BusinessDaily Mindanao (April 10, 2013 Issue)

INSIDE LOOK

S peaking O ut IGNACIO BUNYE

Economy

Real Estate

Opinion

Agri-Business

Arts&Culture

BusinessDaily NEDA- 10 sets assessment on regional development plan

Seda : Ayala’s boutique hotel

Valuable partner in banking industry

Gov’t allots P200M for hybrid rice

Signs of the times : The Gypsy Swallows of Downtown Zamboanga

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Cagayan de Oro City

Volume III, No. 187

IN-DEPTH

Wednesday

Power forum tackles X Briefly M’danao spot market

Market Indicators As of 5:57 pm apr. 8, 2013 (Monday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P41.27

6,732.22 points

11 cents

X

5.08 points

Caraga’s poor

B U T UA N C i t y - - T h e Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Caraga has assessed a total of 405,310 households with 232,301 of them identified as poor, according to its regional profile of the poor released on Monday morning.

Most of these poor households are in Agusan del Sur province having 65, 473 poor households or 28.2 percent of the total assessed households. This is followed by Surigao del Sur with 59,179 (25.5%), Agusan del Nor te with 49,437 (21.3%), Surigao del Norte with 45, 343 (19.5%) and the province of Dinagat Islands with 12,869 (5.5%).

The top three cities with the most number of assessed poor households are Surigao City (23,569), Butuan City (18, 326) and Bayugan City (18,214).

Transport planning

DAVAO City -- A team of consultants from the United Kingdom will be conducting a nine-month transpor t planning for Davao City.

The U.S. million project, which seeks to develop a sustainable urban public transport system in the the city, will be funded by Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction in cooperation with Asian Development Bank (ADB), Department of Tr a n s p o r t at i o n a n d Communications (DOTC), City of Davao and Embassy of Japan.

City Planning officer-incharge Roberto Alabado III said the amount will be used to fund the commissioning of British consultants.

“Our benchmarking for Davao City is international already, so our consultants came from an international group also,” he explained.

By BONG FABE Associate Editor

M

AJOR players and key stakeholders of the power industry in Mindanao converge in this City of Golden Fr iend s h ip to d ay, April 10, to conduct public consultations for t h e pr o p o s e d establishment of the Interim Mindanao Electricit y Market (IMEM).

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The IMEM, as proposed by the Mindanao Power Mon itor i ng C om m it tee (MPMC), is a mechanism designed to prov ide a n i m med iate venue for transparent and efficient utilization of additional capacities to address Mindanao’s energy-supply shortfall.

Once set up, the IMEM will allow energy distributors to sell power supply from its embedded generators to areas and cities experiencing power shortage.

The MPMC, an interagenc y body ma ndated to spea rhead ef for ts at f i nd i ng i m med iate a nd long-term solutions to the so-called Mindanao power crisis, had earlier proposed the establishment of the IMEM so that “available but uncontracted capacities from embedded generators of distribution utilities could also be tapped through the electricity spot market.”

POWER OUTLOOK

Team PNoy Senatorial candidate Mrs. Cynthia Villar gives Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente ‘Dongkoy’ Emano a handshake after the latter strongly endorsed her senatorial candidacy before the Assembly of the Liga ng mga Punong Barangay in Cagayan de Oro held at the Dynasty Court yesterday. photo by rolando sudaria

UNA’s Emano throws support to Team-PNoy’s Cynthia Villar

By CHRISTINE H. CABIASA, Reporter

IN what could be a surprising move, Padayon Pilipino mayoral candidate Vicente ‘Dongkoy’ Emano on Tuesday officially announced his all-out support to senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar.

Emano’s Padayon Pilipino party is closely allied to the opposition group, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice-President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada while Mrs.

Villar, wife of senator Manny Villar of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), is coalesced with the administration’s Team-PNoy. During the inaugural campaign by UNA in Cagayan de Oro last month, Emano has vowed to give the opposition group the solid vote of Kagayan-anons.

But explaining his support before the support/PAGE 11

Power deficiency to reach 484-MW in 2014: Aboitiz KIDAPAWAN City (PNA) -- If the power deficiency in Mindanao continues to widen, this could result to depriving electricity to at least five major cities in the island, according to a top official of AboitizPower, one of the country’s largest producers of renewable energy.

These cities include Davao and General Outlook/PAGE 11

P15.00

April 10, 2013

Palm oil congress to ‘cure’ poverty

By BONG D. FABE Associate Editor

CAGAYAN de Oro plays host to the gathering of palm industry players next week to urge the government to stop neglecting the palm sector and help it “cure” the mass poverty in Mindanao.

The 8th National Palm Oil Congress, set for April 18 a nd 19 at t he Xav ier Sports and Country Club at the posh Xavier Estate in uptown Cagayan de Oro, will gather major industry players and stakeholders in an effort to help government r e d u c e m a s s p o v e r t y, especially in Mindanao.

Mindanao is home to n i ne of t he 15 p oore st provinces in the Philippines.

National official statistics show these provinces as Z a mboa nga del Nor te (52.9%); Agusan del Sur (51.2%); Surigao del Norte (47. 9 %); M a g u i n d a n a o (44.6%); Zamboanga Sibugay (43.2%); Davao Orienta l (42.5%); Saranggani (40.7%); Sulu (39.3%); and Lanao del Norte (39%).

T h e A q u i n o administration is bent on slashing poverty incidence to 16.6 percent or half the 1991 poverty rate of 33.1%.

The country’s poverty incidence as of February 2013 is at 26.5%, which means that almost a third of the population earn less than P16,841.00 a year.

The palm oil industry has the potential to “cure” poverty, said Rolando T. D y, e xe c ut i ve d i re c tor of t he C enter for Food and AgriBusiness of the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Dy, former independent director of A. Brown Co., Inc. lamented that only Palm/PAGE 11

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

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Northern Mindanao’s economic planners are set to make assessments of how the region fare in terms of growth basing on targets set in the regional development plan (RDP) and the regional development investment program. file photo

NEDA-10 sets assessment on regional dev’t plan

By APIPA P. BAGUMBARAN, Contributor

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THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office 10 will hold a mid-term assessment, updating and revalidation of the Regional Development Plan (RDP) and the Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP) on April 16.

“It is almost three years since we implemented the RDP and RDIP, hence, it is imperative that we refer back to these documents and assess the agencies/local government u n it s/ a nd i nst it ut ions performance in terms of its contributions to regional and national development, “ said NEDA Regional Director Leon M. Dacanay Jr. in a statement.

He said the mid-term assessment provides a venue for analysing what have been done and accomplished in terms of the targets set in the RDP and the status of the RDIP implementation.

Formulated in 2010, the RDP 2011-2016 and its accompanying document RDIP spell out the strategies for improved productivity and sustained

growth in the region.

These documents also define the contributions of the region to the attainment of the Philippine Development Plan and the President’s social contract with the Filipino people.

According to NEDA-10, the results of the assessment would serve as inputs to the PDP regional consultation particularly on the priority action areas in the remaining plan period as the region align its thrust and priorities to the national and global agenda.

The said RDP regional consultation is scheduled on April 22 in Pearlmont Inn, this city.

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New housing project to rise in Davao City DAVAO City -- Camella’s newest project in Davao City will be unveiled in a grand launch on Saturday at SMX Convention Center Hall 3, SM Lanang Premier here.

BEA is the country’s first fully automated transaction assist platform wherein allowing anyone to transact and enter the data needed on touch screen machines for a wide range of transactions like cash and check deposits, withdrawals, bills payment, BIR and SSS payments.

BPI launches online queuing system for bank transactions THE Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) unveiled on Friday t he BPI Ex press Assist (BEA) Online, the first online system in the country’s banking industry that will enable customers the convenience to choose the time and place of their bank transactions and acquire their queue number inside the comfort of their home or office at the stroke of their finger tips.

The BEA Online further eases banking transactions provided by its facility, BPI Express Assist (BEA) which was launched in 2011 that saved the banking clients the tedious process of filling up banking paper forms as they themselves input their transaction details into a touch-screen terminal called BEA kiosk situated in the bank.

“This facilitates more breezy transaction process a nd a ny of ou r cl ients enrolled in online banking can use the system that will free them from their banking

chore,” Natividad Alejo, BPI Executive Vice President and Head of Consumer Banking Group, said in her welcome remarks during the official launching at the Main Dining Hall of the 1851 Club, BPI Head Office Building, Makati City.

“BPI leverages on the uses of technology to answer and meet the needs of our clients. We continue to provide innovations that make banking easy for our clients. This is their banking fast lane. This technological innovation is BPI’s way of show ing t hat while our clients value their time, we also value their time,” Alejo said.

To date, BPI has 1.2 mi l lion enrol led online clients and 300 merchant partners. And of its 720 branches nationwide, 550 are already equipped with the BEA system that has proven to have effectively reduced the customer’s waiting time in dispensing their banking transactions.

Sun Cellular postpaid revenues shoot up SUN Cellular’s Postpaid segment registered a 15% g row t h on t he back of increasing average revenue per user (ARPU), and the strong take up of its midlevel plans. By end 2012, Sun Postpaid revenues climbed up to almost PhP8 billion.

“It is not just our entrylevel plans that are getting the attention of the market.

Since last year, our industryleading mid-level plans that we introduced through our ‘Sundroid Rush campaign’ have fueled our revenue increase,” said Orlando Vea, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Cellular.

In October last year, Sun

Cellular brought another first to the market by offering postpaid bundles that feature a smartphone handset paired with a tablet for as low as P600.00 a month. Dubbed as the “Sundroid Rush ”, Vea said that this campaign signaled a turning point in the company’s efforts to attract subscribers to Sun’s higher plans and thus making this a significant driver in increasing ARPUs. These plans also became platforms for increasing mobile internet usage which further boosted revenues.

Sun Cellular increased its postpaid subscribers by revenue/PAGE 10

“ We h a v e a l w a y s envisioned empowering our clients to take-charge of their lifestyle by allowing them to put their banking time in perspective and providing them more personal time.

This way, we continue our thrust in making banking easy for our customers as we give them the opportunity to be first in-line for their banking transaction,” BPI Senior Vice President and Head of Electronic Channels Group Manuel Tagaza said.

“We are excited over the benefits that BEA Online will provide to our BPI clients,” he enthused.

The online system allows the client to set-up Launches/PAGE 10

A self-contained masterplanned subdivision, this development will be named Camella Davao, located in Communal, Buhangin district across the Davao International Airport at the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway or Diversion Road.

Sprawled over 27 hectares of prime property with a relatively rolling terrain, Camella Davao is another landmark development that will elevate the livability factor of Davao, as it offers charming and vibrant living

w it h i n Ca mel la’s ma ny communities in the city.

Camella has an impressive roster of master-planned d e ve lopme nt s a l l ove r Southern Mindanao, such as Solariega in Ta lomo, Toscana in Puan, Cerritos in Mintal, Camella Northpoint in Bajada, all in Davao, and Camella Tagum and Camella General Santos. It will also build another community in Marbel, South Cotabato soon.

“We are very proud and excited to launch Camella

Davao because it is another landmark development that will not only have worldclass facilities and amenities, but a village center as well,” said Marlon B. Escalicas, Camella SouthMin Area general manager.(PNA)

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Cagayan de Oro City 1st District Rep. Benjo A. Benaldo listens to the concerns of a mother at barangay Kauswagan where the re-electionist congressman went yesterday to campaign. As the May 2013 mid-term elections approaches, candidates have been using every minute of the campaign period to meet as many people as they can. photo by gerry lee gorit

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4 New 10-storey hotel rises in Cag. de Oro wednesday April 10, 2013

CONST RUC T ION of a 10-storey hotel with 152 rooms star ted here last week as investors expressed confidence of the growing economy of this seaport capital in Northern Mindanao.

Cit y Mayor Vicente Emano said on Tuesday that the construction of the new hotel showed the confidence of local business groups of the city’s business potential.

Ema no, who led t he ground breaking to formally start the construction, said that the hotel known as “Hotel Galyx” would rise along Capt.

Vicente Roa Street within distance from shopping malls

Hotel Galyx to rise along Capt. Vicente Roa Street.

here.

The loca l tourism industry also welcomed the construction of the new hotel as an additional facility to serve the growing tourist that visits this trading hub every year.

Catalino Chan, regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) here, said that more than 500,000 tourists visit Cagayan de City annually.

He said that Cagayan de Oro Cit y still needs to construct more hotels to accommodate visitors expected to grow 15 per cent in the next two years. (PNA)

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Seda: Ayala’s boutique hotel CAGAYAN de Oro City in Misamis Oriental, which is a major trading hub in Mindanao, welcomed its first hotel designed to tap global travelers.

Seda Centrio, ow ned

by Ayala Land Hotels and Re s or t s a nd t he A n f lo Group of t he Floirendo family, is set to upgrade hospita lit y standards in this city of family-owned accommodations, t he biggest in Region X and the gateway to Mindanao from the rest of the country.

Offering a paperless checkin experience with its 150 rooms located over t he city’s most premium mall, Seda Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City introduced last December a boutique-hotel setting to this urban center of over 600,000 Cebuanospeaking residents mostly engaged in agriculture and services.

Seda Cent rio’s sleek, contemporar y lobby designed by Conrad Onglao has drawn positive remarks from residents and travelers a l i ke. T he fou r t h f loor lobby connects to a smaller receiving area in the ground f loor which provides easy access to the Centrio mall and its spectrum of dining and retail outlets, which they consider a big convenience.

Figures from the National Economic and Development

Seda rises alongside Ayala’s Centrio Mall.

oper ate s S e d a C ent r io, disclosed that the brand was developed “to prime opportunities in t he country’s dynamic growth centers.” In addition to Seda Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City and the recently launched 179-room Seda B on i f ac io G loba l Cit y, AHRC is set to open Seda Abreeza in Davao City in April and a fourth Seda hotel in Nuvali in Laguna before the year ends.

Andrea Mastellone, Seda group genera l ma nager, observed that because each Seda hotel is a few steps away from an Ayala Land mall, residential and office spaces, each property is marked to be a destination in its city.

In Cagayan de Oro and other underserved cities, Seda w i l l f u r t her ma ke

Authority (NEDA) on Region X affirm that opportunities for Seda Centrio are quite posit ive. T he reg ion is booming and set for high g row t h e v idenced by a hefty 109 percent increase in investments amounting to over P360 mil lion in Misamis Oriental in the t h i r d q u a r t e r o f 2 012 compared to figures over the same period in 2011. Over the same period, business expansions in the province doubled to P71.75 million while the top 10 exports in Region X – including oleochem ic a ls , coconut products, sintered ore, and pineapple – increased by 14 % year on year. All those indicators imply a steady

available to global travelers state-of-the-art technology and the consistent delivery of the personable service associated with Filipinos the world over.

The boutique hotel is a mark of elegance.

stream of travelers seeking to do business there.

Al Legaspi, chief operating off icer of Ay a l a L a nd Hot e l s a nd Re sor t s (A H RC) wh ich

Camella to build township in Davao DAVAO City -- An initial investment of P500 million has been poured in to develop a 30-hectare property in Communal, Buhangin into a township, a first of its kind in Davao City.

The residential development project c a l le d C a m e l l a D av a o is the latest addition to Camella’s roster of masterplanned communities in Davao Region and is a joint venture between Camella Communities and the family of Compostela Governor Arturo Uy It was launched over the weekend during a two-day exhibit that featured Camella development projects in

Southern Mindanao, including the cities of Davao, Tagum, General Santos, and soon in Koronadal, South Cotabato.

Camella is a subsidiary of Villar-led Vista Land and Lifescapes, the country’s largest homebuilder.

During the project launch on Saturday, Vista Land founder Senator Manny Villar said Camella Davao is so far their biggest project in Mindanao.

“This is so far the best Camella project in Davao City,” he said.

Camella president Jerylle Luz Quismundo said the company initially poured in more than P500 million

in investment to jumpstart the project.

“But it ’s not a onetime investment. It’s still growing as development and expansion in the area is never-ending,” she said.

She said one of their major considerations in scouting for areas to be developed is that “it still has room for expansion.”

She said Camella Davao is their first joint-venture project in Davao City and the second in Davao Region.

“Our Camella Tagum project is also a joint venture with the family of (Davao del Norte) Governor Rodolfo del Rosario,” Quizmundo said.

(PNA)

STA. Lucia Land Inc is raising funds to bankroll its land banking initiatives as the property developer steps up its efforts amid tight competition in the real estate sector.

David Dela Cruz, SLI executive vice president, told InterAksyon.com in a phone

interview the property firm intends to raise P10 billion through a combination of debt and equity in the third or fourth quarter of the year.

“The stock market is hot.

Equity appetite is high so it’s very attractive to raise money,” Dela Cruz said.

In 2011, SLI had deferred a

$150-million follow-on share sale because of volatility in the equities market.

Dela Cruz said SLI has room to take in more debt, noting that it has P16 billion in assets and only P3 billion in liabilities.

“The bond market is also raise/PAGE 7

Sta. Lucia to raise P10B to buy more land nationwide

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PH food exports growing but Firms urged to join promoting lagging behind ASEAN neighbors PHL famous brands in China “government must have some control in the appreciation of the peso”

FOOD exports from the Ph i l ippi ne s reg istere d double digit grow th in 2012 and are forecast to continue to grow in the next two years.

But the food industry says the country’s export figures pale in comparison with those of its neighbors in Southeast Asia.

Expor ts of t he semiprocessed food and agriculture-based industries reached US$3.55 billion in 2012 , a n increase of 11.56 percent from 2011 figures. These sectors are expected to post continued volume growth, forecast at six percent in 2013 and 10 percent in 2014.

But even w it h t hese gains, “much can still be done to enhance our export performance,” said Roberto C. Amores, president of the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (PHILFOODEX), during a talk given for him in a recent exporters forum on the outlook for the semiprocessed and agri-based export industries.

“The Philippine food ex por t turnover is st i l l fa r behi nd ou r ASEA N (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) neighbors.

For example, Thailand has an average of US$20-billion annual revenue from food exports,” he said in his paper.

Amores represented more than 250 member-companies in the association that are engaged in selling fresh and processed foods for the export and domestic markets. The PHILFOODEX membership is comprised mostly of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

He noted that food exports represented 6.8 percent of total Philippine exports of nearly $52 billion last year.

Overseas food shipments included processed foods accounting for 57 percent, fresh foods representing 28 percent, and marine products comprising 15 percent.

To raise the industry’s export performance, Amores urged the government to help the organization improve its assessment of the global food market and gain increased access to technology.

He a lso c a l led for a reduction in the cost of production through removing import and export duties on production inputs and the processing of raw materia ls, and lowering the power rates for agroprocessors and exporters.

“Rates within the eco zones a re 40 percent cheaper.

The same price should be available to exporters outside the eco zones,” he added.

The food sector w i l l li kew ise benef it f rom increased access to investment funding. “The

government should continue to address the problem of MSM E s’ lack of acce ss to financing for them to ex pa nd a nd moder n i z e t hei r faci l it ies to meet international standards,” Amores pointed out.

In addition, the complex regulations covering the ex por t i ndu st r y mu st u n d e r g o r e v i e w. T h e y should be streamlined to come up w it h com mon a nd sta nda rd ized ta rif f schedule and classification as well as rules of origin, said Amores. “This could greatly contribute to the competitiveness of export food products,” Amores said.

He a lso asked t he government to accelerate the move toward an electronicbased system of Customs processi ng t hroug h t he Single Window Project to reduce transaction costs among ASEAN countries.

The strong peso is another worrying industry concern, noted Amores, adding that “government must have some control in the appreciation of the peso” so that Philippine food products will not lose their edge on the global marketplace. (PHILEXPORT News and Features)

Phi l ippi ne compa nies expor t ing to China a re encouraged to participate in a project meant to promote the country’s famous brands in a market with 1.3 billion consumers.

Exporters who are eyeing to penetrate the huge market can use the recently launched “ASEAN’s Famous Brands Marketing in China” as an initial platform to introduce products and services in China.

“It will help in creating awareness about Philippine products or brands among the Chinese consumers and patrons,” said Christine dela Cruz, Commercial Attache at the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre (PTIC) in Beijing.

Dela Cruz said the brands can be in the category of manufactured products, consumer goods or services.

Among other benefits of the project, selected brands will be published in ChinaASEAN Business Council (CABC) website as well as presented with a Certificate of ASEAN’s Famous Brands in China.

“We will release the List of ASEAN’s Famous Brands every year from now on...

This list will be helpful for ASEAN countries’ products

to develop China’s market; will be helpful in promoting the development of ChinaASEAN trade cooperation,” said event organizer CABC Chinese Secretariat.

The bilateral trade volume between China and ASEAN rose by 10.3 percent reaching $400 billion in 2012.

The Secretariat said it may also invite companies whose products are in the list to visit Beijing and convene a promotion meeting there.

Representatives from the Chinese government, national i ndust r ia l associat ions, companies and media will be invited to attend.

Orga nizations t hat can recommend famous brands are business offices of the ten ASEAN countries embassies in China, chamber of commerce and industry of ASEAN countries as well as industrial associations.

The companies which can be involved in the list can also recommend themselves after CABC consult with ASEAN cou nt ries’ embassies in China, related governmental departments and industrial associations.

“The activity is to promote the ASEAN countries’ famous bra nd s a mong Ch i nese companies and consumers urged/PAGE 7

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Put God in politics

O

HINTS

ur times, I believe, call us to be tough yet flexible, and Traces tolerant yet discerning. And

By Fr. Roy Cimagala now that we are in an election season, these qualities are in great need.

To be sure, the only and best way to acquire these seemingly contrasting traits is to be with God, to have a living relationship with him, where an intimate and ongoing conversation between him and us takes place.

Some people are questioning the feasibility of such a situation, that is, to be able to talk with God. I don’t know where they get that idea, since as far as I as well as many others are concerned, God is everywhere and he wants us to talk to him.

We need to reinforce our belief that only in God can we have everything. Let’s be wary of suggestions, now becoming very popular, that there are things in which God has absolutely nothing to say or contribute and that we are just on our own to think, say and do whatever we want.

A passage from the Psalms can remind us of this need for God. “The Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer. My God is my helper, and in him will I put my trust. My protector and the horn of my salvation, and my support.” (18,2) Sad to say, there are now a rising number of politicians who not only put God and his Church aside, but also mock and openly attack him and the Church. Or to be politically correct, they also make appeals to God but a God according to their own terms, a god and church of their own making.

Some have gone to the extent of saying that this business of including God in politics, for example, hinders their freedom and effectiveness. In short, that God is a spoiler.

And they can be Catholics who pride themselves to be good Catholics because according to them, they do this and do that, just like any fawning politician would parrot, and yet they go against Church doctrine.

They even dare to say that the Church should change, otherwise it will be depleted of members, and that there would be a mass exodus of faithful to other sects, etc. cimagala/PAGE 10

Hard Habit to Break

re you in the habit of putting salt on your food? Maybe you have a habit of thinking you’re not smart and that you’ll never succeed in life. Don’t forget, your habits control your life. What we keep doing every day becomes our life! As the saying goes: “Plant your thought and you’ll reap your action. Plant your action and you’ll reap your habit. Plant your habit and you’ll reap your life.”

After awhile, our habits become such a part of us that we don’t even notice when we’re doing anything wrong.

So we end up doing wrong things naturally, whether it’s lying, cheating and stealing, gossiping about others, getting drunk, being lazy, or whatever our bad habits are. But the great news is that you can break your bad habits and change your life! You see, just like you learned your old bad habits, you can learn new ones—if you really want to.

And, if you get the help and power you need.

Did you know that to get to the moon it takes more power for that rocket to lift off and break away from the earth’s pull of gravity than all the power it needs to travel to the moon and back to earth—half a million miles! That’s how strong the earth’s pull of gravity is. You see, our bad habits pull us down like gravity. So breaking and changing those bad habits is not always easy.

But Jesus Christ has the power you need so you finally

The Framework Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has no place for small or zerosum minds. The recently signed peace agreement points to a peace dividend and poses a likely economic bonus for Mindanao. This peace agreement has been forged in the anvil of trust and openness. These are essential developments.

The public support for the FA sends a clear message from the community that it does not want a return to the past, and that its people are determined to build for the future and to stop the horror and silence of violence. When the local communities in Mindanao seriously have that strength, that determination, then the message is clear: momentum and progress are possible.

This month, the 15 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission led by Mohagher Iqbal, concurrently the Chairman of the MILF Peace Panel, were formally introduced. Mr. Iqbal said among the preliminary steps the BTC need to undertake include crafting of internal rules and organizing the secretariat and committees. From this development, we can see the slow emergence of the political peace dividend.

As the Bangsamoro Transition Commission crafts the rules of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the members also have to keep in mind that the Framework Agreement has to deliver the economic dividend. The economic dividend

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can lift off and start breaking

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst away from those wrong habits.

It’s only then you’ll be free to learn new, good habits, such as always being honest, speaking positively about others, enjoying more time getting close to your family members, always doing your best work on the job, reading the Bible and talking to Jesus every day, and getting involved in a church that teaches the truth from the Bible about Jesus, God the Son. These good habits and many others will enable you to live a happy, successful life.

It’s up to you. Remember, if you don’t start to change the wrong habits in your life today, your life will likely never change. So when you die, you’ll still be living the way you are right now. Today, why not ask Jesus to forgive you for your old wrong habits and way of living? Then ask Him to give you His power to start living His right, successful way with your new good habits. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Just Think a Minute…

Economic Dividend

Legal Counsel

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ECONOMIC

B uttresses

By Amparo Pamela Fabe is easily understood by the ordinary man on the street: the language of the stomach.

Empty, disgruntled stomachs lead to the persistence of armed conflicts. The economic dividend is simple and clear: availability of jobs, accessibility of jobs, stable jobs, decent pay, job mobility, new foreign direct investments, strategic i n f r a s t r uc t u re , bu si ne s s incentives for small and medium scale enterprise owners, new international trade in goods and services, clear regulatory guidelines for foreign investors, reasonable costs of doing business, simplified import rules for manufacturing industries and predictable government policy on business.

The Bangsamoro Transition Commission must lay the groundwork for the critical conditions that will restore economic growth and greater buoyancy in the regions covered by the FA. The short-term economic picture in the area remains very challenging. There are minimal subsets of the private sector and individual businesses that continue to do business. At the moment, the small and medium scale businesses in the region are heavily reliant on domestic spending, hence, the general outlook fabe/PAGE 10

Valuable Partner in Banking Industry SPEAKING O

T

he Bankers Institute of the Philippines (BAIPHIL), one of the country’s leading organizations in the pursuit of banking excellence, celebrated another milestone last week.

BAIPHIL held its annual Training and Development Week on March 12-17, 2012. It is celebrated every year pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1248 declaring the second week of March as such.

BAIPHIL’s mission is to support the banking industry in enhancing productivity and keeping abreast with relevant developments through continuing education, research, and information exchange while upholding the values of good governance, competence and integrity, service, teamwork, and innovation.

This year’s theme, “BAIPHIL Beyond 70: Taking Stock, Harnessing Strengths, Forging Ahead,” was highlighted in last week’s activities, which included seminars, a General Membership Meeting, the launching of the BAIPHIL Book, a corporate governance seminar, an e-Learning Exhibit, a seminar in partnership with UK Trade and Investments focusing on Retail Banking Solutions, a Corporate Social Responsibility Program in support of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Financial Education Program, and an art exhibit.

After marking seven decades of distinguished service in the banking industry, BAIPHIL “continues to explore new avenues and non-traditional channels in the realm of continuing education, research, and informative exchange,” President Agnes Brillante Santos said. (Brillante Santos is also First Vice President of BDO Private Bank.)

BAIPHIL’s other officers for 2011-2012 are: First Vice President Salvador R. Serrano (also First Vice President, BDO Unibank, Inc.); Second Vice President Ma. Estefania A. Santos (also Administrative Division Head, China Banking Corporation); Secretary Francis M. Puzon (also First Vice President, Philippine Veterans Bank); Treasurer Estrellita V. Ong (also First Vice President, Security Bank Corporation);

ut

Auditor Yolanda D. Velasco

By Ignacio Bunye (also Senior Vice President, Landbank of the Philippines); Ex-Officio Member of the Board Emmanuel E. Barcena (also Vice President, Philippine C le a r i n g Hou s e C or p.); Director Teresita I. Andres (also COO, Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank); and Director Cresenciana R. Bundoc (also Senior Vice President, Development Bank of the Philippines).

The Institute has registered its presence in the AsiaPacific region’s banking conferences, disseminating the Institute’s initiatives in training and continuing education.

It has likewise anchored and coordinated training programs in microfinance for the State Bank of Vietnam with the objective of strengthening regulation and supervision.

Together with the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP), Asian Banker, and Google, BAIPHIL has co-hosted a workshop for bank marketing officers on “Marketing Financial Products to the Internet Generation.”

In addition to these endeavors, BAIPHIL has also pursued the sponsorship and co-hosting of programs in support of BSP’s Financial Education Program for Parents and Teachers of Schoolchildren as a Corporate Social Responsibility project.

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr. said the central monetary authority considers BAIPHIL “as a valuable partner in enhancing the safety and soundness of the banking system.”

“Through continuously undertaking research and training projects that expand the knowledge base of the Philippine banking industry, the organization has been bunye/PAGE 7

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Bunye... from page 6

instrumental in promoting greater understanding of super v isor y objec t ives and the implementation of regulatory initiatives,” Tetangco said.

BAIPHIL was founded in 1941 as a non-stock, non-prof it cor p or at ion under the name National Association of Bank Auditors and Comptrollers (NABAC), primarily with the goal of increasing the efficiency and uniformity in bank accounting, auditing, and operations among banks.

It metamorphosed into the Association of Bank Audit, Controls, and Operations, subsequent ly t he Ba n k Administration Institute (Philippine Chapter) and f inally into the Bankers Institute of the Philippines.

From a small circle of most ly accountants and auditors, the Institute has evolved into a prestigious and respectable bankers’ orga n i z at ion. It now boasts of 61 institutional members, mostly universal, commercial, foreign, thrift, and government banks, and more than 300 key bank executives as associates and sustaining life members.

Raise... from page 4

very good. We may also tap that market, but we’re not sure whichever will come first,” the SLI official said.

Proceeds of the fund raising will be used for SLI’s land acquisitions nationwide, as the real estate firm moves

to deviate from its previous business model of developing projects through joint venture agreements.

Instead of entering into partnerships, SLI will buy the property from the land owners. Dela Cruz said the company can purchase the land owned by over 30 joint venture partners.

“We want to go to the next level by acquiring land.

Other property firms are acquiring land left and right.

Competition is getting stiffer so we need to respond,” said Dela Cruz.

Over the past 20 years, the Sta Lucia group has developed 220 subdivision projects, including residential estates surrounding 10 golf courses and country clubs.

The Sta Lucia g roup is k nown for its leisure developments such as the Acropolis in Quezon City, the Splendido Complex in Tagaytay, the Orchard Golf & Country Club in Cavite, Alta Vista in Cebu and Rancho Palos Verdes in Davao.

“Ou r out look of t he property sector is very good.

OFW sales are still buoyant and interest rates remain low,” Dela Cruz said.

the ASEAN countries’ famous bra nd s a mong Ch i nese companies and consumers through different channels and platforms... It will be helpful in promoting the companies in China and improve their share in this market,” CABC added.

Trade a nd econom ic cooperation between ASEAN and China entered into a new stage of development following the establishment in 2010 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area composed of 1.9 billion consumers.

China is currently the largest trading partner of ASEAN, while ASEAN the third largest trading partner of China.

ASEA N g roups t he Philippines, Brunei Darussa lam, Cambodia, Indonesia , L ao PDR , Ma laysia, Singapore, Tha i la nd, Viet na m a nd Burma. (PHILEXPORT News and Features)

READ!

Urged... from page 5

of ASEAN countries as well as industrial associations.

The companies which can be involved in the list can also recommend themselves after CABC consult with ASEAN cou nt ries’ embassies in China, related governmental departments and industrial associations.

“The activity is to promote

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AgriBusiness

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Govt allots P200M for hybrid rice T H E D e p a r t m e nt o f Ag ricu lture (DA) has budgeted P200 million for the expansion of farms planted with hybrid rice as it eyes self-sufficiency in the staple this year.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. A lca la, in a st atement , sa id “P20 0 million will be spent this year to increase hybrid rice utilization and area planted by 8% in 2014 from 3.5% last year.”

National Rice Program Coordinator Dante S. Delima, in a phone interview yesterday, said the goal is to increase hybrid rice areas by 72% to 284,000 hectares this year, and by 37% to 388,000 hectares in 2014.

DA will budget P300 million for hybrid rice next year.

“Last year, only 3.52% of total rice producing areas were planted with hybrid rice. This year we want to expand that to 6.06% this year and 8.27% next year,” Mr. Delima said.

A total of 4.69 million hectares were planted with rice last year.

The P200-million budget w ill f und more hybrid r ice ad aptabi l it y tests and field demonstrations.

The adaptability tests are done by the Philippine

In a bid to ensure stable rice supply this year, the Department of Agriculture sets aside P200 million for hybrid rice development.

Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). The tests will find out whether a hybrid rice seed can grow in a particular area or not.

If successful, the hybrid seed will then be made available to farmers who are interested in planting hybrid rice.

“In our field demonstrations, we let the farmers test various

hybrid rice seeds in their own rice fields to help them experience the advantages of using hybrid rice,” Mr. Delima said.

PhilRice will get P50 million, which will also fund the development of new hybrid rice varieties.

T h i s ye a r, t he government ta rgets to produce 20.04 mi l lion metric tons (MT) of rice,

around 11% higher than the 18.03 million MT produced last year, in line with its goal of attaining self-sufficiency in rice.

With its strategy partly h i n ge d on pro du c i n g more hybrid rice, DA also announced last week it wanted to put up more experimentation sites under the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology

(PhilSCAT), a PhilippineChinese initiative that seeks to establish mechanized hybrid rice farming systems.

PhilSCAT has one fivehectare experimentation site in Muñoz City, Nueva Ecija.

The DA wants to establish other sites in the Visayas a nd Mi nda nao a nd to expand the areas to up to 100 hectares each.

Mr. Alcala last week said the DA’s proposal would be completed within this month and submitted to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Kequing.

Mr. Delima also said DA is encouraging private hybrid rice compa nies to help the government encourage more farmers to plant hybrid rice. “ We h a v e a l r e a d y gat hered P40 0 -mi l lion worth of hybrid rice seeds from private companies.

These w ill be made accessible to farmers under the Sikat Saka project,” Mr. Delima said.

Sikat Saka is a jointproject of DA and Land Bank of the Philippines that extends low-interest loans to farmers. It covered only the top four rice producing provinces last year; the coverage has been expanded to the top 20 rice producing provinces this year.

Food, beverages to be showcased in food exhibition

INNOVATIVE products and services related to food and beverages will be showcased in the upcoming International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines.

The event, which shows the main national and international traders, is dubbed as one of the most famous undertakings related to the food industry.

H ere d r i n ks (w i n e a n d alcoholic beverages, coffee and cocoa, juices), specialty fine food, meat and poultry, fresh seafood, fruit processing, bakery products, services, ingredients, preservatives, additives and colorings will be presented.

Apart from that, raw materials, spices, packaging materials, process equipment, refrigeration facilities, transportation facilities and communications, cooking utensils will also be presented.

The event, slated on May 16 to 19 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay, will have discussions over topics like Windows to Success in Food Business: Grasping the Essentials at Real Time, Mindanao Food and Agribusiness Investment and Market Forum among others.

Visitors from all over the globe are invited to participate in this event including foreign importers, local food exporters, wholesalers, distributors and retailer supermarkets.

Catering and food service, hotel and restaurant owners, specialty store, franchise operators, leisure and entertainment operators will also be attending.

Apart from these some other important visitors will be chefs and gourmets and entrepreneurs.

(PNA)

Coconut oil exports up 88% COCON U T oi l ex por ts nearly doubled in the first quarter of the year on the back of increasing demand from the country’s major markets.

Citing preliminary data, United Coconut Associations of t he Phi lippines, Inc. (UCAP) Executive Director Yvonne V. Agustin said that the volume of coconut oil exports grew by 88% to 320,000 metric tons (MT) in the first quarter of 2013 from 170,000 MT in the same period last year.

“Our coconut oil exports increased because demand from our major markets picked up,” Ms. Agustin said. “The United States and Europe, our major markets, buy 80% of the country’s total coconut oil exports.”

In March alone, coconut oil exports more than doubled to 143,000 MT from 64,000 MT in the same period last year.

“Delayed deliveries in February were finally shipped last month and the average price of coconut oil in the world market was lower than that of palm kernel oil,” Ms. Agustin said.

Pa l m kernel oi l is a substitute for coconut oil.

UCAP data showed that coconut oil cost $813 per MT on the average last month, 2.5% lower than that of palm kernel oil which was priced at $833 per MT.

Demand from the US and Europe has boosted the country’s coconut oil exports.

This year, the coconut oil export target is set at 900,000 MT, 2.7% lower than the 925,000 MT target last year. However the target is higher by 5.6% compared to the 852,000 MT of coconut oil exported last year.

Ms. Agustin said last year’s coconut oil export performance provided “a low basis for comparison.”

She said the normal coconut oil export volume is 80,000 MT per month.

Asked about the industry’s chances of reaching this year’s target, Ms. Agustin said “based on our data and if our performance this year is sustained, we will be able

to achieve our target or even exceed it.”

The Philippines exports three types of coconut oil: crude coconut oil, cochin oil and RBD (refined, bleached and deodorized) oil, data f rom UCA P ’s Web site showed.

Crude coconut oi l is extracted from copra or dried coconut. Cochin oil is refined and bleached coconut oil processed from copra. It is used for shampoos and soaps. RBD oil is processed crude oil and is used for food products.

Ms. Agustin said crude coconut oil comprises 70% oil/PAGE 10

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Cimagala... from page 6

I would say, no problem, since the Church has always experienced this mass exodus in the past and it will still continue to have such thing in the future. Remember that even in the time of Christ, massive defections already took place, and in spite of the systemic persecutions through the years, it is still around.

That thinking of some of our Catholic politicians or politicized Catholics only show their poor and politicized understanding of what it means to be in the Church.

It would indicate they think of the Church as a kind of prison such that they now are threatening a massive jailbreak. Well, they can go ahead. No one is preventing them.

With moral issues now becoming more and more political, we have to make sure that God is in the middle of politics. Of course, there is such thing as autonomy of temporal matters like politics and business, and the often-misunderstood doctrine of the separation of Church and state, but all this does not mean God has no place in politics.

Quite the contrary. If God is not in our temporal affairs, then those temporal affairs would be harmful to us. They would not be ruled by truth, justice and charity,

mercy and prudence, but merely by human calculations that will always benefit the strong, the powerful, the rich more than everybody else.

If we still want our country to be God-fearing, then we have to be wary of candidates peddling platforms that not only are alien to faith but are in open war against God and his Church.

There are now initiatives started by some lay people, perhaps with some inspiration from Church leaders, to precisely put God in politics.

That thing about the Team Buhay vs. Team Patay is one of them. I hope there be more.

I am thinking of some groups vetting all the candidates as to their position about moral issues. Obviously, all this should be done in great delicacy and respect, with courteous dialogue and positive explanations made rather than indulging in gutter language and logic.

Also, that all this should be done with clear delineation as to what properly falls to the clerics to do and what the lay faithful ought to do.

May God bless us all!

Oil...

from page 8

of total coconut oil exports while cochin and RBD oil account for 25% and 5%, respectively.

“The market for RBD oil has been expanding,” Ms. Agustin noted.

She said that aside from

the US, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, other countries are also ordering R BD oil from the Philippines.

UC A P i s a pr i v at e organization engaged in gathering data pertinent to the coconut industry, according to its Web Site.

It also provides a venue for stakeholders to share information regarding the coconut industry. Members of UCAP are private and government organizations involved in the production, processing, trading and polic y-set ting, such as the Philippine Coconut Aut hor it y, Ph i l ippi ne Oil Refiners Association, Phi lippine Coconut Research & Development Foundation, Inc. and the United Coconut Planters Bank among others.

Launches... from page 3

an appointment for up to five banking transactions; w it hdrawa l, deposit, encashment and bills payment even two days in advanced on the time and the branch of their choice. They will be provided their queue number which is already recorded on the branch they have chosen.

Ta l k i ng on s e c u r it y breach, Carlo S. Gatuslao, Vice President for Channels, Marketing and Sales Division said that in the 12 years

since they launched the first e-banking system, BPI has not recorded any fraud attempt in their system.

“We made sure that our system are protected and we continuously upgrade and update our firewall and security system,” he stressed.

(PNA)

Fabe... from page 6

economic growth for the next two years is broadly flat with the immediate risks clearly to the downside. The region needs foreign direct investment and aid.

The possible emergence of the economic dividend to the peace agreement will result in more public support particularly from the skeptics and indifferent individuals.

Shou ld t he Bangsamoro Transition Commission and the subsequent Bangsamoro Transition Authority fail to deliver the economic dividend for the people, this situation will pose a problem with respect to the high expectations of the residents in Mindanao, the MILF and the GPH. The economic dividend forms part of the substantive goal of achieving a long-lasting peace.

Revenue... from page 3

16% to 1.6 million subscribers in 2012. “Being the first in the

market to have reached one million postpaid subscribers more than two years ago, we are positive Sun Cellular is on a clear trajectory to regain the market leadership in postpaid subscriptions,” Vea added.

Elaborat ing on t he g row t h i n A R PUs, Su n Cellular’s Chief Operating Officer Charles Lim said that more and more subscribers signed up for high-range plans from Plan 600, Plan 999 up to Plan 1699.

“Sun has been known for its strength in the entry-level postpaid segment, and these remain to be our growth drivers. We are just glad that the innovative plans that we launched last year towards the higher plans were also warmly received by consumers,” Lim explained.

Sun Cellular’s Senior Vice President for Postpaid, Broadba nd, a nd New Business Marketing Ricky Pena explained t hat t he ‘Su nd roid Ru sh ’, wh i le origina lly intended as a promo, has become one of the categories in Sun’s postpaid line-up. Following t he success of t he Pla n 600 Alcatel bundle, Sun introduced just last month its Sundroid Plan 999 – Samsung bundle edition, and very recently, a Plan 450 variant that carries the MyPhone bundle edition.

“We continue to build our brand equity by addressing ne w m a rk e t s e g me nt s ,

hence t he launch of t he most affordable Sundroid Tablet+Smartphone offer for as low as P450 a month.

We also recently introduced our Phablet series -- a device that’s bigger than a regular phone yet smaller than a regular tablet. These 5-inch Phablet devices are available for as low as Plan 450 all the way up to our Plan 1699”.

Pena sa id t hat to strengthen the entry level segment, Sun has assembled a ver y st rong Pla n 350 A nd roid phone l i ne up headlined by the new 3.5 inch screen Alcatel Glory 2 that carries the most updated Android software Jellybean, and the very popular Cherry Flare 4.0inch screen. To further strengthen the line up at Sun Plan 350, Sun introduced its first Qwerty Touch Android phone from Samsung with the Samsung Galaxy Ch@t free at Sun Plan 350.

“We continue to work with our partners to bring the best choice of devices for our customers, and pairing these with the best-value service inclusions that Sun is so known for. As the telco landscape continues to shift with the continuous explosion of smartphones, expect Sun Cellular to be at the forefront in defining the best postpaid offers for the changing times,” Pena concluded.

Sun Cellular is a member of the PLDT Group.

Today’s HOROSCOPE AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18) - Don’t agree to be involved in a project that provides no financial return. It is wonderful to do what you love, but you have needs to be met. When you don’t have to worry about your bills being paid and have a healthy stash in the bank you can operate without a heap of stress riding on your shoulders.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) - Romantic relationships that last the test of time usually have one thing in common; solid friendship. In order to make love a permanent part of your life you’ll need to slow yourself down and build a friendship. Your heart may tell you to run straight to the altar, but it will be up to you to take your time building a lasting bond of companionship.

LIBRA (September 23 – October 22) - A plethora of planetary action affects your sign right now and inspires you to lay new ground rules for your relationships. Don’t be afraid to be open and honest with your partner about what your wants and needs are. If there are changes that need to be made work together to implement them.

PISCES (February 19 – March 20) - When changes to a fiscal arrangement occur you need to adjust your spending and savings plan as well.

Whether the changes bring you more money or less you need to modify how you spend and save. If these alterations affect someone else too, make sure you keep them in the loop and abreast of any developments.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) - Be patient with others who aren’t as quick as you to grasp a concept. It may be a no brainer for you, but not everyone is as mentally agile as you are. Instead of upsetting yourself and someone else by making your aggravation known, keep calm and walk them through the process. At the end of the day no one will be upset and the job will get done.

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21) - Communication planet Mercury transits your work zone this week and can bring with it news you’ve awaited for some time. Think about your options now and when word finally arrives you’ll be off and running with the action steps instead of planning. Get the details squared away now and once you get the go ahead you can actually go.

ARIES (March 21- April 19) - You’ll begin to see the pieces come together over this next period and feel the excitement build. You will want to keep a cool head though, and ensure all the action steps you must take are completed properly. Don’t allow anyone to get under your skin and use your energy for furthering your goals not chasing distractions.

LEO (July 23 – August 22) - Not every day will be filled with butterflies and flowers, but your outlook on the not so pretty parts can determine your success. When life throws you a curveball and you stay optimistic you can overcome the issue more easily. If on the other hand you get despondent you can undermine your chances of solving the problem.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21) - You may find your desire shifting from superficial relationships to deeper, more meaningful bonds. Once you start to see who your true friends are you will want to keep the more substantial connections and rid yourself of the fleeting ones. When you find someone who stands by you through the good and bad times you should cherish them.

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) - Getting to know another person is a tricky process filled with ups and downs. Certain traits or beliefs someone possesses may appeal to you and others may not. Don’t be so quick to judge the individual based on a few minor idiosyncrasies as all the parts of their personality come together to make the person, not just a few.

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22) - Don’t feel as though you need to rush into divulging all your personal secrets to someone. As relationships progress more details become known, but don’t feel as though you need to spill all your guts at once. Take your time and allow yourself to become comfortable with another. Once you feel safe and free of judgment you’re more likely to open up.

CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19) - There is no point in getting aggravated by someone’s repeated actions if you’re not going to say anything. Find a constructive way to let them know their actions test your patience and offer a few alternative approaches. When you let someone know a better way to deal with you it can prevent any upsets from occurring.

CROSSWORD puzzle

CIRCLE A WORD indian braves

apache arrows battle bow brave buffalo chief

feathers fight headdress horses how moccasin mohican

native papoose pawnee peace pipe red reservation ride

across .Forgetful person (7-5) 6 8.Exhaustion (7) 9.Shackle (5) 10.Edge forward (4) 12.Dwarf-tree growing (6) 14.Forefather (5) 15.Fantasy, TV series (6) 16.Operatic melody (4) 19. Belly-button (5) 21. Type of cocktail (7) 22. Doctor’s note? (12)

Answers for yesterday (April 9, 2013)

ACROSS: 1.Obstructed, 8.Younger, 9.Amigo, 10.Peek, 11.Atom, 12.Add, 14.Tattle, 15.Propel, 18.Egg, 20.Prim, 21.Iran, 23.Irene, 24.Atomise, 25.Gaby Roslin DOWN: 1.Opulent, 2.Sage, 3.Rarity, 4.Claymore, 5.Erica, 6.Sympathetic, 7.Condolences, 13.Slippery, 16.Portion, 17.Mikado, 19.Greta, 22.Caper

DOWN 1.Maritime (8) 2.Platform (5) 3.Genetic strain (5) 4.Farm vehicle (7) 5.Capital of Peru (4) 6.Enough (10) 7.Gene Kelly film, to the Dance (10) 11.Ancient (3) 12.Wager (3) 13.Mountainous Italian island (8) 14.Fence in (7) 17.Abrasive paper (5) 18.Claptrap (5) 20.Fluctuate (4)

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Support... from page 1

L i ga n g m ga P u nong Barangay in Cagayan de Oro at the Dynasty Court yesterday, Emano said he has a personal conviction as to the integrity and dedication for public service by Mrs. Villar, a three-termer former representative of Las Piñas, and his husband senator Villar.

“Mga tarung kini nga mga opisyales sa gobyerno ug tinuoray nga moserbisyo sa katawhan [They [Villar couple] are morally upright and sincere in serving the people],” Emano said of Mrs. Villar.

Emano urged the 76 of 80 barangay chairmen present to give Mrs. Villar the votes of their constituents.

“I appeal to you to support her candidacy because it is my firm belief that Mrs. Villar is a kind of leader that we need and who is willing to extend her help even in her personal capacity,” Emano said.

V i l l a r, t h r ou g h t he family’s Villar Foundation that she manages, has been able to provide livelihood projects to 154 municipalities throughout the country.

In her speech, Mrs. Villar thanked Mayor Emano for her support and vowed to replicate her advocacy of providing livelihood to poor people in the countryside.

“This is because, I believe, hanep ang buhay kung may hanapbuhay,” echoing her monicker as Mrs. Hanep Buhay for her foundation’s thrust of providing livelihood projects especially the famers and the fisherfolks.

To complement Emano’s word, Villar stressed that C a g ay a n d e O r o C i t y endeavoured “good economic growth” during his term and has been one of the gateways in Mindanao for flourishing

business industries, real e s t at e pr op e r t i e s , a nd entrepreneurship enterprises.

Mrs. Villar has initiated projects for Cagayan de Oro such as the charity wards for the Home of the Aged and has passed laws that would benefit women, children, and the family.

“Kung papalarin, nais ko po sanang ibahagi ang mga livelihood projects namin sa Las Piñas sa mga respective barangays nyo po nang sa gayun ay uunlad din po kayo, kasi hanep ang buhay pag may hanapbuhay,” assured Mrs. Villar.

Liga ng mga Punong Ba ra ngay President Jun Acenas also stressed his support to Mayor Emano and Mrs. Villar’s senatorial bid.

Palm... from page 1

about 70,000 hectares are planted to oil palm trees in the Philippines.

“The Philippines heavily imports palm oil, the primary processed product of oil palm. It imported about 550,000 tons of refined palm oil in 2011, mostly from Malaysia that supplied 80 percent of the countr y’s requirements. The remaining 20 percent, about 150,000 tons, came from local farms.

As the country grows, so is the demand for palm oil for cooking, baking and food services,” he said.

According to the Phi lippine Pa lm Oi l D e ve l o pm e nt C ou nc i l , Inc. (PPDCI), wh ich is organizing the 8th National Palm Oil Congress, there is an estimated one million hectares all over the country suitable for oil palm trees.

“This is on the high side, as oil palm areas area also suitable for other tree crops such as rubber, coffee and cacao,” Dy said.

Forum... from page 1

Expected to attend the public consultation here are representatives from the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC), which is operating the Wholesale Electricit y Spot Market (WESM) for Luzon and the Visayas.

The PEMC was earlier tapped by Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla to draft the IMEM rules and present this for public consultations.

Aside from the IMEM, the MPMC also proposed new rules governing the Interruptible Loan Program (ILP), for which it had asked t he E nerg y Reg u lator y C om m ission (ERC) for immediate approval, in order to bridge the current powersupply gap in Mindanao.

The Mindanao Development Aut horit y (MinDA), which chairs the MPMC, expects the ILP measure to be able to draw around 100 megawatts of capacity by encouraging large establishments all over Mindanao, such as malls, factories and packing plants, to run their standby generator sets at peak hours to ease up demand in the grid.

“If we have just about 50 MW made available within the grid because malls and industrial centers opt to use their generator sets, then that capacity would reduce brownout by at least two hours,” said Secretary Luwa l hat i A ntonino, chairman of the MinDA. Antonino said the current ILP rate, based on the ERC 2010 ILP ruling, which allows only for fuel recovery, is not encouraging mall owners or factories because it is lower than the cost needed to run the generator sets.

T h e M i n DA h a d previously asked the Davao Light and Power Co. to

u nder t a ke a st udy a nd prepare the petition in behalf of Mindanao distribution utilities.

The filing for ILP petition is a necessa r y act by a distribution utility before the ERC can amend its rules and effect new recovery rates, making the scheme attractive to ILP participants, Antonino said.

The ERC, also a member of the MPMC, has set the public hearing for the ILP petition in Davao City on April 9.

“We’re halfway through the 30-day period required to complete the process, t here fore we hop e t he ERC could come up with a favorable ruling within the month,” she said.

Aside from the ILP, the MPMC also expects the 100MW Iligan diesel power plant (IDPP) to contribute at least 15 MW to the grid once its expected reopening on April 30 pushes through.

The MPMC also said it expects the Mindanao grid capacity to go up 30 MW by this month, 50 MW by May and to full capacity by August once all the simultaneous rehabilitation of other IDPPs shall have been completed.

IDPP capacity had already been fully contracted by electric cooperatives serving the cities of General Santos, Zamboanga and Iligan, which are presently experiencing rotating brownouts.

O t h e r MPMC me m b e r s , s u c h a s t he Nationa l Electrif ication Administration and t he Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives, are meeting here on Tuesday with potential generator set suppliers in order to determine the most viable rent a l opt ions a nd t he indicative rates.

T he D e p a r t m e nt of Energy had earlier pushed for the use of gen-sets to

provide temporary power supply until new capacities will be online by 2015.

Outlook... from page 1

in Sout hern Minda nao; Butuan and Cagayan de Oro in Northern Mindanao; and Zamboanga in West M i nd a nao, s a id B obby Orig, First Vice-President for Mindanao Affairs of the AboitizPower.

Orig, citing data, said the gap between demand and supply of power in Mindanao could reach 484-MW in 2014.

“Over the years, the gap between demand and supply is worsening. By 2014, the gap is expected to reach 484-MW. What is the significance of this 484MW? It means, you are depriving power supply to five major cities in Mindanao.

That’s how bad the power situation is,” said Orig.

“Since 2009, there are no new power plants being constructed. The hydropower plants in Mindanao are aging and their capacities decline during summer months,” according to Wi lf redo Rodolfo, AboitizPower’s branding and communications manager for Mindanao.

Not enough to ‘fill the gap’

11

Though the worsening situation is being addressed by several players, including the AboitizPower, “this is not enough to fill the gap,” Rodolfo stressed.

By early 2014, the Tudaya hydro-power project in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, could contribute to the energy needs of Mindanao by at least 14-MW. The Tudaya hydro-power project of Hedcor, Inc. is composed of two run-ofriver type plants in Baroring and Sibulan Rivers in the municipality.

Meantime, the coal-fired power generation facility of the Therma South, Inc. (TSI) being constructed in Toril district, Davao City will help augment the power supply in Mindanao by at least 300-MW. Based on the time table, the construction is set to be completed in the second quarter of 2015.

The TSI is one of t he subsid ia r ies of t he AboitizPower.

Orig, in an interview, said that, “Unless big base load power stations are constructed, like the coal plants, these brownouts will continue and would worsen until 2014.” (PNA)

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Signs of the Times:

The Gypsy Swallows of Downtown Zamboanga

D

By Mike Banos

uring a recent media familiarization tour to Zamboanga City arranged by the Department of Tourism regional offices of Western and Northern Mindanao, and Cebu Pacific Air, our party of travel writers and officials from Northern Mindanao were intrigued by a cryptic entry in our official itinerary.

It s a id “Bi rdwatch i ng at Zamboanga City’s main t h o r o u g h f a r e .” N o t h i n g extraordinary about the item itself, it was the time that intrigued us: 8:00 o’clock in the evening!

It was only when we were a l re ady pa s si ng t h rou g h Climaco Avenue (formerly known as Guardia Nacional Street) the evening of our first day tour that we understood why DOT included the cryptic entry.

Perched on the electric w ires a long bot h sides of Zamboanga City’s main street were thousands upon thousands of small birds, spaced perfectly apart as if in military formation!

They occupied not only one but almost all strands of the socalled spaghetti wires strung along the thoroughfare: electric wires, telephone wires, cable TV wires and what-have-you.

Ma ny of us were so awestruck by the sight that our hosts had to stop our vehicles to allow us to get down and gawk.

Mary June Bugante, the regional tourism director for Region 9(Western Mindanao) told us they were barn and pacific swallows, migratory birds whose arrival in the region usually heralded the coming of spring in nearby temperate countries like China and Japan.

Swallows are agile flyers and seldom seen near the ground.

Unlike swifts and house martins, the swallow has a deeply forked t a i l w h ic h c a n

measure 8 centimeters (cms.) in length and a beautiful red throat. They can often be seen perching on wires, especially around migration time, when they gather in f locks. They are famous for their incessant trilling.

“They started coming in great numbers and perching on our electric wires some ten years ago during the tenure of our late Mayor Caling Lobregat,” Ms. Bugante said. “For some reason, they have decided to make Zamboanga City their home and never left.”

The Pacific Swallow or Hill Swallow (Hirundo tahitica) is a small (13 cm.) passerine bird of the swallow family.

A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds , the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders; with over 5,000 identif ied species, it has roughly twice as many species as the largest of the mammal orders, the Rodentia. It contains more than 110 families, the second most of any order of vertebrates (after the Perciformes).

The Pacific Swallow breeds in tropical southern Asia from southern India and Sri Lanka across to South East Asia and the islands of the south Pacific. It is resident apart from some local seasonal movements. This bird is associated with coasts, but is increasingly spreading to forested uplands.

It has a blue back with browner w ings and tail, a red face and t h ro at , and

dusky underparts. It differs from the Barn Swallow in its shorter and less forked tail. It is similar in behavior to other aerial insectivores, such as other swallows and the unrelated swifts. It is a fast flyer and feeds on insects, especially flies, while airborne.

The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), on the other hand, is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

The Barn Swallow is a bird of open country and normally uses man-made structures to breed and consequently has spread with human expansion. It builds a cup nest from mud pellets in barns or similar structures and feeds on insects caught in flight.

This species lives in close association with humans, and its insect-eating habits mean that it is tolerated by man; this acceptance was reinforced in the past by superstitions regarding the bird and its nest.

Back home, and over a month after our visit to Zamboanga, we were gazing out at the Cagayan River over the Maharlika Bridge while waiting for the traffic to move, when my wife Gardy said, “Look at the birds on the wire!” I turned around and saw what were unmistakably the same species of birds that have made downtown Zamboanga City their home perched on the power lines strung beside the bridge! What were they doing in Cagayan de Oro? But that wasn’t the end of it. Myrna Aboniawan Siose, a friend with whom I share many advocacies through the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro headed by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, also had a similar experience in Agusan del Sur. “One evening (January 30, 2013), when I was traveling back from a seven-day disaster response work in Baganga, Davao Oriental, we stopped for gas at San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. While having our tank refilled at a gas station near the parish church, I asked the seminarians traveling with us to get down for a while to stretch arms and back. As we walked around, we noticed t hat t he electric wires crossing the i ntersec t ions were t h ic k with birds... plent y...

hundreds in one strip of wire.

There were at least five wires in that intersection and it was really so amazing to look at them occupying every inch in disciplined stance.

The few minutes gas refill became a 45 minute “birdswatching” so we decided to have coffee in a sidewalk painitan.

We were so amazed at the sight and the stories of the vendor how the birds would find their place on the wires each night.

We bid farewell to the birds who were standing steady-still on the wires bringing with us our own interpretation of their presence there. It was 10:45pm.

That trip to Baganga was my fourth so I would have seen enough of the roads and the wires alongside but it was only in San Francisco I saw these swallows...quever? Their presence there and then may well be telling us something... tilimad-on or pahinumdum tingale.”

We turned to our good friend, Roel Da honog, E c o s y s t em s M a n a gement Specialist from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 10, for an answer to the mystery of the traveling swallows.

“These are birds belonging to genus Hirundo, the most common of which is the barn s w a l low, com mon ly s e en perched on electric wires and aba ndoned bui ldings,” he noted. “They are migratory birds. Most of these birds are now returning to their places of origin, where it is now spring time. The Philippines is one of their feeding areas as they travel to other South East Asian countries.”

He said swallows, although not water birds, are included and listed under “Other Species” (to differentiate them from water birds) in the Official Counting Forms of the Asian Water Bird Census conducted every January by the agency to record and analyze population trends of migratory bird species passing through Northern Mindanao.

For 2011, the DENR-10 census for Hirundo species show a count of 225 for two sites; 140 for 2012 in four sites and 141 in five sites for 2013,” Mr. Dahonog said. “Our counting areas include the Sinacaban and Bonifacio wetland (coastal) areas at Misamis Occidental, Mukas and Karomatan (Kolambugan) and Matampay-Bukana (Lala) in Lanao del Norte; Opol, Alubijid, Gingoog and Magsaysay coastal areas for Misamis Oriental and the Pulangi IV hydroelectric power pla nt at Ma ra mag, Bukidnon.”

For 2 013, t he c e n s u s indicates a slight decrease in number of species and individuals counted.

“We attribute the decrease to weather conditions during the counting per iod ,” M r.

Da honog noted. “In

Barn Swallows perched on wires along downtown Zamboanga City’s main thoroughfare Climaco Avenue (photo by Val Martinito) the last two weeks of January 2013, Mindanao was affected by the tail-end-of the-cold-front phenomenon. Our counting time is daybreak to 10 AM or 3:00 pm to sundown (a uniform schedule for those conducting the census). It was either rainy or cloudy almost throughout the day during the counting period. Migratory birds are usually hiding or take cover under mangrove areas if weather is not good.”

DENR-10 conducts t he Asian Water Bird Census since Northern Mindanao is part of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, one of the world’s great flyways. A flyway is a flight path used by migratory birds which usually spans continents and oceans.

At its northernmost point, the flyway stretches eastwards from the Taimyr Peninsula in Russia to Alaska. Its southern end covers Australia and New Zealand. Between these two points the flyway covers much of East Asia including China, Japan, Korea, South East Asia (including the Philippines) and western Pacific.

Extending across the most densely populated part of the world, migratory birds face extreme pressures within this flyway which passes through 22 countries with approximately 55 migratory species travelling along it, numbering about five million birds So is some cl i mate or population pressure making the swallows settle down in urban areas instead of returning to their traditional habitats?

Swallows, swifts, and house martins are all summer visitors migrating to and from southern hemispheres. Traditionally the return of the swallows has always been associated with the coming of Spring. They are believed by some communities to bring good luck. This is why farmers do not destroy their nests and swallows can re-use them for many years.

T he Asia n Water Bi rd Census is conducted annually

by DENR in partnership with BirdLife International, a global Partnership of conservation organizations which advocates the conservation of birds, their habitats and global biodiversity and works with people for the sustainable use of natura l

resources.

It is the World’s largest partnership of conservation organizations, with over 100 partner organizations. Together, the BirdLife Partnership is the world’s leading authority on the status of birds, their habitats and the issues and problems affecting bird life.

BirdLife International has identified some 2,293 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in all 28 countries and territories in the Asia region - many important for migratory birds.

The selection of IBAs has been a particularly effective way of identifying conservation priorities. IBAs are key sites for conservation – small enough to be conserved in their entirety and often already part of a protected-area network. They do one (or more) of three things: Hold significant numbers of one or more globally threatened species; Are one of a set of sites that together hold a suite of restricted-range species or biome-restricted species; and have exceptionally large nu mbers of m ig rator y or congregatory species Forty three percent of the region’s IBAs lie wholly outside of formal protected areas. Hence, BirdLife has produced two documents which outlines the threats and provides actions to effectively conserve these sites.

Cebu Pacific f lies from Cagayan de Oro to Zamboanga three times a week every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Frequent flyers along this route can now enjoy the spectacle of the birds on the wire at either destination.

Zamboanga Cit y will host this year’s 9th Philippine Bird Festival organized yearly by the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines on October 4-6, 2013.

Hopefully, we also find out the reasons why the swallows have decided to stay over in these two places instead of flying home to their usual habitats.

“We are also using presence of migratory birds as indicator of the health of our coastal areas. These birds depend on coastal areas for their food while on their long journey,” Mr. Dahonog said. “If the count shows a significant decrease in the number of migratory birds, it most probably indicates that something is wrong in our coastal areas.”