BusinessDaily Mindanao (May 24, 2013 Issue)

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Volume III, No. 220

Market Indicators

As of 5:57 pm may 23, 2013 (Thursday)

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Briefly Treasure hunt THE Sun Cellular Treasure Hunt billed as the “Samal Island Fun with Sun” is set this Saturday, May 25, at 5:00 a.m. at the Baywalk in Babak of the Island Garden City of Samal.

“It’s a scavenger hunt with a twist,” said former Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Sonia Garcia at the SCOOP (Sports Communicators Organization of the Phils.) forum held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel recently here.

Garcia said each team will be composed of two players regardless of gender for a registration fee of P250 inclusive of the race bibs, hosted dinner, cold beer, ID, certificate and raffle.

Deadline of registration and race briefing is on May 24, Friday at 3 p.m. at the People’s Park in Davao City, she said.

Corn Value GENERAL Santos Cit y -The value of corn produced in Region 12 last year had reached a staggering P15.6 billion, a regional Department of Agriculture (DA) official said.

Zaldy Boloron, DA-12 corn program coordinator, said in the 130-page “Regional Corn Roadmap CY (Calendar Year) 2012 to 2017” presentation that corn production volume in the four-province, five-city region last year was 1.20 million metric tons (MT), up 2.63 percent from 2011’s 1.2 million MT. “[The strong corn production performance] was due to the wide area suitable for corn production, availability of high quality seeds and access to technology,” Boloron said.

Land planted to corn last year in Region 12, also called the Soccsksargen region, was 429,319 hectares (ha), he noted.

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Mindanao groomed as PH’s palm oil capital May 24, 2013

POWER OUTLOOK

Solar firm offers coops cheaper alternative to modular gensets

By MIKE BAÑOS, Editor-at-Large

A US-based Filipino solar power company is urging Mindanao electric cooperatives to consider solar power as an alternative to expensive modular diesel generators proposed by the national government.

“If the 33 electric cooperatives in Mindanao will allocate 56 hectares of open land near the (Mindanao) grid, we will install 80 megawatts (MW) within one year,” said Winston L. Mendoza, chief executive officer of US-based Mendoza Solar LLC and chair of local affiliate Lim Solar Philippines.

Mr. Mendoza is one of the featured speakers for the Mindanao Congress of the Advocates for Renewable Energy and Rural Electrification and Development (MinCARED 2013) scheduled for May 27Outlook/PAGE 11

Solar panels can do more than provide you with renewable energy - they can significantly cut down the power needed to heat and cool your building as well, a study shows.

T

By IRENE DOMINGO Reporter

HE Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has expressed confidence that the island of Mindanao will soon flourish as palm oil hub of the country.

MinDA recorded that 20 percent or 177,000 out 900,000 hectares of land identified apt for oil palm plantation is already under negotiation for palm oil development.

MinDA Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino, one of those private sectors who venture on palm oil business is Univanich Carmen Palm Oil Corporation which had a groundbreaking ceremony for its 600 million palm oil crushing mill in Carmen, Cotabato.

Prior to that, 30 billion pesos worth of business opportunities was announced by MinDa during a business matching session held in Kuala Lumpur last year wherein majority of the amount will be groomed/PAGE 11

A Brown, Agusan power coop to build, operate power plant

By CHRISTINE CABIASA Reporter

IN A bid to help sustain Mindanao’s energy needs, the A Brown Co. Inc. (ABCI) has agreed to put up a joint venture with Agusan del Sur’s electric cooperative to build and operate a power project in the province.

ABCI said the wholly owned subsidiary Peakpower Energy, Inc. signed an electric power purchase agreement plant/PAGE 11

AboitizPower has infused P125 billion for its power projects in the next three years.

Aboitiz allots P125B for new plants

By NELSON V. CONSTANTINO, Editor-in-Chief

THE Aboitiz Group has reiterated its ambitious plan to spend P125 billion in the next five years to build more power plants in the country

particularly in the energystarved Mindanao island.

In a press statement, AboitizPower Corp. President aboitiz/PAGE 11

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

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Malaybalay P2-M water DOE shares LPG safety, buying tips project now completed MALAYBALAY City -- In an effort to address the perennial water shortage problem in some parts of the city, the Malaybalay City Water District (MCWD) completed its P2 million water project funded through its internally generated funds.

Juanito C. Aroa, General Manager, MCWD, said the project covered the installation of 6-inch diameter polyvinyl c h l o r i d e ( P VC) w a t e r transmission pipelines from Barangay 1 to the provincial capitol area.

It a lso i nvolved t he u nderg rou nd lay i ng of 1,100 linear meters of 6-inch diameter PVC transmission pipelines from Gov. Rubin Street passing through the private property of Victoria Dans Reidenbach to the provincial capitol area. “ T h i s h a s c au s e d a sig n i f ic a nt i ncrea se i n water supply in Barangay 9, particularly in the public market, Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center and Gawad Kalinga,” Aroa said.

He explained that the n e w l y- i n s t a l l e d w a t e r t r a n sm i s sion pip el i ne s will generate additional 40 to 42 liters per second of water supply to the target beneficiaries and other lowpressure areas in nearby barangays.

At pr e s e nt , a r o u n d 19 l iters per second is actua lly supplied as the interconnection works still ongoing.

The project, which started mid-April 2013, is due for completion on June 15 yet.

Aroa, however, ordered the workforce to go intensely to complete it before the city fiesta celebration on May 15. Remarkably, it was completed this May 11.

Aroa pointed out that the MCWD conceptualized the project in 2010. It was presented to Malaybalay City government for funding. But due to LGU’s insufficient f u nds for t he pu r pose, MCWD finally caused the project implementation after successful negotiation for the right of way with the Victoria Dans Reidenbach family.

It can be recalled that last year, the MCWD also completed a P13 million water project that solved problems on uneven water supply distribution at the NHA and Bliss areas. It involved insta l lation of 8-inch diameter PVC pipe from the MCWD treatment plant in barangay Sumpong to Bliss v i l lage MCWD reservoir.

Aroa said that aside from project/PAGE 11

THE Department of Energy (DOE) conducted a seminar recently on Energy Efficiency and Conservation here to inform the public on ways to ensure safety at home and tips on buying Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Senior Science Research Specialist Norita Froilan said the LPG produced in the Philippines is a mixture of 60 percent butane and 40 percent propane gases.

It is colorless and has no smell so for safety purposes, manufacturers added Ethyl Mercator so consumers can detect any leak in the LPG container.

Froilan said consumers must first check the gas burner to make sure that it is free from any dirt or impurities. To save time and cost, ingredients and

condiments must be prepared ahead of time, and consumers shou ld a l s o de ter m i ne required boiling time for each cooking activity.

He poi nted out t hat calculating the net content of LPG helps a lot in ensuring a wise buy. She said the difference between the LPG tare weight and the weight

of the filled tank is the net content of the LPG. Furthermore, consumers must check if the cylinder is still in good conditionmaking sure that they will not have the rusty ones, and they should buy cylinders that are properly marked and painted.

For safety tips on handling

LPG, consumers must not invert LPG cylinders or let it lie horizontally on the f loor. Froilan also shared that consumers must use only LPG resistant rubber hoses with clamps which are regularly checked for wear, cracks and leaks using soap and water. Also, LPG cylinders must be kept away from electrical points and other sources of f ire or ignition. Consumers should not also store LPG cylinders in enclosed kitchen cabinets.

In add it ion to t hese helpf u l tips, Froilan shared basic yet important reminders li ke opening all doors and windows to improve ventilation, and taking the LPG cylinder in an open area and getting in touch with the distributor for emergency cases.

P42M infused into Bangsamoro Transition Commission THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) rolled out P42 million as allocation—of which P29 million has been released as cash—to support t he operational requirements of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, in line with the Aquino administration’s goal of facilitating socio-economic reform and development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

through the creation of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. “This release is meant to cover the initial budgetary requirements of the Transition Commission, particularly for its operational needs.

The Aquino administration has already mobilized the necessary talent and resources to establish the commission and ensure its success in drafting the Bangsamoro infused/PAGE 11

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Ford to halt car production in Australia in three years FORD announced Thursday it would cease making vehicles at its unprofitable Australian plants in 2016 and axe 1,200 jobs, ending an era that began in 1925 with the firm’s first local car.

Ford Australia will be closing its manufacturing plants at Broadmeadows and Geelong.

Ford Aust ra lia chief executive Bob Graziano made the announcement as he revealed losses of Aus$141 million (US$136 million) after tax in the last financial year and Aus$600 million over the last five years.

Graziano said t he

decision was the result of local manufacturing being “ driven by increasingly challenging market cond it ions—i nclud i ng market fragmentation and the high cost of manufacturing.”

Australia has annual sales of approximately 1.1 million

new vehicles, and customers have access to more than 65 brands and 365 models, with Holden, a subsidiary of General Motors, and Toyota the other key Australian manufacturers.

Graziano said this made Australia one of the most competitive and crowded automotive markets in the world, and a strong currency was making it harder for domestic car ma kers to Ford/PAGE 11

Bright red electric taxis hit Hong Kong HONG KONG — Hong Kong saw its first electric taxis hit the streets on Saturday in a step towards reducing the city’s high levels of roadside pollution.

The 45 bright red cars were launched by Chinese electric vehicle producer BYD, which is partly backed

by US invest ment tita n Warren Buffett.

C a l le d t he BY D e 6 , t he f ive-door crossover sedans are powered by iron phosphate batteries and take two hours to charge, a statement from BYD said, adding that they can then travel for 300 kilometres (more than 180 miles).

The cars have been rented by the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, which is testing them over the next six months. “ T h e id e a of b e i n g

environmentally friendly is a global trend and the electric car is one good example,” said Wong Chung Keung, president and chairman of the association.

“An electric car saves the cost of fuel and will allow our taxi drivers to earn more,” he added, saying that a normal taxi would cost HK$0.8 (10 US cents) to run per kilometre (0.6 miles) while an electric car would cost HK$0.2-HK$0.3.

He c a l le d for more charging stations around the city to encourage taxi drivers to go electric — BYD said it is setting up 47 chargers in nine charging locations near car parks.

Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary John Tsang was quoted in a BYD statement as welcoming the electric car taxis/PAGE 11

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Nissan to recall cars due to steering wheel glitch TOKYO: Nissan Motor Co Ltd will recall about 841,000 vehicles worldwide including t he Micra compact car, also known as the March, as a result of a steering wheel glitch, Japan’s No.2 automaker said on Thursday.

Nissan is recalling certain models of the Micra compact car produced in Britain and Japan between 2002 and 2006, as well as the Cube, produced in Japan around the same period.

It is pulling back vehicles in Japa n, Europe, Asia, Oce a n ia , A f r ic a , L at i n America and the Middle East.

The bolt used in t he

steering wheel of t hese cars may not have been properly tightened and at worst the steering wheel may not function, Nissan said in a statement filed to the Japanese transport ministry.

No accidents, injuries or deaths have been reported, Nissan spokeswoman Noriko Yoneyama said.

Nissan will fix the glitch by either tightening the bolts or replacing the steering wheel with a new one.

The repair will take about 40 minutes, Yoneyama said.

She declined to say how much the recall will cost Nissan.

(Reuters)

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Zubiri’s camp wins I’m forced to sign affidavit 4 mayoral races in Bukidnon NBI witness in Fr. Tentorio’s killing:

DAVAO CITY – The National Bureau of Investigation’s witness to the killing of Italian missionary Fausto “Pops” Tentorio, who was parish priest of Arakan, North Cotabato at the time of his death, did not witness the incident at all, but was forced to say so only out of fear.

Dominador Damlayon, who the NBI said earlier signed a sworn statement attesting he saw the killing on Oct. 17, 2011, said during the three-day inquiry made by the Commission on Human Rights here starting today that he was afraid he could no longer go home if he didn’t sign the affidavit implicating Jimmy and Robert Ato, Jose Sultan Sampulna and Dima Maligudan Sampulna as primary suspects.

He also revealed that he was given P500 after signing the sworn statement at the NBI office in Cagayan de Oro City February last year, aside from another P500 for his and a relative’s fare going back to Arakan.

Law yer Gregorio Andolana, one of the legal counsels of the Diocese of Kidapawan which has jurisdiction over the church in Arakan, told MindaNews that Damlayon, a Manobo from Barangay Malibatuan in Arakan, was apparently “manipulated” in signing the affidavit. He added that somebody already prepared the affidavit for Damlayon.

But law yer A ngel ito Mag no, ac t i ng d irec tor for the NBI in Region 12, said during the inquir y that Damlayon admitted in his presence and other

By Walter I. Balane

Lawyer Gregorio Andolana chats with Fr. Peter Geremia on Wednesday 22 May 2013 in Davao City before the start of the three-day public inquiry by the Commission on Human Rights on the killing of Fr. Fausto Tentorio. mindanews photo

NBI investigators in their Cagayan de Oro office that he personally saw the Atos and the Sampulnas inside the compound when the shooting happened.

The NBI lawyer denied that Damlayon was forced or under threat when he signed the sworn statement.

“He was a credible witness at that time. He told us that he saw the gunmen shoot Fr. Tentorio,” he told the panel headed by CHR Chair Loretta Ann Rosales.

Damlayon said during the inquiry that he eventually retracted his testimony three months later, saying he was not in the compound when the shooting happened. “ Wa l a k o d i d t o pagkahitabo pero gitudluan lang ko didto sa NBI. Didto lang kami sa balay,” he said during the inquiry. (I wasn’t

at the scene when it happened but they only told me what to say at the NBI. I was at the house when it happened.)

Damlayon’s presence at the CHR inquiry was his first public appearance.

Tentorio was gunned down while about to board his vehicle inside the Our Mother of Perpetual parish compound on October 17, 2011. He was supposed to drive to t he bishop’s residence in Kidapawan City, 52 kilometers away, for the diocese’s monthly meeting.

Damlayon said at the CHR inquiry that sometime February last year, his relative Roberto Mabilao asked him that they will meet another relative in Marilog District in Davao City.

From Marilog, they then left for Cagayan de Oro around 7 p.m.

While at the NBI office in Cagayan de Oro, Damlayon said he was coached by a certain Loloy what to answer when NBI agents would start asking questions. He said

it was the first time he met Loloy, who claimed to be from Davao City. Damlayon had no idea as to Loloy’s identity.

When the CHR panel asked him if he understood the content of the affidavit he signed, Damlayon replied: “Wala ko nakasabot kay English man.” (I understood not hing because it was written in English.)

He added that he signed the he affidavit because he was afraid that he could not go out of the room.

“Nahadlok pud ko basi di ko kauli.” (I was also worried that I could not go home anymore.)

Da m layon recou nted that the questioning started around 1 p.m. and finished five hours later.

Before leaving Cagayan de Oro City, he added that Loloy gave him and Mabilao P500 each. “Pampalit daw bugas ug uban pang kinahanglan sa among pamilya.” (We were told to use the money forced/PAGE 7

M ALAYBALAY CIT Y – The Zubiri-led Bukidnon P a g l a u m P a r t y ( B P P) dominated the winners for mayor in the province’s 20 municipalities and two cities except in four towns.

Three businessmen spoi led t he par t y’s bets for mayor in Kadingilan, Cabanglasan and Kalilangan towns.

Independent candidate Jerry Canoy Sr., a former vice mayor, defeated incumbent Kadingilan Mayor Julito Talaid of the BPP. In Cabanglasan, farmerbusi nessma n Rena nte Inocando defeated incumbent Mayor Rogelio Castillanes, also of the BPP. In Kalilangan town, in Bukidnon’s boundary with Lanao del Sur, construction contractor Omaradji Pizarro, an independent candidate, also defeated Kalilangan Vice Mayor Raymond Charl Gamboa, BPP’s bet.

Only three incumbent mayors of the BPP were defeated in the polls. Aside from Talaid and Castillanes, Valencia City Mayor Leandro Jose Catarata lost to Jose M. Galario Jr. Galario won the mayoralty race in 2001 and 2004, and Catarata in 2007 to 2010.

The BPP also f ielded former mayors to regain their old post.

Kitaotao incumbent Vice Mayor Lorenzo Gawilan Jr., who swapped posts with incumbent Mayor Rodito Raf isura, won as mayor again. He served as municipal mayor from 2001 to 2010.

Incumbent San Fernando Vice Mayor Levi Edma Sr. has retained his former position as mayor against two other opponents. His wife, incumbent Mayor Laurencia Edma, has retired. But his son, a municipal councilor, secured the second highest spot in his reelection bid.

Former Malitbog mayor Osmundo dela Rosa prevailed over Wilson Guiahan and t wo ot her i ndependent candidates. Dela Rosa served as administrator of his wife, who won as mayor in 2010.

The BPP also f ielded c a nd id ate s f rom lower positions.

Dangcagan Vice Mayor Fruto Dandasan won the mayoralty race over former mayor Roberto Cabunoc.

Dandasan swapped position w it h i nc u mbent Mayor Eldiberto Ayuban, who won as vice mayor.

The BPP’s incumbent bets for mayor won in Malaybalay City and 13 towns.

Reelectionist Malaybalay Mayor Ignacio W. Zubiri, nephew of governor-elect Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr., won over businessman Estelito Marabe and incumbent Vice Mayor Victor Aldeguer.

In Baungon, incumbent M a y o r Pe d r o A l v a r e z defeated three independent opponents.

In Damulog, in Bukidnon’s boundary with North Cotabato, incumbent Mayor Rome o Tiongco defeated Angelito Rivero of Aksyon Demok ratiko and another independent candidate.

In Don Carlos, incumbent M ay or Fe l i x M a n z a no defeated Fabian Gardonez and another independent candidate. Former mayor and independent candidate Ma. Victoria Pizarro, however, whom Manzano beat in 2010, was elected vice mayor.

In Impasug-ong, incumbent Mayor Mario Okinlay won over Oliver Aldovino, former member of the board of the Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative (Buseco).

Incumbent Kibawe Mayor Minerva Casinabe also won over cou nci lor Rodu l fo Jurado.

Incu mbent La ntapa n Mayor Godofredo Balansag defeated ex-pr iest Cito Labastilla Incumbent Mayor A l ic ia Re su s won over McNeil Acosta of Aksyon Demokratiko in Maramag, hometown of the Zubiris in Bukidnon.

In Quezon, an attempt of t he For tiches, in t he person of businessman Juan Carlos Fortich, failed against incumbent Mayor Gregorio Gue. The Fortich family ruled Bukidnon for most of the 20th century.

In Sumilao, incumbent Mayor Rey Baula won over councilor Dante Cuevas.

In Talakag, incumbent Mayor Nestor Macapayag prevailed over Renato Sulatan of Aksyon Demokratiko.

I n c u m b e nt s L i b o n a Mayor Leonardo Genesis C a l i nga sa n, son of t he incumbent governor; Manolo For t ich Mayor Rogel io Quiño; and Pangantucan Mayor Manolito Garces practica l ly a lready won even before balloting was conducted on May 13; they ran unopposed.

Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776 Editor : Christine Cabiasa

Economy Korean bizmen eye investing in Zambo

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ZAMBOANGA CITY -– A group of Korean Lobregat said he welcomed businessmen is eyeing to pour investments in the Korean businessmen’s interest and the idea of the this southern port city.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said Thursday the group has discussed with him possible i nvest ment speci f ic a l ly potential options to address the power needs of the city.

The Korean businessmen led by Lee Ik Hwan and Alex Huang on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on him at City Hall.

Lobregat said the group has proposed the construction of a solar power plant as a possible long-term solution to the power shortage in this city.

The more than 150,000 electric consumes in this city experienced eight to nine hours of daily brownouts before the May 13 mid-term

polls.

The electric consumers h e re a re a g a i n s e t t o experience three to four hours daily rotational blackout after enjoying an uninterrupted power service for the past few days due to the holding of the mid-term elections.

The Korean businessmen have told Lobregat that solar energy is cheap but the initial investment to construct the power plant will involve a considerable amount.

They are scheduled to present tomorrow, Friday, t hei r prop os a l for t he construction of a solar power plant to the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) Board.

solar power plant.

However, he sa id he informed the group that t h e c on s t r u c t ion of a 100-megawatt (MW) coalfired power plant in Barangay Talisayan, 26 kilometers west of this city, is already underway.

He also said that the energy that would be generated from a solar power plant may not be sufficient to provide the power demands of this city, which currently peaks at 80-MW and is expected to increase in succeeding years.

Meanwhile, he said the city government does not discount the possibility of having a solar power plant for renewable energy supply in the future. (PNA)

Jover Onas, a worker at the Cocoa Foundation of the Philippines’ Cacao Agribusiness Zone Center in Talandang, Tugbok District, Davao City makes sure that the cacao beans are evenly spread on the solar dryer. The beans will be dried for five days before it is sorted and processed into chocolate and other products. The Davao City Agriculture Office aims to increase the lands planted with cacao trees to 20,000 hectares by 2021. ASEAN cocoa marketing has changed from beans-dominated to value-added products, according to the Malaysian Cocoa Board. mindanews photo

ASEAN cocoa leads the way

By Xuan Huong

HO CHI MINH CITY -ASEAN members should strengthen cooperation and take priority measures to ensure the region remains a primary source of cocoa in the world.

Kelv in La min of t he Malaysian Cocoa Board made the statement yesterday while

speaking at the 16th meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa Club organized by the Vietnam Cocoa Committee in Ho Chi Minh City.

The meeting dealt with ASEAN cooperation and joint approaches in agriculture as well as a forestry products promotion scheme.

La min, who is t he Malaysian board’s deputy director general and chaired the meeting, said ASEAN has become one of the world’s foremost supplier of several major food and agriculture com mod it ie s i nclud i ng cocoa. cocoa/PAGE 7

Plaza Rizal in Zamboanga City, as viewed from the second floor of the Zamboanga City Hall, looking much the way it did when it was built at the turn of the last century, is fast becoming a hub for Korean investors. photo by mike baños

GrainCorp calls for foreign investment in Australian agriculture SY DN EY -- Au st ra l ia n agriculture needs foreign investment if it is to take full advantage of the global food boom, Gra i nC or p CEO Alison Watkins told agribusiness representatives Thursday.

Speaking at a Committee for the Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) forum in Sydney, Wa t k i n s e n c o u r a g e d Australians to move past prejudices about foreign investment and think big about global markets.

“Australian investors, including growers, have demonstrated t hat t hey don’t have the capacity or the appetite for the level of investment that’s required to realize the opportunity from agriculture,” Watkins said.

Aust ra l ia’s potent ia l ability to profit from the so-called “dining boom” as global populations rise over the next 40 was estimated at up to USD1.7 trillion by an ANZ report released in October 2012.

However, the report also found that it will require up to an estimated USD1 trillion of additional investment capital to capture the boom. “ T hat ’s about t hreequarters of our current GDP. It’s very unlikely that that investment will all come from Australia,” Watkins said.

Foreign investment is still a controversial topic

among Australians, some of whom fear foreign ownership.

However, Watkins said that foreign investors have shown far more interest in putting money i nto Gra i nC or p projec ts t ha n domest ic players, a nd overseas investment is nothing new for Australian companies.

“I rea lly believe t hat regardless of ownership, whoever has stewardship of these substantial assets is going to do everything they can to ensure that the company’s operating in a commercial and sustainable way,” she explained.

“A wel l-credent ia led owner will invest well in our industry, generate prosperity for growers, communities, employees and customers.

It’s only reasonable that they should also earn a fair return on the capital that they’ve put at risk to do this,” she added.

One key area requiring substantial capital injections according to Watkins is Austra lia’s countr y rai l network, which currently suffers from inefficiency and uncertain government funding.

While state governments have previously preferred to focus on roads to facilitate Australian exports, Watkins believed that a well-designed and functioning rail network cou ld have subst a nt ia l benefits over trucks. foreign/PAGE 7

PHL eyed as ‘design hub of Asia’ MANILA -- Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III has lauded the signing of Republic Act 10557, otherwise known as the National Design Policy Law which he said would spur economic growth in the country. ”The government can utilize and harness design not only to produce innovative Fi l ipi no pro duc t s , but also to create solutions for social problems,” Guingona, principal author of the newlysigned law, explained on Thursday.

“The term ‘design’ does not refer to mere aesthetics.

Ultimately, in this modern world, design is a problemsolving tool that is geared towa rd s i mprov i ng t he quality of human life,” he added.

The new law enforces the policy of the government to enhance the competitiveness and innovation of Philippine products, and create marketresponsive design services, whi le advocating for economic and environmental sustainability.

R . A . 10 557 e q u a l l y promotes the adaptation of design principles, such as creativ it y, ef f iciency, u ser- c entere d ne s s , a nd sustainability in government processes a nd public programs.

Guingona believed by harnessing the user-centered principles of design, “we can be able to make the government’s delivery of public services more efficient, effective, and relevant to the PHL/PAGE 7

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Talking to the Dead

T

hink a minute…A cemetery in Indiana, America has a A Minute gravestone with these words

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst on it: “Stop stranger, when you pass me by.

As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you will be.

So prepare to die, and follow me!”

A person walking by added these words underneath: “To follow you I’m not content, until I know which way you went!”

Do you sometimes wonder where your family and friends who’ve died are now?

Do they want you to come where they are?

Don’t you wish they could talk to you?

Where are all those people now who suddenly died in the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001?

Jesus Christ made it very clear that we already know where we’re going after we die, since it’s only now that we can choose where we’ll live after we die.

He warns us that it will be too late after we die to choose or change our mind.

Jesus said there are only two choices: to completely believe Him and live His way everyday, or, to keep living our own way.

Heaven or hell.

Jesus said there’s no in-between place for nice, good people who won’t ask for His gift of forgiveness and live for Him every day.

None of us is perfect.

We’ve all done some things wrong that we need Jesus to forgive us for and start changing in our character and hurst/PAGE 7

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Gripping joblessness

he Philippines unemployment rate rose to 7.1 percent in January of 2013, from 6.8 percent in October of 2012.

The continued deterioration of the labor market sector showed that the number of unemployed and underemployed reached an all-time high: 2,894,000 and 7,934,000, respectively. If we multiply these two sets of numbers by 5 persons to take into account the dependents, then millions are going hungry these days. There are more than 10 million Filipinos today who do not partake of the economic growth of 6% that the National Economic and Development Authority have churned out. In economics, this scenario is called jobless growth or unemployment drag.

Specifically, the number of unemployed workers rose by 2,000 while the number of underemployed soared by 812,000. The Philippines has registered the highest unemployment rate among ASEAN-5 countries. The Aquino administration has pledged to meet its goal of reducing unemployment rate to between 4% and 5% by 2016. At the rate of a minimum investment of P250,000 pesos to produce 1 job, the country needs billions of pesos of investments to hire the 14.6 million jobless. There is another challenge of 1.1 million new entrants to the labor force every year that the government needs to account for.

The goal that should keep the Malacanang officials sleep-

S

ECONOMIC

less at night is to provide jobs for 14.6 million unemployed B uttresses Filipinos. If President Aquino By Amparo Pamela Fabe is in search of a lasting legacy, this goal is worth it. After all, the media communications group of Malacanang has been harping that we are the President’s “boss”. Jobs need to be created inside the Philippines as soon as possible. The much-vaunted Private-Public Partnership flagship projects need to go beyond sound bites and press releases.

The search for overseas work has become challenging.

The exacerbated political conf lict in the Middle East and Africa, the persistent economic doldrums in Europe and the deep economic cuts in the United States leave a limited set of work possibilities abroad for Filipinos. Even the jobs open to seamen has become fraught with dangers due to attacks by pirates on the high seas.

The goal of reducing unemployment may possibly become fabe/PAGE 7

Education for life and beyond

CHOOLS are obviously a controlled environment. They are like greenhouses for the students. They have to be like that, since the students, like young, tender saplings, need a more favorable atmosphere for them to grow to maturity before facing the world on their own.

In schools, the students are given a kind of pure nourishment of knowledge and other values to prepare them for the challenges in life. They need to be protected somehow from the very f luid if confusing realities of life in the meantime so they can develop the appropriate attitude and skills to be able to sort things out properly.

One of the concerns that we, the elders, should all bear in mind is that the students should be formed in such a way that they can be weaned at the proper time and start to face the realities of life on their own, even if everyone of us always needs the help of everybody else and our education never ends.

We need to see to it that they become fit and able to live meaningfully in the world. What should be avoided is to spoil them in the school environment such that they could only “survive” in controlled conditions and would be at a loss when they step out of school.

In other words, the students should come out knowing more or less what their proper place and role are in society, so they can work in solidarity with others for the attainment of the common good.

This will involve acquiring things that are both basic and general, applicable to all, on the one hand, and specific,

attuned to the individual’s qualities and capabilities, on and Traces the other.

By Fr. Roy Cimagala And so the basic questions about man, like who and what he is, where he comes from, to where he is supposed to go, etc., should be made clear to them. The various implications of those questions, both in their theoretical and practical aspects as they impact on the different areas and levels of human life, should be taken up.

Along with this concern should be the effort to know each student personally, so his or her unique and peculiar qualities can be known and given due consideration in planning for each individual’s formation.

In this regard, it is important that each student gets to have a mentor to guide him personally in an atmosphere of friendship and confidence. It’s where students feel a bit alienated in some areas that anomalies can arise-like misconceptions of basic values that can lead to bad practices, habits and vices later on.

The formation in the school should try to cover not only the academic aspect, but also and more importantly, cimagala/PAGE 7

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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 O ut President, Philippine Veterans

By Ignacio Bunye Bank); Treasurer Estrellita V. Ong (also First Vice President, Security Bank Corporation); Auditor Yolanda D. Velasco (also Senior Vice President, Landbank of the Philippines); Ex-Officio Member of the Board Emmanuel E. Barcena (also Vice President, Philippine Clearing House Corp.); 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 bunye/PAGE 7

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Cocoa... from page 5

“It is a fact that ASEAN now has become an important source of not only cocoa beans but also semi-processed cocoa products such as cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, cocoa cake and cocoa powder for chocolate ma nu factures and confectioneries in different markets in the world,” he said.

“This shows that ASEAN cocoa marketing has changed from beans-dominated to valueadded products,” he added.

As a whole, ASEAN members are the third largest producer of cocoa beans in the world and the largest in the Asia and Oceania region, producing an estimated 495,400 tons of cocoa, accounting for about 12.4 percent of the total world cocoa production at the moment.

The regional bloc is also the largest cocoa processor in Asia and Oceania region, contributing about 75.3 percent of the total cocoa grinding in this region and about 16.8 percent of the total world cocoa grinding in the 2012-13 season.

“No doubt, the cocoa industry in ASEAN is progressing very well, but we still need to address and take priority measures to further develop and sustain it,” he said.

There are still vast areas of cooperation that should be planned and undertaken by the ACC to meet ever-changing global market that is increasingly become very competitive, Lamin said.

Dr Pha n Huy T hong , chairman of the Vietnam Cocoa Committee and director general of t he Nationa l Agricu lture Ex tension Center, sa id t hat a lt hou g h cocoa t re e s were introduced to Vietnam many centuries ago, cocoa plantations did not prosper until 1996.

The country had about 25,700 ha under cocoa cu ltivation, yielding about 5,000 tons last year, he said.

The plant was cultivated mostly in the Central Highlands, the southeastern and Mekong Delta provinces, mostly under the shade of other crops, including coconut palms and cashew trees,

he said.

Thong said Vietnam’s cocoa bea ns a re of good qu a l it y, comparable with international standards.

“In 2006, Vietnam issued nat iona l qu a l it y st a nd a rd s for cocoa beans in order to standardize the product towards meeting regiona l and world standards.”

He also mentioned challenges faced by the Vietnam cocoa i ndu s t r y, i nc lud i ng sma l lscale production, poor sources of seedlings, lack of qualified technical staff, unstable market compared to other products, low productivity and weak linkages in the cocoa value chain.

Vietnam plans sustainable development of its cocoa industry, expanding cultivation in suitable areas, Thong said.

It w i l l a p p l y V i e t G A P standards to increase yield and quality, boost farmer incomes and ensure food safety for cocoa products, he added.

Under a cocoa development pl a n t h rou g h 2 015 w it h a vision to 2020 approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recently, Vietnam targets to have 35,000ha under cocoa cultivation producing 26,000 tons of the beans by 2015.

(PNA/VNS)

Foreign... from page 5

“The average train can carry 2,000 tonnes of grain, while the average truck hauls maybe 40-45 tonnes. This means that the average export vessel takes 18 trains to load. That same vessel needs almost 900 truck trips, which is a massive loss in efficiency,” she said.

“W here net work s a re in place, they are not always wellmaintained. Many of our branch lines operate with significant speed restrictions, sometimes as low as 20 kilometres per hour, and many operate with substantial weight restrictions because they can’t safely carry heavier loads anymore,” Watkins added.

“Our inefficient transport infrastructure may be putting A u s t r a l i a ’s i n t e r n a t i o n a l competitiveness at risk.”

Where Australian rail wagons carry an average gross weight of 75

tonnes, with 40 wagons per train, Canada, a major competitive threat to the growing markets Australian producers are trying to capture, uses wagons with a weight of 100 tonnes, and about 100 wagons per train.

GrainCorp says that while it is currently investing in improving rail productivity and capacity, and the NSW, Queensland and Victorian governments have also introduced welcome initiatives, further funds are required to support the industry as a whole.

“Getting grain on rail to port requires more investment from other industry players, and this is unlikely to be forthcoming while governments allow the uncertain funding of branch lines to continue,” Watkins said.

“Agriculture simply can’t be managed as a domestic industry.

We export the vast majority of our produce. We’re competing in a global marketplace against large competitors. We’re trying to sell products that literally are the difference between life and death for governments and their people.Capturing opportunity usually requires brave decisions,” she stressed.(PNA/Xinhua)

PHL... from page 5

citizens’ needs.”

T h e s e n a t o r or i g i n a l l y authored Senate Bill No. 2131 to propose for a Design Council of the Philippines formulated to guide our design and creative industries on the road to making the Philippines the “design hub” of Asia.

T he new law sig ned by President Benigno S. Aquino III on May 15, 2013, will designate the Design Center of the Philippines to formulate a National Design Policy, which shall serve as an integrated, forward-thinking and long-range strategy for design in the Philippines.

The key goals of the said Policy would be to expand the design culture nationwide; to propagate design as problemsolving; to boost competitiveness of the Filipino Design Industry; and to build a strong National Identity.

The law likewise provides the venue for government to promote the economy and society driven by

creativity, design and innovation that are responsive to our modern and challenging times, while taking into consideration the Filipino culture and identity.

“I bel ie ve Fi l ipi nos a re innovative. And I think we have what it takes to go above and beyond just beautiful and wellcrafted souvenirs, handicrafts and trinkets. We’re ready to compete on an entirely different plane.

Filipinos are not only creative, but we can be innovative as well,” Guingona said. ”With this law, the government is putting its support behind our designers, so that they can innovate and create things the world has never seen before,” he added.

Expressing great hope for his desired vision of making the Philippines the “design hub of Asia”, Guingona is committed to ensuring that the goals of this law will be achieved for the benefit of the entire nation. (PNA)

Forced... from page 4

to buy rice and other needs of our families.)

They were given P500 more for their fare going back to Arakan, he said.

The CHR inquiry aims to dig deeper into the murder of the Italian missionary, Rosales said. She added that the inquiry hopes to gather more information that could help resolve the case. (mindanews)

Hurst... from page 6

way of living.

So we don’t need to talk to the dead to find out about life after death.

Jesus Christ has already told us the truth and everything we need to know to go where we want to live after we die—together with Him and His true family in heaven.

So for your own peace of mind and safety, won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you for living your own way before it’s too late?

Then ask Him to take full charge of your heart and help you start living His way every day, for the rest of your life.

Just Think a Minute…

Bunye... from page 6

Responsibility project.

B SP G over nor A ma ndo Tetangco, Jr. said the central monetary authority considers BAIPHIL “as a valuable partner in enhancing the safety and soundness of the banking system.” “ T h rou g h c ont i nuou s ly u nd e r t a k i n g re s e a rc h a nd training projects that expand t he k nowled ge ba se of t he Philippine banking industry, t he orga n i z at ion ha s b e en instrumental in promoting greater understanding of supervisory objectives and the implementation of regulatory initiatives,” Tetangco said.

BAIPHIL was founded in 1941 as a non-stock, non-profit corporation under the name National Association of Bank Aud itors a nd C ompt rol lers (NABAC), primarily with the goal of increasing the efficiency and uniformity in bank accounting, auditing, and operations among b a n k s . It m e t a m o r p h o s e d into t he Associat ion of Ba n k Aud it , C ont rols , a nd Operations, subsequently the Bank Administration Institute (Philippine Chapter) and finally into the Bankers Institute of the Philippines.

From a small circle of mostly accountants and auditors, the Institute has evolved into a prest ig ious a nd respectable bankers’ organization. It now b o a s t s of 61 i n s t it ut ion a l members, most ly universa l, commercial, foreign, thrift, and government banks, and more than 300 key bank executives as associates and sustaining life members.

Cimagala... from page 6

the human and spiritual aspects-like the development of basic virtues like humility, order, sincerity, etc., as well as, interpersonal and social skills, etc.

The students should know how to cultivate their spiritual life, their relationship with God which ought to undergird their relationship with others. In the first place, they need to be aware between what is spiritual and what is material, what

7

is eternal and what is temporal, etc., and the many implications these distinctions generate.

Thus, they need to learn how to pray and grow in their spiritual life through the study of the right doctrine, recourse of the sacraments, development of virtues and the art of ascetical struggle, so indispensable in our life marked by weakness, temptations, and sin itself.

They have to be taught how to deal with all kinds of situations and circumstances, favorable or not, advantageous or not. They have to learn how to develop convictions based on eternal truths as well as skills in f lexibility to dynamic temporal factors and immunity to unavoidable negative elements.

These are tough things to achieve, but as long as they are pursued as early as when both teachers and mentors on the one hand, and students on the other are able to undertake and receive such efforts, then we can expect good results.

There’s obviously a need on the part of the school officials to monitor the development of the students, especially in the individual and personal level. Obviously the cooperation of parents is a must here. They, after all, are the primary teachers of their children, though they can delegate much of the dirty work to the schools.

Thus, t he hea lt hy linkage between parents and schools is vital here.

That connection has to be nourished in a continuing way.

Fabe... from page 6

empty promise in the Aquino Administration when no big government project is ready for implementation soon. Government consumption is the main engine for economic expansion and the one with the largest multiplier effect. The President must pressure his Cabinet to start bidding the major infrastructure projects.

The jobless outlook can be addressed in two approaches. The first approach is that the Aquino Administration has to fill up the vacant positions in the government departments after the May elections. Many government positions remain vacant resulting in the inefficient and poor delivery of public service in the rural areas. The second approach is for the government to encourage the private sector to support and pursue major infrastructure projects by offering them adequate financial resources and financial packages and a stable regulatory environment.

The time to act is now.

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THE Court of Appeals (CA) ruled recently that ongoing field trials for Bacillus thuriengensis (Bt) talong (eggplant) in the country pose risks to human health and the environment.

In a 25-page decision penned by CA Associate Justice Isaias Dicdican, the appellate court’s Special 13th Division issued a writ of kalikasan ordering the Department of Environment a nd Nat u ra l Resou rces (DENR) and other concerned government agencies to stop the trials.

CA Associate Justices Myra Garcia-Fernandez and Nina Antonio-Valenzuela agreed with the decision.

According to the court’s ruling, the trials violated the people’s constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology.

“The field trials of Bt talong involve the willful and deliberate alteration of the genetics traits of a living element of the ecosystem and the relationship of living organisms that depend on each other for their survival,” the CA said. unsafe/PAGE 10

‘Biotech crops risky to consume’

A DECADE after retiring from his job as a research scientist at Agriculture Canada, Dr. Thierry Vrain, a former promoter of genetically modified organisms (GMO), has warned that eating biotech crops is essentially risky.

In an article on PreventDisease. com on May 6, Vrain cites Russian and European studies in saying that “diets containing engineered corn or soya cause serious health problems in laboratory mice and rats.” He adds that studies have also questioned the efficacy of proteins produced by engineered plants.

“These studies show that [these] proteins…are different [from] what they

should be. Inserting a gene in a genome using [genetic-engineering] technology can and does result in damaged proteins.

The scientific literature is full of studies showing that engineered corn and soya contain toxic or allergenic proteins,” Vrain says.

Genetic engineering, now 40 years old, is “based on the naive understanding of the genome, based on the ‘one gene, one protein’ hypothesis of 70 years ago that [says] each gene codes for a single protein.

The Human Genome project, completed in 2002, showed that this hypothesis is wrong,” he adds. biotech/PAGE 10

TAGUM CITY—Davao del Norte’s strong support to organic agriculture is paying off.

The Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAGRO) noted an unprecedented increase in the demand of the Compost Fungus Activator (C FA) , Tr i c h o d e r m a Harzianum, which is used to decompose rice straws to serve as organic fertilizer.

From less than 1,000 packs per month, PAGRO has distributed 4,199 packs of CFA last month based on its report.

Ac c ord i ng to D r.

Anastacia Notarte, assistant provincial agriculturist, they fungus/PAGE 11

UN agency urges trad’l preservation method to stem food wastage FERMENTING birds, naturally freeze-drying potatoes and squeezing meat on a saddle are some of the traditional methods used by cultures around the world to preserve food highlighted by the United Nations environment agency, which is stressing the importance of reducing food waste.

“Reducing food waste and loss is an economic, ethical and environmental challenge that links to some of the greatest challenges of today, from hunger and nutrition to climate change, deforestation and land degradation,” the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Achim Steiner, said.

“One of the ways everyone can contribute to these twin challenges is by looking at how less-wasteful cultures place such value on every morsel of food and considering how to emulate them,” Steiner added.

Each year, an estimated one third of all food produced – equivalent to 1.3 billion tonnes worth around $1 trillion – ends up rotting in the bins of consumers and retailers, or spoiling due to poor transportation and harvesting practices, according to the agency.

UNEP emphasized that unconsumed food wastes both the energy put into growing it and the fuel spent on transporting produce across various distances, adding that this significant amount of waste has serious moral implications in a world where almost 900 million people go hungry every day.

As part of its campaign Think.Eat.Save. Reduce Your Foodprint, and ahead of the celebrations of World Environment Day on 5 June, UNEP asked people to submit examples of traditional ways in which food is preserved.

In Mongolia, troops condensed the equivalent of the beef of an entire cow into the size of a human fist.

This remarkable method of food preservation, without refrigeration, produced a meal equivalent to several steaks when the protein was shaved into hot water to make soup.

In Turkey, horsemen would preserve meat by placing it in pockets on their saddles to be compressed by their legs as they rode. In Greenland, the Inuit would wrap birds in seal skin, removing the air before sewing it up.

The birds then ferment for around seven months before they are dug up and eaten, often at celebrations. wastage/PAGE 11

US food retailer mulls import of Philippine coconut water US food ret a i ler Sysco wants to import coconut and other fruit products from the Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

The DTI said coconut water as well as calamansi and other tropical fruit juices “caught the interest” of Sysco senior director John M. Pollock, who attended t h e 9 t h I nt e r n a t i o n a l Food Ex hibition (IFEX)

Philippines last week.

Pollock was quoted by the DTI as saying that Sysco first has to figure out where the market for coconut water is in the US. “We have to talk to our companies in Los Angeles, New York and Miami if they can identify the restaurants to sell these products. It will be a small volume to start and develop. We have to go back and present what we

have seen here to the buyers in the US. If there is interest, we come back,” Pollock said.

Sysco ma rkets a nd distributes food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, hotels and inns, and other foodservice and hospitality businesses. According to its website, Sysco operates in over 180 locations in Canada, Ireland and the US, with sales worth $42 billion in

2012.

IFEX Philippines was organized by the DTI Center for Internat iona l Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS). “[Sysco] will closely work with us to build the industry.

They don’t just want to go import/PAGE 11

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Unsafe... from page 8

“Consequently, the field trials…could not be declared by this Court as safe [for] human health and our ecology, [since they are] an alteration of an otherwise natural state of affairs in our ecology,” it added.

T he gover n ment , t he tribunal said, has failed to adopt sufficient biosafety protocols in conducting the trials, as well as feasibility studies on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), to protect the environment and people’s health.

The CA noted that, based on case records, the country

is yet to have a law governing t he s t udy, i nt ro duc t ion and use of GMOs. It said what the government has are insufficient regulations issued by the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System of the Environmental Management Bureau.

“True, there are biosafety regulations that we follow.

However, considering the irreversible effects that the field trials, and eventually the introduction of Bt talong to the market, could possibly bring, we could not take chances,” the court said.

Tests violate Constitution

Entertainment THE case of the field trials began when environmental g roup Greenpeace, t he Magsasaka at Siyentipiko sa Pagpapaunlad ng Agrikultura (Masipag) and ot her individuals filed a petition arguing that the tests violated Filipinos’ constitutional right to a balanced and healthy ecology.

They claimed that the trials might contaminate native genetic resources and cause an imbalance in the environment.

But the respondents—the DENR, the Bureau of Plant Industry, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños Foundation Inc., UP Mindanao Foundation Inc.,

International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications-Southeast Asia Center—disagreed, insisting that the trials were safe and harmless.

In its ruling, the CA said clear standards governing the study and research of GMOs should be adopted, and also ordered the respondents to rehabilitate the areas affected by the trials. (BM)

Biotech...

from page 8 According to the scientist, the philosophy of science for genetic engineering is mistaken. “ T he whole pa rad ig m of the genetic-engineering technolog y is based on a misundersta nding. Ever y scientist now lea rns t hat a ny gene c a n g ive more than one protein and that inserting a gene anywhere in a plant eventually creates rog ue protei ns. Some of these proteins are obviously allergenic or toxic,” Vrain says.

“G ene t ic pol lut ion i s so prevalent in North and Sout h America, where GM crops are grown, that the fields of conventional a nd orga nic g rowers a re regularly contaminated with engineered pollen and losing certification,” he adds. “ T he c a nola a nd f la x export market from Canada to Europe…were recently lost because of genetic pollution.

Did I mention superweeds, [produced] when RoundUp

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crops pass on their genes to RoundUp Resistant weeds?

Apparently over 50 percent of fields in the US are now infested [with superweeds] and growers have to go back to using other toxic herbicides such as 2-4 D. Many areas of Ontario and Alberta are also infested. The transgenes are also transferred to soil bacteria,” the scientist says. “ Tr a n s gene s a re a l s o t r a n s fe r r e d t o hu m a n s .

Volunteers who ate engineered soybeans had undigested DNA in their intestines and their bacterial flora was expressing the soybean transgenes in the form of antibiotic resistance.

This is genetic pollution to t he ex treme, par ticu larly when antibiotic resistance is fast becoming a serious global health risk,” he adds.

Refuting biotech firms’ claims “I have, in t he last 10 years, changed my position.

I started paying attention to the f low of published studies coming from Europe—some from prestigious labs and publ ished i n prest ig iou s sc ient i f ic jou r na l s —t hat questioned the impact and safety of engineered food,” Vrain says.

“I refute the claims of biotechnology companies that their engineered crops yield more, that they require less pesticide applications, that they have no impact on the environment and, of course, that they are safe to eat,” he adds.

“There are a number of

scientific studies that have been done for Monsa nto by universities in the US, Canada and abroad. Most of these studies are concerned with the field performance of the engineered crops, and of course they find GMOs safe for t he env ironment and therefore safe to eat,” the scientist says.

“Individuals should be encouraged to make their decisions on food sa fet y based on scientific evidence a nd persona l choice, not on emotion or the personal opinions of others,” he adds.

According to Vrain, these studies should given serious attention. He demands that government agencies replicate t hem rat her t han rely on studies paid for by the biotech companies. “ T h e B t [B a c i l lu s t hu r i ng ien si s] c or n a nd soya plants t hat are now e ve r y w he re i n ou r environment are registered as insecticides. But are these insecticidal plants regulated and have their proteins been tested for safety? Not by the federal departments in charge of food safety, not in Canada and not in the US,” he says.

“There are no long-term feeding studies performed in t hese cou nt ries to d e mon s t r at e t he c l a i m s that engineered corn and soya are safe. All we have are scientific studies out of Europe and Russia, showing that rats fed engineered food die prematurely,” the scientist adds. (BM)

Today’s HOROSCOPE AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18) - You are usually the idea generator and rely on others to see the process through. At this point you will want to have a hand in the execution of the project as well as its development. Ensure those you’re working with have a vivid idea of what you expect of them and what they must do.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) - This is a time of good humor and fortune as Jupiter affects your life. Just be careful of haters lurking in corners as they can undermine your efforts and spoil your good mood. Associate only with those who know and love you and add to your positive energy. Identify the detractors and be quick to banish them from your life.

LIBRA (September 23 – October 22) - Before you can make a plan of action you need to have crystal clear intentions. Narrow your focus to one goal at a time and create an effective strategy for achievement.

Once you know what you want to do and how you’ll go about doing it you’ll be much more likely to follow through and be successful.

PISCES (February 19 – March 20) - When a misunderstanding occurs in your personal life you will want to clear it up immediately. You may have come to a conclusion about the circumstances already, but you will need to share your feelings with the other party involved. Open, honest communication is the fastest and most effective way to clear up confusion and heighten understanding.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) - It would be nice if all your options were laid out in front of you when faced with a challenge. Unfortunately that is not usually the case and you have to discover the information on your own.

Lucky for you though, your mental adeptness allows you to gather the details and make sense of them to arrive at the most logical conclusion.

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21) -When you find yourself reliving a situation from the past it is wise to stop and look at the root cause.

Is there something you’re doing to cause circumstances to repeat themselves or are there other contributing factors? Identify your feelings regarding the situation and make a solid attempt to deal with them.

ARIES (March 21- April 19) - Challenges can unsettle you, but they can also lead to productive changes. When you are forced to step up to the plate and outside of your comfort zone you get to see what you’re really made of. This process of working through an issue can allow you to get to know yourself on a different level. Embrace challenge and welcome the opportunity to grow.

LEO (July 23 – August 22) - The best way to combat negativity is with eternally positivity. Some people take great pleasure in bursting bubbles and it is up to you not to let them. Live your dreams and don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do. If you put your mind to it and believe in your purpose you will achieve it.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21) - New and influential friends will make their way into your life right now. The people you align yourself with at this stage promise to serve a major purpose in your life beyond companionship. A new beginning approaches and you’ll want to have new friends to accompany you on your new journey.

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) - If your work life needs updating, perform the necessary research and consider your options carefully. It may be wise to seek advice from those who’ve stood in your shoes before to formulate your action plan. If the situation is personal however, try not to seek any advice but your own. Too many opinions here can do nothing but confuse you.

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22) - You usually know the best course of action to take, but that doesn’t mean others will listen to you. There will be the occasion when someone begs to differ and does their own thing.

Don’t get upset though, as your job as a friend has really just begun. Your support is needed even though you want to say “I told you so.”

CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19) - Take a moment out of your busy schedule to revitalize your spirit and environment. Chances are the clutter has been building and it is time to clear it away. When you organize and clean your physical space your mind and thoughts become clearer too. Unblock the energy pathways in your home, office and head and you will feel the difference.

CROSSWORD puzzle

CIRCLE A WORD High hopes

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cold crack crag crampon crevasse drink equipment

food grip handhold icy jagged ledge loose

across 1.Pop group, heads (7) 5.Indian capital (5) 8.Mining extract (3) 9.Holy city of Islam (5) 10.Shoe-cover (5) 11.Actor’s words (5) 12.Actor, Savalas (5) 14.Dodge (5) 15.Stimulus (4) 17.Charles Bronson film, Wish (5) 20.Deal with (5) 22.Grotesque (4) 23.Foreign (5) 24.Large wading bird (5) 27.Mournful tune (5) 29.Smouldering coal (5) 30.Up and about (5) 31.Dwarf (3) 32.Trample (5) 33.Embryonic frog (7) DOWN 1.Coax (5) 2.Neighbourhood (5) 3.European country (5) 4.Academic robe (4) 5.Sweet course (7)

6.Seepage (7) 7.Examine carefully (7) 13.Regard (3) 16.Chum (3) 17.Nearest and, TV sitcom (7) 18.Friendly (7) 19.Century (7) 21.Clamour (3) 24.Listened to (5) 25.Proportion (5) 26.Pluck (5) 28.Makeshift boat (4)

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27-28, 2013 in Cagayan de Oro City. He will be the solar energy resource speaker for the focus group discussion on “Renewable Energy and Rural Electrification” which also includes discussions on other RE options like wind, biomass, fuel cell and hydro.

“Per my commitment to Phil.

Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr., Maj. General Delfin Lorenzana and Ms. Nini Alvero in Wash. DC last March 20, I will allocate $600 million for Mindanao to make the energy problem go away if we can install 80 MW this year and 160 MW next year.”

Mr. Mendoza said that for Mindanao, Lim Solar is willing to offer electric cooperatives (EC) minimal prices for solar power as well as 100 percent financing for residential and small businesses.

“For a quick fix, the most economical approach to using Co-Gen equipment will be to use Diesel (or Dirty Gas/land fill gas, or #6 Bunker fuel) in a Reciprocating Engine. These will be able to operate for 20 years with minimal maintenance,” he explained. “We can secure the equipment and ship them to the EC’s in 2 to 3 months if they act quickly. But the real long term solution is still solar power and Natural Gas fed Micro-turbines.”

The national government is urging Mindanao electric cooperatives to avail of soft loans from the P4.4 billion Malampaya funds it is coursing through the National Electrification Administration (NEA) w it h which they can purchase or lease diesel modular genset which would produce instant power at a cost of P18/kWh. “Our new technology involves Micro Gas Turbines, Turbo Diesel Generators, Solar and Fuel Cell, SMART GRID Inverters which can be easily installed within months anywhere in Mindanao,” he added. “I will allocate $600 million out of the $1.5 billion financing we have available to the Mindanao solution. By this time next year, the word ‘Brown out’ will not exist in the Mindanao vocabulary if we have our way.”

Mendoza Solar LLC/Lim Solar Phils. has proposed to eight rural electric cooperatives in Mindanao its hybrid solar/fuel cell 5MW plant or an aggregate of 40MW. “We are also proposing to many EC’s and commercial firms micro gas turbines that run on LPG and or Natural gas, 30/65 up to 200 KW systems that generate electricity 24 hours.

“My estimate is that we can transition to renewable energy by 300 MW by 2016. The products and ser vices are ready to be deployed in Mindanao.”

Mr. Mendoza cited figures from the US National Aeronautics a nd Spa c e Ad m i n i s t r at ion (NASA) which show the dry spell in the Philippines would persist till 2016.

“I’m willing to meet with any decision maker to complete any transaction in the MW level,” he said. “There are plenty of solar panels available in the market since the US imposed tariffs on Chinese made panels last July 1, 2012 and Europe imposed tariff last May 1, 2013.”

invested to the development of palm oil industry in Mindanao. “ T h is c a l ls for a bet ter a nd st ronger pa r t ic ipat ion of ou r pr iv ate s e c tor, a nd more facilitative policies and programs from the government’s end,” said Antonino. “Several international players in the palm oil industry are actually very interested in the vast lands that Mindanao has to offer, we just have to continue facilitating the actual implementation of these investments.”

MinDa assumes actua l investment projects in palm oil industry within two years after various business matching meetings conducted in partnership of Board of Investments (BOI) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Meanwhile, developing the palm oil industry will also provide farmers a more secure livelihood.

In fact, despite the low palm oil prices since October 2012, income of palm oil farmers are still above poverty threshold level, thus providing them basic needs for their family.

Molding Mindanao as palm oil hub of the country will alleviate the poverty and can also elevate the economy of the region.

Aside from being solution to poverty in Mindanao, MinDa also sees the project as agent to resolve the power shortage there.

M i n DA’s D i r e c t o r f o r Investment Promotion and Public Affairs said Romeo Montenegro said that palm oil is a perfect and viable feedstock for biomass generation to help augment power capacity in Mindanao.

He said that if palm oil is fac tored i nto its ma x i mu m capacity, it will add up to the viability of biomass as a major potential source of renewable energy for Mindanao.

He added palm oil has more combustible properties compared to sugar cane, corncobs and bagasse.

Montengero also pointed out that Land Bank provides assistance for the development of palm oil industry. With that, they also provide financing for power generation facility.

“Everything is made available; it ’s just a mat ter of ta k i ng advantage of this opportunity considering the requirement for power in Mindanao,” he said.

–with PNA

from page 1

from page 1

Plant... from page 1

(EPPA) with Agusan del Sur E le c t r ic C o op e r at i ve , I nc .

(ASELCO).

In a statement, ABCI said t he dea l, which t he Energ y Regulatory Commission (ERC) has yet to approve, provides for the construction of a five-megawatt bunker-fired power plant within ASELCO’s franchise area.

The project will be on a build-operate-maintain-transfer basis with a specified cooperation period.

“We’re grateful to ASELCO’s management for their positive outlook and their acceptance of our proposal,” Peakpower president Roel Z. Castro said.

ASELCO distributes electricity in the city of Bayugan

and in the municipalities of San Francisco, Prosperidad, Rosario Trento, Bunawan, Veruela, Sta. Josefa, Loreto, Sibagat, Esperanza, Talacogon, La Paz and San Luis.

Mindanao is suffering from a power shortage due to insufficient generating capacity. The shortage is most severely felt during hours of the day when demand is at its peak. “ T he proposed power project is ver y timely since ASELCO is in immediate need of generating capacity for its peaking requirements. We need this to fulfill our mandate and to address the adverse effects of the electricity crisis in our area,” ASELCO board president Joel Q. Jumonong said.

A publicly-listed company si nce 1994, A BCI, t h roug h its subsidiary Palm Thermal Consolidated Holdings Corp, is also involved in the development of t he 135 -me gaw at t coa lf ired power plant project in Concepcion, Iloilo.

Aside from power, ABCI also has interests in real estate, agribusiness and investments in listed companies.

Aboitiz... from page 1

Erramon I. Aboitiz said the compa ny ha s i ncrea sed it s investments in the power sector to accommodate a proposed coal plant in Cebu and several minihydro projects across the country.

“That should increase our attributable capacity by 50 percent to bring it up to 3,500 megawatts,” he said.

In the Mindanao region, the company is presently constructing a 300MW coal-fired power plant in Davao City.

In Luzon, AboitizPower, in par tnership w it h Mani la E l e c t r i c C o a n d Ta i w a n Cogeneration Corp. is putting up a 600-megawatt coal plant in Subic.

Aboit i zPower is a lso expanding the 735-megawatt Pagbilao coal plant in Quezon by another 400 megawatts under a joint venture deal with TeaM Energy Philippines Corp.

A similar coal power plant is also being put up in Cebu. “ We a r e d e v e l o p i n g a 300-megawatt coal plant in Cebu called Therma Visayas, which again we are going through the studies [and] consultations... So that’s going on,” Aboitiz said.

The company is pursuing the project alone, but is not ruling out potential partnerships with interested groups, he said.

Aboit i zPower is a lso developing 150 megawatts of p ower gener at i ng c apac it y from a number of run-of-river hydroelectric power plants across the country.

“Over the next five years that’s what we expect to come on stream,” Aboitiz said.

The company intends to tap lenders to finance 70 percent of the investment required to put up the facilities.

Project... from page 2

keeping up with the national government’s program to increase water services, MCWD’s other concerns are on avoiding to obtain loans because it carries with it an increase in water tariff and added

burden to the concessionaires.

“Thus, we are doing our best to implement water projects through the MCWD general fund in order to bring affordable and safe drinking water to where it is most needed,” he sad.

Infused... from page 2

Basic Law. In the long-term the Transition Commission will play a crucial role in fostering and sustaining peaceful dialogue between the Administration and the Bangsamoro,” said Secretary of Budget and Management Florencio “Butch” Abad.

P u r s u a nt t o E x e c u t i v e Order No. 120, the Transition Commission was constituted to draft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic L aw, w it h prov isions c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e 2 01 2 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

The P42 million will fund the Transition Commission’s requ irements for Personnel Ser v ices (P17.03 m i l l ion)— speci f ica l ly for 16 of f icia ls appointed to the commission— and its Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (P25 mi l lion). The releases were funded against the Miscellaneous and Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) under the 2013 General Appropriations Act and t he F Y 2013 C ont i ngent Fu nd , respectively.

The amount requested is part of the P100 million authorized

by President Benigno Aquino to support the operations and personnel requirements of the commission, chargeable against the FY 2013 Contingent Fund and subject to further evaluation of the DBM. “We are taking the necessary steps towards supporting the realization of a truly united, accountable and participative Bangsamoro, guided by our peace and development agenda for the region. We believe that the fruition of our goal to provide better public services, improved economic development, and more job opportunities for Bangsamoro constituents is already under way,” added Abad. (DBM)

Ford... from page 3

compete with cheap imports.

“G i ve n t he f r a g me nt e d marketplace and the low model volumes that result, we decided that manufacturing locally is no longer viable,” he said, adding that all alternatives had been considered.

“Our costs are double that of Europe and nearly four times Ford in Asia.

“The business case simply did not stack up, leading us to the conclusion manufacturing is not viable for Ford in Australia in the long-term.”

The jobs will go at Ford’s Broadmeadows and Geelong factories in Victoria state, which will close. While manufacturing will stop, Ford will remain in Australia as an importer and dealer, employing some 1,500 people.

The government said it had spoken with the chief executives of Holden and Toyota and been assured that both car companies were committed to manufacturing in Australia.

T he auto-ma k ing sector employs more than 50,000 people in Australia with another 250,000 jobs in associated industries.

Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national president Paul Bastian said the Ford news was a “disaster” for workers, voicing concern at the knock-on effect in the wider auto parts industry.

“We want the government to call a meeting of all the auto players,” he told Fairfax radio.

“We want to take the positives out of this. We want bipartisan support to see what we can do to ensure that we have an auto industry, that we have an industry that is sustainable.”

Prime Minister Julia Gillard pledged Aus$39 million to help the Geelong and Broadmeadows communities deal with the job losses, and demanded Ford make its own contribution.

“For those working people as they absorb this news I want to say to them we will make sure you are not left behind,” she said.

Australia’s auto industry is struggling with the effects of the high local dollar, which has traded near or above parity with the greenback for almost two years, squeezing exports and compounding rising production costs.

Though Australia did not go into recession during the global financial crisis, confidence has failed to return to pre-crisis levels, also hitting car sales.

Canberra extended a Aus$3.2 billion bailout to the ailing sector at the height of the global downturn and stepped in with additional lifelines to Ford and General Motors subsidiary Holden last year.

Ford began making vehicles in Australia in 1925, when Model T cars rolled off the production line in Geelong. — Agence FrancePresse

Taxis... from page 3

and saying he was committed to “promoting environmental sustainabi lit y by lay ing t he foundation for Hong Kong to become a zero emissions city”.

The government announced rev isions to its a i r qu a l it y objectives for the first time in 25 years in January 2012, after University of Hong Kong research showed pollution-related illnesses killed more than 3,000 residents a year.

Fungus... from page 8

are producing 27,500 packs more that are due in June.These are sold to requesting local government units in the province at P8 per pack, generating a total income of P220,000.

Notarte said this is the fruit of their relentless promotion of organic agriculture, through which t he prov ince aims to achieve the 100 percent rice self-sufficiency level by 2016.

The province is currently at 77 percent having an average yield of 3.83 metric tons per hectare as shown in the last month’s report of PAGRO. This is close to the national average yield recorded by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics in 2012, which is 3.84 MT. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario

prev iously expressed strong support to organic agriculture by pushing for its successful implementation through proper representat ion of t he loc a l government units to the National Organic Agriculture Board. (PIA)

Wastage... from page 8

In South America, a freezedried potato delicacy known as chuño, which pre-dates the Inca Empire, is widely eaten. The potatoes are alternately exposed to the freezing night air and hot daytime sun for five days, being trampled to squeeze out all moisture. Chuño can last for months or years.

“In industrialized regions, almost half of the total food squandered, around 300 million tonnes annually, occurs because producers, retailers and consumers discard food that is still fit for consumption—more than the net food production of Sub-Saharan Africa and enough to feed the world’s hungry,” UNEP said in a news release, adding that while traditional methods of preserving food may not be adaptable to all regions and cultures, they do underline how much room there is for consumers to change the way they buy, store and consume food.

World Env ironment Day aims to be the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action.

T his yea r’s t heme suppor ts UNEP’s anti-food waste and food loss campaign and encourages individuals to reduce their ‘foodprint.’ (UNEP)

Import... from page 8

and buy. They want to build a sustainable relationship,” said Archimedes C. Gomez, trade representative from the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Los Angeles (PTIC-LA).

Gomez sa id dema nd for coconut water in the US is expected to reach up to $800-million, as the product is also used as water for coffee and a mix for chasers.

“The market for coconut water is a niche market. People consume coconut water because of its benefits,” Gomez said.

Coconut water is said to contain mag nesiu m, potassiu m a nd thiamine.

Last year, Philippine coconut water exports rose to $18.7 million from $15.1 million in 2011, data from the DTI-Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (DTI-BETP) showed. Coconut water exports to the US grew 29 percent to $14.2 million, accounting for over three-fourths of shipments of the commodity.

AgriNurture Inc, Atson Coco Inc, Celebes Coconut Corp, Fresh Fruit Ingredients Inc, Fruits of Life Inc, Peter Paul Philippine Corp and Profood International Corp are the top exporters of coconut water.

Two years ago, O.N.E. Coconut Water introduced Americans to coconut water in tetra pack from the Philippines.

The DTI said a not her c omp a ny, S C G lob a l Fo o d Products Inc, will start exporting coconut water to the US in July.

(Interaksyon)

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12 Coca-Cola Philippines 3rd football fest takes-off in May friday - may 24, 2013

MANILA, Philippines —The country’s beverage leader, Coca-Cola Philippines, reaffirms its commitment to healthy active living through the Coca-Cola Football Festival, which starts on May 4 -5.

The league, which is now on its third year, has over 180 teams or over 2,700 players across 11 categories to vie for championships as a result of the collaborative effort between Coca-Cola Philippines, Powerade, Makati Football Club, Alabang Football School, Alabang Country Club, and the NCR Football Association.

"Coca-Cola supports over 280 physical activity and nutrition education programs in more than 115 countries around the globe. Our football festival is a holistic program that aims to teach Filipinos the value of exercise, proper hydration, and a sensible diet,” says Atty. Adel Tamano, Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Philippines.

Coca-Cola devised a three-step actionplan towards healthy actively living: think, drink, and move.

Tamano explains that to ‘Think’ means to be educated through Coca-Cola programs like their sports clinics and to ‘Drink’ means to carefully consider one’s beverage choices to aid in proper hydration. Coca-Cola Philippines has an extensive portfolio of over 19 sparkling and stills beverages.

“While we have our flagship sparkling brand Coke, we also have Powerade, the official sports drink of the football festival that is formulated to have both carbohydrates and electrolytes to rehydrate and replenish minerals consumed during intense physical activity. And of course, we have water like Wilkins Pure for basic hydration,” adds Tamano.

‘Move’ entails action.

“Because all calories count, whatever food or beverage they come from, we believe that all our products, including Coke, can be part of a balanced and sensible diet once combined with regular physical activity. This is why Coca-Cola continues to provide the information, inspiration, and opportunity for people to get up and move through both grassroots and worldclass programs, like the Coca-Cola Football Festival."

The Coca-Cola Company is now working on having active healthy living programs in over 200 countries operational by 2015.

The 3rd Coca-Cola Football Festival follows the 7A Side Football Format, which limits each team to 7 players. Only one team per club or school per division is allowed to join the cup.

“Here in the Philippines, basketball remains as the national past time,” says Guillermo Aponte, President and General Manager of Coca-Cola Philippines. “But as our national football team took home recognition from international leagues, interest and love for the sport began to spread fast—individuals started playing in school football fields, vacant lots, even in the streets—and the growth of our league went alongside this trend. Coca-Cola is proud to

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be one of the first to support football in the early years through the festival.”

“We are encouraged by the fact that more individuals are taking interest in the sport with now an estimated 100,000 players nationwide according to our partner, NCRFA. Football fans can expect our continuous support moving forward,” concludes Tamano.

Coca-Cola Philippines is driven to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people, communities, and the world by championing environmental sustainability, women empowerment, and wellness.

Apart from football, Coca-Cola is also involved in other healthy active living initiatives, including a youth basketball league called Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars, which aims to impact 7,000 teens; dance, which reaches 20,000 participants; and running, which engages 700,000 runners.

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