BusinessDaily Mindanao (April 22, 2013 Issue)

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Cagayan de Oro City

INSIDE LOOK

Volume III, No. 196

China market as savior of car industry

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April 22, 2013

Coop leaders forum

Red tide still affects 3 M’nao bays

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Pantawid college scholars gets favor

Davao City tourism promotion Economy

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Motoring

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By BENCYRUS G. ELLORIN

INDEPENDENT senatorial bet and incumbent Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn says he would work for the rehabilitation of environment of Cagayan de Oro which was ravaged by typhoon Sendong in December 2011 and areas ravaged by typhoon Pablo in southeastern Mindanao last

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More brownouts Z AMBOANGA CIT Y -Residents of the city should brace for longer brownouts nex t m o nt h ac c or d ing to Z am boang a Cit y Ele c tri c Cooperative (Zamcelco).

In a presentation made during the first quarter meeting of ConsumerNET-9 last week, it showed that Mindanao grid will experience the biggest shortfall next month against the average consumer demand.

“Unless Zamcelco’s power supply is augmented, a longer power interruption will be experienced in the city,” said the presentation.

The power woes in the city have worsened particularly this month with an average brownout of 6-8 hours per day, affecting all sectors. The business sector, for one, is asking the local government to help Zamcelco look for other power supplier to at least lessen the power interruption in the city.

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Agri-Business

December 2012.

In the late 1990 and early 2000, Hagedorn was one of the strong supporters of the anti-logging advocacy staged by Task Force Macajalar here in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.

Hagedorn who is known for reversing the environmental slide of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan made this statement today, the

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celebration of the Earth Day as an expression of solidarit y to Mindanaoans who have seen the wrath of nature twice in less than a year.

“I have long envisioned to spread nationwide what we did to the environment of Palawan nationwide and thought that a Senate seat would be the vehicle to do this,” Hagedorn Hagedorn/PAGE 10

Don’t ignore palm oil industry, gov’t told P

By BONG FABE , Associate Editor

ALM oil industry players asked government at the weekend for help in expediting the passage of the Oil Palm Roadmap of the Philippines pending in Congress for many years.

Rober tino Pizzaro, president of A Brown Energy Resources Development, Inc. (ABERDI), which hosts the just concluded 8th National

Cassava production F O O D, b e v e r a g e , a n d p ac k ag i n g c o m p a ny S a n Miguel Corporation and the Department of Agriculture 12 are urging farmers in South Cotabato and nearby provinces to plant cassava.

In a recent training on cassava production, post-har vest facilities and pro cessing te c hnologies, E d g a r L a b o r, r e g i o n a l cassava focal person, said the government agency and SMC are jointly pushing for increased cassava production in the area as well as in the entire Region 12.

He added that the initiative was also geared toward tapping the local market potential the commodity, including signing contract SMC. Ben Brasales, area coordinator of SMC said, they buy cassava for manufacture of feeds, alcohol, and food.

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Hagedorn to champion green agenda in the Senate

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Palm Oil Congress here, said that he is very hopeful that this time around, government will act and help expedite palm/PAGE 10

Officials of Philippine Palm Oil Development Council, Inc. (PPDCI) are urging the government to fasttract the passage of law that would provide roadmap for the palm oil industry. (L-R) Erwin Garcia, vice president; Robertino Pizzaro, president; and Dr. Pablito Pamplona, director; with MILF Vice Chairman Ghadzali Jaafar during the news conference after the 8th National Palm Oil Congress. photo by bong d. fabe

Sugar firm to supply ‘sweet power’ to grid

By IRENE DOMINGO, Reporter

AS the Mindanao grid craves for more power to sustain the island’s energy need, a sugar milling company based in Bukidnon is taking steps to enable its embedded power plant to contribute some 5-6 megawatts out of its 9-10 megawatt generating capacity.

Pablo Lobregat, owner of Crystal Sugar Co Inc, in Maramag, Bukidnon, said the sugar/PAGE 10

POLL VIOLENCE. Mayor Ruthie Guingona’s Toyota Hilux peppered with bullets and spluttered in blood after the ambush Saturday. photo by rita endrina of monitor today

Guingona ambush only proves NPA’s losing ground in MisOr

By BONG FABE, Associate Editor

The Crystal Sugar Co. Inc. in Maramag, Bukidnon

THE ambush of Vice President Teofisto Guingona’s wife and Senator TG Guingona’s mother Saturday evening was

a desperate attempt by the New People’s Army (NPA) to recover lost territories ambush/PAGE 10

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Gensan City shores up market for agri produce

By CATHERINE T. APELACIO, Contributor

GENERAL Santos City -- The city government is strengthening its food terminal to better serve the agricultural produce

of farmers not only here but the entire region 12 as well.

Mayor Darlene AntoninoCustodio said the agriculture sector here is the backbone of the city’s economy alongside fishing industry.

Thus, to boost this business sector, the city government has come up with the concept of the General Santos City Integrated Food Terminal (G S C I F T ) “ t o pr ov i d e fa rmers, ent repreneu rs, cooperatives, and investors with the essential facilities” for easy market.

“This is important to i mprove t he qu a l it y of agricultural and livestock produce of the region for national and international markets,” Custodio said.

According to her, transport terminal, slaughterhouse, cold storage, and solid and liquid waste management facilities will be included as support infrastructures of the integrated food terminal.

It will also provide more stalls for farmers and traders including areas for agriproducts processing and wholesale and retail trading, she added.

“These also include the construction of a public market t hrough publicprivate partnership (PPP) gensan/PAGE 10

Davao intensifies promotion of tourist destinations DAVAO City -- The City Tourism Office (CTO) here is looking at intensifying its promotion of Davao City as a tourist destination with more activities that will attract visitors here and abroad to generate more jobs.

Jason Magnaye, head of t he Cit y Invest ment Promotion Center and City Tourism Office, said that bringing in more visitors to the city remains a challenge for the local government and the accommodation agency.

Even then, he said, tourist arrival brings more jobs to the city.

Magnaye sa id t hat a visitor usually spends P2,800

a day which covers expenses in food, transportation and frolicking around the city.

“The money spent by v i sitors c i rc u late s a nd benefits all stakeholders in the tourism industry from tour operators, taxi drivers, waiters,” he said.

He revea led t hat t he tou r ist a r r iva l i n 2012 registered 1.075 million as reported by large and small

hotels in the city.

“From the looks of it, at the very least, we had 1, 075,00 people who benefited from the tourist arrival last year,” Magnaye said.

Magnaye recalled that in 2011, tourist arrival- record was 744,275.

“The 2012 figure in tourist arrival is equivalent to 45 percent increase in tourist arrival compared to 2011,” Magnaye said.

He attributed the influx of visitors to the many events conducted last year in the city ranging from various davao/PAGE 10

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Motoring

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The Shanghai auto show which opens on Sunday will showcase 1,300 models and is expected to attract more than 800,000 visitors over nine days, despite an outbreak of bird flu centred in China’s commercial hub, organisers said.

China became the world’s largest auto market in 2009, and last year sold just over 19 million vehicles, 15.5 million of them passenger cars.

It has become an anchor for car makers hit by slumps in other major markets as Europe battles a debt crisis and the United States

struggles to put its recovery on a firm footing.

“China is saving the auto industry, in a certain sense. If you did not have China, what would be happening in the world — nothing any more,” said Klaus Paur, global head of automotive for market research company Ipsos.

Though still expanding, China’s previously explosive sales growth has moderated since 2010.

Consulting firm McKinsey forecasts the passenger car market to grow an average of eight percent annually through 2020, when sales will reach 22 million, well down

from a 24 percent average between 2005 and 2011.

The weaker growth comes amid a slowing of China’s overall economy, the world’s second largest, and as some Chinese cities put limits on car numbers because of concerns over congestion and pollution.

Sales of Japanese brands have suffered since last year as a political row over disputed islands sparked street protests across China and calls for boycotts, but other foreign companies have rushed to fill the gap.

Ch i na is a mong t he world’s most competitive auto markets with hundreds of models vying for attention of consumers, many of them first-time buyers, making it key for companies to build their brands.

“They’re ver y f inickety,” said Namrita Chow, a Shanghai-based senior analyst for IHS Automotive, of the consumer mood. “It’s definitely a change from 10 years ago when people were just excited that they had a big black sedan.”

The passenger car market is becoming even more competitive as luxury car makers offer cheaper models and Chinese companies Saviour/PAGE 10

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World car companies see China market as saviour SHANGHAI — Global auto makers will flock to China’s premier car show, affirming its importance as the world’s largest vehicle market and the saviour of an industry pummelled by European and US economic woes.

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A Lamborghini Aventador, a model which will be used by Dubai police, is displayed in this handout picture provided by Dubai Police Media office April 11, 2013.

Dubai cops get Lamborghinis DUBAI — The city that boasts the world’s tallest building is equipping its police with $400,000 Lamborghini sports cars that Dubai’s deputy police chief says are in keeping with the Gulf capital’s image.

They also go fast, since according to the website of Lamborghini, an affiliate of the Volkswagen Group, all the Italian company’s cars reach 100 kph (60 mph) in well under six seconds.

Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina said that a fleet of Lamborghinis, each estimated to cost around $400,000, had been obtained

by the Dubai police for use at main tourist sites.

“The aim is to reflect the reputation of the emirate and the high stature it achieved,” Mazeina said.

“It will also help promote tourism and showcase the security role the Dubai police plays in safeguarding the city,” he added.

The vehicles will be deployed at the downtown area near the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa tower, the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard as well as the cafe- and restaurant-lined walk of the Jumeirah Beach Residence, one of the most

popular waterfront developments in Dubai.

Photos of the vehicles published in local media in the United Arab Emirates showed a green-and-white vehicle decorated with the Dubai police insignia on the front hood.

Dubai, one of seven emirates in the UAE federation, is staging a recovery from the financial crisis it suffered during the global financial crisis in 2009. The emirate recently has announced several major projects, including a huge tourism and retail development with the largest shopping mall in the world.

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Demand for East Asia and Pacific region’s exports seen to stabilize in 2013 External demand for the East Asia a nd Pacif ic region’s exports is expected to stabilize this year on signs of a turnaround in real activity in high income economies, according to the World Bank (WB) in its latest analysis of the regional economy.

In its East Asia a nd Pacific Economic Update, the Bank said that movements in some highincome currencies could affect trade and investment f lows in the region in the short-term.

It noted t hat t he cont i nued depreciat ion particularly of the yen can impact on the dynamics of trade in manufactures in the region in the short-term, as Japan is the region’s largest source of imports and its four t h la rgest expor t market.

Some countries, notably suppliers of parts to Japanese industry and

countries with considerable Japanese investment could gain, whereas countries that compete directly with Japan in third markets may face some headwind in the short run.

“Suppliers of pa r ts and components to Japan i n reg iona l produc t ion net work s li ke Tha i la nd (m o t o r v e h i c l e p a r t s) and to a lesser extent the Phi lippines (electronics and machinery parts), may benefit from advances made

by Japanese exporters in global markets and gain even more from potentially larger Japanese FDI (foreign d i rec t i nvest ments),” it noted.

Li kew ise, if Japa n m a n a ge s to e s c ap e it s def lat ion a nd rek i nd le growth with the measures ta ken, a l l developing economies in the region wou ld b enef it t h rou g h higher exports, it added.

The Bank projected that

economies of developing East Asia and Pacific that includes the Philippines will continue to be an engine of global growth this year driven by strong domestic demand.

Regional grow th i s fore c a s t to i nc re a s e moderately to 7.8 percent in 2013 and ease to 7.6 percent in 2014.

Though the developing economies of East Asia are generally well-prepared to absorb external shocks, an emerging concern is the risk of over-heating in some of the larger economies.

T he l at e s t nu m b e r s suggest t hat if g loba l dema nd cont i nues to revive, the major East Asian economies may be reaching the limits of their current productive capacity, as the output gap has closed in those countries, including the Philippines.

The report recommended these countries to undertake

smart policies to address shor t a nd long-term challenges.

It said several countries need to manage strong capital inf lows by maintaining an appropriate macro policy mix, sufficient f lexibility in the exchange rate and macro-prudential policies.

Likewise, most countries could increase productive capacity by investing in infrastructure and human capital, and thus pave the way for continued high and equitable growth.

T he W B ma i nta i ned g row t h out look for t he Philippines at 6.2 percent in 2013 and 6.4 percent in 2014.

“I n t he Ph i l ippi ne s , the fundamentals remain strong, policy responses have been appropriate so far, and reform efforts by t he gover n ment appea r sustainable,” it said. -(PHILEXPORT News and Features)

Mindanao businesses ‘devastated’ by power shortfall Manufacturers and exporters are urging for the immediate resolution of the power shortage in Mindanao, saying the crisis has had a “devastating” effect on all small, medium and large enterprises in the region.

A n ex por t leader i n General Santos City said Regions 8, 9, 10, and 12 have been experiencing six to eight hours of power interruption. “ T he e f fe c t i s ve r y devastating,” he said. For la rge compa nies, usi ng their own generator sets has doubled their operational

costs, resulting in higher product costs. Some large firms have also reduced their capacity and retrenched workers to cope.

S m a l l a n d m e d iu m exporters, on the other hand, “are slowing down their production and reducing their workers and ultimately

closing business,” he said.

In a recent forum in Ma kat i Cit y bet ween government officials and the business community, Jesus Tamang, director of the Energy Policy and Planning Bureau of the Department of Energy (DOE), admitted that there was a 250-megawatt capacity gap in Mindanao due to the rehabilitation of some power plants and hydro-power facilities in the region.

The shortfall was the

d i f ference bet ween t he total system capacity of 979 megawatts for Mindanao and a peak demand of 1,229 megawatts, said the National Grid Control Corporation.

But even if the power pl a nt s re s u me nor m a l operations, Mindanao would still have a supply deficit. The facilities could only produce about 1,181 megawatts, with peak demand seen to hit 1,484 megawatts this year.

Tamang stressed that the DOE was already addressing

the crisis, including a plan to establish a n Interim Minda nao Electricit y Market (IMEM) reportedly in September this year.

The pla n ca l ls for embedded private power generators in Mindanao to sell electricity to areas i n need . T hese pr ivate generators include those in big malls, steel mills, coal-fired power plants, and cooperatives.

“The IMEM is envisioned to provide an opportunity for

generators and other entities with excess or unutilized generation capacities to offer or make use of such generation capacities, subject to compensation based on the resulting market prices,” t he Energ y Reg u lator y Commission had said.

Based on a DOE study, the private generators in Mindanao have a capacity ranging from 190 megawatts to 360 megawat ts. – (PHILEXPORT News and Features)

Firms urged to seize business opportunities in China Philippine companies are encouraged to further seize bu si ne s s oppor t u n it ie s offered by China, currently one the country’s largest trading partner.

This, especially as the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), the largest free trade area in terms of population, came into effect years ago.

To help facilitate the increase of trade between China and the Philippines, the Bank of China in Manila is prov iding suppor t to local firms planning on or currently doing business in the huge market.

The Bank provides loans, trade finance, letter of credit, foreign exchange businesses, accounts receivables pool financing and certificate of cred it i nvest igat ion.

It collects payment from foreign buyers in the shortest time and will minimize the risk of default payment.

Bank of China is also add ressi ng concer ns of

the exporters on the peso appreciation against the United States (US) dollars that hurts their profits.

It uses Chinese dollar which is deemed more stable than the US dollar.

Often, Chinese partners prefer to set t le t heir businesses with renminbi currency which is deemed stable in value.

The Bank said it is looking to the possibility of getting more clients involved in trading especially those in the mining sector. -(PHILEXPORT News and Features)

READ!

Jean Caron, senior adviser, Development International Desjardins, answers a question during the press conference with top officials of MASS-SPECC, Saturday, April 20,2013 at the Pryce Plaza Hotel, where the 44th Mindanao Co-op Leaders’ Forum and the 39th MASS-SPECC General Assembly were held.

photo by karen mae eduave liñan , masscom intern , liceo de cagayan university www.businessweekmindanao.com

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DANTE M. SUDARIA Publisher ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA Manager

NELSON CONSTANTINO Editor-in-Chief

CHENG ORDOÑEZ Executive Editor

BONG FABE

Associate Editor

ALLAN MEDIANTE Managing Editor Shaun yap uy Section Editor

Ruel Pelone

CHRISTINE CABIASA

cris panganiban

CLIFFORD SANTILLAN RONALD B. MASTAIL

Online editor

Regional Editor

Cris diaz mike baños butch enerio Sub-Editors JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA URIEL C. QUILINGUING Editorial Consultants

Copy Editor

Layout Artists

Crystaline pino Advertising

DOLLY PELONE Comptroller

ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI Legal Counsel

The BusinessDaily is published by BusinessWeek Mindanao Advertising and Promotions daily with office address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certificate No. 00875701, and with Business Permit No. 2013-10946, TIN No. 946-396-807 – Non VAT. Tel. Nos.: (088)8578447, 745380, 0923-432-0687, 0917-7121424

Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com E-mail : businessdailymindanao@gmail.com Member: Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber)

COMMENTARY ‘No such thing as good dynasty’

W

e marveled at the efficiency of the US-FBI report and competence to track down the bombers of the Boston Marathon. In a just a few days starting literally from scratch they were able to generate leads.

Utilized the city’s CCTV cameras and interviewed pedestrians on the street as to the event that unfolded.

And with success lead to the capture of the bombers.

In the Philippine’s our hero Ninoy Aquino was brutally gunned down literally in broad daylight witnessed by many by the military who did the shooting only to never apprehend the real culprits behind the scene in spite of the wife turning President of the Philippines.

After decades there is sill the big question on who ordered the killing of Ninoy.

And should the incompetence of the NBI (our version of the FBI) is inept in sourcing the killers, why even have them only to draw intelligent funds for the incompetent.

Unless of course there is a conspiracy to withhold the information from the public for whatever reason, to have made Ninoy a hero may have been compelling enough to cease all efforts so as not to change the status quo.

It seems obvious though with the other many cases filed in court (another incompetent department of government) resolutions and answers have become frustrated. With the way media controls public opinion and generated perceptions supported no less by surveys – why even bother.

Maybe the media will likewise dictate the truths we are made to know. And on this topic there are so many more issues the general public is frustrated with with realities peddled as truths.

There are the issues of the comelec and its promise to provide source codes in time for the elections and as of this writing we are frustrated. There was also the announcement by no less its chair that should their favored supplier fault with the delivery of the source codes “so be it”.

But isn’t this a clear violation of the AES code or law?

There is also the territorial conflict of initially the Scarborough Shoals with China and as of late, Sabah only to commentary/PAGE 10

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Y

Upgrade your computer

ou know that a brand new computer today will be outdated and old in just a few months.

I recently replaced my 7-year old computer when my friends told me I was using a horse to race against rockets.

To compete and succeed in this world we have to keep up with the technology, which means continually upgrading our computer.

Yet none of these impressive inventions comes even close to the power of the human mind. In fact, our mind’s computer already has all the upgrades we’ll ever need.

So since we’re the ones who control the world’s most powerful computer, we must keep learning and upgrading it every day. Someone said: “Your mind is like a parachute—it’s not much good unless it’s open.” And if we want to change our life, we have to change our mind first.

Computers, however, can also be dangerous. That’s why we need an anti-virus program to protect our computer from viruses that can infect and damage it.

These protective programs even update themselves regularly against new viruses that can attack.

So since we go to all that trouble for a machine that’s so quickly outdated and useless, how much more important is it to protect the computer of our own mind!

Everyday we face dangerous, deadly viruses like pornography and sex outside of marriage, temptations to lie or steal, commit suicide, gossip, lose our temper, and other

A Minute kinds of wrong thinking that By Jhan Tiafau Hurst can ruin our character, our marriage and children, our job, our whole life.

That’s why we’ve got to be careful what we allow to come into our mind. “Garbage in, garbage out.” So every day, we need a good brain-washing.

And no one’s more qualified to keep our mind clean than God our Maker.

That’s why He gave us the Bible as our manual for life, to show us how to maintain and keep improving our mind. The Bible is your own antivirus program to protect your mind from wrong thinking that can destroy you.

You see, God knows that the person who doesn’t control his thoughts will lose control of his life.

So why don’t you decide to spend some time every day reading your Bible and talking with God? Get involved in a Bible-teaching church. It will raise your level of thinking and living, and protect you from all the dangerous viruses that threaten your mind every day.

Just Think a Minute…

The Business Process Outsourching OUR country has dislodged India as the leader in the Business Process Outsourcing or BPO industries in the Asian region.

We are now the leading English speaking nation outside of the North American continent as the BPO capital of the world.

With fluency of the English language coupled with our ability to handle calm and restraints in confrontational transactions, many outsourcing business in Asia have moved their headquarters to the Philippines at the new Global City in the national capital region and at the central business district of Cebu as well as to the 11 two tier cities including Davao and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao.

With a total of USD 11 Billion revenues in 2011 employing 638,000 young graduates, the Call Center industries are fast surpassing its 20% annual growth rate.

With this forecast, the industry experts are targeting USD 25 Billion revenues starting 2016 which may employ 1.3 million more IT professionals from the 900,000 BPO workforce currently employed now.

This is a staggering phenomenal growth which caught the watchful eyes of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to monitor and target online transactions with taxes. Watch for the new tax revenue guidelines as the infant terrible Commissioner collects more from business.

India has opened up call centers and BPO’s in Metro Manila over the last three years.

The companies identified with Concentrix, Wipro Technologies and Opex have offices along Salcedo Village in Makati City with Filipino crews.

American companies like Ernest and Young’s which provides accounting services in the banking sector have

A

TRAVERSING

branched out at the Ayala Business Park in Cebu City. the Tourism H i - way Me d ic a l pre s c r ip t ion

By Ped Quiamjot centers compete with hospital pharmacies for diagnostic drug prescriptions.

Chinese companies from the Peoples Republic of China in fact there are 41 of them, who are into on-line gaming and gambling which operates as call centers in the Cagayan Economic Zone in Sta Ana, Cagayan Valley which employs close to 5,000 IT Graduates from Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley and Isabela.

The recent growth of the BPO’s are not a run of the mill by low value call centers but by high definitions knowledge process in the global legal system, general accounting, gambling and software animations.

This confirms confidence among the foreign and international companies that our local manpower can handle world class technology solutions of various business and gaming applications aside from seeing the cost effectiveness of labor and competence of Filipino IT professionals.

The success of this industry give inspirations for property developers to built high rise office buildings and secure endorsement from the Board of Investments for IT infrastructure accreditation with the Economic Processing Zones for tax incentives.

A grant of P27.3 Million by the Asian Development quiamjot/PAGE 10

Metrobank’s 50th anniversary

s part of the celebration of Metrobank’s 50th anniversar y, the Metrobank Foundation recently launched three coffee-table books that certainly make us proud to be Filipino.

The three books are entitled: “MADE of Gold,” “10 Outstanding Filipino Teachers” and “Metrobank Foundation Exemplars.”

Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Retired Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban, and other distinguished officials from the government, business, academe, and diplomatic communities graced the book launch at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

“The three books convey the very essence of what we do in the Metrobank Foundation,” Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña said.

The Metrobank Foundation was established on January 8, 1979 by George S. K. Ty, 16 years after he founded Metrobank.

The foundation is presently engaged in social development projects in the Philippines and other parts of Asia and implements various programs in education, visual arts and healthcare as the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group.

It likewise maintains an active and dynamic partnership with other organizations that also provide services for the disadvantaged.

“We encourage people to excel in what they do by recognizing excellent contributions in their respective fields,” Sobrepeña said, adding that their shining ex-

THINK

SPEAKING

O ut

By Ignacio Bunye

amples should also serve as inspiration to others worthy of emulation.

He explained that Metrobank Foundation aimed to further propagate outstanding Filipinos’ stories of triumph and excellence through the three coffee-table books.

“W hi le we a re k now n for our recognition programs, it is only now that we are coming up with publications that will share stories of triumphs and dreams fulfilled by the exceptional individuals we have honored in the past,” he continued.

The book “Metrobank Foundation Exemplars” features 15 inspiring stories of select awardees of the Foundation’s recognition programs—Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE), and Search for Outstanding Journalists.

This collection of profiles was written by 2003 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher Dr. Queena N. Lee-Chua.

The book is a wonderful testament to the awardees, whose shining examples, inspiring dedication, and excellent performance in their respective fields have helped shape their communities and the Filipino nation.

(To be continued next week)

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“We Grow Minds”

Aging veterans’ battle shifts to additional pension, benefits

By CHENG ORDONEZ, NewsCon Director & CHRISTINE CABIASA, Copy Editor

THE Veterans Federation of the Philippines Sons and Daughter Association, Inc. (VFPSDAI) vows to continue to push for its advocacies intended to uplift the general welfare of Wold War II veterans or their beneficiaries as mandated by the Philippine Constitution, VFP Sons and Daughters Association, Inc. (VFPSDAI) Deputy Regional Vice President for NCR–South Miguel Angelo C. Villa-Real, said during the weekly BusinessWeek Mindanao News Conference (NEWSCON), Friday, April 19, 2013, at the BWM Media Center.

Villa-Real represented VFP-SDAI National President Percianita Racho, who did not make it to the NEWSCON despite prior arrangement due to equally important undertaking in Agusan del Norte.

Villa-Real said the VFP-SDAI fights for the implementation of increase in old-age pension for all veterans.

“The P5,000 a month pension for a veteran

has been there for 15 years now and is way below the sustainable budget,” he added.

VFP-SDAI, according to Villa-Real, laments over the low pension being received by veterans or their beneficiaries when they compared it to the amount received by government employees when they retire.

“And yet, these people are heroes. They

MIGUEL ANGELO C. VILLA-REAL

fought for the country and only to be given this much, ”Villa-Real added.

The VFP-SDAI, ac- the amount the veterans cording to Villa-Real is or their beneficiaries are batting for an increase currently receiving. in pension by doubling Another advocacy it is pursuing is the release of overdue Total Administrative Disability (TAD) benefits as mandated by R.A. 7696.

He also disclosed during the NEWSCON that VFP-SDAI has been pursuing the benefit on Improved Medical Services, including Easier Access to Affordable, Quality Medicines.

Villa-Real said the sons and grandsons of the Word War II heroes

must also take something from the greatness of their fathers and forefathers through the expanded educational benefits to the families of veterans.

The VFP adheres to the vision of providing ready access to quality education for the youth including additional funding for state universities and colleges, encourage entrepreneurship to spur job creation; expand the development of the agri-industrial sector to achieve self-sufficiency; implement fair social welfare program that will benefit all sectors of society.

The weekly NEWSCON at the BusinessWeek Mindanao Media Center is sponsored by the following: Department of Tourism 10, Del Monte Foods, Parasat, SM-Cagayan de Oro, Veterans Bank, Philippine Information Agency The Mindanao Examiner and The Voice and the BusinessWeek Mindanao Group of Publications, namely, BusinessDaily, Mindanao Daily News, BusinessWeek, Mindanao Star, Caayan Times and BusinessWeek Magazine

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AgriBusiness

Red tide still affects 3 M’nao bays – BFAR OZAMIZ CITY—Shellfish gathered from three bays in Mindanao remain positive for red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.

In its Shellfish Bulletin 9 dated April 17, the BFAR said latest laboratory tests conducted on shellfish caught in Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur province, Murcielagos Bay in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental, and Balite Bay in Davao Oriental province’s Mati town showed that the red tide in them still surpasses the regulatory limit.

“All types of shellfish and alamang gathered from [these] areas are not safe for human consumption,” said the BFAR, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture.

The bureau stressed, however, that fish, squid, shrimps and crabs are safe to eat, provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

Eating shellfish with red tide can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, which can lead to death.

Symptoms include tingling of the lips and tongue, which may start within minutes or develop within two hours.

Depending on the amount of toxin a person has ingested, symptoms may progress to tingling of the fingers and toes and later to loss of control of the arms and legs, followed by difficulty in breathing.

If a person has consumed enough poison, muscles in the chest and abdomen become paralyzed. Death can result in as little as two hours, as muscles used for breathing become paralyzed.

Areas in Luzon that are free from red tide are the coastal waters of Cavite, Bulacan and Bataan provinces and the cities of Las Piñas, Parañaque and Navotas; the coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda, Wawa and Bani towns and Alaminos City in Pangasinan province; Masinloc Bay in Zambales province; the coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon

MUSSELS. A pile of tahong or mussels on display at a public-market stall. alvin i. dacanay/bm

towns in Masbate province; and Honda and Puerto bays in Puerto Princesa City and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay town, Palawan province.

In the Visayas, safe areas are the coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Panay, Ivisan and Sapian towns and Roxas City in Capiz province; coastal waters of the towns of E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Hinigaran, Binalbagan and San Enrique, as well as the cities of Talisay, Silay, Bacolod, Cadiz, Victorias

and Bago in Negros Occidental province; Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal bays in Samar province; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar province; Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara bays in Leyte province; and the waters of Biliran town, Biliran province.

In Mindanao, the Hinatuan, Bislig and Lianga bays in Surigao del Sur province, and Taguines Lagoon in Benoni village, Mahinog town, Camiguin Island, are considered red tide-free.

(BM)

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Mindanao agri is ‘next frontier’ MINDANAO, the so-called “land of promise” which the Aquino administration is trying hard to turn into the “land of promise fulfilled”, is a major player in the government’s effort at improving competitiveness in the farm sector ahead of the trade liberalization in 2015.

“If we will look at its batting average, despite massive typhoons that recently hit the region, Mindanao is still the best agricultural area in the country,” Alcala said.

Alcala identified Mindanao as “the next frontier” for the country’s agriculture sector as the government prepares industries ahead of the removal of trade barriers under the Asean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA).

Mindanao is very rich in agricultural and natural resources. The island supplies the bulk of the country’s food needs.

With good climate and improved peace and order situation, Alcala said that Mindanao is an ideal place to develop economies of scale geared toward achieving food sufficiency and exports capability—two things that can give the country a competitive edge once AFTA is in full implementation.

The full implementation of AFTA can be viewed as an opportunity, particularly

in the livestock and poultry subsectors in the region, to increase market access to Southeast Asian neighbors.

There are only two countries in the world that is free from foot-and-mouth disease and bird flu, and the Philippines is one . . . we want to take advantage of this status,” Alcala said, noting that the region is geographically closer to the rest of Southeast Asia compared to traditional meat exporters like the United States, Canada and Brazil.

Under the Asean integration plan, tariffs on most goods coming from membercountries will be brought down to zero or near zero.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allotted about 40% of its P74.1-billion budget this year for Mindanao to ramp up the development of farm infrastructure to further increase the region’s output.

“We want to establish more farm-to-market roads and establishment of more post-harvest and value-adding facilities to make the farm sector more competitive,” Alcala said, adding that his department will pursue the goals of improved food security and increased rural income, increased resilience to climate change risks, and enhanced policy governance.

(BDF)

Stronger Agri-Agra Law ‘Palm oil can help Bangsamoro’s dev’t’ implementation urged ILOILO CITY—The implementation of the new Agri-Agra Law must be strengthened to compel private financial institutions to lend a quarter of their allocation for loan funding to farmers and beneficiaries of agrarian reform programs.

This was the view of William Martirez, country manager of MicroEnsure Philippines, who considers Republic Act No. 10000 or the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act of 009 to be haphazardly implemented.

Martirez pointed out that government loans designed to help boost the country’s agricultural sector are limited and often take too long to be released.

He said long bureaucratic procedures for loan applications have disadvantaged local farmers who are weighed down by numerous documentary requirements and high transaction costs.

To implement the amended law better, Martirez is recommending the public-private partnership (PPP) approach with the participation of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Finance (DOF), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), agricultural organizations or cooperatives, and micro-insurance groups.

He said the agricultural sector can help alleviate poverty if farmers first receive assistance to become entrepreneurs, something that private lending institutions can offer.

“We need to give them access to seed money,” Martirez said, adding that the agricultural sector also needs better farm-to-market roads and the rehabilitation of irrigation systems. (Tara Yap/MB)

READ!

www.businessweekmindanao.com

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) strongly believes that cash crops such as oil palm for the Philippines’ burgeoning palm oil industry can help in the development of Bangsamoro areas in Mindanao.

“Itong pagtatanim ng cash crops such as oil palm trees, along with rubber, coffee, etc. will help in the development of our areas,” MILF Vice Chairman Ghadzali Jaafar told Business Daily at the sideline of the 8th National Palm Oil Congress, which ended Friday.

Jaafar said that it is not only the Bangsamoro people—which for the MILF also include non-Islamized people of other indigenous peoples group—but practically the whole world who are expecting the MILF to ease widespread poverty in Muslim areas of Mindanao.

The MILF is presently playing two roles for the Bangsamoro people, which are representation and leadership, he said.

“Prior to the establishment of the Bangsamoro government, the MILF’s role is to represent the Bangsamoro people’s struggle before the negotiating table. After the establishment of the Bangsamoro government, the MILF’s role is the provide leadership…In short, our role is how to deliver

BANGSAMORO DEVELOPMENT. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Vice Chairman Ghadzali Jaafar gestures to emphasize the point that cash crops, including oil palm, will help in the development of Bangsamoro areas in Mindanao. photo by bong d . fabe

to the Bangsamoro people what they expected of us,” he said.

During a news conference with select journalists, Jaafar explained that the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB), signed on October 15, 2012, states that the Bangsamoro government has the power to create its own sources revenue.

Number 2 of Part IV of the FAB (Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing) states that “consistent with the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the Bangsamoro will have the power to create its own sources of revenues and to levy taxes, fees, and charges, subject to the limitations as may be mutually agreed by

the parties…”

The establishment of oil palm plantations for the local palm oil industry in Bangsamoro areas can be a source of revenue that will help in the development of Mindanao, he said.

“Kahit pa may gobyerno kami, kung hindi naman kumakain yung mga tao, walang mga bahay, walang mga trabaho, walang mga damit yung mga anak nila at hindi makapunta sa mga schools sapagkat silay naghihirap [wala rin]…Mataas ang expectation ng Bangsamoro people and other peoples na sakop ng Bangsamoro na pag nandyan na ang Bangsamoro government gaganda ang kanilang pamumuhay. At

meron kaming responsibility para kahit konti ma-satisfy namin yung expectations ng mga tao,” he said in a separate interview.

He said the MILF will work closely with the Philippine Palm Oil Development Council (PPDCI) in a symbiotic relationship to make the Bangsamoro people’s dream a reality.

“Kailangan namin ng tulong ng PPDCI…Ang relationship namin will be symbiotic. Meron silang maitulong sa amin at meron din kaming maitulong sa kanila especially in terms of security,” he said. (Bong D. Fabe)

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Hagedorn...

Palm...

said in a statement.

Internationally-renowned environmental lawyer Antonio Oposa welcome Hagedorn’s Senate candidacy saying that of all the senatorial candidates, it is only Hagedorn who has sol id per for ma nce for t he environment.

H a g e d o r n ’ s env ironmenta lism, sa id Oposa is not only in words but he has shown it in action and the impact can be seen in how Palawan, especially Puerto Princesa takes care of its environment. “ H a g e d o r n’s s o l i d performance for the e nv i r o n m e nt o f P a l aw a n and his vision for sustainable development is needed in the Philippine Senate,” said Oposa.

If elected, Hagedorn said he will call for a review of environmental laws and see w hy t he s e h ave not b e en implemented. He said, less than 1 percent of the country’s environmental laws have not been properly implemented.

Winnability W hile Hagedorn has admitted that he has not been ma k ing it to the top 12 in Social Weather and Pulse Asia surveys, remain optimistic of making it to the Senate.

“We ju st need to work harder. When people know that I am running, they will vote for me,” said Hagedorn whose highest ranking in poll surveys is at 19th.

Ot her su r veys however has revealed strong showing

by Hagedorn.

The online news site www. rappler.com that shows him in 5th spot.

H a ge d or n a l s o c l a i m s to r a n k 4t h to 5t h i n a n independent survey initiated by 7 Eleven branches nationwide, and no. 3 in a survey initiated

by TV 5.

“It’s a bit difficult because I am running as an independent.

Pol it ic s is ver y ex pensive especially if walang partido but I’m surviving,” he said.

Plans for him to form a third force with Bro. Eddie Villanueva and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño did not materialize. But he and Villanueva continue to help each other in their individual campaigning.

Biggest endorser While he does not have popular celebrity endorsers, he has Oposa, the most respected environmental lawyer in the country rooting for him.

Oposa who claimed that in his entire life he has not actively campaigned for any p o l it i c a l c a n d id a t e u nt i l Hagedorn decided to bid for a Senate seat in the May 13 polls, has been acknowledged a s t he fat her of t he le ga l principle of inter-generational responsibility when a class suit he filed in behalf of 44 children through their parents sought to stop large sca le logging through the cancellation of Timber License Agreements nationwide in the case Oposa vs Factoran.

The lower courts dismissed t he case t hat had t hen Department of Environment and Natura l Resources secretary Fulgencio Factoran as defendant. But the Supreme Court reversed the ruling of the lower court in July 30, 1993, resulting in the non-renewal of TLAs and issuance of new TLAs nationwide.

The lega l doctrine la id down in Oposa vs Factoran has been acknowledged by the legal community nationwide as a landmark in environment and sustainable development litigation.

the passage of the roadmap.

A g r ic u lt u re S e c re t a r y Proseso Alcala, whose message w a s re a d by A g r ic u lt u re Assistant Secretary Edilberto de Luna during the opening ceremony on Thursday, said that he learned the palm oil roadmap was made and presented in 2004.

“If it did not take off the ground, there must be problem or problems. And in my term, I cannot allow that to happen again,” he told the more than 500 oil palm industry players and stakeholders gathered at the posh Xavier Estates Sports and Country Club.

“I am very hopeful that government will act on it” especially since the palm oil industry is contributing so much to the national economy a nd development of r u ra l communities, Pizzaro said during a news conference on Friday, the second and last day of the congress.

Pizzaro, who is a lso concu r rent president of t he Ph i l ippi ne Pa l m O i l Development Council, Inc. (PPDCI), said while at present, the oil palm industry is “just very small”, its contribution to the government’s program to solve massive poverty especially in Mindanao is very big.

Given t he rea lit y of Philippine politics that “the bigger you are the more you will be listened to,” however, PPDCI officials are only 75% hopeful that the resolutions they passed during the congress will be acted upon by government.

Part of the resolutions are (1) to request the DA, PCA and DOST to assist the Agusan State College in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur to establish a research center for palm oil; (2) for PPDCI to submit a resolution to President Aquino, endorsed by the MILF and LGUs (2a) enjoining all agencies of the government to fully support the development of the palm oil industry to plant at least 360,000 hectares to wipe out oil importation; (2b) enjoining relevant agencies of government to effectively curb out oil palm smuggling, through effective monitoring of joint team of PPDCI, BOC, BIR; and (2c) support oil palm local and foreign investors by giving them incentives on tax; and (3) PPDCI and government line agencies to expedite the passage of the Oil Palm Roadmap of the Philippines.

Aside from eradicating poverty, the palm oil industry is helping mitigate climate change by the reforesting logged over areas and making idle lands economically viable. “ The concern of t he environmental sector is taken into account. But their fears are misplaced. There will be no orangutans, monkeys and wildlife that will be misplaced.

We are in fact reforesting. We are not removing or burning the forest to make way for oil palm plantations,” Pizzaro said.

PPD CI Vic e P re sident Er w in Ga rcia sa id t hat those who are peddling so much misconceptions a nd misinformation about oil palm trees should just look at the examples of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, which combined for a total of 12,975,000 hectares of oil palm plantations.

“I think these countries can be an example for us to know if oil palm or palm oil is good or not…Each oil palm tree can absorb 200 liters of water a day, so oil palm trees help mitigate f loods,” he stressed.

The Philippines only has a total of 73,000 hectares devoted to oil palm trees.

PPDCI director Dr. Pablito

from page 1

from page 1

Pamplona said that oil palm trees are very good carbon sink and have a “positive effect on the mitigation of climate change.”

Pa mplona sa id t hat i n Bohol, where the annual average rainfall is only 1,500 mm, the cl i mate has become more stabilized with the planting of oil palm trees and the annual rain average has increased by 500 mm.

Aside from that, there is now a technology that “almost all waste from oil palm and palm oil are either converted to fertilizer, biofuel or electricity,” he said.

Given a l l t he posit ive effect of the palm oil industry, government can no longer afford to ignore it, he added.

Even MILF Vice Chairman Ghadzali Jaafar is positive that the palm oil industry will help in the development of Bangsamoro areas in Mindanao (See related story on Page 8).

Sugar... from page 1

said the milling plant is using its bagasse-fired power plant since May 2010 to supply several hundred kilowatt-hours to a couple of megawatt-hours of electricity to the Mindanao grid.

Bagasse is the fiber left over after the juice has been squeezed out of sugarcane stalks. As biomass, it holds promise as a fuel source since it can produce more than enough heat energy to supply the needs of a common sugar mill.

“Previously, Crystal Sugar was exporting a steady of four megawatts per hour and so far from the start of the current cropping season more than 20 million kilowatts [KW] of electricity have been exported to the grid,” Lobregat said.

He disclosed that his Crystal Sugar has just commissioned a new high pressure boiler to upgrade its existing power generating capacity from 5MW to 6MW in order to raise its total generating capacity to a maximum of 10MW. “This project has always been very low key but we are proud to be helping mitigate the power shortage in Mindanao in some way. It may be a small contribution but this ‘good news’ of the advancement of the sugar industry is being credited to the Aquino current administration,” he added.

Crystal Sugar’s efforts of helping the power industry supply much-needed electricity to consumers earned it the distinction of being the second sugar mill in the Philippines to commercially sell its excess power to the grid.

The first to do so was the First Farmers Holding Corporation in Talisay, Negros Occidental, which started operations in 2009 with a declared capacity of 8MW. First Farmers put up its two sugar mills to co-generate power commercially in response to the renewable-energy (RE) program of the government and the incentives provided by the RE Law in 2008.

Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief Gina Martin hailed Crystal Sugar’s efforts. “ Su ga r m i l l s have t he potential to export power to the grid from the burning of bagasse. There are plans of harnessing this potential, if these are tapped, it could produce about 200 MW of bio-power,” Martin said.

Rosemarie Gumera, SRA policy and planning manager, s a id more t ha n 10 su ga r producers are mulling over upgrades in their power plant so they can contribute to the Mindanao grid.

Several parts of Mindanao are suffering from rotating

brownouts, as the grid doesn’t have enough reserves to address peak demand.

Ambush... from page 1

and sy mpat hy in Misa mis Oriental.

Teddy Sabugaa, executive director of t he Prov incia l Peace and Order Council, told Business Daily that the NPAs have been badly hurt by the program of Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno— bringing the government closer to the people—through the PPOC. Moreno has spearheaded and implemented various programs and policies in an effort to regain the trust and confidence of the people towards the government and as well as give justice to the people.

“They are really hurt by G over nor Moreno’s peace program and they want to recover what they lost,” Sabugaa said.

But instead of recovering lost grounds, the ambush will all the more isolate the NPAs from the people whom they are supposed to be fighting for, he said.

“Instead of getting t he people’s sympathy, they are only isolating themselves with their atrocities. Their actions belie their pronouncement that they are fighting for the people,” he said.

“If they really are for the people, how come they are sow ing fea r a nd terror in the hearts and minds of the very people they claim to be defending from the government?

How come they are attacking companies t hat are giv ing employment to the people and bringing development to rural communities?”

Vice President Guingona’s w i fe a nd Sen. Gu i ngona’s mot her, Rut hie Guingona, outgoing mayor of Gingoog City, was ambushed Saturday night while on her way home from attending the fiesta celebration of a hinterland barangay in Gingoog.

He r c l o s e -i n s e c u r it y escorts, Nestor Velasco and his brother Bartolome, who also served as her driver, were killed when the NPA’s fired on their convoy, said Senior Supt.

Nilo Cabog, Misamis Oriental police director.

Another close-in security escort, PO3 Rolando Beneberito, was also wounded but was declared out of danger.

Guingona was rushed to the Gingoog Sanitarium Hospital early Sunday morning and was later airlifted to Cagayan de Oro City before noon and admitted at the Capitol University Medical Center (CUMC) where doctors declared her out of danger.

It was later made clear that the elderly Guingona, whose daughter Marie is running for mayor of Gingoog, was only hit by a bullet on her foot. She however, suffered several bruises on different parts of her body due as her security aides threw themselves on her to shield her from the bullets.

“Mayor Ruthie played dead all night as she waited for the police and army reinforcements to arrive,” Sabugaa said.

She was only retrieved from her wreck Toyota Hi-lux pickup past 5:00 am Sunday.

Gensan... from page 2

scheme,” Custodio told reporters.

The mayor said that aside from improving the agricultural market, the concept of the food terminal also aims to give all market vendors both informal and formal occupants a space to call their own to help them with their livelihood and give them a better income.

She said this is government’s way of ensuring food security and making sure that her constituents will not run out of food supply even in the face of major disaster.

Custodio a lso lauded the National Irrigation Administration for continuously providing the necessary support to the farmers here and “for completing several projects” last year 2012.

Complement ing t hese efforts, she said, are the ongoing rehabilitation, expansion and extension of existing irrigation systems in the amount of P184.8 million which will service 1,084 hectares and will generate 338 new jobs for the Generals (a term used for the people of GenSan).

For 2 012 , t he D e pt . of Agriculture (DA) has plowed in to the city coffers the amount of P22.8 million through various i mplementat ions of projec t endeavors.

Under the DASOCSKSARGEN food security program, P53 million worth of farm-to-market roads has been downloaded to the city government from 2011 to this year.

Custodio has broken down the amount into seven infrastructure projects w it h a tota l of 7.5 kilometers. Five of which were completed, one is still ongoing, and the other one will be out for bidding after the election.

She also cited the importance of upgrading the city’s soils laboratory saying the upgrading will soon be completed this year with a total cost of P8.7 million.

“Ang pagsusuri ng lupang tinataniman ay mainam na paraan upang malaman ang angkop ng pananim na bagay sa lupa at ang tamang klase at dami ng fertilizers na kakailanganin (Examining the soils is very essential to determine the right amount to be planted that is appropriate to soil type as well as the right kind and amount of fertilizer that is needed.),” Custodio underscored.

Rationalizing the wisdom there is in scientific processes, the re-electionist mayor said: “A ny t h i n g t h a t h e lp s ou r farmers increase their efficiency, productivity, and income is worth trying and taking the risk.”

Davao... from page 2

c onvent ion s to t r ad it iona l activities like “Araw ng Dabaw” a nd “K ad ay awa n Fest iva l,” av a i labi l it y of ne w f l ig ht s connecting Davao to other areas of destination in the country.

Magnaye said many establishments also opened in 2012 like the malls, convention centers and new resorts.

“They provided more reasons for people to come,” he said.

Ma g naye s a id t hat t h i s summer, he expects a surge of 15 percent or 30 to 40,000 visitors per month compared to previous years.

He said that the first three months of 2013, the occupancy rate among the hotels in the city recorded 67 percent.

“It is an indication that we still have enough rooms for visitors.

It is just really a matter of timing and spacing the events. It is important that activities will not be lumped only on one weekend,” Magnaye said. (PNA)

Saviour... from page 3

improve quality to challenge foreign firms, which account for over half the market.

“Compared to international brands, we are still in an early stage,” said Zhu Jun, executive director for the technical centre of SAIC Motor, China’s biggest domestic auto maker which will display more than a hundred cars at the show.

“But we are competing… We are learning fast,” he said.

The SUV (sport utility vehicle) segment is among China’s fastest growing, surging 43 percent yearon-year in the first quarter, despite environmental worries over big cars after smog blanketed the country early this year.

Electric cars and hybrids have fallen short of expectations despite a government target of having five million “new energ y” vehicles on the streets by 2020, thanks to consumer indifference and a lack of charging infrastructure.

China has earned a reputation as “workshop of the world” with cheap labour and favourable investment policies that make it an attractive location for manufacturing.

The government is seeking to move up the value chain from inexpensive goods to more technologically advanced products such as cars, and build a homegrown auto industry from scratch.

Foreign companies must have local partners to manufacture in China, and the government hopes domestic firms will gain the technological know-how to build up successful “indigenous” brands.

Chinese state media took aim at foreign brands last month, accusing companies such as Volkswagen of quality problems, in what analysts saw as a sign of growing awareness of consumer rights.

Volkswagen subsequently recalled over 384,000 vehicles for gearbox defects, its biggest ever such move in China, after state television alleged a glitch caused acceleration problems and accidents.

But foreign brands continue to dominate the luxury car market, courting a new wealthy class in China created by sustained economic growth.

China is forecast to overtake the United States as the world’s biggest market for “premium” cars costing up to $190,000 as early as 2016, when sales are expected to reach 2.25 million, according to another McKinsey study.

The country is also increasingly important to the rarefied ultra-luxury brands, like RollsRoyce which will hold the Asian launch of its new Wraith model at the Shanghai auto show.

Commentary... from page 6

be placed on the back burner of the news (or purposely omitted – but why”) with dozens of Filipino’s murdered and for what, a Nobel Peace Price aspiration?

There is the dilemma of the Ampatuan murder case that effuses to move on frustrating the deaths of more than 50 civilians murdered in broad daylight which will never seemingly be resolved.

In business the many favored contracts especially the constitutional violations of one man or party’s ability to own multiple broadcast stations in conf lict with Print, or the affordability to own public utility to the detriment of the Filipino people only to be fronted for foreign ownership.

There are the favored contracts that continue to expand to favor a few of the rich only to mutate into disgustingly rich favored by the administration with no real efforts to alleviate the poor other than media announcements that the country is better off.

With the first half of the administration gone and with a resounding approval of the people to vote their favored legislators again with the power of media, the country is doomed. There is NO such thing as a good dynasty (go back to your history books). There is the practice of vote buying.

During the elections there are clear and obvious violations by soon to be winners who will soon swear to the constitution they have already lied to.

There is seemingly cheats within the Comelec and it refuses to recognize it. Need more be said? by: harry tambuatco

Quiamjot... from page 6

Bank to the Department of Science and Technology for educational programs for skills enhancement in the BPO sector is already in place according to Sen. Edgardo Angara the Vice Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Congress has also allocated in the national budget appropriations for the Technical Education and Sk ills Development Authority (TESDA) a budget of P450 Million for IT subsidies. Perhaps our legislators from our City can come up with significant scholarship program to support the training of the less fortunate Cagayanon’s in the field of Information Technology?

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Pantawid college scholars gets favor MUST views it a social responsibility

By OLIVER BADEL INODEO Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer

Cagayan de Oro City – The Guidance Office of Mindanao State University of Science and Technology (MUST) Main Campus here is calling students under Students Grant-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGP-PA) to make some follow-ups on their enrollment for the upcoming school year.

This after MUST through the guidance counselor is stepping its monitoring on the college scholars of the SGPPA which aims to increase numb er of g radu ates in higher education among poor households, and to get these graduates employed in highvalue added occupations in order to lift their families out of poverty and contribute to national development.

The program is under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and state universities and colleges.

This summer, ten out of 189 scholars who are enrolled at MUST Main C ampus and in its Panaon, Misamis Occidental campus, continue to undergo their academic formation.

These scholars are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries with ages under 30 years old.

The qualified scholars are also those who have completed high school, are not covered by any higher education scholarship or grants from public institutions, have passed the entrance examination and have secured academic

requirements set by the state universities and colleges and the National SGP-PA Committee.

Dr. Juana M. Dela Rama, Vice President for Students Affair, disclosed that upon enrollment, books, workbooks, references are provided by the school to the scholars.

Not only that, tutorials and make-up classes for slow learner scholars are conducted

by MUST, told Dr. Dela Rama.

For his part, Dela Rama quoted Engineer Ricardo Rotoras, MUST President of saying, special treatment must be afforded to the scholars as part of the university’s social responsibility.

Last school year, Rotoras and MUST officials allowed student grantees credits in the university canteen, especially during the delayed release of their allowance.

Each grantee of the SGP-PA will have P30,000.00 allowance every semester which cover P800.00 a month board and lodging, P71 a day for meal or P1,789 a month.

A stipend for tutorial is also given for each grantee.

The vice president pointed out that the school directly handles the purchase of books and references for the scholars while the budget for dormitory, tutorial and stipend are given directly to the students through

their respective personal ATM accounts.

“Upon release of allowance, the students meet with the school coordinator to dicuss matters relative to the program,” said Dela Rama, who disclosed that she personally asked the teachers to consider the performance of the scholars.

Most the scholars are residents of far-flung barangays of Camiguin island, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, and Lanao del Norte and have stopped schooling for at least two years after graduating from a provincial or community secondary schools.

Some of the scholars are solo parent while few are married.

These are but few realities of s ch ol ars M U ST h ave endured during the first year of implementation of SGP-PA. With that, the university president directed all professors of the university ‘to give special treatment’ to the scholars.

“We really extended our service to them who are very eager to finish their studies despite some difficulties encountered,” said Dela Rama, adding that the scholars have committed to maintain good grades.

However, she pointed out that the special treatment did not affect the standards of the university in molding and preparing the students academically.

“They really strive to reach for their dreams which are to earn a college degree, to pass board exams, and to be employed to help their respective families,” added the

Dr. Juana M. Dela Rama (right), Vice President for Students Affair of Mindanao University of Science and Technology explains to Pantawid Pamilya Civil Society Organizations focal Cherrylou Acobo on the academic formation of Pantawid Pamilya scholars under Students Grant-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation. photo by oliver badel inodeo

Dela Rama.

Most of t he s chol ars took education-related courses, some engineering courses and few information communication technology courses.

For her part, Pantawid Pamilya Regional Project Coordinator Kenneth Haze Sanchez thanked MUST for the privileges and ‘special treatment’ it afforded to the scholars.

Sanchez said the facilitation of the school is of great help to the ssholars, noting the grantees need to level the standards of the school through bridging programs like tutorials and make up classes.

L a s t y e a r, No r t h e r n

Mindanao has 265 scholars granted under the SGP-PA but 22 had dropped out while 11 did not enroll.

The dropping out of the grantees is highly contributed to the delayed downloading of allowance.

CHED has released the funds in September 2012.

However, in the second semester last year, grantees had received monthly allowances regularly.

Aside from the academic formation, scholars were also recipients of medical mission conducted by the school.

Lawyer Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of DSWD Field Office 10, recommended however to the scholars not to be too dependent to the special

attention given by the school.

Instead, they should exert more efforts to have excellent academic performance, Atty.

Solamillo said.

“They should maintain a s at i s f a c tor y a c a d e m i c performance in accordance with the policies and standards of the school,” told regional director, adding that scholars should also carry a full load per semester as prescribed in the curriculum and finish within the required period of the program.

Grantees of the program is predetermined by the DSWD central office and validated by DSWD regional office.

After graduation, scholars are expected to render services for two years.

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DAVAO CITY April 27-28, 2013 Atrium of Gaisano Mall Gaisano Mall Davao

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My brothers and sisters in Cagayan de Oro Misamis Oriental and to all Mindanawons: As we celebrate Earth Day, I declare my solidarity with you in the work for Mother Nature.

Sendong, Pablo were dire messages from Mother Earth that natural systems that protects us from the forces of nature are almost gone already.

I am running for Senator to champion the environment agenda. I am aware of the needs to work for environmental rehabilitation like the much needed reforestation of the Cagayan de Oro Riverbasin that stretches up to the Kitanglad and Kalatungan mountains, to much needed work on solid waste management and coastal resource management.

In solidarity,

ED HAGEDORN for SENATOR