BusinessWeek Mindanao (February 25-26, 2013 Issue)

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Issue No. 168, Volume III •

Market Indicators

As of 1:54 pm feb. 23, 2013 (Saturday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P40.69

6,665.06 points

2.35 points

X

X Briefly 3 cents

Smarter Phl program

DAVAO City -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) formally launched the Smarter Philippines program aimed at maximizing the use of information communication technology to spur inclusive growth and improve the quality of lives among Filipinos.

Speaking in the launching program at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said, in Davao Region, Smarter Philippines can be best understood by local residents to their access to information on climate change adaptation given the with topographical maps that state geohazards like floods and landslide.

This can help local governments to plan ahead given a base line data on possible disaster scenario.

Cagayan de Oro City

Monday-Tuesday

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February 25-26, 2013

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‘Pablo’ victims blamed for int’l community’s delayed help

By BONG D. FABE Correspondent

BAGANGA, Davao Oriental—Typhoon Pablo’s victims have been victimized again. This time by no less than the national disaster response advisor for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitar-

ian Affairs (UN-OCHA), who blamed them for the delayed response from the international community.

Speaking in Filipino before the survivors of Pablo, pastors, non-government organization personnel, teachers, students and disaster response/humanitar-

ian volunteers during the “celebration of life and hope” last week in Barangay Banao, Agnes Palacio minced no words in “attacking” the people of Baganga for not giving her or her office any vitally-needed information that could have facilitated the timely response of the

international community.

“I was here in Baganga two days [or on December 6] after Pablo but all the information I got were from Compostela Valley. I received no information about the damage in Baganga because no one gave me any information. This pablo/PAGE 8

PHL economy seen to grow 7% in 2013 Palacio

T

HE National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) projects the economy to grow from 6% to 7% this year based on the improved business and consumer confidence particularly in the last quarter of 2012.

Kaamulan fest opens

MALAYBALAY City -- This year’s “Kaamulan” festival opened Friday, Feb. 22, in a splendor of cultural rituals, songs, dances, and many more colorful presentations seen only in this part of the country.

Governor Alex Calingasan said this ethnic festival enables tourists to learn about the rich culture and heritage of the Bukidnon tribes.

“Kaamulan festival showcases what makes us matchless like the display of authentic art of woodwork, beadwork, patchwork, basket weaving, paintings by tribal artists, including indigenous musical instruments,” the governor said.

Since its soft opening a few days ago, tourists here visit the gift shops for genuine, handmade native art, craft, and jewelries.

Now

ZAMBO TOUR. Kagay-anon Journalists led by BWM Publisher Dante Sudaria and Editorial/Marketing Consultant Mike Banos explore Greater Sta. Cruz island off Zamboanga City with tourism officials and executives of Cebu Pacific Air. photo by mike banos

During the recent Cargo Economics Conference, Emmanuel F. Esguerra, NEDA Deputy Director General, said that this growth is bigger than the 6.6% GDP performance in 2012.

As it is, the 2012 growth is already the fastest in Asia, next only to China.

What helped this performance is the country’s low and stable inflation contained at about three percent, favorable interest rate and sound banking system, and a sustainable fiscal and external position, he explained.

On the supply side, the services sector accounted for 7.4%; industry, 6.5%; and agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing, 2.7%.

Of the services sector, transport, communications and storage represented some 7.5% in the 2012 GDP growth, followed by real estate and renting at 7.90%. economy/PAGE 8

MinDa: New media alliance to help mitigate calamity risks

By CHENG ORDOÑEZ Associate Editor

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

THE Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has vowed to involve the members of the newly-organized Mindanao Press Alliance for Development (MinPressDev)

in the government’s effort to prepare for the so-called “new normal” situations, referring to disasters and calamities that Mindanao was not used to having, but are becoming regular occurrences these days.

MinDA Development Management Officer V Olie Dagala told members of the media, information officers and civil military operation officers who attended the 1st MinPressDev Assembly held media/PAGE 8

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Economy

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Typhoon victims turn fallen coconut trees for livelihood IN a bid to fast-track debris clearing in areas affected by Typhoon Pablo, nearly six million damaged coconut trees in Davao Oriental will be utilized as coco lumber, construction materials, handicraft and furniture - a move also seen to accelerate rehabilitation and provide livelihood opportunities for 21,000 affected families.

“The damaged coconut trees hamper our relief and rehabilitation efforts,” said Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon, while explaining that the damaged

trees also pose as safety hazards, which limit mobility of people, goods and services within the province.

Malanyaon announced the plan during a recent in-

ter-agency meeting convened by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and attended by agencies tapped to support efforts to handle the removal, cutting, and utilization of coconut trunks into value-added products.

The governor stressed that such move is part of the province’s rehabilitation framework dubbed as “Building Back Better” or BBB as it transitions its relief and recovery efforts into recon-

struction and development.

MinDA, in coordination with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is providing technical support to the provincial government in the implementation of the rehabilitation program.

“Rehabilitation and reconstruction of Pablo-stricken areas require integration of all efforts to optimize use of available resources,” said MinDA Chair Luwalhati Antonino, adding that “the government is doing all efforts to help typhoon victims get back to normal.”

More than 16,000 hectares of coconut farms in Davao Oriental were severely damaged by Typhoon Pablo, while more than 42,000 hectares were moderately damaged.

A total of 84,476 hectares of

coconut farms or approximately six million coconut trees were damaged during the typhoon.

The governor said that if left unattended, the damaged coconut trees will decompose in three months and will become home to coconut beetles, potential pests to the province’s remaining coconut farms and other agricultural products.

Malanyaon explained that even if the provincial government had completed its debris clearing operations, it does not have the authority to cut damaged coconut trees that withstood the typhoon.

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the sole government agency mandated to cut the still-standing but damaged coconut trees,

was reported to have already cleared 29,710 trees or 614,824 board feet of coconut lumber. The PCA distributed 40 units of chainsaw when clearing operations commenced in the municipalities of Baganga, Cateel, Boston, and Caraga.

“We badly need more units of chainsaw to completely remove the remaining coconut trunks,” said Freddie Bendulo, Davao Oriental Planning Coordinator.

He added that of the nearly six million coconut trees damaged by the typhoon, about 500,000 trees would be used in the construction of the 15,000 housing units for the typhoon victims.

“We welcome the creation of government clusters victims/PAGE 7

Food chain to build 3 more branches in Davao City

0917-7154399 088-856-8562/63

DAVAO City -- The McDonald’s, one of the leading food chains in the country, plans to establish three more branches in the city.

According to Rebecca Roselada, Human Resource director of Golden Arches Development Corporation, the company that operates McDonald’s in the Philippines, construction of the three restaurants in the downtown area are now underway.

Roselada said the exact locations of the three new restaurants have yet to be known pending the finalization of the projects.

“We will divide the con-

struction of these three new restaurants per quarter until we finish them all. Just one restaurant at a time,” Roselada said.

Roselada said at least one of the three new restaurants is already on the construction phase and is expected to be completed by the end of March this year.

Each restaurant would cost an average of P44 million and a construction period that can last for 120 days or three months, according to Roselada.

By Christmas this year, Roselada said, Dabawenyos can expect three more restaurants in Davao City

after they opened the ninth company-owned store in the city along Sta. Ana Avenue fronting the Holy Cross of Davao College.

There are a total of 11 McDonald’s restaurants currently operating in Davao Region, nine in Davao City, one in Digos City and the other one in Tagum City.

Across the country, there are a total of 275 McDonald’s restaurants operating and the company is eyeing to reach their 500-restaurant target by 2015.

Roselada said a regular McDonald’s restaurant can employ 30 crew members and seven managers. (PNA)

DAVAO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here is set to hold three major job fairs this year, to gather thousands of job applicants across the country.

DOLE 11 director Joffrey Suyao said that they will con-

duct the Labor Day Job Fair on May 1, the Independence Day Job Fair on June 12, and the Dole Anniversary Job Fair on December 8.

Suyao said these major job fairs are expected to gather thousands of job applicants from different sectors and

will be attended by different private companies and agencies of the government.

Last year, DOLE estimated at least 15 percent of jobseekers or roughly 103,000 applicants have been hired on-the-spot during job fairs.

“These job fairs are among the services of DOLE in facilitating job applicants and different companies in one venue,” Suyao said.

Suyao, however, said venues of these job fairs will be announced once they are done with all the necessary arrangements.

Aside from the major job fairs, DOLE is also accepting proposals from different sectors that intend to conduct job fairs.

He said that to make an easy application during on-site job fair, prospective applicants applying for a job must bring all the necessary documents that employers are usually looking for.

Some of the basic documents that must be readily available during the on-site application include school credentials, certificate of experiences, birth certificate, and competency certification, among others.

DOLE-11 sets 3 job fairs in 2013

AMENITIES : ZORBIT * ATV * TREE TOP ADVENTURE BUGGY * BUNGEE * PICNIC GROUNDS PLAYGROUND * CAFE * LUGE * MINI GOLF ROOM ACCOMODATIONS

China’s Geely to set up research center in Sweden

SHANGHAI — Chinese automaker Geely, owner of Sweden’s Volvo Cars, said it would set up a research and development cent re in the Scandinavian country to capitalise on advanced European technology.

The centre, to be located in Gothenburg where Volvo is headquartered, will start operations by the end of this year to design parts for the next generation of small family cars for both firms, Geely said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Our group has ambit ious goa ls to increase the competitiveness of our brands,” G e ely cha i r ma n L i Shufu said.

“Geely will continue to improve its product quality in the years to come and can learn from Volvo Cars,” he added.

Li of fered assu rances the centre would not jeopardise Volvo’s “brand integrity” and product development.

Geely bought the firm from Ford in 2010.

B ot h c omp a n i e s have started recruitment of around 200 engineers from China and Sweden to staff the centre, the statement said.

Geely, one of China’s largest private automakers, said earlier this month it had acquired the maker of London’s black taxis for 11 million pounds ($17 m i l l ion) a f ter Ma nga ne s e Bron z e Hold i ngs col lapsed into administration.

Geely recorded 15 percent annual growth in domestic sales to 483,0 0 0 vehicles i n 2012 and has targeted 16 percent growth this year to 560,0 0 0 vehicles.

Mitsubishi Motors celebrates 50 years in the Philippines M I TSU BISH I Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has put another feather on its cap, after celebrating the Japanese car company’s golden anniversary on Monday, February 18 held at the recently-opened Fairmont Hotel, in Makati City.

The celebration was attended by MMPC and Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors executives together with ot her VIPs, including former President Fidel Ramos, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tanada 3rd.

Before M M PC wa s established, the automotive company was first christened Chr ysler Philipppines Corporation (CPC) in 1963. Their first vehicles to roll out on Philippine soil were the Dodge Colt, Minica F4, Lancer, and Cimarron, alongside heavy and light commercial trucks.

In 1978, CPC was given a new na me to create the Canlubang Automotive Resources (CARCO), which later was acquired

by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Nisho Iwai Corp. (now Sojitz Corporation). After the consolidation in 1985, manufacturing operations were moved in Cainta. Then, after two years, MMC and Nisho Iwai incorporated the companies into Philippine Automotive Manufacturing Corp. (PAMCOR). By On display at the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel in Makati 1996, with MMC taking City, an early 1980s Mitsubishi Colt Mirage alongside the latest 2013 model, which was officially launched 51 percent stake of PAM- last November in the Philippines.

COR, MMPC was created.

O n e o f M M P C ’s greatest feat was reaching 500,000 production mark in December 2009, aside from being in the country for five decades already.

In his speech, Taizo Furuhashi, executive vice president at Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp (MMPC) for marketing said that the company An old school mid-70s Mitsubishi Colt Lancer on display is eyeing to sell 40,000 alongside a 2013 model at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati units or more for 2013. City, as Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp celebrated on February 18.

I n 2 012 , s a le s for its 50th year in the country photo by randy gomez , interaksyon . com MMPC reached 34,915, ref lecting a 7.1 percent increase from 32,603 in MMPC are the Lancer EX, Sport, Strada along with 2011.

Mirage, Adventure, ASX, the L200, L300, and Fuso The current roster for Pajero, Fuzion, Montero trucks and buses.

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Monday - Tuesday I Feb. 25-26, 2013

Gerry’s Grill opens 3 branches HOMEGROWN restaurant chain Gerry’s Grill kicked off 2013 by opening three branches in the first two months, with plans of three more before the year ends.

Gerry’s Grill operator Prime Pacific Grill Inc (PPGI) on Friday said the recently opened branches are at Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro City; Ayala mall The District in Imus City, Cavite; and Robinsons Place Palawan in Puerto Princesa City.

With the three new outlets, Gerry’s Grill now has 55 branches nationwide.

Three additional Gerry’s Grill branches will be opened at Eastwood in Quezon City, Market! Market! in Taguig City, and Resorts World Manila’s Newport Mall in Pasay City within the year.

PPGI’s do-it-yourself, fastcasual restaurant Kusina ng Gerry’s has a branch each

at Ayala mall Harbor Point in Subic and Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila.

“The positive business climate has bolstered an expansion mode among entrepreneurs. Last year was a good year for us with more branch openings in key cities around the Philippines. We hope to reach more areas as the economy continues to grow,” Gerry Apolinario, PPGI chief executive and managing director, said in a statement.

PPGI “continues to generate franchise inquiries, which we are reviewing very well,” Apolinario said. Also, PPGI is “studying the feasibility of opening more overseas branches this year,” he said.

The third Singapore branch of Gerry’s Grill was opened last year. It has two branches in the US. Gerry’s Grill started operations on Valentine’s Day 15 years ago.

Corporate . World

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Globe new IT system rolls out next month GLOBE Telecom, in support of its network modernization program, is set to roll out by next month a new information technology (IT) system designed to help boost the quality of service enjoyed by its subscribers.

The new IT system will also enable Globe to better manage its customer relationships across various product offerings including prepaid and postpaid wireless, wireline, and broadband operations.

Some two years earlier, Globe announced a US$ 90 mi l lion net work upgrade project to modernize its IT infrastructure including its business support systems (BSS) and enterprise data warehouse.

The brand new IT system is seen to greatly improve customer experience with seamless handling of transactions across channels such as stores, hotline, online self serve, and even social network sites.

“Our modernized IT system will provide a new level of persona lized customer experience that our subscribers have been looking for.

“Customer care will be a highlight because the new system allows us to listen and respond better to our customers’ needs. It will also give our front liners more quality time with the customers because of its user-friendly system interface,” Henr y Aguda, chief information officer at Globe Telecom, said.

Aguda said transitioning Globe customers to the new system will be done carefully in phases.

“During the transition period, the availability of our mobile services is paramount.

Our customers will be able to call, text, or do mobile browsing, and any impact will be minimal. We will handhold our subscribers as we transition to the new system. We are taking great care that our customers are properly informed of the changes so they will not experience any unnecessary inconvenience as we move to the new system,” he said.

In line with this, Globe sent out customer letters and advisories on the schedule of the first phase of migration.

More public announcements will also be made near the actual transition dates.

Unleashing the power of a modernized IT system that would match the complexity of their transactions and sophisticated needs, Globe Postpaid, Platinum subscribers and Tattoo Postpaid (mobile broadband) subscribers will be among the first to move to the new system and enjoy its benefits, the telco said.

(PNA)

airline’s customers online access to more hotels when traveling abroad.

PAL parent PAL Holdings, Inc.’s net loss dropped

by 23.88% to P2.74 billion in the nine months ending December, from P3.60 billion in the same period the year before.

PAL wants more Kuala Lumpur seats FLAG CARRIER Philippine Airlines (PAL) has asked regulators for additional 900 seat entitlements per week for the Manila-Kuala Lumpur route ahead of the summer season, a notice posted on the Civil Aeronautics Board’s (CAB) Web site showed.

“Notice is hereby given that Philippine Airlines, Inc. have filed with CAB an application for reallocation of 900 seat entitlements to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” the notice

read.

A hearing for the petition has been set on March 11 at the regulator’s office in Pasay.

If granted, PAL said it would mount Manila-Kuala Lumpur flights on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Saturdays using an Airbus A319 aircraft from March 31 to May 31. Starting June 1, PAL said it would have daily flights using A321 or A320 aircraft.

PAL already has 500 seat

entitlements for the ManilaKuala Lumpur route based on a June 2011 air service agreement. The traffic rights are being utilized through a code-sharing deal with Malaysian Airlines.

PAL’s request comes despite the fact that 4,820 seat entitlements per week for the Manila-Kuala Lumpur route have already fully allocated to three other carriers, namely: Cebu Pacific with 2,520 seats per week, Zest

Airways (1,260), and Airphil Express (540).

The three other carriers already have flights to Kuala Lumpur.

CAB officials, meanwhile, were not immediately available for confirmation of the availability of entitlements for PAL. In a related development, PAL said in a statement yesterday that it had tied up with travel bookings Web site Agoda.com to give the

Nokia to fight rivals with cheaper models: sources COPENHAGEN — Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia is set to launch cheaper handset models in an attempt to fend off growing competition from Chinese rivals in the low-end market, company sources said on Friday.

The new models, due to be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress industry convention in Barcelona next week, show Nokia is expanding its focus after concentrating in the past two years on catching up with Apple and Samsung in more expensive smartphones.

The sources said Nokia would introduce cut-price basic phones aimed at competing with the likes of Huawei and ZTE, as well as a new, lower-price model of its Lumia smartphones running on Windows Phone 8 software.

Details such as exact

pricing were not available, and a company spokesman declined to comment.

Nokia, once the undisputed leader in the mobile phone industry, has struggled with growing competition in both smartphones and lower-end handsets.

Its Lumia smartphone range was widely been seen as a make-or-break product line for Nokia due to its high

margins. Its success is seen determining whether Chief Executive Stephen Elop made the right decision two years ago in switching to Microsoft Windows software from its own Symbian system.

Most Lumia phones cost over $200, and the top-ofthe-range Lumia 920 can cost over $600 without a carrier contract in the United States and some European markets.

By contrast, the average selling price of Nokia’s mobile phones was 31 euros in 2012, down from 35 euros a year earlier.

But analysts estimate Nokia’s market share in the smartphone business is still only around 5 percent, and that it needs to protect its position in basic phones if it wants to survive.

Nok ia’s net sa les of mobile phones fell 21 percent in 2012 to 9.44 billion euros, while sales of higher-end “smart devices” slumped 50 percent to 5.45 billion.

The company sold 4.4 million Lumia devices in the fourth quarter, including the Lumia 820 and 920 which were launched in November. Many analysts say it needs to sell more than double that amount per quarter to convince investors that its smartphone strategy is working.

Philex posts net loss of P1.08-b in 2012 PHILEX Petroleum Corporation incurred a net loss of P1.086 billion in 2012, reversing a net income of P537.53 million the previous year, due to writedowns of investments in some oil and gas projects.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the firm blamed last year’s net loss to a P388.63-million writedown of investment made in Service Contract 40, where it has participating interest through Forum Energy Plc. It also wrote off P578.25 million of the assets in its whollyowned subsidiary Brixton which holds Coal Operating Contract (COC) in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Revenues from petroleum in Forum in 2012 only reached P191 million, and those from coal in Brixton amounted to P48.03 million.

Philex Petroleum chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said they will continue to focus on their goal of proving the commercial-

ity of the potential hydrocarbon resources in the SC 72 contract area located at the Recto Bank.

The government awarded the SC 72 permit to Forum that gave the firm the right to explore oil and deposits in the disputed West Philippine Sea. It also granted them a twoyear extension to complete the exploration work commitment for the second Exploration SubPhase of SC 72.

“However, in pursuing such goal, we appreciate the significant challenges arising from the location of SC 72, for which the continued support of the Philippine government remains a critical factor,” Pangilinan said.

Recently, the consortium of Philex Petroleum, PNOCExploration Corporation and PetroEnergy Resources Corp. was also granted a service contract for the exploration of oil and gas for area 4 (northwest Palawan basin) under the fourth Philippine Energy Contracting Round. (PNA)

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BPH: A common part of aging THERE are certain types of illnesses that just being your sex puts you already at risk. BPH or what we call as Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (Hyperplasia) is one of those diseases.

BPH rarely occurs before the age of 40, with more than half presenting with the symptoms in their 60’s and as many as 90% in their 70’s and 80”s. And, unless the symptoms bothers them, they do not really seek immediate consultation. Thus, there are instances when, during a routine annual or executive check up, that, this gets diagnosed.

The prostate is a walnut sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system, and has two lobes that is enclosed by an outer layer of tissue. This gland is located in front of the rectum and just below the urinary bladder.

It is important to know this basic anatomy as this will explain why the symptoms are related to urination, as well as why a digital rectal examination is the most important first diagnostic tool in determining the status of the prostate gland.

It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as one ages. With the enlargement of the gland, that layer of fibrous tissue surrounding it, will be unable to contain its growth, which then makes the gland to push against the urethra, and the bladder wall thicker

Health in Focus

Raise your standard of living THINK a minute…

You’ve heard of people who try to raise their standard of living at almost any cost. They’ll go without many things to get a higher education, hoping it will later get them a higher-paying job and career. Some even move their family to another country to raise their standard of living.

Still others will only let their children marry someone whose standard of living is the same or higher than theirs.

Many of us spend much of our life working to raise our standard of living in terms of money and status. Then when we finally reach the standard of living we want, we still have to work hard to make sure we stay there!

But t here are people whose standard of living

ONE of the core values of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is excellence. Such excellence is reflected in the men and women of the BSP, including its new hires.

In the Bangko Sentral’s annual “Breakfast With the Governor,” a special event in which the new employees get to know Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. up close and personal, it was revealed how impressive the BSP’s most recent batch of new hires is.

According to Managing Director Gerardo S. Tison of the BSP’s Human Resource Sub-Sector, the BSP’s new crop of 343 employees include two summa cum laude, seven magna cum laude, and 31 cum laude.

Based on t he Ba n k ’s battery of tough pre-employment examinations, 18 of the new employees have very superior IQ, while 52 obtained superior ratings.

Other interesting facts about the new hires: 15 are

There are many people who have heaps of money and status, but they have a low standard of living, because of the low level of their own personal character.

They’re dishonest, greedy, competitive, and jealous of what other people have.

They gossip and use people to get what they want. They don’t have much love and forgiveness in their heart for people who wrong and hurt them. There are heaps of rich people who do not possess real love, peace, and satisfaction in their marriage and family!

This is why our Maker is the only One Who can give us the power, honesty, and love we need to raise our standard of living by raising the level of our character.

It’s only when we ask Jesus

BSP’s core values

master’s degree holders, one making sure that the counhas a Ph.D., 152 are certi- try’s payments and settlefied public accountants, 18 ments system is safe, sound are engineers, 15 are crimi- and efficient. nologists, seven are lawyers, Tetangco introduced to three are teachers, two are the new central bankers the architects, one is a doctor, other members of senior another an agriculturist, management whom he deand still another a librarian. scribed as “seasoned and “An impressive batch crisis-honed central bankindeed, which bodes well for ers.” excellent work performance,” Deputy Governor Nestor Tison said of the new recruits. Espenilla, Jr., of the BSP’s Gov. Tetangco, himself a Supervision and Examinaparagon of excellence (named tion Sector, for instance, was Best Central Banker several recently named as Chair of times over), beams with pride the Basel Consultative Group over the tough BSP selection Workstream on Financial process. “.. we need to ensure Inclusion, giving a leadership that we can be the best that role for BSP in the discussions we can be in working on with global standard-setting our mandate as a central bodies. monetary authority,” Tet- Te t a n g c o d e s c r i b e d angco said to the new BSP Deput y Governor Diwa employees.

Guinigundo, on the other He explained that the hand, as a tireless advocate policies and the programs of of economic and financial the BSP ultimately affect the education,” adding that the lives of all Filipinos—whether deputy governor travels to it is ensuring stable prices, the provinces to spread the a sound banking system, or good news on the Credit

Freeing the senses

DR. MARY JEAN LORECHE

and more irritable.

It is no wonder then, that, the symptoms happen when there is obstruction of the urethra. The bladder also loses some of its function.

Thus, when one suffers from BPH, one complains of constant or frequent urination, usually at night time ( so bothersome if one were to sleep well ), with that feeling of incomplete emptying.

Urgency and leaking or dribbling is a common occurrence too. The size of the prostate though do not always determine how severe the obstruction or the symptoms will be, as it can vary from person to person.

BPH per se, being a common part of the aging process is something that one just has to accept as one enters the higher ladder of statistics.

Complications can happen and this sometimes is the reason why a patient may seek consultation: urinary tract loreche/PAGE 7

never changes, whether they have a lot of money or not.

They always enjoy a high standard of living in their own character and daily lifestyle. They’re always honest, loving, and kind. They’re quick to forgive others who wrong and hurt them. They’re in control of their physical desires for pleasure, so they always have great fun in life without hurting their own bodies or other people. They enjoy real happiness and closeness every day in their marriage and with their kids.

You see, the kind of person we are inside is what gives us our real standard of living, not material things or status!

So what kind of character and daily lifestyle do you have?

What kind of marriage and family do you have? What kind of friends?

WE need to be more aware of our duty to take care of our senses. We need to educate them, train them according to what is truly good for human dignity. We just cannot allow them to move and behave by themselves.

Yes, our eyes, ears, nose and our sense of touch and the accompanying feelings, emotions and passions, plus the imagination and memory that they create, need to be put on the right track.

They need to be reined in, rather than left to follow their immediate, raw and unprocessed impulses and urges.

In theory, they need to be attached and directed by our higher faculties of intelligence and will, and even by a more fundamental principle which is none other than the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, that connect us to our ultimate origin and goal, God.

In practice, however, this is hardly the case. Most of the time, people just follow what to their thinking “comes naturally.” That is to say, precisely just what their senses and feelings tell them to think, desire, speak and do.

This is like letting barbarians to lead the development of civilization. If ever there is some growth and improvement of culture attained in this way, it is purely by accident and at a very great cost, a Pyrrhic victory that involves more losses than gains.

Educating and reining in our senses and feelings in no way means enslaving them or taking away their freedom, much less violating their nature. It only means freeing them of their usual error to be on their own when they in fact need to be guided and directed.

Educating and reining in our senses and feelings, in-

cluding our imagination and memory, means purifying them of their usual limitations that can easily invite errors and deformations, and empowering them to serve the true good of man.

When this happens, the senses and feelings and their accompanying components actually enjoy a sublime, exquisite joy and sense of beauty, a lot more, in fact, incomparably more than the stolen and illicit pleasure one can derive when he just lets his senses be by themselves.

When this happens, the senses and feelings actually sing and dance, completely unburdened by any load of concern even as they continue to be mindful of the reality of things that surely include negative elements.

But they would know how to deal with them, living a certain kind detachment and abandonment so indispensable in our life.

Unfortunately this sub-

Think a minute

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

Christ to start changing us that we can start enjoying a truly high standard of living.

So why not ask Jesus to take complete charge of your heart and way of living? It’s only then you can start climbing the ladder of REAL success and satisfaction for the rest of your life.

Just think a minute…

Speaking out

IGNACIO BUNYE

Surety Fund, which provides MSMEs access to collateralfree loans.

Lastly, Resource Management Sector Deputy Governor Juan De Zuñiga, Jr. has been at the forefront of the continuous transformation of the BSP into a highly performing institution.

“He leads our legal team to win cases, and is behind the publication of the BSP’s series of legal books on banking laws to promote better bunye/PAGE 7

Hints and traces

FR. ROY CIMAGALA

lime joy and beauty experienced when the senses relish their true freedom, and not the bogus one, is hardly known by many people nowadays. It will take some massive and heroic effort to reverse and correct the situation.

That’s why great attention has to be given in forming the young children in the right use of their senses, feelings, imagination and memory. It is necessary that cimagala/PAGE 7

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Bunye...

Cimagala...

understanding of the BSP’s mandate, policies and programs,” Tetangco shared.

It comes as no surprise then that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has been consistently ranked No. 1 in the Makati Business Club surveys of Best Performing Government Agencies. *** Note: My book, Central Banking for Every Juan and Maria, is now available at the following outlets: Fully Booked – Bonifacio Global City, Powerplant Mall (Rockwell), Katipunan. Power Books – Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 4, Serendra. National Book Store – Greenbelt 1, Powerplant Mall (Rockwell), Cash and Carry, Market Market.

this aspect be taken care of, since these elements enter into the building up of their character that more or less, defines their whole life.

How truly nice it would be if the children grow up remaining childlike in their character even as they get exposed to more and more things in life-challenges, trials, failures, successes, etc.-and knowing how to deal with them as a child.

I suppose this is part of the aim of education. It’s paradoxical, of course, to associate being like a child with human and Christian maturity. But that’s just how the cookie crumbles.

Christ himself teaches us as much. “Be wise as serpents and simple as doves.” (Mt 10,16) The reference to doves can easily be the image for a childlike character. More significantly, Christ says: ‘Unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18,3) We have to understand that growing up does not necessarily meaning leaving behind our childhood. In like manner, becoming an adult with the accompanying accumulation of knowledge and experience if not wisdom does not necessarily mean we have to be all serious and discard the use of the senses and feelings.

While it’s true that there is a distinction between a child and an adult, and between our senses and our intellect and will, we need to understand that these pairs need to be blended in some mutual relation that works for the true good of our humanity as defined by natural law and ultimately by our faith in God. We have to overcome the dichotomy between the two elements. We have to work toward truly freeing our senses to let them serve our authentic dignity.

from page 6

Loreche... from page 6

tract infection, bladder or kidney stones and incontinence.

The bigger question at the back of one’s mind then is: what about the Big C of the prostate and BPH, is there a relationship or would BPH eventually lead to the Big C? The answer of course is NO, as there is no statistical evidence as yet that will definitely connect one’s risk to having a prostate cancer to one’s having an existing BPH. It is not uncommon though to have BPH and the Big C together in one person.

Thus, during biopsies, one must be very careful in the examination of the submitted specimen to make sure that one misses no areas that may contain a malignancy.

One’s presentation of sy mptoms when seei ng one’s attending physician will already make him/her suspect BPH as the primary impression. This is further strengthened when a digital rectal examination is preformed as this simple basic tool will be able to palpate and feel the size and consistency of the gland.

Your doctor in most instances will request a blood test, PSA ( Prostate Specific Antigen ) which I have already discussed here in Health IN Focus, as the level of PSA will try to rule out the Big C. Other diagnostics that may be requested may include an ultrasound and a biopsy.

During the early stage of BPH, in the absence of symptoms, treatment may not be necessary as yet. However, in the presence f obstructive symptoms, one may have to go through medications, either in the form of drugs or if the obstruction is severe, surgical intervention may be recommended by your attending doctor.

Side effects as well as duration of treatment is best discussed so that one will have a better grasp of what lies ahead.

The importance of an Informed consent, an active participation and cooperation in one’s treatment cannot be underestimated in the success or failure of the chosen modality.

from page 6

warehousing of the processed coco lumber.

DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute also announced that it will establish a wood processing plant in the province, while DTI will work in linking the affected coconut growers with coco lumber retailers in coming up with enterprise development plans.

Other agencies present at the inter-agency meeting include the Department of Interior and Local Government, Office of Civil Defense, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, DA- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Health, National Irrigation Administration,

7

DENR-Environment Management Bureau, Department of Education as well official from the World Food Programme, United Nations Children’s Fund and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) who pledged various type of assistance.

Urged... from page 11

SM Prime Holdings Inc, the country’s biggest shopping mall operator. SM Prime has since expanded its mall footprint with five stores in China.

Income from SM Prime’s China operations in 2012 grew 24 percent year-on-year to P1 billion, faster than the company’s overall growth of 16 percent.

“ We never stop moving to serve you...

This time, we joined forces to serve you more!”

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Victims... from page 2

will provide support in accelerating our clearing operations,” said Bendulo.

Government agency clusters were formed to provide support to Davao Oriental’s clearing and rehabilitation efforts. The first cluster, composed of PCA, and the Departments of Public Works and Highway, Social Welfare Development (DSWD), and Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will handle the collection, cutting, and hauling of the coconut lumber.

The second cluster, comprised of PCA, Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development, Science and Technolog y (DOST), DENR, Labor and Employment, and Tourism will initiate processing and enterprise development of damaged coconut trees into coco lumber and other valueadded products. The PCA committed to handle the

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Rufus named Outstanding Congressman for 2012 REP. Rufus B. Rodriguez of the 2nd District of Cagayan de Oro City was recently awarded as one of the Twenty Outstanding Congressman of 2012 by Superbrands Marketing International Inc.(SMI) during a ceremony last February 6, 2013 at the Mandarin Hotel in Makati City.

SMI, a publishing company engaged in the awardspresentation of consumer products and services and is the global brand arbiter all over the world, represented in more than 80 countries with close to 12,000 brands awarded, has undertaken this annual presentation of awards with the objective of promoting the work of our Representatives and their efforts toward nation building.

It also aims to educate and inform the public of what the awardees have done and it also hopes that the award will encourage the recipients to continue their work and inspire others to do the same. Superbrands is a prestigious international brand name and polling outfit. In each country that it operates in, it elects a Superbrands

Council usually comprised of industry experts and practitioners that selects the top brands and personalities under various categories.

Also, last June 2012, Rep. Rodriguez was awarded by the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc., a 38 year old organization, as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Congressmen of the Philippines, the awarding ceremony of which was held last June 23, 2012 at the Makati Sports Club.

This award is given to House Members who “consistently showed impressive legislative acumen through sponsorship of important bills geared towards national developments, alleviation of people’s social and economic conditions and spur growth in the countryside”.

The awards were given to Representatives based on his/her work as legislators. They take into consideration the number of bills filed, the number of bills that have become laws, the projects put into place in his/her district and recognition by his/her constituents.

Rep. Rodriguez, for the 15th Congress, ranks first among the 285 members in terms of filing the most number of bills and resolutions with 1090 and he also ranks first in terms of having the most bills which he either authored or coauthored that have become Republic Acts which at present stand at 31, with a few more addition once the President signs them into law.

He also initiated a HEED Program in the 2nd Dis-

trict of Cagayan de Oro City. H is for health, E for Education, E for employment/livelihood and D for development of infrastructures. His HEED Program includes medical assistance to indigent patients at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center and St. Ignatius Clinic; medical and dental missions and bloodletting programs; academic and technical/vocational scholarships; employment and livelihood funds and promotion; and the construction of roads, bridges, drainages, school buildings and day care centers.

chain” for purposes of attaining sustainable development among regions.

Dagala particularly announced the government’s effort to develop Mindanao via the “East-West Lateral” against the old integration scheme for Mindanao projects using “Circumferential Planning.”

For merly k now n a s MEDCo, MinDA, which was created by virtue of RA 9996, will establish an Area Management Office here in Cagayan de Oro to look after developments here in Northern Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“Mindanao needs a permanent agency that integrates Mindanao’s agenda and effectively articulates these agenda to national government priorities. Hence, a

permanent agency that looks beyond regional concerns and integrates and harmonizes efforts at a Mindanao-wide perspective is needed. It will also function as an agency that will strengthen the participation of Philippines focus areas (Mindanao and Palawan) in the BIMP-EAGA,” Dagala explained.

Among the functions MinDA will have are the following: Formulation of an integrated development framework for Mindanao; Integrate Mindanao-wide peace & development programs and projects; promote & facilitate investments; and act as the Philippine Coordinating Office for BIMP-EAGA (PCOBE).

It has as members of the board the following agencies: MinDA chairperson, chairpersons of the Regional De-

velopment Councils (RDCs), representative from the Senate, chairperson of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs, three representatives from the private sector, Mindanao Local Chief Executive (LCE), president of the CONFED Mindanao, administrator of the SPDA, and the chairperson of the NCMF. Among the long-term program it will advance are Mindanao 2020 Approaches, which includes (a) Twin Pillars – Peace and Development; (b) Ecosystems approach; (c) Economic Integration -- both internal and external; (d) Physical Integration through infrastructure development, internally as a coherent unit and externally with links to global markets such as BIMP-EAGA, ASEAN and rest of the world; and

(e) Analysis of Mindanao’s Resources -- Comparative and Competitive Advantages, Value-chain and supply chain.

MinPressDev is an apolitical non-sectarian and nonprofit organization, which is envisioned to create stronger network among media practitioners and information multipliers in Mindanao.

Membership is open to newspaper publishers, editors and columnists, presidents and chairmen of media organizations, broadcast station owners and managers, program heads, news editors, and reportorial managers, as well as government and non-government information officers and on-line news administrators.

MinPressDev prime movers are Joe del Puerto Felicilda - Editor-in-Chief, Mindanao

Star; Managing Editor, Mindanao Daily News; and Training Director, BWM Media Center, Cagayan de Oro City; Ped Quiamjot - General Manager, Pryce Plaza Hotel; and Columnist, BusinessWeek Mindanao & Mindanao Daily News, Cagayan de Oro City; Dante M. Sudaria : CEO, BusinessWeek Mindanao Advertising and Promotions; and Publisher/General Manager Sudaria Group of Publications, Cagayan de Oro City; Arjay S. Felicilda - News Editor, Mindanao Star; Section Editor, Mindanao News Daily, Cagayan de Oro City; Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy Editor-in-Chief, Cagayan de Oro Times; and Publication Manager, BWM Magazine, Cagayan de Oro City; and Rudy Magbanua – Manager, Public Affairs and Communication, A Brown Company.

OCHA does not extend assistance to the typhoon victims because “our work is just to coordinate all the efforts of the different groups and institutions” helping the victims.

“Coordination is very important. The service we provide is just to coordinate with various agencies and institutions and relay to them the kind of services or assistance needed by the victims in a particular place,” she said.

After “attacking” Pablo’s victims in Baganga, Palacio

did not show any shame or remorse in getting her fill as she partook of the sumptuous lunch prepared by the survivors of Pablo in Barangay Ban-ao for lunch.

Despite their situation, Ban-aowons were able to come up with 7 lechons, various kinds of seafoods and other dishes as they try to take advantage of whatever festive occasion that arises to celebrate life and hope amid the difficulties they daily encounter in their struggle to rebuild the community Pablo destroyed

on December 4, 2012.

Reacting to Palacio’s uncalled for “attacks” Banaowons who realized the gravity of her statements said that she was “way out of line.”

“She was just invited here.

She even ate our food after what she said. Shameless!” a survivor told this reporter.

An NGO worker also said that Palacio and/or UNOCHA should do their work and not blame the victims for their shortcomings.

“Does she want the victims to do her job for her? It

is her job to get information.

She’s paid a big salary to do that. If she was unable to get her job done correctly, she should own to it and not blame others,” the worker said.

A journalist, reacting to an FB post on Palacio’s statements, said: “Maybe she wanted the victims to stopped being shocked and traumatized for a while because of what happened to them, their families and communities, and give her the information she needed?”

But Barangay Chairman

Mera A. Ching, ever the grateful host and leader, expressed gratefulness to everyone who extended assistance to them.

Ching also urged her fellow Ban-aowons “not to depend” on others for the recovery of Ban-ao.

“We must not depend on anyone. We have to work.

We will not develop if we will not do anything to help ourselves. Let’s not remain in zero forever. Let’s work for the development of our families and our beloved barangay Ban-ao,” she said.

decline in electronics shipments to $1.506 billion. Such performance was the best in Asia, with Hong Kong managing 14.8% growth; China, 14.1%; Vietnam, 14.1% and Thailand, 13.5% Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., President of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) separately explained that there is a need to adjust the goal to 15% annually to attain $120 billion by 2016, the export target indicated in the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2013-2016, since last year’s growth is below

the original ten to 11% target.

“The improving performance of the electronics sector will help us achieve this revised target,” Ortiz-Luis noted, adding that our product diversification program under the PEDP can help push the exports of nonelectronics products such as machinery and transport equipment, woodcraft and furniture and fruits and vegetables.

Meanwhile, Esguerra’s presentation also showed that Philippine imports grew by 4.2% mostly from ASEAN, which is attributed to the

increasing benefits from this regional trade agreement.

Other top Philippine import markets are China, US and Japan.

Such improvement in the country’s external trade is reflected in the parallel growth in cargo throughput last year, which improved by 7.8% year-on-year to 90.9 metric tons, while ship traffic was 2.2% better.

Tourist arrivals bridged the four million mark in 2012, with the government expecting further tourist influx as the macroeconomic environment is positively

sustained.

Esguerra also noted that the country’s improving competitiveness ranking will contribute further to the attainment of the 2013 targets.

“It is important to pursue policies that will contribute to the country’s goals in the near term”, he noted. These include stimulating domestic demand, diversifying domestic and external trade, accelerating fiscal spending and strengthening economic relations with fast-growing ASEAN economies.

Specifically on the logis-

tics chain, he cited, among other recommendations, the need to encourage more infrastructure investments, upgrade and build new transport facilities and implement the National Transport Policy.

He however cautioned against challenges and risks such as the uncertainty in the Euro area; the ‘fiscal cliff ’ of the US; possible spikes in global petroleum prices; El Nino and typhoons; delayed or non-implementation of reforms and persistent high unemployment and underemployment in the country.

PRIORITY BILLS. Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez confers with House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte in connection with priority bills that need to be passed by the House of Representatives before it adjourns. Among those agreed upon are the Anti-trust bill and the bill giving incentives to hybrid vehicles, both authored by the Cagayan de Oro solon.

Media... from page 1

held on February 22, 2013, at the Kamagong Hall, Pryce Plaza, at Carmen Hills, Cagayan de Oro City, that he sees potential partnership between the Mindanao Communicators Network (MindaComNEt) and the MinPressDev. “This (MinPressDev) is the kind of media organization we have been looking for and we see a possible tie-up here on matters of information coordination, especially in times of disasters and calamities or in what is now called “new normal” that are affecting our lives here in Mindanao,” Dagala said.

Dagala said that forging an inter-partnership is also very useful in achieving “value-chain” and “supply

Pablo... from page 1

was the reason for the delayed response of the international community to send in help,” she said to the consternation of everyone.

Palacio said UN-OCHA should not be blamed that the help from the international community to Baganga was only a trickle to what has been poured into Compostela Valley because of little to no information from the devastated community.

She also said that UN-

Economy... from page 1

Government expenditure (11.8%), exports (8.7%) and household consumption (6.1%) fuelled last year’s demand, with exports reaching a record $51.994 billion or 7.6% growth over the $48.3 billion in 2011. The government is maintaining its ten percent export growth target for this year.

In December alone, exports rose 16.5% to $3.97 billion, reversing its 18.9% fall in the same month of 2011. This is despite a 5.5%

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Agri dept distributes Govt develops technologies machineries to farmers, to help boost goat industry fishermen in Region 12 COTABATO City -- In a bid to achieve food selfsufficiency in Region 12 (Sout h Cotabato, Nor t h Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces, and General Santos City, or Soccsksargen), Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala led the distribution of various agricultural machineries to farmers and fisherfolk in the region over the weekend.

He and other agriculture of f icia ls distributed t he equipment during their visit to Cotabato City, where they joined some 2,500 Department of Agriculture-Region 12 (DA-12) officials, farmers and fishermen in the “Ulat sa Bayan” and Farmers’ Hearts Day. The department held these events to recognize and appreciate the farmers’ contributions to the government’s efforts in attaining food self-sufficiency.

Alcala and DA-12 Reg iona l Director A ma lia Jayag Datukan distributed 40 hand tractors, 20 floating tillers, 35 shallow-tube well

engines and seven mini-4WD tractors from the AgriPinoy Palayan program to farmer-beneficiaries.

They also distributed t h ree c a s s ava g r a nu lator-cu m-shredders, t wo moisture meters, two disc harrows, two disc plows, one 90-horsepower 4-WD tractor, two village-type corn-on-cobs dryers, eight hermetic cocoons and two shredders from the AgriPinoy Maisan program.

The agriculture chief distributed 13 power sprayers, 1,700 tins of onion seedlings, 35 plastic water drums, 1, 8 0 0 me ters of H DPE pipes, 14 knapsack sprayers and one hand tractor with complete accessories from the Agri-Pinoy High Value Crops Development Program to government officials from Sarangani’s Malungon town, as well as a 35-hp 4-WD tractor to officials from South Cotabato’s Tupi town.

He also handed three 1.5-ton capacity shredders and three bag closers from

the Organic Agriculture program to local government units in North Cotabato’s Kidapawan City, General Santos City and Sultan Kudarat’s Columbio town. Three chillers and two chest-type freezers were also turned over to various village food terminals.

“With the DA mechanization program, it is not far-fetched that the country will attain sufficiency not only [in] rice, but [in] other food [staples],” Alcala said.

He noted Region 12’s contributions to the Food Staples Self-Sufficiency Program, saying that it attained a rice-sufficiency level of 128 percent last year. The region has contributed about 31.89 percent of the country’s rice self-sufficiency level.

Alcala challenged JayagDatukan and farmers in the region to exceed that figure.

“Your budget for this year is P1.2 billion, compared to more than P700 million in 2012, so there’s no reason [why] you cannot surpass last year’s feat,” he told them.

THE Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) is not inclined to issue permits for onion importation anytime soon as current stocks are suf-

ficient, an official said on Wednesday.

“I think there is sufficient supply so I don’t see a need for importation

for now,” said BPI director Clarito Barron, citing recommendation from the National Onion Action Team (NOAT), which is composed of stakeholders from the government and private sector.

Barron, however, said the NOAT will continue to assess the onion supply and price stuation in the country.

Data from t he Department of Agriculture showed that the importation of 9,100 metric tons (MT) of yellow onions was allowed in August and September last year. Of the total, only 7,479 MT arrived as of November 29, 2012.

Barron said onion supply fell short between September and October last year due to high demand for the upcoming holiday season.

Onion production in 2012 reached 124,830 MT, valued at P3.88 billion at current prices, according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). This volume was 2.8 percent less than the 2011 production level of 128,400 MT. The monthly domestic requirement of onions is currently placed 8,000 MT.

T H E G OV ER N M EN T is firming up a program that will develop technologies to improve goat production, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) said in a recent statement.

The department, through its Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), has formulated an Industry Strategic Science and Technology Plan that spells out general thrusts for such state intervention. The thrusts are summarized as: improving health and feeding protocols that can increase kid survival rate by 20%; enhancement of breeding protocols to double slaughter weight; enhancement of the national goat farm recording system; development of a halal system for goat-based products; standardizing slaughtering and cutting process; and diversifying products.

“ISP is about partnership with government and the industry and where science can make a dent on the goat industry,” the statement quoted PCAARRD Livestock Research Division Director Edwin C. Villar as saying.

PCAARRD targets the country’s goat production to hit 81,330 metric tons (MT) this year; 82,320 MT in 2014; 90,550 MT in 2015; and 99,600

GOAT-RAISING has been identified as a priority thrust for state research and development intervention.

MT in 2016. By 2020, the target is to produce 145,830 MT. To achieve these goals, PCAARRD plans to reduce pre-weaning (introduction of adult food) mortality rate to 10% from 25%; cut “kidding interval” (the period between two consecutive births by a dam) to eight months from nine months; and raise slaughter weight to 30 kilograms (kg) from 15 kg.

Besides DoST, the program also involves the Agriculture department’s offices in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and the

South Cotabato-CotabatoSultan Kudarat-SaranganiGeneral Santos City (Soccsksargen) cluster in southern Mindanao.

Partners in the program include Central Luzon State University, Central Mindanao University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Isabela State University, Sultan Kudarat State University and Visayas State University.

Once technologies developed under the program prove effective, PCAARRD plans to share them with the private sector, the same statement said.

engaged or operates agriculture and fishing activities.

According to Dr. Janith Cabalang-Aves, OIC Provincial Statistics Officer of the National Statistics Office, Misamis Oriental, the census taking is very vital because the data collected shall constitute bases upon which policy makers and planners formulate their plans and programs for the socio-economic development of the country.

Dr. Aves encourages all constituents to cooperate with the interviewers and provide the necessary data.

All hired interviewers are equipped with the necessary identification card.

Moreover, she also disclosed that all data obtained will be held strictly confidential pursuant to the provision of Section 4 of Commonwealth Act 591, which states that “information obtained from individuals and establishments during the census operation should be held strictly confidential and should not be divulged to any person, except for NSO personnel who are authorized and acting in the performance of their duties”.

No need to import NSO conducts agri, onions for now: govt fisheries census THE 2012 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF), a project of the National Statistics Office, will start its enumeration today, February 25, 2013.

This is a large scale government undertaking that is geared towards the collection and compilation of basic information on the agricultural and fishery sectors in the Philippines.

A house to house interview will be done by the hired interviewers who will be asking questions on household membership and if any member of the household is

Opportunities for food exports to Finland seen THERE are substantial opportunities for the exportation of food products such as fruits and vegetables to Finland, but there are also hurdles that exporters may have to overcome, says a recent report from the Philippine embassy in Norway sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs and to the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport).

Finland ’s location, topography and climate limits agricultural production, so the country

depends largely on food imports, the report said.

The report also noted that Finnish consumers are becoming more health-conscious, being concerned about t he freshness, origin and quality of the food they eat, as well as price-conscious. There has been a growing push for more organic foods and “functional foods” (foods seen as having a beneficial effect on one’s health) in the country even as more people are switching to

less expensive grocery brands, it said.

There is also an increasing demand for international cuisine in the Nordic nation, it added.

However, said the report, the opportunities for direct exports from developing countries to Finland are also limited by the structure of purchasing, with its purchasing cooperative located in another EU country, so most of its food imports come from the country, it said.

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Property

Monday-Tuesday I Feb. 25-26, 2013

11

Camella Pagadian:

Italian Village rises in hilly city ON the mountainsides of Zamboanga del Sur lies the City of Pagadian, its terrain rolling on to the lowlands, touching the shore of Celebes Sea. A challenging area for a city to grow, Pagadian has blossomed into one of Mindanao’s most ideal sites to live and work.

This is why Camella – the real estate brand with the widest geographical reach in the country – has chosen Pagadian as the perfect location for a community inspired by the Italian villages along the Mediterranean Sea. Agriculture and infrastructure blend here. Rich fields and forests cling to the foothills and frame the city in the northeast, while to the south is the Celebes Sea, the rich fishing grounds of Mindanao. Because the city is largely built on slopes, the view from practically anywhere in Pagadian is stunning.

Camella Pagadian understands the Filipino’s preference to settle in their hometowns. Thus, it is designed to be a sanctuary that will not only echo the allure of Italy

and the charm of Pagadian itself, but will also offer residents the conveniences they need to live the life they have worked so hard for.

Camella is the subsidiary catering to the mid-market segment of Vista Land, the country’s premier homebuilder. In over 38 years, it has built a variety of homes and themed communities and master planned “cities” across the islands. Each one carries Vista Land’s expertise in space planning, sustainable architecture, and accessible and attractive locations – always conveniently close to schools, business centers, transport hubs, and places of worship, entertainment, and culture.

To date, the group has built more than 250,000 homes and maintains a strong presence in Metro Manila and 63 cities and municipalities.

Camella communities have always been known for their convenient locations.

Located in Barangay Tiguma – where Rizal Avenue merges with the country’s transport backbone, the Maharlika Highway – the new community in Pagadian is a few minutes from the city proper.

Yet, it is distant enough to offer sanctuary and escape from the buzz of the city’s heart.

Accessing Camella Pagadian from the city – or the reverse – is a breeze. It sits on Rizal Avenue, a main thoroughfare and is close to the city’s integrated transport terminal, allowing residents access to all forms of transport, including the iconic 45º tricycles that Pagadian has become famous for. Standing close to the airport and seaport, it also allows easy movement for farther trips.

For the comfort of growing families, there are several schools close by, including the Tiguma and Lenienza Elementary Schools, Medina College and Universidad de Zamboanga. For family health care, the Pagadian Doctors and Pagadian Metropolitan Hospitals are a quick drive right down Rizal

Avenue.

With the city close by, it is easy to get to the Pagadian City Hall as well as other government and business offices. It is a few minutes from the C3 and Gaisano Malls, Best Emporium and Agora Market.

Camella Pagadian is master planned to be a place for dreams. The charming Mediterranean villages of Italy are, more often than not, the ultimate romance and adventure escape.

Here, a guarded entrance takes one away from the bustle of the city ushering one into the quiet safety of a community.

A tree-lined avenue meanders around clusters of homes that echo Italian summer villas and rotundas filled with blooms that allow the eye and soul to breathe.

Landscaped miniature parks and paths for walking, cycling, and jogging are around the property.

The new project will offer a selection of homes from the elegant Jewels series – Emerald and Ruby; the family homes of the Camella Series – Mara, Carmela, Drina, and Elaisa; as well as a selection of start-up homes from the Lessandra Series – Marga, Rina, Margarita, and Reana. Each home is efficiently planned

to allow for the mountain wind and ocean breeze to pass on.

The village comes with playgrounds, parks and a basketball court. To bring the community even closer together, there will be a clubhouse that will offer function rooms and a main hall for the neighborhood socials, the occasional al fresco dining and regular ecumenical worship.

A perimeter fence will keep the village protected. There will also be roving security and a guarded main entrance to guarantee peace of mind.

Camella Pagadian will officially be launched in February.

Ayala launches second Megaworld doubles investment P1B condo tower in Cebu in Mactan Newtown to P20B CEBU City -- Avida Land Corp., a unit of one of the country’s top property developer Ayala Land Inc., has launched the second tower of a residential condominium development at the Asiatown IT Park in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

Avida Towers Riala project officer Carlo Aldaba described the project as a portal to the IT Park, a strong commercial and business district in Cebu.

Like the first tower, Power 2 will have 621 units divided into 432 studio type models of 22.62 square meters to 23.87 sq.m. each priced from P1.9 million to P2.2 million; 135 one-bedroom units of 40.91 sq.m. to 41.84 sq.m. each priced from P4.1 million to P4.4 million; and 54 two-bedroom units of 56.58 sq.m. to 56.82 sq.m. each priced from P5.5 million to

P5.9 million.

Avida Land marketing manager Maria Teresa Tatco said 40 percent of Riala’s buyers belong to the 40- to 50-year-old bracket.

Aldaba said the project’s potential market is a balance of local and overseas clients, including Filipino workers in Asia and seafarers.

He said more than half buy units as investments because of its location.

He said the value of their company’s ventures in Cebu has increased from P73,000 per square meter with Avida Towers Cebu to P89,000 per square meter with Avida Towers Riala.

With Tower 2 directed towards the younger segment, Tatco said they stretched the payment plan to 36 months at a 20 percent downpayment with a monthly amortization of as low as P10,800.

Financing could also be arranged with a regular bank.

Company officials said Tower 1 is 80 percent sold as of January and is scheduled for completion by November 2015.

The units are scheduled to be turned over to owners by first quarter of 2016.

Tower 2 is expected to be completed by July 2016 with units scheduled for turnover in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Tower 2 is expected to be completed by July 2016 with units scheduled for turnover in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Officials said the two towers are part of the P5 billion Ayala Land investment in Cebu for 2013, each budgeted at P1.1 billion and P1.2 billion.

Avida towers Riala will have five towers, officials said. (PNA)

LAPU-LAPU City -- Real estate giant Megaworld Corp. has announced it was doubling its investment in The Mactan Newtown in LapuLapu City from P10 billion to P20 billion in the next five to seven years.

President Benigno Aquino III and Megaworld chairman and chief executive officer Andrew Tan led the inauguration Wednesday of the company’s first township in Central Visayas.

Top investors from Japan and BPO executives attended the event.

Tan said the P20 billion investment will be used to “build luxury residential condominiums, office towers, a world-class lifestyle mall, our very own Richmonde Hotel and soon a sports and leisure facility.” ”We are truly enthusiastic and optimistic about the socio-economic vibrancy of

Cebu,” said Tan. President Aquino said huge investments from companies like Megaworld reflects the strong optimism and confidence of local investors in the country’s economy. ”Projects like this is a valuable check point for us,” Aquino said.

He said his administration will prioritize the offering of competitive incentives to hire more investments into the country.

Aquino said the project will help grow employment not only in the information technology (IT), business process outsourcing (BPO) and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) industries but also in tourism.

He praised the company for putting up hotels in the development, saying these would address the additional rooms needed to accommodate the government’s target

of 10 million foreign tourists by 2016.

The 20-hectare Mactan Newtown was declared a mixed-used special economic zone for information technology, tourism and retirement under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

The project is expected to generate employment for 25,000 full-time BPO workers with the completion in five to seven years.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Prudencio Gesta said they “strongly welcome” this new development in the province as it will bring in more business opportunities.

He said it will have collateral benefits in transportation, construction, food and retail.

He said local government units and the private sector should support developments such as The Mactan Newtown.

(PNA)

MANILA - Citing national security, the Philippine military has asked the Supreme Court to lift a stay order preventing state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) from bidding out the Bonifacio South property.

In an 11-page petition filed on February 21, the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) scored SM Land Inc for blocking the BCDA in its quest to raise funds for the

modernization of the country’s military at a time when it needs most the money.

Owned by Henry Sy, SM Land earlier secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the High Tribunal after BCDA last year opted to dispose of the 33.1-hectare Bonifacio South property through an open competitive bidding, as ordered by President Benigno Aquino III. The shift to an open bidding meant that BCDA had to terminate the search for

a “competitive challenge” to SM Land’s unsolicited bid.

The company had offered P38,500 per square meter for the property, but the BCDA said this was way below the prevailing market price of between P80,000-100,000 per square meter.

BCDA had invited SM Land to join the public bidding, but the company opted to secure a TRO from the Supreme Court.

In their petition, the DND and AFP said their intervention in the case involves

the protection of national security as it “directly strikes at the heart of the AFP Modernization Program.”

“The AFP as a direct beneficiary of the disposition of the Metro Manila camps undertaken by the BCDA, will be heavily injured by the petition to prevent BCDA from exercising it’s duty to dispose the Metro Manila camps,” the petition read.

The AFP stands to receive 50 percent of the cash payment for the Bonifacio South property. Based on

BCDA’s calculations, the cash payment will amount to at least P7 billion, P3.5 billion of which would go to the AFP this year if the public bidding pushes through.

“SM Land has no right to compel BCDA to accept a lower value for the property it offered in an unsolicited and negotiated process. As stewards of public assets, our job is to generate the best value for our government in an open and competitive bidding where SM Land is very much welcome to par-

ticipate in,” BCDA president Arnel Casanova said in a statement.

“Any delay in the generation of AFP funds can be a national security risk,” he added.

The Philippine military is hard-pressed raising resources to boost its defense capability amid a territorial row with China over the West Philippine Sea. Considered t he Philippines’ richest man, the Filipino-Chinese Sy owns urged/PAGE 7

High Court urged to lift Henry Sy stay order on sale of Bonifacio South property