The reporting, Hautea said, should be done on a regular basis as a source of information. (MB)

NEDA... from page 2

economic development.

“These countries made significant investments in R&D. Philippine investment in R&D has stayed at a level of around 0.11 to 0.14 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) wh ich is a mong the lowest in Asia,” said Balisacan.

The Philippines needs to invest at least P220 billion in science and technology which translates to two percent of the country’s GDP that reaches at P11 trillion to P12 trillion at current prices.

Developing countries are investing close to two percent of their GDP for science.

Apa r t f rom promot i ng rapid grow th, Ba lisacan stressed that scientific and technological innovations can also promote inclusiveness.

(MB)

Exports... from page 1

Bu k idnon ca me next with US$15.1 million or 7.55 percent and Misamis Occidental with US$3.18 million or 1.58 percent.

In terms of exports by sector, coconut-based exports with a value of US$118.10 million remained as the region’s top export products contributing a 59 percent to the total regional exports.

Processed foods ranked next with canned pineapple as its main product earning US$26.42 million. Industrial manufactures, where sintered ore is the major commodity, ranked third with US$14.95 million export earnings sharing 7.5 percent of the total exports.

Meanwhile, oleochemicals

remained the region’s top dollar earner with US$54.14 mi l lion representing 27 percent, followed by coconut oil with US$40.84 million or 20 percent and canned pineapple products with US$21.31 mi l lion or 11 percent.

Other top ten export products are sintered ore, lumber/core-sawn/finished/ kiln dried, abaca fiber/pulp, copra solvent and expeller cake/meal, fresh pineapples, desiccated coconut, and cane raw sugar.

Aviation... from page 1

(PAAT), Inc., an endeavor that is a joint venture between Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) and CAE-Airbus, was designed to support airlines that would need competent pi lot s , particularly that of CEB’s future expansion.

PA A T, w h i c h w a s inaugurated last December, said that although the venture is also to strengthen the strategic relations between CEB and CAE, it is also targeting the fast regional t hird par t y training requirements for commercial aviation in the Philippines including trainings for cabin crew, dispatch and ground handling.

“We at PAAT, are looking forward to developing the venture as one of the main hub for aviation training services in the region,” said Arvi Perez, PAAT general manager.

He s a id t h at PA AT welcomes those who are already pilots who would want to gain mastery in flying the big airplanes, such as the Airbus A320.

PA AT’s course ent r y requirements or the initial type rating program starts with the early line training (ELT) Jet Familiarization and Multi-crew Cooperation (MCC) training course.

This course is designed to familiarize students with the jet aircraft as well as with multi-crew operations.

In order to participate in this program, the applicant must be fluent in the English language and is a licensed with 70 hours as pilot in command of the aircraft and those who have 200 hours of flying aircrafts with multiengine instruments.

CAE, a global leader in modeling, simulation and training for civil aviation and defense, is present in 30 countries in more than 100 sites and employs about 8,000.

T he compa ny of fers

civ i l av iat ion, mi lita r y, a nd helicopter t ra ining services in more than 45 locations worldwide and trains approximately 100,00 crew members yearly.

C A E ’s b u s i n e s s i s diversified, ranging from the sale of simulation products to providing comprehensive services such as training and aviation services, professional services, in-service support crew sourcing.

PA AT s a id t hat t he global pilot and technician outlook from 2012 to 2031 would be about 460,000 spread across: Asia Pacific, 185,000; Europe, 100,900; North America, 69,000; Latin America, 42,000; Middle East, 36,000; CIS, 11,900; and Africa 14,500.

At PAAT, students who comply with the course entry requirements are encouraged to take the computerized pilot aptitude screening system, and those who pass CEB’s cutoff grade, a pre-employment interview with CEB’s human resource department would be arranged.

St ud ent wou ld ga i n the k nowledge in f lying Airbus aircraf t inside a f light simulator, a device that integrates mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and digital processing system to realistically represent in real-time the operation of a sophisticated piece of equipment in a complex environment.

The simulated aircraft cockpit is the exact replica of the specific aircraft being simulated so to make the training environment as realistic as possible and the skills learned are easily applied in real life.

The flight compartments contain all the equipment of t he rea l aircraf t, t he instrument and controls, a nd e ven t he sa me a i r supply, lights, and stowage compartments. Many of the components are purchased from the original equipment manufacturer.

Iqbal...

from page 1 the aspirations for meaningful autonomy for Musl i m Mi nda nao t hat w a s env i sione d i n t he Constitution” and “w i l l correct the f laws in the current fiscal system in the ARMM,” she said.

‘Status quo is unacceptable’ The two panels had agreed in the April 2012 Decision Points, carried over into the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed in October, that “the status

quo is unacceptable and that the Parties will work for the creation of a new autonomous political entity in place of the ARMM.” In his July 8 opening statement in on July 8, Iqbal reiterated that solving the problem that has been laid down on the negotiating table for the last 16 years “requires a major shake-up of the status quo.”

“For the nth time, I must mention here that we are solving the Moro Problem or Question, not the Philippine Problem. Remember that a ‘ historic injustice’ has been committed against the Bangsamoro, which must be corrected once and for all in order to put to rest all future legitimate struggles against the Manila government,” he said.

Iqbal explained that “a mere resort to legal remedies not founded on negotiated political settlement will not hold water.”

He s a id t he pa r t ie s had earlier agreed to an “asymmetrical relationship” between the Bangsamoro and the national government.

“This means the parties must find a political solution that is above the current ARMM and below independence.”

8-page Annex The text of the eight-page Annex signed at midnight in Kuala Lumpur has not been released to the public.

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has yet to upload the Annex on its website.

The MILF’s website, luwaran. com, has not posted the Joint Statement and the Annex.

MindaNews was told by the OPAPP’s communications team in KL that copies of the Annex would be released “tomorrow (Monday) during Malacanang press briefing.”

There is no explanation as to why copies of t he A nnex w i l l be released only on Monday, instead of Su nday. On October 7, as soon as President Aquino announced t hat the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro had been reached, copies of the document were immediately CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Brothers uploaded in Tiano websites of Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. *f icia l M a l a cTelefax a n# (08822) a#n(088) g ’s727-829 O f 856-1947 GazetteCAMIGUIN and the OPAPP. BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, M i nd a Ne w s s ou rc e s Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 in the Bangsamoro CORRALES BRANCH peace Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City process said among t he DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmoprovisions B. Damasing Bldg., #61 A. salient inDonthe Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 eight-page Annex is that in BRANCH terms ofLAPASAN taxation, Central Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 G o v e r n m e nt (n a t i o n a l CARMEN BRANCH government) ta de xes, fees Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011 and charges collected in

the Bangsamoro, other than tariff and customs duties,” shall be on a 75%-25% sharing in favor of the Bangsamoro.

(The sharing system in the ARMM is 70-30 in its favor except for strategic minerals which is 50-50, AR MM Governor Mujiv Hataman told MindaNews).

According to the Annex, the share of the Bangsamoro from these taxes can even be 100%, for a limited period, because the Annex provides that the Bangsamoro Basic Law “may provide that the 25% due to t he Centra l Government will be remitted to the Bangsamoro for a limited period of time.”

The Annex also provides that all taxing powers already devolved to the ARMM by R.A. No. 9054 and other legislations will be exercised by the Bangsamoro.

RA 9054 which amended R A 673 4 , t he O rga n ic Act creating the ARMM, p r o v i d e s t h a t “u n l e s s otherwise provided,” the taxing power of the ARMM and its member-provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangay shall not extend to the following: “income tax, except when levied on banks and other financial institutions; documentary stamps tax; taxes on estate, inheritance, gifts, legacies, and other acquisitions mortis causa, except as otherwise provided by law.”

The Annex does not give the Bangsamoro powers over income tax as the MILF had proposed but both parties agreed that the power to collect the capital gains tax, documentary stamp tax, donor’s tax and estate tax within the Bangsamoro would be devolved to the Bangsamoro.

If the taxable elements are not situated entirely within the Bangsamoro, the Annex provides that the intergovernmental fiscal policy board which shall address problems relating to implementation.

Natural resources

11

I n ter m s of nat u r a l resources, t he A nnex provides that the Bangsamoro share from incomes derived f rom t he “e x plor at ion, development and utilization of a ll natura l resources within the Bangsamoro” shall be: - 100% to the Bangsamoro and its local government u n it s for non-me t a l l ic minerals such as sand, gravel, and quarry resources; - 75% to the Bangsamoro for metallic minerals within the Bangsamoro; and - 50% to the Bangsamoro and 50% to the Centra l Government for “fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal) and uranium but the pa r t ies “sha l l endeavor to prov ide for a rev iew mechanism in the Basic Law with regard to this sharing arrangement.”

The shares of t he Bangsamoro from the natural resources revenues include those for its constituent local government units, the Annex states.

Under RA 9054, sharing bet ween t he nat iona l government and the ARMM is 50%-50% in terms of “taxes or fees derived from the use and development of the strategic minerals.”

The Annex has removed “strategic minerals” as a category. “No more strategic minerals classification. That is a tricky description. (For) gas, oil, coal, uranium, it’s 50-50 with possible increase in the future,” said Iqbal.

The other features of the Annex are contained in the eight-page document.

MindaNews sources said the Annex has 12 sections, t he last one on gender and development, which mandates the Bangsamoro to set aside at least 5% of the development funds it will receive, for support programs and activities for women.

The panels are set to meet again in August, after the Ramadhan, to finish the annexes on Power-sharing and Normalization.

CDO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947

DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631

CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491

LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739

CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City

CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd.,Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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Church leaders urge GPH, NDF to continue peace negotiations (first of three parts)

by BONG D. FABE, Executive Editor

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— “Please continue the peace negotiations.”

This was the overwhelming plea of religious leaders in North-Eastern Mindanao during the Religious Leaders’ Peace Summit organized by the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) at the San Jose de Mindanao Seminary in Camaman-an here from June 27-28.

One elderly religious sister from Misamis Occidental even quoted par ts of t he famous poem “Don’t Quit” to emphasize her message of plea to the panels to go on with their negotiations for peace.

Even rebel leaders i n M i nd a nao u rge d t he government to return to the negotiating table.

“To the government panel, go back to the negotiating table. And to the NDF panel, exhaust all means to dialogue,” the summit participants said.

Peace negotiations with the NDF began in 1986 during the administration of the first President Aquino [Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, the present President’s mother]. But it collapsed after the January 22, 1987 Mendiola Massacre, wh ich lef t 14 protest i ng farmers dead. It resumed in 1992, barely a year after President Fidel V. Ramos was installed in Malacanang.

It wa s u nder R a mos’

ad m i n i st r at ion t hat t he government and the rebel group signed the Hague Joint Declaration on September 1, 1992 in Oslo, Norway. The Hag ue Joi nt Decla rat ion contains four substantive agenda for negotiations: (1) respect for human rights and International Humanitarian Law; (2) socio-economic reforms; (3) political and constitutional reforms; and (4) end of hostilities and disposition of forces.

O n M a rc h 16 , 19 9 8 , t he par ties signed t he Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), the first of t he fou r su b s t a nt i ve agenda. The parties are now negotiating on the second of the substantive agenda – the CASER or Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms but the negotiations have met an impasse.

While both Rey Claro Casambre, executive director of the Philippine Peace Center who is serving as a consultant for the NDF in the formal pe ac e ne got iat ions ; a nd Jurgette Honculada, GPH panel member, blamed each other’s side for scuttling the talks, they, however, agreed that there is a need to continue the negotiations for peace to finally be achieved after 47 longs years of “civil war.”

Some of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) -organized North-Eastern Mindanao Religious Leaders' Peace Summit pose with the speakers and organizers during break in the Summit. Photo by BONG D. FABE “We are in a kind of civil war for decades now. But our civil war is different from other civil wars in that it is just sporadic and does not include t he whole countr y,” said Bishop Antonio Ablon of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI)-Misamis Occidental. He said that there really is a need for the talks to continue as the “civil war” has taken its toll on the people and prevent the countryside from developing.

Even rebel leaders urged both sides to continue the peace negotiations.

Jorge Madlos alias Ka

“

Oris, NDF-Minda nao spokesman, urged the PEPP, led by Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma of the Archdiocese of C a g ay a n d e O ro, t o “collectively persuade” the government to “return to the negotiating table.”

In an open letter he sent to Ledesma, which Casambre read during the Summit, Madlos said that “there has never been a more auspicious time than today to firmly stand our ground and work more v igorously towards attaining genuine and lasting peace.”

“Now therefore, I wish to take this rare opportunity to appeal to you to unite and to collectively persuade the GPH to return to the negotiating table. I believe that this aggrupation of various church leaders is in the best position to remind the GPH that the stakes are far too costly to ignore. We are also eager to listen to and learn from proposals this august assemblage has to put forward on how to undertake this herculean task ahead of us,” he said.

Even jailed “Ka Paris”

aka Alfredo Mapano, former commander of the Northern Mindanao command of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNational Democratic Front (CPP-NDF), made a rare a p p e a r a n c e o n P E P P ’s recognizance to speak at the Summit. “I would like to urge our religious leaders to use their inf luence and push for the peace negotiations to continue,” he told the gathering during the open for u m i n re spons e to a question after reading his

to revisit the methods used by both panels in their peace negotiations. “The impasse we are witnessing now show the seriousness of the issues we have to look into more closely before we can achieve real peace in our country.

I therefore urge both the NDF and GPH panels to look into their motives and asked themselves what their aspiration for peace for our country. They also need to evaluate their negotiating methods in achieving peace,” he told the BusinessDaily in

an interview.

A lejo sa id Ph i l ippi ne schools could partly be blamed for training people how to debate, instead of dialogue.

“Our schools instilled in us this debate mentality. But in negotiations, we have to come to the table with a dialogue framework,” he said. “Society needs dialogue. But in our schools we glorify debate.

What happens in a debate?

You divide an issue to only two sides. But issues in society have many sides. That is a very bad training…We have

debating teams but do we have dialogue clubs? We debate on many things but we don’t know basic facts.”

“Please don’t debate in the negotiating table, conduct a dialogue. We, people, are at the receiving end of your intransigence,” an elderly religious sister from Misamis Occidental urged.

Alejo said that dialogue is also needed in government service especially in solving the myriad problems facing the people in the countryside, such as the indigenous peoples.

To the government panel, go back to the negotiating table.

And to the NDF panel, exhaust all means to dialogue,

”

Summit participants sharing their sentiments, hopes and prayers for the attainment of peace. Photo by BONG D. FABE

Fr. Bert Alejo of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (ACDO), Myrna Aboniawan-Siose of the Archdiocesan Center of Concern, Empowerment and Social Services (ACCESS) with Alfredo Mapano (Ka Paris), former commander of the Northern Mindanao command of the New People's Army (NPA) during the Peace Summit. Photo by BONG D. FABE

prepared talk.

Dialogue, not debate: Ateneo de Zamboanga’s Fr. Ber t A lejo, a former member of the government panel’s Technical Working Group (TWG) on CASER, reminded everyone, especially the members of the peace negotiating panels, to “conduct a dialogue, not debate” during their negotiations so as to reach their objective.

Retired Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iňiguez, who attended the first day of the Summit, said there is a need

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